Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast

Gardening is one of those human activities with a long history, deep symbolism and a lot of details, so it has a substantial vocabulary to accompany it.

In this episode, Don and John go over some of the curious terms you may hear in gardening so you won't be left scratching your head.

Note: This episode of Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast was originally published on Jan. 9, 2025.

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 with 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.

Chances are, you wanted some garden do-overs this year. You won't be able to do them over, unfortunately, but you do have the opportunity to do things differently next year.

In this episode, Don and John discuss some new year's resolutions for your yard and garden, like planning your yard better and improved weeding and spraying. There's always room to improve, and now's the time to make those goals.

We're only guessing here, but the gardener on your gift list is probably one of the sweetest, loveliest people you know. Don't you want to get them the awesome gift they deserve?

In this episode, Don and John go over some holiday gift ideas for the gardener you love the most (or for youself; we won't tell). They also answer a listener question about how to start a professional life in a garden center.

Our gardens are just a pleasant memory and spring is a long way off, which makes it an even better time to bring holiday cheer into your home with a tree and other festive indoor plants.

In this episode, Don and John give you some facts and advice about putting up the Christmas tree and dispel a rumor about poinsettias being poisonous (they're not).

We may be quickly approaching winter, but Don and John are already looking ahead to spring as they discuss The Prairie Garden 2026, an annual publication dedicated to advancing horticulture on the Prairies.

In this episode, Don and John dive into The Prairie Garden 2026: Shaping Spaces. From why you shouldn't plant anything under a tree to how to design a goth garden, this edition offers plenty of inspiration—and makes a perfect gift for any gardener in your life.

Prairie Petals has become a go-to location for innovative floral displays in the Fargo area thanks to the creativity and problem-solving of owner Kimberly Hess.

In this episode, Don and John welcome Kimberly for a discussion of her career in floral decorating, a look at her approach to creating one-of-a-kind displays and arrangements, and some guidance on getting luscious-looking dried flowers.

To learn more about Prairie Petals, visit their website: https://prairiepetalsfm.com/

You've worked diligently on your yard and garden this year. It would be a shame if it were all undone by a few hungry bunnies this winter.

In this episode, Don and John go over some safe and humane tactics for protecting your perennials, shrubs and trees from rabbits, voles, deer and other critters. Plus, they go over a listener's approach to overwintering amaryllis that could have you enjoying their triumphant blooms next season.

If you have a flower bed that feels a little flat or a patch of yard in need of a refresh, ornamental grasses could be the lift they need.

In this episode, Don and Jon go over some of the reasons you might consider adding ornamental grasses to your yard along with the usual helpful hints for care and recommendations for varieties that might suit your needs.

You might be a little sad to see the leaves drop in your yard, but there's a bright side: with the leaves gone it's a perfect time to give them a thorough check up.

In this episode, Don and John go over some ways to check in on the health of your trees and shrubs that get much simpler once they've lost their leaves for the year. 

When it comes to most plants in our yards, we can probably handle most of the maintenance ourselves with a little guidance. The big exception: our trees, which have needs that might require someone with a bit more knowhow, aka an arborist.

In this episode, Don and John welcome guest Quincey Circo of Carr's Tree Service to talk about when and why you might need to bring in a pro to help with tree maintenance.

You can learn more about Carr's Tree Service at https://www.carrstreeservice.com/

The days are getting shorter, quickly, and we're starting to see our breath when we go outside. That means it's time to put the garden to bed for another year.

In this episode, Don and John talk through some tasks to put a wrap on this year's growing season. Plus, we hear from a North Dakota listener growing pineapple. (Yeah, you read that right.)

Mums (or chrysanthemums, if you're fancy) bring a big blast of color to your life in the fall, and you can find them just about anywhere, making them a perfect low-effort way to bring some cheer into the late growing season.

In this episode, Don and John talk about buying and caring for mums. They also talk about "perennializing" them into a part of your landscape.

WDAY Chief Meteorologist Jesse Ritka had a busy summer, with turbulent storms and widespread tornado damage. And now, like the rest of us, she's reaping the gardening benefits of an unseasonably warm fall while waiting for sweater weather to finally arrive.

In this episode, Jesse joins Don and John for a chat about recent weather and how the stormy summer affected her garden. Ever the scientist, she talks about spending time "experimenting" in the garden with her own family.

Just because summer is over and winter is on the horizon, it doesn't mean gardening has to be done for the year.

