In this episode of Hort Culture, the team explores the many facets of scaling horticulture operations—from small market gardens to multi-acre farms—and how those decisions affect production, marketing, labor, and personal lifestyle. They discuss how growers move from hands-on producers to business managers as scale increases, and the importance of aligning farm size with personal goals and family needs. The conversation covers retail versus wholesale sales, labor management, equipment investments, and the risks of burnout when scaling too fast. Drawing on Kentucky’s agricultural history and emerging trends like high-tunnel tomatoes and cut flowers, the hosts offer practical insights on balancing the economics of scale with lifestyle choices, market realities, and the nuances of different distribution channels.

Scaling Up Your Vegetable Farm for Regional Markets [https://attra.ncat.org/publication/scaling-up-for-regional-markets/]

K-Card Beginning Farmer Resources [https://www.kcard.info/beginning-farmer-resources]

UK Department of Ag Economics Publications, Budgets & Decision Aids [https://agecon.ca.uky.edu/extension/publications-budgets-decision-aids]

Center for Crop Diversification Decision Tools [https://ccd.uky.edu/resources/decisiontools]



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

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

Right-Sizing Your Farm: Aligning Scale with Your Goals

In this episode of Hort Culture, the team is joined by Jack Baggett to dive into the world of urban forestry, community engagement, and the impact of the Tree City USA and Tree Campus Higher Education programs in Kentucky.

Jack shares his fascinating career journey — from working with swine operations in Kansas to becoming a certified arborist and leading community forestry efforts. He reflects on his time with Cooperative Extension, running Master Gardener programs, managing farmers markets, and serving as an urban forester in Fairfax County, Virginia.

The conversation highlights:

 * What it takes for a city to achieve Tree City USA designation
 * The benefits for communities — from grant opportunities to civic pride
 * How Tree Campus Higher Education is growing across Kentucky
 * Strategies for expanding urban forestry into underserved regions
 * Fun stories about community tree celebrations, Arbor Day events, and... chickens named Dorothy! 

Jack also emphasizes the importance of collaboration between city officials, Extension agents, and community members to build greener, healthier towns.

Sprinkled throughout is the usual Hort Culture humor — from favorite snack chat to "manifesting horticulture swag."



Arbor Day Foundation [https://www.arborday.org/]

Kentucky Division of Forestry [https://eec.ky.gov/Natural-Resources/Forestry/Pages/default.aspx]

Kentucky Division of Forestry-Contacts [https://eec.ky.gov/Natural-Resources/Forestry/about-kdf/Pages/default.aspx]



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

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



Growing Tree Cities in Kentucky: A Conversation with Jack Baggett

In this special episode, Brett and Alexis hold down the fort while Ray and Jessica are away, diving into a season of wild weather, emerging garden diseases, and some exciting updates from the Center for Crop Diversification (CCD). They chat about wet spring conditions fueling botrytis and other fungal issues, share a clever DIY tree watering hack, and preview the Kentucky Mechanical Weed Control Field Day happening September 23. Plus, they reflect on recent CCD programs, the launch of a revamped website, and the importance of systems thinking in horticulture. With humor, honesty, and a bit of horticultural chaos, they highlight the wins and weeds of 2025 so far.

Center forCrop Diversification [https://ccd.uky.edu/]



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

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

Spring Reflections, Weedy Challenges & What’s Next

In this thoughtful and laugh-filled episode, Alexis and Brett dive deep into the rhythms of seasonality in horticulture—not just in terms of plant growth, but also the marketing windows and human habits that shape the industry. Fresh off a hectic Mother's Day, they reflect on the exhaustion and triumph that comes with spring’s Super Bowl of floral sales and discuss how local growers plan months (or years!) in advance to hit these narrow seasonal targets.

They explore key calendar touchpoints like Valentine’s Day, July 4th, and fall agritourism season, showing how consumer expectations align with bloom cycles, harvests, and farm labor. With stories of sprouting potatoes, sleepy kittens, and missing appendixes, the episode blends real-life farming humor with insight into the planning behind peonies, pumpkins, and produce.

Listeners are invited to consider the deeper labor and lead time behind seasonal products—and why diversification might be exciting but exhausting. Whether it’s bouquets or jam jars, Brett and Alexis remind us that timing is everything... and sometimes, just because it’s possible doesn’t mean it’s sustainable.

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

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

Just Because You Can, Doesn’t Mean You Should

In this episode, the Hort Culture team welcomes Matt Dixon, senior agricultural meteorologist at the UK Ag Weather Center, for a deep dive into Kentucky’s unpredictable weather patterns and their impact on farming. Matt shares how his love for both meteorology and agriculture—rooted in his watermelon-tossing youth—led to a career helping farmers interpret and respond to volatile weather conditions. The conversation covers climate trends, how the Kentucky Weather Alert app supports growers statewide, and why Mesonet stations are vital for hyper-local forecasting. Matt also reflects on memorable weather events, explains what makes Kentucky’s weather so wild, and previews future updates to his app designed specifically for agriculture. A must-listen for anyone who starts their day by checking the radar.

