Garden Basics with Farmer Fred

• 384 Ideas for a Successful First Garden!

  Essential tips for beginner gardeners, focusing on starting small, plant selection, spacing and companion planting, along with maintenance strategies and the value of involving children and keeping a gardening diary.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: An all-container first gardenLinks:“Beyond the Garden Basics” Newsletter (Mar. 21 edition features more about first gardens)Dave Wilson Nursery https://www.davewilson.com/home-garden/Six-inch mesh grid reinforcement wireHori Hori KnifeSoil Moisture MeterSoil ThermometerSmart PotsPlanting Calendars by USDA Zone (from Urban Farmer)Planting Calendar for Northern CaliforniaManual Water TimerDrip Irrigation Systems for ContainersMicrosprayersAll About Farmer Fred: GardenBasics.net“Beyond the Garden Basics” NewsletterFarmer Fred website:  http://farmerfred.comThe Farmer Fred Rant! Blog http://farmerfredrant.blogspot.comFacebook:  "Get Growing with Farmer Fred" Instagram: farmerfredhoffman https://www.instagram.com/farmerfredhoffman/Blue Sky: @farmerfred.bsky.socialFarmer Fred Garden Minute Videos on YouTube As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases from possible links mentioned here.Got a garden question? • Leave an audio question without making a phone call via Speakpipe, at https://www.speakpipe.com/gardenbasics• Call or text us the question: 916-292-8964. • Fill out the contact box at GardenBasics.net• E-mail: [email protected] Thank you for listening, subscribing and commenting on the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast and the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter.

  --------  

  56:42
• 383 The 2025 Tomato Preview Show!

  If you’re a tomato-head, this is the episode for you!We dive into the world of tomatoes with Don Shor from Redwood Barn Nursery in Davis, California. We discuss our favorite tomato varieties to plant for the 2025 gardening season. What’s new and intriguing? What’s old and good? Plus, Don has tips for choosing reliable varieties if you are new to tomato gardening, as well as good advice to get those young plants off to a healthier start. It’s Episode 383, The 2025 Tomato Preview Show!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: The Rugby tomatoLinks:“Beyond the Garden Basics” Newsletter (Mar. 14 edition features more about tomatoes)Dave Wilson Nursery https://www.davewilson.com/home-garden/What is “Breaker Stage” for tomatoes? (from the Farmer Fred Rant blog page)TOMATO CATALOGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST:Wild Boar FarmsSeeds ’n SuchTomato FestJohnny’s Selected SeedsBurpeeSeminis SeedsTomato Growers Supply Co.Totally TomatoesNorfolk Healthy Produce (The Purple Tomato)All About Farmer Fred: GardenBasics.net“Beyond the Garden Basics” NewsletterFarmer Fred website:  http://farmerfred.comThe Farmer Fred Rant! Blog http://farmerfredrant.blogspot.comFacebook:  "Get Growing with Farmer Fred" Instagram: farmerfredhoffman https://www.instagram.com/farmerfredhoffman/Blue Sky: @farmerfred.bsky.socialFarmer Fred Garden Minute Videos on YouTube As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases from possible links mentioned here.Got a garden question? • Leave an audio question without making a phone call via Speakpipe, at https://www.speakpipe.com/gardenbasics• Call or text us the question: 916-292-8964. • Fill out the contact box at GardenBasics.net• E-mail: [email protected] Thank you for listening, subscribing and commenting on the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast and the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter.

  --------  

  53:22
• 382 Delayed Winter Pruning of Fruit Trees, and More!

