The Helpful Gardeners: Recent Episodes
Golden Acre Home & Garden
Welcome to the Helpful Gardeners, a weekly podcast diving into the home and garden topics you want to learn more about. We hope to inform, inspire, and bring the fun as two friends who work together and go wild over gardening. Colin is a certified horticulturist with decades of experience working in landscaping, gardening and houseplants in various climactic zones. Brandi is a beginner with a passion to ask questions and who finds ways to garden within restrictive urban settings.
We'll bring in some friends along the way to share their knowledge, and hear from gardeners like you who are reaching garden goals. We're so happy you found us and look forward to growing alongside you each week! Subscribe to catch new episodes every Sunday at 8am MT.
If you have a topic or question you'd like us to know about, reach out to us here: social@goldenacre.ca
Colin recently took a road trip to the University of Alberta Botanic Garden, and let’s just say, he’s still buzzing about it. He's got some show and tell and fun stories from this fun place just west of Edmonton, Alberta.
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Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
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Email us | info@goldenacre.ca (SUBJECT: Podcast)
Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Edited by: Brandi Warren
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
What if your local garden centre offered an ICU for your struggling indoor plants? A brilliant 'Houseplant Hospital' concept out of the UK could be the future and could help plant parents gain confidence while saving time and money.
Discover Hilda: https://hilda.co/
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Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
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Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Edited by: Brandi Warren
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Have you seen that Instagram reel showing someone putting mini disco balls in their garden to deter pests? It’s definitely a vibe, but does it actually keep the critters out? Plus, it's Canada Day! Let's see how knowledgeable Colin is on the regional symbols of Canada.
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Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspod
Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Edited by: Brandi Warren
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Is your garden feeling a little… predictable? Like your following a checklist of things you need to "keep up with the jones'"? It’s time to break the mold. From mirrors that trick the eye, to niche flower design, to a fun viral porch trend. Add some much-needed whimsy to your outdoor space.
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Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspod
Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Edited by: Brandi Warren
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
From creepy-crawly caterpillar clusters to squirrels turning your freshly planted flower beds into a snack bar, the questions this week are gooooood. Plus, the sweet email from a long time listener and a reminder to enjoy your flowers not only outside but also inside and with others.
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Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspod
Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Edited by: Brandi Warren
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Weather is incredibly localized, and understanding exactly how much rain, snow, or hail falls in your own backyard can help you take on a more proactive approach to your garden. This week, we’re exploring CoCoRaHS and how you can use that data to predict when you should cover your tender plants for an incoming storm or if you should bother watering that day.
CONNECT WITH US
Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspod
Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Edited by: Brandi Warren
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
After a particularly busy weekend tackling the garden beds, Colin tracked his fitness to see exactly how much "work" he was doing. The results are amazing. Gardening is a heavy-duty, full-body workout that most of us are severely underestimating.
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Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
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Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Edited by: Brandi Warren
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Gardening forums can be convenient spaces to connect with other gardeners, but if you go in with a problem, they can often leave you more confused than when you started. We're diagnosing a sad hanging basket, talking Peony tea, and unveiling a new plant in Brandi's garden that comes straight out of Bridgerton.
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Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
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Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Edited by: Brandi Warren
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Next to the Chelsea Flower show, the FlowerTrials comes close to a premiere event for gardeners. Plant breeders from across the globe gather in the Netherlands and Germany to show off their latest innovations. These aren’t just random flowers—these are specifically engineered, trialed, and perfected plants designed to make your gardening experience easier, more beautiful, and more successful. From pollen-free lilies to peas that actually fit on your tiny balcony, we’re sharing the plant trends you need to know about for next season.
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Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
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Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
PRODUCED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Edited by: Brandi Warren
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Are you watching FIFA? Are you as glued to how incredible the pitch looks and thought, "I wish my lawn looked like that"? We’re going behind the curtain a little bit and sharing Colin’s 5 essential tips to get your home turf looking championship-ready.
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Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
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Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Edited by: Brandi Warren
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
You know you're a plant nerd when you get joy out of discovering which bee is your horoscope match, buying bags of soil on the weekend is 'fun', and when your heart flutters when you find a new houseplant invention.
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Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspod
Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Edited by: Brandi Warren
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
The world of gardening is undergoing a whimsical shift. From comfortable board games about keeping houseplants alive, to the prestigious grounds of elite flower shows. We're talking about a fun new game on Kickstarter and the return of the Garden Gnome to trendy gardens. What's your take?
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Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
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Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Edited by: Brandi Warren
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Ever felt the pressure of working in someone else’s prized garden bed? This week on the podcast, we’re diving into a great listener question from Kurt, who was just gifted a Jacob’s Ladder by his neighbor. We’re breaking down how to dig it up so you don't kill the plant, the garden, and the neighbourly vibes.
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Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
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Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Edited by: Brandi Warren
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Pack your bags, we're heading to Vancouver Island! This week, Brandi is taking us on a virtual getaway to the iconic Butchart Gardens, and yes—she’s filming a gorgeous exclusive vlog from the grounds! Find out how a limestone quarry became a global backyard aesthetic.
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Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
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Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
PRESENTED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Edited by: Brandi Warren
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
There is a kind of seasonal panic that hits when you walk into the garden center in spring. The tables are overflowing with colour and possibiliity. Have you ever felt overwhelmed, not sure of how many to buy and how to pair them to create a beautiful planter? Designing a show-stopping container doesn't require artistic genius; We have a a simple, three-part formula that will get the ball rolling: Thriller, Filler, and Spiller.
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Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
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Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Edited by: Brandi Warren
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Staring at a bare garden bed and wondering how much soil to order without ending up with either not enough or a mountain of leftovers? Plus, we’re demystifying the difference between loam, garden mixes and compost, and settling a "rock" debate between friends. Get the dirt on all things soil!
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Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspod
Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Edited by: Brandi Warren
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
While North American eyes are on the Fifa World Cup next month, Europe is celebrating the world cup of gardening with the Chelsea Flower Show! From jaw-dropping show gardens to indoor plant carousels that move with the sun, we're exploring the trends and fun that can inspire your own garden!
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Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspod
Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Edited by: Brandi Warren
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
What a packed episode! We're diving into a new discovery on bee survival that left us floored. Plus, Brandi has an update on her big landscaping project and a hack to help you pay for your gardening this spring. Plus, we’re taking you on a mini-road trip to Vancouver Island, where hundreds of locals will turn a massive main thoroughfare into a carpet of flower this spring.
CONNECT WITH US
Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspod
Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Edited by: Brandi Warren
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Have you ever written off a seed brand based on your experience growing their product? A local gardener reached out frustrated that their seeds from a regional farm completely tanked last season.
"Where is the best place to buy seed packets? Last year I got them from _________ and they were terrible and didn't grow well!"
There are many reasons why a seed packet didn't bring you success. Let's explore more today.
CONNECT WITH US
Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspod
Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
So, you’ve finally decided to ditch the old fire pit and that slate stone pad to grow something. We’re breaking down the details of excavation and planning for a new garden bed!
CONNECT WITH US
Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspod
Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Have you noticed how the city just smells better lately? The trees and plants are starting to wake up and giving off some serious pheromones. So, why does that scent of pine and soil chill us out and how can we replicate that in our own backyard?
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Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspod
Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Mother's Day is this weekend and while you can never go wrong with flowers, there's a trend in 2026 toward experiences that we're currently LOVING. We're exploring a fun event on Vancouver Island and a local way to spend quality time outside on a garden tour!
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Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspod
Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Spring is here and it's showing up everywhere! It's in the bird nests, tree buds, and even those green little shoots popping up through the soil. Should you do anything to help those shoots or will they thrive without intervention?
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Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
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Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Calgary just dropped a brand-new outdoor watering schedule for Spring 2026! Don't worry, this isn't those high-stress Stage 4 restrictions from the feeder main repairs. This will actually help your established plants become more resiliant while also keeping our Bow and Elbow rivers happy. We’re breaking down what this all means including the exemptions which we think will keep gardeners feeling excited to grow. Plus, our top tips for watering effectively.
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Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
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Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
The image of a "gardener" isn't just a retired person in a sun hat with a perfectly manicured rose bush. Gardening is for the dreamers, the hustlers, and yes, even those of us living with chronic illness or physical limitations.
We were recently moved by a story from a woman living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) who decided that her diagnosis wasn't going to keep her from her backyard dreams. Instead of giving up, she adapted. Gardening doesn't demand perfection; it demands presence.
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Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
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Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Imagine this: You’ve just finished an amazing agriculture course and you’re hyped about growing plants this summer. Then, the hammer drops. No balcony access all summer due to to health and safety upgrades to your building. Cue the internal screaming. pivot when your outdoor space is off-limits, finding the best fragrant indoor bloomers, and why a closed door doesn't mean a closed season.CONNECT WITH US
Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspod
Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Ever feel like you’re drowning in seed trays? Trying to find space for forty little pots on one windowsill can make seed starting stressful. There's a DIY hack that you need to know about: Seed Snails. They’re eco-friendly, space-saving, and can even make a fun creative gift!
CONNECT WITH US
Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspod
Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Wait! Don’t toss those green onion nubs or that avocado pit just yet. Your kitchen scraps are a secret "buy one, get one free" deal if you're willing to invest a little time into them. Grow more food or to just have fun and see where your food comes from!
CONNECT WITH US
Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspod
Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Ever wish your plant could just text you when it’s thirsty instead of dramatically dying in silence? This week, we’re geeking out over NASA’s STELLA project—a DIY "Tricorder" that lets you see your plants’ vital signs! We’re talking invisible light, "pre-visual" stress detection, and a data viewer that translates plant-speak into English.
CONNECT WITH US
Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspod
Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Stop what you’re doing for a second. Take a deep breath. Can you smell the damp soil or the faint scent of that first spring bloom? We get so caught up in the perfection of life—wanting our homes, our careers, and our gardens to look perfect and static forever. But here’s a secret: flowers aren't supposed to last. Their whole job is to pull you into the now before they vanish.
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Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
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Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
We are knee-deep in Earth Week and today, we’re answering a listener question from our DMs about starting seeds in milk jugs! From DIY greenhouses to turning other recycling bin favourites into garden tools. Get ready to "reduce, reuse, and regrow".
SPRINGO Episode: Click Here
Depression Garden Episode: Click Here
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Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
It's Earth Week on the pod, and these two peas are on the road at the CORE Shopping Centre in downtown Calgary. We’re celebrating our beautiful planet by showcasing ideas and Earth friendly products. What's on Colin's 'favourites' list?
Come see Colin with Golden Acre Home & Garden at The CORE in downtown Calgary all this week!
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Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Ever wondered why a plant does amazing in one part of your yard and fail in another part of it? It might not be the plant itself! This week we’re breaking down how to map out "microclimates"—those sneaky little pockets where external factors like house siding, hills, and wind corridors can impact what you plant! Learn how to play to conditions, and maybe, just maybe, sneak a Zone 5 beauty into our Zone 3 reality. CONNECT WITH US
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Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
So, you’re scrolling through your feed, and you keep seeing this term: No-Dig Gardening. What is that? Are you just supposed to lay your plants on top of the soil and let nature figure it out? It's actually a returning concept that could benefit your soil and create less maintenance work for you. We’re breaking down exactly what "No-Dig" is, and how you can start your own patch this weekend.
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SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Have you ever felt like your houseplants are stuck in slow-mo, or maybe your garden suddenly decided to sprint toward the finish line? It turns out plants aren’t just sitting there—they are actively hitting "pause," "play," and "fast-forward" on their growth depending on external factors such as the weather. This week, we’re diving into research from UBC that reveals how plants actively adapt to survive climate stress.
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Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic a
Ever dreamed of pointing a finger at a dandelion and having it simply disappear? This week on the podcast, we’re ditching the back-breaking hoeing and messy herbicides for something way cooler: high-powered thermal energy... aka "LASERS". We’re talking laser weeding—where AI meets agriculture to vaporize weeds in milliseconds. Would this work for the home gardener too?
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Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB.
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CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Oh, to be in the mind of a child. This weeks 'question period' is going to the kids as Colin shares some fun nuggets from kids at Holy Trinity School in Calgary, AB. Things like: "Why do you like plants" to "why do plants get diseases" to "How old are you?". It's a fun one for the whole family!
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SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB.
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CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
While we eagerly wait for warmer weather in the garden, get ready to swap your garden shears for the remote. From Zach Galifianakis getting weird with vegetables to the GOAT himself, David Attenborough, celebrating a century on Earth, the streaming world is entering its "Plant Era." We’re breaking down 4 must-watch releases that will make you want to grow a garden, save the planet, or just hide in a remote cottage with a mysterious gardener.
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SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
The world of gardening has definitely shifted since 2020. We went from "panic-planting" anything that would grow to finding our "new normal," and now in 2026, we’re all about the Garden ROI - Return on Investment. With the economy feeling a bit like a rollercoaster, we’re seeing a trend toward "Investment Plants" that pay out in delicious, space saving, and time saving dividends.CONNECT WITH US
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SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB.
www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
It's Spring—you’re digging through the shed, ready to tackle those first dandelions, when it hits you. Your favorite weeder is missing in action. Then you remember—you lent it to Robert back in July. It’s been eight months. What do you do? We’re diving into the awkward etiquette of borrowed garden gear. Do you send the "hey, remember this?" text, or do you just mourn the loss and hit the garden center for a replacement? We’re breaking down when to fight for your tools and when to let it grow.
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SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB.
www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
In an increasingly connected world that's full of choice, do you ever wonder how your soil or garden tools are made, transported, and go once their time is up? Well, the EU is getting ready to introduce the Digital Product Passport (DPP) later this year. From PFAS-free certifications to the origin of your shovel’s steel, we're diving into how this tech could impact the customer experience and the business side too. Could this be a fit for the North American economy too?
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SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Ever feel like the world is watching? Between real estate drones and Google Maps, our backyards aren't as "back" as they used to be. We garden for a thousand reasons: the crunch of a homegrown carrot, the scent of Lilacs in May, and that deep, soul-level exhale that only happens when you’re surrounded by green. But in 2026, the digital overwhelm has inspired some gardeners to take on a new reason. With urban density on the rise and cameras seemingly everywhere, "privacy" has become the ultimate luxury. It’s no longer just about blocking the neighbor’s view while you’re in your loungewear; it’s about creating a space where you aren't "on display."
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SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Is there anything more heartbreaking than tucking your tiny seed babies into their warm soil beds, whispering "see you soon," and then... nothing? Or worse, they sprout, but then just stop growing? From leggy tomatoes to rosemary that refuses to wake up, we’re troubleshooting the most common reasons your seedlings are stalling and how to get them back on the fast track to garden greatness. We got a great question this week from Jill that we can't wait to dive into.
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SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Forget everything you thought you knew about those yellow "weeds" in your lawn. We’re talking Dandelion Microgreens—the nutrient-packed plant that is easy to grow and fun for the whole family. It's truly as easy as tossing seeds on top of the soil and waiting. While the mature plant can be quite bitter, microgreens are a whole different vibe, and they look stunning on avocado toast. Not convinced? Listen in to this weeks episode of the podcastCONNECT WITH US
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SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB.
www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Ever wish your backyard looked like a scene from Avatar? There's a new Petunia in town, and it's about the change up the gardening game: the Firefly Petunia. From the lab to your patio (eventually!), we’re breaking down the science of how these beauties glow, why Canada is still waiting for the light show, and dreaming of a future where your houseplants double as floor lamps.
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SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB.
www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
We’ve all been there: you buy the cute seed packets, you find the perfect pots, you water them with love... and then, nothing. Total radio silence. It’s important to realize that seeds are hard-wired to stay asleep until the conditions are exactly right. In the wild, a seed doesn't want to sprout in the middle of a January blizzard or during a drought. They have evolved "locks," and you need the right "key" to open them.
From spa-day soakings to literal "trial by fire," we’re teaching you the types of seed starting needs, how to identify them on the packet, and what you might find at the garden centre.
