Beta

Explorez tous les épisodes de Growing Joy with Plants - Wellness Rooted in Nature, Houseplants, Gardening and Plant Care

Plongez dans la liste complète des épisodes de Growing Joy with Plants - Wellness Rooted in Nature, Houseplants, Gardening and Plant Care . Chaque épisode est catalogué accompagné de descriptions détaillées, ce qui facilite la recherche et l'exploration de sujets spécifiques. Suivez tous les épisodes de votre podcast préféré et ne manquez aucun contenu pertinent.

Rows per page:

1–50 of 314

DateTitreDurée
11 Mar 2025How to Use Plants to Heal From Grief00:50:34

Grief is so heavy that it can feel like an impossible weight to carry. But if you think about it, you can use plant care as a method to process grief and loss. Like plants, people can also grow and find resilience. They don’t rush and don’t demand. They just grow… little by little, day by day.

In this episode, I want to share the story of my dear plant friend, Wade Lee, also known as Plants by Wade Lee. His story is so much more than houseplant care. It’s about loss, grief, healing, and finding joy again, one leaf, one root, one seed at a time.


In this episode, we learn:

  • [00:00] How plants can help you heal from grief
  • [04:22] Wade’s story with grief and plants
  • [10:10] Finding solace in plants
  • [15:14] Find tranquility in every breeze this 2025 with Wind River Chimes!
  • [16:55] Learn how to grow more food with less space and effort with the 4th edition of ‘Square Foot Gardening’!
  • [18:08] Honoring Steven and new beginnings!
  • [22:32] How we connect with the spiritual realm
  • [25:39] How Wade secured a gardener position
  • [29:38] How to use plants as a therapeutic tool for grief
  • [33:43] Finding grace in dead plants
  • [36:28] At what point did Wade begin using social media?
  • [39:53] What are some methods for using plants to heal from grief?
  • [42:44] What is nature in different forms?
  • [45:49] Where can you find Wade on social media?


Mentioned in our conversation:


For Wade's recommendations on how to use plants as a therapeutic tool,

check out the full show notes and blog here!


Follow Wade:

Website

Podcast

Instagram

Facebook

TikTok

YouTube

Twitter


Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Wind River Chimes

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on your chosen wind chimes.

Quarto: All New! Square Foot Gardening, 4th Edition

Get your copy of All New! Square Foot Gardening, 4th Edition today at your local bookstore, bookshop.org, Barnes and Noble, quarto.com, or amazon.com. 


Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
30 Oct 2018Episode 41: Maria's Favorite Things/ Planty Holiday Gift Guide00:47:48

Maria walks you through a “few of her favorite things” aka planty products that she has enjoyed this year. This episode is for anyone who might be curious about plant related products out there for their urban jungles or for possible gifts for planty friends or relatives.

 

All discount codes, links and product reviews and photos can be found at www.bloomandgrowradio.com/favoritethings

 

Time stamps for the different planty categories:

Bloom and Grow Radio Merch at 5:15

Planty Jewelry at 7:10

Planty Accessories 12:00

Planty Pins: 20:10

Planters: 24:33

Grow Lights: 29:49

Planty Books: 34:10

Resources for sending plants 38:25



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
10 Sep 2019Episode 72- Fall Garden Plants and Projects with Joe Lamp'l00:58:44

I’m so excited to welcome Joe Lamp'l of JoeGardener.com back on the show today! You might remember him from our episode on Living Christmas trees, but he is my outdoor gardening guru who is going to walk us through some fun things for us to do in our outdoor gardens this Fall. Joe Lamp’l is the creator, Executive Producer and Host of the Emmy-award-winning national PBS series, Growing a Greener World®, Founder and “joe” behind joegardener.com, and creator of the new joe gardener Online Gardening Academy™.

Have you checked out the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show? Check it out and subscribe for videos on my indoor plant journey, behind the scenes planty tours, and lots of fun home DIY projects!

In this episode we learn:

  • How Joe Lamp'l became Joe Gardener
  • Why Organic Gardening is so important
  • If we have to “put our garden to bed” in the fall
  • What to plant in the fall and how
  • Quick results: radishes, lettuce, kale
  • Fun gardening projects for kids: Garlic Onions
  • Grow your own holiday feast! herbs, carrots, brussel sprouts
  • How to organize yourself in the fall to prep for next spring
  • The Apps Joe uses to organize himself and his garden

Mentioned in episode:

https://joegardener.com/what-to-plant-in-a-fall-vegetable-garden/

https://joegardener.com/podcast/046-garden-organization/

Biggest Little Farm Movie

Thank you to our two amazing episode sponsors: Espoma Organics and Floating Bed and Breakfast.

For responsibly made, unbelievable indoor and outdoor organic soils, fertilizers, pest control sprays and more visit espoma.com to find your local dealer or check out my amazon storefront of my favorite Espoma products here.

For the plantiest airbnb experience of your life in the Norfolk, VA area, visit theloiselaine.com and message Nicole for 20% off by telling her Maria sent you!

Follow Joe:

Founder: joegardener.com

GrowingAGreenerWorld.com
joegardener.com

Beginning Gardener Fundamentals -  my new online course

The joe gardener Show Podcast
Facebook.com/joegardener
facebook.com/GGWTV
twitter.com/joegardener
twitter.com/GGWTV
instagram.com/joegardener

 

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
05 Oct 2021Lessons from Plants for 202100:48:30

Plant friends, I've been sharing with you my overwhelm, burnout, and general processing of everything that's happening in our world right now. It’s been so nice to connect with so many of you who share similar feelings. I'm also grateful to have had my plant collection to turn to and use as a tool for wellness in these trying times. Several of you had recommended Lessons from Plants by Beronda Montgomery and from page one, I felt like I had met a Plant Soul Sister in this author. Her book seemed to be the answer to my prayers about the struggles of understanding the science behind these phenomena I witness and take meaning from. Beronda has the scientific understanding to deep dive into lessons we can take away from plants. She joins me in this episode to share lessons we can learn from plants for specific scenarios many of us went through in 2021. Let's dive in!

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party!

Join us in the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet: our private community platform and app with dedicated conversation topics, quarterly meet ups, regional groups and the ability to find plant friends near you and so much more!

Join the Garden Party and become a Plant Friend!

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,

so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!

 

In this episode we learn:

  • [01:08] Introducing Beronda
  • [02:56] Maria’s wonderful announcement!
  • [05:03] How Beronda became the plant parent she is today
  • [07:17] Beronda shares her planty educational background
  • [08:55] What Maria loves about Lessons from Plants
  • [10:50] Bridging the gap in the plant community
  • [12:46] What plants teach us about loss and pruning back
  • [15:01] What is culling: how to apply the concept of culling in our lives
  • [17:04] Why dormancy is important for us and our plants
  • [18:37] How to honor the losses we’ve had
  • [19:34] What plants teach us about transitions
  • [20:45] Plants rest, and so should we!
  • [21:02] How to address your plants’ light needs in the winter
  • [22:26] Where to get safe indoor and outdoor gardening products
  • [24:48] How plants teach us to regulate our resources
  • [26:18] How we make ourselves prone to burnout
  • [27:37] The lessons of sensitivity and self-awareness from plants
  • [28:27] How lack of self-reflection can lead to lack of resources for everyone
  • [29:14] How much time do we need for self-reflection?
  • [30:10] Maria’s small ways to interact with her plants more often
  • [31:04] Why plants are symbols of resilience
  • [32:27] How repotting plants and moving homes are the same
  • [35:14] Pioneer species or pioneer plants and what they do
  • [37:04] How we can be all pioneer plants
  • [38:48] What are intentional disruptors?
  • [41:37] Beronda’s personal favorite lessons from plants
  • [44:14] How plants teach us to connect with others
  • [45:48] Maria shares the best way to read Lessons from Plants

Mentioned in our conversation:

  • Lessons from Plants, book by Beronda L. Montgomery
  • The Forest Unseen, book by David George Haskell
  • The Overstory, novel by Richard Powers

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

SolTech Solutions

Soltech Solutions recently launched the Greenfit™ bundle with their new Vita LED Grow Bulb: a bulb that screws into any light fixture. Greenfit your home and get four Vita Grow Light Bulbs for the price of 3, no coupon code necessary! Head over to soltechsolutions.com and check out their bundles of lights and lighting accessories for up to 20% off!

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To learn more about their pet safe indoor and outdoor gardening products, visit espoma.com to find your local dealer or check out my Amazon storefront of my favorite Espoma products here.

 

Follow Beronda:

Instagram

Twitter

Website

Buy Beronda's book: Lessons from Plants

 

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
20 Apr 2021Plant Trend Alert: Tiny Plants with Leslie Halleck00:58:33

New Trend Alert! Tiny Plants are the curious collector's dream, and an awesome option for plant parents who are working with limited space OR are obsessed with teensy tiny adorable things like me. Leslie Halleck, one of the favorite recurring guests for Bloom and Grow Radio, joins us again to talk about her obsession with Tiny Plants, tips for caring for them, and a matchmaking session where she pairs the perfect tiny plant for each plant parent personality. Get ready to learn about teensy, tiny adorableness!

Pre-Order Leslie's new book: Tiny Plants

Get on the waitlist for the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Launch

Be the first to gain access and founding member discounts through joining our waitlist

Snag your spot on the waitlist here  

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,

so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!

In this episode we learn:

  • [05:29] Leslie shares how she spots plant trends and what the trend of small plants has changed in people’s lives
  • [08:25] How Leslie got into the tiny plants hobby, her internship in the Puerto Rican rainforest, and her history with ferns
  • [14:37] Do micro species have different DNA from regular plants? Why do they stay tiny forever?
  • [18:22] The different tiny plant species featured in Leslie’s book and why you should get into the world of tiny plants
  • [19:11] Why lithops are not beginner-friendly tiny plants and Leslie’s advice for taking care of them
  • [20:47] Caring for tiny plants vs caring for regular plants, is there a difference?
  • [23:18] How taking care of tiny plants serves as a wellness ritual for Leslie
  • [25:25] Hunting for rare species is fun, according to Leslie
  • [26:26] Tiny Plants bonus: know about the best plant vendors for your next tiny plants!
  • [28:10] Where to get the best planty gifts for mother’s day
  • [30:14] Maria’s favorite companion at the end of the day (aside from Billy)
  • [32:11] Maria and Leslie’s current tiny plant favorites
  • [34:51] How to style with tiny plants and why you have more options with them!
  • [38:32] Why Maria is excited to take a deeper dive into the tiny plants world
  • [39:50] How tiny plants make it easier to incorporate nature into your home
  • [41:08] Maria shares one of the reasons she loves and appreciates plant parenthood
  • [42:56] The best tiny plants for mindful plant parents
  • [44:30] Are you a low-key plant parent? Here are the perfect tiny plants for you
  • [45:26] Aesthetic and urban jungle tiny plants for the design-based plant parent
  • [47:25] Edible tiny plants for the urban farmer plant parent
  • [50:15] The tiny plants genus to check out if you’re a curious collector type of plant parent
  • [56:55] Maria sends positivity and love to the Bloom and Grow community

Mentioned in our conversation:

Leslie’s previous Bloom and Grow episodes

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Modern Sprout

Modern Sprout is connecting people and plants with their fabulous lines of grow lights, seed starter kits, and all sorts of planty products that empower people to cultivate their own indoor oasis, whether you live in a studio apartment or a sprawling farmhouse, with simple, stylish and sustainable green-thumb solutions for every home. They just launched new products like their seed starter kits and gift sets so head to modernsprout.com to check all their products out and use code 15bloom at checkout.

Allagash Brewing Company

Allagash Brewing Company is an amazing brewery and b corporation out of Portland, Maine that has just come out with Fine Acre: an organic beer that’s the perfect accompaniment to your indoor and outdoor gardening practices this spring and summer! Fine Acre’s launch supports organic gardening and farming, so we are celebrating with the Beer Gardening with Allagash Sweepstakes! The prize is insanely planty with over $3000 of gardening goodies. Head over to allagash.com for mechanics on how to join the giveaway! Fine Acre and other Allagash beers are for drinkers 21+. Please drink responsibly.

Follow Leslie:

Website

Instagram

Books

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
12 Mar 2024Everything You Need to Know About Calathea00:37:34

Calatheas have a bit of a reputation among plant parents for being dramatic "divas." And I'm not going to lie—they can be particular about their care. But don't let that scare you off! If you try to understand their preferences, you can totally grow lush, vibrant prayer plants at home. That’s what we’re going to talk about in this episode!


In this episode, we learn:

  • [01:44] Understanding calathea (now also called Goeppertia)
  • [02:21] Why calathea isn’t for everyone (so set your expectations)
  • [05:46] Why calatheas are the perfect statement plant!
  • [06:17] Understanding the natural habitat of Calathea
  • [06:51] Why calatheas are called “prayer plants”
  • [07:41] High-level overview of Calathea
  • [08:41] Calathea Care #1: Lighting
  • [11:10] Calathea Care #2: Watering
  • [14:42] Top tip: Calathea enjoy filtered water 
  • [15:28] Enjoy superior quality and a variety of plants from Proven Winners Leaf Joy!
  • [17:14] Mindful goal reflection through daily plant check-ins
  • [18:13] Calathea Care #3: Humidity
  • [21:04] How do you create a microclimate for your plants?
  • [22:02] Why Calathea are resilient
  • [23:42] Calathea Care #4: Fertilizing
  • [24:08] Calathea Care #5: Troubleshooting
  • [24:46] Tip: Trim the brown edges off your Calathea!
  • [28:20] Different Calathea species
  • [28:43] #1 Rattlesnake plant (Calathea lancifolia or Goeppertia insignis) = low maintenance
  • [30:01] #2 Calathea majestica Diamond Dazzler White Star
  • [31:30] #3 Calathea picturata = drama queen
  • [32:38] #4 Calathea orbifolia = Instagram favorite


Mentioned in our conversation:


For my personal ranking of popular calathea varieties,

check out the full show notes and blog here!


Thank you to our episode sponsor:

Proven Winners

If you want to have success with houseplants, you’ve got to have two things: the knowledge to care for them successfully and healthy plants. Meet my new favorite houseplant grower: Proven Winner’s leafjoy™. With only the best plant genetics grown in a state-of-the-art, European greenhouse, you will not be disappointed in the variety and quality of your favorite plants from Proven Winner’s leafjoy™. This company has taken the guesswork out of plant shopping with plant tags that include scientific names and care guides, as well as color-coded collections for the different areas of your home that you want plants in!

Find plant joy in leafjoy™. Head to provenwinners.com to find your local leafjoy™ dealer and let me know which plant you take home on socials!


Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
05 Mar 2024Homesteading Basics00:52:03

Is homesteading your ultimate dream? Because mine too, plant friends! Like most gardeners, I've always dreamed of someday creating a homestead and being more self-sufficient. I very much enjoy growing my own fruits, veggies, and herbs, but starting homesteading seemed a little scary. That’s why I was so excited to speak with gardening influencer Kevin Espiritu of Epic Gardening, who has spent the last few years turning his suburban property into an enviable homestead. Kevin shared his advice for transitioning from gardener to homesteader, one step at a time.


In this episode, we learn:

  • [04:43] Managing multiple projects and Kevin’s homestead building
  • [04:51] What got Kevin interested in homesteading?
  • [07:59] Homesteading vs gardening
  • [09:14] What are the aspects/elements of homesteading?
  • [11:15] What is “greywater” and its potential for water recycling?
  • [14:17] Different uses of rainwater (and why you should start collecting them!)
  • [15:22] Experience cozy mindfulness with Wind River Chimes!
  • [16:53] Learn actionable steps to build resilience in your garden with ‘The Climate Change Resilient Vegetable Garden’ by Kim Stoddart
  • [18:40] Kevin’s rainwater harvesting system (which gauges the amount of rainfall one can capture over a year)
  • [21:59] How solar energy works and how the net metering system operates
  • [26:47] What is the role of a pond in homesteading?
  • [28:53] Creating an aquaponic system
  • [31:30] Switch to Espoma Organic's soil, compost, and plant food for a healthier homestead garden.
  • [33:24] How has Kevin's experience raising chickens been?
  • [36:51] Chicken care tips!
  • [39:12] Can you do homesteading indoors?
  • [40:53] What was the inspiration for Kevin's orchard?
  • [42:30] What are the various fruits grown by Kevin?
  • [43:47] What is the food forest approach to growing food?
  • [45:47] What is Kevin’s favorite way of preserving food?
  • [46:55] What’s next for Kevin?
  • [48:08] Check out Kevin’s book, Epic Homesteading


Mentioned in our conversation:


For a list of homestead components that you can start with,

check out the full show notes and blog here!


Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Wind River Chimes

Bring more peace, serenity, and magic into your home with chimes. Wind River is a Virginia-based company creating premium handcrafted and hand-tuned wind chimes for over 35 years. If you are looking for a new way to grow joy in your life and find a moment of peace, a Wind River chime is the perfect addition to your home or garden. Plus, it's a perfect personalized gift for your loved ones!

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on all Corinthian Bells wind chimes.

Quarto: The Climate Change-Resilient Vegetable Garden by Kim Stoddart

Our gardens can face a lot of concerns with this changing climate, from water-usage restrictions, extended heat waves, disastrous flooding, “super weeds,” or prolonged pest life cycles, there’s daunting challenges ahead for food growers around the world. Author Kim Stoddart outlines a clear path toward building resilience in your vegetable plants, your soil, and yourself with their new book The Climate Change-Resilient Vegetable Garden. With actionable tasks that reduce resource use, stabilize the garden’s ecosystem, and offer regenerative solutions to the most challenging issues faced by gardeners, this book provides advice to help you weather these storms with ease. 

Grab the book at your favorite local bookstore, bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble or amazon.com.

Espoma Organic

If you want a garden that provides, set it up for success with high-quality soil, fertilizer, potting mix and more! Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To top it all off, they have a huge sustainability commitment with a 100% solar-powered plant, zero waste manufacturing, and eco-friendly packaging.

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.


Follow Kevin:

Personal Website

Epic Gardening

Shop

Facebook

YouTube

Podcast

Instagram

TikTok

Twitter

Discord


Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
14 Mar 2023Living Soil, Planttok and Creativity Through Plants with Dirty Roots Berlin01:03:42

Have you ever wondered about the fascinating world of soil biology and the joy of creativity through plants? In this episode, we're joined by Adam from @dirty_roots_berlin to learn all about the importance of living soil, growing your own soil, and using nature to combat nature. Plus, we'll dive into how TikTok offers a refreshing and diverse platform for sharing your love for plants and exploring your unique personality! We'll also discuss how plants can help us reconnect with our sense of awe and wonder and inspire us to embrace creativity and curiosity in unexpected ways. So get ready to join us for an inspiring and enlightening discussion about all things green!


In this episode, we learn:

  • [00:05] How caring for plants helps us reconnect with our inner child and inner student
  • [02:49] TikTok is teeming with creators sharing their plant expertise!
  • [05:13] Adam, creator of Dirty Roots Berlin, talks about his unique approach to plant care
  • [07:24] The best way to take care of plants may not be what you think it is
  • [08:24] Why Adam likes collecting large plants and those that serve a function (featuring Bee Baths!)
  • [10:03] What inspired his bee garden and how did the idea of using a 3D printer for set pieces lead to the bee bath design?
  • [11:50] How Adam's curiosity about plant nutrients and microbes led to an innovative approach to indoor gardening
  • [16:10] Why did Adam move to Berlin and how has his plant collection changed?
  • [18:56] Why is it important to have the best bedding for a good night's sleep?
  • [21:24] On the importance of replicating natural conditions for successful houseplant care
  • [24:26] What are those “globes” and what makes them different?
  • [28:17] What is soil biology, or living soil, and how does it contribute to nutrient cycling for plants?
  • [37:52] How can plants help people reconnect with their inner creativity and awe?
  • [39:51] Should you sanitize your houseplant scissors?
  • [43:41] What are some cost-effective ways to propagate plants, and why is failure important?
  • [46:59] What's different about the plants in Berlin's grocery stores and garden centers?
  • [48:00] How can grow lights help bring spring and summer indoors year-round?
  • [49:55] Adam's distinct method of engaging with his audience on TikTok.
  • [55:32] How do TikTok and Instagram engagement differ?
  • [58:32] Have you seen Adam’s planty bathroom?
  • [01:00:09] Who are Adam's favorite TikTok creators?
  • [01:01:19] Where can you follow Adam on social media?


Mentioned in our conversation:


For a deeper dive into soil biology and the fun world of PlantTok,

check out the full show notes and blog here!


Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Cozy Earth

Sleep is foundational for optimum health, like having quality soil for our plants to thrive in, so doesn't it make sense to have bedding that reflects that? Cozy Earth's best-selling bamboo sheet set is temperature-regulating and incredibly soft, and it's made from 100% premium viscose from bamboo which makes it not only feel like silk but actually truly cooling to touch. Plus, they have a lengthy warranty and everything you need for bedding with a variety of luxury pillows, sheets, blankets and even PJS!

Check out cozyearth.com and enjoy an exclusive offer of 35% off site wide when you use the code “GROWINGJOY".

Soltech Solutions

Soltech Solutions makes the grow lights you’ve heard me talk about for years: whether you are looking for a pendant light, track lighting, or a simple bulb to screw into any standard light fixture, Soltech has got you covered. They offer quality products with great customer service, free shipping, and a 5-year warranty. Keep the sun shining and the plants green inside your home with Soltech Solutions.

Check them out at soltechsolutions.com and get 15% off with code bloom15.


Follow Adam:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube


Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
22 Apr 2025Why Politicians Should Be Gardeners: An Invitation to Rethink Leadership Through the Wisdom of Nature00:21:30

Why should politicians become gardeners? No, this is not a political post. No, I didn’t lose it! We will not be talking about sides. This is about healing, connection, and what we can learn from our gardens and our plants in a time where it feels like everything is falling apart.

Lately, I’ve been feeling this weight from watching the world spin in chaos and there’s disconnection, judgment, overwhelm, and division everywhere. We have a connection deficiency. And I’m starting to believe, with every fiber of my being, that if our leaders gardened, if all of use gardened, the world would be a kinder/greener place!

 

In this episode, we learn:

  • [02:06] Gardening as a healing tool
  • [04:21] What does reciprocity teach us?
  • [05:08] What are some leadership lessons from gardening?
  • [06:11] #1 Listening on a deeper level
  • [08:01] #2 Patience and long-term thinking
  • [10:17] #3 Cycles, perspectives, and resilience
  • [11:05] #4 Nurturing vs. controlling
  • [12:18] #5 Companion planting and community
  • [14:23] Lessons from mycorrhizal networks and pollinators
  • [16:45] Compost, death, and growth from failure
  • [18:24] What if we all lived like gardeners?


Want to rethink leadership through gardening?

Check out the full show notes and blog here!


Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung


Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
28 Nov 2017Episode 06: Christmas Tree Extravaganza Part 2/2: Living, Potted Christmas Trees for the Holiday Season!00:35:32

Part two of my Christmas Tree extravaganza is all about celebrating you houseplants enthusiasts who want to take the leap, and jump into the joys of having a LIVING, potted Christmas Tree. This trend has become more popular over the years, and as I was researching it, I came across an amazing article by Joe Lamp’l about this intriguing idea. After reading it, I knew he would be the perfect guest for this episode and I am BEYOND thrilled to have him!

Joe is a podcaster himself with his amazing gardening podcast, The Joe Gardener show. He is also the Creator, Host and Executive Producer of the award-winning national PBS series, Growing a Greener World® and Founder of joegardener.com. He is also the previous host of Fresh from the Garden on DIY Network, as well as on-air contributor to The Today Show, Good Morning America and The Weather Channel.

He is a gardening and podcast veteran who takes us through everything we need to know about jumping on the Living Christmas Tree Trend and the joys of replanting your tree and cherishing it forever. If it’s something that interests you, this episode is for you!

In this episode we discuss:

  • What a Living Christmas Tree actually is
  • What the options are for using your tree after the holiday season
  • The entire process from selection to replanting of a Living Christmas Tree
  • Average length of time for a Living Christmas Tree to be indoors
  • The secret to preserving moisture in your Living Christmas Tree
  • The experiment that might cause me to get two trees this year…
  • The importance of mulch
  • Proper technique for replanting your tree
  • Using your tree as an heirloom

 

Follow Joe on:

 

Follow Bloom and Grow Radio on: 

Instagram @bloomandgrowradio

Facebook @bloomandgrowradio

 

Here is the blog I mentioned!

https://www.growingagreenerworld.com/live-christmas-trees/

 Are you inspired? I hope so! Make sure to check out Episode 5 about cut Christmas trees if Living Christmas trees don’t fit into your Holiday this year!

 



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
18 Jun 2024Why You Should Care About the Summer Solstice00:56:18

Can you feel that summer energy in the air? The summer solstice is upon us—the longest day of the year and the official start of the summer season. For us plant parents, this transition is everything. All our patient tending in the spring is paying off as our gardens burst into full bloom.

The summer solstice is a powerful energetic pivot point that I always like to honor and celebrate. And I am so delighted to have my dear friend Rachael of Our Infinite Nature join us again in this episode! Rachael is our resident modern green witch—she has such a beautiful way of connecting plants, nature, and spirituality. In our conversation, we explored what the solstice means from an energetic and astrological perspective, and how we can align ourselves with these potent seasonal energies.


In this episode, we learn:

  • [05:00] What does summer mean to Rachael?
  • [05:27] What is the energy of summer?
  • [06:30] Why fire is vital for growth in plants and humans
  • [10:24] What is the difference between spring's action-taking energy and summer's action-maintaining energy?
  • [15:03] Make any summer gift unforgettable with a personalized Wind River Chime!
  • [16:38] Take the stress out of summer gardening with Crescent Garden TrueDrop Self Watering Planters!
  • [19:19] What's going on astrologically these days?
  • [23:13] Is fire energy out of balance in our world, leading to burnout?
  • [24:13] How can we use the elements (earth, water, fire, air) to address burnout, especially during the summer solstice? (and a little bit of meditation!)
  • [29:57] Feed your plants with Espoma Organic for beautiful summer blooms and delicious harvests!
  • [31:42] What are some ways to work with the element of air?
  • [32:27] Connecting with the elements: water, earth, air
  • [38:03] How do you ritualize the summer solstice?
  • [41:25] Where can you find Rachael on social media?
  • [41:52] Summer solstice meditation


Mentioned in our conversation:


For Rachael's recommendations on balancing the different elements this solstice,

check out the full show notes and blog here!


Follow Rachael:

Website

Instagram

TikTok

Facebook

YouTube


Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Wind River Chimes

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on your chosen wind chimes.

Crescent Garden

For a limited time only, head to growingjoywithmaria.com/crescentgarden and use code GROWJOY15 to curate your dream garden today.

Espoma Organic

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.


Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
21 Jun 2022Cultivating Curiosity with Plants with Tyler Thrasher01:10:03

Plant friends, we are diving deep about how and why plants are such a fantastic tool for cultivating curiosity. Beyond making my home look beautiful, the greatest gift plants have given me is reinvigorating my connection with the natural world, and my inner student and child. As kids, we are blessed with this childlike wonder that gets so easy to lose touch with as we grow older, and plants bring that back to us. Our guest, Tyler Thrasher, is just the kind of person to learn how to cultivate curiosity with plants, as he is one of the most innovate, unique plant people hanging out on the internet. So get ready to not just care for your plants today, but to cultivate your own curiosity within you!

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!

The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.

Click here to join us!

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,

so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!

In this episode we learn:

  • [01:21] Exciting Growing Joy announcements!
  • [03:55] How Tyler became the plant parent he is today
  • [06:16] What was Tyler’s experience exploring his interest in nature as he was growing up?
  • [07:44] How plants teach us about growth and resilience
  • [09:42] Do you need a degree to study plants?
  • [12:43] How plants reignite our curiosity about the world around us
  • [16:13] How do you cultivate your curiosity even during the bad times?
  • [19:57] Why human curiosity is evolution speaking
  • [23:54] How Tyler’s greenhouse has changed over the years
  • [27:17] What does Tyler’s collection look like at present?
  • [28:24] Safe and quality indoor and outdoor gardening products
  • [29:48] How to grow your food year-round!
  • [32:14] What is a sport in plants?
  • [33:24] Developing The Sport Hunting Guide and making variegated plants more accessible
  • [38:19] What are different ways to rediscover your passion and love for plants?
  • [41:24] What steps did Tyler take in exploring his curiosity about his first hybrid?
  • [44:35] How many hybrids does Tyler have today?
  • [46:31] How did Tyler learn how to crystallize flowers? How did he explore this curiosity?
  • [48:17] What does Tyler’s lab setup look like? 
  • [49:02] How long does it take to crystallize something? 
  • [51:32] What does Tyler’s learning process look like? What resources does he use to explore his curiosities?
  • [56:00] What’s next for Tyler and Moonbeam Flora?
  • [58:18] Tyler on being a human dad and a plant parent, and raising a kid around plants
  • [01:01:28] Where to find Tyler online

Mentioned in our conversation:


Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Territorial Seed Company

Excited for this year's growing season? If you’re looking for plants for your garden, skip the lines at the garden center and let Territorial Seed Company deliver top-of-the-line, healthy and hardy vegetable plants right to your door! They have a great line of pre-grown plants, an expansive seed catalog, and over 40 years of experience delivering the best seeds and plants for everyone's garden. They are offering an exclusive discount just for listeners of Bloom & Grow Radio, use code GROW10 to get 10% off your first order. Order now at territorialseed.com

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To learn more about their pet safe indoor and outdoor gardening products, visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.


Follow Tyler: 

Website

Instagram

Podcasts

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

PRE-ORDER LINK: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
25 Mar 2025Soil & Strategy: The Two Garden Planning Secrets for Bigger, Healthier Harvests00:51:29

How do you plan your garden? Actually, do you plan your gardens at all? After many years of gardening and speaking with many garden experts, I learned that a successful organic vegetable garden doesn’t just happen when you plant it; it starts on the day you plan it.

In this episode, I have the perfect recurring guest, Joe Lamp'l, to discuss planning your garden for the year ahead and making sure 2025 is your best gardening season yet. Joe is the founder of Joe Gardener and creator of many digital gardening courses I've taken, including Organic Vegetable Gardening Course (discount applied at checkout through clicking the link!).


In this episode, we learn:

  • [01:14] What is strategic garden planning?
  • [04:11] How can we make 2025 the greatest gardening season yet?
  • [08:02] Timing for starting seeds/seedlings & plant selection
  • [15:01] Whitney Johnson’s book “Go Forth and Forage"
  • [16:09] What are the most important aspects of garden planning?
  • [19:54] Why soil health is important
  • [22:33] How to improve soil health
  • [25:58] What are some useful garden planning tools?
  • [17:17] How to choose the right plants
  • [29:48] What is biodiverse gardening?
  • [31:37] Helpful local botanical centers
  • [34:48] What is companion planting?
  • [41:32] Joe’s Organic Vegetable Gardening Course


Mentioned in our conversation:


For Joe's proven and tested gardening strategies,

check out the full show notes and blog here!


Follow Joe:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Podcast

Twitter

Pinterest


Thank you to our episode sponsor:

Quarto: Go Forth and Forage by Whitney Johnson

Grab yourself a copy of Go Forth and Forage: A Guide to Foraging Over 50 of the Most Common Edible & Medicinal North American Mushrooms by Whitney Johnson at your local bookstore, bookshop.org, Barnes and Noble, quarto.com, or amazon.com.


Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
06 Feb 2024Cultivating Intuition with Nature00:58:13

How can we use plants to connect with intuitive energy? If you're anything like me, simply being around plants makes you feel happier, calmer, and more like your true self. I've always felt plants have some extra special magic that goes beyond their pretty leaves. That's why I was so excited to welcome back our resident “green witch" Rachael from Our Infinite Nature (formerly Infinite Succulent—yes, she just rebranded!) on the podcast this week to talk about how plant care can open up our intuition and help us reconnect with our own inner magic!


