Bloom And Grow Radio

If you knew where most grocery store lettuce comes from and what it goes through before it lands in that plastic box, you’d never look at bagged salad the same way again. In this Best of Growing Joy episode, I’m sharing a practical, beginner-friendly guide on how to grow lettuce from seed so you can harvest fresh, crunchy salad greens right outside your door with my friend and garden coach, Nicole Burke of Gardener. We talk about simple ways to grow lettuce in raised beds, containers, grow bags, and even tiny balconies, so you can enjoy homegrown salads on repeat all season long! Nicole breaks down the different types of lettuce and salad greens, when to direct sow seeds versus starting them indoors, and the watering routine that actually keeps those shallow roots happy. We also chat about easy organic pest strategies, smart spacing, and how to harvest lettuce so it keeps growing back, giving you that dreamy cut-and-come-again salad garden. By the end of this episode, you’ll feel confident starting lettuce fr

Why are monarch butterflies so special? If you follow me on Instagram, you already know my answer. The monarch butterfly has completely taken over my heart. I literally dressed up as one for Halloween this year, and I have zero regrets! Ever since my husband and I moved to Florida, I started planting milkweed just to watch them hatch in my own yard. And wow. Seeing their life cycle happen right in front of me made me think deeply about gardening. It also made me realize I had a lot to learn. So I called up my favorite wildlife nerd, David Mizejewski, and we spent a whole podcast episode just geeking out about monarch butterflies together! Let's dive in!   In this episode, we learn: [03:57] Meet David Mizejewski, a naturalist, NWF, and a fellow monarch nerd! [04:36] Why monarch butterflies hold a special emotional place for me [06:06] What are the benefits of monarchs? [08:49] Are monarchs really disappearing? [10:53] Why the endangered/threatened designation is so confusing [12:52] What would a "threat

Did you know your “regular” herb garden can double as a medicinal herb garden, and that the mint you grab for mojitos can actually calm your nerves and your digestion? I used to think herbalism meant mysterious tincture bottles and complicated formulas… until I started turning the basil, mint, and lemon balm I grow into simple herbal teas I actually drink every night. In this Best of Growing Joy episode, I’m revisiting a conversation with Juliet from the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine, botanist, herbalist, and author of The Healing Garden. If you’re a gardener, tea lover, or herbalism beginner who wants to learn how to grow and use medicinal herbs you already have, this episode is for you! You’ll learn which common herbs (like mint, basil, rosemary, lemon balm, and calendula) are most powerful to start with, how to harvest and dry them for tea, and why plant energetics (matching herbs to your unique body) matters more than any trendy supplement. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to make your own herbal

I’ve always wanted to make gardening a lifelong hobby because I plan to have dirt under my nails well into my 80s or 90s, but I never really thought through HOW to make that happen. Because as much as we love our plants, gardening as you age is not about doing the same thing forever. I see it with my mom who’s an incredible gardener. She has that true plant parent energy, but even she has to change how she gardens. So what if the secret to longevity is just learning how to garden differently? To help me with that topic is Rhonda Fleming Hayes. She’s the author of Garden for Life and has been gardening across more climates, zones, and life changes than most of us can imagine. And in this episode, she teaches us gardening tips for seniors and how to adapt your garden as you age so gardening stays joyful!   In this episode, we learn: [02:56] Meet Rhonda Fleming Hayes, author of Garden for Life! [03:25] What do we call “senior gardeners” without promoting ageism? [04:21] Why 55 is the turning point for when/h

Did you know mushrooms aren’t actually plants, but a completely different kingdom that plays a huge role in soil health, plant health, and the success of your indoor and outdoor garden? This is the third episode in our Mushroom Mini Series, and this week we’re having a high-level conversation all about what mushrooms are, how fungi and mycelium work, and why they matter so much for plant parents and anyone interested in holistic plant care. Louis from North Spore joins me and my husband Billy for a really fun conversation about the underground “wood wide web,” how mushrooms support your garden ecosystem, and why understanding fungi can completely change the way you think about gardening, mushrooms in soil, and growing mushrooms at home. I hope this conversation helps you better understand the hidden life in your soil and inspires you to look at mushrooms, plant care, and your garden in a whole new way.   In this episode, we learn: [05:42] What is it like being a mushroom farmer? [06:40] Multiple harvests f

