Jessica and Alexis play 20 questions, plant style and discuss everything from what plants they always kill to what they'd do if they weren't horticulturists. 

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20 Questions: Plant Edition

In this special episode, Jessica and Alexis talk about kid friendly horticulture activities with advice straight from the 5 year old source!

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Kid Friendly Horticulture 

In this episode of Hort Culture, join the hosts in a conversation  on garden and farm planning and calendars.  they begin this episode with a discussion about slowing down over the holidays and what gardeners actually look forward to during winter break—whether that’s comfort food traditions, couch time with cheese boards, or a quiet walk in the woods. The discussion naturally turns toward seed catalogs, garden planning, and why winter is anything but “off-season” for plant people.

The heart of the episode dives into the often-overlooked reality of garden and farm planning calendars. From seeds and bulbs to plugs, crowns, and bare-root plants, the hosts break down why many orders for the next growing season are placed months—or even a full year—ahead of time. They explore issues like variety scarcity, pricing incentives, weather-related production risks, and the differences between home gardening and commercial-scale ordering. Practical examples—garlic, strawberries, dahlias, tulips, potatoes, and specialty crops like ginger—help illustrate how timing, flexibility, and experience all play critical roles. The takeaway is clear: successful growing starts long before planting day, and understanding the ordering timeline can save frustration, money, and missed opportunities in the garden or on the farm.



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The Off-Season That Isn’t: Winter Planning for Gardeners

Brett reflects on his favorite episodes of 2025 and leafless trees in winter. 

Reflections on 2025 & Winter Trees

In this episode, the Hort Culture crew dives into the joys and challenges of growing herbs indoors during the cold season. After swapping stories about Kentucky snow days, childhood folklore, and the chaos of cabin-fevered kids, the hosts transition smoothly into practical horticulture: how to bring fresh flavors and greenery into the home when outdoor gardens are asleep.

The conversation covers the best herbs for indoor growing—from Mediterranean sun-lovers like basil, rosemary, thyme, lavender, and sage, to reliable cool-season performers like parsley and cilantro, and the ever-vigorous mint and lemon balm. The hosts emphasize realistic expectations: herbs grow slower indoors, flavors can be milder, and supplemental lighting is often essential. They explain how to choose the right pot sizes, avoid moisture‐retaining soils, fertilize lightly, and select the brightest window available (while watching out for drafts).

Listeners get guidance on starting seeds indoors, preventing leggy seedlings with close grow lights, and even strengthening plants through airflow or the classic “pet your seedlings” method. Microgreens also make an appearance as a fast, rewarding winter crop.

The episode wraps with encouragement: don’t be too hard on yourself, try different methods, and remember you can always snag a starter plant or a cutting from a friend. Indoor herbs bring freshness, flavor, and a bit of mental sunshine to the darkest winter days.



Growing herbs indoors adds flavor, saves money [https://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/growing-herbs-indoors-adds-flavor-saves-money]

Growing Herbs Indoors [https://union.ces.ncsu.edu/2021/10/growing-herbs-indoors/]

Indoor Herbs [https://www.johnson.k-state.edu/programs/lawn-garden/agent-articles-fact-sheets-and-more/agent-articles/vegetables/Indoor%20Herbs%201.pdf]

Culinary Herbs [https://www.rs.uky.edu/consumer/extension_pdfs/ho74.pdf]

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Fresh Flavors in Cold Weather: Growing Herbs Indoors

In this episode of Hort Culture,  we provide fun and practical advice on gifts for gardeners! We kick things off by chatting about the start of meteorological winter, the first snow, and our own fun holiday traditions—think pocket-sized cheese advent calendars and big batches of homemade pasta sauce. Then, we dive right into the main event: finding the perfect gifts for the plant people in your life. We share a genius watering hack for indoor plants: forget the tiny watering can! For folks with lots of houseplants, we highly recommend a portable, rechargeable camping shower pump used with a 5-gallon bucket on a rolling cart. Beyond that, we suggest essential gear like a nice pair of high-quality pruners and a nifty little earth auger that attaches to a hand drill, which makes planting bulbs and plugs super fast. And don't forget maintenance—a small, handheld sharpener for pruners is a cheap but incredibly useful gift! If you want something more thoughtful and lasting, we suggest living plants like an Amaryllis or Christmas Cactus, or even saved seeds or perennial plants, which are beautiful, enduring symbols of care.



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Gifts for Gardeners

In this cozy winter episode of Hort Culture, the hosts chat about early sunsets, shifting routines, and the comforting hobbies that come with the season before diving into the real topic: helping houseplants adjust after being brought indoors. They explain why plants often decline a few weeks after the move—lower light, low humidity, and indoor heating all play a role—and note that some leaf drop is simply a natural response to shorter days. The team discusses why many people summer their houseplants outdoors for better growth or to trigger blooms in plants like Christmas cacti, then cover what stress looks like when those plants return indoors. They share practical tips including using the lift test or finger test to gauge moisture, avoiding overwatering, grouping plants for microclimates, and keeping sensitive species away from heat vents. With a blend of humor and experience, the hosts remind listeners that winter is a season of slowing down—and that with patience and a few adjustments, houseplants can thrive through it.

Caring for houseplants in the winter [https://exclusives.mgcafe.uky.edu/2021/hort/caring-houseplants-winter]

Winter Considerations for Houseplants [https://richmond.ces.ncsu.edu/2023/12/winter-considerations-for-house-plants/]

Acclimating outdoor plants to the indoors for winter [https://news.okstate.edu/articles/agriculture/2020/gedon_moving_plants_inside.html]

Indoor Plants [https://www.rs.uky.edu/consumer/extension_pdfs/ho103.pdf]



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From Porch to Windowsill: A Houseplant Transition Guide

In this episode, Ray and Jessica host a pre-holiday conversation mixing seasonal humor with practical horticulture guidance. After swapping Thanksgiving traditions—from deviled-egg weakness to parade-day nostalgia—they shift into a timely deep dive on planting deciduous trees in late fall.

