Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast (Forum Communications Co.)

Nothing warms your home during our frigid holiday season quite like a real Christmas tree ... as long as it's properly cared for.

In this episode, Don and John welcome Eric Baker of Baker Garden and Gift of Fargo, N.D. to hear all about choosing, caring for, and, yes, flocking Christmas trees.

(Did you know people really like black Christmas trees? We didn't either.)

To learn more about Baker Garden and Gift, visit their website: https://bakernursery.com/

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"Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast" is a show for gardeners in the upper Midwest based in Fargo, North Dakota. Don Kinzler is a horticulturist with NDSU Extension in Cass County, a lifelong gardener, and a longtime trusted resource for gardeners throughout our region.

Co-host John Lamb is an arts and entertainment reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. John bought a house a few years ago and has taken up gardening, so he has a lot of questions for Don.

If you have a question for an upcoming episode of "Growing Together," email Don at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

To read Don's weekly gardening columns, visit The Forum website: https://www.inforum.com/don%20kinzler

It's still a bit too early to get out into the lawn or garden, but with our increasing sunlight it's a perfect time to start cuttings of your houseplants. But how do you go about it?

In this episode, Don and John talk about the process of taking cuttings (or "slips") from your houseplants, including the best candidates for cuttings and good practices for growing them successfully.

Modern tools like YouTube and podcasts put valuable gardening information right at our fingertips. How could a dusty 90-year-old book still possibly be relevant?

In this episode, Don and John crack open "The Complete Book of Gardening Magic" to see how well its advice holds up and share several insights from it.

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"Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast" is a show for gardeners in the upper Midwest based in Fargo, North Dakota. Don Kinzler is a horticulturist with NDSU Extension in Cass County, a lifelong gardener, and a longtime trusted resource for gardeners throughout our region.

Co-host John Lamb is an arts and entertainment reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. John bought a house a few years ago and has taken up gardening, so he has a lot of questions for Don.

If you have a question for an upcoming episode of "Growing Together," email Don at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

To read Don's weekly gardening columns, visit The Forum website: https://www.inforum.com/don%20kinzler

After many years listening to concerns from fellow gardeners in the area, a few of them pop up frequently. 

You likely have had the same questions yourself. In this episode, co-hosts Don Kinzler and John Lamb go over the most frequently asked questions from gardeners in our area. Topics include: rusty lawn dust, blossom end rot, bumpy lawns, managing wasps and hornets, apple trees not bearing fruit, and many more.

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"Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast" is a show for gardeners in the upper Midwest and is based in Fargo, North Dakota. Don Kinzler is a horticulturist with NDSU Extension in Cass County, a lifelong gardener, and a trusted resource for gardeners throughout our region.

Co-host John Lamb is an arts and entertainment reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. John bought a house a few years ago and has taken up gardening, so he has a lot of questions for Don.

If you have a question for an upcoming episode of "Growing Together," email Don at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

To read Don's weekly gardening columns, visit The Forum website: https://www.inforum.com/don%20kinzler

There are ample opportunities for fall color displays all over our region—and they're absolutely worth the drive, of course—but what if you want fall colors in your own yard?

In this episode, Don and John discuss some of the best options for trees and shrubs that bring the delight of fall color right to you.

Our cold Northern Plains winters don't seem like they're friendly toward year-round growing of fresh greens, but they're actually a positive for the team at Great Plains Greens.

In this episode, Don and (guest host) Kris talk with Dylan Kallman, founder of Great Plains Greens. Kallman and his team use a converted shipping container to grow fresh produce for a variety of local markets.

Learn more about Great Plains Greens on their website: https://www.greatplainsgreens.co/

To quote Guy Clark, there's only two things that money can't buy, and that's true love and homegrown tomatoes.

We can't help you with the true love part, but in this episode Don and John aim to help you grow better tomatoes in your garden, whether it's dealing with blossom end rot, finding the right time to pinch and prune, or choosing a variety to fit your tastes.

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"Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast" is a show for gardeners in the upper Midwest and is based in Fargo, North Dakota. Don Kinzler is a horticulturist with NDSU Extension in Cass County, a lifelong gardener, and a trusted resource for gardeners throughout our region.

Co-host John Lamb is an arts and entertainment reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. John bought a house a few years ago and has taken up gardening, so he has a lot of questions for Don.

If you have a question for an upcoming episode of "Growing Together," email Don at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

To read Don's weekly gardening columns, visit The Forum website: https://www.inforum.com/don%20kinzler

With the season winding down, but still fresh in our memory, it's a good time to talk about what worked in our gardens and what didn't meet our expectations.

In this episode, Don and John share the triumphs and tribulations they saw in their own gardens this year, from varieties that flourished to strategies that left them thinking "what was I thinking?" It's a healthy exercise that will pay dividends next season.

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"Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast" is a show for gardeners in the upper Midwest based in Fargo, North Dakota. Don Kinzler is a horticulturist with NDSU Extension in Cass County, a lifelong gardener, and a longtime trusted resource for gardeners throughout our region.

Co-host John Lamb is an arts and entertainment reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. John bought a house a few years ago and has taken up gardening, so he has a lot of questions for Don.

