Ken Druse Real Dirt

On this abbreviated show, Ken gives an update on the new, beloved member of his family: Pippa the puppy, and the new kinder, gentler techniques for dog training. Also, Ken asks three folks he "met on the street" what gifts they would like for their gardens.

The Herb Society of America is celebrating it's 75th anniversary in 2008. Vicki shares a bit about their history and commitment to the study of herbs--the science, the history & folklore, the fun! Also, Ken and Vicki talk about how to over-winter some of the favorite herbs that are not hardy in the northern states. Be sure to visit www.realdirtradio.com for lots more good garden stuff.

Vicki wants a Christmas cactus with the gorgeous pale, peach-pink flower--the one she's only seen growing at Ken's house...so, Ken talks us through the very simple steps for propagating this plant.

A brand new show, timely tips and a girl named Pip.

The Big Feast is just around the corner...how about getting the kids to make one of the appetizers? In this show, we talk about a super-easy to prepare heirloom veggie that very well could have been served at the original celebration.

On this week's show, we launch a new segment aimed at finding ways to live greener--in all facets of our daily lives--as well as the garden.

In this podcast, we attempt to answer listener's questions from emails we've recently received...about beets, hollies, and cutting back (or not) perennials. We also urge you to check out our favorite purveyor of bulbs and get some great bulbs before they are all gone.

Ken reports on his recent trips to the Scott Arboretum in Swarthmore, PA and a wonderful private garden in Arkansas

In this show, Ken has Vicki "test sniff" his homemade scents-ual creations.

The garden created by horticultural therapist John Beirne and the clients at NewBridge Services in Pompton Plains, NJ is a stunning achievement...a lush collection of exuberant, beautifully grown tropical trees, shrubs and flowers in front of a nondescript brick building in an ordinary suburb. In this podcast, we interview John, who is not only passionate about gardening, but also speaks eloquently about the ways gardening can transform lives. Please make sure you visit our web site, www.realdirtradio.com, to see some of John's photographs of this year's garden.

This is the corrected version of the podcast, broadcast Saturday, October 6, 2007: OK, I should leave the puns to Ken... This week we talk about the sounds and aromas of fall...and kvetch about them too. And I talk about some of my botanical finds and sensory experiences from my recent road trip to the shores of Penobscot Bay. Please visit www.realdirtradio.com to see Ken's photos illustrating topics in this podcast.

In this show, Ken talks about rescuing a plant he found at a local box store and his recent visit to North Carolina. Please visit our web site, www.realdirtradio.com for links and photos

Ken and Vicki talk about one of their favorite gardens in New Jersey (where, once a month, Vicki gets to be water girl.) Please visit www.realdirtradio.com to see photographs of plants talked about the show and find links to Greenwood Gardens' website.

Ken and Vicki talk about (debate) the risks/benefits of fall planting. Also, Ken answers a listener's question regarding meconopsis and Vicki's question about moldy peonies. Also, we hope you enjoy listening to Ken Druse REAL DIRT. If you have a question or comment for Ken or Vicki, please write us at kendruserealdirt@yahoo.com....and if you don't mind, please take a moment to leave your review of the show on iTunes. Thanks!!

Ken offers seedlings of a very special tree (check out the photo at www.realdirtradio.com) to those who live and garden in zones 7, 8, or 9. And Vicki talks about the value of record-keeping.

Gardeners are already "living the green life," that is, caring for and nurturing our home planet by recycling, using organic products, conserving electricity & water, and supporting organizations committed to saving our global environments... ...but there's always more we can do. Planting trees and shrubs is one of the best ways to offset our individual carbon footprint (the name given for the amount of carbon dioxide each of us contributes to the problem of global warming via the amount of electricty, petroleum fuels and products we use, etc.). But Vicki calculates that she must plant about 70 trees each year to take care of her footprint! How can she possibly do that on her one-half acre? Answer: She (and the rest of us) can contribute to one of the excellent organizations planting trees around the world. Also, Ken is trying to figure out how to give away some of the seedlings he has grown for a very special, new on the market dogwood.

Thanks to all of you who alerted us that a chunk of the show was... mysteriously...a repeat from an earlier show. This one, hopefully, is the complete version.

In this week's podcast, Ken describes some stalwart flowering shrubs that peak right now and in early fall.

Ken discusses plants he considers stalwarts in the garden. And Vicki shares one of her favorite ways to enjoy fresh corn.

Maybe your back needs what Ken's needed... We also talk about how to select melons, corn, and garlic.