Podcasts about Growing season

“Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat!On this week's episode of The Growing Season, the McFarland's say hello to yellow.One of the most divisive colours, Jack, Lynne, and Matt discussed using yellow in landscape, designs and installs.Matt details and interesting estimating exercise that he's been doing with his students at Humber College.From the design perspective, yellow can overwhelm a space if used in copious amounts.Black Eyed Suzie's, Yarrow and Marigold‘s are just some of the plants that the trio dive into off the top of the show.Evergreens carpet bomb when they pollinate. And that bombing, is just about to begin.What is the purpose of the yellow and black colouration on wasps, hornets, yellow jackets and bees? Matt tells a hilarious story about his wife's classifications for these types of insects.Are yellow peppers the same as green peppers?Matt asserts that the dandelion crop in 2026 was smaller than its 2025 counterpart.Why do dandelions stems stand straight up despite being cut with the lawnmower? You'll be surprised to learn.Lynn sings. Uh-oh.Is there such thing as a deciduous conifer? How could that be?The McFarland‘s don't use golden chain tree all that much. Why is that? They investigate.A rundown of the top yellow fall colour happens.Not many people know what a Ligularia is. It deserves some recognition.Have you ever heard of Evening Primrose? You'll want to listen in if you haven't.The TGS crew discuss a perennial that is virtually impossible to find.Matt hates Forsythia. But could there be a way that those feelings change? You'll find out. Lemon Princess Spirea gets her time in the spotlight.Why don't more growing season designs feature Rhododendron and Azaleas?Tuberous begonias cap the show off in style.Tune in. Looking to book a consult for your property?  We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.

We sit down with our Penn State tree fruit team to lay out the decision points hitting orchards right now: codling moth, bitter pit, and tree management.Host: Don SeifritSpeakers: Kari Peter, Shan Kumar, Greg KrawczykPhoto Credit: Kari Peter, PSUMusic Credit: “The Raven and the Swan” by Josh Woodward is licensed under a Attribution 3.0 United States License. Courtesy of FreeMusicArchive.orgMake sure you sign up to get notified of future Extension events for tree fruit growers! Sign UpFlight Seasonalities of Main Fruit Pests During the Growing Season

“Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat!It's our annual annual show that annually talks about annuals.Get out them trowels cuz its time to plant. Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland dive into annuals 2026 on this week's episode of The Growing Season. Matt has to walk his cat.  Its not by choice.  Otherwise its chaos. Why are annual geraniums called geraniums?  They aren't geraniums.  The McFarland's dive into the history of it. Matt tells a story about Jack and being eccentric old coot.  Geraniums figure prominently into this tale.Sourcing of annuals has become a challenge. "I don't think dahlias are as possible as they used to be...." This enrages Jack.  Annuals for HOT areas are discussed. Function over form in landscape design ALWAYS. What is a perfect container or pot to use for annuals?   The trio discuss. Angle grinders galore and how they figure into your annual adventures.  How to water is explored. Heat stress and water stress really effects impatiens.  Lynne outlines how to avoid this type of stress. Matt and Jack argue.John McLean was a client of Jack's and NOT the McLean you're thinking about. The annuals for sun and shade are explored. Begonias over impatiens ALL. THE. TIME. Tune in. Looking to book a consult for your property?  We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.

“Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat!"It's Gonna Be May!!!"You can almost picture Justin Timberlake crooning it.On this weeks episode of The Growing Season, Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland dive into the All-Stars of one of the most beautiful months on the calendar." The mistakes of May" kick the show off in style.  Matt runs down the weather and why it may not be the right time to plant annuals outdoors.What do you do if you've bought your annuals and its going to get below freezing?Watering in spring vs. summer is explored.Climate Change vs. Global Warming is discussed. How to properly "harden off" tropical plants to acclimate them to the outdoors features.Matt rants against crabapples but Jack changes his mind on things.  FLAMETHROWERS and the 80's.  YEAH BABY!Jack discusses ornamental trees and an unlikely specimen is mentioned.  Jack has planted a bunch of these... Matt - not so much. Hawthorns are just some of the major all-stars of May. Matt highlights a way he makes sure he's planting in zone. Jack is having Japanese Maple problems. The McFarlands HANG OUT in Lilacville. Don't prune your candles.   WHAT? Speaking of what - is the economy rebounding?   Let's debate. Serviceberry get their moment in the sun to cap the show off. Tune in. Looking to book a consult for your property?  We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.What is a TGS Tiny Garden? CLICK HERE.