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SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB.
www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Is your garden basically an all-you-can-eat buffet for thrips and aphids? 😫
We’re diving into some wild new tech from Japan that uses colored nets—not chemicals—to keep the pests away. Forget everything you saw on that viral "rainbow farm" post, though; we’re getting into the real science of why bugs hate seeing red and how this could be a game-changer for your backyard veggie patch.
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SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB.
www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Grab your sun hat and your besties, because tulip season is coming! From the mountain-backed fields of the Fraser Valley to the historic gardens of Ottawa and the chic pick-your-own vibes in Montreal, we’re breaking down the must-visit Canadian festivals for 2026. Whether you're looking for the perfect IG backdrop or a peaceful morning of sunrise yoga among the petals, there’s a field with your name on it.
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SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB.
www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Have you ever felt guilty looking at the pile of plastic containers after potting up all your annuals every spring? Do you often keep all those packages, trying to find alternative uses to give them a second life? While modern packaging has come a long way from the OG Styrofoam clamshells, the greenhouse industry is continuing to pave the way to sustainability.
In this week’s episode of The Helpful Gardeners, we’re diving into the “Sustainability Wrap”—a movement that’s changing how plants are packaged and sold. From biodegradable wraps to compostable containers, we’re here for it.
Mentioned in this episode:
Lessons in a ‘Great Depression’ Garden
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SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Need inspiration and expert advice? We're on the road this week to the Calgary Home & Garden Show! If you've never been to an event like this, it's like Costco. Google Maps, and Pinterest all under one roof. You do the weave and see 100+ local businesses dealing in a variety of niche projects, from roofing to landscaping to hot tubs. Most of these businesses will have show specials too, so you can get the work done for a fraction of the price. Plus, there are elements of inspiration you may not have thought of which you'll see in today's video.
So, come along on this bonus episode of the podcast as we explore the show!
The second the sun stays out past 5:00 PM, the "garden itch" hits hard. We start dreaming of heirloom tomatoes and crisp lettuce, and suddenly, we’re staring at our empty raised beds like they’re a blank canvas. But if you’re like our listener Ben, you’re wondering: Am I being too keen? If I fill these beds now, will all that "good stuff" in the soil be gone by April?
In this week's episode, we’re breaking down the science of soil prep, why your slow-release fertilizer needs to stay in the shed a little longer, and a game-changer for the "forgetful waterers" among us: wicking beds.
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SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB.
www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Have you ever seen a Firefly? Colin has! They're rare but love specific conditions to thrive...one of them being a dark habitat at night. This is becoming rare with urban development and light pollutions impacts not only the pollinators but also the natural cycles in our plants. Let's explore 5 ways to clean up your light and create a sanctuary for pollinators.💡✨
- Firefly Atlas Map
- Horticulture Magazine: Support Pollinators with Less Lighting CONNECT WITH US
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SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Ever feel like your grocery bill is personally attacking you? It turns out the secret to beating food inflation might actually be buried in 1929. This week, we’re exploring a living history project in Ontario. We’re talking about massive cabbages, root veggies that taste like candy, and why "hard to kill" is our new favorite plant description. What can we learn from planting a garden rooted in the Great Depression?
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SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Let’s be real: you’re scrolling through a seed catalog on a Tuesday night, and suddenly you’ve ordered fifteen varieties of heirloom tomatoes and enough peppers to start your own hot sauce empire. But now that the packets have arrived, the itch to get them in the dirt is real. Is it too early to start those babies indoors, or are you just being an overachiever that'll get in way over your head?
Let's talk timing and equipment so you can bring confidence into the garden this year.
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SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Get ready to gallop into an auspicious 2026, the Year of the Fire Horse! This year, we're shining a spotlight on a plant that’s synonymous with good fortune, resilience, and beauty: Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana).
Beyond its elegant appearance, Lucky Bamboo is steeped in rich symbolism, especially when it comes to gifting. The number of stalks you choose isn't just arbitrary – each configuration carries a unique blessing and intention.
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SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB.
www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
You know the "5 Love Languages," right? Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, and Physical Touch. Well, we've gone ahead and given them a green thumb makeover! Here are some ways you can shower your partner with love this Valentines Day.
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SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB.
www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Winter gardening can feel a bit like looking at a black-and-white photo—lots of texture, but the obvious clues are gone. If you’ve ever walked past a bare tree in the winter and wondered if it’s an Elm or an Ash, you’re in the right place. Today, we are stripping it all back and diving into the language of bark, tree silhouettes, and leaf scars so you can feel a little more confident on those winter walks. City of Calgary Tree Episode
Jean-Mathieu Daoust Episode
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SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB.
www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
When we think of the Winter Olympics, we usually picture ice, powder, and the adrenaline of the downhill. But for the 2026 Milano Cortina Games, Italy is bringing something a bit more delicate—and a lot more meaningful—to the podium. Italy is world-renowned for its floral artistry, and this year, they’re blending that heritage with a deep commitment to sustainability and resilience.
From the bouquets handed to world-class athletes to the tiny mascots cheering from the sidelines, flowers are taking center stage. Here is a look at the floral connection that is making these games truly bloom.
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SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB.
www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
While our gardens might be tucked under a blanket of snow, our backyards are still buzzing with life (and tiny, hungry tummies!). This week, we’re dedicating our episode to the birds, featuring one of Canada’s most charming and brilliant residents: the Black-capped Chickadee. How do they remember where they've hidden all their food?! Get ready to have your mind blown by their incredible intelligence and learn how you can be the best host for your feathered neighbours this winter!
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SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB.
www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
If you own a Golden Retriever, a Husky, or basically any creature that sheds its weight in fluff every week, you’ve probably looked at that mountain of fur in your vacuum and thought: “There has to be a better use for this than just clogging my Dyson.” Well, good news! Your dog's fur may actually have some potential in the garden. But before you go carpet-bombing your lawn with Fido’s winter coat, let's talk about the reality of using hair as a garden amendment.
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SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB.
www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Is Mother Nature a little... chaotic this year? While some of us are literally digging our way out of front doors, others are wondering if spring decided to show up three months early. This week on the podcast, we’re breaking down the wild weather divide across the country and what it means for your plant babies. Whether you’re under two feet of snow or dealing with weirdly dry grass, we’ve got your back!
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SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB.
www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Take a wild guess at what vegetable is trending in 2026. If you're in the planning stage of your garden, you won't believe which leafy green is taking centre stage and the trendy ways you can use it. Even Burberry is utilizing it! It's the CABBAGE. Say what?! Will you use it, or are you like Colin and stay away? Brandi will attempt to sway you in todays episode!
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SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB.
www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Do you have a Monstera deliciosa that's living up to its name - monstrous? We recently got a listener question from Jodi, who wrote in saying her beloved Monstera is basically taking over her living room. We've all watched our houseplants grow from cute little babies to magnificent giants, but what do you do when "magnificent" starts feeling a bit like "menace"?
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SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB.
www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
While 'bloom scrolling' through our favorite garden inspo, we stumbled upon the most fun trending DIY ever: growing spider plant babies inside pinecones! It’s a great, low-cost rustic project to keep your hands busy and your home green while it’s freezing outside. Catch the latest episode to see how we do this!
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SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB.
www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
If your outdoor garden is currently under a blanket of snow and you’re itching to grow something, we have the perfect indoor project for you. This week on the podcast, we’re diving into indoor mushroom kits. They’re low-maintenance, surprisingly fast-growing, and so unique. If you're a little nervous, like Brandi was, then watch as we try them first!
https://happycaps.ca/
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SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB.
www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Staring at 45 different packets of tomato seeds is enough to make anyone want to throw in the trowel. You’ve got "Spicy Slice Peppers", "Mortgage Lifters," and things that look more like tie-dyed art projects than vegetables. So, is it all just clever marketing? Thanks to Tina for her question this week! The short answer: Mostly no, but a little bit yes. While the photos are definitely "filtered" to look their best, the diversity in tomatoes is real—and picking the wrong one is the fastest way to a garden tantrum. Let’s break down how to cut through the noise
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SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online to www.goldenacre.ca Or visit us in store in Calgary, AB.
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
We are officially stepping into 2026, and if we’re being honest, the world feels a little… loud lately. Between the 24-hour news cycle and the pressure to have a "perfect" life, our gardens shouldn't be another chore on the to-do list. This year, we’re ditching the "shoulds" and leaning into intentions. We’re talking about finding your deep "why," building a sensory sanctuary to escape the chaos, and finally letting go of that "Instagram vs. Reality" garden guilt.
Gardening Intentions for 2025
Lawn Mowing Episode
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SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs.Head online to www.goldenacre.ca Or visit us in store in Calgary, AB.
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
What if your favorite hike through the woods could be bottled up and served over ice? We’re adding Balsam Fir Syrup to our holiday menu, and honestly, it’s a total game-changer. From "Alpine Dr. Pepper dirty soda" to citrusy spritzes that taste like a mountain morning, we’re showing you how to turn those piney needles into liquid gold. Your kitchen is about to smell like a high-end spa, and your tastebuds are going to thank you.
CONNECT WITH USGolden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
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CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
We’re diving deep into the world of the Zygocactus—the ultimate "holiday" houseplant. If you’ve ever wondered why your "Christmas" cactus is blooming in October, what a 200 year old Christmas cactus looks like, or how the heck to tell them all apart, we’re sharing everything you need to keep these festive favorites thriving. Thanks to listener Jane for this week's question!
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Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
The holiday season is all about spreading joy. Forget boring gift tags and plain cards; we’re talking about creating beautiful, plantable paper masterpieces using recycled materials, festive cookie cutters, and a sprinkle of nature's magic - seeds!
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CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
People are thinking outside the box when it comes to gardening and biodiversity. We recently heard about a smart idea out of Norway: they're actually combining snow with wildflower seeds and spreading it over hillsides. Imagine, literally planting flowers with snow! We're buzzing about how this cool concept could transform dormant ski hills into vibrant pollinator highways in the summer, and why you might not want to turn your entire yard into a wildflower free-for-all just yet.
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Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
This week's listener question is a timely one from Karen who is growing an iconic seasonal beauty - the Poinsettia! We totally get it—these plants are the quintessential holiday vibe, but they can be a little dramatic especially if you want to have one until next Christmas. We’re sharing all the secrets to Poinsettia success, from watering tips to the timely process of getting them to re-bloom.
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Thank you for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review, and listen for new gardening discussions every week!
Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
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CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Ever walked into a space—like an office or a cozy community center—and just felt instantly better? Sure, the colour of the walls and orientation of the furniture influences the overall vibe, but chances are, plants are a big component too! We're on the road this week seeing how The Core in downtown Calgary to explore how plants inspire the holiday season in our shared spaces like malls, community centres, and more.
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Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
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Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
CREDITS
If your home is filled with trailing Hoya vines? Well, researchers have just announced the discovery of an entirely new Hoya species—Hoya dawodiensis—hidden away in the remote corners of India. It’s a powerful reminder that our planet still holds incredible secrets, and that every houseplant favourite has a wild origin story.
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Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
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CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
It's Wednesday. That means we turn things over to you and this week, we received a beautiful question on the podcast this week from a listener whose daughter is getting married next summer (congrats!) and is planning on making 12 floral centrepieces for the event! What should she do?
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Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
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CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Ever feel like you're fighting for your patch of green? Imagine your city is doing an amazing thing by planting half a million trees but your already bountiful yard is chosen for one of these trees?! Should you have a say? We're digging into a wild story from Montreal where a resident is battling the city over their grand tree-planting plans. Is it green ambition or overreach?
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Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
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CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
It's Diabetes Awareness Month and you may be asking, "Why are the Helpful Gardeners talking about this?" Sure, this might seem like a heavy topic, but there’s a fascinating connection! A new study came out proving how a desert berry may hold secrets to improving metabolic health.
CONNECT WITH US
Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
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CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
The holiday season is officially upon us, and while we all love sparkling trees and twinkling lights, who says the festive cheer has to stop at your traditional fir? We're big fans of bringing nature indoors, and what better way to celebrate than by giving our beloved houseplants a little holiday glow-up? Forget just one tree – your entire plant family can join the festivities!
What if we could grow tomatoes in Death Valley? Your garden wilts in a heatwave, but this tiny plant thrives! We’re diving into a desert survivor that actually grows faster when temperatures soar above 49°C. Could this plants genes unlock potential for previously harsh growing conditions?
CONNECT WITH US
Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
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CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Did you know that goats are great weeders? If you've been to Calgary, AB, you may have seen Nose Hill Park host a herd of fluffy, four-legged lawnmowers tackle the weeds here annually. Plus, their digestive systems are champions at limiting the spread of harmful weeds in our natural areas! Let's dive in on today's episode....
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Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
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CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Ever watched one of those viral gardening videos and thought, "Huh, that's interesting... but also a little confusing?" We did too after seeing a popular video online of someone propagating basil in water. It developed beautiful roots, but then came the head-scratcher: why, oh why, do we then take those water-loving roots and plant them in soil that's designed to drain water away? Why do plants not like their roots sitting in water? We're diving deep into that very question in today's episode.
CONNECT WITH US
Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
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Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
CREDITS
So, you know how things go when you're tidying up the garden in the fall? Brandi's husband got really into his cleanup this year and ended up building something totally awesome: a bug hotel! It got us thinking about these cool little shelters and how they're basically VIP lounges for all the helpful insects that keep our gardens thriving. As the weather gets chilly, these tiny neighbors need a safe spot to crash, so let's get into the low-down on building a snug bug hotel in your own space!
CONNECT WITH US
Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
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CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Have you ever stood in the nursery aisle feeling totally overwhelmed by choices? Do you have a Pinterest board full of inspiration but not sure how to narrow it down? Well, the National Garden Bureau (NGB) just gave us the ultimate planting list for a little inspiration. They recently announced their official "Year Of" selections for 2026, and it’s a super helpful list covering everything from shade lovers to spicy edibles.
The NGB picks a handful of plants each year across six major categories—annuals, edibles, bulbs, perennials, shrubs, and houseplants—to shine a spotlight on, giving us all permission to become experts on these specific beauties. I don't know about you, but it's nice to find these lists for a little nudge to get the ball rolling on a planning sesh.
CONNECT WITH US
Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
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CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
It's one of the greatest feelings: walking out of the nursery with a new houseplant baby. But, if you’ve ever had a plant instantly start dropping leaves or, worse, introduce an unwelcome pest to your collection, you know that the journey from the store shelf to your living room is the most crucial part of its life! We got a great question from Nicole this week that we're answering on the podcast.
CONNECT WITH US
Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
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CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
If you’ve been following the news about Monarch Butterflies, you know that life for these delicate travelers has been looking pretty rough. However, there's a ray of hope we need to talk about in this episode.
CONNECT WITH US
Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
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CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Has your backyard (and pretty much every park path) been turned into an obstacle course of crunchy, rolling acorns lately? This week, we dive into "mast years"—nature's boom-and-bust cycle that oak trees go through with nut production. Learn why your local squirrels are having the feast of their lives, where the word "acorn" actually comes from, and a childhood favourite, and not so favourite, of Colin's.
CONNECT WITH US
Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
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CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Learning how to save the seeds is the ultimate trick to scoring a guaranteed bumper crop of all your favorite garden goodies. Plus, Colin brings another treasure from his garden to try and it's cuca-amazing!
CONNECT WITH US
Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
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CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
This week, Brandi found a random Nerf dart stuck in her perennial border, and that sparked a serious (and slightly hilarious) question: What would happen if you found actual space junk in your yard? While we were laughing about toy foam, farmers across the Prairies are seriously being asked to keep an eye out for debris from satellites!
CONNECT WITH US
Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
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Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
CONNECT WITH US
Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspod
Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Happy Halloween, plant friends! This week, we're getting into the spooky spirit by dressing up as ghosts! We're diving into the creepiest plants and fungi that carry the word 'Ghost' (or something equally spooky!) right in their name. Plus, Colin brought either a trick or a treat from his garden and things get heated...
CONNECT WITH US
Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
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CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
We took a journey to the sky, exploring a gardening method that's been guiding humans for centuries: Moon Gardening. It turns out the moon doesn’t just control the tides; for gardeners, it might also control what you plant and when!
