In this lively and laughter-filled episode, the Hort Culture crew—Alexis, Brett, Jessica, and Ray—dive into the deep connections between horticulture, health, and community. The conversation kicks off with birthday cake energy and quickly blooms into a discussion about how plants and specialty crops shape lives—from personal stories about meeting spouses on farms to the way flowers boost mood and spark connection.

The team explores fascinating research on the physical and mental health benefits of plants: from leafy greens supporting brain health to tree canopy reducing heat-related emergencies. They talk CSAs, farm-to-school programs, and how trying new vegetables (and flowers!) can help build lasting habits. Plus, there’s a fun round of Kentucky farmers market price trivia—revealing just how much tomatoes and beans have changed over 20 years.



Plants and People: A Healthy Connection

In this episode of Hort Culture, hosts Alexis, Brett, Jessica, and Ray welcome guest Chad Niman, Forest Product Specialist and Director at the Wood Utilization Center in Jackson, Kentucky.

With cooler weather on the horizon, the crew kicks things off by sharing their favorite fall plants and fungi—before diving deep into the fascinating world of Kentucky’s hardwoods. Chad walks listeners through the state’s $19 billion hardwood industry, its role in sustainable building, and how species like yellow poplar, maple, sycamore, and sweet gum can support innovative products like flooring and cross-laminated timber panels.

The conversation branches out to:

 * The environmental and health advantages of real wood versus plastic-based building materials
 * How wood residues like bark and sawdust could replace peat in horticultural media
 * The surprising uses of wood flour in everything from animal bedding to food additives
 * How traditional materials are being reimagined for modern construction and sustainability

Plus, the team reflects on old-growth forests, changing design trends, and why connecting with natural materials just feels right.

🌲 Key topics: hardwood industry, sustainable building, mass timber, fall plants, forest ecology, wood flooring, biophilia, peat alternatives, wood residues.
🎧 Guest: Chad Niman


Chad Niman, Primary Forest Products Specialist [https://forestry.mgcafe.uky.edu/directory/chad-niman]

Robinson Center Wood Utilization Center [https://robinson-center.mgcafe.uky.edu/robinson-wood-utilization-center]



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Check us out on Instagram! [https://www.instagram.com/hortculturepodcast/]

The Hardwood Economy: Kentucky’s Hidden Giant

As summer winds down and fall kicks into gear, the Hort Culture crew—Alexis, Brett, Jessica, and Ray—sit down to unpack the busy transition season for lawns, landscapes, and gardens in Kentucky. From wrapping up summer crops to preparing for fall planting, the team dives into the balancing act of deciding when to terminate tomatoes and peppers, the importance of cover crops, and how sustainability goes beyond just environmental concerns to include economic and personal well-being .

They share practical fall to-dos: planting trees and dividing perennials, reseeding cool-season lawns, mulching landscapes, and making time for soil testing . The conversation also highlights the ecological role of leaving some garden debris for pollinators, while sprinkling in personal stories about amaryllis care, cover crop mixes, and the “team termination” debate over worn-out summer veggies .

Listeners will walk away with a clear picture of what tasks make the biggest impact in September and October, plus a reminder to enjoy the season—even if it means pulling a few tired plants early to make way for new growth next year.



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Check us out on Instagram! [https://www.instagram.com/hortculturepodcast/]



Late Summer Lawn, Landscape & Garden Wrap-Up

In this episode, the team welcomes John Duvall, horticulturalist at Eastern Kentucky University and president of the Kentucky Maple Syrup Association, for a deep dive into the sweet world of maple syrup.

John shares the basics of syrup making—from tapping trees, collecting sap, boiling, filtering, and bottling—to the surprising challenges that come with the process. He highlights the heritage of maple syrup in Kentucky, once nearly lost but now experiencing a revival, and discusses how weather patterns, tree species, and even soil contribute to flavor.

The conversation explores the differences between sugar and red maples, the potential of other trees like walnut and sycamore, and the unique taste that Kentucky syrup offers compared to northern states. Along the way, John shares personal stories (including a first-year mishap that earned him the title of “official sugar maker”) and explains how syrup makers balance tradition with modern techniques like reverse osmosis.