00:00:35 Iowa weather history: May 1892 flooding and rare late-season snow/sleet event 00:01:17 Weekly forecast: Cooler with rain chances Thu–Fri, warming into Memorial Day weekend 00:01:40 Rainfall outlook: Light to moderate precipitation, heaviest in southwest Iowa 00:02:03 Frost update: No widespread frost, but isolated 32°F readings reported 00:02:20 8–14 day outlook: Strong signal for above-normal temperatures; slightly drier east, near-normal west 00:03:37 3–4 week outlook: Continued warm trend; mostly equal precipitation chances, slightly wetter southwest 00:04:27 El Niño discussion: Likely developing soon (82% chance), high confidence by late summer–winter 00:05:20 El Niño impacts: Weak summer correlation; possible cooler, slightly wetter Upper Midwest summers 00:08:37 Shift from ONI to RONI: New index accounts for broader ocean trends and climate change effects 00:12:22 Historical reclassification: Past El Niño events adjusted under new RONI metric 00:14:16 Recent weather recap: Active severe weather week with storms, hail, wind, and tornadoes 00:15:47 Storm impacts: 23 EF1 tornadoes, widespread wind events, heaviest activity in northwest and southwest Iowa 00:17:32 Weekly extremes: High 95°F (Sioux City), low 32°F (Emmetsburg, Sac City), heavy rainfall in Mount Ayr 00:18:00 Record rainfall: Mount Ayr logs wettest May on record with over 12 inches 00:19:34 CoCoRaHS discussion: Importance of dense rain gauge networks for accurate data and decision-making 00:22:43 Peak wind gust: 88 mph recorded in Correctionville 00:23:48 Crop planting tips: Peppers, eggplant, cucurbits, marigolds, and strawberry plug timing 00:25:31 Pest update: Low flea beetles in some areas; cucumber beetles and onion thrips active 00:26:07 Field conditions: Wet soils aiding crops but increasing weeds; cultivation timing important 00:26:19 Cover crop management: Winter rye termination strategies and timing considerations 00:27:17 Herbicide drift case: Damage to asparagus; guidance on reporting incidents to IDALS 00:28:44 Greenhouse issue: Edema in tomatillos from high humidity, not disease 00:29:12 Watermelon pollination: Grafted pollenizers improve survival and pollination success 00:30:16 SWD update: Parasitoid wasps potentially established in Minnesota 00:30:54 Disease note: Bacterial soft rot observed in lettuce after heavy rains 00:31:32 Events: Weed Control Field Day (MN) and TekFlex (MI) highlighted 00:32:11 Additional content: "Pivot Points" episode on farmer civic engagement released Podcast Summary generated using perplexity.ai

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“Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat!Its all by design...Literally.Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland continue their Landscape Design chat on this week's episode of The Growing Season."95% of all designs need a tree, even on the small designs." Matt discusses why he feels this is the case.We have to bring down the immensity of the house - that's a Mattism.Lilacs, Baby Blue Eyes Spruce, Cumulus Serviceberry and Apollo Sugar Maples feature prominently in this chat. What is a Red Osier Dogwood and why is it important?Jack McFarland sees a fence and gets REALLY excited.  A fence area in shade and Jack dies a little bit. Clematis, morning glory, espaliers and more...  The trio discuss garden mirrors and how to use them.  Matt tells a sci-fi story. Matt's fear of poison plants effects his designs significantly.  Matt won't use Yews.  You's read that right - he won't use Yews.The use of epicurean plants must be designed with caution. Juglans nigra and its insanely effective way of reducing competition is discussed. The legendary Ginkgo biloba comes into focus. Daphne, Buckthorn, Rhododendrons, Azaleas and Poison Sumac are some plants to look out for. Everything is poisonous - what?What's better than one Contorted Corkscrew Hazel? 14!!!The show ends with a moment of silence. Tune in. Looking to book a consult for your property?  We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.What is a TGS Tiny Garden? CLICK HERE.

Kari and Shan highlight the important things to consider over the next few days as the crop load for this year stabilizes. We discuss potential thinning decisions as well as disease management. Host: Don SeifritSpeakers: Kari Peter, Shan KumarPhoto Credit: Lindsay Brown, PSUMusic Credit: “The Raven and the Swan” by Josh Woodward is licensed under a Attribution 3.0 United States License. Courtesy of FreeMusicArchive.orgMake sure you sign up to get notified of future Extension events for tree fruit growers! Sign UpFlight Seasonalities of Main Fruit Pests During the Growing Season

From spray coverage and rain timing to making block by block calls, Kari, Greg, and Shan focus what to do this year to protect what's left and what to do to prepare for next year.Host: Don SeifritSpeakers: Kari Peter, Shan Kumar, Greg KrawczykPhoto Credit: Shan Kumar, PSUMusic Credit: “The Raven and the Swan” by Josh Woodward is licensed under a Attribution 3.0 United States License. Courtesy of FreeMusicArchive.orgMake sure you sign up to get notified of future Extension events for tree fruit growers! Sign UpFlight Seasonalities of Main Fruit Pests During the Growing Season

“Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat!Let's design, shall we?The Growing Season discusses a major facet of their horticultural business on this week's episode of the show.  Strap in.  Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland talk about step 1 of your horticultural renovation. Martial Arts kicks off the show.  Matt's daughter is learning to break boards with her feet. Design work from last fall = construction work for this spring.  That's the play. The design process when engaging with The Growing Season is a long one BUT it reaps rewards down the line.  Matt explains why.Delivery fees for materials are going to increase this year?  Why?Matt cues the rant music when discussing design fees and his feelings regarding "hardscapers." Whatever the size of the patio that you feel would suit you isn't big enough.  Trust us.  150% of the time it isn't big enough.  The trio explain why.  You need 3' of space behind any patio chair for traffic flow. "Design with the future in mind..."Repetition of plant materials in a garden space breeds familiarity between spaces. Matt has some GORGEOUS jobs upcoming. Soil, soil and more soil. What is the average pH on client's sites? Plants for wet sites and plants for dry sites are discussed.  Some of those that tolerate wet locations will surprise you.Black Eyed Susie, Joe Eye Weed, Iris, Day lily, Pussy Willow, Dogwood, Clethras, Climbing Hydrangea, Oakleaf Hydrangea, Butterfly Bush and Japanese Kerria are just some of the plants discussed. Matt narrows his fern palette to one family. Its a good family.Irrigation is not for startup.  It is for maintenance. Garden Design do's and don'ts are uncovered. How do you determine what your shade/light conditions are on your property?How much time do you have to devote to gardening and what is your budget?Tune in. Looking to book a consult for your property?  We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.What is a TGS Tiny Garden? CLICK HERE.

“Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat!The drums of war can be heard on lawns throughout the country.That's right.  They're coming... The silent insurgence will rob you of your verdant green carpet and replace it with a votive of yellow blooms. Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland dive into weed warfare on this week's episode of The Growing Season. Rats have become a problem in gardens across the country and the trio dive into why this is.  The problem is on the rise this year. Matt details his Ragdoll Cat's new patrol route.  Its been modified this season.   He's now inspecting the interiors of homes in an effort to keep the neighbourhood safe. How do you create a "leaf mould cage?"  Why do worms dot the sidewalks when its been rainy outside?"All the weeds that show up in the spring got their start last fall..." - Jack McFarlandMatt rants about crabgrass and biological control.  What's the correlation between lawns and white clover?Topdressing comes into focus.Matt is going to be bringing Humber College students to jobsites. Stigmas surrounding interlock lead into a discussion about weeding your flowerbeds. Don't mulch a flowerbed in its first season.  Just don't. Edging a bed comes down to C=C.  Construction = cash. Mothers Day presents are discussed. "Up, down, all around" is a great way to remember what the different fertilizer numbers mean. Tune in. Looking to book a consult for your property?  We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.What is a TGS Tiny Garden? CLICK HERE.

A late April freeze might seem like a single bad night, but what we're seeing across Pennsylvania orchards is a season-long management puzzle. Kari, Shan, and Greg outline what's important in a challenging year.Host: Don SeifritSpeakers: Kari Peter, Shan Kumar, Greg KrawczykPhoto Credit: Lindsay Brown, PSUMusic Credit: “The Raven and the Swan” by Josh Woodward is licensed under a Attribution 3.0 United States License. Courtesy of FreeMusicArchive.orgMake sure you sign up to get notified of future Extension events for tree fruit growers! Sign UpFlight Seasonalities of Main Fruit Pests During the Growing Season

“Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat!Lets do it again, shall we?  Picking up where last week's show left off, Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland put a final cut on their spring pruning series for 2026.The show starts with a marijuana chat.  What? Bear cubs abound in Canada and Matt takes the time to make a joke about hibernating. Platypus...Matt gushes. TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER!A broken tree leader times three finishes off a talk from last week. Mark Banks cost a company bank.What does the tree leader do in regards to the operating system of the tree?   It's fascinating. Field tags on trees prompt a conversation with Matt.What happens if you don't remove your tree's winter sweater? Matt explains.Sun scald frost crack is discussed. Lets prune a clematis together.  There are some rules and the McFarlands go over the ins and outs.Don't prune when you're high!   DANGEROUS!Roses and their various family members are discussed.  There was a stigma surrounding roses that seems to have faded.  Why?Morden Manitoba is a hotbed for rose development.  Why again? The prunus family and their pruning requirements comes into focus. Jack tells a peach tree story.What is "open pruning?" MATT HATES BLUEBERRY PLANTS!!! HATTTTEESSSS. Currents and white pine.   UH-OH.  You'll find out why.The difference between raspberry plants cap the show off. Tune in. Looking to book a consult for your property?  We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.What is a TGS Tiny Garden? CLICK HERE.

What to expect during planting and the summer growing season alongside top agriculture headlines, including updates on a sterile fly facility in Texas and global ag news, are heard in this week's episode. This week's agriculture news also covers cattle industry updates, including what to know about the New World screwworm parasite, as well as potential increased oversight of lab-grown protein products. Additional headlines include USDA farmer aid totaling $9 billion, renewed momentum on the farm bill and updates on drone regulations. A weekly market update, crop progress report, and weather insights are also included. Two interviews are included this week. First, Jeff Moon, market development specialist with Corteva Agriscience, shares a five-program approach to weed management. With shifts in the weed landscape, he offers practical tips for growers heading into the season. In today's second interview, Eric Snodgrass, ag meteorologist with Nutrien Ag Solutions, discusses what growers can expect in the months ahead, including current conditions and summer outlooks as of late April. Stay connected with us for daily agriculture content on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, along with our weekly videos!

“Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat!The McFarland's guide The Growing Season into the three groups of Clematis and how/when to prune them.  Its a simple little chat that makes things easy to understand.  Enjoy!Looking to book a consult for your property?  We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.What is a TGS Tiny Garden? CLICK HERE. Subscribe to The Growing Season podcast.  CLICK HERE. 

Don, Kari, Greg, and Shan walk through the overnight freeze and the chain reaction it triggers across fruit set, disease risk, and insect timing in our  orchards. We share what to scout first, what to spray only when it makes sense, and how to protect pollinators while the weather keeps changing.Host: Don SeifritSpeakers: Kari Peter, Shan Kumar, Greg KrawczykPhoto Credit: Sara Serra, PSUMusic Credit: “The Raven and the Swan” by Josh Woodward is licensed under a Attribution 3.0 United States License. Courtesy of FreeMusicArchive.orgMake sure you sign up to get notified of future Extension events for tree fruit growers! Sign UpFlight Seasonalities of Main Fruit Pests During the Growing Season

“Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat!Lets get clippy, clippy, shall we?Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland prune off the crossers, rubbers, dead, broken, malformed and diseased part of your emerging plants on this week's episode of The Growing Season. Pruning is front and centre at this time of year and The McFarlands dive, secateurs first, into the subject. It's still too early to be out in the gardens.  Its much too wet. Jack isn't listening to Matt, obviously. Why are fruit trees pruned in January/February?  The trio examine exactly why this happens.  The trees are just starting to show "bud swell."  What does that mean?Is this a good time to transplant trees?What is the difference, in appearance, between a leaf bud and a flower bud?Lynne discusses sharpening and disinfecting your pruning tools.  She has some cool tips.Matt contradicts himself and then gushes over a Contorted Corkscrew Witch hazel.  Ohh baby.  Sooo cool. Juglans nigra tops the list of "weirdo plants."  Open wounds or wombs.  There is a debate. Mountain Ash and their propensity for acquiring "fire blight" is discussed.  Pruning of Japanese Maples is an art.  Matt highlights the finer points. What is cambium and why is it important?  Top graft, top graft, top grafts... What?A spider web of pruning on Weeping Mulberries sparks a tale. Repair of lightning damage on trees closes the show out. Tune in. Looking to book a consult for your property?  We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.What is a TGS Tiny Garden? CLICK HERE.

