What Experts Say
Conversations With Expert Gardeners
Recently, I had the privilege of interviewing 5 well-known gardeners from different regions of the U.S.
I not only learned a lot, but I was able to record our conversations and these will soon be available via this site.
This page is just a glimpse of what we chatted about. I have included their websites here as I think they are all worth visiting for the information they share and the books they have available.
One common element was the emphasis they all gave to being organic – getting rid of chemicals – they really aren’t needed.
Also, for ideas – just walk around the neighborhood and see what is growing well there.
My Guests were:
LEE REICH
He describes himself as an avid farmdener (more than a garden and less than a farm). Lee writes, lectures and consults. Very much an organic gardener, he has great insights into home gardening – both ornamental and for fruits and vegetables.
Books by Lee Reich:
A Northeast Gardener’s Year
The Pruning Book
Weedless Gardening
Uncommon Fruits for Every Garden
Landscaping with Fruit
His recommendations to new gardeners (applies to all of us really) Go organic – throw out the chemicals and build up you plants natural ways of fighting disease and pests.
He lives in New Paltz, NY. Visit and bookmark his website
JOE LAMP’L
For three years Joe hosted Fresh from the Garden on the DIY Network. There, he has been responsible for maintaining a picture-perfect garden with the premise of taking vegetables from seed to harvest in a single episode.
He is a frequent guest expert on shows such as The Today Show, Good Morning America and The Victory Garden.
AND, keep your eyes peeled for a new series from Joe premiering on May 15th “Growing A Greener World”
His recommendation to new gardeners: “Start off small! Try too big a garden and the work may overwhelm you and turn you off gardening.” His idea of the ideal garden – one that makes you feel good.
Joe lives in North Carolina
For his books, podcasts and videos go to his website
TRUDI DAVIDOFF
Trudi is a leading expert in winter sowing germination and is a mine of information about seeds – especially ‘heirloom’ seeds – which is great news for anyone wanting to grow their own veg and re-capture true tasting tomatoes and so on.
Trudi’s website has information and links to organisations that share quality agricultural information and dialogues.
Her recommendations to new gardeners: Keep it simple and stick with familiar plants the first few years – if your parents had a garden, then grow what they grew. (and, “you can still have fun gardening in winter!”)
She lives on Long Island NY
Her website is well worth you clicking here and visiting and bookmarking Winter Sown
PAT WELSH
Pat is an amazing lady -still gardening when most us will be retired and wanting to be absolutely lazy. But, she is living proof that gardening keeps you active and involved.
Pat is an emmy award winning garden writer and TV presenter. Living in Southern California, her gardening tips and ideas work well for other regions as well – though for those living in a similar climate, you can’t go past her sound, practical advice
Her recommendations to new gardeners: be water-wise and try to give you plants a rest during the year (if you can).
Check out her website for publications and videos – you will see what I mean. Make sure you also go to her blog as there are great Q & A’s there.
KARIN ANDRESEN
Karin Andresen is an avid vegetable gardener. In this day with emphasis on being more eco-friendly, sustainable gardening is even more relevant – and of course the benefit also comes with better tasting fruit and veg and saving dollars.
Karin gardens in zones 5 & 6, which is South East Michigan, but I am sure the principles she enunciates are adaptable if you choose the correct plants for your region or hardiness zone.
Her recommendations to new gardeners: What ever you do, and no matter where you start, ALWAYS thoroughly prepare the soil. Add organic matter, especially compost. Test the soil and supplement with whatever elements are missing or inadequate. It may be hard work up front, but it will be rewarded many times over with better results and less work over the long run.
This is a recommendation all my guests focussed on – the importance of good compost and mulching.
Visit and bookmark her websites Growing Vegetable Gardens – you will see links there to Great Lakes Gardeners – a good forum to follow.
The recorded interviews with these expert gardeners are now available contact me if you would like a copy of any one of them (free)