In this episode, we learn:

  • [02:46] Infinite Succulent just rebranded to Our Infinite Nature!
  • [03:27] Check out Rachael’s Intuitive Magic Group Coaching
  • [07:57] A little bit about Rachael’s background + certifications
  • [08:53] When did she discover her mediumship and intuitive talent?
  • [09:31] Reiki certification and intuitive coaching
  • [10:53] What is intuition?
  • [11:30] Understanding energy, spirit, and nature
  • [12:35] Why is learning intuition similar to learning a language?
  • [15:13] Experience mindfulness and coziness with personalized Wind River wind chimes!
  • [16:54] Make gardening easy with Tony O'Neill's Simplify Vegetable Gardening book!
  • [18:19] What is the symbiosis that happens when we get in tune with nature and with plants?
  • [19:25] What is the importance of cultivating intuition in harmony with nature?
  • [20:05] Impact of nervous system on intuition
  • [21:20] Is instinct similar to intuition?
  • [22:57] Take your Human Design personality!
  • [24:50] How can we use plants to connect with intuitive energy?
  • [26:17] Intuition is figuring out one's next step, not predicting the future
  • [27:36] How to recognize subtle communication with nature
  • [30:14] Get high quality potting mixes, fertilizers, and more at Espoma Organic
  • [33:41] It's your choice to live life through magical lens or see it as trivial
  • [34:50] What is the role of energy in our lives?
  • [35:56] How working with plants allowed Rachael to experience life force energy
  • [38:34] What are some activities that can help you connect with plants and your intuition?
  • [44:12] How to connect with a tree? (a step-by-step guide)
  • [50:34] Where can you sign up for Rachael’s Intuitive Magic course?


Mentioned in our conversation:


For a closer look into magic and nature,

check out the full show notes and blog here!


Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Wind River Chimes

Bring more peace, serenity, and magic into your home with chimes. Wind River is a Virginia-based company creating premium handcrafted and hand-tuned wind chimes for over 35 years. If you are looking for a new way to grow joy in your life and find a moment of peace, a Wind River chime is the perfect addition to your home or garden. Plus, it's a perfect personalized gift for your loved ones!

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on all Corinthian Bells wind chimes.

Quarto: Simplify Vegetable Gardening by Tony O'Neill

Simplify Vegetable Gardening by Tony O'Neill of YouTube's Simplify Gardening is a plant nerd's dream: integrating botany, biology, and earth science concepts into the subject of food gardening. Read through an exciting approach that uses science to grow more food and utilizes the interconnectedness of Earth’s many systems to help your plants thrive. This book offers a deep dive into the science of growing a robust and sustainable home garden that will empower you to have your best garden yet.

Pick Simplify Vegetable Gardening up at your favorite local bookstore, bookshop.orgBarnes & Noblequarto.com, or amazon.com.

Espoma Organic

If you want plants that thrive, set them up for success with high-quality soil, fertilizer, potting mix and more! Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To top it all off, they have a huge sustainability commitment with a 100% solar-powered plant, zero waste manufacturing, and eco-friendly packaging.

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.


Follow Rachael:

Website

Instagram

TikTok

Facebook

YouTube


Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
04 Dec 2019Episode 81: "Root-ology" with Leslie Halleck01:13:52

Today Leslie Halleck ("Her Highness of Horticulture") joins me again to talk about the topic I was most excited to cover this season: ROOTS (or as we call it "root-ology". We spend so much time thinking about the “above soil” section of the plant, and often times, disregard the unbelievable root structure underneath the soil that is responsible for keeping the plant alive! So today Leslie walks us through what roots are, why they are important, how they vary, and lots of troubleshooting questions from our Patreon supporters.

 

Make sure to subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show- this week I released a Wallygro grow wall update and this month we will have other videos like a tour of my grow lights and more! Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss anything.

 

In this episode we learn:

  • What roots do for the plant
  • Roots relationship with the “above ground” portion of the plant
  • Water vs soil roots
  • What growing medium does for root development
  • Different types of roots: fibrous, tap, tuberous, adventitious
  • What an aerial root is
  • Is a rhizome a root?
  • Best practices with roots when repotting
  • Listener questions!

 

Mentioned in this episode:

Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! Wallygro Greenwall Update and Install

Leslie's Books: Plant Parenting (for propagation) and Gardening Under Lights 

 

Thank you to today's episode sponsors!

 

Wallygro offers sustainable and ridiculously simple vertical gardening solutions for any plant parent to have the greenwall of their dreams! (Check mine out on the youtube channel this week!) To learn more about their Eco Planters (that come in 12 gorgeous colors!) head to wallygro.com and use code BLOOM20 for 20% off!

 

Plants by Post is a family-owned nursery located in Northern California cutting out the middleman and delivering beautiful and healthy  indoor and outdoor annuals and perennials directly to your doorstep, nationwide. I have used them several times and have been blown away by the quality of their plants, intention behind their shipping and love how environmentally friendly they are! Give the gift of PLANTS this season! Head to plantsbypost.com and use code BLOOM19 for 20% off your order!

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
15 Jun 2022LIVE NY & Philly Events PLUS an AMAZING Giveaway!00:06:13

Lots of free online and IRL events happening in the world of Bloom & Grow!


The Cultivating Happiness Giveaway happening on IG through June 16th

Details to enter at @bloomandgrowmaria on IG


Urban Jungle PHILLY Event THIS FRIDAY June 17th at 6 pm

RSVP HERE


NYC Plant Swap and Launch Party at Greenery Unlimited June 28th at 7 pm

RSVP HERE


Pre-order your copy of Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) Here! - hitting bookstores on June 28th!



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
03 Oct 2019Episode 75.5: Info on Sustainability of Peat Moss00:07:24

Plant Friends- I'm so happy to have brought you the wonderful conversation this week on The Science of Soil. It's important for us to understand what makes our soils our plant babies grow so happily (or unhappily) in. I realize in this conversation, I stumbled upon a hot topic that I was unaware of: whether or not peat moss is sustainable. I've had conversations with members of our communities and advisors in the horticultural industry, and I've realized this is an incredibly complex conversation, with many layers, angles and sides.

Plant Friends, I’m learning alongside you in this journey, and thought I’d provide you with some resources for you to further educate yourselves to make your own decisions.

Jane Perrone’s Episode on the sustainability of Peat on On the Ledge Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-103-houseplants-sustainability-part-one-peat/id1211183700?i=1000444873656

Dr Mark kindly sent over two websites to learn more about how Canada is regulating their bogs.

https://peatmoss.com/  (Peat Moss Association in Canada)

http://www.sungro.com/about-us/sustainable-peat-moss/ Information from the Canadian Peat Moss Supplier Metrolina works with.

Other resources passed along from listeners and that I’ve found:

http://www.indefenseofplants.com/blog/2015/5/4/the-truth-about-peat

They also have a great podcast, but this is a short blog from 2015

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090904165253.htm

A study from 2009 on research for alternative growing media.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/home/should-sustainable-gardeners-use-peat-moss/2017/05/09/1fc746f0-3118-11e7-9534-00e4656c22aa_story.html-

Britain is outlawing it by 2030, big argument against stores a third of the worlds carbon.

https://www.rootsimple.com/2010/12/is-peat-moss-a-sustainable-resource/     Two people with opposing views on Peat Moss that make interesting arguments- there are also lots of comments on the blog you can read.

https://peatmoss.com/responsible-production/laws-certifications-and-policies-of-the-industry/ There is a Rules and Regulations Section for Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association

https://www.gardenmyths.com/peat-peatmoss-true-story/



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
02 Jul 2024Interior Design for Beginners // Interior Design Principles for Houseplant Lovers01:03:22

Plants just help liven up any space, that’s a fact. And I don't know if you know this, but I suck at interior design. It does not come naturally to me. I often overlook details—and interior design in general is about the details. I came to houseplants for the aesthetic because plants seem to be the common thread of all the design magazines, articles, and inspirations that I was reading as I was curating my apartment in New York City.

And when you have a lot of houseplants, that can create a chaotic, cluttered interior. That's why I'm sitting down with interior design expert and my friend, Betsy Helmuth, the founder of Uploft Interior Design and the host of the Affordable Interior Design podcast to discuss some basic interior design principles that we can tailor specifically for houseplant lovers.


In this episode, we learn:

  • [04:21] What exactly is the focus of Betsy's Uploft Interior Design?
  • [06:45] How to find your interior style
  • [10:26] What are the most popular interior design styles?
  • [14:01] Nature-based aesthetics you should keep our eyes out for
  • [15:25] Give the gift of peace and beauty this summer with a personalized Wind River Chime!
  • [17:00] Grow happier houseplants with Espoma Organic's high quality gardening products!
  • [20:37] How do you blend two different interior design styles using a 'two-word phrase' approach?
  • [27:54] Why choosing an inspiration piece is important
  • [29:02] How to choose the right color palettes
  • [33:18] Styling with plants and pots
  • [34:59] What is the 60-30-10 rule?
  • [39:32] Other rules and guidelines for starting interior design projects
  • [43:03] How plant placement affects interior design choices
  • [46:19] What are the common mistakes people make with art/wall decor?
  • [48:45] Tips for people who are scared to get art
  • [50:54] Innovative planter solutions
  • [53:06] What can you do in the bedroom to make it cozy?
  • [58:43] Where can you find Betsy on social media?


Mentioned in our conversation:


For Betsy's expert tips on easy and affordable home decor,

check out the full show notes and blog here!


Follow Betsy:

Website

Podcast

Course

YouTube

Facebook

Instagram


Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Wind River Chimes

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on your chosen wind chimes.

Espoma Organic

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.


Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
12 Jan 2021Humidity Deep Dive and Winter Plant Care with the Plant Daddy Podcast Daddies, #11201:26:20

One of the biggest questions I’ve gotten from our community is how to understand humidity and watering better. As we are in the depths of winter, humidity is a big topic and focus in our plant care routines, and you are going to hear a LOT about it today in a nerdy deep dive with two other plant podcasters, the daddies of the Plant Daddy Podcast Stephen and Matthew. I knew there couldn’t be a better guests than these two guys who are total nerds and maybe the only two other people who get as jazzed as doing weird deep dives into plant care as I am. This conversation was supposed to be 40 minutes and ended up being 90 because we just couldn’t stop talking about plants and winter and humidity and problem solving and

I hope your inner plant nerd sees the inner plant nerd in us and just smiles and feels seen.

So kick back, cozy up with your plants and enjoy episode 112 of the Bloom and Grow Radio Podcast!

Just wanted to let you plant friends know during the time of this interview I got REAL curious and polled you guys about which brands of hygrometers you use (those are the humidity meters we talked about in the episode) and I’ve become a bit obsessed at putting them all over my house and comparing and contrasting the humidity levels in different rooms- from the bedroom to the bathroom to the living room. Check out this youtube video on my hygrometer and moisture meter review. 

 

In this episode we learn:

  • [00:05:32] Matthew and Stephen share their personal histories with plants, and Matthew’s previous plant number (it was A LOT)
  • [00:09:31] Matthew and Stephen’s gateway plants and how the difference in their plant interests pave way to a more diverse discussion in their podcast
  • [00:11:03] How the Plant Daddy Podcast came to be
  • [00:14:18] Maria shares the idea behind doing a deep dive episode on humidity and winter plant care
  • [00:15:20] What happens to your plants during winter, the changes you might see in them as it grows colder, and figuring out the light your plants need
  • [00:18:48] Are you making sure that the heat and cold in your home are optimal for your plants?
  • [00:21:10] Should you really just water your plants less come winter time? Matthew has a different and smart answer!
  • [00:22:19] A glimpse into Maria’s opera days: a wet rag on top of the radiator for more humidity
  • [00:24:03] Should you leave your plants touching or close together?
  • [00:25:29] Let’s talk about dormancy! Yes, your plants also take some time to sleep
  • [00:26:29] Matthew’s insightful perspective on plant dormancy and seasonal changes
  • [00:28:36] Stephen’s easy and practical tip to understand plant dormancy
  • [00:32:23] Are your plants required to go through dormancy? Maria, Matthew, and Stephen share their own experiences with controlled environments
  • [00:35:15] Why it is important to know the genus of your plants and where they originate from
  • [00:37:10] Matthew elaborates on bulbs and how different plants with bulbs behave during different seasons
  • [00:40:45] One of the biggest secret plant killers during winter: pests!
  • [00:41:42] How seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can also affect your plants
  • [00:42:16] How to ‘double-down’ on pest control management during the winter according to Stephen
  • [00:43:28] Matthew’s personal hacks on getting rid of mealybugs
  • [00:46:30] One of the most important things to know when you have plants according to Matthew: there is no one answer to everything
  • [00:47:01] Where to source the BEST seeds for your garden (It’s planning time!)
  • [00:49:37] Maria’s curated starter plans for all the different types of plant parents out there
  • [00:50:58] Understanding the humidity and the environment that we, our plants, and even our homes need during colder months
  • [00:56:24] What are Stephen and Matthew’s approaches to maintaining the right humidity for each of their plants?
  • [01:00:00] Maria shares why she wants to learn more about humidity despite not needing to really focus on it before (yes, it’s true)
  • [01:01:50] The horrifying experience with a humidifier that taught Maria a lesson the hard way
  • [01:02:56] Matthew and Stephen’s hot takes on humidifiers and misting
  • [01:06:55] Interesting hack on avoiding molds on dry walls when using a humidifier
  • [01:09:11] Why you should check how your humidifier is working in the environment or room that it is in
  • [01:14:01] Humidity concerns matter, but are you watering and taking care of your plants’ soil properly?
  • [01:16:11] How to keep tabs on your plants’ humidity with tools
  • [01:17:41] Maria’s future plans and experiments on humidity
  • [01:19:32] Appreciating the unique perspectives and representations that Plant Daddy Podcast brings to plant parenthood 

Mentioned in our conversation:

Thank you to our episode sponsor:

Territorial Seed Company

Thank you Territorial Seed Co for sponsoring today's episode! Territorial Seed Co provides high quality seeds and plants (over 2000 varieties) that are tried and tested on their 75 acre farm and have a ton of fall varieties for us to try! It's already time to start planning your 2021 garden! For seeds, plants, online garden planner, how to videos and more visit TerritorialSeed.com and use code BLOOM10 for 10% off.

 

Follow Plant Daddy Podcast

MERCH now available now through plantdaddypodcast.com

https://www.instagram.com/plantdaddypodcast

https://www.facebook.com/plantdaddypodcast

https://plantdaddypodcast.threadless.com

https://www.pinterest.com/plantdaddypodcast

https://twitter.com/plantdaddypod

 

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
15 May 2018Episode 24: How to Start a Plant Shop with Folia Collective01:46:49

Plant Friends... this could be the most epic interview on Bloom and Grow Radio yet. Clocking in at about 1 hour and 45 minutes, this one is a doozy and chock full of so much fun planty information. I sat down with Danae Horst three separate times to talk about how she created and grew her incredible Plant Shop, Folia Collective. Danae is an incredible plant lady/ boss lady who I’ve become friends with over social media, and now IRL, and has an incredible story behind the success of her Brick and Morter Shop in LA, Folia Collective. She shares her story and tips for budding planty entrepreneurs interested in creating their own businesses around plants. I know that diving into more of a business focused show is a bit of a departure from our usual plant care tips, but I know many listeners are actually in the plant business space in their day to day lives, or if you aren’t- we all plant shop and I thought this episode will give us a great appreciation for the hustle and passion that goes behind the makings of a planty empire.

Plant Friends, this is a juicy episode for you to enjoy all throughout the week (as it might take a couple of listens to finish it) but I am just so thankful to Danae and her beautiful energy, helpful advice and her patience with me asking very specific and neurotic questions about business- you don’t want to miss it!  

In this episode we learn about:

- Danae’s personal plant collection and journey to plant parenthood - Her time at The Jungalow

- The behind the scenes view of the beginning of Folia Collective

- How she started the Folia Collective Pop Up shops

- The transition from Pop Up Shop to Brick and Morter Store

- How to use Instagram and IRL to build community

- How to find plants to sell - How Danae managed the growth of the first year of Folia Collective Brick and Morter

- Danae’s top lessons she learned from a year in business

- How to be thrify to create buzz about your business

- How to use social media to grow your business and community

- How important community is for a business

- Tips on how to source planters and merchandise

- Budgeting tools and tips

- The downsides to owning a plant shop

Links Danae mentioned in our conversation: Waveapps.com Liveplan.com

Follow Danae and Folia Collective:

IG:  @foliacollective  @danaerolynhorst Website: www.foliacollective.com and www.jungalow.com/plant-o-pedia

Follow Bloom and Grow Radio:

Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

IG: @bloomandgrowradio

Facebook: www.facebook.com/bloomandgrowradio

www.bloomandgrowradio.com



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
13 Oct 2020How Plants Communicate Through VOCs and the "Wood Wide Web" with Dr Elle Barnes from NYBG00:58:42

Today we invite Dr Elle Barnes back to the show after our very successful conversation after I took Intro to Plant Science with her at NYBG. Elle is a scientist and teacher for NYBG and in addition to Intro to Plant Science, I recently took The Science of Tree Communication class with as well. It was WILD to learn about the underground “wood wide web” that the forest runs on, and how trees communicate with one another through VOCs. I frequently go for morning walks in nearby woods, and since I took that class, I truly look at forest environment differently, and have such a deeper appreciation for it. Plant friends, there is a network of mycorrhizae negotiating transport of vital compounds for trees under every step we take outside! How cool is that?!

In addition to the “Wood Wide Web,” a big part of our conversation in The Science of Tree Communication class was HOW trees and plants communicate with each other through VOCs or Volatile Organic Compounds. Since VOCs are a hot topic in the plant community regarding how “plants clean air”, we took a deep dive to understanding this concept. Get ready to learn all about VOCs, what they are, how they are used and the great “Wood Wide Web”.

Thanks to the NYBG for continuing to create enriching courses that have helped further my Plant Parent Knowledge. Check their offerings out here If you are in the NY area, the NYBG is back open, including the Palm Conservatory and is an absolutely DREAM! Consider becoming a member!

Have you taken the 2020 Bloom and Grow Radio Listener Survey ?! Please take 5 minutes to take this survey and be a part of the future of Bloom and Grow Radio and Media! I did this survey 2 years ago and it was INSTRUMENTAL in planning episode topics and community resources. I can't wait to hear from you!

What's your Plant Parent Personality? Take the FREE Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz to get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle

In this episode we learn:

  • How and why plants communicate with each other
  • The "fake news" that VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are all bad for us
  • How plants use VOCs to communicate with each other and themselves
  • The above ground plant communication system
  • If plants ACTUALLY clean the air, and how and why we might have been mislead with this notion
  • If VOCS are all bad
  • The difference between a VOC that comes off of a plant and one that comes off of a carpet
  • The truth about the scent of fresh cut grass (and why it smells that way)
  • What the scent of a rose actually is (it's a VOC!)
  • How plants use VOCs to attract pollinators
  • Maria's OBSESSION with The Overstory
  • How plants and animals have evolved together
  • "The enemy of my enemy" theory when it comes to how plants attract certain pollinators
  • The "Wood Wide Web" and the underground plant communication system
  • How fungi help trees and plants communicate with each other
  • Dr Barnes' most "mind blowing" fact about trees and VOC
  • Why Monstera are conditioned to look for darkness and not light
  • VOCs and the Ozone

Mentioned in Today's Episode:

Thank you to today's sponsors!

Soltech Solutions Luxury Grow Lights: Whether its simply getting through the lower light winter- or if you’re like me and you’ve just got too many plants  and too few windows and need to bring more light indoors so your collection can keep growing- Soltech Solutions has the luxury lighting option for you! Soltech is offering BAGR listeners 20% off with code 20BLOOM at soltechsolutions.com once again thats soltechsolutions.com and code 20BLOOM at checkout for 20%off.

Espoma Organics: for responsibly made, fabulous indoor and outdoor organic soils, fertilizers, pest control sprays and more visit espoma.com to find your local dealer or check out my amazon storefront of my favorite Espoma products here.

Follow Dr Elle Barnes

Twitter:@ecoevoelle

 

Follow The New York Botanical Garden:

IG: www.instagram.com/nybg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NYBotanicalGarden/

www.nybg.org

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
26 Jun 2022NYC Plant Swap this Tuesday 6/28!!!00:02:21

Join my Plant Swap & Book Launch Party at Greenery Unlimited!

Tuesday 6/28 June 28th

Greenery Unlimited in Brooklyn

7-8 Plant Swap

8-9 Cocktails by JuneShine and a book signing!

It's totally free, just RSVP here


Order my book! Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
08 Feb 2022Exploring the Past, Present and Future of Black People in Horticulture with Colah from Black int he Garden01:01:42

It's been such a joy having fellow podcasters join me in the pod as they never disappoint and have such wonderful insights about plant parenthood and plantrepreneurship. I met this episode's guest in 2020 and figured it was time to have her back on to catch up and explore a concept she’ll be tackling on the next season of her show: the past, present, and future of black people in horticulture. Colah has created an amazing brand called Black in the Garden that has blown up in the last couple of years, and created a space for so many people to feel seen within the plant community. Tune in as we share an important conversation about historic black plant people and their rich yet less discovered contributions to plant society.

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!

The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.

Click here to join us!

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,

so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!

In this episode we learn:

  • [00:57] Maria’s plant updates
  • [05:30] Who is Colah and why she started her podcast, Black in the Garden
  • [09:16] How has Colah’s plant collection changed through her personal transitions?
  • [15:07] What it’s like to have a plant-sitter
  • [16:52] Reevaluating the lesson of resiliency as a Black woman
  • [19:16] Moving forward and seeking opportunities presented to you
  • [22:04] Letting go of things that don’t bring you joy
  • [23:11] Why Wangari Mathai is Colah’s most inspirational historic Black figure
  • [25:26] Making the diaspora of Black people known and accessible
  • [29:09] Where to get the best seeds for this growing season
  • [30:45] Indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet
  • [32:30] Jerome the Gnome and Colah’s update on inclusivity in garden products
  • [34:26] Black representation in media and podcasting
  • [38:59] Colah shares recent recognitions for Black people in horticulture
  • [41:51] Horticulturist Abra Lee and her mission to uncover the history of Black garden clubs and societies 
  • [46:08] Ideating and self-publishing the Black in the Garden Coloring Book
  • [49:58] Acknowledging white privilege in horticulture
  • [52:52] Why Colah is exploring the past, present, and future in Black in the Garden podcast
  • [55:41] What’s next for Colah and Black in the Garden in 2022
  • [01:00:50] How to level up your plant parent skills this year!

Mentioned in our conversation:


Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Territorial Seed Company

Excited for this year's growing season? Territorial Seed Co's got you covered with high-quality seeds and plants (over 2,000 varieties) that are tried and tested on their 75-acre farm! From Artichoke through Zucchini, they have everything you need to grow your best garden ever! And with over 40 years of experience, you know they have seeds and plants you can trust. They are offering an exclusive discount just for listeners of Bloom & Grow Radio, use code GROW10 to get 10% off your first order. Order now at territorialseed.com

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To learn more about their pet safe indoor and outdoor gardening products, visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Follow Colah: 

Website

Instagram

Twitter

YouTube

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
13 Feb 2024Everything You Need to Know About Ficus Care00:32:38

I am completely obsessed with ficus! Over the last few months, I've been slowly collecting different ficus varieties and learning how to help them thrive. There's just something about the colorful leaves, sculptural shapes, and tree-like growth that makes me love this plant genus. I love my ficus collection and feel like this genus has been overlooked, with the fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) getting most of the hype. But there are so many gorgeous, easy-to-grow ficus species that make excellent houseplants. I have spent the last few months cultivating a variety of ficus so you can grow these beautiful plants at home.

This episode is made in partnership with Proven Winners leafjoy houseplants.


In this episode, we learn:

  • [00:43] We’re all about ficus today!
  • [02:49] Reasons to love ficus
  • [04:03] Did you know Michael Scott from The Office has a Ficus benjamina in his office?
  • [05:06] How about a Boston fern in Will & Grace?
  • [05:48] Why Ficus elastica is a good beginner plant
  • [07:08] How do you care for ficus?
  • [08:09] Ficus care #1: Light
  • [09:11] Story about Figaro, my Ficus lyrata, before and after grow lights
  • [11:11] Variegated/color = more light
  • [12:27] Ficus care #2: Water
  • [13:40] Why it’s important to make sure their leaves are clean
  • [14:58] Ficus care #3: Humidity
  • [15:56] Ficus care #4: Fertilizer
  • [16:34] Ficus care #5: Pruning
  • [17:52] Why you should wear gloves when pruning ficus
  • [18:07] How to troubleshoot your ficus
  • [18:15] Troubleshoot #1: Leaf drop
  • [19:35] Troubleshoot #2: If it's not growing, it needs more sun
  • [20:12] Get quality ficus plants that are resistant to leaf drop from Proven Winner Leafjoy!
  • [22:37] Ficus lyrata
  • [23:09] Ficus benjamina
  • [24:00] Ficus benjamina ‘Twilight’
  • [24:27] Ficus benjamina ‘Anastasia’
  • [24:40] Ficus cyanthistipula
  • [26:07] Ficus elastica
  • [26:32] Ficus elastica ‘Abidjan’
  • [27:22] Ficus elastica ‘Tineke’
  • [27:50] Ficus elastica ‘Chloe’


Mentioned in our conversation:


For a list of my favorite ficus species,

check out the full show notes and blog here!


Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Proven Winners leafjoy

If you want to have success with houseplants, you’ve got to have two things: the knowledge to care for them successfully and healthy plants. Meet my new favorite houseplant grower: Proven Winner’s leafjoy™. With only the best plant genetics grown in a state-of-the-art, European greenhouse, you will not be disappointed in the variety and quality of your favorite plants from Proven Winner’s leafjoy™. This company has taken the guesswork out of plant shopping with plant tags that include scientific names and care guides, as well as color-coded collections for the different areas of your home that you want plants in!

Find plant joy in leafjoy™. Head to provenwinners.com to find your local leafjoy™ dealer and let me know which plant you take home on socials!


Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
03 Dec 2024CaliKim on "10 Time Saving Tactics for a More Efficient Garden"00:56:34

How do you have a life and a gardenBetween busy schedules, family time, and pretty lengthy to-do lists, how can we fit gardening moments into our lives without sacrificing precious time? As we close out our 2024 gardening season, it’s a great time to reflect on what worked, what flopped, and how we can make our gardens even better for 2025. This is exactly where CaliKim shines the most, and her new book, The 10-Minute Gardener, helps us become more efficient gardeners who can, as she says, “have a garden and a life.”


In this episode, we learn:

  • [03:48] What is Kim’s gardening background?
  • [06:30] What does her garden & garden zone look like?
  • [09:16] Why raised bed gardening is the best option in Florida
  • [13:04] Why efficiency is important in gardening
  • [14:33] Gift yourself or a loved one the gift of peace and joy with a personalized Wind River Wind Chime!
  • [16:03] Bring simplicity into your garden with Kelly Norris's new book, Your Natural Garden.
  • [17:34] 3-minute gardening tasks
  • [27:21] 5-minute gardening tasks
  • [30:51] Simplify your gardening experience with Espoma Organic’s high-quality products!
  • [38:03] How to plan your garden for dormant season
  • [40:15] How to break down your garden tasks
  • [43:13] 8-minute & 10-minute gardening tasks
  • [49:06] 30-minute gardening tasks
  • [51:00] Where can you find Kim on social media?


Mentioned in our conversation:


For CaliKim's time-saving gardening tasks,

check out the full show notes and blog here!


Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Wind River Chimes

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on your chosen wind chimes.

Quarto: Your Natural Garden by Kelly D. Norris

Grab a copy of Your Natural Garden by Kelly Norris at your favorite local bookstore, bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, quarto.com or amazon.com to get inspired and take action on your garden.

Espoma Organic

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.


Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
15 Aug 2023Common Houseplant Pest Identification and How to Get Rid of Fungus Gnats, Spidermites, Scale, White Flies and Mealybugs: Grow Better with Leslie01:17:10

As houseplant parents, most of us will inevitably encounter some type of pest infestation at some point. Seemingly overnight, our beautiful, thriving plants can become under attack by bugs we didn't even know existed! Pests can quickly damage and even kill our treasured plants if left unchecked. In Episode 2 of the Grow Better Series, my dear friend Leslie Halleck is back to teach us how to identify the most common houseplant pests and take action to get rid of them fast.


In this episode, we learn:

  • [02:07] Happy 200th episode, plant friends!
  • [07:29] Why experiencing plant infestations is common and not a sign of failure
  • [10:16] How do your plants become infested with insects?
  • [13:30] How fungal diseases and viruses spread through plants and insect vectors
  • [16:58] How overwatering or misting can activate fungal spores brought in on new plants
  • [17:14] What are the symptoms of a plant pest outbreak that we should regularly look for?
  • [18:20] #1 Identifying fungus gnats
  • [20:08] Where to find potting mixes, composts, and fertilizers for indoor and outdoor gardening?
  • [22:51] Say goodbye to dark corners with Soltech’s all-new LED grow bar light.
  • [24:52] How to deal with fungus gnats
  • [29:40] #2 Identifying spider mites
  • [31:32] What is the impact of spider mites on leaves?
  • [32:05] Using a handheld microscope for insect identification
  • [33:14] Why do you need to choose the right insecticide?
  • [39:47] #3 Identifying mealybugs
  • [40:43] How to combat mealybug infestations
  • [42:56] What are the different organic control methods to manage mealybugs?
  • [44:07] What is systemic pesticide?
  • [45:31] Other eco-friendly alternatives
  • [47:22] #4 Identifying scale insects
  • [48:09] How scales manifest and why they are difficult to manage
  • [50:11] How to deal with scale manifestations
  • [53:12] #5 Identifying thrips
  • [57:01] How to identify thrips damage
  • [58:42] #6 Identifying aphids
  • [58:57] How to get rid of aphids
  • [01:01:13] #7 Identifying whiteflies
  • [01:03:05] Why you should have a first-aid kit for plants
  • [01:04:10] Homemade pest control remedies
  • [01:07:14] When is a plant past the point of no return with pest outbreak?
  • [01:09:18] Can you propagate a plant under pest attack?
  • [01:13:00] Where can you find Leslie on social media?


Mentioned in our conversation:


For a detailed how-to of houseplant pest management,

check out the full show notes and blog here!


Thank you to our episode sponsor:

Espoma Organic

Ensure a thriving plant paradise with the right products! Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To top it all off, they have a huge sustainability commitment with a 100% solar powered plant, zero waste manufacturing and eco-friendly packaging.

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Soltech Solutions

Bring the beauty of nature into your home. Soltech Solutions makes the grow lights you’ve heard me talk about for years: whether you are looking for a pendant light, track lighting, or a simple bulb to screw into any standard light fixture, Soltech has got you covered. They offer quality products with great customer service, free shipping, and a 5-year warranty. Keep the sun shining and the plants green inside your home with Soltech Solutions.

Check them out at soltechsolutions.com and get 15% off with code "bloom15".


Follow Leslie:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Twitter


Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
03 Jul 2018Episode 29: Indoor Citrus with MIgardener01:22:42

 Today we are joined by Luke Marion of MI Gardener to talk all things indoor citrus! You might know Luke from his MI Gardener youtube channel (which I’m a huge fan of!) which has become one of the fastest growing gardening channels with over 250,000 subscribers on YouTube alone. Founded in 2011 MIgardener aims to help gardeners all around the world. Luke & Sindy Marion are the brains behind MIgardener and strive to help people “Grow Big”. I found Luke when I was searching youtube citrus care online and love his videos about his indoor citrus collection and knew he would be the perfect guest for this episode.

I bought Limey, my first citrus tree, when I was still a complete novice with very little knowledge on plant care, so my journey learning how to care for Limey has had it’s ups and downs (as you’ll learn throughout my conversation with Luke). But citrus are amazing plants to learn to care for because they are so communicative and so fun to grow!

Enjoy our plant chat!

In this episode we learn:

  • Luke’s journey from botany to business school to creating a gardening brand
  • What being a Master Gardener really means
  • Lukes citrus forest
  • What trends the younger generation is moving towards with indoor plants
  • Basic Citrus Care 101 – water, pot size, soil,   light
  • Citrus care hacks!
  • Pruning 101
  • Fertilizing basics
  • Pollinating citrus
  • Pest Control
  • Conditioning your plants to go outdoors in the summer

Mentioned in the episode:

Bloom and Grow Pop Socket! 