Don is joined by Kari, Shan, and Greg during this scorching hot April week to discuss fire blight infection periods, bloom thinning, and insect flights.Host: Don SeifritSpeakers: Kari Peter, Shan Kumar, Greg KrawczykPhoto Credit: Kari Peter, PSUMusic Credit: “The Raven and the Swan” by Josh Woodward is licensed under a Attribution 3.0 United States License. Courtesy of FreeMusicArchive.orgMake sure you sign up to get notified of future Extension events for tree fruit growers! Sign UpFlight Seasonalities of Main Fruit Pests During the Growing Season

“Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat!POP QUIZ TIME!!!Matt McFarland is about to teach a course on turf at Humber College and decided that his students' first assignment could be incorporated into this week's episode of The Growing Season. The McFarland's dive into some wonderful, and unknown, facts regarding that green carpet that covers your lawn. Jack kicks off the show with a "new age" discussion that sends the start off on a tangent. What is "No Mow May?"  Its a popular idea and the TGS trio dive into it. The pros and cons of this little event are highlighted. When is the proper time to start cutting your lawn?  The ins and outs of fertilizer become a topic of focus.  What do the various numbers mean?Slow release is only for nitrogen.  WHAT!?Photosynthesis...ROIGHT!  Gypsum is an industry secret that is revealed to y'all.A pH reset! What is an aerator?  What is a dethatcher?Grass takes in carbon and expels oxygen.  Its a pretty beneficial plant. Everything plus the carbon sink is highlighted. Comparisons and contrasts between artificial turf and natural turf come into focus.Can we eliminate the use of fertilizer altogether?What are the wildflowers that grow in your lawn that are the first foods for our pollinators? Matt RANTS.  Nematodes to the rescue...Tune in. Looking to book a consult for your property?  We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.What is a TGS Tiny Garden? CLICK HERE.

While it might still be chilly in other parts of the country our growing season is off and to the races. 2:50 And so it begins. 8:23 What we still don't know (red blotch discussion). 16:10 Gift and Curse of a Long Season. 23:34 Community and Camaraderie.Be sure to SUBSCRIBE and follow us on our social networks @mtgawines (YouTube, Instagram, The Book of Face and the Social Network Formerly Known as Twitter)MTGA Wines: www.mtgawines.comBlaire Payton Wines: www.blairepaytonwines.com

Don is joined by Kari and Shan this week to discuss what happens what a spring freeze doesn't just “nip” buds. Shan highlights what to do after the frost: how to sample across a block, cut buds to spot real freeze damage in the reproductive tissue.Kari gives an early fire blight heads-up as warm weather accelerates bloom, plus a smart “minimal spray program” mindset for blocks that lost fruit to winter injury.Frost Protection Strategies: https://extension.psu.edu/frost-critical-temperatures-and-frost-protectionCritical Temperatures: https://extension.psu.edu/orchard-frost-critical-temperatures-for-various-fruitsHost: Don SeifritSpeakers: Kari Peter, Shan KumarPhoto Credit: Faith MillerMusic Credit: “The Raven and the Swan” by Josh Woodward is licensed under a Attribution 3.0 United States License. Courtesy of FreeMusicArchive.orgMake sure you sign up to get notified of future Extension events for tree fruit growers! Sign UpFlight Seasonalities of Main Fruit Pests During the Growing Season

“Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat!DON'T EAT THOSE CHOCOLATE RAISINS. Its that time of year that chocolate raisins, aka Bunny Poop, comes into focus horticulturally. The largest bunny of them all appears this weekend - The EASTER BUNNY.Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland detail what Easter means to their family.  Jack and Lynne have an especially important event tied to the Easter weekend. The tree that gives chocolate is the first in line at the horticultural party. The TGS trio highlight its history. The "midge fly" has a major role in chocolate and Matt asserts that Easter's prototypical creature needs to be reassessed. Easter and Australia is discussed.  What is a Nelly White? Why are we talking about Komodo dragons?Where are Easter Lily's grown? How do you care for them when they find their way into your home?  Lynne details the how-to.A brand new gadget could be the key to perfect tropical plant watering.Lynne eats.  Matt vomits. Forced air and radiators in homes tie into the care of your Easter plants. Chrysanthemum, poinsettias, deciduous trees and soya beans factor into a discussion. A brand new hydrangea variety is created on the fly.  Speaking of hydrangeas, getting all sciency with their bloom colour caps the show off.How do you "harden off" an easter hydrangea to allow it to be transplanted into your flower beds.Can you plant dahlia bulbs right now?Tune in. Looking to book a consult for your property?  We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.What is a TGS Tiny Garden? CLICK HERE.Subscribe to The Growing Season podcast.  CLICK HERE.