Did you know that your bulb garden doesn't have to be high-maintenance? One of my earliest memories is my mom planting what felt like endless tulip bulbs—500 of them, in fact. She was a young mom with three kids, no spare time, and definitely not a person who could fuss over plants every day, but somehow, she always had color! Bulbs showed up for her, and she did not have to slave over her garden to get them. That’s why I know it is possible to create a low‑maintenance garden with bulbs. So I invited Jenny Rose Carey on the show to walk us through it. She gardens on a 4.5‑acre property called Northview, filled with thousands of bulbs that bloom from late winter through fall. She’s a horticulturist, a biologist, a teacher at heart, and the author of The Essential Guide to Bulbs. She shares how bulbs actually work, which ones are worth planting, and how to plant them so they don’t rot or disappear after one season! Let's begin!   In this episode, we learn: [04:04] Meet Jenny Rose Carey [07:05] What’s the his

Did you know that you can actually grow edible gourmet mushrooms in your garden right alongside your tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, herbs, and veggies? You can! And by doing that, you can improve your soil health, support your garden ecosystem, and add another delicious crop to harvest and enjoy throughout the growing season. This is the second episode in our Mushroom Mini Series. Last week, we re-released our episode on growing mushrooms indoors, and this week, we’re talking all about how to grow mushrooms outdoors in your garden. Louis from North Spore joins me and my husband Billy for such a fun conversation about growing mushrooms outdoors right alongside your vegetables, herbs, and even cut flowers. We talk about beginner-friendly ways to start growing edible mushrooms at home without a fancy setup required! If you’re a plant lover, gardener, or curious plant parent, this episode will open your mind to just how easy and rewarding mushroom gardening can be. I can’t wait to see what kinds of mushrooms you gro

My goal this year is to find more ease and joy in my garden! I love my plants, but I don’t want my yard to feel like another job. And when I realized that was a theme that was gonna keep coming up, I knew I needed to do an episode on permaculture. So I invited my plant friend, Brandy Hall. She’s a permaculture designer and has helped me see it as a simple, practical way to garden. She calls herself a garden editor for homeowners, which means she helps people like us turn regular lawns into regenerative spaces that get better over time.   In this episode, we learn: [02:45] Meet Brandy Hall of Shades of Green Permaculture! [03:23] How did she become the permaculture expert that she is today? [04:38] What pesticide exposure did to her family and why it changed everything [08:24] How travel, farm life, and construction work pulled Brandy into this career [10:51] Permaculture vs regenerative gardening vs rewilding vs ecological landscaping [12:50] Is permaculture growing your own food? [14:44] What are the

What if your next houseplant could double in size overnight and end up on your dinner plate? Today we’re talking about how to grow mushrooms indoors and why it might be one of the most fun, beginner-friendly ways to grow edible mushrooms at home. A couple of years ago, I recorded a Mushroom Miniseries with my husband and mushroom expert Louis from North Spore, and we talked about everything from growing mushrooms indoors to outdoor cultivation and harvesting your own mushrooms at home. This episode is all about growing mushrooms indoors, including beginner-friendly options like mushroom grow kits, easy edible varieties like oyster mushrooms and lion’s mane, and what you actually need to get started. It’s weird, it’s fascinating, it’s surprisingly easy, and if you’re a plant parent who’s ever wanted your hobby to become dinner, this one’s for you. I’m so excited to bring this episode back as part of our Best of Growing Joy series, and I think you’re going to love it.   In this episode, we learn: [00:56] This

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the sea of information about indoor plants, wondering which tips to trust? You're not alone! Join me on this enlightening episode of "Growing Joy with Plants," where I chat with Tanner, the creative mind behind Tanner the Planter. Tanner's journey into the world of plants began in his childhood in Oregon, and he’s here to share his passion for plant care and how he navigates the challenges of caring for indoor plants in the age of social media.  As Tanner recounts his transition from Oregon to Texas, he reveals how his early love for plants blossomed into a mission to provide realistic plant care advice online. We discuss the conflicting information that often leaves plant parents feeling lost and frustrated. This episode is packed with valuable insights on understanding the basic needs of your plants, such as light and water, to prevent common issues like scale insects and plant pests. Tanner emphasizes the importance of setting realistic expectations in plant care, helping