Trifecta plus fertilizer:

Soltech Solutions Light: use code 'bloomandgrow15' for 15% off at https://soltechsolutionsllc.com/products/

Via Citrus lemon, lime and calamondin tress: use code 'BloomCitrus' for 15% off at Viacitrus.com

Espoma Organic Cactus/Citrus Soil (This is what I repotted Limey in after my chat with Luke)

*Bloom and Grow Radio is an affiliate partner with these companies, so a portion of the sale will go to Bloom and Grow at no extra cost to you. Using the codes is a fun way to support the show for free while growing your indoor jungle!*

Follow Luke and MI Gardener:

Instagram: instagram.com/migardener
Youtube: youtube.com/migardener

Website: migardener.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/MIgardener

 

Follow Bloom and Grow Radio: 

Instagram: @bloomandgrowradio

Facebook: @bloomandgrowradio

Join the Garden Club! www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com 



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
24 Nov 2020How to Use Plants to Create Restorative Environments, #10800:57:13

I recently took Intro to Horticultural Therapy at NYBG and Anne Meore, my teacher, joins me today to discuss the biggest lessons learned in class, review some studies we learned about on the science behind the plant/people connection and to discuss the concept and use of restorative spaces. As I “bloom and grow” as a plant parent and a business I am becoming more curious about the science behind the plant/person connection. The more I learn and read about plants as restorative instruments for human body and spirit, I’m realizing plants not only make people happy, but can help us heal faster and restore our brains to their natural state. We have never needed these tools MORE, especially after this year which has kept us all inside and glued to screens. Everyone can create a restorative environment in their own home, so Anne walks us through the components of a restorative space and then we brainstorm some awesome ways to create a restorative space even in our limited indoor environments.

I wanted to thank NYBG for letting me take Intro to Hort Therapy with Anne, our guest today. If you are NY based, NYBG is open and magical during the winter. Discover the peaceful winter beauty across NYBG’s 250 acre landscape, from the winding trails of their old-growth forest to their arboretum collections of historic trees and ornamental conifers and get cozy in their conservatory with every tropical plant you could imagine. It’s a really spirit lifter and restorative space for me, especially in the winter. Plus, the Holiday Train Show returns this year for Members only and is on view through January 31.

 

In this episode we learn:

  • Why Anne became a Horticultural Therapist
  • How 2020 has caused Maria and Anne to re-evaluate their priorities and plants have been instrumental
  • Using plants to cope with the trauma of Covid
  • Directed vs Involuntary attention
  • Directed attention and mental fatigue
  • What is mental fatigue and how does it negatively impact us
  • 4 Key Components of a restorative space: Being Away, Fascination, Extent and Compatibility, and what they mean
  • How simple views of nature can help: Views from a Window and Views to Nature: Effects on Attention
  • Attention Restoration Theory
  • How to create a restorative environment indoors

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

Books

Biophilia

The Nature Fix

Forest Bathing

 

Studies

The Restorative Benefits of Nature: Toward an Integrative Framework, Kaplan

Restorative Effects of Natural Environment Experiences: Hartig, Man, Evans

A Walk in the Woods, Anna Lena Phillips

View from a Window, Ulrich

Healthy nature healthy people: 'contact with nature' as an upstream health promotion intervention for populations, Maller, Townsend, Pryor, Brown, Leger

Views to Nature: Effects on Attention, Tennessen and Cimprich

14 Patterns of Biophilic Design

 

Thank you to our episode sponsor:

Modern Sprout: Modern Sprout is connecting people and plants with their fabulous lines of grow lights, hydroponic planters and all sorts of plant accessories that empower people to cultivate their own indoor oasis, whether you live in a studio apartment or a sprawling farmhouse, with simple, stylish and sustainable green-thumb solutions for every home. For 15% off your order, visit modernsprout.com and use code 15bloom at checkout!

quotes: 12:35 - rhythm covid can't change

Follow Anne and NYBG

Anne's company: Planthropy

NYBG Main Website

NYBG Course Website

NYBG Horticultural Therapy Program

 

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
06 Feb 2018Plant Side Chat # 2 - Planty Friendships00:08:35

Plant Side Chat #2 - Planty Friendships for Friendship February on Bloom and Grow Radio! We dive into the beauty of plant friendships and why they are so important!



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
11 May 2021How to Manage Deer, Squirrels, Chipmunks, Moles, Voles and Other Animals in Your Garden with Brie The Plant Lady01:20:41

When I polled our listener community about your top requests for outdoor garden-related episodes, the number one request surprised me: it wasn’t managing fertilizer, succession planting, or garden design. It was how to manage pesky animals getting into your gardens! Today, I have the answer to your prayers: Brie from briegrows.com walks us through such a comprehensive list of practices and solutions for managing pests and other critters in the garden. This conversation really helps us rethink the way we approach animals in the garden and I’m excited for you to learn from Brie as I did!


Get on the waitlist for the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Launch

Be the first to gain access and founding member discounts through joining our waitlist

Snag your spot on the waitlist here


Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,

so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!


In this episode we learn:

  • [00:06:05] How Brie became Brie The Plant Lady
  • [00:08:59] Brie shares her greatest achievement in plant propagation
  • [00:11:29] Maria’s experience with squirrels and deer in the garden
  • [00:14:15] Do we call them ‘pests’ or ‘animals’? Brie shares an important reminder about animals in nature
  • [00:18:29] Maria shares a totally honest story about critters #nofilter
  • [00:19:02] How to identify chipmunks from squirrels, and what their usual behaviors are in the garden
  • [00:21:03] How to use hot peppers as animal repellent
  • [00:24:18] Different and easy ways to use peppermint oil as animal repellent (hint: seashells!)
  • [00:26:49] How to prevent squirrels and chipmunks from digging holes in your garden beds
  • [00:29:07] Using vole king bags to protect your bulbs from animals
  • [00:30:20] Vole king bags vs chicken wire planters
  • [00:31:11] Shrews vs voles vs moles
  • [00:32:47] How to deal with moles in the garden
  • [00:33:21] Why you should use less mulch in the garden
  • [00:35:12] Where and how to plant garlic as vole repellent (and hit two birds with one stone!)
  • [00:39:16] Do you need to worry about burrowing animals if you have raised beds?
  • [00:40:40] What are groundhogs and how to keep them away from the garden
  • [00:43:14] Squirrel damage vs groundhog damage
  • [00:45:29] Setting up a wildlife camera for better animal surveillance in the garden
  • [00:47:02] Where to get the best eco planters (with gorgeous color selections!)
  • [00:49:24] The best and easiest deer fence kits for your garden
  • [00:51:16] The idea behind trap crops and how to apply them in the garden
  • [00:54:25] The different plants that help repel rabbits 
  • [00:57:26] How often should you apply repellents to your plants?
  • [00:58:54] Using animal scats to identify pests in the garden
  • [01:00:00] Why deer is a serious gardening problem and how understanding their behavior can help you keep them away
  • [01:01:50] How to install hedges and streamers that keep deer away
  • [01:06:29] Deer-proof plants, are there such things?
  • [01:09:05] When to use deer sprays and how to best use mammal-specific repellents
  • [01:11:35] Brie shares her own recipe of animal repellent using common household items!
  • [01:13:33] The rookie mistakes gardeners make when trying to keep animals from the garden
  • [01:15:56] Brie reminds us how to be mindful gardeners and have respect for the animals that we don’t want in our gardens
  • [01:17:11] What Brie’s garden looks like! It is envy-worthy!

Mentioned in our conversation:


Thank you to our episode sponsors:

WallyGro

Wallygro has just launched new Spring Colors in both their Eco and Loop planters! The Eco planter model makes installing your own greenwall a breeze and their Loop planter model is the answer to drip-free tabletop or hanging plants, and they are made from recycled plastic! WallyGro is offering a limited-time 15% discount to our community from May 11 to May 18th. Snag them while they are available at wallygro.com and use code BAGR15 for 15% off at checkout.

DeerBusters

If you’ve got wildlife looking at your veggie garden, DeerBusters is here to help! DeerBusters strives to protect the gardens of companies and individuals through high-quality, easy-to-install, wildlife fencing kits that come in several different materials and sizes. No fancy hardware needed. Visit deerbusters.com today to protect your plants tomorrow and use code BLOOM at checkout for 10% off.


Follow Brie:

Brie Grows

Books

Instagram

Facebook


Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
14 Feb 2023How Seeds are Produced: Behind the Scenes of How Our Seeds are Selected, Grown, Tested and Multiplied with Territorial Seed Company01:20:56

How are seeds produced, manufactured, and make it to our gardens? Every gardener knows the joy of going through seed catalogs and visiting garden centers to select the perfect mix of herbs, vegetables, and flowers to grow in their own garden. But what we might not often consider is the journey of those seeds—from the years-long process of selection, cultivation, and production to the moment when we lovingly plant those tiny specs of potential into the ground. In this episode, Andrew Billing and Kat Barlow from Territorial Seed Company take you on the journey of the seeds from the minds of passionate seed growers to the hands of gardeners!

In this episode, we learn:

  • [03:33] Are you taking seed packets for granted? (Territorial Seed Company’s purpose!)
  • [06:08] Who is Andrew Billing? 
  • [06:28] Who is Kat Barlow? 
  • [07:48] Understanding Territorial Seed beyond the advertisements
  • [08:48] What makes the climate at Territorial Seed and the plants grown and tested there so hardy? 
  • [10:35] What is gardener's itch?
  • [12:28] Territorial Seed introduces new dahlia varieties
  • [13:52] Territorial Seed's different approaches to sourcing seeds
  • [15:42] How does farm sourcing work?
  • [16:27] How does Territorial Seed preserve seed genetics using seed vaults?
  • [19:00] How does Territorial Seed decide what seeds to grow in-house? 
  • [21:10] How does trend forecasting play a role in the sourcing and selection of seeds?
  • [23:57] What is shishito pepper and how did it become popular? 
  • [25:21] Where can you find quality-built grow lights?
  • [26:52] How wind chimes can enhance your mindfulness practice
  • [29:28] What are some tried and true favorite seed varieties at Territorial Seed? 
  • [32:44] The seed trialing process at Territorial Seed
  • [37:39] What is the timeline for developing marketing materials before sourcing seeds at Territorial Seeds? 
  • [39:17] How many years does it take to trial a seed and bring it to market? 
  • [39:55] What criteria determine if a seed is selectable or not? 
  • [40:49] What are the reasons seeds are cut back or not offered?
  • [42:33] Determining when seeds are ready for market
  • [43:57] Differences in trialing edibles vs flowers
  • [46:10] Where can you find quality weighted blankets for overall better sleep? 
  • [48:38] What is the process of breeding better seeds?
  • [52:15] How does Territorial Seed collaborate with other seed companies and outside farmers? [53:40] From mass production to nationwide sales: the seed distribution process
  • [56:24] How does Territorial Seed pack and produce seeds?
  • [1:04:20] Kat and Andrew's favorite seeds to grow
  • [1:08:22] What new seed varieties do Territorial Seed look forward to?
  • [1:13:32] Territorial Seed's upcoming products that can grow seeds in small containers
  • [1:15:15] Essential tips for beginner gardeners in small space gardening


Mentioned in our conversation:


For a closer look at the seed production process,

check out the full show notes and blog here!


Learn more about Territorial Seed Company by visiting territorialseed.com/growingjoy - and get a 10% discount applied at checkout.


Thank you to our episode sponsors:


Soltech Solutions

Soltech Solutions makes the grow lights you’ve heard me talk about for years: whether you are looking for a pendant light, track lighting, or a simple bulb to screw into any standard light fixture, Soltech has got you covered. They offer quality products with great customer service, free shipping, and a 5-year warranty. Keep the sun shining and the plants green inside your home with Soltech Solutions.

Check them out at soltechsolutions.com and get 15% off with code bloom15.

Wind River Chimes

Bring more peace, serenity, and magic into your home with chimes. Wind River is a Virginia-based company creating premium handcrafted and hand-tuned wind chimes for over 35 years. If you are looking for a new way to grow joy in your life and find a moment of peace, a Wind River chime is the perfect addition for your home or garden.

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving to add a special message on your wind chimes.

Bearaby

Weighted blankets have been proven to improve sleep, ease anxiety, and relieve stress through the therapeutic power of deep touch pressure (DTP), and Bearaby has completely changed the game. Bearaby takes a design-focused approach to bringing medically beneficial products into people’s lives by creating products in different sizes and variety that you'll be proud to display throughout your home. Treat yourself to a weighted blanket because everyone deserves good sleep!

Use code GROWINGJOY for free, faster shipping at bearaby.com.




Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
20 Aug 2019Episode 69: Growing Cannabis Part 1: Set Up, Seed Starting and The Vegetative Stage00:49:35

While I was in Denver, I had the opportunity to tour The Garden, a 7000 square foot commercial Cannabis grower with my plant friend, and cannabis home grower, Rooney Bloom. In that tour, it was incredibly clear to me that I needed to sit down with the founder of The Garden, Chudy Azuogu and Rooney to discuss their different approaches to growing Cannabis, from seed to harvest. Cannabis is obviously a very popular plant these days for indoor growers… for different reasons than our houseplant plant parenthood obsessions, BUT this two part conversation ends up not being about Cannabis, but perspectives from two growers on how they care for a simple plant. What struck me the most is how commercial growers, (of Cannabis or any other plant) use science and technology to manipulate these plants to grow to their best ability and yield. But really, they are trying to mimic what Mother Nature does so easily. I’m so thankful to Rooney and Chudy for being so open to have this conversation and give us so much knowledge! It was an eye opening conversation that I’m so thankful for!

Disclaimer: if you plan on growing Cannabis, you absolutely must look up your local laws on growing this plant. This episode is not an endorsement for growing Cannabis, but an exploratory conversation for those who do. Do your own research on the legal side if you intend on growing on your own.

Also- you might hear Rooney’s pup walking around and wagging his tail through this conversation, he was a wonderful audience to have in Rooney’s home during this conversation.

In this episode we learn:

  • How Rooney Bloom became the professional plant educator he is
  • How Chudy Azuogu became a commercial grower of Cannabis
  • The difference in growing cannabis from a commercial and home grower perspective
  • What do you need to grow Cannabis Commercially
  • What do you need to grow Cannabis as a home grower
  • How to start seeds from home and in a commercial grow house
  • Why it is important to separate Male and Female Cannabis Plants
  • How to tell Male and Female Cannabis Plants apart
  • How and when to feed cannabis commercially and at home
  • The lighting setup in a Commercial grow house
  • How to care for the plants while they are in their vegetative stage

Tune in next week for Growing Cannabis Part 2: Flowering to Harvest when Rooney and Chudy lead us through how to watch (or force) a plant to flower, how to care for it in it’s flowering stage, how to harvest and dry the bud and overall thoughts on the Cannabis industry.

 

Thank you to Highline Wellness for Sponsoring today's episode! Highline Wellness makes premium CBD products at honest and affordable prices. They make CBD gummies, oil and pain cream that has broad spectrum CBD with no THC that have been helping me manage anxiety and sleep in all of the different  hotel rooms and beds use as I travel to on tour.

For 15% off go to highlinewellness.com and use code BLOOM15 for 15% off your first purchase!

 

Follow Rooney Bloom

Instagram:@rooney_bloom

Website: www.rooneybloom.com

 

Follow Chudy

Instagram: @chew_d

Bud Fox Supply Co: @budfoxsupplyco

 

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
18 Jun 2019A Plants Journey from Grower to Your Home with Mickey Hargitay00:41:47

We are so lucky to be joined by Mickey from Mickey Hargitay Plants- THE go to plant institution in Los Angeles for Plant People. Mickey has been in the business of selling plants for 39 years: long before the recent trend has taken over Instagram and millennials. He had his shop in the 70s during the last houseplant craze, and gives us insight into his experience selling plants through several decades. We chat today not only about his long career, but what it takes as a plant shop owner to get a plant from a grower and into their customer’s hands: sourcing, transportation, pricing, inventory and more. Mickey is such a special human and gives us such wonderful insight into his career and his shop.

 

In this episode we learn:

  • Mickey’s journey into plants and his 39 year career owning a plant shop
  • How houseplant trends have changed over the last 30 years
  • Mickey walks us through his process for running his shop: from sourcing plants, to storing and selling them and ensuring their happiness in your home
  • Best practices for helping your plant adjust to your home

 

Watch the youtube tour of Mickey Hargitay Plants with Mickey! 

Join us in Philly for a live taping extravaganza at Urban Jungle Philly on June 24!

 

Thank you Bloem Living for Sponsoring today's episode! Bloem Living makes flower pots and garden accessories in the USA that are clever, efficient and fun! They have a garden accessory or container for every garden! Discover their products at www.bloemliving.com - there you can find your local Bloem Living dealer, or see the many websites you can order their products from! You can also check out my amazon storefront for a selection of my favorite Bloem products!

Visit and Follow Mickey!

1255 North Sycamore Avenue

Los Angeles CA 90038

www.mickeysplants.com

Instagram: @mickeysplants

 

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
28 Mar 2018Episode 20(!): Talking Tomatoes with Craig LeHoullier and My MOM01:03:30

I’m so excited to celebrate my TWENTIETH episode with some very special guests today. Craig LeHoullier is THE Tomato man (@nctomatoman to be exact). After a successful career as a chemist in Pharmaceuticals, Craig began a new career as being one of the leading experts on growing tomatoes and celebrating the many varieties that exist. He is an advisor for the Seed Savers Exchange and the World Tomato Society, the co-leader of the Dwarf Tomato Breeding Project, and the author of Epic Tomatoes and Growing Vegetables in Straw Bales. He is responsible for naming and popularizing many well known tomatoes, such as Cherokee Purple. He joins us today to discuss how we, as urban jungle dwellers, even in the smallest of apartments, can grow tomatoes from seed on our windowsills. After my chat with Craig, my Mom joins us to chat a little about what being Italian and growing tomatoes means to her. My Mom is the head farmer at “Failla Farm”, otherwise known as our family home’s front yard, which she transforms every summer. Like her parents, and their parents, she utilizes her space to grow as much of her own food as possible, and the whole family benefits from her produce. It feels very special to have my Mom join me on my twentieth episode, as when I started the show, not knowing whether it would take off, I would often say “worst comes to worst, me and my mom listen to a couple of great episodes”. So 20 shows later, I’m excited to finally share some of her expertise with you. In this episode we learn: - From Craig LeHoullier, author of Epic Tomatoes o Which varieties of tomatoes to choose for indoor apartment gardening o Where to buy seeds o How to start tomatoes from seed o How to germinate and transfer to pots o Best practices for growing tomatoes o His tips and tricks for your best tomatoes yet - From my Mom o What tomatoes mean to us in our Italian culture o How to choose the best pre grown plants at the big lot stores o Tips from an Italian on her experience growing tomatoes Follow Craig LeHoullier: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/craiglehoullier Twitter: https://twitter.com/nctomatoman Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nctomatoman/ https://www.craiglehoullier.com/ Buy Craig’s Books: Epic Tomatoes: https://amzn.to/2pHJSqI Growing Vegetables in Straw Bales: https://amzn.to/2DWh7L6 *Bloom and Grow Radio is an Amazon Affiliate and earns a portion of the sale of these links at no extra cost to you. This is a great way to support the show!* Follow Bloom and Grow Radio: IG: @bloomandgrowradio Facebook: www.facebook.com/bloomandgrowradio www.bloomandgrowradio.com



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
11 Apr 2023The Mushroom Miniseries: How to Grow Functional Mushrooms in Your Garden01:14:52

What if you could grow functional mushrooms next to your tomato plants? In this episode 2 of the Mushroom Miniseries, Billy and I continue our exploration of the world of mushrooms in partnership with North Spore and their expert mycologist, Louis Giller. Today's episode focuses on growing mushrooms in your garden and covers topics such as integrating mushrooms into a traditional garden and the benefits of cultivating mushrooms alongside your plant babies!

Enjoy an exclusive 10% off your mushrooms,

use code 'GROWINGJOY' at northspore.com!

In this episode, we learn:

  • [05:35] Benefits of Lion's Mane mushroom supplements for improved focus and energy
  • [09:15] Why should you grow mushrooms in your garden?
  • [10:45] Specific vocabulary in mushroom cultivation
  • [12:43] Is mushroom DNA diverse or uniform across different areas?
  • [15:30] Why you can't simply grow any mushrooms in soil alone
  • [17:15] Are mushrooms annuals or perennials?
  • [20:14] Where can you find full spectrum plant lights to bring the beauty of outdoors inside this April?
  • [22:16] Where can you find a healthy meal delivery program?
  • [24:52] What protections exist for preventing other mushroom species from colonizing a bed of ripe food and confusing the farmer?
  • [26:29] Can you harvest mushrooms immediately after inoculating your garden beds?
  • [27:35] What mushrooms are best for beginners to grow in the garden?
  • [29:30] Do you need a lot of space to grow a good harvest?
  • [30:29] Do worms compete or work with mycorrhizal? 
  • [32:25] What materials do you need for growing mushrooms in your garden?
  • [34:44] Where can you find a wind chime that would make the perfect gift these holidays?
  • [36:21] How can you grow mushrooms in your mulch? 
  • [41:04] Does a denser, ground-level plant provide better shade for the mushrooms??
  • [44:00] Is there a general rule for spacing the insertion points when inoculating a bale of hay?
  • [44:49] How do mycorrhizal networks and mold coexist in nature, particularly in damp and dark environments?
  • [48:09] How to create a mushroom container for small gardening spaces
  • [52:49] What are the required maintenance tasks for growing mushrooms during the season?
  • [57:03] What is the difference between cutting and pulling mushrooms during harvesting?
  • [58:23] Best beginner mushroom varieties that are resilient to temperature and humidity changes
  • [59:40] Different mushrooms that you can grow in different garden zones or different climates
  • [01:00:56] What is the process of inoculating logs for growing mushrooms?
  • [01:03:48] What's the purpose of wax capping your mushrooms?
  • [01:05:29] Can mushroom inoculation be done before or after the frost date?
  • [01:10:12] Where can you find mushroom spawns and learn more about mushroom growing?


Mentioned in our conversation:


For a complete checklist of mushroom gardening necessities,

check out the full show notes and blog here!


Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Soltech Solutions

Soltech Solutions makes the grow lights you’ve heard me talk about for years: whether you are looking for a pendant light, track lighting, or a simple bulb to screw into any standard light fixture, Soltech has got you covered. They offer quality products with great customer service, free shipping, and a 5-year warranty. Keep the sun shining and the plants green inside your home with Soltech Solutions.

Check them out at soltechsolutions.com and get 15% off with code "bloom15".

Sakara

Make eating healthier easier with science-backed, plant-rich nutrition programs and wellness essentials right to your door! Sakara provides ready-to-eat meals that are nutritionally designed to deliver results — from weight management and eased bloat, to boosted energy and clearer skin. Enjoy delicious meals that have a perfect balance of plants,protein and fats, while also taking control of your physical health.

Get 20% off your first order when you use code "GROWINGJOY" at sakara.com.

Wind River Chimes

Bring more peace, serenity, and magic into your home with chimes. Wind River is a Virginia-based company creating premium handcrafted and hand-tuned wind chimes for over 35 years. If you are looking for a new way to grow joy in your life and find a moment of peace, a Wind River chime is the perfect addition for your home or garden. Plus, it's a perfect personalized gift for your loved ones!

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on all Corinthian Bells wind chimes.


Follow North Spore:

Louis' LinkedIn

Website

Instagram

YouTube

Facebook

TikTok

Pinterest


Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
15 Sep 2020How to Water Your Plants with Chris Satch01:17:34

So thrilled to welcome Chris Satch back to the show for an UNBELIEVABLE, comprehensive conversation on all things WATERING! We cover everything from top watering, bottom watering, troubleshooting, how to identify root rot and many listener questions. This is not an episode to miss if you have any questions around watering your plants!

Have you taken the 2020 Bloom and Grow Radio Listener Survey - Please take 5 minutes to take this survey and be a part of the future of Bloom and Grow Radio and Media! I did this survey 2 years ago and it was INSTRUMENTAL in planning episode topics and community resources. I can't wait to hear from you!

Check out my youtube video on how I water my plants

In this episode we learn:

  • [5:00]What Chris is loving in his collection lately
  • A quick overview on how to propagate fern spores
  • How to grow mosses
  • [12:30] What BAGR listeners are struggling with when it comes to how to water your plants
  • [13:00] Why is watering so important to our plants?
  • [14:20] What are xylem and phloem and how do the affect watering?
  • [15:40] What is transpiration?
  • [16:20] The connection between soil moisture and light
  • [18:18] How humidity affects transpiration and our plants watering schedules
  • [21:15] What are microclimates and how do they affect humidity
  • [23:30] Watering Hack #1: Group Plants with Similar Needs Together
  • [24:50] Chris's opinion on Top Watering Vs Bottom Watering
  • [26:20 ] Best Top Watering Practices
  • [29:00] Maria's (STRONG) opinion about care cards and watering instructions
  • [30:50] What does "water when dry" mean- how many inches of soil should the top of the soil dry out
  • [32:42] Watering Hack #2: Use the pot weight to understand how heavy soil saturation feels and get to know how a dry pot feels like as well
  • [36:20] What is the ideal temperature for watering your plants
  • [36:50] How to leave water in the catch tray of your pot with drainage
  • [ 40:20] Best Bottom Watering Practices
  • [42:10] Chris's issues with Bottom Watering
  • [46:34] Root Rot: what it is, how do we fix it, how can we avoid it
  • [48:30] Signs that you've under watered your plant
  • [48:40] Signs that you've over watered your plant
  • [49:50] Maria's honest experience about overwatering her plants this year
  • [55:30] How Chris saves his plants from root rot
  • [55:50] Chris's (STRONG) opinion about self watering pots
  • [1:01:22] The truth about spritzing (you might not like this)
  • [1:01:53] How brown tips can actually be a sign on fungal infection and not humidity or underwatering
  • [1:06] How to use fungicide to treat brown edges on a plant
  • [1:07] Why using warm water is important for watering
  • [1:07:30] Where the ice cube watering myth started, why it's bogus and why you shouldn't use this method
  • [1:08] Tap water vs distilled water vs rain water = does the type of water you water your plants with actually matter?
  • [1:10:00]What white spots on leaves are and how to remove them
  • [1:10:10]  Hack # 3: use lemon juice to remove white spots on leaves
  • [1:11:43] When during the day should you water?
  • [1:11:55] Do you water your plant before you repot? or leave it with dry soil?

Mentioned in our conversation:

Thanks to our episode sponsors!

Espoma Organics: for responsibly made, fabulous indoor and outdoor organic soils, fertilizers, pest control sprays and more visit espoma.com to find your local dealer or check out my amazon storefront of my favorite Espoma products here.

Soltech Solutions Luxury Grow Lights: Whether its simply getting through the lower light winter- or if you’re like me and you’ve just got too many plants  and too few windows and need to bring more light indoors so your collection can keep growing- Soltech Solutions has the luxury lighting option for you! Soltech is offering BAGR listeners 20% off with code 20BLOOM at soltechsolutions.com once again thats soltechsolutions.com and code 20BLOOM at checkout for 20%off.

 

Follow Chris

Instagram: @botanictonic

Website: christophersatch.com

 

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
09 Apr 2024Everything You Need to Know About Philodendron00:38:52

If you're a houseplant lover like me, chances are you already have a philodendron or two in your collection. These awesome tropical plants are some of the most popular and beloved houseplants for good reason—they come in tons of different shapes, colors and sizes, and they're relatively easy to care for too! In this episode, I'm going to give you the full rundown of everything you need to know about growing these amazing plants at home. We'll cover the basics of their natural habitat and key care requirements, and I'll introduce you to some of my current favorite philodendron varieties.


In this episode, we learn:

  • [03:50] Philodendron high-level overview
  • [09:38] Care #1: Light
  • [13:43] Care #2: Water
  • [15:38] Care #3: Soil
  • [16:05] Care #4: Humidity
  • [17:08] Care #5: Fertilizer 
  • [17:39] Troubleshooting philodendron issues
  • [19:10] Thank you Proven Winners leafjoy™ for sponsoring this episode!
  • [21:01] Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)
  • [22:21] Philodendron 'Brasil'
  • [22:37] Philodendron 'Lemon Lime' (as seen on my podcast art!)
  • [24:13] Prismacolor™ Brandtianum
  • [25:16] Philodendron atabapoense
  • [26:05] Philodendron 'Silver Sword' (Philodendron hastatum)
  • [27:11] Prismacolor™ Philodendron Fozzie™
  • [28:38] Philodendron 'White Wizard' (Philodendron erubescens)
  • [30:18] 'Prince of Orange' Philodendron
  • [32:08] Prismacolor™ Sun Red Philodendron
  • [32:33] Philodendron 'Pink Princess'


Mentioned in our conversation:


For a list of my current Philodendron favorites,

check out the full show notes and blog here!


Thank you to our episode sponsor:

Proven Winners

If you want to have success with houseplants, you’ve got to have two things: the knowledge to care for them successfully and healthy plants. Meet my new favorite houseplant grower: Proven Winner’s leafjoy™. With only the best plant genetics grown in a state-of-the-art, European greenhouse, you will not be disappointed in the variety and quality of your favorite plants from Proven Winner’s leafjoy™. This company has taken the guesswork out of plant shopping with plant tags that include scientific names and care guides, as well as color-coded collections for the different areas of your home that you want plants in!

Find plant joy in leafjoy™. Head to provenwinners.com to find your local leafjoy™ dealer and let me know which plant you take home on socials!


Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
05 Feb 2019Episode 50: Maranta, Calathea and Stromanthe 10100:47:24

Plant Friends! We are kicking of Season 3 with your top most requested episode out of any topic, a 101 episode on how to care for the Marantaceae Family, and understanding why on earth they can be so dang tricky to care for! I would say that “why is my calathea or prayer plant browning at the tips” is one of my most frequently DM’d questions on instagram. I think this Marantaceae family has some of the most gorgeously patterned leaves I’ve ever seen and I’m excited to have this episode to help us keep them happy and healthy in our urban jungles! And friends, I have the worlds most perfect guest to walk us through the beauty and complexities of this amazing family of Plants.

Marc Hachadourian is the Director of Glasshouse Horticulture and Senior Curator of Orchids at the New York Botanical Garden. I have been hearing about Marc for over a year. His amazing plant brain, friendly personality and passion for plants is kind of legendary and I’m so excited to introduce you all to him. I’m so thankful to the New York Botanical Garden for lending him to us for this episode.

If you are a New York based listener, Plant Friends, I can’t stress enough how in love I am with the NYBG. The garden is so easy to get to (just hop on the metro north) and is just filled with acres upon acres of plants. No matter what time of year it is, there is always something to do or see there. Last year I made it to their Orchid Show and their Train show. Marc will tell us a little more about this upcoming Orchid Show: Singapore, which is running from February 23- April 28th. If you are in NY, and probably suffering from season affective disorder, run don't walk to the garden for a planty adventure.

In this episode we learn:

- What Marc does for the NYBG

- What plants fall under the Marantaceae Family

- Prayer Plant, Calathea and Stromanthe- their differences and similarities

- Why do the leaves fold up and down as in “prayer”

- Why the bottoms of many Marantaceae are purple

- Why the tips brown and how we help avoid this

- Why humidity is so important for the Marantaceae family

- Marc answers a collection of listener questions

Thank you Marc for joining us to give us so much amazing information about the Marantaceae family. The NYBG Orchid Show: Singapore runs February 23 to April 28th. For more information visit www.nybg.org But the Orchid show is just one of so many amazing installations that are always happening at the NYBG. Go for a visit and you’ll see all sorts of Marantaceae IRL for yourself!

Thank you again to Wallygro for sponsoring this episode. And thank you Wallygro for also being a company with a huge sustainability pledge: fun fact, all of the eco planters are made in the USA and are made from 100% recycle plastic milk jugs. Head to >wallygro.com to see the endless options of indoor or outdoor set ups you can install in your own home, and use BLOOM20 at checkout for 20% off.

If you want to be featured on the upcoming plant fail lessons episode, see instructions below or listen to last weeks updates and announcements episode.

Instructions for participating in the upcoming Listener “Plant Fail Lessons” episode of Bloom and Grow Radio

1) Call (267) 478-2521 (The Bloom and Grow Google Voice Number)

2) Please spell your name and email at the beginning of the message so I can contact you!