Jessica shares details about a local project planting 29 mixed native trees, highlighting why diversity in species protects landscapes from pests and diseases. The hosts discuss best practices for planting ball-and-burlap, container-grown, and bare-root trees, emphasizing:

 * Planting at the proper depth and locating the root flare
 * Digging planting holes 2–3× wider than the root system
 * Avoiding soil amendments—use native soil only
 * Proper mulching (the “donut,” never the “volcano”)
 * Preventing mower and weed-eater injury
 * When to choose staking—and when not to
 * Why fall is best for deciduous trees, while evergreens fare better in spring
 * Smart watering: slow, deep, and infrequent rather than daily sprinkles
 * Why newly planted trees need 3–5 years of attentive establishment care

Throughout the episode, they trade stories from fieldwork, tree-care mishaps, and municipal plantings, offering relatable lessons for both homeowners and community groups.

They wrap by reminding listeners to match trees to site conditions (size, light, soil, utilities) and to enjoy the upcoming holiday season.



Transplanting Trees and Shrubs [https://publications.mgcafe.uky.edu/id-80]

Planting Balled and Burlapped Trees and Shrubs in Your Landscape [https://publications.mgcafe.uky.edu/files/ho91.pdf]

Planting Bareroot Trees and Shrubs in Your Landscape [https://publications.mgcafe.uky.edu/files/HO113.pdf]

Selecting and Planting Woody Plants [https://www.rs.uky.edu/consumer/extension_pdfs/ho107.pdf]

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Fall Is for Planting: Tree Tips for the Dormant Season

In this cozy late-fall episode, the Hort Culture team (Alexis, Jessica, and Ray) talk all about lifting, curing, dividing, and storing tender bulbs and tubers—especially dahlias, begonias, caladiums, gladiolus, cannas, elephant ears, and more.

The hosts begin by chatting about Kentucky’s unpredictable weather, winter chores, and even a tangent about hot chocolate “tea hacks,” before digging into the main topic: what to do with plants that can’t survive a Zone 6 winter in the ground.

They walk through the why and how of storing tubers successfully:

 * Prevent rot and prevent drying out—the two main goals.
 * Ideal storage temps: generally 40–50°F, with some exceptions like caladiums that prefer it warmer.
 * Curing time: often just a few days with good airflow, and you don’t need to overthink it.
 * Leave the soil on to avoid excess moisture and bacterial problems.
 * Check stored tubers monthly for rot, shriveling, or excess dryness.
 * Storage media options: pine shavings, vermiculite, peat moss (in drier spaces), perlite, and more.
 * Dividing dahlias: the trickiest—eyes form near the crown, not on the tuber body, and are easier to see when the clump is warm or beginning to sprout.
 * Tools they rely on: shovels, digging forks, loppers, snips, and sometimes saws for huge clumps like cannas.

They wrap up with discussion on microclimates, overwintering experiments, and the joys of having a cellar or basement that naturally works as an ideal root-cellar environment.

Overall, the episode is a friendly, practical deep-dive into helping gardeners confidently store their favorite tender ornamentals through winter—and maybe even multiply their stock through spring dividing.

Digging and Storing Tender Bulbs Protects them from Freezing Temperatures [https://daviess.mgcafe.uky.edu/sites/daviess.ca.uky.edu/files/20241012%20Digging%20Tender%20bulb.pdf]



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Storing Tender Bulbs & Tubers for Winter

In this festive episode, the Hort Culture team explores the challenges and charm of growing Christmas trees in Kentucky with guest farmer John Bednarski. John shares his journey from direct-marketing beef to cultivating thousands of Christmas trees at Sherwood Acres Farm, describing the steep learning curve and family teamwork that go into the business.

Listeners get an inside look at what it takes to produce the perfect holiday tree—from irrigation and soil prep to shearing, shaping, and deer control. John explains why Canaan firs thrive best in Kentucky’s conditions, while other species like Norway spruce and concolor fir pose challenges. The discussion also highlights the Kentucky Christmas Tree Growers Association and the importance of mentorship for new growers.

The episode blends technical insight with nostalgia as the hosts recall childhood memories of choosing fresh-cut trees and emphasize how “choose-and-cut” farms keep holiday traditions—and agritourism—alive. John also shares details about his farm’s new gift shop, family-friendly activities, and plans for future wreath-making workshops.

Throughout, the hosts remind listeners that buying a real tree supports local farms and sustainable practices—and even gives those trees a second life as fish habitat after the holidays.

Kentucky Christmas Tree Association [https://kychristmastreefarms.com/]

Kentucky Extension Service Christmas Tree Resources [https://forestry.mgcafe.uky.edu/christmastrees]

Tennessee Christmas Tree Production Manual [https://utia.tennessee.edu/publications/wp-content/uploads/sites/269/2023/10/PB1854.pdf]

Sherwood Acres Christmas Trees [https://www.sherwoodacreschristmastrees.com]

Facebook:  Sherwood Acres Christmas Trees [https://www.facebook.com/sherwoodacreschristmastrees/?checkpoint_src=any]

Ohio Christmas Tree Producers Manual [https://extensionpubs.osu.edu/ohio-christmas-tree-producers-manual/]



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The Christmas Tree Industry in Kentucky

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.

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