2026 is the year of ease, joy, and low-maintenance plant care! It’s time that plants make us feel good instead of dread every time we walk past them. Something’s off if plants are stressing you out. So I invited my friend Cassidy Tuttle from Succulents and Sunshine back on the podcast because if there’s anyone who embodies easy plant care, it’s her! We talked about what’s actually happening in our plant lives right now: having too many plants, letting some go, and redefining what our collections look like. Listen in!   In this episode, we learn: [03:49] Meet my friend Cassidy from Succulents & Sunshine! [04:50] Cassidy’s latest projects: the Cheerful Plants app and Snappy Pots [06:28] How her relationship with plants changed over the years [08:39] What other low-maintenance plants is she experimenting with? [09:45] Cuttings vs established plants [11:25] My unexpected reality of growing plants in Florida! [13:30] Why we now concentrate plants in specific zones of the house [15:30] Get 3x the antio

If you ask me, the secret to being everyone’s favorite neighbor or friend is always having a handful of blooms ready to share. And the best way to do that is to grow your own cut flower garden so you can step outside, snip a few stems, and instantly make someone’s day. In this Best of Growing Joy replay, I’m bringing back one of my favorite conversations with flower farmer and friend Brooklyn Sherri, a Denver-based urban flower farmer and founder of the Cool Choice Plant Studio for kids. We break down cut flower gardening for beginners and talk through the best flowers for a cut flower garden, including easy annuals, reliable perennials, and beginner-friendly blooms that bring beauty, pollinators, and joy into your space. We also cover the flower gardening basics that make all the difference, like annuals vs. perennials, pinching, deadheading, and how to confidently grow flowers with less fear and more fun.   In this episode, we learn: [00:02:23] Maria’s garden update [00:05:40] Who is Brooklyn and how she

Have you ever wondered how the trees around you might hold stories of spirits and ancient traditions? Join me, on this enchanting journey into the heart of Finnish mythology, as I chat with the incredibly talented Nina, an illustrator and researcher from Finland. Nina's profound connection to nature, rooted in her upbringing in a forestry village, brings an enlightening perspective on tree worship and the animistic beliefs that celebrate trees as living entities with their own spirits or 'väki.  In this episode, we dive deep into the rich tapestry of Finnish folklore, exploring how the relationship between humans and nature is woven into the very fabric of their mythology. Nina shares fascinating insights into the concept of spirit trees—those special trees that families adopt to symbolize their connection to the land. You’ll learn about the rituals surrounding offerings to these trees, which serve as a beautiful reminder of our bond with the environment. As plant lovers and plant parents, we often seek ways

What if you could grow 300+ indoor plants without hauling watering cans to the shower every weekend… and without even dealing with soil? In this episode of the Best of Growing Joy series, we’re revisiting one of the most amazing approaches to plant care: passive hydroponics, often called semi-hydro. My friend Kay from @inrootedlove is back for what we’re calling Passive Hydro 2.0, and we’re diving into the real-life details of growing plants this way. We talk about LECA vs Pon, root pruning, reservoirs, fertilizer concerns, and what happens when life gets busy and you forget about your plants for a while. If you’ve experimented with LECA, are curious about Pon, or want to better understand passive hydroponics for indoor plants, Kay is the perfect person to learn from. This conversation will help you troubleshoot common issues, understand the method more deeply, and grow your plants with greater confidence.   In this episode, we learn: What Kay's Plant Number is How Kay manages to keep 200+ plants in her ho

I'm getting certified as a forest therapy guide with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT)! Every single time, though, people’s response is the same. "Oh my God, that sounds so cool. But what is that?" I get that the words "forest therapy" or "forest bathing" sound vague. Some think it’s like hiking or yoga in the woods, but many can be mistaken. I spent years focused almost entirely on houseplants. But the deeper I got into plant care, the more I started to see the bigger picture. Plants aren't just decoration, and nature isn't just a backdrop. There's something real happening when we slow down and actually be in it. So I invited Amos Clifford, the founder of ANFT, and the top forest therapy guide and trainer, Nadine Mazzola, to talk about what this practice really is!   In this episode, we learn: [01:54] Why forest therapy feels so accessible and meaningful to me! [03:05] What is forest bathing? [06:32] How did Nadine become a forest therapy guide? [08:26] The story behind how ANFT was fo

