Bloom And Grow Radio

What if the secret to a happy life is to live seasonally? Living seasonally isn’t just about eating fresh produce (but, yes, that’s delicious). It’s about noticing nature’s rhythms, then adjusting depending on the season and celebrating those small shifts that define the passage of time.And with the Spring Equinox here, which is a time of renewal and balance, it’s the perfect moment to talk about how we can welcome the season with intention. I’m joined by a dear friend Bailey Van Tassel—a mom, gardener, author of Kitchen Garden Living, and someone who’s really committed to living a more seasonal lifestyle.In this episode, we learn:[00:00] What is the secret to living seasonally?[03:15] What is Bailey’s journey into seasonal living?[07:00] How Bailey reconnected with nature[09:08] What really matters in gardening[12:26] The science behind gardening[13:50] How does biophilia explain our connection to plants?[15:00] Find a moment of calm and soothe your spirit with Wind River Chimes![16:41] Nourish your plants a

Grief is so heavy that it can feel like an impossible weight to carry. But if you think about it, you can use plant care as a method to process grief and loss. Like plants, people can also grow and find resilience. They don’t rush and don’t demand. They just grow… little by little, day by day.In this episode, I want to share the story of my dear plant friend, Wade Lee, also known as Plants by Wade Lee. His story is so much more than houseplant care. It’s about loss, grief, healing, and finding joy again, one leaf, one root, one seed at a time.In this episode, we learn:[00:00] How plants can help you heal from grief[04:22] Wade’s story with grief and plants[10:10] Finding solace in plants[15:14] Find tranquility in every breeze this 2025 with Wind River Chimes![16:55] Learn how to grow more food with less space and effort with the 4th edition of ‘Square Foot Gardening’![18:08] Honoring Steven and new beginnings![22:32] How we connect with the spiritual realm[25:39] How Wade secured a gardener position[29:38] H

Have you ever found yourself overthinking over a yellow leaf and wondering, “Is this overwatering or underwatering? Does it need water? Is this normal?” You’re just like the rest of us, plant friend! It's something I've done many, many times, and I know it's something that people in our community do all the time. We all want to get it right, but overthinking plant care can suck the joy right out of it. But in 2025, we need as much joy and as little stress as possible. So here are 5 signs you might be overthinking your plant care and how to fix it!In this episode, we learn:[02:57] Common overthinking traps in plant care[03:54] Five tips to stop overthinking plant care[04:33] Sign #1: You Google every little thing[09:34] Sign #2: You’re watering on a rigid schedule (and believing plant care cards)[12:55] Alternative to a finger test[14:10] Sign #3: You panic over every yellow leaf[15:37] Grow healthier plants, indoors and out, with Espoma Organic’s premium products![18:06] Sign #4: You throw the ‘kitchen sink a

“Start ‘em young.” That’s my motto. Well, it’s not really mine but I say it all the time when it comes to houseplants. And for this episode, I’m sure plant parents are gonna be happy to learn how to connect the younger generations to plants and nature at a young age. So I want to share this conversation with my plant friend Priscille Joseph, who is a Canadian author, illustrator, and plant lover. She wrote My First ABC Book of Houseplants and she’s all about helping kids connect with nature.In this episode, we learn:[03:07] How did Priscrille become a plant lady?[06:04] How ‘My First ABC Book of Houseplants’ was created[10:46] Launching workshops with sustainable brands[13:12] What are the ways to engage kids with houseplants?15:22] Nurture your plant babies safely from toxic chemicals with Espoma Organic’s premium gardening products![16:57] Let kids enjoy a sensory experience[17:27] Connect plants with stories[21:39] Involve kids in hands-on activities[22:34] Make it interactive[24:18] Get creative with plan

Have you ever once thought about how flowers could do more than brighten your day? What if they could actually support your emotional well-being, reduce your stress, and even spark creativity? After 270+ episodes, this is my first time ordering a guest product right after the interview. Yes, I am on the flower essence bandwagon HARD after this interview.But who wouldn't be after talking with Katie Hess, founder and flower alchemist of Lotuswei, a company dedicated to harnessing the essence of flowers to help us live more joyful lives? She’s an amazing educator and I learned so much in this conversation.In this episode, we learn:[04:41] How Katie started getting into the energetics of flowers[06:10] The ripple effect of 3%[08:12] What is a flower essence?[09:46] Why are bees attracted to flowers?[10:18] The concept of botanical wi-fi/flower wi-fi[14:01] Our disconnection from nature[15:48] Wind River Chimes[17:30] Plants with Superpowers[18:31] What is the human-flower connection?[21:45] Validating flower esse