Shout out to Jennifer for sending us this question:
"This was my first year gardening and I've got the bug! I've started planning my garden for next year and read some things about planting by moon cycles. I was wondering if you could give some info on this topic - is it total bunk or actually useful?"
CONNECT WITH US
Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
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CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
October is here, and while we love the changing leaves and pumpkin spice everything, it’s also Mental Health Awareness Month. For ages, we’ve felt better just being around our plants, whether we’re weeding the garden or admiring a thriving Pothos in the kitchen. But is it real, or is it just wishful thinking from a bunch of plant-obsessed people? We dove into a fascinating article from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) that scientifically backs up what we already suspected: Your plants are legitimately good for your brain!
CONNECT WITH US
Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
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CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Did you know that the City of Calgary has an Online Tree Map?! Seriously, this map is a game-changer for anyone who loves local greenery and is curious about what trees are in their neighbourhood. Whether you're planning your next walk or just curious about the billion-dollar canopy over your head, you absolutely have to check this out. Listen to the episode to hear our reactions. then go explore the map yourself!
CONNECT WITH US
Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
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Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
On our latest episode, we dove into bringing those beloved outdoor plants indoors for the winter! And while it’s exciting to extend the life of your greenery, especially those trendy Boston ferns that Brandi (and everyone else!) loved this growing season, there’s a crucial step many overlook.
CONNECT WITH US
Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
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CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
How would you truly live if money were no object? This week, we kick off with Brandi and Colin's rich life fantasies—a constant skill-share party and a botanical dream conservatory—before we dive into a bizarre reality: a new study suggesting that gold might literally be growing inside the needles of a certain tree! Get ready for a conversation that blends aspirational living with actual buried treasure.
CONNECT WITH US
Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
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Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
What is that distinct, earthy smell of wet leaves that we love so much this time of year? There's a word for that. Plus, we explore the real MVP in our house this time of year and how it can really work wonders on your air quality heading into winter.
CONNECT WITH US
Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
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Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Many gardeners purchase fall bulbs—garlic, tulips, daffodils—as soon as they hit the store shelves in early September. The problem is, the ideal planting time is not about the calendar; it's about the cold.
Read more on the blog: https://www.goldenacre.ca/podcast/
CONNECT WITH US
Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspod
Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
Happy Thanksgiving!
We give thanks for the profound connections that bind us all, from the animal kingdom to the forest floor. We honor the legendary Dr. Jane Goodall and her revolutionary work with chimpanzees, and dive deep into the groundbreaking research of Dr. Suzanne Simard, the visionary behind the Mother Tree Project. Discover the "wood-wide web," a secret underground network where trees talk, share resources, and nurture their young. Join us for an inspiring conversation about community, kinship, and the hidden wisdom of the natural world.
Read more on the blog: https://www.goldenacre.ca/podcast/
CONNECT WITH US
Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
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Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
On today’s episode, we’re bridging that annoying gap between you and your static green roommate. You know the struggle: Does it need water? Did I overwater it? Is it growing?
That’s why we’re obsessed with the Tilt Planter, a clever design by Doris Xu. This isn't just a pretty pot; it's a dynamic little scale! The system is built with a curved aluminum base, a traditional terracotta pot, and some perfectly balanced weights.
Read more on the blog: https://www.goldenacre.ca/podcast/
CONNECT WITH US
Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
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Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
Diving into one of the most uniquely Minnesota traditions: the incredible Crop Art Exhibit at the State Fair. If you've never seen it, imagine meticulous mosaics made entirely of seeds—and it's a huge deal!
CONNECT WITH US
Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
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Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
Are your snacks feeling a little... basic? This week, we’re talking about food that's truly worth the wait, with one that's just delightfully weird.
CONNECT WITH US
Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
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Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
We're sitting down with our friend, Nathan Gill, of Ecologic Horticulture to talk native plants! We've been sitting on this episode for a while just due to baby and life over the summer so it's extra polished and full of all sorts of goodies. Dig in to learn about the benefits of native plants, how to incorporate them in your garden, and the various projects they work on including one that the Helpful Gardeners even got to be a part of in Calgary, AB!
See more about Ecologic Horticulture on their website
www.ecologichorticulture.com
CONNECT WITH US
Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
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Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
We're back! After a hiatus for family and rest, the gardeners are picking up their gloves and teasing some new episodes of the podcast this fall!
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Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week!
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SHOW NOTES | CLICK HERE
Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 days a year for all your home and garden needs!
The Canada Strong Pass is available now until September 2!
The Canada Strong Pass is breaking down barriers for Summer 2026 to encourage more visits to some of Canadas most iconic places. There is so much diversity in the foral found around Alberta and the rest of the country from trees to grasses, and especially wildflowers. What can see out your back door? Are you making a trip to take in more of Canada's natural beauty this summer?
Chapters
00:00 Exploring Canada's Natural Beauty
05:30 The Canada Strong Pass: Access to National Parks
08:04 Understanding Alberta's Flora: Trees and Grasses
10:47 Wildflowers and Their Importance in Alberta
13:24 The Role of Fireweed and Other Native Plants
16:04 The Beauty of Blue Flowers and Unique Flora
18:48 Conservation and Enjoyment of Nature
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Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week!
Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, and Google
Have a question or comment for Colin or Brandi?
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SHOW NOTES | CLICK HERE
Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
"It's part of a cycle of nature"
Today, we're exploring the increase in wildfire activity in our community and how it impacts our gardens. We're talking the life cycle of forests, the causes of wildfires, and the effects of smoke on plants. We even dive into the nutritional implications of smoke on vegetables! Let's better understand the environmental changes and adapting gardening practices during wildfire events.
Chapters
03:12 Understanding Wildfire Trends and Causes
06:03 The Life Cycle of Forests and Soil Health
09:03 Human Contributions to Wildfires
11:59 Global Wildfire Statistics and Comparisons
15:01 Effects of Smoke on Gardening
21:02 Nutritional Impact of Smoke on Vegetables
24:03 Fertilizing and Plant Care Strategies
CONNECT WITH US
Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week!
Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, and Google
Have a question or comment for Colin or Brandi?
Leave a Voice Note: LINK
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SHOW NOTES | CLICK HERE
Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
We're talking summer lawn care with our friend Shelley Vance from Scotts Canada! Find out what she thinks about 'No Mow May', and how she tackles cutting the lawn including optimal mowing techniques, proactive maintenance strategies, effective watering methods, and how to manage lawn diseases and pests. Maintain a healthy lawn throughout the summer months with proactive strategies!
Chapters
02:22 Introduction to Summer Lawn Care with Shelley Vance
04:52 No Mo May
09:42 Proactive Lawn Maintenance Strategies
12:33 Watering Techniques for Summer Droughts
17:01 Managing Lawn Diseases and Pests
25:23 Effective Weed Control Methods
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Leave a Voice Note: LINK
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Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
Welcome back to courthouse!
This week, we're diving into "No Mow May", a concept that was popularized during the pandemic encouraging people to refrain from mowing their lawns in May to support pollinators and biodiversity. We'll talk the pros and cons of this initiative, including its impact on lawn health, the ecological implications of traditional lawns, and alternative practices for deeper impact.
Episodes Featured:
How to Mow a Lawn
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to No Mo May
02:01 Understanding No Mo May
05:07 Pros and Cons of No Mo May
11:23 The Impact of Lawn Care Practices
20:28 Long-Term Effects of No Mo May
27:48 Ecological Considerations and Alternatives
33:49 Conclusion and Future Discussions
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Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week!
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Leave a Voice Note: LINK
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SHOW NOTES | CLICK HERE
Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
In Canada, the Victoria Day long weekend is typically our green light for planting in the garden! We're talking about different annual plants you can get right now, tips for creating the perfect planter, and a conversation about growing veggies! Weather is still a consideration as we may still see some frosty nights. We'll explore ways to be proactive rather than reactive in the garden this spring.
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Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week!
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Have a question or comment for Colin or Brandi?
Leave a Voice Note: LINK
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SHOW NOTES | CLICK HERE
Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
It's Mother's Day and while there are lots of ways to celebrate the motherly figures in our lives, afternoon tea is a popular outing this holiday. We dive into the tradition of afternoon tea, its origins, and how it has evolved over time. What country produces the most tea? What are tea connections in Brazil? Can we grow tea in Canada? Does it taste different in other regions? Plus, the discussion takes a personal turn as one speaker shares a heartwarming story about how tea played a role in their relationship. Finally, we enter the world of divination with an attempt at reading tea leaves!
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Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week!
Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, and Google
Have a question or comment for Colin or Brandi?
Leave a Voice Note: LINK
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SHOW NOTES | CLICK HERE
Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
Have you seen mystery items pop up in your garden? A shell? A peanut? A new plant?
Let us know!
Leave a Voice Note: LINK
What's the deal with curb appeal?
We delve into the subjective nature of curb appeal, the balance between personal expression and neighborhood harmony, and the local regulations that govern property aesthetics. What are the benefits of curb appeal and what factors might influence poor curb appeal? Is it your place to judge? Is it your place to reach out?
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Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week!
Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, and Google
Have a question or comment for Colin or Brandi?
Leave a Voice Note: LINK
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SHOW NOTES | CLICK HERE
Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
Colin found another sign of spring in his garden this week! What are you seeing in your community?
Google is a common tool for gardeners to diagnose plant issues which can be helpful especially for those weird questions you feel dumb for uttering out loud, but it can also problematic as some scenarios require a fuller picture to diagnose.
Today, we explore common gardening questions and concerns that gardeners often Google. We're talking about plant odors, noises, and health issues. Is your plant making sounds? Do you have mushrooms? Did your garden hose stop working? Is your garden flooding? What plants resemble animals? Plants that start with the letter 'N'?
Have a question or comment for Colin? Send it our way and we'll talk about it on the podcast!
Leave a Voice Note: LINK
Email us: social@goldenacre.ca
Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspod
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Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week!
Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, and Google
Leave a Voice Note: LINK
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SHOW NOTES | CLICK HERE
Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
I think it's time to get back in the garden... Brandi has been deep in the reality TV and it's gone too far...
The gardeners are on the road this week in downtown Calgary for Earth Week at the Core Shopping Centre! Exploring a fun craft for the kiddos, some fun Earth Day activities across Canada, and 11 low effect ways to celebrate Earth Day at home!
Chapters
00:00 Celebrating Earth Week in Calgary
05:08 Fun Kids Activity
09:59 Community Events for Earth Day
15:00 Creative Earth Day Activities
20:01 Practical Tips for Environmental Awareness
24:56 Engaging with Nature and Local Flora
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SHOW NOTES | CLICK HERE
Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
What is your first signal that spring is here? Find out what Colin and Brandi consider to be theirs!
As the spring growing season gets underway, what can you find growing at your local greenhouse? The gardeners explore iconic spring flowers, the benefits of buying some of your annuals early, climatizing or hardening off, home greenhouses, and effective shopping strategies.
Chapters
02:56 Exploring Iconic Spring Plants
09:00 The Benefits of Early Planting
14:49 Maximizing Growth Potential
17:43 Tips for Plant Care and Maintenance
26:07 The Importance of Climatizing Plants
31:40 Shopping Strategies for Garden Centers
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Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week!
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SHOW NOTES | CLICK HERE
Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
Someone was lurking in Brandi's garden this week...
We're explore some of the common critters you may find in your backyard at any time of the day and what they may be interested in. What kind of natural deterrents and preventative measures can you use to creating a balanced ecosystem?
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SHOW NOTES | CLICK HERE
Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
Brandi and Colin BOTH attended their first seed swap a little while ago! Find out what their experiences were like!
Check out our episode on Seed Swaps!
We're talking Homeowners Associations (HOAs), exploring their benefits and drawbacks. In this episode we'll touch on some of the common rules imposed by HOAs, the tension between maintaining property values and allowing personal expression, conflict resolution within HOAs, the complexities of neighborhood dynamics, the pros and cons of HOAs, and more.
If you're part of an HOA, we talking about how to engage with your communities and challenge outdated or restrictive rules, fostering a more harmonious living environment.
Chapters
00:00 The Importance of Individuality in Communities
01:08 Understanding Homeowners Associations (HOAs)
04:39 Common HOA Rules and Regulations
05:49 Public Perception of HOAs
07:23 The Balance Between Uniformity and Individuality
09:19 Personal Experiences with HOAs
11:26 The Role of Community in HOA Dynamics
14:27 The Conflict Between Rules and Personal Freedom
19:27 Conflict Resolution in HOAs
22:00 The Impact of Rules on Community Relationships
27:20 Navigating Neighborhood Dynamics
30:15 The Impact of Aesthetic Rules
33:35 Understanding Common Areas and Shared Spaces
38:53 The Pros and Cons of HOAs
43:10 Challenging HOA Rules and Community Engagement
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Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week!
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Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
We're exploring simple and stylistic ways to incorporate plants into your outdoor and indoor living spaces. We explore inspired approaches to decorating, benefits of thrifting, working with small spaces, and even how to spread plant love to your local community.
SPECIAL GUEST
Nancy Adie | Simply Styled Inspo
Nancy is the creator behind Simply Styled Inspo. Following a move from Toronto to Calgary she began her creative journey as a content creator to connect with her new community and it quickly took off from there. She is known for her approachable DIY’s, food creations and everyone’s thrifting bestie. She inspires her audience to embrace creativity, design beautiful spaces and prepare thoughtfully crafted meals that bring warmth and connection to everyday life.
Connect
Instagram: @SimplyStyledInspo
Chapters
CONNECT WITH US
Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week!
Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, and Google
Instagram |thehelpfulgardenerspod
Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
Farmers and homesteaders are the ultimate gardeners. While farmers and homesteaders are working on a grander scale than home gardeners, they’re most likely working through similar challenges like we are as gardeners, just on a grander scale. Take a peek behind the curtain at some of the many ways Hartell Homestead is growing not only for themselves, but for their community.
SPECIAL GUEST
Nick Shipley is the founder of Hartell Homestead, a gem in the heart of the Foothills near Diamond Valley, Alberta. Hartell Homestead connects community with sustainable, local food production. Visitors can learn about farming practices, engage with the land, and even harvest their own produce. Hartell Homestead is helping reshape local food systems, offering a deeper appreciation for sustainable agriculture and supporting the community with fresh, high-quality products.
https://www.hartellhomestead.com/Instagram
Email: hartellhomestead@hotmail.com
Phone: 587-873-6027
Chapters
00:00 The Joy of Gardening and Community Connection
03:03 Understanding the Roles: Gardener, Homesteader, and Farmer
05:47 The Birth of Hartell Homestead
08:53 Sustainable Practices and Farm Operations
11:48 The Farm Shop: A Community Hub
14:57 Challenges and Innovations in Gardening
17:55 Crop Rotation and Soil Health
20:47 Must-Have Crops and Market Dynamics
28:46 The Journey of Cold-Hardy Vegetables
30:03 The Art of Weeding and Garden Maintenance
33:06 Overcoming Garden Burnout
38:02 Garden Planning Workshop Insights
45:38 Diverse Gardening Classes and Community Engagement
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Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
Seed swaps have been around for a looooong time. Even indigenous groups and farmers would share seeds to grow their crops or medicinal plants. Today, seed swaps are commonly organized into large events with one of the most popular being "Seedy Saturday" across Canada. The first Seedy Saturday dates back to the early 90's in Vancouver courtesy of Roy Forster of the Van Dusan Botanical Gardens. 500+ people showed up for it!Calgary's 'Seedy Saturday'
March 22nd, 2025 from 10a - 3p at the Bowness Community Association! Discover 40+ local exhibitors from plant associations, garden centres, seed growers, and more! Plus, there's presentations, food, and access to localized growing resources!
Learn more: http://calgaryseedysaturday.ca*******
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Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week!
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Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
We're on the road this week exploring the Calgary Home and Garden Show! Learn about the benefits of local expertise, innovative gardening tools, and more!
Join us at the show on March 2nd at 12PM for our stage presentation on native plants!