Welcome back to part two of our Understanding Natural Light series. We’re bringing this conversation back as part of our Best of Growing Joy episodes because it’s one of the most helpful discussions we’ve ever had about indoor plant lighting. This episode is a replay of my conversation with Leslie Halleck, a dear plant friend of mine and a horticulture and lighting expert. If you’re a plant parent trying to understand the light in your home, this conversation is a must-listen because the number one mistake I see plant lovers make is misunderstanding their light. Most people think they have bright light for their plants when they actually don’t. Our eyes are not great at judging how much light indoor plants really receive, which is why so many plants struggle indoors. So in this episode, we dive into how to measure light for indoor plants. We talk about window directions, the difference between brightness and light volume, and how to use simple tools like a light meter to understand what your plants are actual

This is my third year attending the Northwest Flower and Garden Show in Seattle, and I come back with all the plant tea! Every year, this festival just keeps getting better. The only way I can describe what it feels like is that I walked into a convention center and forgot I was in one. In front of me, there were 20 full garden landscapes installed on the concrete floor. The lights are dimmed, and you can hear birdsongs and smell mulch and something floral. I gave a talk on my plant parent personalities and co-hosted the House of Plants pop-up with Costa Farms. But I always leave with more than I came for because every year, the garden installs and what vendors are selling tells me something real about where gardening and houseplants are headed. So here are my main takeaways from the 2026 Northwest Flower and Garden Festival!   In this episode, we learn: [02:05] What the Northwest Flower & Garden Show (Festival) is [05:15] How the display gardens work! [06:11] What are the biggest 2026 garden trends?

Natural light for indoor plants is one of the most misunderstood parts of plant care. Most plant parents think their homes are bright enough for houseplants… but the truth is, we often overestimate how much light our plants are actually getting. So we all know that the concept of bright indirect light is kind of a disaster. It’s one of the most confusing things in indoor plant care, and most plant parents wildly overestimate how much light they have in their homes. That’s exactly why I’m so excited to bring back this two-part series on natural light for indoor plants from the Best of Growing Joy collection. In this episode, I’m joined by my dear friend, horticulturist and lighting expert Leslie Halleck, author of Gardening Under Lights, one of the best resources for understanding grow lights and indoor plant lighting. But before we even talk about grow lights, we need to understand something even more fundamental: how light actually works for plants. In this conversation, Leslie and I get into the nitty-gritt

Are you tired of the boom-and-bust cycle of traditional gardening? Imagine a world where your garden is a source of joy and sustenance all year round! Join me, in this enlightening episode of Growing Joy with Plants, where I chat with the incredibly knowledgeable gardening expert, Charlie Nardozzi. Together, we dive deep into the realm of low maintenance gardening and explore innovative techniques that not only simplify your gardening experience but also promote sustainable practices. Charlie takes us on a journey through his childhood, sharing his cherished memories of gardening with his Italian grandparents. His passion for plants blossomed into a successful career as a horticulturist and author, and today, he’s here to help us shift our gardening mindset. Forget the traditional methods that often lead to plants dying or battling plant pests; it's time to embrace low maintenance gardening strategies that yield continuous harvests! In this episode, we discuss the concept of a continuous vegetable garden that

Hands down, without a doubt, incorporating indoor plants into my office has been the single best thing I’ve done for my mental health during the workday. And at this point, plant friends, if you or someone you love is working without plants in the workplace, we need to talk.Because this is not just about aesthetics.This is about biophilic design and workplace wellness. It is about the science that proves how plants and productivity are connected. Study after study shows that having office plants can reduce stress, increase focus, support creativity, and help regulate mood. Bringing nature indoors is not a trend. It is a practical, research-backed way to support your well-being while you work.We are more screen addicted than ever. Most of us spend the majority of our day indoors, in offices or at home, staring at computers. That constant directed attention leads to fatigue.So I’m bringing back an episode from the archives of Growing Joy Best Of series, recorded during the pandemic when many of us were redesign