Lately, I’ve been hearing so many people talk about Mel Robbins’ Let Them Theory—this idea of letting go of control, shifting your mindset, and ultimately finding peace. And you know what? I realized that I went through a similar shift when it came to my plant care journey, and I want to share it with you in this episode. I'll talk about how we think about our plants, our plant care, and how that shift in mind can bring so much joy, not just to our plant parenthood but also to our lives.In this episode, we learn:[00:00] Concept of 'Let Them Theory'[01:27] My most popular episode![02:54] I just launched my Growing Joy with Plants Masterclass![04:29] What’s the root cause of your doubt?[07:35] Overwhelm and misinformation[08:58] How to reframe your “plant killer” identity mindset[09:50] How does social media affect your plant care mindset?[12:28] How to celebrate plant care[15:30] Add moments of serenity throughout your day with Wind River Wind Chimes![18:12] Pick a positive thought about [19:01] Treat every pl

How can we conserve water while maintaining healthy, attractive gardens, no matter what climate you're in? Record-breaking heat waves, devastating droughts, wildfires scorching millions of acres, floods turning streets into rivers—we've seen it all this year. As climate extremes test our resilience, our gardens are feeling the impact too. How do we ensure our gardens not only survive but also grow in these unpredictable conditions? Let’s talk about water-saving techniques and strategies to keep your garden lush and sustainable with Noelle Johnson, aka the “Arizona plant lady.” She’s a horticulturist, landscape consultant, and the author of the new book, ‘The Water-Smart Garden.’In this episode, we learn:[02:53] How Noelle became a plant expert[04:36] Why water conservation is important[07:27] What does water conservation look like?[08:27] Identifying drought conditions[09:56] Water-saving tips for renters[10:49] What are the plants great for different plant zones?[13:43] Drought-tolerant plants[15:28] Espoma

Did you know you can use your plant passion as inspiration for how and where you go on vacation? I'm sure many of us have already done this on a small scale. Maybe you've been on a trip and kept taking pictures of plants that look just like the ones you have at home. Or perhaps you've insisted on visiting a local plant shop or botanical garden while on vacation (guilty as charged!). But plant friends, that can be just the beginning of how you travel and botanize for your plant passion.And we're going to dive into everything you need to know about it today with my horticulturist bestie Leslie Halleck, who has been on the show many times, and Marcia Castro Rosenberg, listener-turned-plant-shop owner and also a dear friend of mine.Leslie and Marcia have actually teamed up to create a once-in-a-lifetime trip called Botany & Betterment in The Amazon! It's a seven-day riverboat and jungle adventure on the Rio Negro River in Brazil this August 2025.In this episode, we learn:[03:40] Get to know Marcia[07:51] Lesl

If you’re a plant lover, you’ve probably come across Chantel, the brilliant mind behind @channygrayhome on Instagram. Over the past few years, she has built a community of over half a million plant enthusiasts. But there’s so much more to her than her incredible follower count.In this episode, I’ll take you behind the scenes of my chat with Channy—where we talked about her plant history, her love for DIYs, her big move from the Arizona desert to lush Iowa, and how she juggles being a plant mom and a mom to three kids.In this episode, we learn:[03:15] How Channy and I met at a Botanical Garden[07:28] What has Channy’s plant journey been like?[15:14] Add serenity to your life in 2025 and beat the winter blues with Wind River Chimes![16:56] Start your kitchen garden today by grabbing a copy of Kitchen Garden Living by Bailey Van Tassel[19:10] What does pest prevention mean for Channy?[21:12] Channy’s new plant soap for pest control![23:57] What does a bubble bath for plants look like?[25:07] How to balance mothe

When I visited the Seattle Spheres and saw the famous green wall with its 40,000 plants, I was mesmerized. But what really caught my eye were these strange little plastic baggies hanging off some stems. I wondered if they were hurting the plants at first. But then I looked closer, I realized those bags were filled with insects. Beneficial insects, to be exact. And they were there to manage pests naturally.So if you’re like me and have struggled with pests like spider mites, thrips, or mealybugs on your plants, this episode with Jamie Stanton from DMV Beneficials should show you how beneficial insects work in deterring pests naturally.GET THE FREE HOUSEPLANT PEST CONTROL DOWNLOAD HEREIn this episode, we learn:[02:34] Download my new houseplant pest guide for free![03:37] Meet Jamie from DMV Beneficials[06:59] What is a “beneficial insect” and what makes it beneficial?[09:59] Why not just use pesticides?[12:01] How do these beneficial predators work with your houseplants?[13:42] What are the risks of releasing

