Introducing Gardening Simplified, a radio show and podcast from Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs.
Hosted by life-long gardeners Rick Vuyst and Stacey Hirvela, the Gardening Simplified show is designed to share our love of plants and gardening. Whatever your skill or experience level, you’ll find something interesting, useful, and just plain fascinating in every episode.
Got gardening questions? We’d love to help! Click on “contact us” above to send us a message. We answer listener questions on every episode.
Listen to Gardening Simplified on Wood Radio in Grand Rapids, 1300AM or 106.9FM, Saturdays at 9am. You can also watch the show on YouTube, or listen on your favorite podcast platform:
Latest Show Recordings
Episode 39 – Favorite herbs, the secret to cilantro, and a new, non-toxic way to manage slugs
Whether it’s just a pot of basil or a whole garden’s-worth, having fragrant herbs as close as your backyard is luxury. Learn our favorites, plus how to grow cilantro successfully, a trick for more chives, and a brand new slug solution from Oregon State University.
Episode 38 – Favorite annuals, plant innovations, and a celebration of pollinators
Planting annuals is one of the most joyful parts of gardening – listen in as we share our thoughts on this time-honored tradition, and our favorite plants. Plus, learn what it means to be an innovative plant and how to manage hydrangea leaftiers. We end with an interview with Mike Connor, who shares his extensive knowledge of pollinators with us.
Episode 37 – Why the right soil matters, hardening off plants, and avoiding oak wilt
Learn why the right soil matters, especially when it comes to plants like our Plant on Trial today, Dandy Man® Purple rhododendron. Now is a great time to start hardening off plants! Hear tips on how to get your plants ready for their new home outdoors. In Questions Answered, we talk about the danger of Oak Wilt and how you can help avoid this dreaded disease.
Episode 36 – The best plants to give Mom, and a rose unlike any other
Mom deserves the best, so we talk about our favorite Proven Winners perennials and shrubs to give as gifts. Plus, planting garlic in spring, slug control, and an opportunity to be a professional seagull scarer. This episode’s featured plant: Reminiscent Pink rose.
Episode 35 – Container gardening with annuals and shrubs, plus, Birdman is back!
Container gardening has come a long way in the last few years! Learn our tips and favorite plants for containers, plus how to use your containers for flowering shrubs and evergreens. And by popular demand, Birdman Bill Stovall is back for a migration season conversation.
Episode 34 – Flower Farming, Forsythia, and Fabulous Container Design Tips with Renee Clermont
In today’s episode, we talk about the cut flower trend. Rick and Stacey talk about the rising popularity of growing your own cut flowers and which types they recommend. Our Plant on Trial this week is a sure sign that spring is here, Show Off® forsythia. Get helpful tips on designing and growing plants in containers during our interview with Renee Clermont from Second Nature Designs.