Talkin' Dirty: December and January Gardening Tips

 Master Gardener, Emily Clem, welcomes Lynne Wenineger from Alabama A&M University. The curator of the herbarium at A&M, Lynne talks about the importance of collecting and preserving plants for study in the plant library. From gathering specimens in the field, to pressing, and cataloging, Alabama is the 4th ranked state in the US for biodiversity and several plant species are found nowhere else in the world.

Links:
http://floraofalabama.org/    (Alabama Plant Atlas)
https://www.aces.edu/  (Alabama Cooperative Extension)
https://www.alcpl.org/

Have questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.org
Music by Pixabay 

Master Gardener, Emily Clem, welcomes Travis Roddy of the International Crane Foundation. They talk about the cranes that winter here in North Alabama, including sandhill cranes and the endangered whooping cranes.

Links:
https://www.aces.edu/  (Alabama Cooperative Extension)
https://savingcranes.org/  (International Crane Foundation)
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/wheeler  (Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge)
https://www.alcpl.org/

Have questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.org
Music by Pixabay     

Limestone County Master Gardeners Emily Clem and Soozi Pline talk about native plants that grow well in the North Alabama region.  They identify plants, season by season, that bloom and provide food for pollinators all year long. In the process of naturalizing their own home properties, Emily and Soozi identify which plants work for different sun and soil conditions. They agree that gardening is often trial and error and even Master Gardener experts make mistakes!

Links:
https://www.aces.edu/  (Alabama Cooperative Extension)
https://www.landtrustnal.org/2023/04/17/northal-native-plants/
https://www.alcpl.org/

The Athens-Limestone Public Library has a wide selection of books on native plants. 
Have questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.org
Music by Pixabay    

Limestone County Master Gardener, Emily Clem, talks with Rhonda Britton, Former Home Grounds Agent with the Alabama Cooperative Extension and current Campus Engineer at Auburn University's Research and Innovation Campus in Huntsville. Rhonda gives a step by step guide to growing shiitake mushrooms for home gardeners.

Links:
https://www.sweetgrownalabama.org/sga-members/626
https://www.aces.edu/  (Alabama Cooperative Extension)
https://www.alcpl.org/

 Have questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.org
 Music by Pixabay   

Limestone County Master Gardener, Emily Clem, talks with Kerry Steedley, Regional Extension Agent for Forestry, Wildlife, and Natural Resources.  They discuss which native fruit and nut plants you can grow to produce food for both you and the Pollinators!

Books discussed in this episode and available at Athens-Limestone Public Library:

Bringing nature home : how you can sustain wildlife with native plants / Douglas W. Tallamy
Native plants of the Southeast : a comprehensive guide to the best 460 species for the garden / Larry Mellichamp 

                     Links:
https://www.izelplants.com/  (native plant resource)
https://www.aces.edu/  (Alabama Cooperative Extension)
https://www.alcpl.org/

 Have questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.org
 Music by Pixabay     

Springtime in the garden!  Master Gardeners Janis and Lisa give planting and pruning guides for April and May. From flowers, grasses, and shrubs to veggies, fruits, and nuts, find out when to plant as well as how to fertilize and deter pests. Garden Tip: It's better to water deeply and less frequently to establish good root systems in new plants before the hot summer weather sets in!

  Links
https://www.aces.edu/
http://mg.aces.edu/
https://www.alcpl.org/

If you have gardening questions, please submit to gotquestions@alcpl.org   
Music from Pixabay   

Everything you need to know about what to do in your garden as we transition from winter to spring! Master Gardeners Diane and Heronda give planting and pruning guides for February and March. Tip:  After getting some long-awaited nice weather days, don't be fooled into planting early because it can frost into late March / early April here in North Alabama. 

  Links
https://www.aces.edu/
http://mg.aces.edu/
https://www.alcpl.org/

If you have gardening questions, please submit to gotquestions@alcpl.org   
Music from Pixabay  

If you think of winter as a dormant time in your garden, think again! Winter is prime time to plant trees and shrubs. Master Gardeners Janis and Janet talk about what to do during December and January to keep your garden in top shape.  Topics include weed control, soil testing, hardy annuals, and Spring bulbs. 

  Links
https://www.aces.edu/
http://mg.aces.edu/
https://www.alcpl.org/

If you have gardening questions, please submit to gotquestions@alcpl.org   
Music from Pixabay 

Fall is planting time! Master Gardeners Carol and Jay talk about how to winterize your garden and what to plant to enhance winter curb appeal. They also give tips on fall veggies, spring bulbs, and perennials for both sun and shade. Bonus: Jay goes in depth on caring for knock out roses and crepe myrtles.

 Links
https://www.aces.edu/
http://mg.aces.edu/
https://www.alcpl.org/

If you have gardening questions, please submit to gotquestions@alcpl.org   
Music from Pixabay

Master Gardeners Emily and Diane talk about native plants as a lawn substitute, small ornamental trees for your front yard, and foundation plants that resist disease. Also, how to rake your leaves in the fall. Spoiler alert: Don't! August and September garden tips.

Links
https://www.aces.edu/
http://mg.aces.edu/
https://www.alcpl.org/

 If you have gardening questions, please submit to gotquestions@alcpl.org