Ken Druse Real Dirt

Ken and Vicki talk about color in the garden...how important is it? Also, we chat with a garden designer who designs gardens for city dwellers.

Botanizing was once a common exercise...but what is it exactly? Ken explains as he describes botanizing his property. Then we chat about a new rose on the market, trees, and Ken's garden being featured in Martha's special edition magazine

Ken reports on trouble he is experiencing with a famous brand of potting soil. Also, how to reduce your use of peat moss. Ken and Vicki also talk about some favorite plant and seed catalogs--and where you can buy some gorgeous antique irises. Originally broadcast via Sirius Satellite Radio Feb 3, 2007

In this broadcast, Ken and Vicki offer some practical suggestions for growing vegetables in small spaces and incorporating attractive veggie plants into flower beds. Also, in the last segment of the show, Ken talks about his next book.

Ken is back from a trip to California and talks about new roses, new and exciting plants Martin Grantham has brought back from South Africa, artist Marcia Doinahue's fantastic turtles, and other Northern California disocveries...last but not least, Vicki talks about some new veggies for the garden.

Originally broadcast the weekend before Thanksgiving: Ken and Vicki talk about Audrey Hepburn's final film project, "Great Gardens of the World with Audrey Hepburn". The 1990 production garnered an Emmy Award for Audrey. We also talk about food: chestnuts, wild rice and using fresh pumpkin in recipes.

In this episode, Ken and Vicki talk about their favorite pumpkins for cooking...and Ken's fabulous Pumpkin Creme Brulee that he served last Thanksgiving. Also, Christmas Cactus...the practically no-fail method for keeping a gorgeous cactus thriving from year to year.

Originally broadcast October 7th, 2006 Ken talks about trees that are beautiful all year 'round, but especially gorgeous in the Fall. He also describes how to have a "Windowsill Nursery" full of cuttings taken from favorite tender plants.

We had such a delightful, overwhelming response to Ken's story (in the Sept 23 issue of the KDRD newsletter and on the radio) about his Night Blooming Cereus. In this episode we share some of listener's and reader's amazing but true real life tales of growing this interesting cactus. Also, there's a new product that both Ken and Vicki have high hopes for, Deer Stopper. This product can be applied anytime--EVEN WHEN IT'S FREEZING COLD OUTSIDE. Lastly, Ken talks about a wonderful, under used ornamental shrub.

Originally broadcast September 23, 2006 on Sirius Satellite Radio Ken talks about how and why it may be time to renovate a flower border. Also: Ken shares his success story with his Night Blooming Cereus. We podcast 4-5 of the most recent episodes. To view and/or listen to shows from our archive, please visit our website at kendruse-realdirt.com

Originally broadcast on Sirius September 16th, 2006 In this episode, Ken and Vicki talk about deer resistant perennials and salvias...particularly those that shine at the end of the season and keep producing wonderful blooms right up to the first hard frost...which didn't hit vicki's NJ garden until late October last year. Also, Please don't kill it until you know for sure it's a bad, crawling thing!! Ken and Vicki review a wonderful new guidebook to caterpillars that reveals a fascinating world of beneficial moths and butterflies.

Originally broadcast September 2, 2006 It's time to bring your houseplants indoors...before you turn the furnace on. Ken gives some easy ways to make sure all pests are removed from you plants before you bring them inside...and how to help them survive the transition. Also, how many different mints do you grow in your garden? Vicki has only common spearmint so Ken introduces her to several more...and now there are at least 2 that she considers "must haves".

Originally broadcast August 26th, 2006 Do you enjoy...spend time...on your porch? Ken does and Vicki thinks one of his best ideas, ever, was to install outdoor ceiling fans on his porch, making it a wonderful place to entertain or relax and enjoy your own garden. Also, Ken talks about some great plants to grow on your porch, like pipevines and "Night Blooming Cereus". Last, but certainly not least, we talk about peaches and Vicki shares her favorite method of preparing fresh peach pie.

Ken discusses how he accidentally began making less work for himself in the garden--by choosing plants he really loves!

What exactly is a biennial...and what makes it different from a "short-lived" perennial. In this broadcast, Ken and Vicki define terms that will help every gardener understand what these terms mean in practical terms...what to expect from a biennial, how to get the most from your annuals.

Ken gives us the simple answer to our trouble with roses: Grow the right rose! Ken explains why some roses simply do not like certain climates and talks about how to determine what roses may grow well for you...and tells us about roses that grow well for him.