If you have a question for an upcoming episode of "Growing Together," email Don at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

To read Don's weekly gardening columns, visit The Forum website: https://www.inforum.com/don%20kinzler

In this episode, WDAY Chief Meteorologist John Wheeler joins Don and John for a look at possible weather patterns for the upper Midwest as we head into the summer growing season. Plus, he talks about setting up new raised garden plots and gives us a simple pepper sauce recipe.

There's no way to know exactly what will happen this winter's weather, but we can take our best educated guess.

In this episode, Don and John are joined by gardener and WDAY Chief Meteorologist John Wheeler, whose guess about the weather is about as educated you can get. He also gives us a recap of this season in his garden and talks indoor growing methods.

Summer sings its last sweet refrain during the Labor Day holiday weekend, and that comes with a few items for your lawn and garden checklist.

In this episode, Don and John mark the last big summer weekend with a variety of annual chores that will set you up for success in the year ahead, including stamping out some weeds and giving your lawn a little extra attention.

Mary Holm, host of the long-running Pioneer PBS program "Prairie Yard & Garden," absolutely loves to be in the garden and her enthusiasm is contagious.

Holm joins the podcast this week to talk about the show, give her advice for new gardeners, and share her love of plants with all of us.

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"Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast" is a show for gardeners in the upper Midwest and is based in Fargo, North Dakota. Don Kinzler is a horticulturist with NDSU Extension in Cass County, a lifelong gardener, and a trusted resource for gardeners throughout our region.

Co-host John Lamb is an arts and entertainment reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. John bought a house a few years ago and has taken up gardening, so he has a lot of questions for Don.

If you have a question for an upcoming episode of "Growing Together," email Don at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

To read Don's weekly gardening columns, visit The Forum website: https://www.inforum.com/don%20kinzler

Gardening is all about strong connections, like our connection to the Earth and the connections with one another shown in the love and knowledge we pass down from one generation to the next.

In this episode, Don and John pay tribute to the moms (and dads and grandparents) who shared their hard-won gardening experience with us. Our listeners share their fondest memories, too, from picking potato bugs to learning big lessons about life.

Apples and apple trees are more commonly associated with cooler autumn days and heaping buckets full of delicious apples. But if you want that sweet apple crop, there's no time like summer to give them some extra attention.

In this episode, Don and John go over some of the tasks you should be thinking about with your apple trees, or what to do if you're thinking of getting an apple tree started in your yard.

A garden full of fresh, delicious produce is a vital step toward a great meal, but it isn't the only step.

In this episode, Don and John welcome chef Ryan Nitschke to talk about his favorite garden ingredients and ways to prepare your garden's bounty, especially around harvest time.

Nitschke has been a chef in Fargo area restaurants for years and has a wide array of food ventures with business partner Nikki Ness Berglund that includes Luna Fargo on South University Drive, Fargo, Sol Ave. Kitchen in Moorhead, Nova Eatery at Fargo Brewing and most recently, Mangata Wine & Raw Bar and Unicorn Park Foodery in Brewhalla. 

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"Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast" is a show for gardeners in the upper Midwest based in Fargo, North Dakota. Don Kinzler is a horticulturist with NDSU Extension in Cass County, a lifelong gardener, and a longtime trusted resource for gardeners throughout our region.

Co-host John Lamb is an arts and entertainment reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. John bought a house a few years ago and has taken up gardening, so he has a lot of questions for Don.

If you have a question for an upcoming episode of "Growing Together," email Don at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

To read Don's weekly gardening columns, visit The Forum website: https://www.inforum.com/don%20kinzler

If you're a regular listener to this podcast, then we know you're chomping at the bit to get out into the yard and start work on your garden.

In this episode, Don and John go over some of the gardening tasks you could be doing right now as we get our first sings of spring.

Every winter is different, just as every growing season is different, and each one presents you with its own challenges to overcome and timeline for action.

In this episode, Don and John emerge from our long, cold, wet winter and offer some things for you to consider based on what they're observing. Is there still time for pruning? What do you do about snow mold or voles? Listen now for all that and more.

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"Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast" is a show for gardeners in the upper Midwest and is based in Fargo, North Dakota. Don Kinzler is a horticulturist with NDSU Extension in Cass County, a lifelong gardener, and a trusted resource for gardeners throughout our region.

Co-host John Lamb is an arts and entertainment reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. John bought a house a few years ago and has taken up gardening, so he has a lot of questions for Don.

If you have a question for an upcoming episode of "Growing Together," email Don at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

To read Don's weekly gardening columns, visit The Forum website: https://www.inforum.com/don%20kinzler

Have you come down with what Don calls "houseplant fever?" Houseplants have exploded in popularity the past few years as new generations of growers realize the life they bring to your home, especially during our long winter months.

Don and John talk about the immense popularity of houseplants, some tips for their care and the benefits they bring to your health and wellness.

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"Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast" is a show for gardeners in the upper Midwest and is based in Fargo, North Dakota. Don Kinzler is a horticulturist with NDSU Extension in Cass County, a lifelong gardener, and a trusted resource for gardeners throughout our region.

Co-host John Lamb is an arts and entertainment reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. John bought a house a few years ago and has taken up gardening, so he has a lot of questions for Don.

