Advertise on podcast: Today in the Garden

In today's episode, pull weeds on soft soil after rain or watering, removing entire plants before they set seed to prevent re-seeding. Portions of this program were created with the assistance of AI, including checking the calendar and incorporating weather or seasonal data.

In today's episode, I show how to gently remove old, yellow, or soil-touching lower tomato leaves to improve airflow and sunlight, reduce disease risk, and speed ripening—snip carefully, keep diseased leaves out of compost, and avoid over-pruning in extreme heat. Portions of this program were created with the assistance of AI, including checking the calendar and incorporating weather or seasonal data.

In today's episode, learn how to respond to brown, crispy leaf edges: check soil moisture, give a slow deep watering if dry, mulch and provide afternoon shade, and avoid heavy feeding while the plant recovers. Portions of this program were created with the assistance of AI, including checking the calendar and incorporating weather or seasonal data.

In today's episode, plant a single showy hydrangea as a focal point; choose a heat-tolerant panicle or oakleaf for warm climates or mophead/smooth for cooler nights. Site in morning sun, set root ball slightly proud, water well and mulch. Portions of this program were created with the assistance of AI, including checking the calendar and incorporating weather or seasonal data.

In today's episode, create an easy red-white-blue container by planting one bold red, one soft white, and a blue/purple spiller in a well-drained pot with fresh mix; water, pinch spent blooms, and place according to sun for best results. Portions of this program were created with the assistance of AI, including checking the calendar and incorporating weather or seasonal data.

In today's episode, we explain deadheading—pinch or snip off spent flowers just above the next healthy leaves or bud to prevent seed-setting and encourage more blooms. It's a calm, easy task that helps tired summer plants rebloom. Portions of this program were created with the assistance of AI, including checking the calendar and incorporating weather or seasonal data.

In today's episode, give your plants a deep, slow soak the morning you leave so water reaches the root zone and lasts while you're away; check the soil is cool and damp a few inches down. Portions of this program were created with the assistance of AI, including checking the calendar and incorporating weather or seasonal data.

In today's episode, favor quick, shallow-rooted vegetables like salad greens and radishes for bucket gardening, use a drained bucket with light potting mix, sow or transplant seedlings, and place where they get morning sun and gentle afternoon shade. Portions of this program were created with the assistance of AI, including checking the calendar and incorporating weather or seasonal data.

In today's episode, test your soil before adding fertilizer—collect a small sample or use your county extension—to know nutrients and pH; if testing isn't possible, add compost as a gentle default. Portions of this program were created with the assistance of AI, including checking the calendar and incorporating weather or seasonal data.

In today's episode, make scent the reason you plant: place a fragrant plant where you’ll brush past it — near a door, an open window, or your favorite seat so its aroma becomes part of your day. Portions of this program were created with the assistance of AI, including checking the calendar and incorporating weather or seasonal data.

In today's episode, I show a simple deadheading habit for container plants: remove spent flowers so plants don't set seed and instead rebloom. Pick one pot you pass daily and quietly pluck or snip faded blooms. Portions of this program were created with the assistance of AI, including checking the calendar and incorporating weather or seasonal data.

In today's episode, give leggy plants a gentle haircut: trim stems back to a leaf joint, re-root the soft tips in water or damp mix, and move the parent plant to brighter light to encourage bushier growth. Portions of this program were created with the assistance of AI, including checking the calendar and incorporating weather or seasonal data.

In today's episode, learn how to revive stalled pepper plants by reducing afternoon heat and stabilizing root moisture — use light shade (cloth, sail, or companion plants), move pots to dappled shade, and freshen mulch for steady soil. Portions of this program were created with the assistance of AI, including checking the calendar and incorporating weather or seasonal data.

In today's episode, I recommend planting petunias around your mailbox for low-effort, continuous color. Choose heat-tolerant varieties in hot climates, plant crowns level, water to settle, and deadhead spent blooms. Portions of this program were created with the assistance of AI, including checking the calendar and incorporating weather or seasonal data.

In today's episode, I share the 'one-cut habit': make one clean cut on a stem just above a healthy outward-facing bud, then walk away. It's a gentle, quick way to tidy shrubs and perennials without over-pruning. Portions of this program were created with the assistance of AI, including checking the calendar and incorporating weather or seasonal data.