Listeners also learn about the Kentucky Maple Syrup Association’s efforts to grow awareness, from beginner workshops in October to the annual Kentucky Maple School on November 1st in Clark County, plus Kentucky Maple Days in February, where farms open their doors for tours and tastings.

Whether you’re a backyard hobbyist, a curious cook, or someone dreaming of tapping your own sugar bush, this episode offers a rich taste of the science, tradition, and community that make Kentucky maple syrup special.

Kentucky Maple Syrup Association [https://kymaplesyrup.com/]

Kentucky Maple Days [https://ky-maplesyrup.ca.uky.edu/ky-maple-days]



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Check us out on Instagram! [https://www.instagram.com/hortculturepodcast/]

Tapping into Tradition: Kentucky Maple Syrup with John Duvall

In this episode of Hort Culture, Alexis, Brett, Jessica, and Ray dive into the art and heritage of seed saving. Together they explore the practical side of harvesting and storing seeds—from tomatoes and beans to peppers and flowers—while mixing in the deeper cultural roots behind the practice.

They unpack the difference between heirlooms and hybrids, self- vs. cross-pollinated plants, and why choosing the healthiest specimens matters. Along the way, listeners get hands-on tips for drying, labeling, and storing seeds, plus fun detours into plant oddities like vivipary (seeds sprouting inside fruit) and the secret life of green bell peppers as they ripen red.

Beyond the garden, the crew reflects on the historical and cultural significance of seed saving—from Kentucky’s proud heirloom traditions to immigrant communities carrying seeds across continents as a way of preserving heritage. The episode highlights seed saving not just as a gardening skill, but as a way of keeping stories, biodiversity, and family traditions alive.

It’s equal parts botany lesson, garden how-to, and cultural reflection, served up with the group’s usual humor and gardener confessions.



Seed Saving Basics [https://extension.psu.edu/seed-saving-basics]

Seed Saving in Georgia Gardens: A starter guide for schools, communities, and homes [https://fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/publications/C1242/seed-saving-in-georgia-gardens-a-starter-guide-for-schools-communities-and-homes/]

Saving Your Own Seed [https://onslow.ces.ncsu.edu/2023/01/saving-your-own-seed/]



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Check us out on Instagram! [https://www.instagram.com/hortculturepodcast/]

Saving Seeds, Sharing Stories

In this late-summer conversation, Brett, Jessica, and Ray reflect on the ups and downs of Kentucky’s growing season—from soggy spring fields to dry summer lawns. The team swaps stories of favorite seasonal treats (popsicles, cider donuts, and cheeseburgers), then dives into the real-world challenges growers and homeowners faced this year.

Topics include:

 * Weed wars in a wet spring – why mowing sometimes beat cultivation for managing crabgrass.
 * Tree troubles – diagnosing stress in mature trees vs. uncovering girdling roots in young plantings.
 * Fruit frustrations – winter injury, fluctuating temperatures, and a tough season for peaches, blackberries, and strawberries.
 * Tomato trials – delayed ripening, leaf roll, and how environmental stress shows up differently across cultivars.
 * Lawns across Kentucky – brown patch in wetter areas vs. drought stress and crabgrass explosions further south.
 * Farmers’ market quirks – why produce prices don’t always follow supply-and-demand logic.

The hosts wrap up with a reminder to support local orchards and agritourism farms this fall—whether for apples, cider, hayrides, or those elusive cider donuts Brett is still chasing.



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Weeds, Weather, and Why Cider Donuts Matter

This week on Hort Culture,  we welcome two special guests—Zoey and Kallise, summer interns at the Mercer County Extension Office. Fresh off their last day on the job, they share the whirlwind of experiences that shaped their summer: from planning Cloverbud Camps, to assisting  with youth programs like international cooking classes and heritage day camps.

The conversation highlights just how much extension work overlaps across program areas—horticulture, 4-H, family and consumer sciences, and agriculture. Listeners get a behind-the-scenes look at county fairs, campfires, home visits, and even a memorable day spent recipe-testing fried apple pies.