Managing farm margins - Producers are making decisions on their crop nutrient programs. Learn more about what considerations farmers need to make as they gear up for this growing season. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This bonus episode is to highlight another fruit podcast focused on horticulture/phenology/physiology topics from Extension professionals and researchers around the country. It's hosted by Don and includes personnel from Cornell, Michigan State, University of Maine, and Washington State. Go follow them on their feed!For more information, visit https://sparcscri.com/This work is/was supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture - Specialty Crop Research Initiative project "Preparing U.S. Pome Fruit Production for Extreme Temperatures in a Changing Climate" (2024-51181-43289; Accession #1032988)Host: Don SeifritSpeakers: Emily Lavely, Mike Basedow, Renae Moran, Lee KalcsitsMusic Credit: “Four Seasons - Spring Mvt1” by John Harrison with the Wichita State University Chamber Players is licensed under a Attribution Share-Alike 3.0 United States License. Courtesy of FreeMusicArchive.orgMake sure you sign up to get notified of future Extension events for tree fruit growers! Sign UpFlight Seasonalities of Main Fruit Pests During the Growing Season

Don, Kari, Shan, and Greg highlight the very first stages of spring as green tip begins to emerge around the state in apples.Music Credit: “The Raven and the Swan” by Josh Woodward is licensed under a Attribution 3.0 United States License. Courtesy of FreeMusicArchive.orgMake sure you sign up to get notified of future Extension events for tree fruit growers! Sign UpFlight Seasonalities of Main Fruit Pests During the Growing Season

Message date: March 29, 2026 ★ Support this podcast ★

“Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat!No!   It's not Halloween yet. But, "THEY'RE HERE!"  That famous line uttered in Steven Spielberg's 1982 classic "Poltergeist" becomes the jumping off point for this week's episode of The Growing Season. Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland dive into all the horticultural items that are current emerging at this time of the year. "This is not the time to be out on job sites..."   We know, its a downer BUT that doesn't mean we can't talk about what's to come...Movie trivia kicks the show off.  With the amount of snow and cold that gripped the GTA this winter passed are we to expect a reduced amount of Japanese Beetles this season? The McFarlands discuss.Matt has some news with regards to Humber College.What pollinators emerge first?  You'd be surprised to learn.  Matt discusses "No Mow May" and its pros and cons. Trilliums and ants.  There's a link.  Let's uncover it. Tundra Swans.  WHAT?  Some birds make a 90,000km trip to return to our borders in the spring.  Why do certain birds migrate and others don't?Why does Daylight Savings Time exist?  Why is it still being used?Migration is driven by nature, not by bird feeders.Which birds return to our trees first in the earliest parts of the spring?Ravens are remarkably intelligent.Plants that "bloom on old wood" need to be pruned at a specific time.  The McFarlands discuss. The trio's favourite flowering spring plants are revealed. Tune in. Looking to book a consult for your property?  We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.What is a TGS Tiny Garden? CLICK HERE.Subscribe to The Growing Season podcast.  CLICK HERE.

In this episode of The Vibe, WFMJ Today's Nicole Kapalko and Steve Vesey catch up with Parks Garden Center owner Tim Parks about gardening in the Mahoning Valley and preparing for growing season in the Mahoning Valley.

Jack McFarland is built to survive! Jack calls in for the final time from Sunnybrook's St. John's rehab facility for final time on this week's episode of The Growing Season. Jack, Lynne and Matt highlight the plants that can tolerate the wild swings in weather and temperature that are common at this time of the year.  There are so many that respond with "is that all you got?" whilst raging at Mother Nature. The time of year makes the clients go squirrely and Matt has to talk them into a peaceful mindset. Snow is an insulator.  What happens when it recedes and the temperature drops?  How do emerging plants survive this? Mosses are able to engage in reproduction while being covered in a blanket of snow. Snow mould and its effect on allergy sufferers. The resin in evergreens creates a wonderful defence against cold. Speaking of evergreens, the giant coastal redwoods feature prominently on todays show. Matt highlights a few movies you should spend some time with. What are the "White Mountains?"  Jurupa Oaks - the oldest oak on earth.  You'd be surprised to know how long these trees can live. The longest living flowering tree is revealed.  Its 2000 years old. Bleeding Hearts, Hostas, Sedum, Yarrow, Echinacea and Russian Sage are built to survive. Tune in. Looking to book a consult for your property?  We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.What is a TGS Tiny Garden? CLICK HERE.Subscribe to The Growing Season podcast.  CLICK HERE.

Lets get EPIC for this year's Spring Break.Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland board a plane and take off for New Zealand on this week's episode of The Growing Season. Matt confuses New Zealand and Australia.   Jack and Lynne correct his mistake."The father south you go in New Zealand the cooler it is..." RIGHT.  Time to recalibrate the operating system.Humans, sheep, kiwis and The Maori all feature heavily in New Zealand.Automated sheep shearing and grape picking correlate. What are there SOOOO many sheep in New Zealand? The North and South Island of New Zealand feature very different biomes and climates.  Maybe that's part of why it was chosen as the place to film Lord Of The Rings.What fruit trees grow in New Zealand?  You'd be surprised to know. The McFarland Query System makes its triumphant return.What is a "Dry Kiwi?"Complex flavoured New Zealand fruit is discussed. Passion fruit, kiwi, tamarillo are just some of the exotic edibles grown in New Zealand. Are the Volcanoes in New Zealand active? Weather ranges from sub-zero to tropical areas.  FERNS, FERNS FERNS... SOOO MANY FERNS. Of course, Lord Of The Rings features HEAVILY in discussions on this week's episode. New Zealand is home to lizards that give birth to live young. You read that right. Famous movies, TV shows and more filmed in New Zealand are highlighted. Tune in. Looking to book a consult for your property?  We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.What is a TGS Tiny Garden? CLICK HERE.Subscribe to The Growing Season podcast.  CLICK HERE.

