Horticultural Happenings Podcast

• Ailanthus (Tree of Heaven) is an invasive that can dominate native vegetation very quickly in a disturbed site. But has this tree met its match in a native fungal organism?
• Listen to random thoughts on the Great Insect Fair, pumpkin harvests, and the recent frost.
• The Fall Webworm - Can I sell you on the idea that this is a beautiful insect?
• Civil War Apple Fights - Touring the battlefields of Gettysburg is an educational and sobering experience. Did you know that horticulture played a large in many of the events during July 1-4 if 1863?
• Name Calling in the Horticulture World - Unusual names are not just given to our kids and household pets. Several organisms that reside out there in our landscapes have some pretty peculiar names.
• The Plant Destroyer is Back - What is causing tomatoes in the garden to "melt down"? Check in as we talk about the plant destroyer.
• Pepper Bligiht - Meet the deadly twin of tomato late blight!
• Downy Mildew on Cucurbits - You thought only your tomatoes were in danger? Downy mildew can destroy your pumpkins and cucumbers just as fast.
• The Sweet Corn Challenge - Think growing sweet corn is easy? Listen in as we look at the pests that attach sweet corn from seed to harvestable product.
• Insects and Winter – How cold does it have to get during the winter in order for some of our most bothersome pests do die off?
• The Rise of the Stink Bug - The nation is awash in invasive species and if you love the multi-colored Asian ladybug, then this new one will push you over the edge.
• Continuing Education for Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers - Continuing education needs to be an important part of everybody’s life. Vegetable growers are no exception.
• Plant Doctors for Off and Running – Find out what the Master Gardener Hotline is all about and why you should use it.
• Right Plants for the Right Places – Listen in as we talk about a couple of examples when plants are selected for sites that are not conducive to their growth. Otherwise, you could be tripping over sidewalks too!
• Black Knot – What causes grotesque growths on limbs throughout the canopy of Prunus species (plums, prunes, and cherries).
• Pollination Quiz – Tune in as we explore some fascinating aspects of pollination and pollinators.
• Winter Burn on Woody Ornamentals – What is the recipe for “winter burn” on your broadleaf evergreens?
• The Histroy of College Football's Big Games and Plants - College football’s bowl games have a tradition rich in horticulture. Listen in as we explore plant history and its ties to one of America’s favorite sports.
• It Takes Two to Tango – Hollies have had a long tradition in the celebration of feasts and festivals. Did you know that you will need both a male and female plant if you decide to jazz up your landscape?
• Musings From the Pumpkin Field – Listen in as I briefly talk about my annual pumpkin variety trial
• Right Back At You – The US has ‘welcomed’ many invasive pests but did you know that some of our common, everyday plants are a big problem overseas?
• Attracting Birds to the Landscape – Listen in as we talk about all the elements that are needed to attract birds to your landscape
• Beautifying Your Septic System – Sand mounds can stick out in a residential landscape.  Listen as options are explored in the creation of an aesthetically pleasing on site waste disposal system.
• Ensuring the Future of Pollination in Pennsylvania via Youth – Let’s explore a central Pennsylvania effort to ensure the future pollination of fruit and vegetable crops.
• After the Music Dies – Periodical cicadas can add to the background noise of everyday living but what legacy do they leave behind after they return to the “underground”.
• Cedar Apple Rust – It’s just weird, a fungal organism that requires two totally different hosts to complete its lifecycle.
• Fall is Planting Trees – Tune in as list the reasons why fall is a great time to do some landscaping around the house.
• Ladybugs and Beyond: See What insect problem is next for residents of central Pennsylvania
• Cockroaches of the Plant World: Cockroaches are not the only organism that can survive and thrive under extreme conditions.  Some plant species are pretty adept at surviving under tough conditions.
• Gypsy Moth: The mere mention of gypsy can cause a tree to shake in its roots.
• Cicadas: Cicadas may not be music to your ears.  Find out the story behind this unusual insect.
• Maple Galls:  Do you have weird growths on the foliage of your maple tree?  Listen in as we look at a possible suspect.
• Fall Needle Drop - Are your conifers losing their needles?  Listen in as we explore a natural happening in firs, pines, and spruces.
• Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle – Love ‘em or leave ‘em.  Tune in as we look at the benefits and problems this non-native lady beetle bring to the Northeast.
• Conspiracy Theories in Horticulture – Conspiracy theories permeate our culture.   Take note as we delve into strange happenings in the horticulture world.
• Horticulture Get Rich Quick Scheme – Who wouldn’t like to make an easy buck?  Listen as we examine the requirements for that perfect Christmas tree.
• Using Herbs During the Holidays – Part 1 – Join guest Bobbi Jo Simcox, herb expert, in the use of herbs for the Christmas season.
• Using Herbs During the Holidays – Part 2 - Join guest Bobbi Jo Simcox, herb expert, in the use of herbs for the Christmas season.
• Gardening Books for Christmas 2007 – Not sure what to get the “Green Thumb” in the family?  Master Gardener, Tina Clinefelter, gives some suggestions on good reads for the winter months.
• Containerized Christmas Trees – Is the traditional Christmas tree getting to large and bothersome to put up?  Tune in as we consider an alternative to large specimens.
• Recycling Christmas Trees – Used Christmas trees can still “give” well after the holiday season is over.  Listen in as we delve into the afterlife of Christmas trees.
• Spotlight on Beekeeping – Find out the biggest benefit humans receive from honeybees!
• Ladybugs in the House – Listen in as we explore some possible solutions to those pesky lady beetles that keep on appearing in the house.
• Vegetable Grafting – Explore the benefits and future of grafting in the vegetable world.
• Windbreaks and Electricity Rate Caps – There are a multitude of ways to save and conserve energy.  Tune in as we explore the ways the trees and shrubs can play their part in saving you money.
• House Plants-Beating the Winter Blues – Blah! Winter can drag on at times.  Just because there is snow on the ground doesn’t mean you have to stop gardening.
• Grass Species for Sunny Areas – Careful selection of grass species is necessary for sunny areas.  Listen in as we investigate the various species of turfgrass that perform under high light situations.
• Considerations for Shady Lawns – Trees provide many benefits to a landscape, but grass may have difficulties growing under this environment.  Tune in as we look into ways to create a more favorable environment for turf in shade.