Along the way, everyone opens up about hobbies (from vintage bikes to quilting), surprising lessons learned, and the personal connections to plants and gardening that continue to grow. For students curious about extension careers—or anyone who wants a taste of the dynamic work happening in local offices—this episode is both inspiring and down-to-earth.



University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Internship Program [https://ces-personnel.ca.uky.edu/internship-program]



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Learning by Doing: Extension Interns Share Their Stories

In this late-summer conversation, Alexis, Brett, and Ray reflect on the nostalgia of print magazines, book fairs, and the “adult book fair” season of seed catalogs. The crew dives into the realities of August in the garden—plants looking tired, leaf spot showing up, and the challenge of keeping things alive through heat and humidity.

They explore how August serves as a natural transition point: a pause between the frenzy of spring planting and the rush of fall preparation. From buying discounted shrubs and busted soil bags to ordering cover crops, garlic, and seeds before they sell out, the team shares practical tips for both home gardeners and commercial growers.

Discussion also turns to disease management strategies, irrigation struggles, and the importance of recordkeeping—reminding listeners that now is the perfect time to take notes, review finances, and plan rotations for next year.

As always, the hosts mix humor and storytelling with hands-on advice, wrapping up with a reminder that sometimes the best thing you can do in August is step back, breathe, and prepare for what’s ahead.

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August in the Garden: Keeping Plants Alive & Minds Looking Ahead

In this episode of Hort Culture, the team is joined by Dr. Jonathan Larson, University of Kentucky Extension Entomologist, for a fascinating discussion on the complex and often surprising relationships between insects and plants. From pollinators that fuel our food supply to pests that challenge our landscapes, Dr. Larson shares insights on how these interactions shape both natural ecosystems and home gardens. The conversation dives into beneficial insects, pest management strategies, and practical tips for gardeners looking to support pollinators while protecting their plants. Whether you’re curious about native bees, biological control, or just want to understand what’s really happening when bugs meet blooms, this episode offers expert knowledge with plenty of real-world takeaways.

Entomology at the University of Kentucky [https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/]

Arthro-Pod Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/arthro-pod/id920537000]

Firefly Festival [https://visitowensboro.com/event/firefly-festival-know-glow/]

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Check us out on Instagram! [https://www.instagram.com/hortculturepodcast/]

Buzz, Bite, and Bloom: Exploring Plant–Insect Connections

In this reflective episode, Brett and Ray take a deep dive into how Kentucky agriculture—and Extension work—has transformed over the past few decades. Starting with a lighthearted chat about summer, fall cravings, and the buzz (and hype) around AI, the conversation shifts into a second chapter of Ray’s career story, following the earlier “Hands in the Dirt, Head in the Clouds” episode.

Ray shares first-hand memories from his early days in Extension in the mid-1990s, when answering a client’s question meant sifting through filing cabinets, making long phone calls, and sometimes hauling around a Motorola “bag phone.” The discussion traces how technology, from networked computers to AgDiscs and eventually the internet, changed how agents work and how clients access information.

A major focus is the seismic impact of the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement and the 2004 end of the tobacco quota system—events that reshaped Kentucky farming and spurred a search for alternative crops and markets. Ray and Brett explore both the opportunities and challenges of this transition, from diversification efforts and Kentucky Proud branding to the hard realities of marketing perishable crops.

Throughout, they connect past changes to present questions about AI’s role in Extension—its potential as a tool, its limits, and the enduring importance of research-based information and human expertise. The episode blends history, personal experience, and forward-looking perspective on how agricultural outreach adapts to waves of technological and economic change.



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Hands in the Dirt, Data in the Cloud

Welcome to Hort Culture, where a group of Extension professionals and plant people talk about the business, production and joy of farming. So, join us for a chat on the culture of horticulture.

Questions/Comments/Feedback/Suggestions for Topics: hortculturepodcast@l.uky.edu

Check us out on Instagram! [https://www.instagram.com/hortculturepodcast/]

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