I can't believe we're already in 2025, but I am SO excited to spill all the tea about my wild plant experiment from last year. In 2024, I totally went for it and added over 40 new plant species to my collection—and it was quite the adventure! Some of these plants thrived, some flopped, and yes, some didn’t make it. So in this episode, I’m sharing it all—from my favorites to my fails—and what I learned along the way.In this episode, we learn:[01:51] Reflecting on 2024[04:31] What’s your plant parent personality?[06:38] Why I now consider myself a low maintenance plant parent[09:08] How I fell in love with Ficus (and fell out of love with Calathea)[11:52] My success with Anthuriums and Alocasia[13:37] Why my most repurchased plants are philodendrons (+ pothos)[15:19] Start 2025 with soothing premium chimes with Wind River![17:00] Grow your best garden yet with the AHS Essential Guide to Organic Vegetable Gardening![19:39] Why there is less light in your house than you believe[20:50] My top favorite plants in 20

What role do you think nature plays in your life? For me, it has always been a deeper way to improve my mental, physical, and emotional health. In fact, it’s not just me who thinks this way. The minute I hopped into the digital recording studio, I knew that my guest was someone very similar to me! I’ve been following Marcus Bridgewater, better known as Garden Marcus, for years, and I’m so happy to say that he surpassed my dreams of what this conversation on plants and wellness could have been.In this episode, we learn:[02:12] Who is Marcus from Garden Marcus?[04:49] Something we have in common![09:03] How did Garden Marcus get started?[12:50] How did Marcus first start gardening?[17:01] Our crazy plant parent stories[18:56] Community and isolation[20:37] Why we need more green spaces[27:41] How to be a more “grounding” person[30:08] How disconnected is the world from nature?[33:08] Exploring plant life parallels[36:37] How to understand “feelings”[39:35] How to awaken to nature’s presence[43:27] How Marcus’s

Plant friends, did you know your houseplants can double as pest control? Carnivorous plants don’t just survive—they hunt. Venus flytraps can snap down on unsuspecting flies, while pitcher plants lure bugs into their slippery traps. These carnivorous plants themselves are nature’s own pest management system.So I’ve brought on a guest who knows everything there is to know about them: Kenny Coogan, the head of education at the International Carnivorous Plant Society.Kenny has been growing carnivorous plants for about 20 years, and about five years ago, he joined the ICPS as the education director. He quit his day job and turned his passion into his profession, running a carnivorous plant nursery in Florida. As he puts it, "Carnivorous plants are my life."In this episode, we learn:[01:47] What’s not to love about carnivorous plants?[04:52] Who is Kenny?[08:01] Some facts about Venus flytraps[09:57] What is a carnivorous plant?[12:54] Where do we find carnivorous plants outdoors?[15:36] Don’t let your houseplants

As the winter solstice–or the longest night of the year–approaches, how does it reflect and represent you? This is the season of dormancy, a time when plants, the earth, and even we are drawn to rest, recharge, and prepare for growth. In this final installment of our 2024 seasonal sessions, on the pod once again is my dear friend and our resident green witch, Rachael of Our Infinite Nature. She shared with me how the winter solstice can help us honor cycles of rest and renewal. It was a lovely way to end a year of seasonal explorations, covering everything from the practical ways we can live in harmony with the season to what the quiet time of winter can teach us.In this episode, we learn:[03:55] What is the cyclical nature of life?[05:38] How to rebrand winter inside ourselves[10:38] How does the earth respond to winter?[13:48] How to prepare your winter garden[15:25] Give your plants the sunlight, even on the coldest days, with Soltech Grow Lights![16:47] Find peace in the chaos with personalized Wind River

According to a Human Spaces report, “workers in office environments with natural elements, such as greenery and sunlight, are 6% more productive at work and 15% more creative.” Personally, they’ve been my number one most useful tool for increasing joy throughout my workday, and they help me reduce eye strain from staring at my computer all day. So in this episode of Growing Joy with leafjoy® miniseries, we’ll be talking about biophilia, common problems of office plant care, and some practical tips to make your workplace more “green.”In this episode, we learn:[04:03] Why plants are helpful in office spaces[04:16] What is biophilia?[05:37] What is biophilic design?[06:51] How does biophilic design affect productivity?[08:58] What’s our relationship with sounds?[10:11] Impact of natural materials (eg. wooden contact paper)[11:19] What’s the right type of plant for your office?[12:50] Lowest entry: Proven Winners leafjoy® H2O Line[14:46] How to arrange plants in your office (to reduce eye strain)[17:06] Vertical