If you have a question for an upcoming episode of "Growing Together," email Don at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

To read Don's weekly gardening columns, visit The Forum website: https://www.inforum.com/don%20kinzler

How can gardeners be sure that the plants, shrubs and trees they buy in local gardening centers will survive our region's winters?

In this episode, Don and John talk with Charles Elhard, plant protection officer with the North Dakota Department of Agriculture about nursery laws and inspections.

In this episode, Don and John talk about preventing rabbit damage and what you need to know about starting your seeds indoors. And, it's almost time to prune your apple trees.

"Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast" is a show for gardeners in the upper Midwest and is based in Fargo, North Dakota. Don Kinzler is a horticulturist with NDSU Extension in Cass County, a lifelong gardener, and a trusted resource for gardeners throughout our region.

Co-host John Lamb is an arts and entertainment reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. John bought a house a few years ago and has taken up gardening, so he has a lot of questions for Don.

If you have a question for an upcoming episode of "Growing Together," email Don at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

To read Don's weekly gardening columns, visit The Forum website: https://www.inforum.com/don%20kinzler

Now that our garden beds are sealed up for the winter, it's time to check in our favorite off-season roommates: our houseplants.

In this episode, Don and John go over some basic tips for houseplant care, like optimal watering practices and intentional care. Plus, they discuss the importance of giving your houseplants something of a social life. Plants need friends, too.

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"Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast" is a show for gardeners in the upper Midwest based in Fargo, North Dakota. Don Kinzler is a horticulturist with NDSU Extension in Cass County, a lifelong gardener, and a longtime trusted resource for gardeners throughout our region.

Co-host John Lamb is an arts and entertainment reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. John bought a house a few years ago and has taken up gardening, so he has a lot of questions for Don.

If you have a question for an upcoming episode of "Growing Together," email Don at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

To read Don's weekly gardening columns, visit The Forum website: https://www.inforum.com/don%20kinzler

The emerald ash borer is a small and rather beautiful-looking insect, but it has had a catastrophic effect on trees in communities across our region. What does it mean for your ash trees? Don and John go over everything you should know.

Plus, Don talks about some new developments at the Northern Plains Botanic Gardening Society (https://www.npbgs.org/)

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"Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast" is a show for gardeners in the upper Midwest and is based in Fargo, North Dakota. Don Kinzler is a horticulturist with NDSU Extension in Cass County, a lifelong gardener, and a trusted resource for gardeners throughout our region.

Co-host John Lamb is an arts and entertainment reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. John bought a house a few years ago and has taken up gardening, so he has a lot of questions for Don.

If you have a question for an upcoming episode of "Growing Together," email Don at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

To read Don's weekly gardening columns, visit The Forum website: https://www.inforum.com/don%20kinzler

The season may be winding down, but Don's inbox is still blooming bright with yard and garden successes from around the region.

In this episode, Don and John open up the mailbag to admire your gardening wins and answer a few questions about lawn seeding, late-season pests and more.

The Christmas season might be twinkly and bright, with electric lights and shiny wrapping paper, but there's still nothing quite as showy as a healthy poinsettia.

In this episode, Don and John talk about the lovely poinsettia plant and how to keep it healthy through the holidays. They also talk about other plants, like Christmas cactus and amaryllis, that can make a festive home.

Sure, your green thumbs have been busy the last few weeks thumbing through seed catalogs, but if anything, that's just making you more excited to get your hands dirty working on actual plants.

In this episode, Don and John talk about repotting your houseplants as a way to ease your cabin fever, with plenty of tips on keeping your beloved plant homies healthy.

Podcast co-host John Lamb's yard and garden, tucked away on a quiet Moorhead street, has a number of eye-catching features, from vigorous hostas to ingenious hanging baskets lining a fence. They all work together to make his yard a great place to be.

In this episode, Don visits John's yard to learn a few new things, offer some advice, and awe at the giant arbor vitae that act as a cool breezeway on a hot day.

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"Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast" is a show for gardeners in the upper Midwest and is based in Fargo, North Dakota. Don Kinzler is a horticulturist with NDSU Extension in Cass County, a lifelong gardener, and a trusted resource for gardeners throughout our region.

Co-host John Lamb is an arts and entertainment reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. John bought a house a few years ago and has taken up gardening, so he has a lot of questions for Don.

If you have a question for an upcoming episode of "Growing Together," email Don at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

To read Don's weekly gardening columns, visit The Forum website: https://www.inforum.com/don%20kinzler

Any gardener in the Red River Valley and surrounding region knows the voice of WDAY Chief Meteorologist John Wheeler, who has been providing forecasts and weather insights on air here since 1985.

But what's happening in his garden? In this episode, Don and John welcome Wheeler in to tell us about his love of hot peppers, his 'forest' of anise, and the joy of having a quiet place to listen to a baseball game. 

It's been a mild winter in our neck of the woods, but it's still not quite warm enough to get your garden growing ... or is it?

In this episode, Don and John go over the basics of starting seeds indoors, including the setup you'll need and the timelines for your favorite varieties.

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"Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast" is a show for gardeners in the upper Midwest based in Fargo, North Dakota. Don Kinzler is a horticulturist with NDSU Extension in Cass County, a lifelong gardener, and a longtime trusted resource for gardeners throughout our region.