We get by with a little help from our friends.Toronto's own Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre comes in with the ultimate save this week.Jack McFarland, fresh off of a shoulder replacement surgery, joins Lynne and Matt, by phone, for this week's episode of The Growing Season. Calling in from a patient lounge, Jack details the ins and outs of how to make a construction project more sustainable. Jack and Matt discuss keeping the job site clean.  LIKE EXCESSIVELY CLEAN!  How do you keep a job site from getting muddy. How do you reduce the amount of noise on a job site? Are there noise pollution regulations? The McFarlands discuss the "circular economy" - the ability to reuse materials to save on construction waste. Venus Fly Traps have taken over The McFarland's house.Machines falling in holes and sodding over plywood.  Tales from the job site abound. Did Jack get a shoulder cannon installed as part of his surgery?   Matt hopes so. Sea cans are becoming a popular choice when building structures.  Jack and Matt detail their experiences. Matt details "Red Listed" chemicals. Tune in. Looking to book a consult for your property?  We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.What is a TGS Tiny Garden? CLICK HERE.Subscribe to The Growing Season podcast.  CLICK HERE.

Don, Kari, Greg, and Shan dig into stone fruit losses and disease timing as a warm spell pushes early peaches toward bud swell. We outline what early scouting actually tells you and how to get ready for oriental fruit moth and codling moth.If this helped sharpen your spring plan, follow the show, share it with a grower who needs timely cues, and leave a quick review so more orchards can find us.Soil Fumigation: https://extension.psu.edu/fumigation-and-other-strategies-to-control-soil-pestsHeat School: https://sparcscri.com/event/wsu-tree-fruit-heat-school/Photo Credit: Don Seifrit, Penn StateMusic Credit: “The Raven and the Swan” by Josh Woodward is licensed under a Attribution 3.0 United States License. Courtesy of FreeMusicArchive.orgMake sure you sign up to get notified of future Extension events for tree fruit growers! Sign UpFlight Seasonalities of Main Fruit Pests During the Growing Season

Sam Taylor, farm input analyst with Rabobank, on current fertilizer availability and what it means for producers. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

RETREAT!   The winter has been so harsh maybe we should just accept our fate.Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland retreat to the joys of interior horticulture on this week's episode of The Growing Season.Houseplants take centre stage as the snow continues to dominate our landscapes.  How to water and WHAT to water with kicks off the proceedings. "Snow Water" vs. tap water is discussed. What basic elements does rainwater contain? Which plant is the one that is the most susceptible to leaf drop due to winter draft?You'd be surprised to learn what water you're able to use to water your plants. Salt's that are contained within tap water can become a problem for indoor plants.  The McFarlands discuss how to combat the issue.How much light does the average houseplant need? CROTON!!!!   OHHHH BABY!Chlorophyll and houseplants are correlated.  Spielberg's Poltergeist is discussed. Birds and bombs and boisterous neighbours...Cast Iron Plants will grow in the darkest of areas. How many houseplants do you need to purify the air in your home."Greenhouse air?" WHAT!?  Spider plants are great mothers.Lemon trees, lime trees, orange trees and fig trees are all able to be grown indoors with great success. Orchids are the holy grail of houseplants.  How would one get their cacti to bloom?Tune in. Looking to book a consult for your property?  We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.What is a TGS Tiny Garden? CLICK HERE.Subscribe to The Growing Season podcast.  CLICK HERE.

Sodium, sodium, they showed from their podium!Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland add another grain to their pile of salt with this week's Salt And Horticulture Pt. 2 on The Growing Season. With the level of ice on walking and driving surfaces all across the GTA the trio felt it prudent to discuss salt tolerant plant materials. Jack discusses an upcoming surgery.  He's a little nervous.Rising temperatures due to climate change causes our lake water to evaporate quicker, increasing the salt content in the soil.Sea Asparagus and Suaeda Maritime can live in places like Death Valley, one of the saltiest places on earth. Matt rants about boxwoods and that leads to a chat about how street trees react to an over salted growing environment. Salt Cedar leads to an episode of Strange But True. Purple Loosestrife and Hogweed join the chat. Correlations between wildfires in Los Angeles and Australia are drawn.  How can Epsom salts diffuse salt exposure. HYDRANGEA, HYDRANGEA, HYDRANGEA!  Also, SUMAC!   You know it.  Tiger Eyes Sumac is GORGEOUS. Are dandelions salt tolerant?  Beebalm, horizontal Juniper, daylily, rugosa rose and many more plants are labelled 'salt tolerant.'Tune in. Looking to book a consult for your property?  We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.What is a TGS Tiny Garden? CLICK HERE.Subscribe to The Growing Season podcast.  CLICK HERE.

That's an awfully nice fire ant hill you have there!Wait.  What!?Its the time of year that Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland overlay horticulture and Valentine's Day on The Growing Season. Annually, the trio discuss the collision of the two and this year doesn't disappoint. Roses kick the show off, naturally.  Where are roses grown commercially? You'd be surprised to learn. Matt tells a story about this daughter going to a dance with a boy.  Its rattled him.Coyote urine makes a GREAT Valentines Day gift.  Nothing says lovin' like pee.  How do you extend the life of your cut roses.  Are any of the myths or legends true?Chocolate is plant based.  The McFarlands dive into the details.  Who was Montezuma?  Why is he related to Valentine's Day?Is the a decline in testosterone in males?   What would cause that? The differences between males and females regarding arousal stimulus is discussed. Saltpeter and Matt's tale of internet science figures into the Valentine's Day and intimacy.  What is saltpeter made of?POMEGRANITE SUCKS.  Stinging nettles can make you frisky.  SERIOUS. The show ends with a chat about Sylvester Stallone's classic, Rocky. Tune in. Looking to book a consult for your property?  We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.What is a TGS Tiny Garden? CLICK HERE.Subscribe to The Growing Season podcast.  CLICK HERE.