How do you have a life and a garden? Between busy schedules, family time, and pretty lengthy to-do lists, how can we fit gardening moments into our lives without sacrificing precious time? As we close out our 2024 gardening season, it’s a great time to reflect on what worked, what flopped, and how we can make our gardens even better for 2025. This is exactly where CaliKim shines the most, and her new book, The 10-Minute Gardener, helps us become more efficient gardeners who can, as she says, “have a garden and a life.”In this episode, we learn:[03:48] What is Kim’s gardening background?[06:30] What does her garden & garden zone look like?[09:16] Why raised bed gardening is the best option in Florida[13:04] Why efficiency is important in gardening[14:33] Gift yourself or a loved one the gift of peace and joy with a personalized Wind River Wind Chime![16:03] Bring simplicity into your garden with Kelly Norris's new book, Your Natural Garden.[17:34] 3-minute gardening tasks[27:21] 5-minute gardening tasks[30

What if there’s a way to enjoy your favorite outdoor plants year-round, save money, and keep them inside as houseplants during the winter? The answer lies in overwintering outdoor plants indoors, which is a brilliant technique I talked about with my friend and gardening expert, Janey Santos from Dig, Plant, Water, Repeat. Janey is a master gardener, YouTuber, and just an all-around plant genius, and she shared five incredible plants that can grow successfully indoors over winter and head right back outside next summer.In this episode, we learn:[03:27] Gardening in different climates[06:13] Plant swap announcement![08:25] Why atrium is an ideal plant[10:31] Why coleus is the easiest plant to propagate[11:35] What are geraniums?[15:07] Why you should invest in grow lights[16:12] How to get personalized Wind River Chimes[17:42] Gardening solutions for your indoor and outdoor plants[21:05] Geranium vs. pelargonium[21:57] How versatile are begonias?[25:25] Caladiums—the up-and-coming plant[31:50] Why Alyssum is a

How do you vacation-proof your plants before going away? The holiday season is fast approaching, which means many of us have already booked out-of-town trips that would require us to be away from home for a longer period of time. So how would you keep the plants back home alive while on vacation? It's not like we could water our plants while away, right? So in this episode, I want to make sure that stress never happens to you. I'm going to set you up with all that you'll need to know so you know your plants are content while you enjoy your holiday.In this episode, we learn:[02:01] Join my Patreon for amazing goodies[02:38] How to holiday proof your plants[03:34] What’s your magic number? (the number of days you’re gonna be gone)[05:57] Plant care tips for short trips (7 to 10 days)[10:30] Why self-watering planters would be perfect for you[11:30] Some DIY water-wicking system[12:11] Try watering globes/stakes[13:11] Plant care tips for longer trips (over 10 days)[15:25] Give your plants the light they deserve

Why are plants the perfect holiday gift? Plants symbolize so many things such as growth, life, and connection, so it only makes sense that we want our giftee to feel this. And unlike typical presents, if you pick just the right plant for whoever you’re gifting it to, trust that this will continue to grow and evolve long after the holiday season is gone—making them think of you every time they look at it. But if you’re not careful (and well-informed), that gift could turn into a time bomb of wilting leaves and shattered dreams. And before you know it, your giftee is calling themselves a plant killer. So this episode is all about a holiday houseplant gift guide that avoids the classic plant gifting pitfalls.In this episode, we learn:[03:45] Why do plants make the best gift?[04:52] What’s the biggest issue about gifting plants?[06:37] Why choose low-light plants as gifts?[07:21] How can you make plant gifting fun?[07:35] #1 Personalized terrariums[10:28] #2 Kokedama[12:33] Perfect plants to gift to your loved on

Christmas and the holiday season are coming! Which “festive” plants should you grow and how can you help them stay alive? For many people, nothing makes the holidays lovelier than getting a beautiful poinsettia or holiday cactus during this time. But there’s absolutely nothing worse than seeing the holiday plant that you fell in love with just wither before your very eyes because they need a different care than you’re used to. So today we’ll talk about how to care for classic holiday plants with horticultural expert Farid Khalil from Mahoney's Garden Center.In this episode, we learn:[04:32] Who is Farid Khalil from Mahoney’s Garden Center?[08:04] What do the holidays look like at Mahoney's?[10:20] What is a poinsettia and how do you care for it?[14:48] Give your plants the light they deserve this winter with Soltech Grow Lights![16:12] Pre-order Square Foot Gardening, 4th Edition now and get new plans, tips, and updates![19:21] How to care for poinsettias successfully?[25:52] Are poinsettias toxic to pets and