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PODCAST

Garden Basics with Farmer Fred

Tips for beginning and experienced gardeners. New episodes arrive every Friday. Fred Hoffman has been a U.C. Certified Master Gardener since 1982 and writes a weekly garden column for the Lodi News-Sentinel in Lodi, CA. A four-decade fixture in Sacramento radio, he hosted three radio shows for Northern California gardeners and farmers: The KFBK Garden Show, Get Growing with Farmer Fred, and the KSTE Farm Hour. Episode Website: https://gardenbasics.net

leisure home & garden

All Episodes

52:57

411 Soil Building Tips

Garden Basics with Farmer Fred ·

2025/09/26

Today, we delve into the Garden Basics archive for three segments about the importance of building your soil in the fall. We talk with America’s Favorite Retired College Horticulture professor, Debbie Flower, and Sacramento’s Organic Advocate, Steve Zien. We explore the vital role of nitrogen in gardening. We address a listener's concern about low nitrogen levels in soil, discussing the challenges of measurement as well as alternative testing methods. We emphasize the significance of organic ...

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48:52

410 Fall Gardening Tips. How to Water.

Garden Basics with Farmer Fred ·

2025/09/19

We share essential fall gardening tips for both the garden and the orchard. Also, Debbie Flower offers a primer on correct watering techniques. Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasics.net. Transcripts and episode chapters also available at Buzzsprout. Now on YouTube (audio) Cover Photo: Water Breaker Nozzle (Photo: Dramm) Links: Farmer Fred's Ride for the Kids! “Beyond ...

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49:08

409 Bird-Friendly Gardening

Garden Basics with Farmer Fred ·

2025/09/12

Farmer Fred interviews garden writer Jen McGuinness, author of "Bird-Friendly Gardening," who highlights the urgent need for creating habitats for declining bird populations in North America. Jen shares her personal journey of transforming her Connecticut lawn into a wildlife habitat, overcoming skepticism from neighbors, while promoting eco-friendly gardening practices. The discussion covers bird photography, the significance of incorporating water and native plants in gardens, and strategie...

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36:32

408 Landrace Gardening

Garden Basics with Farmer Fred ·

2025/09/05

Today, we talk with Joseph Lofthouse about landrace gardening, which emphasizes the cultivation of locally adapted crops. Lofthouse shares his methods of developing diverse seed varieties, seed-saving techniques, and efficient watering practices in his high desert mountain climate of northeast Utah. He discusses successful experiments with corn, beans, melons, and other crops while highlighting the importance of genetic diversity for resilience and food security. His techniques just mig...

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50:36

407 Low Water Vegetables

Garden Basics with Farmer Fred ·

2025/08/29

Gardeners who want to save water with wise irrigating techniques might consider an unusual approach: plant crops that don't require much water in the first place. Today, Marlene Simon, the Plant Lady, of the Flower Power Garden Hour podcast and I talk about low water use vegetables, as well as how to condition your soil to use less water more effectively. Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasic...

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52:30

Mid-Summer Tomato Report

Garden Basics with Farmer Fred ·

2025/08/22

In this episode, we talk with Don Shor from Redwood Barn Nursery about summer gardening - specifically tomatoes - in the context of this year's mild weather. We share successes with tomato varieties like Dr. Wyche’s Yellow and Chef's Choice Orange, while addressing challenges like blossom end rot and effective watering techniques. Don offers insights on various tomato cultivars, including promising hybrid-heirloom crosses, including the one pictured - the Genuwine - a cross between the ...

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33:56

405 Q&A: Who's Eating My Melons? Growing Fava Beans.

Garden Basics with Farmer Fred ·

2025/08/15

Q&A: How to Grow Fava Beans as a cover crop or an edible. Controlling Roof Rats in the Garden (good luck!) Farmer Fred's Ride for the Kids! Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasics.net. Transcripts and episode chapters also available at Buzzsprout. Now on YouTube (audio) Pictured: Melon Damage from Rats? Links: “Beyond the Garden Basics” Newsletter By becoming a paid...

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40:58

404 Harvest Day Garden Tips

Garden Basics with Farmer Fred ·

2025/08/08

One of the best places to get your garden questions answered is at the annual gathering of local Master Gardeners, gardening professionals, and horticultural consultants at Harvest Day, held the first Saturday of August each year at the Fair Oaks Horticulture Center in Sacramento County, California. And last Saturday was no exception. A question I posed to several dozen of the pros there was this: “What is the one garden tip you would like people to know?” Here’s their answers. Previous...

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32:01

403 Battling Fusarium Wilt

Garden Basics with Farmer Fred ·

2025/08/01

Why are some of my plants turning yellow and dying? One possibility: fusarium wilt. We address the challenges posed by fusarium wilt, a destructive, soil-borne fungal disease impacting favorite garden plants like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. But it’s not just edibles. Fusarium wilt can strike trees, shrubs and perennials such as palm trees, prickly pear cactus, pyracantha, chrysanthemum, daffodils and gladiolus. What's a gardener to do? We have tips for thwarting - and living with ...

