Digging deep into the soil of gardening wisdom, this episode unearths precious insights from Master Gardener Bev DeLenardo that will transform how you approach your garden. With over 26 years of experience selling at farmers markets and a wealth of horticultural knowledge, Bev shares secrets that both novice and experienced gardeners will treasure.
Ever wondered why some garlic bulbs produce tiny, numerous cloves while others develop just a few magnificent ones? Bev reveals that the size of what you plant directly influences what you'll harvest, and explains why garlic planted in fall consistently outperforms spring plantings. She walks us through her meticulous process for nurturing "heavy feeder" plants like garlic, from enriching the soil with well-composted manure to the surprising practice of foliar feeding – where plants absorb nutrients directly through their leaves.
The conversation blossoms into practical fall garden preparation advice, with Bev emphasizing the importance of proper cleanup to prevent disease cycles and the benefits of working soil before winter. Her tips on collecting and storing herb seeds, improving sandy soil with organic matter, and deterring garden pests naturally (coffee grounds for skunks, anyone?) offer immediate value you can apply to your own outdoor spaces.
We also venture into the community-building world of farmers markets as Bev shares her experience organizing the Lindsay Thursday Farmers Market. From navigating health department regulations to creating accessible spaces where people connect over locally grown food, her insights reveal how these markets sustain both agricultural producers and the communities they feed.
Whether you're looking to grow prize-worthy garlic, prepare your garden for winter, or understand the inner workings of your local farmers market, this episode delivers rich, practical knowledge rooted in decades of hands-on experience. Subscribe now to continue receiving these valuable gardening insights that help you live your best life under the canopy.