Learn more: https://www.calgaryhgs.com/
It's Colin's Birthday!
The gardeners are sharing donuts, stories, and facts about the birthday man himself. Colin shares his favorite plants to grow, what he wouldn't grow, memorable clients, and even the challenges he's faced in his gardening career.
Chapters
00:00 Celebrating Birthdays
03:01 Donut Party!
06:05 Nostalgic Memories
15:14 Getting to Know Colin!
34:20 Garden Court Information
Next week, we start 'Garden Court'. Every month, we as YOU to weigh in on a different divisive gardening topic.
GARDEN COURT | Seed Brands
When buying seeds, are you loyal to one brand or do you prioritize the seed variety despite brand name?
Send Us A Voice Note: LINK
Leave us a comment
Featured Past Episodes
- How to Mow a Lawn
- Halloween Special: Garden Gnomes
Special Local Shoutout: Donut Party!
Unsponsored: This sweet shop started in Edmonton back in 2017 and have grown to three locations and a location in Calgary! They're fluffy and creative doughnuts were a no brainer to help us celebrate Colin's birthday. Check them out!
- Featured in today's episode: The Texas Fritter & Birthday Suit.
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Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week!
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Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
It's houseplant season! Plants can bring joy and beauty to any space and there's a lot to explore! In this episode, the gardeners explore:Beginner plants, plants that require very specific care, the diversity of philodendrons, plants that can survive without soil, low maintenance plants, the stunning world of Dracaena, plants that move in response to touch, pet safety, allergies, and how to know if a plant is easy or hard. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Houseplants and Personal Experiences03:04 Exploring Unique Houseplants05:54 The Versatile Snake Plant08:47 Carnivorous Plants: Pitcher Plants and Venus Flytraps12:13 Diverse Philodendrons and Their Care15:11 Air Plants17:52 Cacti: The Low-Maintenance Companions20:52 Dracaena: The Underappreciated Houseplant25:06 Exploring the Diversity of Dracaena28:16 The Unique Characteristics of Crassula30:58 The Sentimental Value of Hoya Plants36:56 5 Key Considerations for Buying Houseplants******* CONNECT WITH USThank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week!Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, and GoogleInstagram | thehelpfulgardenerspod
Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
We're delving into popular internet trends surrounding plant care. Should you use pasta water on your Monstera? Leftover Coffee on your Cactus? Ice Cubes on your Spider Plant? What about milk on your Fiddle Leaf Fig? What about using snow?We'll also dive into some practical plant care that you can provide during these colder, darker, winter months. Sound Byte of the Episode - "Don't milk your plants."CHAPTERS:00:00 Exploring Internet Plant Care Trends10:58 The Science Behind Plant Watering Hacks18:57 Unconventional Plant Care Methods26:59 Debunking Myths: Milk and Ice Cubes for Plants23:15 Filtered vs. Tap Water: The Impact on Plant Health24:48 Snow as a Water Source: Pros and Cons26:27 Plant Care Essentials: Cleaning and Maintenance30:07 The Importance of Plant Lights in Winter32:20 Supporting Your Plants: Innovative Solutions34:38 Pruning Tools: Why Quality Matters36:32 Top Dressing: Enhancing Soil Health
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Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
The Gardeners are BACK! Welcome to a brand new year of growing and we're so excited for all the fun things ahead. In this episode, we tease some of the new questions we're tackling in the gardening world, and our 3 gardening intentions that may inspire yours!
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Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
As we wrap up the holidays and plan for all the good stuff coming to your earholes in 2025, we’re taking a moment to look back on some of our favorite episodes from 2024! We had a lot of fun exploring garden tools, organic gardening, and even tackled the tough question of when it’s time to give up on your houseplants. We were also so lucky to be joined by some great guests too. Thank you for all your support and for your love of plants and gardening. Without you, we couldn't do this. Please share, comment, and subscribe for more tips, inspiration, and laughter in 2025!
*****CONNECT WITH US
Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week!
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Social | Instagram
Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs
In this very special Christmas Day episode, the gardeners discuss their favourite seasonal movies, music, gifts, and more!
Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season.
*****CONNECT WITH US
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Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs
One of the most iconic plants of the holiday season - Mistletoe! How does this parasitic plant grow? What do their flowers look like? Can you eat it? Why do we kiss under it? Learn all this and more on todays episode!
*****CONNECT WITH US
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Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
How do you spoil a gardener during the holiday season? We've come up with a great list for this years Gardener Gift Guide!
TIMECODES01:15 | Light the Way03:30 | Read on, Gardener05:55 | Ditch the salad bowls, harvest in these! 09:05 | Bring the Birds to the Yard12:50 | Bloom Plant Trellis15:45 | Treat them to new tools20:00 | Memory Garden22:14 | Custom cheeky art25:00 | Keep repotting clean28:00 | Gift an experience
Products Mentioned in this Episode:
These are not affiliate links, just helpful!Mossify Grow Light
Prairie Gardeners How-To
Garden Harvest Basket
Roo Gardening Apron
Bloom Plant Trellis
Bella Moss Pole
Flower Shop Bird Feeder
Mossify Pruners
Repotting Mat
Garden Centre Gift Card
*****CONNECT WITH US
Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week!
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Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
Winter inspires us to find ways of bringing nature inside our home to help get us through the cold, dark months. This week, the gardeners are diving into 5 trendy ways to showcase nature in your home this holiday season.*******CONNECT WITH US
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Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
What's your style around the holidays? Today, the gardeners explore two very different ways to deck your halls: Scandinavian Minimalism and Oaxacan Colour. Plus - learn how radishes are grown and manipulated to create special sculptures that help celebrate and represent culture during Christmas time!
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Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
Winter bulbs are popping up in greenhouses across the country and we're big fans. Just because we're heading into winter, doesn't mean we can't grow things. These florals brighten up your indoor spaces especially around the holiday season.
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Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
Welcome to the Houseplant Funeral of Ivy... This week, we're honouring our crispy office friend and exploring when it's time to move on from our houseplants. You'll be surprised to learn that the secret is below the soil surface! Plus, we'll talk more about the seasonal changes your houseplants will go through as we enter darker months!
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Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
In a peaceful corner of Middle Earth, two hobbits share gardening secrets, their take on a scarecuterie board, and a spooky story featuring a gardening competition that gets out of hand.
Join the gardeners in one of their most favourite traditions of the year! Thank you toe everyone who submitted suggestions on who we should appear as! We hope you love it :)
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Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
Spooky month continues with a conversation on Scarecrows! Are they spooky, cutesy, or wise? We explore their history, the culture behind scarecrows, and a modern look at garden protection against pest destruction.
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Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
It's Spooky month, and corn mazes seem to be both loved and feared this time of year. When they're not starring in the latest horror flick, they pose as popular family destinations. Watch as Brandi attempts to escape her local corn maze, and we'll talk about a famous corn that's so good it comes with its own certificate of authenticity!
PLUS, we'll explore some of the top contenders for Heaviest pumpkin around North America.
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Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
It's Spooky month, and the gardeners are kicking it off with a discussion on Garlic! What's the difference between fall and spring garlic? How do you plant it?
Plus, we'll explore some of the lore behind vampires and their aversion to garlic.
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Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
It's fall y'all! We're welcoming in soup season, pumpkin patches, and autumn colours! There's so much to look forward to, even in the garden.
The gardeners explore what you can still plant this time of year, ways to support bugs, a lawn hack heading into winter, and more!
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Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs
Happy Autumn! This is always a bittersweet time of year as we look forward to transitioning landscapes bursting with colour but we're also starting to wind things down in the garden. It might feel like you have a lot of tasks piling up that you 'must' do. Let's explore opportunities to celebrate and enjoy the season around your home and garden.
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Show Notes | N/A
After a short break from the garden, we're back with stories to share! Colin took a trip to Montreal and New York, while Brandi went across the pond to check out some gardens in Ireland and the UK!
1:54 | What to do about wasps.
7:00 | New York: Central Park
9:45 | New York: Beaches & Grasses
10:50 | Elizabeth Street Garden
13:08 | Leaves of three, leave it be
16:25 | Ode to Pollinators
17:55 | The Largest Caterpillar in North America
20:00 | Irish Wildflowers
22:26 | Belfast Bee Art
23:20 | 200 Years of RNLI
24:45 | Smart Mowing in Ireland
27:55 | Templemore Positive Thinking
29:25 | Alnick Garden's Poison Garden
36:50 | A Gift from Quebec
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Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, and Google
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Show Notes | N/A
Have a gardening conundrum? We're doing a garden check up this week and answering our frequently asked questions on the podcast, on our socials, and in the store!
1:54 | Can you help a plant planted in the wrong location?
3:38 | Protecting plants from extreme heat.
6:26 | How to start lawn seed in summer
10:00 | How to regulate greenhouse temperatures
11:31 | What seeds can you start now for autumn harvest?
13:46 | How to care for planters on hot decks
16:20 | Weeds are out of control!
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Email us info@goldenacre.ca (SUBJECT: PODCAST)
Okay, story time! One of our favourite things at the greenhouse is swapping garden stories. We love when you whip out your phone and share your successes like your 100yr old bonsai that you inherited from grandma. We're sharing our favourite garden stories including bee stories, garden bunnies, and a special story about a local garden that is now a historical landmark!
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Subscribe to our show on Spotify, Apple, and Google
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Do you find that garden tools these days are kinda like kitchen tools? There's so many niche tools you may use only once or never touch and it can be a little overwhelming. Why are there 4+ types of rakes?! Colin helps us break down some of the more common tool categories and highlights his top 5 tools for beginning gardening.
Believe it or not, this was one of our most favourite episode to record. Expect lots of laughs along the way!
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Ever feel overwhelmed by your harvest? We know a secret way to not only help space our your harvest but also extend the growing season, support pollinators and prepare for next year! This is an episode you won't want to miss.
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We often focus on growing plants in garden beds, but we can explore pond plants and Indoor water plants too! Learn more about establishing pond plants and even growing water plants indoors!
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Looking for inspiration in your garden? Kitchen gardening can be done inside your home or out in your garden. It involves growing plants that will be used in your everyday cooking. Inspire healthy eating and easy meal planning.
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Today is the day. If you've been with us for a while, you may know a little fun fact about Brandi... she has never mowed a lawn. I know, many of you must be in disbelief! It seems like a chore most kids would do growing up. However, there's also a percentage of you that are in the same boat and can relate. We're going to talk about when to mow, the equipment you'll need, and proper technique. Let's mow a lawn!
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Where do botanical names come from? How do plants take on different common names? How do you pronounce plant names? This episode dives into all that and more!
Plus, Colin uncovers a list of naughty plant names which is why this episode is explicit. Enjoy!
There are so many benefits associated with gardening whether you're a kid or an adult or a pet. We're going to explore some of those benefits, some activities and then.... get your glue and googly eyes ready because we're crafting!
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Shoutout to all the #PlantDaddies this Father's Day!
Do you have a Plant Dad in your life? We love and adore them. Listen in to learn more about some of the father's of horticulture in Canada!
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Gardening is a personal journey. There's so many ways to approach it, including the organic approach. A decade ago, much like with gluten free and vegan options, there wasn't much on the market for organic options. In recent years, there has been a push toward offering more ecofriendly products to aid every part of the growing process. Let's dive into some of those options today.
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Gardening is an investment of your time and money so here's 4 easy ways you can protect that investment from challenges like weather, bugs and more.
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Heading into the highly anticipated planting season, the Helpful Gardeners wanted to send out a little PSA on 8 common planting errors and how to avoid them.
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This week is a very special week because we’re giving some extra love and appreciation to Garden Mums! We'll spotlight two special ladies in gardening and bring it home with memories about mum in the garden.
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There has been a word drifting around the greenhouse lately, and it's "acclimatizing". What does that mean and how does it benefit your plants especially at transplanting time? Plus, when it does come time to transplant your annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs, what is the best way to go about it? We'll talk about water, fertilizer, and more this week on the Helpful Gardeners Podcast!
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This week, we're visited by two of the coolest ladies gardening in Southern Alberta; Sheryl Normandeau and Janet Melrose! They are the coauthors of the popular "Prairie Gardeners How To" series! In a digital world full of general information, their books provide specific knowledge for gardening in climates like Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Plus, everything they write about is based on their own experience including the photographs taken in their very own gardens!
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We've got a lot of ground to cover this week... ha ha ha
All kidding aside, there's a lot of benefits to utilizing ground cover in your garden! Together, lets explore mulch, fabric, rock, and straw. We'll talk about how you can use it, how much to buy, and how to maintain it. Plus, Colin has a great garden hack for soaker hoses in your garden to actually conserve water!
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Are you a moving into a new home and not sure how to approach the garden? One of the helpful gardeners just bought a home and is not sure how to approach their new garden! Learn how to tackle lawn, existing structures/plants, and where to begin. Visit the shownotes for links from today's episode, and other fun extras!*****CONNECT WITH US
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If you build it, nature will come. No matter what type of garden you have, whether it's in an established neighbourhood or newly built in the suburbs, you can enjoy nature from your very own backyard. Learn how to attract birds, including hummingbirds, to your garden!
Myrna is a biologist, author and nature photographer living on the south shore of Sylvan Lake, Alberta. She was born in Rymbey, Alberta and developed a love of nature at a young age.
Myrna is the editor of the Red Deer River Naturalist, writes a magazine column for The Gardenerand writes a monthly nature photo essay in the Red Deer Advocate (Red Deer Advocate). She is also the resident naturalist for Mother Nature's Bird Seed.
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Rounding out our Seed Starting Mini Series is a look into growing flowers from seed! In many ways, this will be a total 180 degree shift from growing veggies and fruit. Flowers aren’t targeted as much by bugs and disease, they benefit from deadheading, and they’re grown more for aesthetic purposes rather than consumption.Visit the shownotes for links from today's episode, and other fun extras!*******CONNECT WITH USThank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week!Subscribe to our show on Spotify, Apple, and GoogleLeave an anonymous voicemail and be featured on the show!Instagram / FacebookEmail us info@goldenacre.ca (SUBJECT: PODCAST)--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/golden-acre-home-garden/message
This week, we're crouching down to explore all those fruits and veggies that grow close to the ground. These ground dwellers include Broccoli, squash, kohlrabi, and even strawberries! Learn more about how use the entire squash plant in cooking, a hack to protect pumpkins from pests, and we have a surprise melon taste test!Visit the shownotes for links from today's episode, and other fun extras!TIMECODES08:20 Seed Varieties24:20 Importance of Spacing26:46 Start inside?32:37 Soil and Amendments36:22 Fertilizer37:40 Cold Hardy?38:53 Equipment Requirements41:32 Bugs, Disease, Predators43:02 Harvest Options45:00 Surprise Melon Taste Test!*******CONNECT WITH USThank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week!Subscribe to our show on Spotify, Apple, and GoogleInstagram / FacebookEmail us info@goldenacre.ca (SUBJECT: PODCAST)--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/golden-acre-home-garden/message
This week, we're exploring fresh leafy greens and flavourful herbs. Learn more about flexibility of growing lettuce and why you should livehead your herbs when they go to flower. Visit the shownotes for links from today's episode, and other fun extras!TIMECODES01:55 Herb or 'erb?
05:34 Seed Varieties
11:34 Leafy Greens & Herbs - General Care
13:35 Growing Mint
14:18 Companion Planting and Themed Planters
17:00 Starting from Seed
18:40 Spacing requirements
21:30 Succession planting
22:20 Why we "live-head" Herbs
27:30 Soil Preferences
29:00 Propagation
32:03 Bugs, Diseases, Predators
35:00 Harvesting Tips & Drying Herbs
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This week, we 'rooting' around the subject of root vegetables! How do we start them from seed, maintain them, and harvest them! Visit the shownotes for links from today's episode, and other fun extras!TIMECODES00:00 Introduction04:00 Sweet like a Beet05:08 Seed Varieties11:00 Growing Veggie Flowers13:44 Companion PlantingCONNECT WITH USThank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week!Subscribe to our show on Spotify, Apple, and GoogleLeave an anonymous voicemail and be featured on the show!Instagram / FacebookEmail us info@goldenacre.ca (SUBJECT: PODCAST--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/golden-acre-home-garden/message
What will your garden grow in 2024? This week, the gardeners explore how to cultivate the juiciest tomatoes, the spicy kick of peppers, the sweet crunch of corn, and the wholesome goodness of peas and beans.