3) The google voice only allows for a 3 minute message, so you might want to write out your story, or jot some thoughts down on paper to allow for you to effectively tell your story without getting cut off. If your story requires more than 3 minutes, you can call back and leave back to back messages

 



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
13 Feb 2018Episode 14: The Friendship Plant! The Ins and Outs of the Popular Pilea Peperomioides with the Founder of PIEP00:45:35

We can’t have a month devoted to Friendship without having an episode on the Friendship Plant, the Pilea Peperomioides! We are so lucky to be joined by the founder of PIEP – the first commercial grower of Pilea Peperomioides in the US to discuss all things Pilea today! www.piep.co is the go to resource for all things Pilea. It ships nation wide and carries not only Pilea but also other drool worthy plants and accessories. Mackenna, the founder of PIEP, is a Pilea specialist and has had such an interesting journey learning to grow this plant. She joins us today to go through not only care basics but also troubleshooting issues and how to care for your Pilea babies correctly! We are so lucky for not only the knowledge she is sharing with us, but she is also offering a special discount to Bloom and Grow listeners so we can all enjoy this happy plant for ourselves! Stay tuned till the end of the episode to learn more! I also want to give a quick shout out to some listeners that came to my rescue this week. I had one listener write in and ask me how to care for his indoor pineapple plant, and to be frank, I had never even heard of a Pineapple plant before! I put a post on Instagram asking any of you if you could be a good plant friend, and help me out with some information to hook this new pineapple plant dad up with, and several of you got back to me within hours! We’ve started a little Pineapple Plant Care email thread and I’m very excited about learning how to care for it. I’m so thankful to @theeden, @homebyfaith, @dirtydtales and @acrazyplantlady10b to stepping up and offering to help! Now without further ado! If you are interested in learning how to care for a Pilea Peperomioides plant, this episode is for you! If you want some yummy discounts to help get yourself a Pilea of your own, this episode is for you! In the episode we learn: - How the heck to actually pronounce Pilea Peperomioides (Pie- Lee-uh Pepper – o – mee – oy- dees) - How Piep was created - The original story behind how the Pilea spread across Europe - Pilea Care 101! - How to properly care for and separate a Pilea pup from it’s mother plant - Troubleshooting issues with caring for Pilea - How and when to fertilize Pilea - What to look forward to seeing Piep carry in the future - Discounts for Bloom and Grow Radio Listeners! (10 % off using the code Bloom10 on www.piep.co) Follow PIEP: Insta: @piep.co, @pilea.lovers, @plantunicorn Facebook: facebook.com/shop.piep Pinterest: pinterest.com/shoppiep www.piep.co Follow Bloom and Grow Radio: Insta: @BloomandGrowRadio Facebook: Bloom and Grow Radio www.bloomandgrowradio.com



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
18 May 20214 "Plant Care Hacks" I No Longer Do and Other Shifts in My Plant Care Practice00:40:29

Plant friends, I’ve been fortunate enough to take a lot of deeper dives in the science of plant care since quarantine happened and my outlook on plant care and the hobby of keeping plants has dramatically shifted in the last year and a half. I find myself turning away from blogs and towards textbooks and have a new deep appreciation for the horticulturalists on this show who can truly dive deeper with us and explain the why behind the how of all the practices we are told to do on care cards and social media posts. The combination of over 120 episode interviews, and now all these hours in the courses, has been enlightening and I wanted to come clean about these shifts I’m making in my personal collection and plant care practices. Thank you for learning alongside me and I hope this episode helps you keep blooming and keep growing through your plant parenthood journey!


Get on the waitlist for the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Launch

Be the first to gain access and founding member discounts through joining our waitlist

Snag your spot on the waitlist here


Check out 3 Planty Date Night Ideas with Billy on Youtube!


Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,

so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!


In this episode we learn:

  • [05:07] Why Maria is sharing her plant hacks (past and current), shifts in her plant parenthood, and ‘aha!’ moments
  • [06:57] Been There Done That Plant Hack #1: Being obsessed with humidity (and some humidity tips from experts to help you with your humidity problems)
  • [12:00] Two humidity hacks that Maria is not doing anymore: misting and pebble trays
  • [12:43] The truth and risks behind misting your plants
  • [14:51] Been There Done That Plant Hack #2: Living by your plant care cards
  • [17:12] Maria shares an exciting feature of the Bloom and Grow Garden Party
  • [18:24] Been There Done That Plant Hack #3: Understanding light based on plant diagrams and not based on your specific light situation
  • [19:29] Maria’s experience dealing with a low light situation for her plants and how she became a super sleuth for sunbeams
  • [23:34] Been There Done That Plant Hack #4: Planting in pots without drainage holes!
  • [25:22] Maria’s two easy hacks for pots without drainage holes
  • [27:42] Plant Parenthood Shift #1: Converting plants from semi hydro to soil
  • [28:38] Maria’s bonus hack: use leca to root your plants
  • [29:28] The best companion after a planty day
  • [31:16] Growing season is not just for spring and summer, you can now have fall and winter harvest!
  • [33:16] An update on Limey, Maria’s lime tree
  • [34:42] Plant Parenthood Shift #2: Addressing plant FOMO and focusing on current plants
  • [37:07] What our plants teach us about life and how our plant collections should make us feel
  • [38:24] Learnings to bring into this new growing season!

Mentioned in our conversation:

Bloom and Grow Radio episodes

Bloom and Grow Youtube videos


Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Allagash Brewing Company

Allagash Brewing Company is an amazing brewery and b corporation out of Portland, Maine that has just come out with Fine Acre: an organic beer that’s the perfect accompaniment to your indoor and outdoor gardening practices this spring and summer! We are celebrating this launch with the Beer Gardening with Allagash Sweepstakes! The prize is insanely planty with $300 to Bloomscape, $100 Allagash merch gift card, a consultation with Maria, and the chance to direct $2,500 to a community garden nonprofit of your choosing! Head over to allagash.com for mechanics on how to join the giveaway! Fine Acre and other Allagash beers are for drinkers 21+. Please drink responsibly.

Allagash also sponsored a fantastic Youtube Video on the channel this week 3 Planty Date Night Ideas with Billy! Click here to check it out!


Territorial Seed Company

Territorial Seed Co provides high-quality seeds and plants (over 2000 varieties) that are tried and tested on their 75-acre farm and have a ton of fall varieties for us to try! Most of us think of the gardening season as spring and summer, but with the right timing and varieties for your location, you can grow year-round! Territorial Seed Company carries lots of varieties to start in summer and harvest in late fall, winter, and even over winter. For seeds, plants, online garden planner, how-to videos and more, visit TerritorialSeed.com and use code BLOOM10 for 10% off on your first order.


Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
12 Dec 2017Episode 08: Dirty Talk and the Creation of Houseplant Journal00:58:00

By day, Toronto based Darryl Cheng is a Business Analyst for a Tech Company. By night, he is the creator of the incredibly popular blog and Instagram account - Houseplant Journal. Darryl’s commitment to excellence and his passion for plants and thirst for knowledge have turned him into the king of the internet houseplant world. What was initially a hobby Tumblr page has turned into an Instagram account with over 200,000 followers, a go to blog for anything plant related (www.houseplantjournal.com), the beginnings of his very own houseplant care book and plant time lapse videos that have gone viral around the world. Get ready… this is an epic episode for Bloom and Grow Radio. We cover a variety of topics, have deep thoughts about our plant friends, a little “dirty talk” and learn some secrets behind his collection. And if you stay tuned through the end of the show, Darryl gives us a sneak peak of another talent and passion of his, that is equally as impressive as his houseplant collection- but you’ll only find out if you stay tuned! If you are interested in learning more about different aspects of soil for your houseplants, this episode is for you! If you are interested in learning more about Darryl’s journey as a Plant Parent- tune in! In this episode we discuss: - The beginning of Darryl’s interest in houseplants and the creation of Houseplant Journal - The journey from a small Tumlr hobby account to an Instagram account and blog with over 200,000 followers - The story behind his “insta-famous” Monstera - The story behind his famous time lapse videos - “Dirty Talk” with Darryl! Darryl breaks down all you need to know about soil for your houseplants - Organic vs Chemical Fertilizers - The importance of soil aeration - The reasons behind his Houseplant Care Book he is working on and how it will differ from the tradition Houseplant Books - Any houseplant’s “subjective lifespan” Follow Darryl on: Instagram and Facebook: @houseplantjournal Twitter: @houseplantjrnl Website: www.houseplantjournal.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/houseplantjournal Follow Bloom and Grow Radio on: Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
23 Apr 2024Eco Anxiety00:50:40

Have you ever felt a sense of worry, fear, or anger when you think about climate change and the state of our planet? If so, you may be experiencing what's called "eco-anxiety." As plant lovers who are so connected to nature through our gardens and houseplants, it makes total sense that eco-anxiety could affect us. We care deeply about the Earth because we are part of it. So, let us spend some time with my dearest friend and resident green witch, Rachael Cohen, to better understand this concept.


In this episode, we learn:

  • [03:33] What is eco-anxiety?
  • [07:14] Rachael’s personal story of identifying/managing eco-anxiety
  • [09:45] Coping with eco-anxiety
  • [11:21] How perspective affects happiness
  • [12:16] What is the environmental impact of our actions, and how does it relate to our well-being?
  • [15:21] Fill your homes with the most ethereal sounds with the new Wind River Eclipse Collection (use code GROWINGJOY)
  • [17:26] Discover gardening tips, kitchen tricks, and family activities to reduce waste and save money with ‘Simple Country Living’ by Annette Thurmon
  • [18:39] What is Rachael's book, Self-Care for Eco-Anxiety, all about?
  • [20:01] Is corporate responsibility being misdirected, with consumers unfairly blamed?
  • [22:30] How to shift from fight/flight to parasympathetic rest and digest mode
  • [24:18] Somatic practices to release severe negative feelings associated with eco-anxiety
  • [29:01] Finding neutrality and managing anxiety
  • [30:10] What is the concept of “the mother tree” in Rachael’s book?
  • [32:25] What is the mycelium network?
  • [36:42] What are some ways we can give back to Mother Nature?
  • [41:37] Rachael’s favorite strategy for bringing oneself back from an eco-anxiety spiral
  • [43:23] How is the book constructed?
  • [46:55] Where can you get the book?


Mentioned in our conversation:


For a list of simple ways that you can give back to Mother Nature,

check out the full show notes and blogs here!


Follow Rachael:

Website

Instagram

TikTok

Facebook

YouTube


Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Wind River Chimes

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on all engraveable wind chimes.

Quarto: Simple Country Living by Annette Thurmon

Grab Simple Country Living: Techniques, Recipes, and Wisdom for the Garden, Kitchen, and Beyond by Annette Thurmon at your favorite local bookstore, bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble or amazon.com.


Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
28 Jun 2021I did something exciting! Welcome to the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App!!!!!!00:10:46

In this mini episode, I share the why behind the creation of the Garden Party Community Platform & App and give you all the details of what’s inside!


Become a Founding Plant Friend of the Garden Party (Offer expires July 1st- you can get a whole years membership for the amount of one 8 inch plant!) https://community.bloomandgrowradio.com/


Check our a tour on the Youtube Channel!



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
25 Jun 2024Stop Killing Ferns! How to Care for Ferns00:27:05

I have always been a fan of ferns, but for some reason, I could never manage to keep them alive. But those days are over, and I have done a complete 180 on ferns! If you've been listening to this podcast for a while, you've probably heard me say how I don't like ferns and how they're just not my recommended houseplant. However, for the past year or so, I've been successfully caring for ferns, and I'm obsessed. I've learned so much, and I can't wait to share my top tips with you!


In this episode, we learn:

  • [00:10] Ferns 101
  • [04:03] How resilient are ferns?
  • [05:00] What are the brown spots you see on ferns?
  • [05:34] Are ferns a good choice for a home with limited natural light?
  • [06:32] How should you water your ferns?
  • [07:33] The right kind of pots to use
  • [09:13] How sphagnum moss helps keep ferns healthy
  • [09:51] How important is the humidity for ferns?
  • [11:40] What are the benefits of grouping plants together?
  • [12:09] How to fertilize your fern
  • [12:39] How to prune ferns
  • [14:04] Troubleshooting tips for ferns
  • [16:43] Proven Winners Leafjoy Fern species
  • [17:49] What ferns are not recommended for beginners?
  • [19:27] Ferns to bring home: Bird's nest fern
  • [20:35] Ferns to bring home: Rabbit's foot fern
  • [21:43] Ferns to bring home: Boston fern/Lemon button fern
  • [22:15] Ferns to bring home: Staghorn fern


Mentioned in our conversation:


For all of my foolproof tips on fern care,

check out the full show notes and blog here!


Thank you to our episode sponsor:

Proven Winners

If you want to have success with houseplants, you’ve got to have two things: the knowledge to care for them successfully and healthy plants. Meet my new favorite houseplant grower: Proven Winner’s leafjoy™. With only the best plant genetics grown in a state-of-the-art, European greenhouse, you will not be disappointed in the variety and quality of your favorite plants from Proven Winner’s leafjoy™. This company has taken the guesswork out of plant shopping with plant tags that include scientific names and care guides, as well as color-coded collections for the different areas of your home that you want plants in!

Find plant joy in leafjoy™. Head to provenwinners.com to find your local leafjoy™ dealer and let me know which plant you take home on socials!


Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
28 Jan 2025Plant Inspired Vacations00:55:30

Did you know you can use your plant passion as inspiration for how and where you go on vacation? I'm sure many of us have already done this on a small scale. Maybe you've been on a trip and kept taking pictures of plants that look just like the ones you have at home. Or perhaps you've insisted on visiting a local plant shop or botanical garden while on vacation (guilty as charged!). But plant friends, that can be just the beginning of how you travel and botanize for your plant passion.

And we're going to dive into everything you need to know about it today with my horticulturist bestie Leslie Halleck, who has been on the show many times, and Marcia Castro Rosenberg, listener-turned-plant-shop owner and also a dear friend of mine.

Leslie and Marcia have actually teamed up to create a once-in-a-lifetime trip called Botany & Betterment in The Amazon! It's a seven-day riverboat and jungle adventure on the Rio Negro River in Brazil this August 2025.


In this episode, we learn:

  • [03:40] Get to know Marcia
  • [07:51] Leslie’s botanizing trips
  • [11:32] What is botanizing?
  • [15:17] Support sustainable gardening with Espoma Organic’s premium gardening products!
  • [16:52] Bring nature back to your garden with Kelly Norris's Your Natural Garden
  • [18:55] What are their most memorable botanizing experiences?
  • [25:37] What are the botanizing basics?
  • [30:14] Where can you find plant keys & field guides
  • [34:57] On creating the ultimate Amazon trip: ‘Botany & Betterment’
  • [39:23] Hiring local guides for your trip
  • [43:50] Building community and personal growth
  • [49:45] Where can you find more info about Leslie and Marcia


Mentioned in our conversation:


To know more about Leslie and Marcia's botanizing adventures,

check out the full show notes and blog here!


Follow Leslie:

Website

Shop

Facebook

X

Pinterest

YouTube

Instagram

Follow Marcia:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn


Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Espoma Organic

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Quarto: Your Natural Garden by Kelly D. Norris

Grab a copy of Your Natural Garden by Kelly Norris at your favorite local bookstore, bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, quarto.com or amazon.com to get inspired and take action on your garden.


Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
28 Jun 2022How Our Community Grows Joy00:56:40

Plant friends, the most awaited day is here: it's Growing Joy's Pub Day! To celebrate Growing Joy hitting the bookstores and to give thanks to the wonderful community behind Bloom and Grow, I've asked community members to share with us how plants help them grow joy. This episode is a wonderful reminder of what plants can do for us: from helping us learn about the world around us, to rediscovering our inner child, to guiding our healing may it be a spiritual, mental, or emotional, to building a community of like-minded plant people, and many more. I'm so excited to bring to you this heartwarming compilation, and of course, my love letter to plants, Growing Joy: A Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (And Plants). Enjoy!

Order my book!

Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,

so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!

In this episode we learn:

  • [00:09] What this special episode is about
  • [02:35] Pub Day is here!
  • [03:20] What Growing Joy is about
  • [04:26] The irony behind Growing Joy
  • [05:03] How a community made Growing Joy possible
  • [07:50] An excerpt from Growing Joy’s chapter ‘Practice Kindness’
  • [09:23] How plants help us connect with ourselves and with other people - Jane
  • [10:46] How plants bring calmness and remind us it’s okay to take things slow - Christy
  • [11:44] How plants remind us of the special bonds we have with people - Meredith
  • [12:21] A little fun fact about the humble beginnings of Bloom and Grow
  • [14:20] How plants bring us joy while traveling - Aaron
  • [15:21] How plants help us accept failure as part of our growth - Toni
  • [16:22] How plants encourage us to learn something new every day - Marc, Marie & Miles
  • [17:49] How plants help us grow joy by learning, sharing and giving - Samantha
  • [20:24] Cultivating your curiosity with plants, beyond Growing Joy
  • [21:25] How plants help us heal physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually and more - Nancy, Pamela & Willow
  • [27:26] How growing flowers helps grow joy - Michael
  • [28:00] How growing your own food brings joy - Jodi
  • [29:09] How taking care of lithops grow joy - Jamie
  • [30:22] How plants give us a sense of purpose - Tina
  • [31:53] How plants reignite our passion and help us pursue careers that we love - Roos, Chloe, Ami, Rachael, Renee & Bailey
  • [38:17] How plants build a community that grows joy - Nicki & Steven
  • [40:08] Maria shares tips on building a community and enjoying activities together
  • [41:20] How plants help us reconnect with ourselves - Marcia, Karen, Otis, Darlene, Amy, Kamili & Connor
  • [47:36] Maria’s goal behind writing Growing Joy
  • [49:02] The introduction of Growing Joy: A Plant Lover’s Guide to Cultivating Happiness (And Plants)

Featured plant friends:

  • Jane Ouding - @flowerland_jane
  • Christy Leitch - @teaandfronds
  • Meredith Fages Proskin
  • Aaron Albano - @aaronjalbano
  • Toni Leitgab - @tonilaviece22
  • Marc Crick - @arcanebotany
  • Marie Scwab - @schwaberry
  • Miles
  • Samantha Leung - @hemleva
  • Nancy Nowick-Kauk - @plantyogamama
  • Pam Garnett - @its_pam_ela
  • Willow Star Wright - @hanginwithplants
  • Michael Beck - @coloradobeck
  • Jodi Bunting - @simpletraditionsfarm
  • Jamie Johnson - @minnesotamesembs
  • Tina Gustafson - @elevatedgardeningaz
  • Roos Kocken - @plantwithroos
  • Chloe Tsudama Ami Polite - @politegardens
  • Rachael Cohen - @infinitesucculent
  • Renee Molina - @kreativegardens
  • Colah B Tawkin - @blackinthegarden
  • Bailey Bunting - @botanicalbails
  • Nicki - @plantpotsnwhatnots
  • Steven Thyken - @hausplantdaddy
  • Marcia Castro-Rosenberg - @rootingforyoulv
  • Karen Pinkoski - @karenpinkoski
  • Otis Schroeder - @otisfittraining
  • Darlene Zavala - @darlinggreenthings
  • Amy Lefavour - @amikinskywalker42
  • Kamili Bell Hill - @plantblerd
  • Connor Raehsler - @craehsler


Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!

The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.

Click here to join us!


Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
20 Nov 2018Episode 43: Your Brain on Plants01:04:35

Today’s episode is about exactly what the title says… our brains… on plants. And what happens in our brains, when we become Plant People. When I was starting to move from plant killer to crazy plant lady, I noticed, there were a few months in the beginning of my plant collection where I feel like the love for plants kind of took over my life. I’ve always thought about that particular phase in my life when I felt like I almost couldn’t stop buying more plants.

Enter Dr Caitlin Vander Weele, the answer to my plant-iest and expert-iest of dreams. Caitlin is not only an awesome listener of BAGR but a neuroscientist and author with over 10 years of expertise in understanding how emotions and brain chemistry influence decision making. She is also the founder of Interstellate, a movement that blends science and art with visual imagery to promote science education. Plant friends… Caitlin is like…. really really really smart. And she is also a crazy plant lady, and this conversation blew my mind.

Two quick notes on today’s conversation:

1) Caitlin and I talk about some grown up topics in this episode- I know lots of you listen with your children (which makes me so happy) but I might give this a listen on your own before you enjoy it with your kids. Let’s say while all my other episodes are pretty much G rated, we will call this one PG-13.

2) We are not licensed psychologists, just two plant friends talking neuroscience. If you think you have a compulsive spending problem, please consult a professional. And now before we dive into that conversation I can’t wait to tell you about today’s sponsor, Modern Sprout.

 

In this episode we learn:

- How Caitlin became a crazy plant lady

- Maria gets real with Caitlin and explains the addictive behaviors she experienced when she began her journey into plant parenthood. Caitlin breaks down what exactly was happening in Maria’s brain in those first few months of buying as many plants as possible

- What causes our brain to release dopamine 

- What a compulsive behavior is

- What our brain on dopamine does

- What neurotransmitters, synapses and receptors are

- The difference between endorphins and dopamine

- Why we feel bonded to our plants

- How these things are measured in our brains

- 4 phases of compulsive behaviors to look out for

- How to cope with compulsive urges when growing your urban jungle

Thank you Modern Sprout for sponsoring today's episode! Visit https://www.modsprout.com/ to learn more about their lines of hydroponic planters and AMAZING grow lights and use code BLOOM at checkout for 15% off. 

Follow Dr Caitlin Vander Weele on Twitter and Instagram and Interstellate @interstellate and www.insterstellate.com

Follow Bloom and Grow Radio on Instagram

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

Donate to Bloom and Grow Radio to support the show in Year 2! http://bit.ly/2TnMwiy



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
07 Dec 202126 Ways to Incorporate Plants Into Your Wedding / My Botanically Inspired Wedding Series01:27:18

From the moment I got engaged, and frankly, even before that, I knew that I wanted to have the plantiest wedding possible! My plants are a huge part of me and I wanted to incorporate that aspect into our wedding. I didn’t want my wedding to be houseplant-themed, but I wanted houseplants and nature to be woven into our day seamlessly, in a refined way that felt special. Katie O’Neil of Katydyd Events, our wedding planner, joins me in this episode to talk about the different ways we added plants to our wedding, and some that didn't make it but were totally great ideas! This is one of my most anticipated episodes—I literally waited two years!—and I can't wait to share everything with you.

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!

The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop-shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.

Click here to join us!

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,

so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!


Check out this episode's full blog with photos here!


In this episode we learn:

  • [00:28] Why Maria wanted a planty wedding
  • [04:40] Introducing Katie; Maria and Billy’s wedding angel
  • [10:36] Mama Failla’s wedding advice
  • [11:53] How Katie became the epic wedding planner she is today
  • [14:34] Maria’s biggest wedding advice for everyone!
  • [16:56] How plants have developed as a trend in the bridal industry
  • [17:58] Hoya kerrii as tablescape and wedding favor
  • [21:36] What questions to ask yourself when planning a wedding with plants
  • [22:56] Katie’s ultimate wedding planning goal
  • [23:45] Finding the balance between a plant-themed wedding and a you-themed wedding
  • [26:04] How to pick your wedding venue and Katie’s professional advice
  • [31:15] How to incorporate plants into your invitations and signages
  • [34:19] Using seed paper for your invitations
  • [35:25] Incorporating plants into your wedding dress and suit
  • [40:09] ‘Something blue’, wedding shoes, and floral hairpins
  • [43:37] Picking out your color palette and bridesmaid dresses
  • [44:36] Where to get your seeds for the upcoming growing season!
  • [46:58] What you’ll get when you join the Garden Society
  • [48:37] How to repurpose your bridal bouquet and your bridesmaids’ bouquet during the reception
  • [51:04] How to incorporate plants during the ceremony
  • [54:15] Leaf girl instead of flower girl? Yes, please!
  • [55:47] Why you should swap your rice toss for a lavender toss
  • [58:08] Fresh ideas for garlands at your reception
  • [01:00:05] Why it’s important to get the right florist!
  • [01:02:19] Other fun, creative ways to add plants into your wedding
  • [01:03:40] How to make the wedding green wall of your dreams
  • [01:07:11] What to prepare for when you have live plants as wedding favors
  • [01:08:11] Katie’s advice when doing DIY wedding pieces
  • [01:10:51] How to make your wedding flowers last beyond your big day
  • [01:12:35] How to incorporate macrame into your wedding
  • [01:16:35] Katie’s biggest advice for incorporating plants into your wedding
  • [01:20:53] Where you can hire Katie as your dream wedding planner!
  • [01:23:03] Where to get custom wedding timelines
  • [01:25:54] Maria’s post-wedding reflections

Mentioned in the conversation:



Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Territorial Seed Company

It’s time to start planning your garden and placing your seed orders! Territorial Seed Company has an unbelievable selection of seeds and plants to choose from to build the garden of your dreams all year, with sustainably-grown seeds for the best-tasting, best-producing, highest-quality vegetables, flowers, and herbs. Check out their amazing variety of seeds, plants, garden planners, and more at territorialseed.com and use code BLOOM10 to get 10% off their first order.

Bloom and Grow Garden Society

The Bloom and Grown Garden Society is the premium tier of the Garden Party Platform, rooted in high-quality education and community. I’ve partnered with our Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck to bring monthly “Node of Knowledge” plant science lectures, monthly “Ask our Horticulturist Anything” office hours, and Growing Joy Community Calls with me. Treat yourself to an annual membership for the holidays or gift to your crazy plant friends! Learn more at jointhegardensociety.com.


Follow Katie:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Pinterest

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
11 Aug 2020100: 10 Planty Lessons Learned from 100 Episodes00:55:20

Plant Friends WELCOME to the 100th episode of Bloom and Grow Radio. Wow, I can’t believe we are here. 100 episodes over 3 years, when I really thought we might not get past episode 10. I’m humbled, proud and incredibly honored to have been through this journey alongside you. If you’ve been listening, you’ll know that this podcast was such an insane surprise for me. I’m a professional musical theater performer with a degree is in opera, I’ve spent my life as a plant killer, and now here I am, publishing this episode in celebration of 100 times we as a community have shown up to learn and grow together and nerd out about plants and plant care. What?! I’m so thankful to this community for supporting the show with your listens, shares, contributions and engagement. Beyond thankful. So today is going to be a celebration of just that- this beautiful community.

 

Speaking of community here are some resources I've made for our community to use!

 

The 2020 Bloom and Grow Radio Listener Survey - Please take 5 minutes to take this survey and let me get to know you! I did this survey 2 years ago and it was INSTRUMENTAL in planning episode topics and community resources. We had 1000 people complete the survey last time, so my goal for this survey is 3000 planty listeners! I can't wait to hear from you!

The Bloom and Grow Radio Episode Directory! I realize 100 episodes can be overwhelming for any new listeners here, so I went through our 100 episode bank and categorized each episode based on its category: Plant Care, Nerdy Science Breakdowns, Wellness, Planty Business, Seasonal, DIY projects, Edible Gardening, Lifestyle, People and Food. That way, if you are a newbie to the show and feel overwhelmed at the feed, or even if your and OG listener, you can review whatever genre interests you and make sure you haven’t missed any episodes! I will continue updating the directory every 20 episodes or so so it’s always up to date, and I hope that it helps you continue your plant care and wellness education :)

Lastly: there’s an epic party happening on IG this week: I'm going live at 1130 EST everyday with one of our favorite guests: yesterday was Leslie Halleck, today Chris Satch, Wednesday Colah from Black in the Garden, Thursday is Summer Rayne Oakes and Friday is Alessia from Apartmentbotanist. We are doing lives where we will have fun plant show and tells and chat and the week is ending in an EPIC giveaway with current and past sponsors of BAGR. Definetly head to @bloomandgrowradio to partake in that giveaway because it is CRAZY!

 

Top 10 Lessons Learned from 100 Episodes

  1. Plants are an instrument for connection
  2. Plants make people happy, but they can also make people overwhelmed and anxious.
  3. Understanding Light is the Key to Not Killing Plants
  4. Using grow lights is an amazing planty home hack
  5. Understanding how to water AKA Drainage and capillary action is the OTHER key to not killing plants
  6. Plants are a window to wellness
  7. With plants, there is always something new to try, no matter how advanced of a plant parent you are!
  8. Moss poles are a great addition to your plant fam
  9. Anyone can grow their own food
  10. Plants are a great way to help children and those in need

 

 

Bloom and Grow Radio Goals for the next 100 episodes!

  • Continue to connect with our community on a deeper level and get to know you better through the new listener survey
  • Spending more time in the private BAGR facebook group
  • Designing new ways to get our community involved, virtually for 2020/2021 and IRL in the future!
  • Learn more about horticultural therapy and food insecurity and figure out how BAGR can contribute meaningfully
  • Grow the brand and business - i feel called to do this full time on a large scale: TV, Book, helping people bloom and grow

 

What’s clear to me is my role in this plant space is to be a community advocate, to learn alongside you, ask the questions you need answered, and foster relationships virtually or in real life with each other so that we can all grow. I believe caring for plants help develop empathy and kindness, and learning those skills will help us make the world a kinder and greener place, and it’s my calling to help as many people successfully care for plants in order to do that.

 

Thank you for being alongside me for this beautiful ride. Life looks nothing like what I thought it would when I started this podcast 3 years ago. I’m so thankful for that. My plant friends, I adore you, I wish you the plantiest lives full of growth and happiness and that you, of course, keep blooming and keep growing.

 

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

 

 

 

Music used is entitled "Fresh Fallen Snow" composed by - Chris Haugen and is the property of Youtube Music Library.



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
15 Dec 2020Low Waste Plant Parenthood with @farmernicknyc01:15:00

One of the major things that plants do is help connect us with nature. I think as plant parents, once we use plants to reconnect with ourselves and make our homes look beautiful, they also get us thinking more about nature and the earth and how important it’s preservation is. So today’s episode is exploring just that: plant parenthood and low waste living, and what it means to make intentional decisions about preserving our planet while taking care of ourselves and our plants.

I think we are all anxiously looking at 2021 and getting excited about the changes that will come. This is the time to set new years resolutions and just think about how we want to show up in 2021 for ourselves and I think more importantly, there are global conversations happening about how we can show up for those around us and the environment. 

 As I continue to fall deeper in love with plants, I’m finding that I’m falling deeper in love with nature itself and feeling a stronger sense of responsibility to take care of our planet.

I’m so excited to welcome Nick Cutsumpas of @farmernicknyc  to the podcast and share this conversation with you and to inform and encourage our community to think about how we can apply these concepts of low waste living to not only our lives, but to our hobby of plant care. Nicks been a plant friend of mine for a while and I’ve loved learning more about sustainability from him, and figured he is the perfect intersection of plant parent and environmental activist to have for this chat about how to lead more sustainable lives as humans and plant parents. 

