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

This episode of the Hort Culture podcast kicks off with a spirited, lighthearted debate among the hosts about the definition of "peak fall" and where the line between autumn and winter truly lies. Following this seasonal discussion, the episode features guest Daniel Wilson, Director of the University of Kentucky's Robinson Center, a unique facility in Eastern Kentucky that integrates extension, research, and student learning as a land-grant mission hub. Wilson discusses the center's critical role and the ongoing, intentional rebuilding efforts following the devastating July 2022 flood, which destroyed eight of the center's thirteen structures, with a grand opening for the new "campus feel" set for Spring 2026. Beyond its traditional agricultural studies on row crops, the center is crucial for regional horticulture and sustainable Appalachian land use, providing site-specific data and research on crops like mushrooms, ginseng, and elderberry. Wilson highlights the impactful Heirloom Seed Project, a post-flood effort where the center's horticulturalist grew specific heirloom beans on their hop trellises to harvest and return the seeds to families who had lost their multi-generational seed stock, directly linking the center's research to the region's heritage and recovery.



Robinson Center [https://robinson-center.mgcafe.uky.edu/]

Robinson Forest [https://robinson-center.mgcafe.uky.edu/Robinson-Forest]

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

Robinson Center Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/ukrobinsoncenter]



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The Robinson Center: Land-Grant Mission in Action

In this fall-themed episode, hosts Alexis, Brett, Jessica, and Ray (the “Plant People”) celebrate the season with a mix of food talk, laughter, and horticultural insights. They kick things off sharing their favorite pumpkin-inspired treats— from homemade pumpkin bread to smoked butternut mac and cheese and even pumpkin tortilla chips.

The conversation transitions into the episode’s main topic: fall leaf color in Kentucky and beyond. The group discusses the science behind color change — how cool nights, warm days, and moderate moisture bring out the best reds, oranges, and yellows. Ray explains how a good growing season followed by a slightly dry fall concentrates sugars in leaves, leading to vibrant anthocyanin-driven reds. They also talk about the impact of Kentucky’s record-dry August, wondering how it might affect 2025’s color display.

Listeners learn about useful resources like the ExploreFall.com foliage map and Kentucky Tourism’s fall color tracker, which show when and where to find peak color. The hosts share personal sightings — from maples just beginning to turn to the rich reds of burning bush and sassafras — and discuss how elevation, frost timing, and species type influence local color patterns.

The team also dives into some fascinating plant physiology, explaining how the green pigment chlorophyll fades to reveal yellows and oranges already present in leaves, while reds form later from sugar accumulation. Their side conversation about variegation and plant adaptation connects the science of leaf color to everyday gardening.

The episode wraps up with everyone’s appreciation for leaf-peeping season, favorite scenic drives, and plans to visit Kentucky’s Red River Gorge and other colorful fall spots.

Explore Fall [https://www.explorefall.com/]

Kentucky Tourism Fall Color Tracker [https://www.kentuckytourism.com/kentucky-fall-foliage-map]

The 2025 Fall Foliage Prediction Map [https://smokymountains.com/fall-foliage-map]



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Why Leaves Change: The Science and Beauty of Fall Color

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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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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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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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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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

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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