UK Ag Weather Center [https://weather.uky.edu/]

Weather Alert App [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/weather-alert-app/id6470309148]

Kentucky Mesonet at WKU [https://www.kymesonet.org/]

National Center for Disaster Preparedness (NCDP) [https://ncdp.columbia.edu/]



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

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



Forecasting for Farmers: Weather Wisdom with Matt Dixon

In this episode of Hort Culture, we explore the topic of branding for farms and businesses. After chatting about spring rains, gardening chores, and Kentucky’s unpredictable late frosts, we shift to a lively discussion with Brett from the Center for Crop Diversification (CCD) about their "Marketing for All" project. We emphasize that marketing—especially branding—is essential for selling crops and not just growing them. Branding involves defining the core message and values of a business, guiding all marketing activities. The CCD team offers a brand builder worksheet to help farmers clarify their identity across several spectrums (e.g., personable vs. professional, modern vs. classic). We also discuss differences between price-driven and credence markets, customer behavior at markets, and how different types of farms might approach marketing. Key tips include using consistent imagery, breaking tasks into simple steps, and leveraging email as a powerful, underused tool. Listeners are encouraged to check out CCD resources and reach out with questions.

Marketing for All [https://ccd.uky.edu/training]

Center for Crop Diversification [https://ccd.uky.edu/]



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

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





Marketing for Growers: Why Branding Matters

In this episode of Hort Culture, we dive into the challenges of late spring frosts and freezes. We talk about how to tell if a freeze has hit, why it’s important to cover vulnerable plants (and why plastic is not your friend), and the best materials to use for protection. We also share why it’s so important to wait before reacting to frost damage, giving plants time to show how they've been affected. You'll hear us describe signs like "melted" herbaceous plants, "bud blast" in peonies, and frost rings on apples. We get into how different plant stages—like swollen buds and early color—can mean different levels of vulnerability, especially for fruit trees. Outside of the garden, we also share some of our favorite non-plant springtime activities, from watching basketball tournaments to grilling and fishing. For more on frost protection, we point you back to Season 2, Episode 13 and resources from the Center for Crop Diversification.

How to Protect Plants from Frost and Freeze [https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/how-protect-plants-frost-and-freeze]

Protect landscape plants, vegetable seedlings from frost [https://newswire.caes.uga.edu/story/4043/protect-plants-from-frost.html]

Protecting From Spring Freezes [https://www.sedgwick.k-state.edu/gardening-lawn-care/documents/Protecting%20Plants%20From%20Spring%20Freeze%204-10-2020.pdf]

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

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

Cold Snaps and Garden Comebacks

In this episode of Hort Culture, guest Alethea Bruzek, Boyle County’s Family and Consumer Sciences agent, shares her gardening experiences, including managing raised beds and food preservation mishaps. She discusses the role of FCS in supporting family well-being through topics like budgeting, parenting, and especially safe food preservation methods like fermentation, freezing, dehydrating, and canning. The conversation highlights the importance of using trusted resources and the connection between horticulture, food management, and mental health.

Family & Consumer Sciences Extension [https://fcs-hes.ca.uky.edu/]

Food and Nutrition Publications [https://fcs-hes.ca.uky.edu/publications-list/22]



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

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

From Garden to Table: Food Preservation with Alethea Bruzek

In this episode of Hort Culture, we dig into the do's and don'ts of spring pruning for landscape trees and shrubs in central Kentucky. We talk about the benefits of dormant pruning while plants are still asleep, and how timing your cuts can impact flowering later on. Learn why early bloomers like forsythia and lilac should be pruned after they flower, while late bloomers and non-flowering shrubs can be pruned earlier in the season. Whether you're shaping up evergreens or giving your hydrangeas a haircut, we’ve got the tips to help you prune with confidence this spring!



Pruning Landscape Shrubs [https://fayette.ca.uky.edu/sites/fayette.ca.uky.edu/files/pruning_landscape_shrubs_0.pdf]

Pruning Landscape Trees [https://fayette.ca.uky.edu/files/pruning_landscape_trees.pdf]

Basic Pruning Principles [https://www.uky.edu/Ag/Horticulture/QRLabels/Pruning.html]

Simple pruning tips for your fruit trees during the dormant season [https://exclusives.ca.uky.edu/2024/hort/simple-pruning-tips-your-fruit-trees-during-dormant-season]

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

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



Shape Up Your Landscape: Spring Pruning 101

Spring has sprung, and with it comes the daily dance of decisions, dirt, and dedication. In this episode of Hort Culture, we step into the boots of Jessica and Alexis to explore what a typical spring day looks like for many growers. From sunrise planning sessions to soil prep, planting, and pest patrol, we uncover how growers prioritize tasks, adapt to ever-changing conditions, and stay focused during one of the busiest seasons of the year. You'll hear tips on how to stay organized, the importance of observation, and why flexibility is one of the most powerful tools in the shed. Whether you're growing acres or just a few pots on your patio, this episode will root you in the rhythm of the season.

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

Check us out on Instagram! [https://www.instagram.com/hortculturepodcast?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==]

KY IPM Manuals [https://ipm.ca.uky.edu/manuals]

UKY Weather Alert App [https://news.ca.uky.edu/article/uk-launches-new-weather-alert-smartphone-app]

Spring Rhythms: A Day in the Life of a Grower

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/]