In this episode we learn:

  • [00:02:26] Introducing Nick Cutsumpas and episode key ideas
  • [00:07:18] What Nick does, what started his plant journey (mothers DO know best!), and how plants served as his ‘saving grace’ when he moved into the city
  • [00:10:38] Check out Nick in Netflix’s new show The Big Flower Fight!
  • [00:11:14] What is regenerative environmental action? Nick explains sustainability vs regenerative
  • [00:13:22] Are houseplant people practicing regenerative methods with their plants? According to Nick, to see is to believe when it comes to taking care of our environment
  • [00:15:01] How Maria realized she could be doing more sustainable practices
  • [00:15:22] Maria’s current idea obsession: plant blindness Nature Not Furniture!
  • [00:16:32] What Maria thinks of ‘zero waste’ and her reservations with the movement
  • [00:17:17] Nick shares why he thinks plant blindness is similar to waste blindness
  • [00:17:37] Why Nick strives for low waste consumption vs zero waste, how we as consumers can apply low waste consumption to the products we buy
  • [00:19:45] Why the time to be more conscious is NOW more than ever and how taking care of plants reminds us that we can take action
  • [00:20:47] Why Bloom and Grow Radio is doing an episode on low waste
  • [00:21:45] Low Waste Beginner Tip #1: Reuse everything
  • [00:22:46] Do you have tons of bubble wrap from your online orders? Save them for your next plant cutting gift!
  • [00:23:50] What is ‘waste’? For Nick, it’s everything that ends up in a landfill
  • [00:24:38] Maria’s lightbulb moment on her waste consumption: New York’s composting system
  • [00:25:11] The negative effects of plastics in our environment and how we can be smart and responsible with our plastic consumption
  • [00:26:54] Why we should be cautious about greenwashing, waste segregation, and biodegradable vs compostable materials
  • [00:28:24] Nick’s sustainability influences
  • [00:29:13] Low Waste Tip #2: Buy quality over quantity (Yes, you save more money this way!)
  • [00:30:12] Nick’s sustainability progress: he hasn’t bought anything new in more than a year! The secret? Thrifting!
  • [00:31:52] The eco-friendly furniture and mattress stores that Nick recommends
  • [00:33:56] How the pandemic enabled more waste production
  • [00:34:48] Why the most impact can be achieved through collective action; ‘10% is better’
  • [00:35:14] The BEST recycled and sustainable wall planters and the BEST plant kits to give this Holiday season!
  • [00:38:56] Nick reveals the most common mistakes we all do when it comes to composting
  • [00:39:54] How to REALLY begin your low waste journey
  • [00:40:39] Why you need to wash your recyclables
  • [00:41:22] Low Waste Tip #3: Find bulk stores and bring your own jars
  • [00:41:50] How Nick manages to do zero-waste grocery shopping
  • [00:42:25] What is ‘produce paralysis’? What is Nick’s proposed solution to packaging waste?
  • [00:44:04] Low Waste Tip #4: Avoid single-use plastic in the produce section
  • [00:45:24] Nick’s low waste hack: Put the jar in warm water for 10 minutes to remove the adhesive label, and reuse the jar for drinking or plant propagation!
  • [00:46:47] Low Waste Tip #5: Don’t be shy to ask if you can use your own containers for your consumables!
  • [00:47:39] Maria weighs in on the different straws from her own experiences (make sure you clean them!)
  • [00:49:28] What do we do with our plastic nursery pots? a. bring them to a nursery, b. cache, c. make a tent for your drainage hole
  • [00:53:38] Low Waste Tip #6: Grow something new in your used nursery pots
  • [00:54:06] The company that Nick trusts to recycle his plastics
  • [00:55:31] Propagating your plants can also help your recycle and upcycle
  • [00:56:30] Low Waste Tip #7: Choose sustainable soil options
  • [00:57:44] Low Waste Tip #8: Know your plant number! (we’re serious!)
  • [00:59:00] Your plant consumption should be healthy AND environmentally-responsible
  • [01:00:28] Low Waste Tip #9: Buy your plants from your local businesses
  • [01:01:46] Plant shops that Nick and Maria recommend
  • [01:04:05] Listener Question #1: Can you compost perlite?
  • [01:04:49] Listener Question #2: Are there alternatives to plastic nursery pots and stickers?
  • [01:06:28] Why you should support CSA
  • [01:07:47] Why low waste and sustainable living is important to Nick
  • [01:09:09] Our responsibility to our environment as plant parents!
  • [01:10:24] Maria’s realizations and future commitment to the low waste living movement

Check out the youtube video snippets of this interview! (airs 6 pm 12/15/20

Mentioned in our conversation:

 

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Soltech Solutions

Soltech Solutions Luxury Grow Lights: Whether its simply getting through the lower light winter- or if you’re like me and you’ve just got too many plants  and too few windows and need to bring more light indoors so your collection can keep growing- Soltech Solutions has the luxury lighting option for you! Soltech is offering BAGR listeners 20% off with code "20BLOOM" at soltechsolutions.com once again thats soltechsolutions.com and code 20BLOOM at checkout for 20%off.

Wallygro

Wallygro just launched it's "greenwall in a box" WALLY KITS that are everything you need to plant up their Eco or Loop planters: the plants, the potting mix, the fertilizer, and of course... the pots! It's the perfect gift for the holidays that you can order on your couch!! Check out the Wallygro Kits and pick the best one for you! Wallygro is offering BAG listeners 15% off for a limited time only so redeem this code if you are interested ASAP! BLOOM15 for the Wally Plant Kits active for Dec.15 to Dec. 29.

 

Follow Nick

Instagram: @farmernickynyc

https://www.farmernicknyc.com/

Grow Green Newsletter- you can join on the homepage of his website

 

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
21 Sep 2021Designing and Revitalizing a Garden in a New Home01:05:36

2020 had us all looking at our homes and asking ourselves if our current lifestyles were truly working for us or if it was time for a change. Billy and I desired more space, more nature, and a new opportunity to grow, which is why we moved upstate. An interesting question rose up when we moved and stared at our new surroundings and new gardening zone with a bit of overwhelm: now what? I've heard this question from so many members of our community who also made a big move, purchased a new home, and are looking at their new landscapes with wide eyes and lots of questions.

In this episode, I invited Stephen Orr, editor of one of my favorite magazines and a gardener going through this process himself, to join me for a conversation about his journey to rejuvenating and experimenting with his new garden, or gardens, in his new home in Cape Cod. Can't wait to learn with you!

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party!

Join us in the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet: our private community platform and app with dedicated conversation topics, quarterly meet ups, regional groups and the ability to find plant friends near you and so much more!

Join the Garden Party and become a Plant Friend!

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,

so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!

In this episode we learn:

  • [00:00:57] Introducing Stephen
  • [00:05:20] Why Maria is obsessed with Better Homes and Gardens
  • [00:06:30] How Stephen’s parents influenced him to be a plant person
  • [00:09:42] Popular houseplants in the 70s according to Stephen’s mom’s collection
  • [00:15:16] Why it’s important to identify the soil type in your garden
  • [00:17:35] Animal pressure and other factors to consider when looking for a new home with a garden
  • [00:20:01] How to prepare your new garden for the seasons
  • [00:22:13] Know which plants work best for your garden through your neighborhood
  • [00:23:44] How to preserve old gardens and rejuvenate lilacs
  • [00:25:27] Things to keep in mind when moving into a house with history
  • [00:27:03] Where to get efficient and stylish grow lights for your home
  • [00:28:21] How to have garlic all year round
  • [00:29:54] How to transform a sandy area into a gravel garden
  • [00:32:07] The best plants for seaside gardens
  • [00:32:58] How to train plants to thrive in difficult conditions
  • [00:35:51] Conducting your own garden research
  • [00:37:06] Where to begin when starting a new garden in a new home
  • [00:38:44] Common mistakes new homeowners make with their garden
  • [00:39:41] How to avoid new home overwhelm
  • [00:41:29] Stephen’s garden experiments: raised beds and a mini meadow
  • [00:46:01] How to do seed sowing successfully
  • [00:48:33] Checking your soil on your first year gardening
  • [00:50:10] How to rejuvenate your flowering plants
  • [00:52:33] What NOT to do on your first gardening year
  • [00:53:47] Stephen’s recommended culinary herbs to plant in your garden
  • [01:00:46] Stephen shares a nice little note about being Better Homes and Gardens editor
  • [01:04:00] Maria’s BIG news!

Mentioned in our conversation:


Thank you to our episode sponsors:

SolTech Solutions

Soltech Solutions recently launched the Greenfi bundle with their new Vita LED Grow Bulb: a bulb that screws into any light fixture. Greenfit your home and get four Vita Grow Light Bulbs for the price of 3, no coupon code necessary! Head over to soltechsolutions.com and check out their bundles of lights and lighting accessories for up to 20% off!

Territorial Seed Company

Territorial Seed Co provides high-quality seeds and plants (over 2000 varieties) that are tried and tested on their 75-acre farm and have a ton of fall varieties for us to try! Most of us think of the gardening season as spring and summer, but with the right timing and varieties for your location, you can grow year-round! Territorial Seed Company carries lots of varieties to start in summer and harvest in late fall, winter, and even over winter. For seeds, plants, online garden planner, how-to videos and more, visit TerritorialSeed.com and use code BLOOM10 for 10% off on your first order.

Follow Stephen:

Instagram

Buy Stephen's books: Tomorrow's Garden and the The New American Herbal,

Check out Better Homes & Gardens

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
14 Apr 2020Fundamentals of Vegetable Gardening01:00:09

So excited to welcome Toby Adams, the Director of the Edible Academy for the New York Botanical Garden onto the show to talk all things vegetable gardening!

The NYBG Edible Academy is a state-of-the-art educational facility featuring hands-on activities and innovative programs that help children, families, teachers, and the general public learn about growing and preparing vegetables, fruit, and herbs while encouraging a lifelong interest in gardening, nutrition awareness, and environmental stewardship. Toby has worked at the NYBG for almost 20 years, and has a passion for helping people understand how to grow food- as you’ll see in our interview.

We don't talk a lot of about herbs because I've already done an Herb Garden 101 episode with a horticulturalist from NYBG on another episode! If you are interested in growing herbs check out Episode 22: Windowsill Herb Gardening 101

I’ve been taking a lot of online courses in this time of isolation and spending a lot of time focusing on what I will grow on my tiny balcony garden this spring and summer. The New York Botanical Garden has an unbelievable array of online courses and even have a Horticulture Certificate degree you can complete! I've taken several NYBG courses and am totally hooked! The first course I took was Fundamentals of Gardening and I’m currently enrolled in the virtual Soil Science 101 class. Plant friends… I am loving these classes so much, as I’m finding they are teaching me the underlying reasons behind so many basic plant care techniques I know.

Learn with me! I’ll be taking Intro to Plant Science with the NYBG  starting April 23rd and I’d love for you to join me! I cannot WAIT to dive into the scientific processes our plants go through that I don’t quite understand and would love to have you in class with me!

In case this episode gets you excited and you want to learn more about vegetable gardening, they also have four virtual courses focusing on vegetable gardening coming up!

  • Rooftop Gardening (Starts April 22)
  • Mastering the Art of Tomato Gardening (April 23)
  • Vegetable Gardening Saturday (April 25)
  • Super Small Space Veggie Gardening (Starts April 28)

In this episode we learn:

  • Maria's overview of the main takeaways she took from her Fundamentals of Gardening Class
  • Annual vs Perennial
  • Compost vs Mulch
  • Basic Garden Design Strategies
  • What is the Edible Academy at NYBG and how is it reconnect kids with food
  • What are the Fundamentals of Vegetable Gardening
    • Understanding what you want to grow
    • Understanding what you CAN grow
    • Understanding your growing conditions
  • The pluses and minuses to container gardening vs bed gardening
  • Best soil to use for vegetables and herbs
  • How to assess your garden sunlight
  • General fertilizing guidelines
  • Easy to grow Spring edibles: Lettuce, Radishes, Sugar Snap Peas
  • Easy to grow Summer edibles: tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, beans
  • What not to grow (and why)
  • Why everyone should try vegetable gardening this year

Mentioned in the episode:

Take the Plant Parent Personality Test!:  Unlock your Plant Parent Potential by taking the test below and get curated recommendations for plants, projects and resources inspired by your lifestyle.

NYBG Online Courses

  • Intro to Plant Science (Starts April 23 and I'll be taking it!)
  • Rooftop Gardening (Starts April 22)
  • Mastering the Art of Tomato Gardening (April 23)
  • Vegetable Gardening Saturday (April 25)
  • Super Small Space Veggie Gardening (Starts April 28)

All of NYBG's virtual content, including a link to online classes, can be accessed through NYBG at Home

USDA Hardiness Zones: enter your zip code in the map here to find yours!

Soil Testing: find your local cooperative agent for testing guidelines

Thank you to this week's episode sponsors!

For more information on Modern Sprout's amazing *NEW* line of indoor grow lights and adorable and innovative hydroponic grow kits, seed starter kits, seed pops, planty accessories and more visit www.modernsprout.com and use code "15BLOOM" at checkout for 15% off. 

For responsibly made, fabulous indoor and outdoor organic soils, fertilizers, pest control sprays and more visit espoma.com to find your local dealer or check out my amazon storefront of my favorite Espoma products here.

Follow The New York Botanical Garden:

IG: www.instagram.com/nybg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NYBotanicalGarden/

www.nybg.org

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Take the Plant Parent Personality Test!:  Unlock your Plant Parent Potential by taking the test below and get curated recommendations for plants, projects and resources inspired by your lifestyle.

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

 



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
24 Dec 2024Carnivorous Plants: The Houseplant Pest Control You Never Thought Of01:01:59

Plant friends, did you know your houseplants can double as pest control? Carnivorous plants don’t just survive—they hunt. Venus flytraps can snap down on unsuspecting flies, while pitcher plants lure bugs into their slippery traps. These carnivorous plants themselves are nature’s own pest management system.

So I’ve brought on a guest who knows everything there is to know about them: Kenny Coogan, the head of education at the International Carnivorous Plant Society.

Kenny has been growing carnivorous plants for about 20 years, and about five years ago, he joined the ICPS as the education director. He quit his day job and turned his passion into his profession, running a carnivorous plant nursery in Florida. As he puts it, "Carnivorous plants are my life."


In this episode, we learn:

  • [01:47] What’s not to love about carnivorous plants?
  • [04:52] Who is Kenny?
  • [08:01] Some facts about Venus flytraps
  • [09:57] What is a carnivorous plant?
  • [12:54] Where do we find carnivorous plants outdoors?
  • [15:36] Don’t let your houseplants wither this winter with Soltech Growlights!
  • [16:57] Nourish your houseplants with Espoma Organic’s gentle and premium fertilizers!
  • [18:57] What triggers carnivorous plants’ dormancy?
  • [19:57] What carnivorous plants do to their prey
  • [24:17] Specific care for temperate carnivorous plants
  • [27:31] Specific care for tropical carnivorous plants
  • [32:43] Can you feed carnivorous plants hamburger? (how to hand-feed them)
  • [36:41] Trigger mechanism of Venus flytraps
  • [38:48] How much light do Venus flytraps love?
  • [42:58] What are the best houseplant-friendly carnivorous plants?
  • [48:26] Watering and potting tips for carnivorous plants
  • [50:30] Common mistakes and troubleshooting

 

Mentioned in our conversation:


For carnivorous plants' care basics and feeding tips,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

 

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Soltech Solutions

Check them out at soltechsolutions.com and get 15% off with code "bloom15".

Espoma Organic

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.


Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
02 Jan 2018Plant Side Chat #1: Bloom and Grow at Your Own Rate00:08:31

First part of the Plant Side Chat series where we will explore the lessons learned from caring for plants. Today's topic: Bloom and Grow at Your Own Rate.



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
11 May 2023Check out the Decorating Tips and Tricks Podcast!00:03:02

Did you love this weeks episode with Kelly from Decorating Tips and Tricks on Interior Design Trends for your Garden? If so, listen to her trailer, and go check out the Decorating Tips and Tricks Podcast and subscribe!



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
17 Sep 2024I Moved 80+ Plants Across the Country: Here's What I Learned00:36:02

I don’t know how I survived moving all 80 of my houseplants across 1500 miles from New York to South Florida with my husband and our parakeet in our rented minivan. It was quite an adventure, and I learned so much along the way. Despite all the chaos, I only lost two and a half plants, which is an achievement! My husband got an amazing job opportunity. I am fully digital with my business. We wanted to move closer to family. So we decided to go for it!


In this episode, we learn:

  • [01:18] Why moving with houseplants is challenging
  • [04:05] How does mindset influence the moving process?
  • [05:51] Moving preparations and logistics!
  • [08:20] Why minivans are a must for your plants!
  • [09:53] What is the best way to pack your plants?
  • [15:17] Bring a touch of home to your new space with a soothing Wind River Chime!
  • [16:44] Learn how to create stunning bouquets with Lisa Ziegler’s Cut Flower Handbook!
  • [18:26] What was the three-day road trip like?
  • [22:39] Unpacking plants and settling into our new home!
  • [23:02] How did the first 10 days go for our plants?
  • [25:17] Simplify your move and your gardening with Crescent Garden TrueDrop self-watering planters
  • [27:22] Adjusting to our new Florida home!
  • [29:35] How we lost 2 plants during our move :(
  • [31:26] How transplant shock is affecting me


Mentioned in our conversation:


For a complete rundown of my New York to Florida move,

check out the full show notes and blog here!


Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Wind River Chimes

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on your chosen wind chimes.

Quarto: The Cut Flower Handbook by Lisa M Ziegler

Pick up The Cut Flower Handbook at your favorite local bookstore, quarto.com, bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble or amazon.com.

Crescent Garden

For a limited time only, head to growingjoywithmaria.com/crescentgarden and use code GROWJOY15 to curate your dream garden today.


Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
08 Oct 201976: Hydroponic Gardening 10101:00:21

Very excited to welcome Rob from Farm.One to the podcast today for a conversation about beginners Hydroponics. Rob is doing Hydroponic Gardening at an incredibly high level at Farm.One- a hydroponic, vertical farm that grows rare and exotic produce indoors, year-round, pesticide- free in a basement in NYC. I met Rob last year when I was fortunate enough to tour Farm.One and was blown away by the concept of the business and the set up. I think a lot of us are very curious about hydroponic gardening, and experimenting with growing edibles indoors- and as winter is approaching… we might be interested in having an indoor gardening project to ward off the winter blues!

In this episode we learn:

  • How and why Rob created Farm.One
  • What is Hydroponic Gardening
  • Hydroponic Vs Aquaponic Vs Semi Hydro Gardening
  • What a basic hydroponic set up looks like for a DIY plant parent
  • Existing systems that one can buy to just plug and grow
  • Materials needed for a basic hydroponic set up
  • Why you need a “bubbler” for your hydro set up
  • Nutrients- what is important and what isn’t
  • Why EC and PH are important for your water supply (and what they are)
  • How to test your water
  • Pre-made Hydroponic Set Ups you can buy

 

 

Mentioned in today's episode

Visit the Bloom and Grow Radio Amazon Storefront for the Hydroponic Materials mentioned in today's episode! http://bit.ly/BAGRhydroponics

 

 

Thank you to today's episode sponsors!

Soltech Solutions makes luxury grow lights that look like high end modern light fixtures with cutting edge grow spectrum for houseplants and dwarf fruiting trees. I have three of their Aspect pendant lights in my apartment and love the launch of the new Highland Track Light System! For 15% off a light of your own, visit soltechsolutions.com and use code "Bloom15" at checkout.

 

 

Follow Rob and Farm.One

Website: https://farm.one

Instagram: @farm.one

 

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
23 Mar 2021Understanding Hardiness Zones, Frost Dates and Microclimates in the Garden, #11800:54:08

I’ve always known that Hardiness Zones and Frost Dates are important to planning your outdoor garden… but plant friend, I’ve never quite understood what they were or why they were so important. I’ve gotten as far as typing my zip code into the hardiness zone website, getting my “number” and then pretty much not doing anything with it. As I look to plan my first grown up garden this summer, I knew I needed help, so I asked Rochelle Greayer, of the renowned garden design website Pith & Vigor, who has years of garden design under her belt to help break all of these important concepts down for us, to better understand our outdoor environments. So many lightbulb moments in this episode let's dive right in. 

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,

so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!

In this episode we learn:

  • [04:46] What Maria has in store for fellow novice gardeners like her this summer!
  • [05:40] How Rochelle went from flying aircraft and satellites to a full-time garden designer
  • [08:34] What Rochelle loves about garden design—and Maria’s luxury spa biophilic experience
  • [10:00] The many careers you can get into if you want to pursue a plant profession
  • [11:26] Do plants really clean the air in your apartment? Maria discusses this hot topic circulating in the plant community
  • [13:10] The topics that Maria wants to understand about outdoor gardens
  • [13:49] What are hardiness zones? What are the pros and cons of the USDA Hardiness Zones?
  • [17:23] The difference between the USDA hardiness zones and the American Horticultural Society (AHS) Heat Zones
  • [18:39] What does a plant’s hardiness mean?
  • [19:20] Once you know your hardiness zone, how do you apply that information to your outdoor garden?
  • [21:11] Does hardiness matter for annual plants?
  • [21:58] How do frost dates differ from hardiness zones? What are frost dates actually for?
  • [23:10] Why it is important to know frost dates—beware of last frost!
  • [25:54] What’s more important between hardiness zone and frost dates?
  • [26:25] The best seeds, soil, and fertilizers for your indoor and outdoor garden this season!
  • [29:48] How to plan your garden with your hardiness zone and frost dates information
  • [31:02] Frost date hack: you can extend your growing season inside!
  • [32:31] Understanding how a plant supports itself during growing season
  • [35:06] What are the Sunset climate zones?
  • [36:58] Listener question #1: How much does microclimate affect your predicted garden zones? What is a microclimate?
  • [39:31] How do you know if you have a microclimate in the garden?
  • [41:06] Listener question #2: What methods can be used to push gardening zones, if a plant is hardy just outside your gardening zone?
  • [41:43] Why it’s important to pay attention to the environments in your garden
  • [44:44] Listener question #3: Have the zones changed because of climate change?
  • [46:49] Rochelle’s favorite piece of advice for those who want to try out garden design
  • [48:57] Rochelle’s gardening course for homeowners looking into improving their gardens
  • [50:26] The cool history behind Pith + Vigor’s name
  • [53:23] Maria’s plans for this seed season and how she’s applied this conversation to her garden planning

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

Thank you to our episode sponsor:

Territorial Seed Company

Thank you Territorial Seed Co for sponsoring today's episode! Territorial Seed Co provides high quality seeds and plants (over 2000 varieties) that are tried and tested on their 75 acre farm and have a ton of fall varieties for us to try! It's already time to start planning your 2021 garden! For seeds, plants, online garden planner, how to videos and more visit TerritorialSeed.com and use code BLOOM10 for 10% off.

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organics: for responsibly made, fabulous indoor and outdoor organic soils, fertilizers, pest control sprays and more visit espoma.com to find your local dealer or check out my amazon storefront of my favorite Espoma products here.

Follow Rochelle

Pith + Vigor: Website 

Instagram 

Classes (Affiliate link)

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
08 Aug 2019Season 4 Intro and What I’ve Learned Being Away from my Plants for 6 Months!00:28:35

Today I’m just intro’ing you to Season 4 and giving you my off the cuff update on what I’ve learned from being away from my plants for 6th months! Sharing recent life lessons, what’s bringing me joy lately and how I’ve been bringing my passion for plants on the road with me. Season 4 will officially launch Tuesday August 13th. Make sure you are subscribed to the podcast so you don’t miss one episode!

 

Check out the Bloom and Grow YOUTUBE show: http://bit.ly/BAGRyoutube

 

Become a Plant Friend of Bloom and Grow Radio on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bloomandgrowradio

 

 

Join the Bloom and Grow Mailing List: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

 

Buy some Bloom and Grow Radio Merch! http://bit.ly/BAGRPFA

 

Instructions for being on the Indoor Plant Appreciation Episode!

1) Call (267) 478-2521

2) Please spell your name and email at the beginning of the message so I can contact you!

3) Share your story in the voicemail! Share your favorite story regarding an indoor plant: whether its a fail, a win, a humble brag, or a story of #plantfriendsIRL- your choice!

**Tip: The google voice only allows for a 3 minute message, so you might want to write out your story, or jot some thoughts down on paper to allow for you to effectively tell your story without getting cut off. If your story requires more than 3 minutes, you can call back and leave back to back messages.



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
26 Feb 2020Bonus Episode! Herbal Mixology with Gardenuity, Katy Trail Vodka and HD Liquid Catering00:41:12

Thrilled to be bringing you the audio from the Live Taping on Herbal Mixology done in 2019 in Dallas at the Gardenuity HQ! The entire evening was built around my two favorite things: herbs and drinks! We had an amazing panel of female founders talking about how liquor and spirits are made (spoiler alert, they come from plants!), how to incorporate herbs and veggies into our cocktails and how to grow and select those plants! It's an amazing conversation with amazing women I'm thrilled to introduce you to! Meet the panelists Donna, Claudia and Chris!

Donna is the co-founder of Gardenuity: a company that ships container gardens right to your door. They take the stress and hustle out of growing your own food. Whether you are looking for a kitchen herb garden, peppers, tomatoes, carrots or a variety of seasonal herbs and vegetables, Gardenuity will make growing them to harvest super simple. They have a cocktail herb garden which Billy and I have had for a couple of years that would be a fun purchase if you get inspired after this episode! You can mention the code "Spring2020" will save $10 off of any order at Gardenuity.com - this will be valid until the end of June 2020.

Claudia is the cofounder of Katy Trail Vodka which is crafted by Silver Nickel Distillery, one of the first distilleries in the city of Dallas, TX since prohibition. All of their products are crafted, distilled and bottled in Dallas and are gluten free. They also use no artificial coloring or flavoring in their product which is a topic of our discussion on the panel.

Chris from HD Liquid Catering and Betty Cocktail is a master mixologist who moonlights are all of the hottest Dallas bars and consults for the new speakeasy being set up in the Texas Rangers Globe Life Park and her own company Betty Cocktail- her motto is “if you can dream it (with alcohol)… we can do it! She works with service industry workers and home enthusiasts to curate cocktails, craft cocktail menus, elevate home bars, bartender training and more. She joined us today representing HD Liquid Catering which is Dallas’s premier full service bar catering company, and co-founders Heather and Don have over 30 years of experience in the event industry. They are highly respected across Texas, and you can see their amazing work on their IG page @hdliquidcater. Chris has her hands in allllllll the mixology pots in the Dallas scene, but she is just the coolest gal, an empowerer of women and an all around lady boss.

** just to be clear, when we refer to "edibles" in this podcast, it refers to edible vegetables and herbs... nothing regarding Cannabis. Edible plants and veggies are what we are talking about adding to our drinks! **

 

In this episode we learn:

  • How liquors are made (from plants!)
  • How vodka is made and what distilling is
  • Strategies for shopping for liquor at the store
  • Importance of natural flavorings
  • Best starter cocktail herbs
  • Basic herb care
  • History of mixology
  • Tips for a beginner to make a great cocktail
  • Suggestions for herb/liquor pairings
  • How to incorporate herbs into cocktails: infused syrups and alcohols, garnishes and salt rims
  • Mocktail ideas

 

Follow Gardenuity:

** Spring gardens are shipping nationally! You can mention the code "Spring2020" will save $10 off of any order at Gardenuity.com - this will be valid until the end of June 2020 **

Website: gardenuity.com

IG: @gardenuity

Follow Katy Trail Vodka:

Website: katytrailvodka.com

IG: @katytrailvodka

Follow Chris and HQ Liquid Catering

Website: hdliquidcatering.com

IG: @hdliquidcater

Betty Cocktail (Chris's personal business): bettycocktail.com

IG: @bettycocktail

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
22 Mar 2022How to Start a Product Based Planty Business plus a big announcement with Samantha from Hemleva01:18:34

Plant friends, this has been in the works for almost two years and I am so excited to finally be able to share it with you! Two YEARS of quietly working on a very special project with our guest, and not being able to talk about it! We will dive more into this project in the second half of this episode, but more importantly, we get to know Samantha Leung. Samantha, the founder of the well-known plant brand Hemleva, is the real deal. She's so freaking smart, she's kind, she's generous, she's honest, and she’s built her business with such integrity and hustle and grown a thriving business that creates botanically inspired products. In this episode, we are so lucky to be joined by Samantha to learn how she got to where she is now, and I’ve been lucky enough to have gotten to know her offline over the last year because we’ve been working on a very special project! Find out what it is in the ep!

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!

The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.

Click here to join us!

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,

so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!

In this episode we learn:

  • [01:27] What to expect from this episode
  • [04:26] How one woman’s jewelry collection was used to make diplomatic history
  • [05:41] What was Samantha’s first-ever product?
  • [06:28] How Samantha got started with pins
  • [08:44] Why are plants important to Samantha?
  • [10:28] How plants carry our memories with them
  • [12:26] Where did Hemleva get its name from and what does it mean?
  • [15:10] What was Hemleva’s first year in business like?
  • [17:50] How did Samantha go about Hemleva’s logistics and business requirements?
  • [20:04] What other crafts has Samantha tried building a business for?
  • [23:02] Maria shares some of the challenges as a woman entrepreneur
  • [26:15] How does Samantha handle her entrepreneur days?
  • [27:42] Where to get the high-quality vegetable plants this season
  • [29:17] The best indoor and outdoor gardening products for you and your pets
  • [31:47] How does Samantha ideate, develop, and execute a product?
  • [33:56] What tools does Samantha use to create a product?
  • [35:27] How does Samantha source people and businesses she works with?
  • [37:49] What does the process or ordering samples look like for Hemleva?
  • [39:36] How does Samantha decide her inventory?
  • [41:00] How profit margins differ in different business categories
  • [44:19] In what ways is Hemleva structured to give back to different organizations?
  • [45:57] What does One Percent for the Planet do?
  • [47:56] What does work-life balance look like for Samantha?
  • [50:47] How to figure out your own workflow and work schedule
  • [52:37] How baking helps Samantha with her focus
  • [54:24] Maria and Samantha’s very special collaboration!
  • [56:26] Asking Samantha to illustrate the book cover
  • [01:00:20] Samantha shares her experience illustrating her first book
  • [01:03:32] Growing Joy merch collection with Hemleva!
  • [01:04:44] Your official invitation to the Growing Joy launch celebration
  • [01:06:09] How to join the Growing Joy giveaway for a free book!
  • [01:07:54] Samantha shares a juicy sneak peek of Growing Joy
  • [01:10:56] Sisterhood of The Traveling Plants
  • [01:11:58] How Samantha inspires Maria
  • [01:13:29] Maria’s reflections on writing a book and running a podcast

Mentioned in our conversation:


Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Territorial Seed Company

Excited for this year's growing season? If you’re looking for plants for your garden, skip the lines at the garden center and let Territorial Seed Company deliver top-of-the-line, healthy and hardy vegetable plants right to your door! They have a great line of pre-grown plants, an expansive seed catalog, and over 40 years of experience delivering the best seeds and plants for everyone's garden. They are offering an exclusive discount just for listeners of Bloom & Grow Radio, use code GROW10 to get 10% off your first order. Order now at territorialseed.com

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To learn more about their pet safe indoor and outdoor gardening products, visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.


Follow Samantha: 

Website

Instagram

Pinterest

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
17 Dec 2024How to Work with The Winter Equinox01:00:28

As the winter solstice–or the longest night of the year–approaches, how does it reflect and represent you? This is the season of dormancy, a time when plants, the earth, and even we are drawn to rest, recharge, and prepare for growth. In this final installment of our 2024 seasonal sessions, on the pod once again is my dear friend and our resident green witchRachael of Our Infinite Nature. She shared with me how the winter solstice can help us honor cycles of rest and renewal. It was a lovely way to end a year of seasonal explorations, covering everything from the practical ways we can live in harmony with the season to what the quiet time of winter can teach us.


In this episode, we learn:

  • [03:55] What is the cyclical nature of life?
  • [05:38] How to rebrand winter inside ourselves
  • [10:38] How does the earth respond to winter?
  • [13:48] How to prepare your winter garden
  • [15:25] Give your plants the sunlight, even on the coldest days, with Soltech Grow Lights!
  • [16:47] Find peace in the chaos with personalized Wind River Chimes!
  • [19:26] Why focus on your inner growth
  • [23:06] Astrological guide to winter solstice (Capricorn season)
  • [29:39] Shop exclusive garden gifts and essentials at Gardener's Supply Company!
  • [30:45] How to honor the winter solstice
  • [37:08] What is the role of our nervous system?
  • [39:19] Rest and digest
  • [42:02] Winter solstice visualization/meditation
  • [55:53] Where can you follow Rachael?


Mentioned in our conversation:


For Rachael's insightful recommendations on navigating the new season,

check out the full show notes and blog here!


Follow Rachael:

Website

Instagram

TikTok

Facebook

YouTube


Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Soltech Solutions

Check them out at soltechsolutions.com and get 15% off with code "bloom15".

Wind River Chimes

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on your chosen wind chimes.

Gardener's Supply

Discover your garden favorites and exclusive innovations at gardeners.com and use code GROWINGJOY for free shipping.


Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
21 Jan 2025Easy Houseplant Care, Houseplant Pest Control, and Motherhood and Plants00:51:09

If you’re a plant lover, you’ve probably come across Chantel, the brilliant mind behind @channygrayhome on Instagram. Over the past few years, she has built a community of over half a million plant enthusiasts. But there’s so much more to her than her incredible follower count.

In this episode, I’ll take you behind the scenes of my chat with Channy—where we talked about her plant history, her love for DIYs, her big move from the Arizona desert to lush Iowa, and how she juggles being a plant mom and a mom to three kids.


In this episode, we learn:

  • [03:15] How Channy and I met at a Botanical Garden
  • [07:28] What has Channy’s plant journey been like?
  • [15:14] Add serenity to your life in 2025 and beat the winter blues with Wind River Chimes!
  • [16:56] Start your kitchen garden today by grabbing a copy of Kitchen Garden Living by Bailey Van Tassel
  • [19:10] What does pest prevention mean for Channy?
  • [21:12] Channy’s new plant soap for pest control!
  • [23:57] What does a bubble bath for plants look like?
  • [25:07] How to balance motherhood and plant care
  • [28:17] Top tips to make plant care easy and fun!
  • [30:06] Decorating with plant cuttings
  • [32:03] Lechuza pon vs LECA
  • [33:54] How did Channy get into DIY projects?
  • [35:30] Moving to Iowa and preparing for changes
  • [38:02] What does Channy’s family think of her plant collection?
  • [40:38] What it feels like to have 500k+ followers
  • [43:00] What are her future plans for Channy Gray Home?
  • [44:30] Where can you find Channy on social media?


Mentioned in our conversation:


Learn more about Channy's top houseplant care tips,

check out the full show notes and blog here!


Follow Channy Gray Home:

Website

Shop

Instagram

Facebook

TikTok


Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Espoma Organic

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Quarto: The Water-Smart Garden by Noelle Johnson

Grab a copy of Kitchen Garden Living at your favorite local bookstore, bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, Quarto.com, or Amazon.com to get inspired and grow organically.


Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
11 Jan 2021Trailer: Bloom and Grow Radio Podcast00:01:30

Learn to care for plants successfully and cultivate more joy in your life with episodes of the Bloom and Grow Radio Podcast.

Ever killed a houseplant before? Host Maria Failla can relate. That’s why she interviews planty experts to get answers to the plant care questions we all have, but might be nervous to ask: like what the heck IS bright indirect light? What is soil and potting mix made up of? Or What IS the best way to water my plants?

Tune in to stop killing your plants, learn how to get them to thrive and most importantly, how plants can help us grow a little more joy in our lives while we “Keep Blooming and Keep Growing”!

Subscribe to the show on iTunes or your preferred podcast player so you never miss an episode

Not sure where to start? Check out the Bloom and Grow Radio Episode Catalogue where all the episodes are broken down by genre: Individual Plant Care, General Plant Care, Nerdy Plant Science, Plants & Wellness, Gardening & more!

Want more Bloom and Grow Content?

Check out the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show for companion videos and tours of Maria's collections and Planty Projects

Follow @bloomandgrowradio on IG for daily planty inspiration.

Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Test to unlock your inner plant parent potential with recommended plants, planty projects and podcast episodes tailored specifically for your personality

Become a Patreon Plant Friend and support Bloom and Grow Radio for less than a fancy coffee a month! 



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
16 Apr 2019How to Identify a Plant with No Name Tag00:50:09

Plant Friends, I’m so excited to welcome Summer Rayne Oakes of Homestead Brooklyn back on the show to talk about an issue we’ve all probably run into: finding a plant you love at a garden shop or nursery that doesn’t have a name tag… and what to do! We’ve learned through out these episodes that one of the most important things we can do as plant parents is to find out what kind of light and humidity our homes get, and to bring plants home that will thrive in our unique indoor environments. So… how are you supposed to be able to do this if you don't know what the plant is!? I know this is an issue I’ve come across and thought Summer Rayne would be the perfect person to chat about the general clues we could get from looking at a plant, that might lead us to get a general idea for the light and care it may need.

Disclaimer: obviously we speak in generalities here, there will always be an exception to the rule, BUT it’s great to arm ourselves with as much general knowledge as humanly possible, to zoom out and understand the bigger picture. Summer Rayne also recently launched an amazing online houseplant master class which I took, and we chat about it at the end of the episode!

 

In this episode we learn:

  • How to handle finding a plant you like in a garden shop but not having a name tag on it
  • Understanding how the plants are cared for in the garden center and what that transition is like for them
  • How to “zoom out” and look at a plant more holistically, to better empower ourselves to understand plants without being dependent on a care card
  • Key indicators to help you under that care a plant requires

 

Thank you Summer Rayne for a wonderful chat. I hope this conversation might help you plant friends zoom out and understand more general cues we can take to understand plant care, and not rely solely on a care card. If you are looking to take your plant knowledge to the next level, I highly recommend Summer Raynes course! You can sign up using my affiliate code here- that means that a portion of the sale will go to supporting Bloom and Grow Radio!

http://bit.ly/SROmasterclass

 

Thank you to Mountain Crest Gardens for sponsoring this episode. If you are looking for high quality succulents shipped to your door, check out mountaincrestgardens.com/bloom to get your discount code for 15% your first purchase. The variety of succulents they have is unbelievable and their shipping packing is incredible! Go give them a look at mountaincrestgardens.com/bloom for 15% off.

 

Check out the Bloom and Grow Plant Friend Apparel line! http://bit.ly/plantfriendsapparel

 

Join us in SAN DIEGO this week on Saturday April 20th at 10 am at Barrels & Branches Nursery for a DIY Make Your Own Succulent Crown Tutorial as we do a LIVE TAPING! https://www.barrelsandbranches.com/events/diy-succulent-crown-workshop



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
15 Oct 2019Ep 77: "Semi" or "Passive" Hydroponics 101 with Kay from @inrootedlove00:56:20

Today’s episode is exciting for me to share with you because the topic was something I was completely confused and bewildered by: this “semi-hydro” craze. Semi Hydro- (which is not a correct term, it’s actually called “passive hydro” standing for “passive hydroponics”) is the growing practice of using LECA balls, which are puffed clay balls that look like coco-puff cereal, to grow your houseplants. You’ve probably seen photos of this, where the plants look like they are buried in coco puffs or a bowl of olives). Plant Friends, I did NOT get this trend. Or how it worked. But I started seeing more and more photos from trusted plant friends who use them, and kept getting more and more questions from you guys about it. Enter Kay, of the instagram account @inrootedlove, who has kept over a hundred houseplants thriving in this passive hydroponic system for a year and a half. Plant Friends… I’m slowly becoming a believer. After my conversation with Kay, I transferred my orchid and the top of a pilea peperomiodes that I accidentally broke off into LECA and I can’t believe how happy the orchid has been so far, and the pilea rooted in under a week. I documented my experiment with setting them up in LECA on the Youtube channel if you are interested in checking it out.

Like last weeks hydroponics episode, this Passive Hydroponic set up could be a really fun way for someone looking for a planty project for the winter, or maybe for the plant parent that just hates potting soil (or maybe has a partner that hates potting soil). Passive Hydro also seems to be a great option for a plant parent that likes to get their inner mad scientist on- because as you’ll learn, you are totally in control of mixing nutrient solutions for the plant. Whatever you plant parent personality is, this was a really interesting conversation and has been a really fun planty experiment for me that I hope inspires you to continue playing around with your indoor jungle!

 

In this episode we learn:

  • What is "semi hydro" aka "passive Hydroponics"
  • How Kay became the LECA Plant Lady she is today
  • How Semi Hydro works
  • What are LECA balls
  • What materials do you need to have a LECA set up
  • How does a beginner make their first LECA set up
  • How expensive is this hobby?
  • How to fertilize
  • What products Kay uses in her home
  • Pest management for a semi hydro set up

 

Mentioned in this episode:

Dallas Live Taping: Herbal Mixology with Gardenuity! http://bit.ly/gardenuityBAGR

Bloom and Grow “Passive or Semi Hydro” Amazon Store: http://bit.ly/bagrsemihydro

Maria sets up her orchid and pilea cutting in LECA on Youtube: http://bit.ly/BAGRSemiHydroYoutube

 

 

Thank you to today's episode sponsors!

Osea Malibu is the original plant-based, non toxic skincare derived from seaweed plant friends- it doesn’t get more planty than that!!! Each product is infused with sustainably-sourced, organic Patagonian seaweed and 
active botanicals that leave your skin feeling amazing. I LOVE their Ocean Cleanser, Atmosphere Cream and Argan Oil! Visit oseamalibu.com/bloomandgrow  and use code "bloomandgrow" for $10 off your purchase of $50 or more!

 

Soltech Solutions makes luxury grow lights that look like high end modern light fixtures with cutting edge grow spectrum for houseplants and dwarf fruiting trees. I have three of their Aspect pendant lights in my apartment and love the launch of the new Highland Track Light System! For 15% off a light of your own, visit soltechsolutions.com and use code Bloom15 at checkout.

 

Follow Kay:

Instagram: @inrootedlove

 

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
16 Jul 2024What is Regenerative Gardening and Permaculture?01:04:07

Have you ever come across the terms "regenerative gardening," "permaculture," or even "chaos gardening"? These are all over social media lately, but what do they actually mean? And more importantly, how can we use these practices to grow happier, healthier plants while also helping Mother Nature? Today's episode is a deep dive into all of this with my new plant friend, Stephanie Rose, founder of Garden Therapy and author of 12 books, who is so committed to helping you garden for at least five minutes a day to receive the benefits gardening can give us. Let's break it down!


In this episode, we learn:

  • [04:15] How Stephanie got into regenerative gardening and built Garden Therapy
  • [07:15] What is permaculture?
  • [09:46] What is the origin of Stephanie’s ‘charity garden’?
  • [14:55] Grow your dream garden with Gardener's Supply Company
  • [16:39] Sustainable gardening with high-quality products from Espoma Organic
  • [21:18] What is chaos gardening?
  • [24:32] Regenerative gardening vs permaculture
  • [26:36] What is the ‘no-till’ method?
  • [29:34] Try Crescent Garden's self-watering planters
  • [32:15] What is hügelkultur?
  • [35:00] What is the relationship between lasagna garden and hügelkultur?
  • [36:51] The difference between a regenerative approach to soil and a basic gardener's approach to soil?
  • [38:44] Different water conservation methods for regenerative gardening
  • [42:11] How does intensive planting benefit gardeners?
  • [48:09] Why do regenerative gardens tend to have fewer pests?
  • [51:26] Regenerative projects that Stephanie has planned for her new house?
  • [58:47] Where can you find Stephanie online?


Mentioned in our conversation:


For Stephanie's regenerative gardening tips,

check out the full show notes and blog here!


Follow Stephanie:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Pinterest

Twitter

YouTube

TikTok


Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Gardener's Supply

Discover your garden favorites and exclusive innovations at gardeners.com and use code GROWINGJOY for free shipping.

Espoma Organic

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Crescent Garden

Head to growingjoywithmaria.com/crescentgarden and use code GROWJOY15 to curate your dream garden today.


Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
20 Sep 20223 Easy DIY Houseplant Projects to Utilize Vertical Space01:08:54

Are you running out of space for your plants? Growing your plant collection can be quite the challenge when all your countertops, tablespace and even floorspace have been populated with your plant babies. Don’t fret any longer, plant friends, as we got the most beautiful and mess-free DIY projects for you to make the most out of your vertical space at home! In this episode, learn alongside me as Erin Harding of @houseplantclub and @cleverbloom gives us step-by-step tutorials on three amazing yet easy DIYs for your vertical garden.

In this episode, we learn:

  • [00:25] Maria’s eureka moment for this episode!
  • [01:53] Updates on country living and hummingbirds
  • [05:06] Welcome, new Garden Party members!
  • [06:57] The easiest way to compost your food scraps
  • [11:06] Who is Erin and how did Clever Bloom and Houseplant Club get started?
  • [15:14] On the importance of evolving with your plant collection
  • [18:26] Erin and Morgan’s brilliant first and second books
  • [22:12] How Erin curated her personal aesthetic and developed her passion for DIY
  • [24:56] Why accessibility and variety encourage people to DIY
  • [27:22] Why you should use vertical space for your plants
  • [31:40] How to make a modern beaded macrame plant hanger
  • [35:15] The best and most stylish grow lights for your home
  • [37:14] Where to get humidifiers for your home and for your health!
  • [39:37] Different ways to customize your macrame plant hanger
  • [44:41] Step-by-step tutorial of DIY air plant driftwood piece
  • [48:03] Watering your air plants in your DIY driftwood plant accessory
  • [50:09] What is a kokedama and how does it work?
  • [52:04] What are ideal plants to use in a kokedama?
  • [53:38] How to make your own kokedama
  • [55:59] Bringing natural beauty into your home through DIY projects
  • [01:00:12] Erin’s favorite DIY project in her latest book
  • [01:03:20] Where to find Erin (and Morgan!) online
  • [01:04:53] A friendly reminder for this fall season


Mentioned in our conversation:


For the step-by-step tutorials of these 3 DIY projects...

visit the full show notes and blog here!


Follow Erin: 

House Plant Club Instagram

Clever Bloom website

Clever Bloom Instagram

Planting Pink Etsy

Planting Pink website

Planting Pink Instagram

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
25 Sep 2018Episode 37: Horticultural Therapy01:02:05

I have been so moved by many of you who have reached out to me sharing how caring for your plants has helped you walk through or live with a variety of tough things, whether its loss of a loved one, post partum depression, PTSD or other issues. As someone who has dealt with depression, I just want to say that I’m here with you and your messages resonate so much with me. It’s made me think a lot about Horticultural Therapy, the practice of it, what it actually is and the people that use it today. I’m so thankful to have had not one but TWO wonderful guests for this episode to shine a light on Horticultural Therapy and the practices that help heal through plants.

Barb Kreski is the Director of the Horticultural Therapy Department at the Chicago Botanic Garden and she joins us to discuss the ins and outs of what Horticultural Therapy actually is, how to get certified in it and how it is practiced at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The Chicago Botanic Garden has the oldest Horticultural Therapy program in the country and was founded by Barb’s mentor, Gene Rothert, who was a pioneer of the Horticultural Therapy practice.

Eve Minson is the Healing Gardens Coordinator at The Center for Discovery. The Center for Discovery is a major research and specialty center that offers residential, medical, clinical and special education programs. I personally know about the amazing work they do at Center for Discovery because my best friends sister was born with Cerebral Palsy and has been a full time resident at the facility for most of her life. The work they do at the Center is truly remarkable. They take horticultural therapy to the next level, with their “Food as Medicine” belief and their healing gardens that are an integral part of their guests treatment. Eve joins us to talk about how they use plants to heal at the Center.

 

In the episode we learn:

- How Barb found Horticultural Therapy

- What Horticultural Therapy actually is

- The three theories of Horticultural Therapy

- How the stress reduction studies are actually measured

- How horticultural therapy is used and who can benefit from it

- What a horticultural therapy session at the Chicago Botanic Garden could look like

- The various HT programs at the Chicago Botanic Garden on and off site

- About The Center for Discovery and how they use plants to heal

For more info about The Chicago Botanic Garden Horticultural Therapy Program visit https://www.chicagobotanic.org/therapy

For more info about The Center for Discovery visit https://thecenterfordiscovery.org/

Listen to the Pause with Plants Podcast  for short, guided, plant based meditations.

Thank you to Gardenuity for sponsoring this episode! Gardenuity creates custom garden kits for you and your particular environment.They pair you with herbs and vegetables you can grow successfully in your zip code through their matching system and sets you up for success with their Gro Pro Service that gives you growing tips and advice to ensure you have a fantastic harvest. To see what seasonal herbs and vegetables you can grow right now, visit www.gardenuity.com and enter your zip code! Bloom and Grow Radio listeners can use code "BLOOM" at checkout to redeem a free gourmet Garden Inspired Salt to pair with your grow kit!



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
08 Jun 2023Check out the Bad Seeds Podcast!00:04:20

Introducing the Bad Seeds Podcast, by our dear friend, Summer Rayne Oakes!

Bad Seeds is a new podcast from School of Humans and iHeart Podcasts that investigates a growing area of crime that you might have never heard of: plant crime. Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, plant crime has been on the rise. From timber poaching in Zambia to cactus smuggling in the US' national parks, Bad Seeds explores a variety of cases where people have stolen plants - having huge repercussions on our environment and in turn...us.  

All of Bad Seeds' episodes are out now. You can listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Head over to subscribe and binge! 


iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-bad-seeds-112229352/

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bad-seeds/id1680791653

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1MsbtuahueZqPiGa5SA9Yn



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
01 Aug 2023How They Built a Million Dollar Company: Plantrepreneur Profile with Soltech01:21:02

Soltech has achieved remarkable success in recent years, growing from a small startup to a million-dollar business. For long-time listeners, you probably bought their grow lights already using my coupon code Bloom15, and I’m sure you love them as much as I do! And for those who haven’t, join me in this episode as we talk in-depth with Soltech’s founders and my dear plant friends—Chris, Mike, and Paul—about their remarkable journey, the challenges they overcame, and the strategies that propelled them to the pinnacle of success.


In this episode, we learn:

  • [06:13] Get to know the three people behind SolTech
  • [09:33] What is it like to create a multi-million dollar plant brand?
  • [11:28] Which came first, their friendship or the business?
  • [12:19] What role did plants play in their college lives?
  • [12:58] When did they realize the untapped potential and demand for high-quality grow lights
  • [15:58] The tale of Soltech grow lights
  • [19:17] Where can you find premium, handcrafted wind chimes that are perfect for gifting?
  • [24:03] Difficult sacrifices the founders had to make
  • [25:45] Living together and building Soltech
  • [26:52] What was their method of accountability and reinforcement for their shared vision?
  • [30:48] Reassuring signs of progress amid challenges and doubts
  • [34:19] How did community development become integral to Soltech?
  • [37:34] Low-cost strategies that resulted in significant results
  • [44:02] House plant grow lights vs. cannabis cultivation lights
  • [45:26] Why is manipulating the photosynthetic spectrum important in creating a full spectrum grow light?
  • [47:02] Why different plants require different colors in the spectrum
  • [49:12] New product launching soon: Grove LED bar light
  • [54:27] Tips for installing a grow light and ideal plant distance
  • [58:38] Obstacles and teachable moments
  • [01:08:13] What were some notable moments or achievements in the past year that Soltech's founders go "holy shit"?
  • [01:16:38] Where can you find Soltech on social media?


Mentioned in our conversation:


PRE-ORDER THE GROVE GROW BAR!

Curious about the ups and downs of starting a plant business?

Check out the full show notes and blog here!

PRE-ORDER THE GROVE GROW BAR!


Thank you to our episode sponsor:

Wind River Chimes

Bring more peace, serenity, and magic into your home with chimes. Wind River is a Virginia-based company creating premium handcrafted and hand-tuned wind chimes for over 35 years. If you are looking for a new way to grow joy in your life and find a moment of peace, a Wind River chime is the perfect addition for your home or garden. Plus, it's a perfect personalized gift for your loved ones!

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on all Corinthian Bells wind chimes.


Follow Soltech Solutions:

PRE-ORDER THE GROVE GROW BAR!

Website

Pinterest

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

Twitter

Facebook

LinkedIn


Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
13 Mar 2018Episode 18: Prepping Your Houseplant For Spring and the Science Behind Fertilizer With Chris Satch from The Sill01:02:15

I’m always excited to welcome Chris Satch from The Sill back to the show for our Plant Science Series. This week we discuss what we need to do to prepare our plants for Spring! Chris gives us the lowdown on pruning, trimming, fertilizing and repotting. We cover a LOT so get your pens out and take notes! This episode is for you if you want to make sure you set your plants up for success to bloom and grow in the springtime!

 

In this episode we learn: - How and why to prune to promote growth - How to properly wipe and care for leaves that are hurting from the dormancy of winter - What is deadheading and why we do it? - How to prune citrus - How and when to repot your plant - To trim the roots, or not to trim the roots? - The Science behind Fertilizer - Why it’s necessary and when to use it - Chemical vs Natural Fertilizer - What you should do if you want to make #plantfriendsIRL

Here is a link to purchase When Green Becomes Tomatoes by Julia Fogliano : http://amzn.to/2HrdDm5

 

Follow The Sill @thesill and www.thesill.com

Follow Bloom and Grow Radio @bloomandgrowradio and www.bloomandgrowradio.com



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
05 Nov 2019Episode 79: Variegation 101 with Chris Satch01:08:26

Thrilled to have the OG Botanical Bro of Bloom and Grow Radio, Chris Satch back today to discuss a very hot topic- Variegation. What the heck is it, why does it occur and how can we foster and encourage it in our plants. I love when Chris comes on the show because we always get nerdy, and this episode explains so much. I’m not going to say anything more about it- because the conversation speaks for itself.

Before we dive into the conversation, Chris has asked me to share some info about an upcoming event he is involved with and very passionate about. He is deeply involved with the Manhattan Orchid Society and they are putting on their annual orchid show in January. The link to the event is in the show notes- they are looking for donations and volunteers to help with the event. Bloom and Grow Radio has donated!

In this episode we learn:

  • What is variegation?
  • Why does it occur in nature?
  • Three different types of variegation: tissue, coloration and pathological
  • What mosaic virus is
  • How variegation occurs in the genes of a plant
  • Variegation vs Variation
  • Can you encourage variegation?
  • How does your plant care routine change for a variegated plant
  • Patreon Plant Friend and Listener questions!

Thank you to this weeks episode sponsors!

For more information on Modern Sprout's amazing line of indoor grow lights and adorable and innovative hydroponic grow kits, visit www.modernsprout.com and use code "BLOOM15" at checkout for 15% off.

For responsibly made, unbelievable indoor and outdoor organic soils, fertilizers, pest control sprays and more visit espoma.com to find your local dealer or check out my amazon storefront of my favorite Espoma products here.

 

Follow Chris Satch

Instagram: @botanictonic

Website: https://christophersatch.com/

Manhattan Orchid Society January Show! (volunteer and/or donate!)

 

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
18 Feb 2025The Transformative Power of Flower Essences: What Are Flower Essences and How Can They Help Me?00:56:22

Have you ever once thought about how flowers could do more than brighten your day? What if they could actually support your emotional well-being, reduce your stress, and even spark creativity? After 270+ episodes, this is my first time ordering a guest product right after the interview. Yes, I am on the flower essence bandwagon HARD after this interview.

But who wouldn't be after talking with Katie Hess, founder and flower alchemist of Lotuswei, a company dedicated to harnessing the essence of flowers to help us live more joyful lives? She’s an amazing educator and I learned so much in this conversation.


In this episode, we learn:

  • [04:41] How Katie started getting into the energetics of flowers
  • [06:10] The ripple effect of 3%
  • [08:12] What is a flower essence?
  • [09:46] Why are bees attracted to flowers?
  • [10:18] The concept of botanical wi-fi/flower wi-fi
  • [14:01] Our disconnection from nature
  • [15:48] Wind River Chimes
  • [17:30] Plants with Superpowers
  • [18:31] What is the human-flower connection?
  • [21:45] Validating flower essence information
  • [23:48] How do you study flower essence?
  • [27:31] How is a flower’s energetic code captured and distilled?
  • [30:32] The dilution process and its similarity with homeopathy
  • [33:02] Essential oil vs flower essence
  • [37:32] Most popular remedies and flowers that match
  • [41:25] How can you experiment with and experience flower essences?
  • [43:36] Take the flower essence test!
  • [45:27] Synergistic flower essence blends
  • [50:30] Flower essence that fits my lack of self-belief
  • [51:29] Where can you order your flower essence?


Mentioned in our conversation:


Want to find out which flower essence you can get started with?

Check out the full show notes and blog here!


Follow Lotuswei:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Youtube

Pinterest

X


Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Wind River Chimes

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on your chosen wind chimes.

Quarto: Plants with Superpowers by David Domoney

Pick up Plants with Superpowers at your local bookstore, bookshop.org, Barnes and Noble, quarto.com, or amazon.com. 


Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
07 Apr 2020Episode 88: Inspirational Stories and Ideas for Isolating Times:How to Help the Horticulture Industry Get Through00:33:19

Today's episode is simply me sharing things that are inspiring me in this weird time for our country. There is so much to be scared of, but so much to be thankful for and inspired by. A lot of people are feeling helpless and alone, and this is a list of ways that you can help those in need and yourself in the Age of Corona!

Resources Mentioned in Today's Episode:

#PlantOneForward Initiative

Summer Rayne Oakes' #plantoneforward initiative: Summer Rayne is encouraging everyone in our community to support local growers and plant shops by sending one plants to one person who could use cheering up in this moment: a loved one, a plant friend, or maybe even someone you've lost touch with. If you can afford to, this is a great way to help our beloved plant shops (and the growers that supply them) stay in business. I sent a thank you plant from @plantsbypost

From Summer Raynes' Blog post: "If even 100 of us do so, we’ll positively affect the lives of 300 people (you, the person who owns the shop, and the person you give the plant to); 300 becomes 900; 900 becomes 2,700; 2,700 becomes 8,100; 8,100 becomes 24,300; and so on and so forth. It’s simple acts such as these that not only help our communities—but also help us stay connected to one another. "

Click here for SRO's blog with all of the plant shops mentioned

To buy something for yourself AND sending a plant to your friend visit Steves Leaves to take advantage of their #plantoneforwardbonus. Purchase a plant (or more) and then add the item Promo to their cart (it can be found by searching promo on the site). Use promo code #PLANTONEFORWARD to send an airplant to a friend at a separate address when you place your order. You will need to put the name and address of who you are sending the air plant to into the comments section of the order so we can mail it to the other person.

Victory Garden Movement or Cooperative Gardens Commission

Click here to read the NY Times article about it!

The Victory Garden movement was a result of World War 1, when people were encouraged to grow as much food at home as possible to become self- sufficient. It was so successful that it was predicted that up to 40 % of the countries vegetables were grown in community, home and school gardens. In 2020 as a response to the Covid Pandemic, the Experimental Farm Network is swiftly pulling together the Cooperative Gardens Commission (renamed after they decided to move away from the Corona Victory Garden Network). The commission is pledging to helping connect experienced gardeners with supplies to help their communities grow their own food. You can visit www.coogardens.org to pledge supplies or volunteer time to help the movement.

In their own words:

"In response to this crisis, Experimental Farm Network (EFN) is urging all people who can to establish "Cooperative Gardens" to grow as much food this year as they possibly can. We hope this effort will help people across the country (and potentially in other countries as well) to provide themselves and their communities with healthy fresh food, reduce our reliance on the faltering industrial food system (which is terrible for the environment and human health even when fully functioning), and make it easier for folks to stay in their communities and avoid further transmission of the virus.

We hope people in cities will take over defunct community gardens and vacant lots and fill them with life once more. We hope people in towns and suburbs who normally work hard to keep their lawns green will instead rip up grass and plant vegetable gardens. And we hope rural farmers who normally grow big fields of commodity crops — folks who know how to farm and have a great capacity to produce lots of food — will set aside at least a portion of their land and labor to grow fruits and vegetables for their neighbors and for those in need in nearby communities (especially in cities, where people are likely to suffer greatly in the event of major supply chain disruptions).

This is a time for social solidarity on a scale not seen since wartime — though such solidarity would inarguably be welcome in peacetime too, given how many people already lack food sovereignty, particularly in historically oppressed communities. During World War I, a National War Garden Commission was established by concerned individuals outside of government before the US even entered the war. Girl Scouts tended a quarter-acre garden in Boston Common. The Army's Camp Dix here in New Jersey hosted a 400-acre "war garden" tended by soldiers (with 140 acres of potatoes alone). Schools and Universities grew food on their campuses. And people of all ages came to consider gardening to be their civic duty. We must do the same today.

Please fill out this survey if you have food production resources to share (seeds, tools, land, volunteer labor, soil/compost, tillage equipment, knowledge, etc), or are interested in starting a farm or garden in your community, particularly if you don't have access to all of the resources you need. We are working around the clock with a growing coalition of individuals and organizations able to help and will do our best to match those in need with those who have (likely through a different platform than this one, which we will ask you to migrate over to at some point very soon). If you would like to donate funds to support our organizing efforts, please visit www.ExperimentalFarmNetwork.org and click the "Donate" button at the bottom of the page."

GrowIt! 1000 Plant Giveaway

GrowIt! is giving away 1000 free plants through April 19th. You enter by participating in the "Spring is NOT cancelled giveaway" conversation on the GrowIt! App- if you get selected then GrowIt! will ship a houseplant to your door via a small business OR give you a giftcard to a local garden center.Visit our Giveaway FAQ for details.

Little Prince Growers: Garden Center 911

https://littleprinceplants.com/garden-center-911/

 

Little Prince is a grower in Oregon who is helping garden centers and nurseries who are in need. They are a grower that ships directly from their growhouse, so they are set up for success in this time- but garden centers with no online sales capacity are struggling. So they are telling garden centers and shops who can't sell, that if they direct their customers to the Little Prince site and make sales through them, Little Prince will send them 20% of the sale to help them stay afloat. It's a really creative way for a grower with the ability to sell, help generate even a small amount of revenue for shops that cannot. If you know a shop or nursery who could benefit from this, visit the Garden Center 911 Page at Little Prince Nursery. Also, if you are just curious to see their awesome array of succulents, airplants, houseplants and more, you can use the Bloom and Grow Radio Affiliate link here.

Educational Offerings

Now is the time to take time to advance your learning! I am on an online course spree! I'm currently taking the online Soil Science 101 class at NYBG, BSchool by Marie Forleo, Joe Lampl's Organic Vegetable Gardening course AND I've got a botanical watercolor class tonight I'm taking with friends! I'm hooked! I know there finances might be tighter for some of us in these periods- so I have offerings listed in every price range (including free) for you to check out.

FREE

If you're looking for free gardening tips- there are limitless options of different channels! As I prep for my spring garden, lately I've been watching:

Joe Gardener Youtube Channel

Epic Gardening Youtube Channel

Garden Answer Youtube Channel

Homestead Brooklyn Youtube Channel

But comment below on the blog if you have channels you want to suggest!

The New York Botanical Garden has created the New York Botanical Garden At Home Hub for a one stop visit where you can find virtual tours of the garden, plant guides, videos, recipes for kids, blogs  links to their online courses and so much more!

PAID

NYBG has put many of their courses online! I've taken Fundamentals of Gardening and Soil Science 101 and loved it! I'll be enrolling in the Plant Science 101 Course starting April 23rd, incase anyone wants to join me!

If you are interested in growing herbs and vegetables they have the following classes coming up:

  • Rooftop Gardening (Starts April 22)
  • Mastering the Art of Tomato Gardening (April 23)
  • Vegetable Gardening Saturday (April 25)
  • Super Small Space Veggie Gardening (Starts April 28)

Click Here to check them out

Craft Jam has all sorts of fun botanically inspired classes like botanical watercolor and embroidery (I'm taking the Floral Watercolor on April 2nd and Modern Calligraphy on April 4th!)

Leslie Halleck has discounted her Garden Consultations and Business Consultations for people wanting to design their first gardens or help their planty businesses pivot in these times. For rates and more info click here

Rooney Bloom (from our two part Cannabis Series) launched his online shop where he sells plants and consulting services. But for the month of April he is doing a 4 part educational series for kids on learning how to grow plants from seed. This could be a very fun activity for those of you with kids at home! http://www.rooneybloom.com/products/online-education

Local NYC Offerings

Farm One is the hydroponic farm in NYC that is run by our Hydroponics 101 guest, Rob. The farm grows rare herbs and flowers and sells them to high end restaurants across NY. Because of the restaurant closures, they've found themselves with a farm full of product and no one to sell it to...so they are offering it to folks to use in their home quarantine cooking creations. :) They will also going to be releasing herb mixes to follow along with video content, like cocktail classes and have a recorded a tasting tour of the farm and will be offering a pack of the herbs covered in that tour so people can taste along at home. Check out their herbs delivered to your door and tours and other offerings at https://store.farm.one​. You can also buy a gift card to use once the farm reopens for a tour!

NYC based Advertising Agency CSM, launched #ExperienceGood a campaign to collectively celebrate the ideas and people adapting to the sudden shift in what live experiences mean in the midst of this unprecedented crisis. If you are a business owner trying to pivot and need to feel uplifted  and inspired, head to the experiencegood.co to find some inspo!