Agriculture news this week shares ag groups E15 and USMCA priorities for farmers, USDA updates and an interview discussing what growers should consider as they plan for the upcoming season. Top agriculture headlines from across the country include the E15 Rural Domestic Energy Council expected to submit proposals by February 15, with lawmakers aiming for an agreement by the end of the month. A new report outlines the agricultural impact of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, while Donald Trump's tariffs face renewed scrutiny in the U.S. House. Additional agricultural policy news covers updates to farmer payments, increased scrutiny of USDA data and the U.S. expanding beef imports from Argentina following an executive order signed last week. Looking ahead to the start of the growing season, Eric Scherder, Ph.D., U.S. crop protection technical lead at Corteva Agriscience, joins the podcast for this week's interview discussing how growers can approach weed control and herbicide programs in an economically challenging year. He emphasizes using an integrated strategy that combines herbicides with cultural practices, such as cover crops, to create an effective and flexible plan regardless of crop or geography. The conversation also highlights his background and appreciation for science and agriculture in this first interview of the Why Enlist series, featuring agronomy and crop leaders. Stay connected with us for more agriculture content on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, along with our weekly videos!

You are listening to a presentation given at the 2025Michigan Conference Cedar Lake Campmeeting. We pray you will be blessed!

Put on your hydrangea and lets get out and shovel the driveway!WHAT!?Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland highlight the intersection of textiles and horticulture on this week's episode of The Growing Season. Matt opens the show with a discussion on a milestone that his family has reached. Silk moths and their fondness for mulberry begins the plant content.  How is silk made? Synthetic silk and pineapples.  Not kidding!Milkweek, dandelions, bullrush and smokebush floof can all be used for a "down-like" material to replace goose down. Life jackets in WW2 became a home economics project for young people. Why isn't cork as popular as it once was as a flooring material?The rise and obsession with milkweed gets highlighted.  CLIENTS ARE OBSESSED WITH IT. Herbicides and roundup have drastically effected our horticulture industry.  Underwear made out of sythentic material vs. cotton gets a laugh. Cotton requires SOOOOO much water to grow.   LIKE AN INSANE AMOUNT. Why isnt flax used on a large scale for textiles?   Why hasn't it replaced cotton?Sawdust and tree lignans are discussed and their effect on those using wood to heat their homes.  Its an interesting chat. Potato leather.  Grape leather.  Apple leather.  None are the stuff of fiction. Tune in. Looking to book a consult for your property?  We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.What is a TGS Tiny Garden? CLICK HERE.Subscribe to The Growing Season podcast.  CLICK HERE.

This NDSU Ag Minute features Joe Ikley, NDSU Extension Weed Specialist. Ikley discusses some current topics in weed management. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weather is one of the biggest question marks for farmers in the growing season, often wondering if there is going to be a drought or if their crop is going to get drowned out. Alex Harrington, the Chief Meteorologist at Channel 3, says he believes we can expect a wetter than average spring. He also gives a look at the severe weather outlook and how hurricanes in the gulf can impact the midwestern weather.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

- Nick Seiter, Extension Field Crops Entomologist - University of Illinois  - Stephanie Porter, Outreach Agronomist - Illinois Soybean Association ★ Support this podcast ★

The GTA set records for snowfall!In light of the recent butt-whooping the Greater Toronto Area took in the recent, record setting, snowfall, Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland decided to use their Snowmageddon bullet on this week's episode of The Growing Season. In an annual fashion, the trio highlight the events of the storm and take the opportunity to dive into all things white and fluffy. 1999's version of a snowstorm kicks the show off.  Matt correlates where he was then with where he is now.  HINT: it's the same place. The amounts of snow, left by the ploughs, at the end of your driveway have been NUTS.  Matt rants.  Heavy metal accompanies said rant.  Jack details ways that you can avoid the windrow at the end of your driveway. What is a "RAGING DULLARD?"  Various sizes and shapes of snow shovels come into focus. What's the WORST winter-weather drive you've ever experienced?   Matt details his. Where do you put all the snow that Mother Nature has donated to the City of Toronto? The Great Lakes aren't frozen.  Does that have an effect on snowfalls? Snowblower questions abound.  CC vs. Horsepower is explained. A Chevelle's engine block packed with snow turns into a trip down memory lane...Heated driveways - do they work? Insulation in your home and frigidly cold temperatures overlap with an Avro Arrow story. Snow is a fertilizer...we kid you not. Can there be 2 similar snowflakes or is it a myth?Tune in. Looking to book a consult for your property?  We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.What is a TGS Tiny Garden? CLICK HERE.Subscribe to The Growing Season podcast.  CLICK HERE.

