Ken Druse Real Dirt

Ken and Vicki pay tribute to Ladybird Johnson, whose vision truly changed the American landscape...and inspired us to consider and value native American plants. We also talk about simple ways each individual can make small changes that can--we added together--make a big difference.

Must one hang a bright red feeder in order to enjoy humming birds in the garden? Ken explains why now is a good time to be dividing bearded iris

Ken and Vicki talk about their favorite verbascums and which ones return reliably. Also, Ken asks: have you ever wanted to "throw in the trowel"?

Ken and Vicki talk about berries in this episode, Vicki reports on her elderflower experiment, Ken talks about elders for the garden and a remedy for a listener's insect problem.

Ken talks about the earth-moving adventure he had last weekend; Vicki explores the possibility of making her own elderflower cordial from native elderflowers (Ken recounts the number of elderflower cultivars he has tried to grow in his garden)

Vicki's favorite liquid organic fertilizer has disappeared from the market so Ken introduces her to another. Also, Ken talks about a trend-setting nursery in California.

We cover lots of ground this week: irises, gloves, environmentalism and gypsy moths.

One month after the flood, Ken is discovering more good, bad, ugly--and beautiful.

This week, Ken's dear friend Marcia Donahue, sculptor and gardener extraordinaire talks with us about art in the garden. Also, Vicki shares her impressions of the Glass Flowers exhibit at the Harvard University Museum of Natural History.

Ken and Vicki shoot the breeze...Ken can hardly speak about the state of the garden, so Vicki distracts him with more talk of daffodils and wildflowers, and his great success propogating a terrific perennial he wants more of in his garden.

Ken reports on his experience as the Celebrated Plant Expert for the Rare Plant Auction held at Longwood Gardens and Vicki calls in from Nantucket to report on the Daffodil show.

Ken interviews Nicholas Staddon from Monrovia, about some of the new plant introductions...which vicki can't wait to get her hands on! (Please forgive the audio problems in this show; we are working hard to solve the issues.)

Ken and Vicki talk with Eric Johnson, Director of Horticulture at Wayside Gardens about the steps to take when mail order plants arrive.

In this week's show: We talk about the article Ken wrote for the latest issue (May, 2007) of Horticulture Magazine featuring a marvelous private garden that will become open to the public this year. Also, Ken teaches us how to make more of our favorite perennials via root cuttings (it's not as tricky as one might think). He also talks about when--and how--to divide some of our favorite perennials we already have in the garden.- All of this AFTER we both express our frustrations (we do rant a bit) with the New York Times.

This week Ken and Vicki talk with Renee Shepherd,the seeds woman who helped to change what Americans sow--and eat.

Ken shares a tale of woe from the deer damage in his garden and we both rant about box-store nurseries...BUT WAIT...be sure to listen the last segment when we introduce a delightful new plant that we are tempted to name "Fourth of July" cactus.

Ken describes some wonderful gardens he visited on a recent speaking tour.

Are there two gardeners in your household; one passionate about growing vegetables, the other with flowers? There is a handsome, new book packed with information on heirloom plants that will interest both sensibilities. Be sure to listen to this week's episode of Ken Druse REAL DIRT, and listen to our interview Lynn Coulter, author of Gardening with Heirloom Seeds; Tried-and-True Flowers, Fruits & Vegetables for a New Generation.

In this show Ken talks about the marvelous Tiffany exhibit in NYC's Metropolitan Museum of Art. Also, we have an enjoyable and informative talk with Bill Mills, a garden designer in Charleston, WV.

In this episode, Ken and Vicki talk with Adam Levine about his brand new guidebook to the Garden Riches found in Philadelphia and the surrounding region--the birth place of American Gardening. This area--The Delaware River Valley and Philadelphia--is chock full of great gardens and wonderful history. Levine's sumptuous guidebook is a must for anyone who plans to visit the area--and arm chair garden travelers as well.