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24:41

402 Edible Succulents

Garden Basics with Farmer Fred ·

2025/07/25

In this episode of the Garden Basics podcast, I speak with succulent expert Debra Lee Baldwin about the world of edible succulents. We delve into what defines succulents, their survival in arid conditions, and their nutritional benefits. Baldwin highlights notable varieties such as Agave tequilana (Blue Agave) and Opuntia, discussing their culinary uses and growth requirements. She shares tips on preparing these plants for consumption and reveals the value of lesser-known edibles like purslan...

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61:41

401 Home Landscaping Tips for Fire Safety

Garden Basics with Farmer Fred ·

2025/07/18

We examine the growing wildfire risks for homeowners, particularly in fire-prone areas across the United States. We get insights from Kevin Marini, a UC Defensible Space Advisor. He highlights the importance of maintaining clear spaces around homes and managing vegetation in three defensive zones. Originally aired in Episode 361. Pictured: Aftermath of the Altadena (CA) Wildfire, January 2025. Links: Subscribe to the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter https://gardenbasics....

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123:02

400 Top 4 Garden Topics of All Time

Garden Basics with Farmer Fred ·

2025/07/11

To celebrate Episode 400 of the Garden Basics podcast, we present the four most listened-to garden topics in the history of the podcast. Topics include: starting a victory garden; growing caneberries; container gardening basics; and planting and growing shade trees. This edition runs a bit (!) longer than normal...over two hours. Move over Joe Rogan, this one is worth a long summer road trip! Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home si...

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36:47

399 Understanding Seed Packets

Garden Basics with Farmer Fred ·

2025/07/04

Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasics.net. Transcripts and episode chapters also available at Buzzsprout. Now on YouTube (audio) Pictured: seed packets Links: “Beyond the Garden Basics” Newsletter This week’s edition: “Where are all the Ripe Tomatoes?”. By becoming a paid subscriber, you’re helping support the newsletter and this podcast. Thank You! Botanical In...

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31:09

398 Aromatic Plants, plus Roses!

Garden Basics with Farmer Fred ·

2025/06/27

In this podcast, you’ll hear from these U.C. Sacramento County Master Gardeners and their favorite aromatic plants: Collete Armao - Scented Geraniums Dan Vierria - the Tuberose Kathy Hellesen - Lemon Verbena Greta Lacin - Sage (Salvia), especially sages for cooking Teri Van Airsdale - the banana shrub (Magnolia figo) And bonus audio - an interview with Master Rosarian Charlotte Owendyk about her 10 most favorite fragrant roses, including Julia Child Firefighter Francis Meilland Memorial Da...

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34:14

397 Garden Lessons Learned (the hard way)

Garden Basics with Farmer Fred ·

2025/06/20

Master gardeners share lessons from their mistakes, covering topics like thinning fruit, plant spacing, and pest management, highlighting gardening as a continuous learning experience filled with humor and growth. Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasics.net. Transcripts and episode chapters also available at Buzzsprout. Now on YouTube (audio) Pictured: crowded fruit on a donu...

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28:07

396 Cucumber Success Tips

Garden Basics with Farmer Fred ·

2025/06/13

Today, we dive into the world of cucumbers, the second most popular crop among backyard gardeners. Debbie Flower shares her expertise on cucumber varieties, growing techniques, and addressing common issues like bitterness. We discuss the importance of starting with fresh seeds, maintaining warm soil, and ensuring consistent moisture for optimal growth. Debbie also explains how to identify and manage male and female flowers, trellising for space optimization, as well as pest and disease manage...

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67:51

395 "Survival Garden" Basics

Garden Basics with Farmer Fred ·

2025/06/06

We explore the concept of a survival garden, focusing on growing nutritious crops that enhance healthy living. We redefine "survival garden" as a means to reduce reliance on ultra-processed foods while improving dietary intake. Our discussion includes practical tips for cultivating calorie-rich vegetable staples like corn, beans, and potatoes, evaluating their yields and family preferences. The episode covers specific planting techniques for various vegetables, along with our personal gardeni...

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49:07

394 Home Weather Station Basics

Garden Basics with Farmer Fred ·

2025/05/30

Send us a text Episode 394 features climate scientist Daniel Swain of Weather West and UCANR discussing the link between gardening and weather patterns. He provides tips on monitoring conditions, setting up weather stations, and adapting practices amid National Weather Service budget cuts. Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasics.net. Transcripts and episode chapters also available at Buzzsprou...

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32:47

393 Garden Pests - Whiteflies, Slugs, and More!

Garden Basics with Farmer Fred ·

2025/05/23

Send us a text Farmer Fred and Debbie Flower share tips for managing pests like whiteflies and slugs, highlighting organic solutions and beneficial insects to help you reclaim your garden. Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasics.net. Transcripts and episode chapters also available at Buzzsprout. Now on YouTube (audio) Pictured: Whiteflies on a Citrus Leaf (Photo: Flickr/epitr...

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32:48

392 I Did Not Know That! Garden Tips for Success, Live

Garden Basics with Farmer Fred ·

2025/05/16

Send us a text Debbie Arrington of the Sacramento Rose Society club introduces Master Gardener Farmer Fred and horticulture professor Debbie Flower at a recent meeting of the club. Fred and Debbie don't necessarily talk about roses, though. They share 10 essential tips to boost your overall gardening success—from innovative seed germination techniques to managing soil health and tackling invasive pests. This lively discussion emphasizes daily garden observation and sustainable practices, ensu...

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100 results

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