In this episode, Don and John talk about how to keep geraniums, mandevilla and other plants growing through the winter so you can get a head start on summer color.

Nothing can be quite as breathtaking as fall color, and though there's a certain poetry to this last burst of natural beauty before we plunge into winter, there's some hard science there, too.

In this episode, Don and John talk about the chemical changes that make fall color happen and talk about their favorite fall color plants, shrubs and trees. Don fields a listener question about late fall pruning and we all seem to agree that slugs are, indeed, super gross.

Crabgrass and quackgrass might sound a little funny, but they are such a common nuisance many homeowners simply throw up their hands and live with them. It doesn't have to be that way.

In this episode, Don and John talk about two of the most common weeds in our lawns and give you strategies to help bring them under control.

A common refrain here at Growing Together is that there's usually something going on with your garden, no matter what time of year, and the same holds true for your local garden centers.

In this episode, Don and John are joined by Luke Nygard, the owner of Nygard Nursery in Dilworth, Minn., for some reasons to give your local nursery a visit even though winter is coming fast. Luke also shares how he transitioned from professional drummer to full-time gardener to business owner.

Learn more about Nygard Nursery on their website: https://www.nygaardnursery.com/<...

You might think of Labor Day as the time when you start closing down shop for the year, but it's also the time when you can start laying groundwork for next year.

In this episode, Don and John go over some of the most fruitful tasks for your Labor Day/early September to-do list, like fertilizing your lawn, splitting geraniums and tackling your toughest weeds.

Topics in this episode:

0:42 Don's vacation seeing gardens on Martha's Vineyard, Boston and Hyde Park
6:40 Are tomatoes late this year?
12:50 The transition time of the Labor...

Your riding mower might make you feel like royalty as you leisurely cut the grass on a hot day...but, you're missing out on some much-needed exercise when you do.

In this episode, Don and John welcome NDSU Extension Food and Nutrition Specialist Julie Garden-Robinson for a discussion about health and gardening, including why you should keep sweating behind your push mower. Julie also has some tips for how to get the most nutrition from your harvest bounty.

As you build out your yard and develop your garden, you'll inevitably find the need to put down some mulch to cover the ground and create pleasing areas around your growing spots.

In this episode, Don and John go over a few key points on mulch, edging and maintenence, including things to consider when choosing rock or mulch and how to prevent weeds.

Topics:

You have questions, Growing Together has answers.

In this episode, Don and John open up the listener mailbag to hear what's vexing you in your garden. Plus, they share in a couple of listener successes.

If you have a question for Don Kinzler, send an email (with a photo, if possible) to donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

2:29 What's eating my tomatoes?
9:52 What's the best product for post-emergent weed control?
14:54 What's wrong with my baby oak trees?
20:51 White poinsettia success
23:38 How do I care for an apple tree still in...

If there's a favorite gardening activity of yours, chances are you'll be able to do it during the month of August.

In this episode, Don and John break down some of your main to-do items for the month of August, including fertilizing, weeding and dividing some perennials. You could likely start picking tomatoes or digging a few potatoes, too, and you might still be able to plant some radishes and greens.

Topics in this show:

0:00 Intro
2:03 Listener question: Slime molds
4:09 Grinding stumps for mulch
5:54 Introducing Samantha, NDSU Extension intern
7:56...

As we enter the high summer season, you might be looking at your vegetables and wondering if they're coming along as well they should. 

In this episode, Don and John (and special guest Casey) take stock of midsummer vegetables and give you some tips on seeing them through to success.

Like the plants we love, conversations between gardeners often flower and flourish as we share knowledge and insight, and nowhere was this more apparent than this year's Red River Garden Tour.

In this episode, Don and John relive the highlights of the 2025 Garden Tour and invite you along to participate next year when area gardeners invite you into their yards to share their love of growing.

See more from this year's Red River Garden Tour here: https://www.inforum.com/lifestyle/red-river-valley-garden-tour-opens-yards-to-the-public

(The Growing Together crew is taking some time off to enjoy the summer, so in the meantime, please enjoy this republished episode from August 2024.)

If you're excited by the idea of canning but feel unsure about where to start, this episode is made for you.

In this episode, Don and John sit down with Rita Ussatis, Family and Community Wellness Extension Agent at NDSU. With years of experience both practicing and teaching canning, Rita shares her wealth of knowledge to help you take that first step.