On a Larger Scale

GiveDirectly is the leading global NGO specialized in delivering digital cash transfers. They've worked in challenging contexts across 8 countries, from Houston after Harvey to the most remote parts of Uganda, and now they have turned their attention to those in need in the US in response to Covid. They are helping Americans who are on SNAP (or foodstamps) to get financial relieve into households in need.

(quoted from April 2nd edition of Washington Post's Power UP Newsletter) “We are working specifically with people on food assistance,” Michael Faye, the president and co-founder of GiveDirectly, told Power Up. “80 percent of these people will have lost work or received a reduction in wages … The urgency of the crisis cannot be understated. The difference between getting someone a check — or buying a load of groceries now versus waiting a month or so is pretty meaningful.”

The nonprofit has already committed to doling out $10 million for cash transfers of $1,000 to 9,000 American families. They've also rolled out their #PassTheCheck pledge. The group is encouraging Americans “about to receive government checks even though they might not need it,” to donate their check — or a portion of it — to help a low-income family.

“To the extent that you are in a fortunate position, we are asking you to give [your check] to someone in more need,” Faye told us. “Do the math. If 1 percent of the population doesn't need their check and donates it — that's $3.5 billion dollars.”

If you are in a position to give or #PassTheCheck learn more at givedirectly.org

In Summary

People all over the country are doing amazing things to help those in need in this time of crisis in which none of us could have prepared for. It is scary, it is unnerving, and it is at times, beautiful. The pandemic is horrible and wreaking havoc on our economic and healthcare systems, but silver linings will come out of this. People are quarantining sometimes not to help themselves, but to help others not get sick. Neighbors are offering to do grocery runs for those unable to go outside in these conditions. Old friends are connecting over zoom. Families and couples are reconnecting in quarantine in deeper ways. This period of isolation is causing all of us to slow down for a minute and be present. Just like plant care. How lucky are we to have plantcare as a hobby in this time!

So how can you help? Maybe you are in a position to donate which is amazing. But there are so many ways to help that aren't even financial. Check in on a friend who you know is alone in quarantine. Share an uplifting story.  Back a birthday cake for your friend who's birthday party got cancelled because of social distancing and drop it off on her doorstep. Prepare some cuttings of your plants to send to people you want to feel loved! Or just take some time for yourself to go ham on youtube videos and gardening books to increase your plantcare knowledge. If you have the means, support a local plant shop by buying a plant for yourself or a friend. Donate to an organization that is meaningful or send money to a friend or family member in need. Or maybe buy some educational books or courses for yourself to pass the time.

Whatever you choose to do, be kind to yourself and be kind to others, and Keep Blooming and Keep Growing.



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
01 Jun 2021Palm Care 101 with Chris Satch01:05:19

When I look at a large gorgeous palm, outside or indoors, I immediately get tropical vibes from their huge leaves, the way they sway in the wind, and the way the leaves cascade over their delicate stems. They just have a certain something that creates an instant jungle vibe. However, palms are also notoriously tricky plants to successfully care for! Lucky for us, Chris of NYC Plant Doctor comes to the rescue with expert advice and knowledge on how to properly care for our palms, and how not to kill them as I did with my fan palm. Enjoy!


Get on the waitlist for the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Launch

Be the first to gain access and founding member discounts through joining our waitlist

Snag your spot on the waitlist here

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,

so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!


In this episode we learn:

  • [00:04:16] Chris shares his insane window setup in his new New York apartment!
  • [00:06:38] Some interesting trivia about the Arecaceae family
  • [00:08:04] The most common palms that you probably didn’t even know you know: coconut palm, carnauba palm, date palm, and more!
  • [00:11:15] Where the Arecaceae family got its name
  • [00:11:33] Three morphological groups of palm: rhizomatous, lianas, and arborescent
  • [00:14:53] Where palms grow in nature, their history, and their uses over time
  • [00:17:23] Why you won’t see rings in your palms
  • [00:19:53] Examples of cold-hardy palms and where to find them
  • [00:22:47] Chris gets real about palms: they are hard for beginners!
  • [00:23:16] Watering and humidity needs of your palm plants
  • [00:25:07] How to differentiate salt damage vs humidity issues in your palms
  • [00:26:39] Should you use distilled water or rainwater for your palms?
  • [00:28:44] The right soil for the palm you have
  • [00:30:38] Signs that your palm is happy, and signs that it’s not
  • [00:31:19] How much light do palms need? Chris shares a big myth-buster about palms and light
  • [00:32:41] Chris explains why palms can be difficult to grow: they are temperature-sensitive
  • [00:33:48] Did you know you can extend your garden harvest through fall and even over winter?
  • [00:35:12] The biggest threat to your garden
  • [00:36:42] How to fertilize your palm tree - and why they don’t need much!
  • [00:40:59] Chris expert advice on repotting your palms
  • [00:41:54] Why you should not plant your palms in terracotta pots
  • [00:43:44] The most common pests of palms, and why Chris doesn’t have palms in his home
  • [00:45:17] Maria talks about the one important aspect of plant parenthood: knowing what works for you and what doesn’t
  • [00:49:33] How to propagate your palms
  • [00:50:13] Can you really grow coconut indoors, and if yes, how?
  • [00:51:41] How can you control a palm’s growth?
  • [00:53:17] What to do when your palm gets pests
  • [00:55:57] Some fast palm facts from Chris!
  • [00:58:36] The best palm to get for beginners
  • [01:02:39] Maria’s reflections on palms and caring for them

Mentioned in our conversation:

Bloom and Grow Radio episodes


Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Territorial Seed Company

Territorial Seed Co provides high-quality seeds and plants (over 2000 varieties) that are tried and tested on their 75-acre farm and have a ton of fall varieties for us to try! Most of us think of the gardening season as spring and summer, but with the right timing and varieties for your location, you can grow year-round! Territorial Seed Company carries lots of varieties to start in summer and harvest in late fall, winter, and even over winter. For seeds, plants, online garden planner, how-to videos and more, visit TerritorialSeed.com and use code BLOOM10 for 10% off on your first order.

DeerBusters

If you’ve got wildlife looking at your veggie garden, DeerBusters is here to help! DeerBusters strives to protect the gardens of companies and individuals through high-quality, easy-to-install, wildlife fencing kits that come in several different materials and sizes. No fancy hardware needed. Visit https://www.deerbusters.com/ today to protect your plants tomorrow and use code BLOOM at checkout for 10% off.


Follow Chris:

Instagram: @botanictonic | @nycplantdoctor

Website

Parlor Palm Care article


Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
09 Aug 2022Houseplants that Bloom00:50:56

Houseplants are celebrated for their amazing foliage, but I think we overlook an another amazing ability, a specific subcategory our favorite indoor plants have—the ability to bloom! Some people say we are intrinsically connected to flowers because way back when, they signified fruit. Personally, I just think they are joyful as hell with their bright colors and let's be frank, we all need a little more joy and color in our lives. To give us a better grasp of this beautiful subcategory, I've invited back Lisa of The Houseplant Guru to talk about the must-knows of houseplants that bloom, and how reconnecting with this group of plants can help us reconnect to generations we might never know.

Order my book!

Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,

so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!

In this episode we learn:

  • [01:13] Maria’s garden updates
  • [02:34] Welcome, new Garden Party and Garden Society members!
  • [04:15] Introducing Lisa, a beloved Bloom and Grow Radio guest
  • [06:38] African violets and their underrated beauty
  • [08:27] What are the differences in plant care between foliage houseplants and blooming houseplants?
  • [13:25] How long should grow lights stay on for flowering houseplants?
  • [14:13] How does photoperiod affect the bloom cycle of a plant?
  • [15:42] Can you put orchids under grow lights?
  • [16:59] Do blooming houseplants need fertilizer?
  • [20:24] What to do when your orchids don’t bloom
  • [21:52] The perfect and most sleek grow lights for year-round indoor lighting
  • [23:24] Where to get an easy-to-use and most varied selection of fertilizers and tones
  • [25:10] How to get orchids to re-bloom
  • [26:26] Maria and Lisa share their thoughts about collecting plants and moving homes
  • [29:51] Best blooming houseplants for beginners
  • [30:59] Why do you need to turn your holiday cactus all year round?
  • [31:53] What is the trick for beautiful and healthy African violets?
  • [33:36] Best blooming houseplants for beginners (continued)
  • [36:17] Best blooming houseplants for intermediates
  • [38:38] Are Gerbera daisies appropriate houseplants?
  • [39:37] How to make blooms last longer
  • [40:37] Should you fertilize your plant while it is in bloom?
  • [41:04] Lisa’s favorite blooming houseplants
  • [41:44] Where to get Lisa’s latest book!
  • [43:27] Maria’s personal story on how blooming plants connected generations of their family
  • [48:17] Closing remarks

Mentioned in our conversation:


Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Soltech Solutions

Soltech Solutions makes the grow lights you’ve heard me talk about for years: whether you are looking for a pendant light, track lighting, or a simple bulb to screw into any standard light fixture, Soltech has got you covered. They offer quality products with great customer service, free shipping, and a 5-year warranty. Keep the sun shining and the plants green inside your home with Soltech Solutions. Check them out at soltechsolutions.com and get 15% off with code bloom15.

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To learn more about their pet safe indoor and outdoor gardening products, visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.


Follow Lisa: 

Instagram

Website

Facebook

Books

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
03 Jan 2023We changed our name! Bloom & Grow Radio is now Growing Joy with Maria!00:07:49

We changed our name! Bloom & Grow Radio is now Growing Joy with Maria! This is just a mini episode reminding you that this week you’ll see our name and podcast art change. But don’t worry: it's the same Maria, same planty heart and inspiration, just a new upgraded look inspired by my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover’s Guide to Cultivating Happiness. 

I feel like this rebrand is like a juvenile Monstera that has grown into a fenestrated one!

Last week’s episode titled “We’re Growing” is a deep dive on the motivations behind this rebrand. My business coach actually interviews ME about everything that’s gone on behind the scenes since I took this podcast full time. 

Here are the improvements you’ll enjoy this year because of this rebrand:

  • Weekly episodes instead of every other week
  • 2 episodes about plant care per month (which is what B&GR currently delivered) and then two MORE episodes that can be community panels about plants/gardening or interviews with wellness experts who specialize in nature based therapies like forest bathing, horticultural therapy, biophilia, plant intelligence and more. So we’ve DOUBLED the content!


On this mini episode, I take you behind the scenes of the audio design and inspiration for our new theme song. 

Get excited to explore how to build a rich, beautiful, joyful life alongside your plants. This year is going to be filled with so much UNBELIEVABLE educational content to help you

1) care for your plants successfully but then

2) take it to the next level and explore just why plants make us happy and how plant care can be the most effective form of self care.


Let’s keep blooming and keep growing JOY, Plant Friends!



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
12 Feb 2019Episode 51: Tips for Living with a “Crazy Plant Person” with Billy!00:48:18

Plant Friends, you’ve heard me talk about my “Plant Co Parent” on this podcast, you’ve seen in him in our Botanicals and Booze Happy Hour Insta-stories, or maybe in our most recent Wallygro Install insta-story, and now, it’s time for me to officially introduce to the love of my life, and “partner in plants,” Billy Morrissey, to you.

This past year and a half has been big for me with leaving my Plant Killer Ways and becoming a Crazy Plant Lady, but it’s also been a whirlwind for my live in boyfriend, Billy. He has been there every step of the way as I’ve built our Urban Jungle, and this podcast, and let me tell you… although the process has been magical and I wouldn’t change a thing, it hasn’t been the easiest. He has had this intense hobby thrust upon him, and over this past year or so, we’ve learned a lot about how to manage my new found passion while still having a healthy relationship and a happy (and uncluttered) home.

So plant friends… this episode isn’t necessarily for YOU… it’s for your partners, your friends, your roommates, the people in your lives that indirectly benefit (I hope they think benefit, they might think suffer) from our planty hobby. Billy prepared a bunch of tips he’d like to share that he’s learned along the way in dealing with my 0-60 planty explosion in our apartment. I’d love for you to share this episode with those “plant co-parents” in your life, but also I hope this episode inspires you to take a minute and admire and respect those who embrace our hobby with open arms, and maybe inspire some ideas for projects for you and your partners in the future!

Quick reminder that today is the deadline for submission for the Plant Fail Lessons episode that I want to feature YOU in. Details and instructions below.

In this episode we learn:

  • the secret behind the Bloom and Grow Radio themesong
  • how Billy first reacted when I went crazy about plants
  • how we’ve grown and learned to communicate about my new hobby
  • tips from Billy on how to live with a Crazy Plant Person

For discount codes to the products mentioned in today's episode (Modern Sprout Grow Bar, Soltech Solutions lights, and more) check out https://bloomandgrowradio.com/resources

Instructions for participating in the upcoming Listener “Plant Fail Lessons” episode of Bloom and Grow Radio

1) Call (267) 478-2521

2) Please spell your name and email at the beginning of the message so I can contact you!

3) The google voice only allows for a 3 minute message, so you might want to write out your story, or jot some thoughts down on paper to allow for you to effectively tell your story without getting cut off. If your story requires more than 3 minutes, you can call back and leave back to back messages.

Follow Billy:

IG: www.instagram.com/allagashbilly

Twitter: https://twitter.com/allagashbilly

Follow Bloom and Grow Radio:

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
27 Jul 2021How to Root Bare Nodes or "Wet Sticks"00:54:40

The first time I heard about wet stick propagation, I had no idea it even existed! That's why when I got an offer from a listener, Joey (@joey_de_la_plants), for a variegated Monstera 'Albo' wetstick (and I knew I wanted that plant but I had no idea what “wetstick” meant), I went down a research rabbit hole to know more about the process of rooting it. For the last 5 months, my node has not only rooted, but started growing!. So when I connected with Payton from Bloom Daddy Plants—who actively uses this method all the time to run his shop—I knew we had a super fun episode on our hands. And boy, did we go overboard with the cross-platform collaboration surrounding this episode! Tune in to learn all about node propagation, and join the Philodendron "Pink Princess" Wetstick Giveaway on Instagramfor the chance to win your own Philodendron 'Pink Princess' wet stick to try this method yourself!!

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party

Join us in the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet: our private community platform and app with dedicated conversation topics, quarterly meet ups, regional groups and the ability to find plant friends near you and so much more!

Join the Garden Party and become a Plant Friend!

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,

so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!

In this episode we learn:

  • [03:35] What to expect in this cross-platform episode (and where to find them!)
  • [04:51] How to get your own Philodendron ‘Pink Princess’ wet stick!
  • [07:17] Who is Payton, how his journey as a plant parent began, and how Bloom Daddy came to be
  • [10:05] Should we refer to plants as ‘rare’?
  • [13:00] Breaking the myth surrounding node propagation
  • [14:15] What is a ‘wet stick’? Its many other names and how to identify a node
  • [18:00] Why node propagation is used in nurseries
  • [19:33] 4 things you need for node propagation
  • [20:53] The ideal humidity level for your nodes (and cheaper alternatives for humidity chambers!)
  • [24:37] Where to cut a node from and how to do it
  • [25:50] Where to get the best garlic varieties for your year-round garden
  • [27:14] How to protect your greens and veggies from wildlife
  • [29:08] At what angle should you cut a node?
  • [29:54] When do you put the node in a prop box?
  • [30:43] Why you should let your node callus over
  • [31:02] How to activate your node (and make it happy!)
  • [32:48] Differentiating levels of moisture, and what the best moisture level is for your node
  • [35:23] How much space should you leave between your node and your prop box?
  • [37:17] The ideal light situation for your node prop box
  • [40:06] Transitioning your node after it establishes roots
  • [45:00] Maria shares where her curiosity took her recent peperomia propagation
  • [47:00] How to join the Philodendron ‘Pink Princess’ wet stick giveaway

Mentioned in our conversation:

  • Payton’s YouTube video on different Sphagnum moss moisture levels
  • Philodendron 'Pink Princess' Wetstick Giveaway happening on the @bloomandgrowradio IG account


Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Territorial Seed Company

Territorial Seed Co provides high-quality seeds and plants (over 2000 varieties) that are tried and tested on their 75-acre farm and have a ton of fall varieties for us to try! Most of us think of the gardening season as spring and summer, but with the right timing and varieties for your location, you can grow year-round! Territorial Seed Company carries lots of varieties to start in summer and harvest in late fall, winter, and even over winter. For seeds, plants, online garden planner, how-to videos and more, visit TerritorialSeed.com and use code BLOOM10 for 10% off on your first order.

DeerBusters

If you’ve got wildlife looking at your veggie garden, DeerBusters is here to help! DeerBusters strives to protect the gardens of companies and individuals through high-quality, easy-to-install, wildlife fencing kits that come in several different materials and sizes. No fancy hardware needed. Visit deerbuster.com today to protect your plants tomorrow and use code BLOOM at checkout for 10% off.

Follow Payton:

Instagram

Website

Etsy

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
15 Feb 2022New Mini-Series: Knowledge Nuggets! What is a Peperomia Inflorescence? Ep 100:09:52

Welcome to a new mini-series for Bloom & Grow Radio: Knowledge Nuggets. They will be 5-10 minute episodes that show up once a month, in addition to our regular episodes, and will highlight one "nugget" of plant nerd education taken from the Node of Knowledge Plant Science lectures Leslie Halleck gives in the Garden Society. These lectures are so good, I couldn't help sharing a teeny bit with you!

Episode one is a snippet from our AHAs (Ask Our Horticulturist Anything) where members can hop on a zoom call with Leslie and troubleshoot their plant collections with her.

Do you remember the first time one of your peperomia grew an inflorescence or flower? Have you ever seen one before? I remember the first time when my watermelon peperomia threw off a ton of inflorescence, these weird spikey things popped out of the plant and I had no idea what they were. In the first episode of Knowledge Nuggets, Leslie Halleck is giving you insight into what these spikey things are and more importantly, what we need to know about them when they show up in our collections. Let's get learnin'!

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!

Stop struggling with your plant collection and start THRIVING with he Bloom and Grow Garden Society. Expert led houseplant & gardening education with a community of plant friends… at your fingertips.

When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.

Click here to join us!

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,

so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!

In this episode we learn:

  • [00:40] What to expect from this episode
  • [03:54] Troubleshooting your plant problems
  • [04:57] What is an inflorescence and why do peperomias have them?
  • [05:27] How to prune peperomia inflorescence
  • [06:06] How to keep variegation in plants / how to grow a fuller, bushier plant
  • [08:05] Where to get personalized plant coaching from a horticulturist


Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
13 Apr 2021Designing and Planning my Garden // Coaching with Nicole of Gardenary01:06:55

I think we all know that there are a lot of lessons to be learned in the garden and that's twofold: literally how to garden and how to grow food, reconnect with our food chain, and deepen our relationship with nature. I am so excited to deepen my gardening knowledge this summer with My First Garden Series, where I troubleshoot and try my first shot at outdoor gardening outside of the tiny balcony garden that I have had since I've launched the show. In this episode, I invite Nicole from Gardenary for an in-depth garden coaching, sprinkled with wonderful insights about self-love, reconnecting with nature, and just life in general. Let’s dive in!

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,

so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!

In this episode we learn:

  • [00:04:40] The exciting news for the Bloom and Grow community!
  • [00:08:23] Who is Nicole Burke of Gardenary, how she turned into a gardener, and how gardening has helped her regain her sense of self
  • [00:11:37] How the idea behind Gardenary came to be and Nicole’s ultimate dream for the company
  • [00:15:10] Maria shares her first garden experience, her gardening education, and what she hopes to accomplish this gardening season
  • [00:16:47] The advantages of raised bed gardening vs row gardening and in-ground gardening
  • [00:18:03] The minimum space, cost, and time requirements for beginner gardeners
  • [00:22:07] Nicole’s raised bed suggestion for long and rectangular plots of land and how to work with constraints in your garden
  • [00:25:20] What is the maximum width for a garden bed? How much space should you put in between your garden beds?
  • [00:30:43] How to address garden planning overwhelm and why Nicole believes gardening shouldn’t take time
  • [00:32:45] Why setting up your garden properly is doing 90% of the work
  • [00:34:37] Maria shares her favorite stroll and gardening companion
  • [00:36:25] Where to get the best grow lights for all plant needs and the best seed starter packages for this season!
  • [00:39:06] The best gardening advice Maria has gotten from her mom
  • [00:39:54] Nicole shares the meaning behind her saying “think about nature” and how to reshape our thinking when it comes to plants and their growing abilities
  • [00:43:47] Which plants should you mix in in your bed? How understanding plant families and the best seasons to grow them can give you the best yield
  • [00:47:04] Should you be mindful of shading when combining large plants with smaller ones? Nicole shares the better factors that you should consider: temperature and timing
  • [00:49:39] Where should you face your beds?
  • [00:50:53] Should you start flowers from seeds or from seedlings? What are the best flowers to grow for beginners?
  • [00:54:06] The best smaller sunflowers to grow and where to place them in your garden bed
  • [00:55:25] Since most trellises are expensive, can you make a trellis on your own?
  • [00:57:20] How many cherry tomato plants do you need to achieve Nicole’s amazing tomato arch?
  • [00:59:27] Can you grow more than one plant on one trellis? Nicole shares some garden style tips when growing vines
  • [01:00:46] The magic of gardening and what this hobby teaches us about life and growth
  • [01:01:27] Why everyone should try kitchen gardening
  • [01:05:02] Maria’s current garden situation and what she is looking forward to!

Mentioned in our conversation:

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Allagash Brewing Company

Allagash Brewing Company is an amazing brewery and b corporation out of Portland, Maine that has just come out with Fine Acre: an organic beer that’s the perfect accompaniment to your indoor and outdoor gardening practices this spring and summer! Fine Acre’s launch supports organic gardening and farming, so we are celebrating with the Beer Gardening with Allagash Sweepstakes! The prize is insanely planty with over $3000 of gardening goodies. Head over to allagash.com for mechanics on how to join the giveaway! Fine Acre and other Allagash beers are for drinkers 21+. Please drink responsibly.

Modern Sprout

Modern Sprout is connecting people and plants with their fabulous lines of grow lights, seed starter kits, and all sorts of planty products that empower people to cultivate their own indoor oasis, whether you live in a studio apartment or a sprawling farmhouse, with simple, stylish and sustainable green-thumb solutions for every home. They just launched new products like their seed starter kits and gift sets so head to modernsprout.com to check all their products out and use code 15bloom at checkout.

Follow Nicole:

Gardenary | Rooted Garden 

Podcast

Instagram

Tiktok

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
21 Nov 2017Episode 04: Plants for the Advanced Plant Parent and Practicing Patience01:01:40

I learned about Summer Rayne Oaks when I first started researching “Urban Jungles” in NYC. She is a Model/Activist/Entrepreneur who is famous for her Brooklyn apartment in which she has over 670 plants. She has dedicated the last decade of her life to being a champion for sustainable practices in the fashion, beauty and food industries.

She wears many hats including being named the first “eco model”. She has a sugar detox program (sugardetoxme.com), a cookbook, a style guide, a podcast (Idea Nosh), and founded Le Souk, a global materials marketplace. She is a serial entrepreneur with a degree in environmental science from Cornell and a passion for plants.

She is the founder of Homestead Brooklyn, a blog and Youtube channel created to help bring more nature to urban living. And to top it all off… she was even the muse and inspiration for the Toyota Prius C! What can’t she do? Her Youtube channel, Plant One On Me is packed with informative videos about plant care and fun DIY projects.

If you are curious about Summer Rayne’s journey to 670+ plants in her NYC apartment, this episode is for you! If you are an advanced Plant Parent looking to nerd out, this is the episode for you!

In this episode we discuss:

  • Plant Swaps as a way to connect behind the Instagram photos
  • Her plant collection of 670+ in her Brooklyn apartment
  • Preparing houseplants for Winter months
  • Bringing Plants in the shower
  • The appealing qualities of Peperomia
  • Best Plants for the Advanced Plant Parent
  • Summer Rayne’s time as an “undercover activist” in the Fashion Industry as an Eco Model
  • Homestead Brooklyn’s mission and purpose
  • The Power of Showing up
  • Practicing patience and going beyond perfection

Follow Summer Rayne at

Instagram @homesteadbrooklyn

Facebook @homesteadbrooklyn

YouTube @summerrayneoakes "Plant One On Me"

Website: www.homesteadbrooklyn.com 

Twitter: @sroakes 



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
28 Nov 2023How Much Lights Do My Houseplants Need?01:07:29

Do you ever look around your home and wonder if your houseplants are getting enough light to thrive? Without the right amount and type of light, even the most pampered plant will struggle to survive. Yet many of us wing it when it comes to taking care of our houseplants. We stick that new fiddle leaf fig in a corner and wonder why its leaves droop. Or we assume a windowsill equals “bright indirect light” without really knowing what that means.

I know it’s time to bring attention to this overlooked aspect of being a plant parent! That’s why I invited my OG plant friend, Darryl Cheng of House Plant Journal, to explore an engineer's approach to understanding light for houseplants.


In this episode, we learn:

  • [05:50] Check out Darryl’s previous and upcoming books!
  • [08:51] Why is light so important for houseplants?
  • [12:18] What does it mean to have an “engineering mindset on a plant”?
  • [14:00] What are the different types of lights?
  • [16:41] Why it’s hard to measure light with your eyes
  • [18:43] Find easy-care and quality plants perfect for any room from Proven Winners Leaf Joy
  • [23:15] How can beginners assess their light situation without using a meter?
  • [25:00] How to differentiate between direct light and indirect light?
  • [27:12] How does understanding and measuring light exposure affect the care of houseplants?
  • [30:38] Difference between foot candles, lux, and lumens
  • [34:26] How do houseplants adjust to indoor light from natural light, and what are the challenges?
  • [36:56] What is the first step that you should take in measuring light?
  • [43:16] What was Darryl's motivation for creating his LTH meter?
  • [44:22] How has Darryl’s light meter been inspired by more complex light meters?
  • [50:26] How to gather the best data using your light meter
  • [55:27] Darryl's light meter development process
  • [01:02:46] Where can you find Darryl on social media?


Mentioned in our conversation:


Want an easy and comprehensive guide on all things light?

Check out the full show notes and blog here!


Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Territorial Seed Company

It's never too early to start thinking about your 2024 garden! Skip the lines at the garden center and let Territorial Seed Company deliver top-of-the-line, healthy and hardy plants right to your door. They have a great line of pre-grown plants, an expansive seed catalog, and over 40 years of experience delivering the best seeds and plants for everyone's garden. Whether you are looking for leafy veggies, flowers or edible plants in either seed or seedling form, Territorial Seed Company has your back.

Get 10% off by visiting territorialseed.com/growingjoy - discount applied at checkout.

Proven Winners

If you want to have success with houseplants, you’ve got to have two things: the knowledge to care for them successfully and healthy plants. Meet my new favorite houseplant grower: Proven Winner’s leafjoy™. With only the best plant genetics grown in a state-of-the-art, European greenhouse, you will not be disappointed in the variety and quality of your favorite plants from Proven Winner’s leafjoy™. This company has taken the guesswork out of plant shopping with plant tags that include scientific names and care guides, as well as color-coded collections for the different areas of your home that you want plants in!

Find plant joy in leafjoy™. Head to provenwinners.com to find your local leafjoy™ dealer and let me know which plant you take home on socials!


Follow Darryl

Website

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Pinterest


Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
07 Jul 2020Episode 96: Common Garden Pests with Nadia from Urban Farm Sista and Agricademy01:24:13

I’m thrilled to welcome Nadia of Urban Farm Sista to the show today to discuss garden pests and her mission with the Agricademy. Nadia is the plant lady behind several amazing businesses and planty projects including the Urban Farm Sista Educational Social Media Platforms, Quiwi Produce and Agricademy. She graduated from Ohio State in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture where she majored in Animal Sciences/minored in Entomology. Entomology is bugs, plant friends and today we do a DEEP DIVE into the common garden pests and insects that we struggle with and learn how to identify and treat them. I appreciate this conversation with Nadia because she helps us zoom out and understand our gardens as a full ecosystem. In gardening, it's always important to "zoom out" and see the larger picture, this conversation very much illustrates that!

Check out the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show!

 

What we learn:

  • How Nadia became the founder of Quiwi Produce, the Agricademy and Urban Farm Sista
  • Why Nadia chose to get a degree in Entomology (studying insects!)
  • How to differentiate a "good" vs a "bad" insect
  • Zooming out and understanding the garden as an ecosystem and why insects are important
  • Why Hemp is important (beyond CBD and Cannabis)
  • Most common garden pests: how to identify and treat them
    • Aphids and Ants (Minute 36:00)
    • Caterpillars (Minute 48:25)
    • Leaf Beetles (discussed throughout the episode)
    • Leaf Miners (Minute 1:00)
    • Wasps (1:03)
  • Recipe for pest control spray
  • Why and how does Neem oil work
  • What is BT Bacteria
  • What is Diatomaceous Earth
  • Why and how to use Insect Nets
  • Does releasing predatory bugs outdoors work?
  • Nadias non profit: Agricademy
    • Its mission
    • the Food is Essential project

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Aphid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsTTC7CKO2c&feature=youtu.be

Recipe for Nadias Neem Spray: Found in her amazing Insect Investigator PDF

Bacillus thuringiensis - Information on BT Bacteria

Diatamaceous Earth / Flea Beetles - https://youtu.be/PQ222Sa6XXI

 Insect Net- She discusses insect nets in her video on Catepillars
 
Peterson Field Guide to Insects*: Nadia's recommended insect anthology

*Bloom and Grow Amazon Affiliate Code*

 

 

Thank you to this weeks episode sponsors:

Makespace makes storage simple, seamless and affordable without you EVER having to leave your apartment. They pick up, store and return your stuff and provide the packing materials! To learn more, visit makespace.com and use code SPACEPLZ for $100 off!

Espoma Organics: for responsibly made, fabulous indoor and outdoor organic soils, fertilizers, pest control sprays and more visit espoma.com to find your local dealer or check out my amazon storefront of my favorite Espoma products here.

 

 

 

Follow Nadia

IG: Urbanfarmsista

Youtube: Urbanfarmsista

Agricademyinc.org

Amazon Storefront -https://www.amazon.com/shop/urbanfarmsista  

 

Donate to Farming is Essential Project

Website: http://www.agricademyinc.org/farming

Gofundme: gf.me/u/xz6muf

Facebook Campaign :https://www.facebook.com/donate/885370131959752/?fundraiser_source=external_url

Cash App: $agricademyinc

Mail Donations to:
Agricademy Inc.
8711 Reading Road
Cincinnati, OH 45215

(checks payable to Agricademy Inc.)

 

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Take the Plant Parent Personality Test!:  Unlock your Plant Parent Potential by taking the test below and get curated recommendations for plants, projects and resources inspired by your lifestyle.

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
11 Jun 2024Small Space Cut Flower Gardening for Beginners01:11:29

Some of my happiest childhood memories are of my mom's garden bursting with homegrown flower bouquets. Whenever we had visitors, she'd snip whatever was in bloom, bundle it up with herbs from her kitchen garden, wrap it in a wet paper towel and tinfoil, and gift it to our guests. I just thought it was the simplest, kindest way to grow joy for herself and for her friends—and that's the beauty of growing cut flowers.

Speaking of beauty, I couldn’t get enough of this episode’s guest and her amazing book! Lisa Ziegler is the founder of The Gardener's Workshop and the author of the book I just devoured, ‘The Cut Flower Handbook.’ We had a high-level overview of what you need to know if you want to delve into cut flower gardening!


