Recent Volunteer Gardener Clips

Home landscapes: benefits and risks beyond the property line

May 05, 2022

There are parks full of Chinese privet and bush honeysuckle. But not so long ago, gardeners bought these plants at garden centers assuming they would be good for the home landscape. Now they are deemed invasive, and harmful to the ecology. As gardeners, we want to be good stewards of the land, but what does that entail? How much should it limit plant choices? Must we only plant natives?

Color in Containers

April 28, 2022

The formula for an eye-catching container is a strong thriller, some complimentary fillers, and a spiller. Sheri Gramer visits with a gardener who has a talent for designing containers with all of those elements. Plus, she puts those in a perfect pot to complement the fabulous colors too.

Pet Threats from the garden

April 28, 2022

Whether its a plant in the ornamental garden, a floral bouquet in a vase, or a houseplant, there are some that can cause harm to a pet. Some can even prove fatal. Tammy Algood talks with a veterinarian about the toxicity of plants.

Choosing a Bamboo Variety

April 21, 2022

Chris Buker of Almaville Bamboo Company explains how he helps consumers get the right bamboo variety to match their objectives and the planting area.

Vertical hydroponics: growing UP

April 21, 2022

Marty DeHart tours Rally Farms, the first Nashville-based urban hydroponic farm utilizing a recycled insulated shipping container to grow produce hydroponically. Their specialties are culinary herbs and leafy greens. That includes lettuce in both mini and full-head varieties, arugula, mustard greens, and kale.

Trees for Bees

April 14, 2022

Flowering trees are great for pollinators! They provide high levels of pollen and nectar that bees need for their existence. Tammy Algood is at Rock Bridge Trees in Bethpage Tennessee to show off some beautiful trees that are very supportive of pollinators.

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Popular Houseplants + Maintenance

April 14, 2022

Greenery brightens up indoor spaces, and is known to have mood-boosting qualities. Sheri Gramer reviews several popular indoor plants along with the maintenance required for each to perform to expectations.

Autumn Nectar Plants

April 07, 2022

Environmentally conscientious gardeners should strive to grow a range of late-flowering nectar plants to provide insects with energy to migrate, or build them up for winter hibernation. Rita Venable, author of Butterflies of Tennessee, joins Marty DeHart to discuss top-performers such as goldenrod and New England aster.

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Land Management, Vanderbilt University

April 07, 2022

Julie Berbiglia visits the campus of Vanderbilt University to learn how land management practices are evolving toward greater sustainability. Water catchment/usage, and the creation of native meadows are elements of smart gardening practices.

Organic Farming: Good Start = Good Result

April 07, 2022

Jeff Poppen has been farming the organic way for decades. He shares his wisdom for those who are just becoming farmers. He covers a lot of the basics: plan before you plant, when to plow and when to plant, successive planting, tending a healthy compost pile, smart use of cover crops, the importance of lime, and keeping the critters away.

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Native Plants Garden

March 31, 2022

Enjoy a spring time tour of a landscaper's home garden that is comprised of 95% native plants.

Sustainable agriculture method for a container

March 31, 2022

A well-read and experienced gardener demonstrates how he recreates lasagna gardening (layering of organic materials in which to grow plants) in outdoor plant containers. He then starts seeds and also grows a variety of vegetables in these containers with great results.