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





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



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





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

Hands in the Dirt, Data in the Cloud

In this episode of Hort Culture, the team welcomes Powell County Extension Agent Jason Vaughn to dive deep into the evolving culture of American lawns—from golf courses to backyards.

Jason shares his journey from mowing lawns in Clark County to managing some of the most prestigious golf courses in the U.S. The conversation explores the “business in the front, party in the back”approach to lawn care, affectionately dubbed the "mullet lawn philosophy."

Listeners will learn about:

 * The real reason raising your mower height is a game changer
 * Why fall is the best season for weed control
 * Common lawn myths (including the overuse of lime)
 * The case for wild blackberries over cultivated ones
 * How home lawn care differs from professional turf management
 * And why sometimes, the lawn is worth keeping—especially for play, aesthetics, or just zoning out with a mower

From clover-friendly backyards to the newest trends in golf course design (think wild, low-input fescues), this episode blends practical advice with personal stories and humor. Whether you're a lawn purist or a prairie convert, there’s something here to help you rethink your green space.

Tips and Recommendations for Maintaining Home Lawns [https://ukturf.ca.uky.edu/tips-and-recommendations-maintaining-home-lawns]

Turf Care Calendar for Cool-Season Lawns in Kentucky [https://publications.ca.uky.edu/files/AGR55.pdf]

Turfgrass Science University of Kentucky [https://ukturf.ca.uky.edu/]



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

The Mullet Lawn Philosophy: Turf Talk with Jason Vaughn

In this flavorful and thoughtful episode, Alexis, Brett, and Ray kick things off with a nostalgic ode to summer fruits—watermelon, cantaloupe, and peaches—and the sensory memories they stir. The team shares light-hearted stories that transition seamlessly into a deeper conversation about branding, authenticity, and storytelling in agriculture.

What does it mean to create a brand that feels both personal and professional? How do farmers and producers balance authenticity with marketing strategy? The hosts explore how their own approaches to branding—whether through daily social media posts or curated seasonal photo shoots—reveal not just products, but values and lived experiences.

With examples from Wild Roots and reflections on photography, audience perception, and storytelling structure, this episode offers practical insights for anyone trying to craft a compelling brand in the food and farming space. Whether you’re a seasoned grower or a budding entrepreneur, the message is clear: your story matters—and how you tell it makes all the difference.

Marketing & Promotion Resources [https://ccd.uky.edu/resources/marketing]

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

Farm Fresh, Brand Ready

In this lively and laughter-filled midsummer episode of Hort Culture, the crew is joined by Emma Lee, UK Extension Agent from Estill County and the voice behind the popular UK Houseplant Education videos. The gang dives deep into the world of houseplants—dispelling myths, sharing war stories, and celebrating the trials and triumphs of indoor gardening.

Emma shares the origin of her houseplant video series, created as part of her graduate work and fueled by her newfound obsession with foliage. From low-maintenance starter picks like Tradescantia and heartleaf philodendron to the surprisingly dramatic Calathea, the crew debates plant preferences and pet peeves. Succulents? Not as simple as social media makes them seem.

Other topics include:

 * The social media-fueled rise of trendy houseplants
 * Why some plants just aren’t for you—and that’s okay
 * Emma’s bioactive frog tank turned Calathea haven
 * Bonsai tangents and plant pricing bubbles
 * “Plants don’t read the books”: what really works at home

Whether you're team succulent or team “please stop mixing cactus with peace lilies,” this episode offers a down-to-earth and refreshingly honest take on houseplant culture.

Show Notes & Resources:

 * University of Kentucky Houseplant Education [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567332444862]
 * Resources for Home Growers: Houseplants [https://horticulture.ca.uky.edu/growers/home/houseplants]
 * Indoor Plants [https://www.rs.uky.edu/consumer/extension_pdfs/ho103.pdf]
 * Caring for houseplants in the winter [https://exclusives.ca.uky.edu/2021/hort/caring-houseplants-winter]

Houseplant Reality Check with Emma Lee

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/]