In this episode, we learn:

  • [04:13] What sparked Lisa's desire to grow cut flowers?
  • [07:32] How did Lisa's hobby bloom into a flower farm?
  • [10:23] Are spacing guidelines for cutting gardens important?
  • [13:07] What is the best place for a cutting garden, and why is it different from where you usually plant flowers?
  • [17:00] Where to get hassle-free self-watering planters
  • [18:42] The best indoor and outdoor gardening products for you
  • [21:08] What is Lisa’s garden zone?
  • [21:47] Which cut flowers are best for beginners?
  • [27:10] What are the recommended filler flowers to grow with Zinnias?
  • [28:13] What are the benefits of starting seeds indoors versus direct sowing in the garden?
  • [31:46] Annuals vs perennials
  • [34:10] What are magnet plants?
  • [37:17] Tps for setting up a low-maintenance cutting garden for beginners
  • [45:49] How and when should you pinch plants in a cutting garden?
  • [50:38] Is there a rule of thumb for how many leaves to leave when pinching or cutting back annuals in a cutting garden?
  • [51:25] What are the biggest mistakes people make during harvesting?
  • [55:59] Why are Bells of Ireland a coveted flower (and what is the secret to growing them)?
  • [57:11] How can zone six growers use large grow bags to create a cutting garden with transplants and direct-sown seeds?
  • [01:02:57] Poppy vs cosmos: which is easier to grow?
  • [01:04:22] Where can you find Lisa on the internet?


Mentioned in our conversation:


For Lisa's expert flower gardening tips,

check out the full show notes and blog here!


Follow Lisa:

Website

Courses

Books

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube


Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Crescent Garden

For a limited time only, head to growingjoywithmaria.com/crescentgarden and use code GROWJOY15 to curate your dream garden today.

Espoma Organic

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.


Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
01 Sep 2020Episode 102: Garden to Table! Herb Inspired Recipes01:51:42

The 2020 Bloom and Grow Radio Listener Survey is live!- Please take 5 minutes to take this survey and be a part of the future of Bloom and Grow Radio and Media! I did this survey 2 years ago and it was INSTRUMENTAL in planning episode topics and community resources. We had 1000 people complete the survey last time, so my goal for this survey is 3000 planty listeners! I can't wait to hear from you!

At this point in the growing season, I'm sure we all have some beautifully bushy herb plants... and maybe no ideas of what to make with them. Today's episode is focused on getting these homegrown herbs into our bellies! (If you want help learning how to grow herbs, check out Episode 22: Windowsill Herb Gardening).

I’ve connected with some brilliant female chefs who share their favorite herb inspired recipes! Each chef chose an herb, they share why they love it in recipes so much and then educates us on how to cook their favorite dish inspired by their herb! 

The first chunk of this episode is three powerhouse professional chefs who guide us through a LOT of helpful cooking and herb pairing info with mouth watering recipes. Then stay tuned to the end, where Billy shares his famous pesto recipe and my Italian Mom, Mama Failla, shares two sauces you can make with a bounty from the garden. 

Cooking food that I’ve grown myself has been one of the most rewarding parts of my plant parenthood journey, I hope this episodes not only gets you growing but gets you cooking too! Make sure to report back to me and these chefs on IG about what you make!

In this episode we learn:

  • [6:50]  Getting to know Chef Serena Wolf and her thoughts on using Mint in recipes
  • [16:50] MINT (and BASIL)Watermelon Salad with Tomato, Feta and Herb Vinaigrette Recipe breakdown and tips
  • [30:30] Getting to know Chef Priyanka and learn about Coriander/Cilantro and how she uses it in recipe
  • [36:55] Coriander Vs Cilantro and how to cook with it's 3 components: Seed, Stem and Leaf
  • [40:00] Chef Priyanka's balance of Sweet, Salty, Spicy, Bitter and Umami and how Coriander plays a strong role in that
  • [43:19] CORIANDER Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Turmeric, Fennel Seed and Dates
  • [50:20] Getting to know Pastry Chef (and high school friend) Becca Newman
  • [58:00] Becca breaks down the flavor profile of Lemon Verbena
  • [1:01:26] Becca's philosophy of "what grows together, goes together"
  • [1:01] LEMON VERBENA Cherry Chocolate and Lemon Verbena Ice Box Cake Recipe
  • [1:17:40] Other herb options to substitute into the Ice Box Cake recipe if you don't have lemon verbena
  • [1:21:33] BASIL with BILLY! And his famous walnut pesto recipe (we also reveal who we have a couples crush on)
  • [1:24:10] Why Billy uses walnuts instead of pine nuts in his pesto
  • [1:31:22] ROSEMARY Mama Failla's Rosemary Bolognese
  • [1:38:35] SAGE Mama Failla's Butter and Sage Boiled Potatoes
  • [1:41] PARSLEY AND THYME Mama Failla's Famous Polpetti! (Meat balls!)

Recipes Mentioned in Today's Episode:

Serena's recipe for Watermelon Salad with Tomato, Feta and Herb Vinaigrette

Chef Priyanka's recipe for Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Turmeric Fennel Seed Dates 

Chef Priyanka's BONUS recipe for  Vegan Indian Stuffed French Toast

Becca's Cherry Chocolate and Lemon Verbena Ice Box Cake

Mama Failla and Billy's Recipes for Rosemary Bolognese, Sage and Butter Sauce, Mama Failla's Meatballs and Billy's Famous Walnut Pesto! 

Check out the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show with Videos of Mama Failla and Billy making their recipes!

Mama Failla makes Rosemary Bolognese

Billy makes Walnut Pesto

Territorial Seed Fast Fall Gardening Fact:

After you make your own pesto or Sauce from Billy and mom’s recipes with freshly harvested garlic- enjoy that flavor all year by freezing the sauce. We suggest filling a sealable freezer bag with the fresh pesto and smoothing it flat so you have about a ½” to ¾” layer. Then seal the bag and freeze. When you need a little pesto flavor, just break off a chunk and toss it into your recipe! I can’t wait to make pesto and bolognese next season with the territorial seed company garlic we are starting this fall!

Thank you Territorial Seed Co for sponsoring today's episode! Territorial Seed Co provides high quality seeds and plants (over 2000 varieties) that are tried and tested on their 75 acre farm and have a ton of fall varieties for us to try! For seeds, their online garden planner, how to videos and more visit TerritorialSeed.com and use code BLOOM20 for 20% off.

 

Follow Serena

https://domesticate-me.com/

Instagram

Serena's Recipe for Watermelon Salad with Tomato, Feta and Herb Vinaigrette

 

Follow Priyanka

www.chefpriyanka.com

Instagram 

LinkedIn

Twitter

Facebook

 

Follow Becca

Instagram 

 

Follow Billy

Instagram

 

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
21 Feb 2023Landscaping in the Southwest with Tina from The Desert Botanical Garden00:47:32

Many of us might think of deserts as barren wastelands, but in reality, the desert is a planty oasis within itself! There are towering saguaros, rosette aloes and agaves, and pollinators flitting between prickly pear flowers. To walk us through this underrated environment, we have a very special guest: Tina Wilson, the Director of Horticulture at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona. We take a closer look at the amazing vegetation that thrives in the desert, and how you can create your own thriving desert landscape. Tina also shares her expertise on how to cultivate a lush desert landscape that is heat-tolerant and drought-resistant, perfect for those living in the Southwest garden zones.

In this episode, we learn:

  • [04:58] How Tina Wilson became Director of Horticulture at Desert Botanical Garden
  • [06:13] Tina's duties as Director of Horticulture
  • [08:04] Unique vegetation in Arizona
  • [10:02] What is desert landscaping? (and its 3 characteristics!)
  • [13:08] Gardening zones in the Southwest
  • [14:06] Key factors to consider when landscaping in the desert
  • [14:42] Right plant at the right location!
  • [15:51] What are the plants recommended for desert landscapes?
  • [16:46] The impact of the southwestern sun on plants
  • [18:17] Protecting plants from sunburn with shade cloth
  • [19:16] What is a plant palette?
  • [21:08] Where to find the best bamboo bedding for health and comfort?
  • [23:36] Want to grow fresh berries in your own garden?
  • [25:09] The importance of water conservation and irrigation in the desert
  • [26:22] Why reduce grass/turf in desert landscapes?
  • [29:24] The process of renovating a yard: soil profiling and testing
  • [31:07] Why are native desert plants so well-suited to desert conditions?
  • [33:34] An overview of desert plants' root systems
  • [34:17] How a Saguaro cactus stays upright despite its shallow root system
  • [35:53] Exploring water harvesting techniques
  • [37:02] What are some of the drought-tolerant plants?
  • [40:20] Tina's favorite pollinator-attracting plants
  • [42:04] Maria's experience at the New York Botanical Garden
  • [42:39] Join Desert Landscape School now for an exceptional learning experience.
  • [45:26] Is there a season for growing food in the desert?


Mentioned in our conversation:


For an in-depth read on desert plants and water conservation practices,

check out the full show notes and blog here!


Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Cozy Earth

Sleep is foundational for optimum health, like having quality soil for our plants to thrive in, so doesn't it make sense to have bedding that reflects that? Cozy Earth's best-selling bamboo sheet set is temperature-regulating and incredibly soft, and it's made from 100% premium viscose from bamboo which makes it not only feel like silk but actually truly cooling to touch. Plus, they have a lengthy warranty and everything you need for bedding with a variety of luxury pillows, sheets, blankets and even PJS!

Check out cozyearth.com and enjoy an exclusive offer of 35% off site wide when you use the code “GROWINGJOY".

Territorial Seed Company

It's time to start planning for growing season 2023! If you’re looking for plants for your garden, skip the lines at the garden center and let Territorial Seed Company deliver top-of-the-line, healthy and hardy vegetable plants right to your door! They have a great line of pre-grown plants, an expansive seed catalog, and over 40 years of experience delivering the best seeds and plants for everyone's garden. Whether you are looking for berries, flowers or edible plants in either seed or seedling form, Territorial Seed Company has your back.

Get 10% off by visiting territorialseed.com/growingjoy - discount applied at checkout.


Follow Desert Botanical Garden:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

Tiktok

Linkedin

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
20 Jun 2023How to Overcome Burnout Through The Healing Power of Nature00:43:43

How do you handle burnout? We have all asked that question at some point because modern society has a lot of demands, and it's become too easy to feel overwhelmed. But what if there was a free and accessible tool that could help you turn towards yourself again, away from overstimulation and crazy schedules? In this episode, I will share with you my own experience with deep depression and severe burnout, and how I found healing through making major life shifts centered around spending more time in and with nature.


In this episode, we learn:

  • [00:24] Maria shares her experience with depression and severe burnout over the past three years
  • [01:54] Plants are a great way to reconnect with a part of ourselves that modern society ignores
  • [10:24] How is burnout defined?
  • [12:27] How do you recover from burnout?
  • [13:25] What is Attention Restoration Theory?
  • [14:23] First type of attention: Directed Attention
  • [14:37] Second type of attention: Involuntary Attention (aka fascination)
  • [16:10] Involuntary attention practices to help you find balance in life
  • [16:14] Look at a plant before you look at your screen
  • [18:00] Thank the trees
  • [18:36] Pair it with gratitude
  • [19:25] Ritualize engaging with nature
  • [22:54] Go outside
  • [23:02] Forest bathing and its benefits
  • [25:51] Mental health walks
  • [26:44] Get your bare feet on the earth (aka grounding/earthing)
  • [28:36] Practice mindfulness through plant care
  • [30:53] Lean into scent
  • [33:24] Two different types of plants for healing purposes
  • [33:38] Slow burn plants
  • [35:57] Quick win plants
  • [38:23] Pruning back to inspire growth


Mentioned in our conversation:


For a detailed list of Maria's recommended practices,

check out the full show notes and blog here!


Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
14 Nov 2017Episode 03: How to NOT Kill Succulents and learning resiliance00:37:38

Diana Zarins is the mastermind behind the Instagram account and Youtube channel How To Succulents. She is a “black thumb” turned #succulentwhisperer with a following of over 70,000 followers who turn to her for succulent inspiration and education.

If you want to learn how to better care for your succulents, this is the episode for you!

In the episode you will learn:

  • Diana’s journey from “black thumb” to succulent lover
  • Her extensive collection of 300 indoor and outdoor succulents
  • Why succulents are great houseplants
  • 5 things to know to NOT kill your succulent – drainage, water, light, temperature, infestation
  • The secret to knowing how dry your soil really is
  • Transitioning plants from indoors to outdoors for the changing of the seasons
  • Best “starter succulent”
  • How to use her hashtags to learn more about succulent care #propagationweek #howtobeasucculentwhisperer
  • Using succulents to inspire hardiness and grit in your everyday life

Follow How To Succulents:

Instagram: @howtosucculents

Youtube channel: How to Succulents https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7oOq8BmqaDCUpKxdpZ_SBQ

 



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
26 Dec 2023I killed a bunch of plants this year, here's what happened: How to Do a Plant Audit00:24:58

Happy almost New Year, plant friends! For my last episode of 2023, I wanted to get a little reflective about the joy and growing parts of “Growing Joy.” This year, I bravely held a funeral for many of my houseplants that were no longer bringing me joy. Yes—I lost a LOT of houseplants this year. Some of the plants I said goodbye to weren’t even fully dead yet. They just weren’t happy in my home anymore, and I took it upon myself to consciously let them go in a ritualized way that released me from guilt.

This is a taboo subject for some plant parents. But I believe we need to openly discuss “plant loss” to release guilt and make space for more plant joy. So I’ll be walking you through my plant funeral experience, and how you can perform your own plant audit to grow even more joy in 2024!


In this episode, we learn:

  • [00:00] I recently held a funeral for my dead houseplants this year
  • [01:21] Why I performed a plant audit of my entire collection!
  • [03:47] Let’s celebrate plant loss together
  • [04:09] An excerpt from my book about plant death
  • [04:41] Two options when a plant dies
  • [04:52] Option A: Let it confirm you're a failure, then give up
  • [05:21] Option B: Allow it to make you more curious and a better plant parent
  • [06:33] Why I had such dramatic plant loss this year (I was diagnosed with melanoma!!)
  • [08:52] Allow your plant collection to grow and change as much as you will in your lifetime
  • [09:40] Why I felt guilty about failing to care for the Hoya plants Marcia gave me
  • [10:25] Learn 30 simple and budget-friendly gardening projects with ¡Verdura! – Living a Garden Life
  • [11:45] Find your perfect houseplant with Proven Winners LeafJoy's high-quality, diverse selection
  • [13:53] Steps for performing your own plant audit
  • [14:26] #1 Give yourself a nice amount of time, play music, clear table space
  • [15:33] #2 Walk through your entire collection and assess its state
  • [17:09] #3 Revisit neutral plants - do they spark joy or not?
  • [18:20] #4 Gratitude ritual
  • [19:20] #5 Figure out the highest vibe way to discard your plants
  • [19:56] #6 Donate your healthy plants
  • [20:19] You’re still a good person!
  • [20:56] Consider "life audit" too - are aspects that need culling?
  • [22:05] Where can you find me on social media?


Mentioned in our conversation:


For a detailed list of ways to do a plant audit,

check out the full show notes and blog here!


Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Quarto: ¡Verdura! – Living a Garden Life by Perla Sofía Curbelo-Santiago

Celebrates the power of adding more green to your life with 30 simple and budget-friendly gardening projects that promote well-being through plants. Perla Sofía Curbelo-Santiago of Agrochic.com has put together 30 projects found in ¡Verdura! to transform the initial spark of joy from plants into a healthy habit that enhances your life in many ways.

¡Verdura! is available January 2nd so preorder at your favorite local bookstore, quarto.combookshop.orgBarnes and Noble or amazon.com.

Proven Winners

If you want to have success with houseplants, you’ve got to have two things: the knowledge to care for them successfully and healthy plants. Meet my new favorite houseplant grower: Proven Winner’s leafjoy™. With only the best plant genetics grown in a state-of-the-art, European greenhouse, you will not be disappointed in the variety and quality of your favorite plants from Proven Winner’s leafjoy™. This company has taken the guesswork out of plant shopping with plant tags that include scientific names and care guides, as well as color-coded collections for the different areas of your home that you want plants in!

Find plant joy in leafjoy™. Head to provenwinners.com to find your local leafjoy™ dealer and let me know which plant you take home on socials!


Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
04 Feb 2025Water Saving Techniques for Your Garden00:52:52

How can we conserve water while maintaining healthy, attractive gardens, no matter what climate you're in? Record-breaking heat waves, devastating droughts, wildfires scorching millions of acres, floods turning streets into rivers—we've seen it all this year. As climate extremes test our resilience, our gardens are feeling the impact too. How do we ensure our gardens not only survive but also grow in these unpredictable conditions? Let’s talk about water-saving techniques and strategies to keep your garden lush and sustainable with Noelle Johnson, aka the “Arizona plant lady.” She’s a horticulturist, landscape consultant, and the author of the new book, ‘The Water-Smart Garden.’


In this episode, we learn:

  • [02:53] How Noelle became a plant expert
  • [04:36] Why water conservation is important
  • [07:27] What does water conservation look like?
  • [08:27] Identifying drought conditions
  • [09:56] Water-saving tips for renters
  • [10:49] What are the plants great for different plant zones?
  • [13:43] Drought-tolerant plants
  • [15:28] Espoma Organics’ premium gardening products
  • [16:58] AHS Essential Guide to Perennial Gardening
  • [18:52] Why you should go to a local nursery
  • [20:34] Making soil more efficient at water retention
  • [23:32] How mulch and ground cover help with water retention
  • [26:36] What are ollas for water saving?
  • [30:46] What are different ways of saving rainwater? (rain barrel, swale, creek beds, etc)
  • [36:32] What is xeriscaping?
  • [40:33] How can you reduce the water your lawn needs?
  • [44:14] Smart irrigation controllers
  • [45:30] Beginner tips for water conservation
  • [47:20] Advanced water conservation strategies
  • [49:14] ’The Water Smart Garden


Mentioned in our conversation:


For Noelle's complete list of water-saving tips,

check out the full show notes and blog here!


Follow Noelle:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Pinterest

TikTok


Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Wind River Chimes

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on your chosen wind chimes.

Quarto: American Horticultural Society Essential Guide to Perennial Gardening

Grab a copy of Essential Guide to Perennial Gardening at your favorite local bookstore, bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, Quarto.com, or Amazon.com.


Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
10 Oct 2023Rooted in Generosity: Inspiring Harmony Through Wind Chimes and Why You Need Them in Your Garden00:40:14

Wouldn't it be nice to wake up every morning to the hypnotic sound of wind chimes gently drifting through your bedroom window, plant friends? The delicate tones of wind chimes dancing on the breeze can turn an ordinary morning into a magical experience. 

In this episode, I spoke with the owners of Wind River Chimes to uncover the history, craftsmanship, and meaning behind these musical garden ornaments. If you’re a constant listener, I’m sure you know them as one of my podcast sponsors! Patty, Jamie, Luke, and I talked about the joyful art and science behind creating beautiful chimes that connect us to soothing sounds and special memories.


In this episode, we learn:

  • [00:10] Why wind chimes have become significant for Maria’s mental health
  • [03:51] Let’s welcome Patty, Jamie, and Luke from Wind River Chimes!
  • [05:30] What are their favorite Wind River chimes?
  • [07:39] History of Wind River Chimes
  • [08:53] How Jamie and Patty got involved and eventually bought the company in 2005
  • [10:54] How has the company evolved since they assumed leadership?
  • [14:03] How the wind chimes are made (tuned pipes, specific alloys, thick walls)
  • [17:13] How the tones and scales are designed
  • [18:57] The emotional experience provided by chimes
  • [19:46] The primal connection of humans to music
  • [21:45] What is the science of sound? (alloys, testing, parts designed for optimal tone)
  • [24:55] What are their favorite emotional customer stories involving the chimes?
  • [31:20] Why does the company commit to donating 20% of their profits to charity?
  • [34:04] What "harmony" means to the Wind River Chimes team


Mentioned in our conversation:


For a deep dive into the science of soothing chime sounds,

check out the full show notes and blog here! 


Thank you to our episode sponsor:

Territorial Seed Company

Are you ready for the fall gardening season? Skip the lines at the garden center and let Territorial Seed Company deliver top-of-the-line, healthy and hardy plants right to your door. They have a great line of pre-grown plants, an expansive seed catalog, and over 40 years of experience delivering the best seeds and plants for everyone's garden. Whether you are looking for leafy veggies, flowers or edible plants in either seed or seedling form, Territorial Seed Company has your back.

Get 10% off by visiting territorialseed.com/growingjoy - discount applied at checkout.


Follow Wind River Chimes:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

TikTok

Pinterest

YouTube

SoundCloud


Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
09 Jan 2024Everything You Need to Know about Alocasia00:36:39

If there is one genus of plants that has captured my imagination for years but repeatedly evaded me, it’s Alocasia. These tropical plants with their large, alien-esque leaves and jewel-toned undersides have long obsessed me. I’d often pick them up from the garden center, only to watch them rapidly decline in my dry, temperate home. But after lots of trial and error, I’ve finally cracked the code to make them thrive! In this episode, I’m sharing everything I’ve learned about growing Alocasia houseplants, including care tips, troubleshooting, and some of my new favorite varieties that are thriving in my home.


In this episode, we learn:

  • [00:00] Maria’s experience with Alocasia
  • [02:21] Why Alocasia is not difficult to care for—it just requires very high standards of care!
  • [02:43] Why Alocasia are called alien-like plants
  • [03:34] Characteristics and other common names of Alocasia
  • [05:02] Where do Alocasias grow naturally?
  • [06:31] Alocasia Care #1: Light requirements (bright indirect light)
  • [09:06] Light is very independent of every person's own environment!
  • [10:30] Alocasia Care #2: Soil moisture (keep them in evenly moist soil)
  • [11:58] 2 different ways that you can measure soil moisture
  • [13:34] What types of pots can you use for your Alocasia?
  • [14:47] Alocasia Care #3: Humidity
  • [15:28] Why you should use a humidifier
  • [17:20] Other tricks to increase humidity in your home
  • [18:19] Alocasia Care #4: Fertilizer (fertilize when you see growth)
  • [19:13] Alocasia Care #5: Dormancy (aka quiescence)
  • [20:11] Use plant-life parallels for your personal growth
  • [20:50] Alocasia troubleshooting tips
  • [21:24] Understanding your Alocasia's needs
  • [22:25] How to save a plant from dying
  • [24:20] Find the best Alocasia varieties for your plant collection with Proven Winners LeafJoy!
  • [26:41] What are the different Alocasia species?
  • [27:11] Alocasia 'Ninja'
  • [27:46] Alocasia cupraea
  • [28:49] Alocasia baginda 'Dragon Scale'
  • [30:08] Alocasia longiloba
  • [30:46] Alocasia watsoniana
  • [31:33] Alocasia macrorrhiza 'Stingray'


Mentioned in our conversation:


For my favorite alocasia varieties,

check out the full show notes and blog here!


Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Proven Winners

If you want to have success with houseplants, you’ve got to have two things: the knowledge to care for them successfully and healthy plants. Meet my new favorite houseplant grower: Proven Winner’s leafjoy™. With only the best plant genetics grown in a state-of-the-art, European greenhouse, you will not be disappointed in the variety and quality of your favorite plants from Proven Winner’s leafjoy™. This company has taken the guesswork out of plant shopping with plant tags that include scientific names and care guides, as well as color-coded collections for the different areas of your home that you want plants in!

Find plant joy in leafjoy™. Head to provenwinners.com to find your local leafjoy™ dealer and let me know which plant you take home on socials!


Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
17 Apr 2022I Want to Hear YOUR Story: Join the #GrowingJoyChallenge00:06:09

Plant friends, in celebration of the launch of my new book, Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants), which is about my personal journey with plants, I want to celebrate YOUR stories on launch day.  Growing Joy is not just about my personal journey with my plants, it's about the thousands of stories I have heard from listeners about how plants have helped them heal, grow and find more joy. This is your official invitation to join the #GrowingJoyChallenge and share YOUR story with the world. Tune in for the details!

Submit your stories here by April 30th!


In this episode:

  • [00:37] What plants mean to Maria
  • [00:57] Why Growing Joy is about YOU
  • [01:57] How you can share your story with the world!
  • [04:36] In-depth tutorials for the #GrowingJoyChallenge
  • [00:57] How to pre-order Growing Joy
  • [05:39] Let’s cultivate more joy in the world!


Submit your stories here by April 30th!


Growing Joy Pre-Order Link

Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)

by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung


Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!

The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.

Click here to join us!

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,

so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
06 Mar 2018Episode 17: The Studies Behind Why Plants Make People Happy and Healthy with Christine from @workhardplanthard00:53:09

We are so lucky to be joined by Christine from @workhardplanthard (www.workhardplanthard.com) today to discuss various studies behind how and why plants actually help improve your indoor environment. I have always been intimidated by the actual studies behind how plants clean air and improve people’s mood, since I have no science background. Christine is a full time physician and has done an amazing job compiling these studies and breaks them down into layman’s terms for us today! Christine is also a new plant friend IRL of mine after she opened her home and plant shop knowledge to me on my recent trip to San Diego. We met over Instagram and when I was in San Diego, she picked me up and took me on a plant tour of her favorite local plant shops. I got to see her personal collection, meet her kids and family and it was just the perfect example of human kindness and how we can use instagram to actually get off line and make real life memories. So she is the perfect guest to have on the show as we transition out of Friendship February! In this episode we learn about: - How Christine used plants to heal her stress - Christine’s personal collection - What to look forward to on workhardplanthard.com - The dangers of houseplants - Summaries of various studies proving how plants clean the air and eliminate VOCs - Summaries of studies measuring how plants improve peoples lives in various ways To Follow Christine: Instagram: @workhardplanthard www.workhardplanthard.com Follow Bloom and Grow Radio: Instagram and Facebook: @bloomandgrowradio www.bloomandgrowradio.com



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
29 Oct 2024The Best Low Light Plants for Dim Spaces00:27:05

What plants are great in low-light homes? That’s one of the most common plant questions that I get asked a lot. It’s popular because a lot of us don’t have those floor-to-ceiling windows that we often see on Pinterest and Instagram. The majority of us just have normal, low-light homes. Even my new house in Florida is actually extremely low-light! But of course, we all want our indoor garden to grow well, no matter what our lighting circumstances are. So here’s another Proven Winners episode to teach you how to choose the right low-light plants for your space and all the tips you need to know to make sure you’re taking good care of them.


In this episode, we learn:

  • [02:34] What is a low light (tolerant) plant?
  • [03:30] Why low-light plants are popular
  • [04:07] Why you should check out snake & ZZ plants!
  • [05:25] How we overestimate the amount of light in our homes
  • [08:13] Take my Plant Parent Personality™ test
  • [08:35] Importance of rotating pots for low-light plants
  • [10:01] Keep your plant's leaves clean
  • [11:02] #1 Ferns
  • [14:54] #2 Prayer plants
  • [17:00] #3 Monstera
  • [17:33] #4 Photos
  • [19:13] #5 Dracaena
  • [19:52] #6 Philodendron
  • [21:20] Check out Proven Winner’s H2O Line!
  • [22:41] Tips for “no light” situations


Mentioned in our conversation:


For more low-light plant tips,

check out the full show notes and blog here!


Thank you to our episode sponsor:

Proven Winners

Find plant joy in leafjoy™. Head to provenwinners.com to find your local leafjoy™ dealer and let me know which plant you take home on socials!


Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
17 Sep 2019Episode 73: Indoor Plant Appreciation & the Amazon Rainforest00:48:14

Plant friends this is an excited episode for two reasons, #1 we hear from you! This is a community episode in response to it being National Indoor Plant Appreication week and I asked you to call in with a story of you and your plants. We have tales of plant wins, plant heirlooms, crazy plant person moments and even some fails. We we learn from every one of you today, and that fills my heart. What I am more excited is that we are taking plant appreciation to the next level, by diving into what is happening in the Amazon rainforest, and how we can help. Plant friends, these plants that we know and love are mostly all tropical plants, growing in the Amazon. The amazon is home to so many species that are all currentlythreatened by the intentional burning of the rainforests. As plant parents, if we are going to love these plants, we need to respect where they come from, and hopefully participate in the protection of their natural habitats. At the end of the episode I give a brief an overview of what is going on, and we share resources provided by our community which we can educate ourselves and learn about organizations that are fighting the deforestation efforts.

 

In this episode we:

  • Hear stories of plant appreciation from various members of our community
  • Learn about the Amazon Rainforest Fires
  • Learn how we can help from resources supplied by our community

 

 

Thank you to our listeners who called in and shared their stories! Thank you Mara Zobrist, Catherine Taylor (@plantycatt) , Anissa Nicole, Erika Boyd (@stellas.garden), Maria Brusco (@lemontreesbymariuzza), Katherine Dedine, Veronica Saldana, Katherine H., Lat Jones and Gregory (@plantingability)!

 

 

Click here to read my blog with all of the resources on the Amazon mentioned in today's episode

 

Use #rainforestplantparent to continue the conversation about the Amazon!

 

Thank you to our two amazing episode sponsors: Espoma Organics and Floating Bed and Breakfast.

For responsibly made, unbelievable indoor and outdoor organic soils, fertilizers, pest control sprays and more visit espoma.com to find your local dealer or check out my amazon storefront of my favorite Espoma products here.

For the plantiest airbnb experience of your life in the Norfolk, VA area, visit theloiselaine.com and message Nicole for 20% off by telling her Maria sent you!

 

 

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club



Music used is the property of Youtube Music Library



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
13 Aug 2024The Business of Horticulture01:04:38

How do you level up from being a casual plant lover to a true pro in the horticulture industry? What does it take to become one? There are plenty of things we don't get as hobbyists about the horticulture industry—so much more happening behind the scenes than we can imagine. Fortunately, Leslie Halleck, a favorite guest on the podcast and one of my best plant friends, is here to tell us about how the horticulture industry works and how you might become part of it!

 

In this episode, we learn:

  • [03:45] How to turn plant passion into a horticultural career
  • [06:54] What is Leslie's background in horticulture?
  • [14:46] Don't let shorter days dim your plant's shine with Soltech grow lights!
  • [17:01] Nourish your plants with Espoma’s premium organic products!
  • [18:42] Leslie’s career transitions
  • [23:04] What other jobs are in the horticulture field?
  • [24:52] How do plants get from farm to store?
  • [29:23] What affects plant prices and availability?
  • [34:58] What are the common mistakes aspiring plantrepreneurs make?
  • [40:53] What are the educational pathways in horticulture?
  • [48:49] Why is horticulture mostly family businesses?
  • [51:48] Women's positions in a male-dominated horticultural sector
  • [53:27] Leslie’s new horticulture business courses + coaching programs
  • [01:00:37] Where can you find out more about Leslie?


Mentioned in our conversation:

 

For a deeper look into the processes behind the plant industry,

check out the full show notes and blog here!


Follow Leslie:

Website

Coaching

Instagram

Facebook

X

Pinterest

YouTube


Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Soltech Solutions

Check them out at soltechsolutions.com and get 15% off with code "bloom15".

Espoma Organic

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

 

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

 



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
27 Aug 2024Pet Friendly Plants00:18:03

You've probably seen that funny meme going around that says "pets are the new children, and plants are the new pets." I couldn't agree more! We're all out here treating our plants like our babies and our pets like our kids. But what happens when these two loves collide—and your toxic plant harms your pet? In this episode, I share the different plants that are safe for our furry babies, how to keep pets away from toxic plants, and other things to keep in mind when caring for both plants and pets.


In this episode, we learn:

  • [01:44] Things you need to know if you have pets and plants
  • [04:10] Which plants are the most toxic for pets?
  • [05:34] How do you keep your pets away from your plants?
  • [09:07] Make summer unforgettable with a personalized Wind Chime!
  • [10:42] Protect your pets and the planet with high-quality, organic plant products
  • [13:10] Which plants are pet-friendly?
  • [15:25] What other resources can help you?


Mentioned in our conversation:


Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Wind River Chimes

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on your chosen wind chimes.

Espoma Organic

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.


Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Améliorez votre compréhension de Growing Joy with Plants - Wellness Rooted in Nature, Houseplants, Gardening and Plant Care avec My Podcast Data

Chez My Podcast Data, nous nous efforçons de fournir des analyses approfondies et basées sur des données tangibles. Que vous soyez auditeur passionné, créateur de podcast ou un annonceur, les statistiques et analyses détaillées que nous proposons peuvent vous aider à mieux comprendre les performances et les tendances de Growing Joy with Plants - Wellness Rooted in Nature, Houseplants, Gardening and Plant Care . De la fréquence des épisodes aux liens partagés en passant par la santé des flux RSS, notre objectif est de vous fournir les connaissances dont vous avez besoin pour vous tenir à jour. Explorez plus d'émissions et découvrez les données qui font avancer l'industrie du podcast.
© My Podcast Data