If you're the kind of gardener who runs out of room in your gardening, climbing and vining plants are an intriguing prospect.

In this episode, Don and John talk about growing up, not out, with vining and climbing plants.

Severe weather shook our region last weekend, with tornadoes, high winds and hail wreaking havoc on lives and property alike.

In this episode, Don and John talk about steps you can take to protect your yard and garden from severe storm damage. Plus, they go over your "Independence Day for gardeners" checklist.

In this episode, Don and John learn something new from seasoned gardener Mary Holm as well as her favorite annuals and perennials and a beneficial reason to plant parsley. 

You aren't the only one looking to get the most out of your plants and shrubs. Fungi, bacteria and pests are after them, too.

In this episode, Don and John go over some common fungal diseases, like powdery mildew, and other blights that can strike your garden early in the season, along with strategies to keep them at bay.

If you want to level up your landscaping game, you might want to give a good thought to how you use shrubs in your yard.

In this episode, Don and John discuss shrubs, the backbone of your landscaping. You'll learn how to choose varieties that work with your available space and give your yard some class.

It's the backdrop for your heated cornhole games and memory-making family barbeques, so it's nice to have a healthy, green lawn.

In this episode, Don and John talk about seeding, fertilizing and other important steps to improving your lawn and making it the envy of your neighbors.

We all have big dreams when it comes to what we want to grow, but the hard truth is that we have to work with the space we have, and every space comes with different amounts of available sunshine.

In this episode, Don and John go over some strategies for planning your garden to make the best use of your sun, with some considerations for container gardening. Plus, they take a listener question about apple tree care.

Fertilizing is an important part of a successful garden, and the spring is the most important time to fertilize, so it's important to get it right.

In this episode, Don and John go over fertilizing the yard and garden, with special considerations for vegetables and containers, all to help your plants reach their full potential this season.

The time has finally come for our part of the world: planting season in your yard and garden.

In this episode, Don and John go over some basics on soil preparation and tips for putting annuals, vegetables, shrubs and more in the ground. Plus, they answer a question about mulch from the listener mailbag and Don has a "dirty" joke.

If you're enthusiastic to hit the garden centers for the first time this season, great! But it helps to have a plan first.

In this episode, Don and John go over some considerations to keep in mind before you get swept up in the thrill of a new growing season. They also answer a few questions from the mailbag.

Unique conditions can lead to winter burn on some area evergreens.

In this episode, Don and John discuss what winter burn is, how it can happen and steps to prevent it.

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?

Maybe your trusty garden tools are getting a little rusty, or maybe you're just itching for some new gear this season. Either way, this show's for you.

In this episode, Don and John highlight some new garden tools currently on the market as we count down the days before outdoor work can begin in earnest.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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/

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.

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.

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/

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...

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. 

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.

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.

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/

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.

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.

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.

(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.

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.

While our yards and gardens can be a fulfilling source of delicious products, we can't forget that there's plenty to be found out in our parks and in the wild.

In this episode, Don and John are joined by Candace Stock, a chef whose Indigenous cuisine has been enjoyed throughout the region, for a crash course on foraging for exciting flavors. Stock will also discuss an upcoming event for those interested in growing fruit trees for both food and conservation.

For more information, visit our website: https://www.inforum.com/news/minnesota/minnesota-women-in-conservation-event-to-feature-fruit-trees

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!

How did a wet spring and a dry fall impact our growing season, and what can we look forward to during our upcoming La Niña winter?

In this episode, Don and John are joined by regular guest John Wheeler, chief meteorologist at WDAY TV, to recap this year's garden and share some wisdom on every gardener's second favorite topic: the weather.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

If you love the idea of canning but are hesitant to make the leap, this show's for you.   In this episode, Don and John are joined by Rita Ussatis, Family and Community Wellness Extension Agent at NDSU. Rita has been canning, and teaching about canning, for years and she has plenty of wisdom to get you started.

Once you start your own garden, it's easy to see how natural it is to save money and time by saving your own seeds.   In this episode, Don and John discuss some of the benefits of keeping your seeds and give you some things to consider along the way.  

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.

A fulfilling part of growing your own garden is sharing it with those you love, and better photos make that easier.

In this episode, John sits down with Britta Trygstad, aka Britta The Photographer, to talk about some simple tactics you can use to get better photos of your garden to document it and share it with the world.