Visit the shownotes for links from today's episode, and other fun extras!
TIMECODES00:00 Introduction
03:50 Seed Varieties
06:30 Seed Starting Methods
07:00 Companion Planting - The Three Sisters
11:11 Environment Requirements
13:11 Start Inside or Outside?
15:17 Vessel Options
18:04 Soil Amending - Options, Soil Activator, Inoculant
20:30 The Last Frost
22:19 Structures and Equipment Check List
25:45 Garden Care Instructions
31:00 Diseases: Prevention, Treatment, Blossom End Rot
40:00 Bugs: Prevention and Treatment
45:25 Predators: Birds, Deer, etc
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What's the one thing we're seeing in every basket and cart at the greenhouse this week? SEEDS! We are buzzing with excitement! Before you settle on your seed haul, listen to this weeks episode outlining what you should be thinking about this time of year.
Visit the shownotes for links from today's episode, and other fun extras!
TIMECODES00:00 Introduction
04:00 Look back - what changed in your life?
06:30 Calgary Horticultural Society
09:18 What you should grow and how much
13:55 Prepare for bugs and disease now?
19:52 Consider the vessel and consider starting seeds in that
23:58 Is crop rotation feasible?
26:03 Hypothetical Question of the Week
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This week, we celebrated Lunar New Year and Valentine’s Day which got us thinking about all the ways flowers help up mark life’s big moments. Colours and varieties play into floral symbology, and we're even going to find out which flower represents Colin's soul!
Visit the shownotes for links from today's episode, and other fun extras!
TIMECODES00:00 Introduction
01:53 Colour Language
15:41 Floral Language
26:45 Hypothetical Question of the Week
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The gardeners unearth some interesting, and perhaps shocking, garden laws that you should be aware of as we head into the 2024 growing season.
Garden Crime Radio Play
In the world of botanical crime, every leaf tells a story and every petal hides a clue. Detectives Bloom and Basil uncover the culprit behind the destruction of a prized rose garden ahead of the famous Flower Power Festival.A few members of the Golden Acre team lent their voices to this special show. Huge shoutout to Brian, Diane, Dan, and Sydney. Of course, you may have recognized the voices of Brandi and Colin, hosts of the Helpful Gardeners podcast.
Visit the shownotes for links from today's episode, and other fun extras!
TIMECODES00:00 Garden Crime Radio Play
03:55 Trees & Shrubs & the Neighbours
14:45 Lemonade Stands?!
16:01 Cutting Grass Curfew
17:17 Clothesline Drama
18:19 Park out front
20:15 Backyard Chickens
21:45 Calgary Bylaws - Price is Right
32:00 Hypothetical Question of the Week
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Welcome back to the garden! This week, the gardeners explore sprouts and microgreens to figure out why they're so good for us, how to grow them, and even what they taste like! Plus, find out what microgreen the gardeners identify with the most in the Hypothetical Question of the week.
Information and Samples provided by:
Prairie Sun Microgreens | Connor Thiessen
Olds College Certified Horticultural Technician (2016), Freedom Farmers Certified Microgreens Entrepreneur 2023. He started my farm in May 2023. Previous experience working at in fresh produce at planet organic and at an organic farm while in college. He offers weekly or monthly subscription packages with home delivery throughout Calgary, plus free delivery on orders over $25.
Learn more:
https://prairiesunmicrogreens.ca/Facebook / Instagram
Call/text : 1-587-870-2464.
Visit the shownotes for our full interview with Connor plus links from today's episode, and other fun extras!
TIMECODES00:00 Introduction
01:30 What are the benefits of microgreens?
03:18 What are Sprouts? How do you grow them?
18:37 How do you grow microgreens?
23:36 Farmer Feature: Connor Thiessen of Prairie Sun Microgreens
24:34 Microgreen Samples and Review
35:24 Hypothetical Question of the Week
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Welcome back to the garden! Have you ever wondered where the term "green thumb" came from? Why do we "Touch wood"? We'll review 10 common phrases in the gardening world and see if they are truly rooted in gardening and if they're still relevant now! Plus, we'll "weed out negativity" with a dive into our most positive plant!
Visit the shownotes for a complete breakdown, links from today's episode, and fun extras!
TIMECODES00:00 Introduction
01:12 Green Thumb
04:08 Knock on Wood?!
05:20 Don't use this phrase anymore
06:20 Making Mountains
08:24 Shrinking Violet
11:29 Is it "Butt' or "Bud"?
14:17 Salad Days
16:36 Financial Assistance
19:29 Beating Bushes
21:14 Cherry Picker!
23:10 Guilding Lilies
29:58 Hypothetical Question of the Week
If you liked this deep dive, let us know and we'll do at more!*******
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The term 'polar vortex' may have been living rent free in your brain the last couple of weeks. As temperatures plunged across the country, we saw people doing boiling water to throw into the air, people eating frozen noodles, and toilet paper sculptures. In this episode, we explore how this extreme weather event impacts our gardens and houseplants? We'll also uncover a hidden tropical paradise in Calgary, and talk about domesticating bugs.
Visit the shownotes for a complete breakdown, links from today's episode, and fun extras!
TIMECODES00:00 Introduction
02:12 What is a 'Polar Vortex'?
04:32 Impacts on perennials
06:57 Impacts on trees & shrubs
9:39 Spring indicators
12:15 Impacts on birds
14:00 Impacts on bugs
15:40 Impacts on soil quality
17:52 Houseplants - getting them home
22:27 Houseplants - home care
30:19 Hypothetical Question of the Week
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Do you have the travel itch heading into 2024? If you're a plant nerd like us, and need some inspiration, then explore our 8 planty destinations. Then, we'll drop some handy plant care tips so you can rest easy knowing your plants will be there when you return.
Visit the shownotes for a complete breakdown, links from today's episode, and fun extras!
TIMECODES00:00 Introduction
02:07 Treehouses?!
04:26 Ecotourism
05:15 Tall, Tall Trees
06:57 Asian Influence
08:48 Flower Carpets & Waffles
12:04 Boujee Floral Inspo
14:48 Bloomin' Breathtaking
17:53 Purple Paradise
20:37 Plant Care While You're Away
23:51 Timers
26:55 Plant Playbook
26:55 Beware Floods
28:39 Fertilizing
28:52 Inspect for Pests
29:22 Outro
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What do you intend to do in 2024? Let's rethink the 'resolution' and just taking this time to reflect, chill out, and set some intentions for our gardens and plant education. In today's episode, Colin and Brandi each bring their 5 garden goals to the table, and perhaps some fun ones that will cause you to think outside the box a little bit.
Visit the shownotes for a complete breakdown and more fun extras
TIMECODES00:00 Introduction
03:13 Tone it down
04:00 Road Trip!
05:01
08:47 Grassy Quest
11:35 Switching the Fert
14:20 Down in the Weeds
16:16 Amending the Amendment
18:24 Part of the Club
23:38 A garden is never finished... or is it?
25:59 Mow away
27:20 BONUS Intention
31:37 Hypothetical Question of the Week
33:54 Extro
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we're wrapping up 2023 with a look back at all our favourite moments, guests, and fun we had talking plants and gardening!
Visit our shownotes for the complete breakdown of episodes and other fun extras
TIMECODES
00:00 Introduction
01:00 Prepping Your Garden for Spring
02:13 Behind the Poppy
03:36 Fertilizer: How to buy it, use it and store it
05:51 Houseplant Maintenance
08:35 Enjoying Your Garden and Avoiding Burnout
10:18 Planting Amaryllis and Bringing Fictional Plants to Life
12:23 Fall Clean Up | Autumn Mini Series
13:55 The Halloween Special
15:38 Canadian Symbols
17:13 Seed Starting: Is it for you?
19:05 Guest Speaker: Shelley Vance
- Spring Episode (Featured)
- Autumn Episode
21:22 Guest Speaker: Jean-Mathieu Daoust
- Spring Episode (Featured)
- Autumn Episode
22:33 Guest Speaker: Elise Watson
- World Pollinator Week
23:52 Guest Speaker: Erin Neal
- Gardening for your Health & Community
25:05 Bloopers
26:37 Extro
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December is full of celebration and reflection. Whatever you're celebrating, we welcome you to our planty chat about all things fun this holiday season. Colin and Brandi dive into Global festivities, holiday treats, and a special story created by ChatGPT!
Visit our shownotes for the complete holiday story and other fun goodies
TIMECODES
Global Holiday Traditions | 01:50
Holiday Treats | 19:00
Holiday Story | 26:30*******
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If you're looking to show the gardener in your life some appreciation this festive season, then dive into our 2023 gift guide complete with fun and functional ideas to suit them in the garden, indoors, and out in nature next year.
Visit our shownotes for links these products.
TIMECODES
10 Gardening Guides | 02:55
5 Totally 'Extra' Gifts | 23:15*******
Hypothetical Question of the Week | 25:30
What would be an over the top gift for Colin?
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To celebrate #NationalPoinsettiaDay, we're unwrapping this iconic houseplant and its Christmas roots. Learn how to care for them, and ways to celebrate this special relationship in North America.
'The Flower of the Holy Night' Christmas Legend | 03:20
Poinsettia Anatomy | 05:00
Poinsettia Varieties | 07:41
Poinsettia Care - Wrap, Light, Water, Fertilizer, etc | 12:05
Celebrate #NationalPoinsettiaDay | 22:54
Hypothetical Question of the Week | 26:45
"What are your thoughts on using poinsettias as a year-round decorative plant rather than just during the holiday season? Do you believe they can bring a unique and vibrant touch to indoor spaces throughout the entire year, or do you think their association with holidays makes them best suited for seasonal use?
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Whether you love the scent and tradition of going out and finding a real tree or love the ease and familiarity of your artificial tree, how did Christmas trees become one of the more popular symbols of the festive season? We're going to talk about their roots (haha), types, care, and also a look into some of the more famous trees we flock toward every year.
#Amaryllis Challenge Update | 01:00Christmas Tree Roots & Traditions | 05:17
Christmas Tree Decorations | 09:00
Types of Christmas Trees | 18:05
Famous Christmas Trees | 26:13
Caring for Christmas Trees & Post-Holiday | 37:30
Hypothetical Question of the Week | 43:25
"If you were to decorate your Christmas tree with your fav food, what food would it be?
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'Tis the season for Winter Decorating, and living planters work for pretty much every climate, especially the colder ones. Learn how to gather materials, plant one up, and how to care for it throughout the season. Plus, we're dreaming up our dreamiest plant goals for a hypothetical Black Friday sale.
Materials | 08:30Secret Weapon: Floral Foam or Oasis | 10:30
Pot Choices | 13:00
Soil Choices | 14:15
How to Plant one | 14:57
Tips & Tricks | 18:30
Hypothetical Question of the Week | 28:55
"If the hypothetical "Plants'R'Us had the biggest Black Friday Sale ever, what plant or garden/patio item would be the top of your wishlist to finally buy?
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This week, we're unearthing one of the most vibrant houseplants admired during the holiday season. The Amaryllis flower has a big personality and we're going to talk about how to plant them, care for them, and store them after they've finished blooming. Also, stay tuned for our extra fun hypothetical question of the week!Greek Mythology - Amaryllis | 10:00The story of love.
Huntington's Society of Canada | 15:21Learn more about Huntington's Disease | LINK
Amaryllis Campaign | LINK
How to Plant Amaryllis Bulbs | 16:15
Step-by-step instructions | LINK
Starting Bulbs in Water | 24:40
Hypothetical Question of the Week | 30:00
"If you could magically bring to life any plant from a book, movie, or mythology to have as your garden or houseplant companion, which plant would it be and why?"
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We pay tribute to those who served and sacrificed for our freedom, and we delve into the poignant symbol of the poppy. Join us as we explore the rich history and deep meaning behind this iconic flower, understanding why it became a symbol of remembrance and hope.Behind the Poppy | 00:30Learn more about Remembrance Day Donate to the Veterans AssociationHypothetical Question of the Week | 17:53"If you could take any two types of plants and marry them so you would get a brand new type of plant, what would it be?Tree of 40 Fruit ****SHOW NOTESFor all the resources mentioned in today's video, including links, photos, and more... please visit our blog. LINK****CONNECT WITH USThank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week!Subscribe to our show on Spotify, Apple, and GoogleLeave an anonymous voicemail - be featured on the show!InstagramFacebookEmail us info@goldenacre.ca (SUBJECT: PODCAST)--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/golden-acre-home-garden/message
Many regions across Canada and even the world are wrapping up daylight savings and thinking ahead to winter... or dreading it. We've decided to embrace the beauty of the season and build a winter bucket list!
Daylight Savings Time | 00:30Where did it start? Do you benefit from it?
Winter Bucket List | 14:00See our complete list here
Hypothetical Question of the Week | 44:00
"If you could magically grow one fruit or vegetable in your garden out of season during the winter months, what would it be, and why?
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The “Garden Gnomes” ventured out of the garden to celebrate the spooky season! For the first time ever, you’ll get to SEE the podcast! Let us know what you think and enjoy gnome facts, england traditions, seasonal snacks, a story from ChatGPT, and more!
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These are the final days of harvest before winter comes and we're all in the same boat. What do we do with our bountiful harvest? We'll also dive into harvesting more than just food and how you can bring the beauty of nature into your homes.
03:10 | What to with your harvest
39.20 | Question of the Week - Effectiveness of UV light on ripening veggies
SHOW NOTES, INCLUDING LINKS AND PHOTOS ARE NOW AVAILABLE ON OUR BLOG!
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What does your autumn to-do list look like? Let's go over it together and discuss how the work you do now in the garden will greatly benefit you come spring.
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This week, the gardeners chat about spring flowers - what?! Yes, why do we plant spring flowering bulbs in the fall, how do we plant them, and are they really worth it?
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This week, the gardeners are chatting about our indoor companions and how we can prepare them for the colder months ahead. Lighting, watering, repotting, fertilizing —these factors can make all the difference between a thriving plant and one that's merely surviving. If you're a beginner, we'll highlight some forgiving, and not so forgiving, options that will set yourself up for success. If you've been caring for houseplants outside over the summer, what should you watch for when you bring them in? Is autumn a good time to start propagating houseplants?
This is a big episode, so grab your favourite plant-themed mug and cozy up with this latest episode on houseplants!
QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Roger from Instagram!
"Hi gardeners. I have a few houseplants and they didn't do as well as I hoped last year. I'd like to try grow lights. Where is a good place to start?"
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This week, the gardeners are embracing autumn from the perspective of our towering trees and steadfast shrubs that deserve attention this time of year.
We're excited to have Jean Mathieu-Daoust back on the show to help us prepare these arboreal wonders for the winter months ahead. How should we approach watering, fertilizing, harvesting and pruning this time of year? Truth be told, the care you give them now will promote stronger growth next spring.
You can plant trees and shrubs right up until the ground freezes, so Jean will highlight 'autumn interest' options that you can bring in to encourage impressive autumnal colour. Learn why the leaves change colour and more.
Special Guest | Jean-Mathieu DaoustJean has been passionate about horticulture since early childhood. His family heritage is actually rooted in farming and forestry. Jean's first industry appearance was at 16 years old right here at Golden Acre in the late 90's. He went on to study arboriculture at Olds college in Alberta and graduated with a bachelor's degree in applied science with honours. In 2002, Jean started Tree Frog Tree Care, and grew it into one of the most successful arbourist companies in Calgary, Alberta. A few years ago, he sold it and took a much need break. In 2022 he's now the owner operator of Let it Grow!