Co-host John Lamb is an arts and entertainment reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. John bought a house a few years ago and has taken up gardening, so he has a lot of questions for Don.

If you have a question for an upcoming episode of "Growing Together," email Don at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

To read Don's weekly gardening columns, visit The Forum website: https://www.inforum.com/don%20kinzler

There's nothing quite as show-stopping as a healthy, blooming hydrangea bursting with color in your yard. But where to start?

In this episode, Don and John go over the basics of hydrangeas: How to choose the right variety, where to plant them and how to give them the best care.

Each winter, every gardener has a decision to make when planning for the growing season: stick with the varieties that worked last year or take a chance on something new.

In this episode, Don and John go over some new plants and vareties that you should consider if you're looking to shake things up a bit. 

The growing season is still a ways off, so now is the time to plan and learn new gardening techniques—maybe saving a buck or two in the process.

In this episode, Don and John go over the 2025 issue of "The Prairie Garden," a periodical put together with help from Don himself. This year's edition is all about gardening on a budget. Plus, they open up the mailbag to take a question about fungus gnats, those annoying little bugs that fly around your houseplants.

Learn more about "The Prairie Garden" here: https://www.theprairiegarden.ca/

While we associate planting with the rush and excitement of spring, you still have lots of options later in the season, including shrubs and some spring bloomers.

In this epsiode, Don and John take a look at fall planting and give you some reasons to hit up the garden centers for late-season delights.

Welcome to the first episode of "Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast," a show for gardeners in the upper Midwest. In this episode, we introduce you to Don Kinzler, our gardening expert. Don is a horticulturist with NDSU Extension in Cass County, North Dakota, a lifelong gardener, and a trusted resource for gardeners throughout our region.

You'll also meet John Lamb, arts and entertainment reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. John bought a house a few years ago and has taken up gardening, so he has a lot of questions for Don.

If you have a question for an upcoming episode of "Growing Together," email Don at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

Lawns are such a common sight in our neighborhoods and in our culture, you might think they're a constant.

They aren't, of course. Lawns have a history that leads back to European nobility and a future that is reacting to changes in climate and reflecting new values. In this episode, Don and John spend some time grazing the issue of lawns and give you advice on making yours look its best.

Many of us get out into our gardens as a way to escape the hustle and bustle of a busy life, like it's our own little retreat. In fact, it's shaping up to be a key trend in the coming year.

In this episode, Don and John look at this and a few more trends that 2025 might have in store, like finding a way to bring music into the garden and focusing more on growing things we can eat.

Peonies and irises are an enthusiastic addition to your yard or garden thanks to their early summer start and showy blossoms.

In this episode, Don and John go over the basics of caring for peonies and irises, including an easy way to get ants off your peony blossoms before bringing them indoors.

Climate change isn't just something that's happening on a global scale. In fact, you're likely to see effects literally in your own backyard.

In this episode, Don and John discuss the ways drought, warmer soil and invasive species could have an impact on your yard and garden.

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"Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast" is a show for gardeners in the upper Midwest and is based in Fargo, North Dakota. Don Kinzler is a horticulturist with NDSU Extension in Cass County, a lifelong gardener, and a trusted resource for gardeners throughout our region.

Co-host John Lamb is an arts and entertainment reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. John bought a house a few years ago and has taken up gardening, so he has a lot of questions for Don.

If you have a question for an upcoming episode of "Growing Together," email Don at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

To read Don's weekly gardening columns, visit The Forum website: https://www.inforum.com/don%20kinzler

It's been a mild, dry fall in the upper Midwest, and your garden is still likely producing some goods for harvest...but, just in case you need reminding, winter is coming.

In this episode, Don and John talk about getting your yard and garden put to bed for the winter and the essential tasks to get done so you're not scrambling when temperatures plunge.

Shambling horrors! Grasping tendrils! Creeping terror! 

In this episode, the call is coming from inside the shed as Don and John root out the spooky side of gardening, like the things that won't die, the things that choke out the light and flowers fit for the Bride of Frankenstein.

Listen to this episode of GROANING Together...if you dare!

As we pick the last of the zuccini and mow just one more time, it's a good time to take stock of the growing season. What worked, and what didn't?

In this episode, Don and John share their observations from the 2024 growing season, with plenty of insights on how you can plan your garden better and react to shifting conditions.

If you have your own insights or questions, be sure to share them with Don via email at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

It's not too early to think about setting your yard and garden up for success next spring, even as we're not quite done with this year's harvest.

In this episode, Don and John go over a few of the pruning, seeding and fertilizing tasks that can be done in early autumn to give you a head start on next year.

Planning your yard might seem like a daunting task. What should it look like, and what plants should you invest in?

In this episode, Don and John have loads of useful advice and moral support for anyone looking to plan and create a beautiful yard and garden.

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"Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast" is a show for gardeners in the upper Midwest and is based in Fargo, North Dakota. Don Kinzler is a horticulturist with NDSU Extension in Cass County, a lifelong gardener, and a trusted resource for gardeners throughout our region.

Co-host John Lamb is an arts and entertainment reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. John bought a house a few years ago and has taken up gardening, so he has a lot of questions for Don.

