Bloom And Grow Radio

How do you create a natural garden? Is that even possible? I want to bring you to the style of garden that’s not only sustainable but also more resilient, and honestly, more fun. In fact, it might even be the future of gardening. Natural or naturalistic garden is an approach that’s all about working with nature instead of trying to control it. To help explain this topic, I brought on my dear friend, Kelly D Norris, a renowned horticulturalist, award-winning plantsman, and the author of  Your Natural Garden.In this episode, we learn:[02:40] How did Kelly get started with gardening?[07:46] What is a natural garden?[09:06] What are "native plants" in natural gardening?[13:42] How does ecological landscape design look in different settings?[15:43] Coolibar[17:42] Wind River Chimes[19:30] Ecological landscape designs[22:41] How to measure direct sunlight[29:04] Rewilding and selecting plants[31:18] Dovetail Workwear[33:08] Espoma Organic[34:27] Regional plant palettes and resources[39:12] How does ecological garde

Have you ever seen one of those viral plant hack videos where someone sprinkles banana peels in their soil or ices their orchid? If you’re wondering if they work, I hate to be the bearer of bad news because the answer is no. Sorry, plant friends.In this episode, I will be separating fact from fiction with my dear friend, Derek Haynes aka The Chocolate Botanist. Derek is a plant biologist who’s not afraid to call out the myths, explain the real science behind plant care, and help us simplify things.Let’s bust 5 of the biggest houseplant myths floating around online. In this episode, we learn:[01:03] Meet Derek, the Chocolate Botanist[08:03] Fighting misinformation online[10:37] Does banana water work?[15:15] Simplify your plant care with Espoma Organic’s high quality products![18:05] Which fertilizer is perfect for you?[20:53] Do coffee grounds work?[25:09] Do eggshells work?[28:36] Is it effective to water plants with ice cubes?Mentioned in our conversation:Growing Joy Ep. 283: From Wishlist to Whoops: 2025 H

Why should politicians become gardeners? No, this is not a political post. No, I didn’t lose it! We will not be talking about sides. This is about healing, connection, and what we can learn from our gardens and our plants in a time where it feels like everything is falling apart.Lately, I’ve been feeling this weight from watching the world spin in chaos and there’s disconnection, judgment, overwhelm, and division everywhere. We have a connection deficiency. And I’m starting to believe, with every fiber of my being, that if our leaders gardened, if all of use gardened, the world would be a kinder/greener place! In this episode, we learn:[02:06] Gardening as a healing tool[04:21] What does reciprocity teach us?[05:08] What are some leadership lessons from gardening?[06:11] #1 Listening on a deeper level[08:01] #2 Patience and long-term thinking[10:17] #3 Cycles, perspectives, and resilience[11:05] #4 Nurturing vs. controlling[12:18] #5 Companion planting and community[14:23] Lessons from mycorrhizal networks an

“To know a Dahlia is to love a Dahlia.” And once you grow one, it’s like all your other flowers just kind of fade into the background. There’s just something about them. One of my most favorite flowers I have ever grown is a Dahlia called Kogane Fubuki. It was this magical pink and yellow ombre bloom that literally stopped me in my tracks every time I stepped onto my patio.And I want you to have those magical Dahlia moments too! So I brought on Anne from The Dahlia House to walk us through every step of Dahlia care. Her story is as gorgeous as her blooms, and she generously spilled all her tips to help us get the most out of our Dahlias this year.In this episode, we learn:[02:36] Meet Anne from the Dahlia House[03:07] How did Anne become the Dahlia lady?[06:05] Anne’s current dahlia collection and other plants[08:44] Why are dahlias popular?[11:43] What are some tips for growing dahlias successfully?[15:05] Show your parents you care this Mother's Day or Father's Day with a soothing Wind River Chime![16:53] W