Contact Jean if you're in and around Calgary, AB for your tree servicing needs
Let it Grow Horticulture | 587-574-4709
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As the days grow shorter and a chill fills the air, our focus turns to putting our gardens to bed including our lawns. You may have been facing summer water restrictions and are hoping to breathe some life into tired grass. You may have put the pool and lawn furniture away and noticed your lawn is looking a little flat. The good news is it's the best time work on your lawn. We'll discuss fertilizer and watering. The age-old question of whether to rake leaves from your lawn—we're tackling that. Is it necessary, or can those colorful fallen leaves actually benefit your grass?
Special Guest: Shelley Vance, from Scott's Canada!
Shelley Vance has worked in the lawn and garden industry for over 30 years. She has worked for a variety of different companies based in Vancouver, Canada. Shelley has spent the majority of her career supporting her customers to deliver high-quality products to their customers. Shelley is passionate about the lawn and garden industry and is the Western IGC Sales Manager for Scott’s Canada. Shelley lives in Coquitlam, BC, Canada with her husband, Jim, and has two adult daughters.
Transverse section (T.S.) of leaf blade
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We're embracing the changing seasons and exploring the wonderful realm of autumn annuals and perennials. Get ready to unlock the secrets of preparing your steadfast perennials for the impending winter chill. We'll share essential tips and tricks to ensure your garden's most cherished inhabitants brave the frost with grace and emerge even more vibrant next spring.
We'll also delve into the world of autumn annuals—the versatile companions that allow us to extend the growing season and savor the outdoors for a little while longer. From the rich hues of chrysanthemums to the surprising beauty of kale, we'll explore the diverse array of annuals that lend their charm to the fall landscape.
So, grab your gardening gloves and a warm cup of cider as we embark on this journey of discovery together.
In this weeks episode ....
- 00:00 | Introduction
- 07:00 | When is it too late in the season to plant perennials?
- 10:45 | Fall Fertilizers
- 13:30 | Can you put perennials to bed too early?
- 20:00 | How to extend the life of annual flowers
- 36:20 | Types of autumn annuals
- 41:20 | Question of the Week: Does the garden centre ?
- 37:00 | Next week.... A brief vacay!
RESOURCES
Colin's Annual Planters
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Have you ever wondered how to expertly split that overcrowded clump of daylilies or hostas? Curious about the reasons why dividing perennials is essential for their health and vigor? Get ready to unearth the secrets of perennial division and transplanting, and discover how to nurture your plants' growth for years to come.
Ever wondered if the principles of perennial division can be applied to larger plants like trees and shrubs? And what about those cherished houseplants – can they benefit from the same techniques? Yep, we're talking about those too!
So, whether you're dreaming of a garden bursting with vitality, looking to expand your plant collection, or simply seeking to deepen your gardening know-how, this episode is packed with the insights you need.
In this weeks episode ....
- 00:00 | Introduction
- 34:00 | Question of the Week: Can you divide houseplants?
- 37:00 | Next week.... A brief vacay!
RESOURCES
CONNECT WITH US
Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week!
Leave an anonymous voicemail!
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Whether you're a seasoned green thumb or just dipping your fingers into the soil for the first time, we've got a refreshing episode lined up for you. We'll be unraveling the mysteries of proper watering techniques, discussing just how much liquid love our leafy friends really need, and sharing a few chuckle-worthy mishaps that have left gardeners and plants alike a bit, well, waterlogged.
From the gentle mist that nurtures delicate ferns to the hearty drench that fuels our veggie patches, water is the lifeline that connects us to our botanical companions. So, if you've ever wondered why your daisies droop or your succulents seem a bit sad, stick around as we quench your thirst for knowledge and laughter.
So, grab your watering can, put on your gardening gloves, and get ready to soak up a blend of practical insights and entertaining stories that will leave you laughing and inspired.
In this weeks episode ....
- 00:00 | Introduction
- 04:00 | Overview on Water
- 05:30 | Water factors: Time of day
- 07:30 | Water Factors: Seasons
- 12:40 | Seasonal Watering: Houseplants
- 14:00 | Seasonal Watering: Chinooks
- 18:00 | Water Factors: Regional differences
- 20:30 | Idea: Group Houseplants by sunlight needs AND Humidity needs
- 25:25 | What's better? Top water or bottom water?
- 29:00 | Using Mulch to keep plants hydrated longer
- 30:00 | Over & Under watering
- 32:15 | Moisture Meters
- 34:15 | Water Factors: How much should you water?
- 37:15 | Watering Tools
- 48:20 | Question of the Week: A Discussion on smart watering devices
- 55:50 | Next week....Perennial Division & Transplanting
RESOURCES
Gardena Smart Water
Stats on Canadian Water Use
Water Restrictions in Calgary
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In every gardener's journey, we encounter a plethora of tips, tricks, and age-old myths that have been passed down through generations. But have you ever wondered if those 'golden rules' are actually based on solid ground or merely sprouting from hearsay? Today, the gardeners will bring clarity to the muddy waters of gardening myths.
In this weeks episode ....
- 00:00 | Introduction
- 04:30 | Myth: You need ants for peonies to bloom.
- 07:00 | Myth: Hydrangeas will turn blue if you bury a nail under them.
- 12:15 | Myth: Spruce trees cause acidity so other plants can't grow.
- 18:10 | Myth: Coffee grounds act as fertilizer and weed control.
- 22:00 | Myth: Cutting tomato leaves so fruit will ripen quicker.
- 26:00 | Myth: Using Tomato Leaves to Control Aphids.
- 32:00 | Myth: Grass Clippings will create thatch on lawns.
- 36:40 | Myth: Use epson salts as a garden fertilizer.
- 40:00 | Fun Fact: How many organisms live in soil?
- 44:30 | Next week.... WATER!
RESOURCES
Myth: Crushed Tomato Leaves Kill Aphids
Myth: Coffee Grounds good for the Garden
Myth: Hydrangea Myths
Podcast Episode: Trees & Shrubs W Jean-Mathieu Daoust
Podcast Episode: Lawncare Tips W Shelley Vance of Scott's Canada
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Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week!
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Gardening is good for our health and our community. We are so fortunate to have our friend, and neighbour, Erin Neal on the podcast! Learn more about Erin's important work in community support and the impacts gardening has had on her and on her role with the Calgary Drop-in Centre. The partnership between Golden Acre and the Drop-in Centre is a beautiful one and hopefully will inspire a similar project in your community!
In this weeks episode ....
- 00:00 | Introduction
- 03:50 | Interview with Erin Neal from the Calgary Drop-in Centre
- 04:45 | Gardening through Childhood
- 09:12 | Gardening with the Calgary Drop-in Centre
- 20:50 | Erin's gardening tip
- 22:15 | How Golden Acre & the Calgary Drop-in Centre came together
- 26:30 | Question of the Week
Special Guest | Erin Neal
Erin is the Senior Coordinator for Affordable Housing at the Calgary Drop-In Centre and has been in the sector for over 15 years, serving those experiencing homelessness. She has a personal interest in gardening, and this is a part of her self-care routine. One specific project Erin supports with Golden Acres help, is the Greenview Rise community garden. It is in its 3rd growing year and offers a creative space for community members who have exited homelessness to engage in their varying abilities to garden. During our gardening day, with Colin and Jimmy, some of the highlights was on how to attract different pollinators into the garden and how often gardeners should be fertilizing their plants. Residents were able to choose what they planted in their gardening plots and there was a mixture of herbs, vegetables, berries, and flowers available. One resident said "I saw a lot of happy faces gardening today for the first time ever . . . it creates a sense of ownership, pride, and accomplishment. I had a wonderful time interacting with the garden folks and it means residents joining and relating to our new shared hobby." Erin looks forward to supporting the Greenview Rise Community Garden looks forward through this season and many of the residents have already been discussing how they will share their harvests with each other and incorporate them into their recipes. RESOURCES
Calgary Drop-in Centre
Article: "Community Gardens at the DI"
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There are SOOOO many ways to design your ideal garden and this includes your grass. We know folks who looove a manicured lawn and take pride in caring for it all season long. I mean, there's an entire sub culture on YouTube dedicated to lawn mowing videos. On the flip side, we also know folks who prefer low maintenance and perhaps not to keep a lawn. Both are right answers and this is a judgement-free zone. Your yard, your preference. We have a whole lawncare episode featuring Shelley Vance of Scott's Canada exploring the traditional lawn that you should absolutely check out next. Find that link down below! But, if you're reading this right now, then chances are you're seeking an alternative. Lawn alternatives have been picking up in popularity over the past few years, and we think you'll be surprised at all the different options there are to fit your lifestlye and budget.
In this weeks episode ....
- 00:00 | Introduction
- 04:00 | Sedum Turf
- 08:40 | Clover
- 10:20 | Chickweed
- 11:40 | Seasonal Considerations
- 13:20 | Artificial Options
- 16:40 | Thoughts on Artificial Turf
- 25:20 | Alternative ways to cut the lawn?!
- 34:00 | Future of Garden Centres and Choice
- 37:40 | Question of the Week
- 40:40 | Next Week....
RESOURCES
Lawncare Tips W/ Shelley Vance of Scott's Canada
Learn more about Sedum Turf
Eagle Lake Landscape Supply
City of Calgary Goat Program
Sedum 'autumn joy' >>>
Have a question or a comment for the Helpful Gardeners?
- Send us an anonymous voice note HERE
- send us an email social@goldenacre.ca
- or find our question of the week every Tuesday on our Instagram
Thank you so much for supporting the podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions. - Colin and Brandi
What plants are you willing to eat? Would you eat a dandelion? A sugared pansy? A natural Sumac berry? If you're looking to become the next Bear Grylls, this episode will scratch the surface of the world of edible plants. Learn what to find, what to avoid, and how to prepare some of natures easter eggs!
In this weeks episode ....
- 00:00 | Introduction
- 03:00 | Using Cedar & Staghorn Sumac for Vitamin C
- 05:30 | Candied Flowers Recipe
- 07:15 | Foraging Mushrooms & Growing your own
- 11:30 | Dandelion Benefits & Uses
- 23:30 | What may be good for you, may not be good for others.
- 24:40 | Saffron race & deeper appreciation for nature
- 27:00 | Wild foraging cautionary tales
- 34:40 | Question of the Week
- 38:00 | Next Week....
RESOURCES
Evolution of Corn | LINK
Candied Flowers | LINK
Dandelion Wine | LINK
Wild Edible Plants in Alberta | LINK
Saffron | LINK
Do you have a question or a comment for the Helpful Gardeners?
- Send us an anonymous voice note HERE
- send us an email social@goldenacre.ca
- or find our question of the week every Tuesday on our Instagram
NEXT WEEK
Are there alternatives to grass in a lawn? You bet your boots there are. The gardeners are exploring lawn alternatives to fit every lifestyle and budget. Tune in next sunday at 8AM MT.
What's the most common topic of conversation among gardeners? THE WEATHER! Yep, our gardens are always exposed to the elements, and every weather event from sun to rain to snow can have an impact...good and bad. Let's do what we gardeners do best. Let's talk about it!
In this weeks episode ....
- 00:00 | Introduction
- 05:30 | Snow in the Garden
- 10:30 | Timing tasks around the weather
- 14:20 | Thunderstorms in the Garden
- 20:50 | Rain in the Garden
- 24:00 | Heat in the Garden
- 26:25 | Fog & Cloud in the Garden
- 29:00 | Wind in the Garden
- 30:50 | Humidity in the Garden
- 35:35 | Reasons to watch your garden in different weather
- 40:30 | Myth: Watering plants mid summer day
- 42:30 | Question of the Week - 'Growing Japanede Maple'
- 45:40 | Next Week....
RESOURCES
Weather in Canada | LINK
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
This question was sent to us on Instagram from Carol who asks >>>
"Help! My sister has Japanese Maples in her garden in Vancouver, BC. I'd like to grow them here in Calgary, but I can't find them anywhere! How can I do it?"
Do you have a question or a comment for the Helpful Gardeners?
- Send us an anonymous voice note HERE
- send us an email social@goldenacre.ca
- or find our question of the week every Tuesday on our Instagram
NEXT WEEK
The gardeners are getting the munchies as they explore various edible plants like herbs, flowers, and veggies! Catch that episode next Sunday at 8AM MT.
What's your favourite symbol of Canada? The gardeners are nerding out on all the national symbols that represent our country. While our focus is plants and gardens, we digress... a lot. It's a lot of fun!
In this weeks episode ....
- 00:00 | Introduction
- 04:44 | Maple Trees in Canada
- 07:55 | National Animals
- 10:25 | National Sports
- 11:25 | National and Provincials Flowers
- 16:15 | National Lisence Plates
- 17:45 | Provincial Flowers continued....
- 22:05 | Provincial Fruits & Vegetables
- 27:25 | Gardens of Canada
- 34:46 | Trees of Canada
- 38:40 | National Horse
- 39:40 | National Bird
- 41:45 | Question of the Week - 'Canada Day plans'
- 50:00 | Next Week....
RESOURCES
Provincial Flowers | LINK
Provincial Trees | LINK
Maple Trees in Canada | LINK
National Gardens | LINK
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
This question was sent to us on Instagram from Shawn who asks >>>
"Hi Colin and Brandi! What are you doing for Canada Day?"
Do you have a question or a comment for the Helpful Gardeners?
- Send us an anonymous voice note HERE
- send us an email social@goldenacre.ca
- or find our question of the week every Tuesday on our Instagram
NEXT WEEK
We're talking about the most popular topic for any gardener... THE WEATHER! What's good, what's bad, and how to protect our garden when it happens. Join us next week!
You can garden in any size space. It's true! Whether you have a balcony, a concrete slab, or a small space within your large garden, we can help you use that space effectively. On today's episode, the gardeners marry creativity with functionality to create beautiful small space gardens.
In this weeks episode ....
- 00:00 | Introduction
- 03:45 | A look into Brandi's 'small space garden'
- 05:00 | A look into Colin's 'small space garden'
- 07:10 | Can you grow sunflowers in pots?
- 08:30 | Small Space Considerations: Watering
- 11:40 | Small Space Considerations: Soil amendments
- 16:30 | Small Space Considerations: Suitable plants
- 21:30 | Small Space Hack: Anchoring big pots
- 27:50 | Small Space Afforability
- 30:00 | Small Space Design
- 36:40 | Small Space Enjoyment
- 39:55 | Small Space Dual Purpose
- 41:10 | Question of the Week - Small Space Entryway
- 50:00 | Next Week....
RESOURCES
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
This question was sent to us by email from Shelby who asks >>>
"Help! I have a small entryway and wnat to jazz it up a bit. What are my options? There's an overhang so not a lot of sun."
Do you have a question or a comment for the Helpful Gardeners?
- Send us an anonymous voice note HERE
- send us an email social@goldenacre.ca
- or find our question of the week every Tuesday on our Instagram
NEXT WEEK
"O Canada....." What's the deal with the maple leaf? What is out national tree? We're talking Canada Day, but with a plant nerd spin on it.
The buzz is...It's World Pollinator Week! Yep, this is our opportunity to celebrate and learn more about the pollinators that frequent our gardens and communities. We're joined by Elise Watson from 'ABC Bees' who is a honey beekeeper and educator. She supports folks all across North America!
In this weeks episode ....
- 00:00 | Introduction
- 02:00 | Types of Pollinators
- 07:15 | Pollinators can help indicate garden health
- 10:00 | World Pollinator Week Activities
- 16:40 | Elise Watson from 'ABC Bees'
- 17:00 | What role do pollinators have in our gardens and communities?
- 18:35 | What are your favourite ways to attract pollinators
- 23:15 | Why do you like beekeeping and what keeps you going?
- 28:00 | Who can keep bees?
- 33:30 | ABC Bees resources
- 40:11 | Final thoughts on wasps - they're not all bad!
- 44:20 | Question of the Week - Attracting Pollinators
- 50:00 | Next Week....
RESOURCES
World Pollinator Week | LINK
- Learn more about the acitivities going on all around North America!