If you have a question for an upcoming episode of "Growing Together," email Don at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

To read Don's weekly gardening columns, visit The Forum website: https://www.inforum.com/don%20kinzler

Don and John go over their recommendations for the best tools to get your yard in garden in shape this spring, from the right pair of gloves to a reciprocating saw. 

Labor Day is approaching quickly, marking yet another point of transition as we begin to move from summer to fall.

In this episode, Don and John take you through a few of the tasks that should be completed around Labor Day, including fertilizing and weeding your lawn and finding an indoor spot for some of your outdoor plants.

Your local garden center or greenhouse will likely be busy this time of year, so it's a good idea to do come prepared.

Don and John spend this episode sharing their ripened wisdom on how to get the most out of your trip to the garden center, from having the dimensions of your planting area at hand to the first thing you should do when you get your new plants home.

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"Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast" is a show for gardeners in the upper Midwest and is based in Fargo, North Dakota. Don Kinzler is a horticulturist with NDSU Extension in Cass County, a lifelong gardener, and a trusted resource for gardeners throughout our region.

Co-host John Lamb is an arts and entertainment reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. John bought a house a few years ago and has taken up gardening, so he has a lot of questions for Don.

If you have a question for an upcoming episode of "Growing Together," email Don at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

To read Don's weekly gardening columns, visit The Forum website: https://www.inforum.com/don%20kinzler

Every stage in the development of your garden is important, but nothing matches the excitement of getting your plants into the ground once spring comes around.

In this episode, Don and John go over spring planting methods that will give your plants their best shot at a successful growing season.

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"Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast" is a show for gardeners in the upper Midwest based in Fargo, North Dakota. Don Kinzler is a horticulturist with NDSU Extension in Cass County, a lifelong gardener, and a longtime trusted resource for gardeners throughout our region.

Co-host John Lamb is an arts and entertainment reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. John bought a house a few years ago and has taken up gardening, so he has a lot of questions for Don.

If you have a question for an upcoming episode of "Growing Together," email Don at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

To read Don's weekly gardening columns, visit The Forum website: https://www.inforum.com/don%20kinzler

The snow is gone and the days are getting longer and warmer, and while we're not quite ready to plant, the time has come to get everything set for the growing season.

In this episode, Don and John talk about the tasks you should be doing right now to get your yard and garden ready for spring planting. They also discuss Easter lillies and a ... man/plant cave?

Like all good pursuits, gardening is filled with a rich variety of terms and word usage, but it might not always make sense, especially to newer gardeners. For instance, what is "deadheading," and what does it do?

In this episode, Don and (guest host) Kris go over some of the head-scratching terms that gardeners might come across. What does it mean to "set out" your plants? And what does it mean to "force" them? Learn all of these and more.

If you have a gardener on your gift list, you can breathe easy. They're easy bunch to buy for.

In this episode, Don and John go over some tried and true gifts for any gardener. Plus, they give you some ideas for gardeners with a focus and some thoughts on how to personalize your gift to make it extra special.

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"Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast" is a show for gardeners in the upper Midwest based in Fargo, North Dakota. Don Kinzler is a horticulturist with NDSU Extension in Cass County, a lifelong gardener, and a longtime trusted resource for gardeners throughout our region.

Co-host John Lamb is an arts and entertainment reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. John bought a house a few years ago and has taken up gardening, so he has a lot of questions for Don.

If you have a question for an upcoming episode of "Growing Together," email Don at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

To read Don's weekly gardening columns, visit The Forum website: https://www.inforum.com/don%20kinzler

Before you know it, it'll be time to get outside and start getting your hands dirty in the garden. Before you plant, though, you probably want to get that dirt into shape.

In this episode, Don and John talk about amending your soil so your garden can start the season with gusto.

It's a sad truth nowadays, but it seems like anything you see online is too good to be true, and that's true for gardeners, too.

In this episode, Don and John talk about the disturbing new phenomenon of using images generated by artificial intelligence to sell plant varieties that don't exist. But if you've been duped by one of these, don't fear: they also go over some varieties that might seem too good to be true and can be found at a local garden center.

July is ending and we're well into the dog days of summer. Don Kinzler and John Lamb discuss the things to look for and what to do to keep your plants and flowers healthy in the hot weather.

In this episode, Don also tells the story of his recent absence from the podcast.

You can see the fruits of Don Kinzler's labors before you even pull into the driveway. A lush, vibrant flower garden greets you as you arrive, and it's just a hint of the many varieties and laden vegetable plants on his property.

In this episode, Don and John take a tour through Don's yard and gardens to get Don's prospective on his favorite plants to grow and how he approaches growing his own garden.

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"Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast" is a show for gardeners in the upper Midwest and is based in Fargo, North Dakota. Don Kinzler is a horticulturist with NDSU Extension in Cass County, a lifelong gardener, and a trusted resource for gardeners throughout our region.

Co-host John Lamb is an arts and entertainment reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. John bought a house a few years ago and has taken up gardening, so he has a lot of questions for Don.

If you have a question for an upcoming episode of "Growing Together," email Don at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

To read Don's weekly gardening columns, visit The Forum website: https://www.inforum.com/don%20kinzler

Unlike, say, fashion or music, gardening doesn't change quickly or go through rapid trend shifts. But that doesn't mean that there aren't exciting new ways for it to captivate us.