With the push to get people back into offices, there’s a glaring question floating around the corporate world: how do we make the office a place people actually want to come back to? As someone who believes in the impact of plants not just on spaces but on people, this question has me wishing of a world where every office has its own green vegetable garden out back.Does it sound too good to be true? Well, it’s already happening. In this episode, I sat down with Josh and Troy, the founders of StartOrganic, a company that helps employers give that opportunity to their employees. They’ve created office gardens for companies like PayPal, eBay, Intuit, and Apple, and what they’re doing is so much more than planting tomatoes.In this episode, we learn:[03:35] How StartOrganic started[06:54] How did they end up designing gardens for PayPal?[10:31] Scaling up with corporate programs[12:05] What are the first steps in consulting with businesses on garden installation projects?[14:00] What's the most unique place they’v

What plants are flying off the shelves this year? If you’ve been hanging out with me on Instagram or listening to the podcast lately, you know that part of my job is traveling the country to speak at plant shows. I love getting to see what’s new, what’s trending, and honestly… just being surrounded by thousands of plants and planty people. It fills my joy tank like nothing else.So I thought, why not bring the magic of one of these events to YOU? This episode is your virtual behind-the-scenes pass to the recent Northwest Flower & Garden Show in Seattle. I spent three days running around with my little mic, interviewing vendors, influencers, and anyone who would talk plants with me. I came home with so much planty intel, sore feet, and a heart full of joy.In this episode, we learn:[00:26] What I did at Northwest Flower and Garden Show![04:06] Andy from Andy’s Orchids[05:30] Molly from Rancho Cacto Nursery[07:16] Cheyenne from Chey D Plant Lady[10:21] Gardenia Gardens and Design[12:43] Justin from Costa Farm

How do you plan your garden? Actually, do you plan your gardens at all? After many years of gardening and speaking with many garden experts, I learned that a successful organic vegetable garden doesn’t just happen when you plant it; it starts on the day you plan it.In this episode, I have the perfect recurring guest, Joe Lamp'l, to discuss planning your garden for the year ahead and making sure 2025 is your best gardening season yet. Joe is the founder of Joe Gardener and creator of many digital gardening courses I've taken, including Organic Vegetable Gardening Course (discount applied at checkout through clicking the link!).In this episode, we learn:[01:14] What is strategic garden planning?[04:11] How can we make 2025 the greatest gardening season yet?[08:02] Timing for starting seeds/seedlings & plant selection[15:01] Whitney Johnson’s book “Go Forth and Forage"[16:09] What are the most important aspects of garden planning?[19:54] Why soil health is important[22:33] How to improve soil health[25:58] W

What if the secret to a happy life is to live seasonally? Living seasonally isn’t just about eating fresh produce (but, yes, that’s delicious). It’s about noticing nature’s rhythms, then adjusting depending on the season and celebrating those small shifts that define the passage of time.And with the Spring Equinox here, which is a time of renewal and balance, it’s the perfect moment to talk about how we can welcome the season with intention. I’m joined by a dear friend Bailey Van Tassel—a mom, gardener, author of Kitchen Garden Living, and someone who’s really committed to living a more seasonal lifestyle.In this episode, we learn:[00:00] What is the secret to living seasonally?[03:15] What is Bailey’s journey into seasonal living?[07:00] How Bailey reconnected with nature[09:08] What really matters in gardening[12:26] The science behind gardening[13:50] How does biophilia explain our connection to plants?[15:00] Find a moment of calm and soothe your spirit with Wind River Chimes![16:41] Nourish your plants a

Grief is so heavy that it can feel like an impossible weight to carry. But if you think about it, you can use plant care as a method to process grief and loss. Like plants, people can also grow and find resilience. They don’t rush and don’t demand. They just grow… little by little, day by day.In this episode, I want to share the story of my dear plant friend, Wade Lee, also known as Plants by Wade Lee. His story is so much more than houseplant care. It’s about loss, grief, healing, and finding joy again, one leaf, one root, one seed at a time.In this episode, we learn:[00:00] How plants can help you heal from grief[04:22] Wade’s story with grief and plants[10:10] Finding solace in plants[15:14] Find tranquility in every breeze this 2025 with Wind River Chimes![16:55] Learn how to grow more food with less space and effort with the 4th edition of ‘Square Foot Gardening’![18:08] Honoring Steven and new beginnings![22:32] How we connect with the spiritual realm[25:39] How Wade secured a gardener position[29:38] H