ABC Bees | LINK
- Learn more about beekeeping through classes, seminars, webinars, and literature
Bees & UV vision | LINK
- Learn more about bee vision as discovered by Karl von Frisch.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
This question was sent to us by email from Brenda who asks >>>
"What can I do to attract pollinators to my garden?"
Do you have a question or a comment for the Helpful Gardeners?
- Send us an anonymous voice note HERE
- send us an email social@goldenacre.ca
- or find our question of the week every Tuesday on our Instagram
NEXT WEEK
We're talking about how gardening can assist our mental and physical health with our special guest, Erin! Turn in Sunday's 8AM MST for more fun with the helpful gardeners!
Do you deadhead the flowers in your garden? Depending on the plant, deadheading can be massively beneficial! The gardeners are helping you navigate which ones to clean, which ones to leave, and which ones to throw at your coworkers.... just kidding ;)
In this weeks episode ....
- 00:00 | Introduction
- 03:50 | What is deadheading?
- 07:40 | Choosing plants based on deadheading requirement
- 10:10 | Deadheading Method: Cutting back
- 11:00 | Deadheading Impatiens is actually fun....
- 13:20 | Should you deadhead herbs?
- 15:10 | Should you deadhead vegetables?
- 17:25 | Should you deadhead perennials?
- 18:22 | What is liveheading and should I consider it?
- 22:47 | Should you 'in between' heading?
- 30:00 | Benefits of deadheading on annual flowers
- 31:45 | Plants to avoid deadheading
- 33:30 | Flowers that look good dried out!
- 35:06 | Tools for deadheading
- 38:45 | Question of the Week - Deadheading roses
- 50:00 | Next Week....
RESOURCES
Impatien Seed Pod Video | VIDEO
Cauterizing Roses | READ NOW
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
This question was sent to us by email from __________ who asks >>>
Do you have a question or a comment for the Helpful Gardeners?
- Send us an anonymous voice note HERE
- send us an email social@goldenacre.ca
- or find our question of the week every Tuesday on our Instagram
NEXT WEEK
Turn in Sunday's 8AM MST for more fun with the helpful gardeners!
This week, the Helpful gardeners are in the weeds.... but not for long! Let's all agree that weeding isn't the most exciting garden chore, but it is essential and should be done regularly. The gardeners will talk about about what defines a weed, various techniques, and will explore our responsibility toward limiting noxious weeds in our local regions.
In this weeks episode ....
- 00:00 | Introduction
- 02:00 | How often do you go out and weed?
- 04:05 | How many people enjoy weeding?
- 05:40 | How to control weeds based on where they're growing.
- 09:00 | Solarization/Pasturization weeding method
- 13:20 | Benefits of weeding a little at a time
- 15:00 | What, or who, defines a weed?
- 21:30 | Noxious Weeds
- 36:52 | Environmental benefits of weeds
- 43:15 | Weed Prevention Techniques
- 48:00 | Question of the Week - How to Weed
- 50:00 | Next Week....
RESOURCES
Golden Acre Blog | READ NOW
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
This question was sent to us by email from Walter who asks >>>
"When weeding, do I need to get the entire root, or can I just cut off the top?"
Do you have a question or a comment for the Helpful Gardeners?
- Send us an anonymous voice note HERE
- send us an email social@goldenacre.ca
- or find our question of the week every Tuesday on our Instagram
NEXT WEEK
We're moving on to a more pleasant garden chore... deadheading!
Turn in Sunday's 8AM MST for more fun with the helpful gardeners!
Fertilizer... what is it good for? Turns out, absolutely everything in your garden! Yep, you can give your flowers, veggies, and established plants a big old boost in production and overall health. It's a big topic and usually get it's own WALL in any local garden centre. The Helpful Gardeners are breaking it down to talk about how to buy fertilizer, use it, and store it over the winter.
In this weeks episode ....
- 00:00 | Introduction
- 01:20 | What is fertilizer and why do you need it?
- 05:00 | What do the numbers mean?
- 09:54 | Types of fertilizer
- 11:35 | Organic or Chemical?
- 13:30 | What medium is right for you?
- 17:36 | Specialty fertilizers - worth the investment?
- 19:30 | Can you mix and match brands?
- 25:00 | Cautionary tale of over-fertilizing
- 27:40 | Fertilizing hanging baskets
- 29:50 | Fertilizer lifecycle and storage
- 34:40 | What happens if you miss a week of fertilizing?
- 35:45 | What happens if you get fertilizer on the leaves?
- 39:00 | Blossom End Rot
- 41:36 | Fertilizing cannabis
- 43:20 | Case Study: Remo Nutrients VS Other Fertilizers on Tomatoes
- 44:20 | What are Micro-nutrients?
- 49:35 | Fertilizing established perennials, trees, and shrubs
- 55:40 | Question of the Week - Fertilizing houseplants
- 47:40 | Next Week....
RESOURCES
Remo Nutrients | LEARN MORE
Pro Mix | LEARN MORE
Miracle Gro | LEARN MORE
Learn more about Fertilizer and garden maintenance on our blog | LINK
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
This question was sent to us via Instagram by Kimberley who asks >>>
"I don't fertilize my outside garden, but will apply it to my houseplants. I'm not really sure it's doing anything though. Should I keep my fertilizer program going?"
- Evolve Indoor Plants Fertilizer | LEARN MORE
Do you have a question or a comment for the Helpful Gardeners?
- Send us an anonymous voice note HERE
- send us an email social@goldenacre.ca
- or find our question of the week every Tuesday on our Instagram
NEXT WEEK
We're breaking down the weeds that hide out in our garden.
Turn in Sunday's 8AM MST for more fun with the helpful gardeners!
Let's grow Canada! We're finally getting the green thumbs up to start planting. The helpful gardeners are diving into why we plant around the long weekend, how to climatize your annuals, garden safety, lawncare, and garden trends we've noticed around the greenhouse!
In this weeks episode ....
- 00:00 | Introduction
- 02:45 | Why plant on May long weekend?
- 06:20 | Climatize your plants
- 11:58 | Planting and climatizing seedlings
- 13:50 | What is direct sowing seeds?
- 18:50 | A chat about Alberta Wildfires and garden impact
- 23:15 | Garden Safety
- 25:45 | Lawncare & #NoMowMay
- 33:00 | Garden Trends - Bugs, Flowers, Worms, Mint, and more.
- 37:55 | Most popular annuals in Canada.
- 44:20 | Question of the Week - Bringing houseplants outdoors
- 47:40 | Next Week....
RESOURCES
Learn more about lawncare in our "Sodcast" episode | LINK
Smoke & Your Garden | LINK
Calgary & Area Seed Starting | LINK
West Coast Seeds Chart | LINK
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
This question was sent to us via Instagram by @madison.seng who asks >>>
"Can i bring my houseplants outside during the summer?"
- End-all Spray | LINK
Do you have a question or a comment for the Helpful Gardeners?
- Send us an anonymous voice note HERE
- send us an email social@goldenacre.ca
- or find our question of the week every Tuesday on our Instagram
NEXT WEEK
We're breaking down what fertilizer is, does, and what you need for your garden.
Turn in Sunday's 8AM MST for more fun with the helpful gardeners!
Need an easy splash a colour for your patio, entryway, or balcony? Annual Planters are versitile and a fun, family friendly, project. In this special Mother's Day episode, Colin and Brandi are diving into the design, planting, and maintenance of these popular garden additions.
In this weeks episode ....
- 00:00 | Introduction
- 02:00 | The Versitile Annual Planter
- 02:45 | Mix & Match Flowers, Veggies, Herbs
- 04:50 | How Full Should Your Planter Be?
- 06:50 | Many Varieties VS A Single Variety
- 09:22 | Planter Location - Consider Exposure
- 11:20 | Planter Location - Consider Viewing Needs
- 15:00 | How to Extend the Lifespan of Planters
- 18:22 | Cutting Back - What is it and is it necessary?
- 22:00 | Can Perennials Work in Planters?
- 23:30 | Can You Overwinter Planters?
- 27:10 | Planter Design is Personal
- 28:00 | Garden Centre Tips
- 29:52 | Let's Talk about Pots
- 32:25 | Planters for Year Round Purpose
- 34:00 | Planter Inspiration
- 35:20 | How Much Water Do Planters Need?
- 39:50 | Question of the Week - Fertilizer and Raised Planters
- 42: 00 | Next Week....
RESOURCES
Stacked Planter Idea | Round | LINK
Stacked Planter Idea | Rectangle | LINK
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
This question was sent to anonymously on Facebook:
"Colin and Brandi, besides WNGD, what's your favourite gardening day?"
Do you have a question or a comment for the Helpful Gardeners?
- Send us an anonymous voice note HERE
- send us an email social@goldenacre.ca
- or find our question of the week every Tuesday on our Instagram
NEXT WEEK
Turn in Sunday's 8AM MST for more fun with the helpful gardeners!
After putting the work into your garden, how do you enjoy it? The Helpful Gardeners explore ways you can have fun and avoid garden burn out. Plus, it was World Naked Gardening Day this weekend! Learn more about this fun holiday in todays episode >>>
In this weeks episode ....
- 00:00 | Introduction
- 05:00 | World Naked Gardening Day
- 05:45 | History of WNGD
- 11:50 | Tips for trying WNGD yourself!
- 13:50 | How do you enjoy your garden?
- 15:20 | Health benefits of gardening
- 22:00 | Play me some garden music
- 30:00 | Let's talk about garden burnout...
- 39:00 | Question of the Week - Fun Garden Holidays
- 45:00 | Next Week....
RESOURCES
World Naked Gardening Day Article - CBC Calgary, 2018 | LINK
Local Nursery Strips Down for WNGD - Surrey BC, 2021 | LINK
Garden Social Media Holidays | LINK
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
This question was sent to anonymously on Facebook:
"Colin and Brandi, besides WNGD, what's your favourite gardening day?"
Do you have a question or a comment for the Helpful Gardeners?
- Send us an anonymous voice note HERE
- send us an email social@goldenacre.ca
- or find our question of the week every Tuesday on our Instagram
NEXT WEEK
Turn in Sunday's 8AM MST for more fun with the helpful gardeners!
You most likely have fond memories with trees and shrubs. They can be loved for generations and provide so many benefits including food and protection for our garden critters. There's a lot to know about trees and shrubs before you invest in one, so the Helpful Gardeners are joined by a special guest on today's episode >>>
In this weeks episode ....
- 00:00 | Introduction
- 02:40 | Trees are awesome, but maybe not as a gift
- 04:00 | Oldest tree and talled tree
- Spoiler: It was around the same time camels were domesticated in Egypt!
- 05:00 | Benefits of trees & a cringy shrub joke to pull out at parties
- 07:25 | Special Guest: Jean-Mathieu Daoust of Let it Grow Horticulture
- 09:45 | Competitive Tree Climbing?!
- 12:30 | Flash Round - Jean's tree and shrub recommendations
- 14:40 | What to know when selecting a tree or shrub
- 17:30 | Suitable trees for shady spots
- 18:30 | How to care for newly planted trees
- 19:30 | How long to fertilize trees for
- 20:00 | How to care for trees throughout the years
- 21:00 | Pruning - DIY or Hire a professional.
- 24:00 | Consequences of pruning incorrectly
- 24:46 | Options for controling pests and disease
- 27:23 | How to know when the tree or shrub is too far gone to save
- 29:49 | Asking for help: What your local garden centre needs from you
- 31:20 | Question of the Week: Voles!
- 34:08 | Next Week....
GUEST | Jean-Mathieu Daoust
Jean has been passionate about horticulture since early childhood. His family heritage is actually rooted in farming and forestry. Jean's first industry appearance was at 16 years old right here at Golden Acre in the late 90's. He went on to study arboriculture at Olds college in Alberta and graduated with a bachelor's degree in applied science with honours. In 2002, Jean started Tree Frog, and grew it into one of the most successful arbourist companies in Calgary, Alberta. A few years ago, he sold it and took a much need break. Since 2022, he's the owner operator of Let it Grow! When he's not servicing trees and shrubs, Jean is actively involved in the international society of arboriculture (ISA), in tree climbing championships, and has also served on the local chapter board of directors for many years.
Contact Jean if you're in and around Calgary, AB for your tree servicing needs
Let it Grow Horticulture | 587-574-4709
RESOURCES
General Sherman in California | LINK
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
This question was sent to us by instagram user: @wildandcree
"Where should I plant my young 2ft lilacs?"
Do you have a question or a comment for the Helpful Gardeners?
- Send us an anonymous voice note HERE
- send us an email social@goldenacre.ca
- or find our question of the week every Tuesday on our Instagram
NEXT WEEK
The gardeners are stripping down for World Naked Gardening Day! Just kidding... but they will be celebrating this AWESOME holiday with some tips on ways you can enjoy your garden and avoid garden burn out.
Turn in Sunday's 8AM MST for more fun with the helpful gardeners!
What critters have you seen visiting your garden? They make homes in your trees, chow down on the bad bugs, and some come in to sample your veggies and bulbs. Nature is a balance, and we can find ways to protect our garden without harm. The Helpful Gardeners on talking garden critters on today's episode >>>
In this weeks episode ....
- 00:00 | Introduction
- 02:00 | Bug & Critter PR
- 06:00 | When wildlife mixes with urban sprawl.
- 09:03 | Why you should remove the birdhouse peg.
- 11:30 | Control products may wipe out the good guys too.
- 13:20 | Deer resistent planting
- Barberry | LINK
- Norway Spruce | LINK
- Wildflowers | LINK
- Aster Douglas | LINK
- Lemon Balm | LINK
- 15:00 | Predator bugs are trendy
- 16:40 | Physical Barriers for garden critters.
- 17:20 | A discussion on Vegepod
- 18:50 | Double benefit! Using blood meal
- 19:30 | Companion Planting to deter critters
- 21:00 | Marigolds on Main Street - St. John, NB
- 23:30 | Benefits of a clean and maintained garden
- 27:24 | Critters across the country
- 36:40 | Home Remedy
- 42:00 | Recap
- 42:50 | Question of the Week: Voles!
- 37:40 | Next Week....
RESOURCES
Removing the Perch on your birdhouse | LINK
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
This question was sent to us by email anonomously!
"What are voles and how do I prevent them from attacking my garden?"
- Learn more about fixing damaged lawn on the "Sodcast" Episode | LINK
- Plantskydd Repellant | LINK
Do you have a question or a comment for the Helpful Gardeners?
- Send us an anonymous voice note HERE
- send us an email social@goldenacre.ca
- or find our question of the week every Tuesday on our Instagram
NEXT WEEK
The gardeners are going to explore trees and shrubs!
Turn in Sunday's 8AM MST for more fun with the helpful gardeners!
Do you enjoy bulbs in your garden? Bulbs seem to raise a lot of question marks here in the greenhouse. We're hoping to demystify some of your more common Q's such as when to plant them, how to plant them, how to store them, and how to discourage destruction caused by some of our neighbourhood critters.... The Helpful Gardeners on talking bulbs on today's episode >>>
In this weeks episode ....
- 00:00 | Introduction
- 05:00 | Types of bulbs and when to plant them
- 10:00 | Bulbs are low maintenance
- 10:55 | Companion planting
- 11:50 | Lifespan of a bulb
- 13:10 | How to plant a bulb
- 14:43 | Which way is up when planting?
- 17:20 | Benefits of bone meal
- 22:00 | Benefits of blood meal
- 23:50 | Fertilizer program
- 25:00 | Lighting requirements
- 26:00 | Moving bulbs outside
- 27:00 | Going Rogue: planting bulbs closer than suggested
- 27:45 | A special birthday shoutout
- 30:00 | Storing bulbs inside over winter
- 32:50 | Caution when using chicken wire...
- 34:10 | Question of the Week
- 37:40 | Next Week....
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
We had a question on Instagram from Holly Marisco this week!
How do you store your more tender bulbs so they make it through the winter?
Do you have a question or a comment for the Helpful Gardeners?