In this episode, Don and John review the year's top trends in gardening as identified by the guru herself: Martha Stewart. Sensory gardens and food forests top the list, and there's plenty of local examples for you to see for yourself.

We're hot on the heels of planting season, meaning it's time to head out to our local garden centers to find the right plants and shrubs for our yards and gardens. What should we know before we go?

In this episode, Don and John share their collected wisdom to keep in your back pocket before you find yourself enthralled with what a garden center has to offer.

With so many different seed companies each offering different varieties, starting a flower and garden projects from seed can leave anyone feeling a little scattered

In this episode, Don and John talk about different varieties of seeds and how to make the right choices when starting a garden project.

A well-tended yard doesn't just look good. It can taste good, too.

In this episode, Don and John discuss edible landscaping, the notion that your trees and shrubs can provide a literal feast in addition to being a feast for your eyes. They discuss some popular berry, tree and vine varieties for our climate that might also inspire your next menu item.

Trees do so much for us. They provide shade, protect us from the wind, give us fruit to eat and give us color in the fall.

Trees also have special care needs. In this episode, Don and John discuss some strategies for planting trees in your yard, providing you with a few ideas of what to plant and some guidelines for giving them their best shot.

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"Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast" is a show for gardeners in the upper Midwest based in Fargo, North Dakota. Don Kinzler is a horticulturist with NDSU Extension in Cass County, a lifelong gardener, and a longtime trusted resource for gardeners throughout our region.

Co-host John Lamb is an arts and entertainment reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. John bought a house a few years ago and has taken up gardening, so he has a lot of questions for Don.

If you have a question for an upcoming episode of "Growing Together," email Don at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

To read Don's weekly gardening columns, visit The Forum website: https://www.inforum.com/don%20kinzler

Gardening doesn't just happen in the soil. Before the snow melts and the weather turns warm, it happens in the inspiration and planning for a better yard (Don calls it "thought gardening").

In this episode, Don and John recommend books, magazines, social groups, websites and YouTube accounts that will provide fertile ground for your gardening imagination and give you loads of useful information. We've listed a few of them below as well.

• "Flowers Between the Frosts," Dorothy Collins | https://www.amazon.com/Flowers-Between-Frosts-Gardens-Seasons/dp/0911042768
•  The Prairie Garden | https://www.theprairiegarden.ca/
• Books by Eric Bergeson | https://ericbergeson.com/
• "Growing Perennials in Cold Climates" | https://www.upress.umn.edu/book-division/books/growing-perennials-in-cold-climates
• "Growing Shrubs and Small Trees in Cold Climates" | https://www.upress.umn.edu/book-division/books/growing-shrubs-and-small-trees-in-cold-climates
• "Growing Roses in Cold Climates" | https://www.upress.umn.edu/book-division/books/growing-roses-in-cold-climates
• "The Northern Gardener" | https://northerngardener.org/what-we-do/magazine/
• "Fine Gardening" | https://www.finegardening.com/
• North Dakota State Horticulture Society | https://www.facebook.com/NDSHS/
• Minnesota State Horticultural Society | https://www.facebook.com/mnhort/
• Monty Don | https://www.montydon.com/
• Garden Answer | https://www.youtube.com/c/gardenanswer

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"Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast" is a show for gardeners in the upper Midwest and is based in Fargo, North Dakota. Don Kinzler is a horticulturist with NDSU Extension in Cass County, a lifelong gardener, and a trusted resource for gardeners throughout our region.

Co-host John Lamb is an arts and entertainment reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. John bought a house a few years ago and has taken up gardening, so he has a lot of questions for Don.

If you have a question for an upcoming episode of "Growing Together," email Don at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

To read Don's weekly gardening columns, visit The Forum website: https://www.inforum.com/don%20kinzler

You have burning questions, Don and John have answers.

In this episode of "Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast" our hosts field questions from fellow gardeners in need of help or recommendations. If you have your own questions you'd like handled during the show, email Don Kinzler at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

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"Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast" is a show for gardeners in the upper Midwest and is based in Fargo, North Dakota. Don Kinzler is a horticulturist with NDSU Extension in Cass County, a lifelong gardener, and a trusted resource for gardeners throughout our region.

Co-host John Lamb is an arts and entertainment reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. John bought a house a few years ago and has taken up gardening, so he has a lot of questions for Don.

If you have a question for an upcoming episode of "Growing Together," email Don at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

To read Don's weekly gardening columns, visit The Forum website: https://www.inforum.com/don%20kinzler

Your fellow 'Growing Together' readers and listeners have lots of questions about getting ready for winter, and you likely do, too.

In this episode, Don and John rummage around in the ol' Growing Together mailbag to answer questions about snow mold, voles, harvesting carrots and other late autumn tasks.

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"Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast" is a show for gardeners in the upper Midwest based in Fargo, North Dakota. Don Kinzler is a horticulturist with NDSU Extension in Cass County, a lifelong gardener, and a longtime trusted resource for gardeners throughout our region.

Co-host John Lamb is an arts and entertainment reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. John bought a house a few years ago and has taken up gardening, so he has a lot of questions for Don.

