Family Plot

Starting Seeds Indoors

UT Assistant Professor of Horticulture Natalie Bumgarner shows how to start seeds indoors and talks about what items to use. Starting seeds indoors allows starting the garden earlier which results in quicker harvests. Also, starting seeds indoors can give plants ideal germinating and early growing conditions. There are a number of containers available to seed into. You can use a small tray and then transplant the seedlings up to larger containers. The seeding container can be divided or just one large area. You can use a store-bought container or use your own.

Planting media (soil) holds water and drains well. There are several textures of media available. Some mixes are very fine for planting small seeds. Others are coarser for larger seeds or transplanted seedlings. Read More

Frozen Strawberry Blooms

Mike Dennison takes a look at some freeze damage on strawberry blooms.
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Other things to do
This Week In the Garden

Seed Germination Test
Vole Proofing and Planting Hostas
Making a Seed Planter for Fine Seeds
Peach Tree Borer
Cleaning Out Garden Beds
When to Harvest Radishes
Removing Dead Tree Branches

Blueberry and Blackberry Spring Check-up

Mike Dennison gives a spring check-up to blueberry and blackberry plants and adds fertilizer. >>Watch

Frogs and Toads

Mary Schmidt from Lichterman Nature Center talks about frogs and toads and why you want them in your garden. >>Watch

Songbirds As Pests

Mike Dennison talks about how to handle songbirds when they are pests. You cannot kill songbirds, so you have to discourage them. >>Watch

Hostas

Hosta expert Jim Crowder from Memphis Botanic Garden talks about basic hosta care and shows a few varieties. >>Watch

Spring Soil Preparation

Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison talks about getting your garden soil ready for planting. >>Watch

Plant Societies and Garden Clubs

Former Memphis Horticultural Society President Suzy Askew talks about plant societies and garden clubs. >>Watch

Viewer Questions

Will seeds from a bell pepper produce peppers?

Yes, they will… but. UT Assistant Professor of Horticulture Natalie Bumgarner explains the problems you might have. >>Watch

How do I get rid of chameleon plant?

Chameleon plants (Houttuynia) are very invasive. They spread by rhizomes or underground stems. >>Watch

Are there disease resistant stone fruits?

there are no stone fruits that are resistant to brown rot. Even if you spray religiously there are still times when the fruit is unprotected. >>Watch

Can a piece of muscadine vine be put in the ground and grow?

Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison says that you can’t just plant a piece muscadine vine and have it grow. You need to treat it as a softwood cutting. >>Watch

How did Georgia become the “Peach State” before pesticides?

Georgia became the peach state after the civil war. Farmers were looking for an alternative to cotton. >>Watch