  In this episode:• The benefits of delayed winter pruning of fruit trees, with orchardist and Master Gardener Quentyn Young.• Controlling ants in raised garden beds, with America’s Favorite Retired College Horticulture Professor, Debbie Flower.• Protecting your garlic crop in winter weather.• Redwood tree roots vs. raised garden beds. Guess who wins? How to build up your defenses against tree roots. With Debbie Flower.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: The March bloom of the Garden Gold dwarf Peach tree.Links:“Beyond the Garden Basics” Newsletter (Mar. 7 edition features Debbie’s recipe for ant bait)Dave Wilson Nursery https://www.davewilson.com/home-garden/Ant Control ProductsOutdoor Ant Bait StationLiquid borate for ant controlFair Oaks Horticulture Center (Sac. Co. Master Gardeners’ Demonstration Garden)Soil Solarization TipsBackyard Orchard Culture: Tips for controlling fruit tree heightAll About Farmer Fred: GardenBasics.net“Beyond the Garden Basics” NewsletterFarmer Fred website:  http://farmerfred.comThe Farmer Fred Rant! Blog http://farmerfredrant.blogspot.comFacebook:  "Get Growing with Farmer Fred" Instagram: farmerfredhoffman https://www.instagram.com/farmerfredhoffman/Blue Sky: @farmerfred.bsky.socialFarmer Fred Garden Minute Videos on YouTube As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases from possible links mentioned here.Got a garden question? • Leave an audio question without making a phone call via Speakpipe, at https://www.speakpipe.com/gardenbasics• Call or text us the question: 916-292-8964. • Fill out the contact box at GardenBasics.net• E-mail: [email protected] Thank you for listening, subscribing and commenting on the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast and the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter.

  --------  

  40:41
• 381 Backyard Chickens vs. Bird Flu. Composting tips.

  Tips for protecting your backyard chickens from the bird flu.Compost for potted plants.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: Backyard Chicken Coop (Wikimedia Commons/Josh Larios)Links:“Beyond the Garden Basics” NewsletterDave Wilson Nursery https://www.davewilson.com/home-garden/Previous Podcasts about chickens:Ep. 315 Choosing Backyard ChickensEp. 310 Homegrown Chicken Food?Ep. 220 Chickens vs. Summer HeatEp. 204 Backyard Chicken CareEp. 052 Winter Chicken CareEp. 006 Backyard Chickens! (Beginner’s basic info)ChickensforEggs.com - Cherie Sintes-GloverFeeding Your Flock - UC Davis School of Veterinary MedicineAvian Influenza (Bird Flu) - Center for Disease ControlFair Oaks Horticulture Center (Sac. Co. Master Gardeners’ Demonstration Garden)Composting for the Home GardenerAll About Farmer Fred: GardenBasics.net“Beyond the Garden Basics” NewsletterFarmer Fred website:  http://farmerfred.comThe Farmer Fred Rant! Blog http://farmerfredrant.blogspot.comFacebook:  "Get Growing with Farmer Fred" Instagram: farmerfredhoffman https://www.instagram.com/farmerfredhoffman/Blue Sky: @farmerfred.bsky.socialFarmer Fred Garden Minute Videos on YouTube As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases from possible links mentioned here.Got a garden question? • Leave an audio question without making a phone call via Speakpipe, at https://www.speakpipe.com/gardenbasics• Call or text us the question: 916-292-8964. • Fill out the contact box at GardenBasics.net• E-mail: [email protected] Thank you for listening, subscribing and commenting on the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast and the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter.

  --------  

  39:34
• 380 Flower Seed Starting Basics

  Today: Practical flower seed starting techniques, such as the critical timing for beginning various flowers and the correct depth for planting those seeds. And, Debbie Flower shares with us her trick for careful watering of newly planted seeds. Also, she has important tips when transplanting those young flowering plants into the 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, full episodes on YouTube (audio) Pictured: Zowie Yellow Flame ZinniaLinks:“Beyond the Garden Basics” Newsletter Dave Wilson Nursery https://www.davewilson.com/home-garden/Dramm 1000 Water Breaker Nozzle"Zowie Yellow Flame" ZinniaAll About Farmer Fred: GardenBasics.net“Beyond the Garden Basics” NewsletterFarmer Fred website:  http://farmerfred.comThe Farmer Fred Rant! Blog http://farmerfredrant.blogspot.comFacebook:  "Get Growing with Farmer Fred" Instagram: farmerfredhoffman https://www.instagram.com/farmerfredhoffman/Blue Sky: @farmerfred.bsky.socialFarmer Fred Garden Minute Videos on YouTube As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases from possible links mentioned here.Got a garden question? • Leave an audio question without making a phone call via Speakpipe, at https://www.speakpipe.com/gardenbasics• Call or text us the question: 916-292-8964. • Fill out the contact box at GardenBasics.net• E-mail: [email protected] Thank you for listening, subscribing and commenting on the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast and the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter.

  --------  

  36:52

More Leisure podcasts

Trending Leisure podcasts

About Garden Basics with Farmer Fred