If you have a question for an upcoming episode of "Growing Together," email Don at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

To read Don's weekly gardening columns, visit The Forum website: https://www.inforum.com/don%20kinzler

When we think of fall color, we're usually talking about trees, but many flowers and ornamental grasses can add their own dash of color to your yard and garden.

In this episode, Don and John talk about mums, asters and grasses that can prolong the joy of garden color long after summer begins to fade into autumn.

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"Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast" is a show for gardeners in the upper Midwest and is based in Fargo, North Dakota. Don Kinzler is a horticulturist with NDSU Extension in Cass County, a lifelong gardener, and a trusted resource for gardeners throughout our region.

Co-host John Lamb is an arts and entertainment reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. John bought a house a few years ago and has taken up gardening, so he has a lot of questions for Don.

If you have a question for an upcoming episode of "Growing Together," email Don at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

To read Don's weekly gardening columns, visit The Forum website: https://www.inforum.com/don%20kinzler

You might be looking forward to a bounty of harvest produce and the burst of fall colors right now, but don't slow down for winter just yet.

In this episode, Don and John go over tasks you should be doing during fall to get everything buttoned up for winter. While you're at it, you can start getting preparted to hit the ground running next spring.

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"Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast" is a show for gardeners in the upper Midwest based in Fargo, North Dakota. Don Kinzler is a horticulturist with NDSU Extension in Cass County, a lifelong gardener, and a longtime trusted resource for gardeners throughout our region.

Co-host John Lamb is an arts and entertainment reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. John bought a house a few years ago and has taken up gardening, so he has a lot of questions for Don.

If you have a question for an upcoming episode of "Growing Together," email Don at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

To read Don's weekly gardening columns, visit The Forum website: https://www.inforum.com/don%20kinzler

This is our 100th episode of Growing Together! That's 100 episodes of gardening tips from Don, John, and plenty of guests who share our love of gardening.

In this episode, Don and John present 50 quick-fire gardening tips to commemorate this milestone and get you all caught up for the next 100 episodes.

We've had a warm start to the fall, but make no mistake: Harvest time is coming fast.

In this episode, Don and John discuss how to store your hard-earned harvest, specifically carrots, potatoes and other root vegetables.

Will Tums help your tomatoes? Will anything grow under a black walnut tree?

In this week's episode, Jon and Don tackle some old wive's tales about garden and lawn care, dispelling some myths and giving you alternatives that work.

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"Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast" is a show for gardeners in the upper Midwest and is based in Fargo, North Dakota. Don Kinzler is a horticulturist with NDSU Extension in Cass County, a lifelong gardener, and a trusted resource for gardeners throughout our region.

Co-host John Lamb is an arts and entertainment reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. John bought a house a few years ago and has taken up gardening, so he has a lot of questions for Don.

If you have a question for an upcoming episode of "Growing Together," email Don at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

To read Don's weekly gardening columns, visit The Forum website: https://www.inforum.com/don%20kinzler

Did you know pumpkins are a fruit, not a vegetable? And that the jack o'lantern may have sprung from a story about a deal with the devil?

In this episode, Don and John embark on the surprising tale of the pumpkin. Pumpkins occupy a unique space in human history and, in some cases, occupy a giant space in our gardens.

Your gardening tools have been neglected for too long. With spring around the corner, it's time to get them sharp and ready for use. Don and John go over some basic tips for maintaining your garden tools and discuss how to make sure your pesticides or fertilizers are ok for use after sitting all winter.

Also, after an unfortunate encounter with his snowblower, Don thinks we might have a vole problem in our region this spring.

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"Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast" is a show for gardeners in the upper Midwest and is based in Fargo, North Dakota. Don Kinzler is a horticulturist with NDSU Extension in Cass County, a lifelong gardener, and a trusted resource for gardeners throughout our region.

Co-host John Lamb is an arts and entertainment reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. John bought a house a few years ago and has taken up gardening, so he has a lot of questions for Don.

If you have a question for an upcoming episode of "Growing Together," email Don at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

To read Don's weekly gardening columns, visit The Forum website: https://www.inforum.com/don%20kinzler

It's the holidays, a time when we all could use a little bit of joy along with a reminder that there's always more we can do to spread that joy even further.

In this episode, Don and John talk with Kelly Krenzel, founder of the nonprofit organization Hope Blooms, whose mission it is to repurpose flowers into arrangements that are then distributed throughout the community to those who need it most.

Learn more about Hope Blooms on their website: https://hopeblooms.org/

If you have a gardener on your Christmas gift list, rest easy. Like the plants they grow, they're always thirsty for new information and techniques. That's where a good gardening book comes in.

In this episode, Don and John talk about giving the gift of gardening, especially through resources like "The Prairie Garden," a book series based in western Canada that is packed with knowledge useful for gardeners of all stripes.

You can almost feel the snap of fall in the air, and that means it's the best time of year for one crucial task: dividing some of your yard's most beautiful plants.

In this episode, Don and John go over the processes for digging and dividing your peonies, irises and day lilies, a critical task if you want a luscious yard teeming with these dramatic perennials.

Don and John start making plans for next summer's garden by going over some of the seed catalogs coming in the mail. Don explains how to store seeds once they arrive, why he prefers starting some plants from seeds instead of buying from a local garden center, what success rates are for growing with seeds and the difference between open-pollinated and hybrid seeds.