- Send us an anonymous voice note HERE
- send us an email social@goldenacre.ca
- or find our question of the week every Tuesday on our Instagram
NEXT WEEK
We're discussing ways to protect your garden from common neighbourhood critters!
Turn in Sunday's 8AM MST for more fun with the helpful gardeners!
It's the Sodcast! What do you love about lawns? We know they can increase your home value, they're comfortable on hot summer days, it's the one plant we like to play sports on, and some folks even find joy in maintaining them. We love that your lawn can be personal to you and we want to help you get the most out of it. That's why the Helpful Gardeners are so honoured to be joined by Shelley Vance, of Scott's Canada, on today's episode >>>
In this weeks episode....
- 00:00 | Introduction
- 02:20 | Local Shoutout
- 05:15 | One size doesn't fit all - lawns are personal
- 08:50 | Things to consider when seeding your lawn
- 10:40 | Healthy Lawn = Less
- 12:00 | We put our lawns through a lot....
- 14:30 | Special Guest: Shelley Vance from Scotts Canada
- 17:00 | How to wake up your lawn
- 21:20 | What is Winterkill?
- 22:50 | How to patch your lawn
- 29:10 | Considering grass seed
- 33:55 | Lawn fertilizer
- 35:40 | Can you over-water your lawn?
- 36:50 | Additional nuggets of experience
- 36:40 | Question of the Week
- 40:15 | Next Week....
GUEST | SHELLEY VANCE OF SCOTT'S CANADA
Shelley Vance has worked in the lawn and garden industry for over 30 years. She has worked for a variety of different companies based in Vancouver, Canada. Shelley has spent the majority of her career in business-to-business sales, supporting her customers to deliver high-quality products to their customers. In 2018, she was recognised by her peers and won ‘Sales Representative of the Year award’.
Shelley is passionate about the lawn and garden industry and is currently enjoying a new role as Western IGC Sales Manager for Scott’s Canada.
Shelley lives in Coquitlam, BC, Canada with her husband, Jim, and has two adult daughters.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
We had a few questions this week from excited gardeners on Instagram!
Do you have a question or a comment for the Helpful Gardeners?
- Send us an anonymous voice note HERE
- send us an email social@goldenacre.ca
- or find our question of the week every Tuesday on our Instagram
NEXT WEEK
We've talked about seeds, but bulbs can be a whole other subject!
Turn in Sunday's 8AM MST for more fun with the helpful gardeners!
How do you like to be woken up? If you're like us, you like to be woken gently with soft sounds like chimes and soft gradual light from the sun. Doesn't that sound nice? We can apply this same thought process to your garden! There are things you can be doing in your garden right now to prepare it for the growing season ahead. Spoiler: None of these tips involve planting even a single plant! Colin and Brandi discuss how to prep you garden in today's episode >>>
In this weeks episode....
- 00:00 | Introduction
- 02:20 | Where to begin?
- 04:15 | Trees & Shrubs check up
- 05:00 | Dormant Spray Kit
- 08:00 | Wake up your garden gently
- 19:56 | Question: What to do with leaves on your lawn
- 11:30 | Leave some debris, save of a bug friend!
- 15:26 | Pace yourself
- 17:50 | Amending Soil
- 19:53 | Compost Tea
- 24:00 | When happens when you leave debris on garden beds?
- 25:40 | Mulch Tips
- 29:00 | Weeding & Dandelion Love
- 31:30 | Colin Transplanted a Dandelion....
- 33:40 | Raking
- 38:05 | Using chemical straps in flower beds
- 40:00 | Checking your garden tools and what to buy
- 48:00 | Wrap up
- 36:40 | Question of the Week
- 40:15 | Next Week....
LINKS
Colin's favourite amendment: Coconut Coir
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
We had a few questions this week from excited gardeners on Instagram! See below...
- @Alex.paints.stuff |
- "Left leaves on my lawn in the fall. When should you rake them up and can I mulch them with a lawn mower?"
- A:
- @Jennatabata | "When should we be planting seeds?"
- A: You can plant now depending on the seed! If you're in Alberta, see our free seed starting chart. If not, check you regional garden centres for resources, so following each individual seed packet information to determine if seeds need to be started indoors or direct sowed outside toward the end of May.
- @miss_melly1 | "New to gardening and don't know where to start!"
- A: You came to the right place! Keep an ear on our podcast, attend our free webinars, or come into your local greenhouse for specialized advice :)
- Holly Marisco | "How do you amend soil in raised planters and is this needed annually?"
- A: Yes! This should be done annually because plants aren't getting regular nutrients from the Earth. Ideally, you want something lighter so the roots have room to grow. Use things like peatmoss, worm castings, etc.
Do you have a question or a comment for the Helpful Gardeners?
- Send us an anonymous voice note HERE
- send us an email social@goldenacre.ca
- or find our question of the week every Tuesday on our Instagram
NEXT WEEK
It's the "SODCAST". We've been sitting on this pun for a while now... we're so excited to be joined by a representative of Scotts Canada, Shelly Vance, who is a lawncare expert! Send us your questions so we can ensure you get the most out of your lawn this season.
Turn in Sunday's 8AM MST for more fun with the helpful gardeners!
Do your houseplants deserve a little spa day? In Canada, we experience pretty dramatic seasonal shifts. While we do love our gardens, you can only really enjoy it for a portion of the year. Houseplants can be enjoyed yearround, but they do require a bit of maintenance to keep them living their best life. Colin and Brandi discuss seasonal maintenance in today's episode!
In this weeks episode....
- 00:00 | Introduction
- 02:14 | Should I move my houseplants seasonally?
- 04:30 | Houseplant adversity
- 08:30 | Things to watch for before moving your plants.
- 10:30 | Choosing a designated houseplant maintenance day
- 12:30 | What happens if you can't move your plants?
- 13:52 | Challenge: Change your house lights to grow lights!
- 14:40 | Transplanting/ Repotting Houseplants - Foliage & Flowering
- 22:00 | Propagation - medium, methods and more.
- 26:20 | What did Colin gift Brandi?
- 32:50 | Houseplant soil - mixes & Colin's blend
- 33:30 | The benefits of worm castings
- 34:20 | What do worms like to eat?
- 35:00 | Types of houseplant soil
- 36:20 | 'Super Soil' by Bluesky Organics #NotSponsored
- 40:50 | Fertilizing - when and with what
- 43:05 | My flowering plant isn't flowering :(
- 44:56 | Watering tip: Try using rain water
- 48:00 | Wrap up
- 36:40 | Question of the Week
- 40:15 | Next Week....
COLIN'S SOIL RECIPE
- 3 parts potting soil
- 1 part charcoal
- 1 part worm casting
CACTUS SOIL BLEND
- 3 Parts Dry Sand
- 2 Parts Perlite
- 2 Parts Heavy Garden Soil
- 1 Part Worm Castings
GAKidsTV Cactus Soil Episode: LINK
Avelida Worm Castings
Bluesky Organics 'Super Soil'
WATERING LINKS
Does Rainwater Contain Nitrogen?
Green Calgary - Water conservation and rain barrels
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Our question of the week comes from Harry over on Instagram who asks "How do I grow hemp outside in my garden?"
Do you have a question or a comment for the Helpful Gardeners?
- Send us an anonymous voice note HERE
- send us an email social@goldenacre.ca
- or find our question of the week every Tuesday on our Instagram
NEXT WEEK
We're
Turn in Sunday's 8AM MST for more fun with the helpful gardeners!
Pack your bags! We're taking you on a trip around the globe to learn more about the diverse plants that call this plant home.
In this weeks episode....
- 01:00 | Mexico Geography
- 05:00 | How are plants used by humans and animals
- 06:50 | Replicating ideal growing conditions
- 08:15 | The big digression - Elevator Terror
- 11:30 | What kind of traveller are you?
- 14:20 | Medicinal benefits of worldly plants
- 15:15 | Beware of unknown plants
- 17:30 | Using plants to make tequila
- 19:50 | Working in a 'Sugar Shack'
- 28:20 | Diversity right at home
- 30:23 | Under the Sea
- 36:40 | Question of the Week
- 40:15 | Next Week....
THE GREAT CANADIAN MAPLE SYRUP HEIST
Overview & Opinion Piece | LINK
Results of the Heist from CTV | LINK
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Our question of the week comes from Danielle who asks "What size pot does an indeterminate tomato require to grow?"
Do you have a question or a comment for the Helpful Gardeners?
- Send us an anonymous voice note HERE
- send us an email social@goldenacre.ca
- or find our question of the week every Tuesday on our Instagram
NEXT WEEK
We're giving your houseplants some extra love and helping you through those big seasonal shifts. We'll talk about fertilizing, repotting, watering, and other maintenance practices!
Turn in Sunday's 8AM MST for more fun with the helpful gardeners!
GARDEN PLANNING
In this weeks episode....
- 03:00 | Digital & Offline Garden Planning
- 05:00 | Creating a Garden Plan with Canva
- 10:00 | Garden Centre Tips: Come Prepared
- 17:50 | Consider your outdoor living arrangment
- 18:30 | Aesthetic & Function
- 20:00 | How thorough do I need to be?
- 22:20 | Garden Planning Record Keeping
- 24:50 | When garden planning doesn't go to plan...
- 27:20 | What obstacles can you plan ahead for?
- 32:40 | Mix & Mingle with Veggies for the pollinators
- 34:40 | Perennials: Spacing & Bloom time
- 36:20 | Staggering growth and what is your "why"?
- 38:20 | Question of the Week
- 41:50 | Next Week....
BRANDI'S GARDEN PLAN MADE WITH CANVA
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Our question of the week comes from Steve who asks, "Should I consider crop rotation?"
Do you have a question or a comment for the Helpful Gardeners?
- Send us an anonymous voice note HERE
- send us an email social@goldenacre.ca
- or find our question of the week every Tuesday on our Instagram
NEXT WEEK
Plants around the World
In this weeks episode.... selecting, planting, and caring for seeds * 00:00 | In this Episode.... * 03:00 | Seed Selection: Variety * 05:00 | Heritage / Heirloom seeds * 08:50 | Non GMO & Organic seeds * 10:30 | Selecting what you're attracted to. * 12:35 | Reading a seed packet: What's important? * 20:30 | Research: Canadian Seed Starting Charts * 21:50 | Equipment * 27:30 | Fertilizer - When? * 30:10 | Watering - Super Important * 32:00 | Pets VS Seedlings * 33:34 | Storing leftover seeds * 36:50 | Question of the Week * 40:00 | Next Week....
******* CANADIAN SEED STARTING CHARTS Golden Acre Seed Starting Guide | Click here
West Coast Seeds Regional Seed Starting Chart (Canada) | Click Here
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Our question of the week comes from Dawnbeat who asks, "How do you prevent damping off?" Listen in to learn what damping is, how to prevent it, and what to do if it's already found you.
Do you have a question or a comment for the Helpful Gardeners?
- Send us an anonymous voice note HERE
- send us an email social@goldenacre.ca
- or find our question of the week every Tuesday on our Instagram
NEXT WEEK
Here's an episode for the whole family! Get your crayons and paper ready because we're planning your garden next week!
In this weeks episode.... a brief history on houseplants, a fieldtrip, * 00:00 | In this Episode.... * 03:00 | History of Houseplants * 06:30 | Lighting for Houseplants * 09:00 | Social Pressure for Houseplants / Normalize Brown Leaves * 12:20 | Poll: "Why do you keep Houseplants?" * 16:20 | Southern Alberta Institute of Technology - Student Wellness * 20:00 | Ode to a great starter plant: The Spider Plant! * 23:10 | Gifting Houseplants * 27:00 | Poll: "Foliage or Flowers?" * 31:50 | Beware of Google * 35:20 | Houseplants and Wellness: another tool in the toolbox * 40:13 | Question of the Week * 45:04 | Next Week....
A HISTORY OF HOUSEPLANTS Plants have a surprisingly long history inside our homes. People would take great pride in their houseplants, and would sometimes even rent them to feature in their parlour when visitors would come around. * https://tenneyplants.com/history-of-houseplants/ * https://www.britannica.com/science/houseplant#ref1262648
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Our question of the week comes from Holly Marisco who asks, "When do you re-pot, how do you divide them, when do you fertilize and how?" Listen in to find out what Colin recommends to help keep your houseplants healthy!
Do you have a question or a comment for the Helpful Gardeners?
- Send us a voice note www.speakpipe.com/TheHelpfulGardeners,
- send us an email social@goldenacre.ca
- or find our question of the week on our Instagram
NEXT WEEK
We're bringing it back to seeds! Colin will get to nerd out on the science behind seeds, and we'll take you through the process of selection, preparation, planting and caring for them.
In the meantime, catch up on past episodes including Seed Starting: Is it for you? Also, partake in our Instagram polls and questionaire next Tuesday for funsies :)
In this weeks episode.... caterpillar poop, noisemakers, predator bugs, difficulty pronouncing hard words, and debunking a well known garden myth! We're helping you with the various garden bugs and diseases you may encounter in your garden and home. Plants are just as susceptible to weakness as us humans are, so let's explore ways to identify, eliminate, and prevent the various challenges your plants are most likely to encounter. It's not all bad though! We'll spotlight the good guys too that bring balance to your garden. But first, it's Colin's Birthday! We had maybe a little too much fun celebrating... GARDENING IN THE NEWS... We touched a bit on the Oyster Scale problem that ripped through Calgary, AB in 2015. Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/oystershell-scale-spreading-through-calgary-hedges-1.3089264 QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Our question of the week comes from Ethariel who asks, "How do you get rid of thrips?" Listen in to find out what Colin recommends to battle these armoured pests!
https://www.goldenacre.ca/shop-all-departments/control-products/green-eco-friendly/oriline-bottle-500-bugs-orius-insidiosus-thrip-control/
If you have a question for the Helpful Gardeners, reach out to us! Send us an email social@goldenacre.ca or find our question of the week on our Instagram
NEXT WEEK
Bring gardening indoors! Are houseplants for everything? What should you keep in mind when considering bringing plants indoors? Golden Acre is also going on a road trip to SAIT - Southern Alberta Institute of Technology to find out how plants can postivitly impact wellness
Do starting plants from seed suit your lifestyle? The helpful gardeners explore the many considerations of seed starting, as well as alternatives that can help you save time, space and money.
Depending on what you're growing and where, you may need to start some plants indoors from seed. In places like Alberta, where frost can show up well into May, classic annual plants like geraniums, tomatoes peppers usually begin their journey inside. If you've been gardening for years, you may have settled into a tried and true process that works for you. If you're a beginner, it's easy to bite off more than you can chew. It's important to remember that no matter which way you choose to grow plants - seed, grown from a local nursery, kitchen herbs indoors, etc - you can be a successful gardener.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Our question of the week comes from Sarah in Calgary, AB who asks, "You have an entire seed packet. Do you have to use them all in one season or can you save them and how?" Listen in to find out what Colin recommends for both dry and humid zones!
If you have a question for the Helpful Gardeners, reach out to us! Send us an email social@goldenacre.ca
NEXT WEEK
The one thing that unites gardeners both indoors and out is the inevitability of pests and diseases. We're dealing with living things that get sick just like us. Let's explore ways to prevent, identify, and treat our plants for the challenges they're bound to endure.
Welcome to the Helpful Gardeners, a weekly podcast diving into the home and garden topics you want to learn more about. We hope to inform, inspire, and bring the fun as two friends who work together and go wild over gardening. Colin is a certified horticulturist with decades of experience working in landscaping, gardening and houseplants in various climactic zones. Brandi is a beginner with a passion to ask questions and who finds ways to garden within restrictive urban settings.
We'll bring in some friends along the way to share their knowledge, and hear from gardeners like you who are reaching garden goals. We're so happy you found us and look forward to growing alongside you each week! Subscribe to catch new episodes every Sunday at 8am MT.
If you have a topic or question you'd like us to know about, reach out to us here: social@goldenacre.ca