Send us a textTwo weeks ago we sat down in the afterglow of the festive season and shared some New Year Growing Resolutions - things that we both want to achieve in 2026 in the garden.  This week we attempt to turn those vague aspirations into a solid plan. Let's see how this goes....The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels. We are big believers in the benefits of growing in a polytunnel and genuinely believe in the quality of the products that First Tunnels supply. Check out the link below to order your own tunnel. If you would like honest advice before making your purchase please don't hesitate to reach out to us!Check them out here➡️ https://rb.gy/55t356

So we're in thick of it.  Right in the fluffy middle.Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland get real STRANGE on this week's episode of The Growing Season.  Winter, in all its glory, becomes the latest focus of Strange But True. Penguins kick off the show.  Their breeding habits and marital preferences.   Their ability to withstand absolutely frigid temperatures and a freakish talent to hold their breath. A group of penguins is called a "Waddle."  Cool, eh?  Penguin clouds...from you know where...  LOTS OF CLOUDS!Why has "Global Warming" been re-labelled "Climate Change?"There are lots of Penguins in Gotham City.   Matt takes great delight in talking about Batman. Wood frogs and Walt Disney!?   Yup.  They correlate.  Reanimating catfish brings Disney and Wood Frogs to an interesting conclusion. The lowest reported core temperature in a human will surprise you. Scary avalanche stories are highlighted.  There is some real nightmare fuel here. Alive, the film from 1993, becomes a discussion point.  "The Donner Party" from 1846-1847 is a story you probably haven't heard but won't soon forget.  What is the Iditarod? Its 1600km's of sheer canine will. Bee's can "hold it" for absolutely insane lengths of time.  Where do they go to the bathroom in the winter?   Its kinda cool. Cryoseisms and their role in recent history kicks off a Christmas Eve story. A snow roller is not what you would think. What is an "Ice Fern?"Tune in. Looking to book a consult for your property?  We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.What is a TGS Tiny Garden? CLICK HERE.Subscribe to The Growing Season podcast.  CLICK HERE.

Its the time of the year when a simple walk to the bus stop can be TREACHEROUS!Many of us are salting our exterior surfaces to reduce the chance of slipping. This week on The Growing Season, Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland discuss salt and horticulture on part 1 of a two part series. What are the effects on salt on the human body? Salt and the ambient amount of salt in food is discussed.  Canned soup comes into focus. Why is salt used in food? What about beverages?  A gas powered blender and ice hockey intersect. How many milligrams of salt is necessary for a healthy diet on a daily basis? The history of salt and its uses is chatted about. Are Camels' humps water storage?   A myth is debunked. Are there salt mines in Canada?  What about Ontario? Where is "Death Valley" and what is the pH of the soil?  The trio guesses and Lynne NAILS it. What animals THRIVE in salty environments? What animals need a dosage of salt to regulate their biological systems?Matt discusses his stinky feet and some advice is given that uses salt as a remedy for Matt's issues. LEECHES and salt.  Memories from the late 80's abound. Salt and your house pets are correlated. Tune in. Looking to book a consult for your property?  We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.What is a TGS Tiny Garden? CLICK HERE.Subscribe to The Growing Season podcast.  CLICK HERE.

Welcome to Season 3 of The Backyard Bouquet Podcast — and to the first episode of 2026.To kick off the new year, I'm doing something a little different. In this episode, I'm sharing the full replay of a live planning workshop I hosted this past weekend called How to Plan Your Most Profitable Dahlia Season Yet.Growers joined live from all over the world — Australia, Canada, Germany, France, New Zealand, the UK, and across the U.S. — and the response made it clear this was too valuable to let disappear once the workshop ended.If you're growing dahlias or running a flower farm and want 2026 to feel more focused, profitable, and aligned, this episode will help you step out of overwhelm and into clarity.What You'll Learn in This EpisodeIn this live workshop replay, we walk step-by-step through how to: Reflect on your 2025 growing season — what worked, what didn't, and what you learned Clarify what you want 2026 to look and feel like, both personally and financially Build a realistic, actionable plan instead of guessing or reacting mid-season Map your year season by season so you're not scrambling later Choose the right revenue streams for your farm and stay laser-focusedWhile this training was created specifically for dahlia growers, the planning framework applies to all flower farmers who want to grow with intention and profit in mind.Mentioned in This Episode The Profitable Dahlia Summit (March 3–4, 2026) A 2-day virtual summit focused on real business strategies for dahlia growers — pricing, selling, marketing, tuber sales, farm events, and more.Grab your ticket here: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.mykajabi.com/profitabledahiliasummit/There is a free 2026 planning workbook that goes along with this episode. You can download it here and follow along at your own pace: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.myflodesk.com/2026workbookYour Next StepIf you make it through this entire workshop, I encourage you to choose one action to take next — even a small one.Whether that's: Tracking your numbers Clarifying your revenue goals Committing to selling instead of giving your flowers awayMomentum comes from action.I'd love to hear what your next step is — you can message me on Instagram or leave a review and share what stood out for you.Let's Make 2026 Count2026 has been declared the International Year of the Female Farmer, and I truly believe this can be your most profitable and aligned growing season yet — if you plan for it.Grab the workbook, pour yourself a cup of coffee or tea, and let's start planning.Welcome to Season 3 of The Backyard Bouquet Podcast.

- Nick Seiter, Extension Field Crops Entomologist - University of Illinois  - Stephanie Porter, Outreach Agronomist - Illinois Soybean AssociationFrom the Land Grant University in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois this is a special edition of the Closing Market Report. Presentations from the 2025 Farm Assets Conference; Crop Sciences for the 2026 Growing Season. I'm University of Illinois Extension's Todd Gleason.Coming up next, we dive into the outlook for the 2026 growing season with a focus on crop sciences. Join Stephanie Porter from the Illinois Soybean Association and University of Illinois entomologist Nick Seiter as they discuss the latest research on pest management, weed resistance, and innovative on-farm trials aimed at helping farmers navigate the challenges of the coming year.32:43 ★ Support this podcast ★