Garden centers are opening across our region, stocked with new varieties, colors and twists on old favorites.

Don and John are joined by Audrey Gilbraith for a rundown of the exciting new annuals, vegetables, perennials and more available this season.

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"Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast" is a show for gardeners in the upper Midwest and is based in Fargo, North Dakota. Don Kinzler is a horticulturist with NDSU Extension in Cass County, a lifelong gardener, and a trusted resource for gardeners throughout our region.

Co-host John Lamb is an arts and entertainment reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. John bought a house a few years ago and has taken up gardening, so he has a lot of questions for Don.

If you have a question for an upcoming episode of "Growing Together," email Don at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

To read Don's weekly gardening columns, visit The Forum website: https://www.inforum.com/don%20kinzler

Cut flowers in a lovely bouquet make a great Valentine's Day gift, but what if you'd like to give someone a houseplant instead?

In this episode, Don and John are joined again by Audrey Gilbraith of Fargo's Baker Garden and Gift. Audrey has some helpful tips for giving the gift of a houseplant, like thinking about the space and skill level of your giftee. And, in case you'd like to make it a gift you give yourself, she has lots of suggestions for great houseplant choices, too.

Learn more about Baker Garden and Gift on their website: https://bakernursery.com/

Container gardening is having a moment nowadays as more people liven up their decks and patios with interesting potted plants, or turn to pots as a way to breathe life into smaller outdoor living spaces.

What are thrillers, spillers and fillers? In today's show, Don and John give you some ideas on what to put in your pots and talk about how to give them the best care.

For someone who studies a serene topic like trees, NDSU Extension Forester Joe Zeleznik has quite a few pressing issues on his plate.

In this episode, Don and John welcome Zeleznik onto the Growing Together podcast for a conversation about trees, which is normally a rather quiet topic. Zeleznik's studies, however, take him into some urgent topics like flooding and the spread of invasive species like the emerald ash borer.

With their eye-popping blossoms that burst just as the summer hits its peak, lilies are the star of the show in one of the busiest times of the season.

In this episode, Don and John give you everything you need to know to get started with lilies and climatis, another favorite during the high summer months.

For more information on the July 25 NDSU garden tour, visit our website: https://www.inforum.com/lifestyle/ndsu-garden-tour-offers-unique-experiences-for-everyone

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"Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast" is a show for gardeners in the upper Midwest and is based in Fargo, North Dakota. Don Kinzler is a horticulturist with NDSU Extension in Cass County, a lifelong gardener, and a trusted resource for gardeners throughout our region.

Co-host John Lamb is an arts and entertainment reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. John bought a house a few years ago and has taken up gardening, so he has a lot of questions for Don.

If you have a question for an upcoming episode of "Growing Together," email Don at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

To read Don's weekly gardening columns, visit The Forum website: https://www.inforum.com/don%20kinzler

With the threat of a late frost become less and less likely, now's the time to think about getting your trees, shrubs, perennials and more into the ground and off to a good start.

In this episode, Don and John go over some of the most commonly planted items and give you some tips and tricks to plant them correctly.

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"Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast" is a show for gardeners in the upper Midwest and is based in Fargo, North Dakota. Don Kinzler is a horticulturist with NDSU Extension in Cass County, a lifelong gardener, and a trusted resource for gardeners throughout our region.

Co-host John Lamb is an arts and entertainment reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. John bought a house a few years ago and has taken up gardening, so he has a lot of questions for Don.

If you have a question for an upcoming episode of "Growing Together," email Don at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

To read Don's weekly gardening columns, visit The Forum website: https://www.inforum.com/don%20kinzler

We tend to think about blossoms and greenery when landscaping our yards, but winter offers its own unique opportunities.

In this episode, Don and John discuss the choices you can make to turn your yard into a winter wonderland of lingering shadows and attention-grabbing contrast using the principles of Piet Oudolf and the New Perennial Movement.

Gardening is a fun, relaxing activity ... but weeds can really get on your nerves.

In this episode, Don and John talk about the best ways to manage weeds in your yard and garden, whether that's preventative measures, chemicals, or a kitchen knife and good knee pads.

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"Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast" is a show for gardeners in the upper Midwest and is based in Fargo, North Dakota. Don Kinzler is a horticulturist with NDSU Extension in Cass County, a lifelong gardener, and a trusted resource for gardeners throughout our region.

Co-host John Lamb is an arts and entertainment reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. John bought a house a few years ago and has taken up gardening, so he has a lot of questions for Don.

If you have a question for an upcoming episode of "Growing Together," email Don at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

To read Don's weekly gardening columns, visit The Forum website: https://www.inforum.com/don%20kinzler

(Don and John are taking a little break for the Thanksgiving holiday, so please enjoy this republished 2023 episode.)

In this episode, Don and John go over some basic tips for houseplant care, like optimal watering practices and intentional care. Plus, they discuss the importance of giving your houseplants something of a social life. Plants need friends, too.

July 4th isn't just a holiday for Americans to celebrate Independence Day. It's also Independence Day for your garden.

In this episode Don and John talk about the tasks you can start setting aside on or about July 4th, including fertilizing or harvesting some plants.

(For our Canadian friends, Canada Day works just fine for this rule of thumb, too.)