Learn more about Trygstad on her website: https://brittathephotographer.com/

Spoiler: The most common culprit with trees that die unexpectedly is improper care.   In this episode, Don and John explore the Mystery of the Murdered Tree and teach us all a basic lesson in tree care that might prevent the unthinkable from happening to your trees and shrubs.

Summer is a great time for your garden...unless your plants aren't quite growing the way they should.   In this episode, Don and John look at the most common issues that begin to pop up this time of year, including blossom end rot, fungus and pests.

For something as deep and complex as gardening, it's vital to have others around to teach you new things and give you new ideas.   In this episode, Don and John are joined by Rachel Sailer, organizer of the 2nd Annual Red River Valley Garden Tour. The tour allows any gardener to take a peek at the yards of experienced gardeners and find new inspiration. Sailer is a master gardener and operations manager at Baker Garden and Gift.   The Red River Valley Garden Tour is July 17 and 18, and it will feature five homeowner yards plus an open invite to the Northern Pla...

As we enter the thick of summer, you've no doubt been busy in your garden. But this time of year marks a time when you can take it a little easier.   In this episode, Don and John discuss the tasks you can stop doing once we hit July, like fertilizing and pruning,

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.

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.

Arguably, no other flower carries as much meaning and history as a rose, which makes them a popular choice for a gardener.   But roses can also present a thorny (forgive the pun) challenge. In this episode, Don and John go over the basics of growing and caring for your roses, from sourcing the best roses to pruning them safely.

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.

We all know fertilizing is an important part of maintaining healthy trees and shrubs along with a healthy yard and garden. But when should we fertilize, how much should we use, and what kinds of fertilizers work the best?   In this episode, Don and John tackle the important question of fertilizing and discuss why May and June are the best times to get it done.

There isn't anything quite as satisfying as a full, lush lawn. And nothing is as frustrating as a lawn that doesn't look healthy, no matter how hard you try.   In this episode, Don and John go over some of the most common concerns facing those who care for lawns, including yellow patches, thinning spots, weeds, fertilizing and mowing.

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.

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.

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.<...

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. 

The season is finally starting to make a turn for the warmer, and while it's still a little too cool to get plants in the ground, there's still plenty to do.   In this episode, Don and John go over some of the tasks you can do to get your yard and garden in shape after the dormant winter months, like raking and pruning.

How do new trees get introduced to our region, and who's researching how well they'll do here?   In this episode, Don and John talk to Dr. Todd West, NDSU's Woody Plant Improvement Director, for a look into the research he does on new varieties of trees and shrubs that will perform well in our region. Dr. West also has some advice on choosing trees for your landscape and gives a preview of new trees that could become available to us soon.

When we think of a community garden, we might think it's a community of people growing gardens. But the inverse is also true.   In this episode, Don and John welcome Jack Wood, co-founder of the Growing Together community garden, to the show. Jack talks about how his group has opened its arms to new Americans in the Fargo-Moorhead area and grown a tight-knit community of like-minded gardening lovers.

Since you're probably thinking about the growing season, chances are you're also thinking about canning your harvest once fall comes.   In this episode, Don and John are joined by Rita Ussatis, the Cass County (N.D.) Extension Agent for Family and Community Wellness, to hear her guidance about successful canning.

From rain in January to a blizzard bookended by unseasonable warmth, it's been an odd winter for gardeners in our part of the world.   In this episode, Don and John field questions from your fellow Growing Together listeners on what to do and what to look out for as we transition from not-winter to spring.

If you're new to growing plants in your home, or looking for something that gives you a little slack when it comes to timely watering, succulents may be right for you.   In this episode, Don and John go over the basics of succulents, from watering to potting to making them bloom. They'll also settle the nagging question: Are they "cactuses" or "cacti"?

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...

Those of us in the northern U.S. are appreciating this warm winter for reducing the stress of things like travel or snow removal. But what about plants that are stirring way too soon?   In this episode, Don and John talk through the effects that a warm winter can have on your plants, ways you can give them some extra care, and what to plan for the next growing season.

Giving someone flowers can say a lot, but the flowers themselves might be saying more than you think.   In this episode, Don and John talk about floriography, the "language of flowers" that arose in the Victorian era as a way for people to send messages of friendship, gratitude, sorrow and love via certain types of flowers. They'll also go over some tips on taking care of the flowers you receive this Valentine's Day.

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.

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.

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.