Have you ever found yourself overthinking over a yellow leaf and wondering, “Is this overwatering or underwatering? Does it need water? Is this normal?” You’re just like the rest of us, plant friend! It's something I've done many, many times, and I know it's something that people in our community do all the time. We all want to get it right, but overthinking plant care can suck the joy right out of it. But in 2025, we need as much joy and as little stress as possible. So here are 5 signs you might be overthinking your plant care and how to fix it!In this episode, we learn:[02:57] Common overthinking traps in plant care[03:54] Five tips to stop overthinking plant care[04:33] Sign #1: You Google every little thing[09:34] Sign #2: You’re watering on a rigid schedule (and believing plant care cards)[12:55] Alternative to a finger test[14:10] Sign #3: You panic over every yellow leaf[15:37] Grow healthier plants, indoors and out, with Espoma Organic’s premium products![18:06] Sign #4: You throw the ‘kitchen sink a

“Start ‘em young.” That’s my motto. Well, it’s not really mine but I say it all the time when it comes to houseplants. And for this episode, I’m sure plant parents are gonna be happy to learn how to connect the younger generations to plants and nature at a young age. So I want to share this conversation with my plant friend Priscille Joseph, who is a Canadian author, illustrator, and plant lover. She wrote My First ABC Book of Houseplants and she’s all about helping kids connect with nature.In this episode, we learn:[03:07] How did Priscrille become a plant lady?[06:04] How ‘My First ABC Book of Houseplants’ was created[10:46] Launching workshops with sustainable brands[13:12] What are the ways to engage kids with houseplants?15:22] Nurture your plant babies safely from toxic chemicals with Espoma Organic’s premium gardening products![16:57] Let kids enjoy a sensory experience[17:27] Connect plants with stories[21:39] Involve kids in hands-on activities[22:34] Make it interactive[24:18] Get creative with plan

Have you ever once thought about how flowers could do more than brighten your day? What if they could actually support your emotional well-being, reduce your stress, and even spark creativity? After 270+ episodes, this is my first time ordering a guest product right after the interview. Yes, I am on the flower essence bandwagon HARD after this interview.But who wouldn't be after talking with Katie Hess, founder and flower alchemist of Lotuswei, a company dedicated to harnessing the essence of flowers to help us live more joyful lives? She’s an amazing educator and I learned so much in this conversation.In this episode, we learn:[04:41] How Katie started getting into the energetics of flowers[06:10] The ripple effect of 3%[08:12] What is a flower essence?[09:46] Why are bees attracted to flowers?[10:18] The concept of botanical wi-fi/flower wi-fi[14:01] Our disconnection from nature[15:48] Wind River Chimes[17:30] Plants with Superpowers[18:31] What is the human-flower connection?[21:45] Validating flower esse

Lately, I’ve been hearing so many people talk about Mel Robbins’ Let Them Theory—this idea of letting go of control, shifting your mindset, and ultimately finding peace. And you know what? I realized that I went through a similar shift when it came to my plant care journey, and I want to share it with you in this episode. I'll talk about how we think about our plants, our plant care, and how that shift in mind can bring so much joy, not just to our plant parenthood but also to our lives.In this episode, we learn:[00:00] Concept of 'Let Them Theory'[01:27] My most popular episode![02:54] I just launched my Growing Joy with Plants Masterclass![04:29] What’s the root cause of your doubt?[07:35] Overwhelm and misinformation[08:58] How to reframe your “plant killer” identity mindset[09:50] How does social media affect your plant care mindset?[12:28] How to celebrate plant care[15:30] Add moments of serenity throughout your day with Wind River Wind Chimes![18:12] Pick a positive thought about [19:01] Treat every pl

How can we conserve water while maintaining healthy, attractive gardens, no matter what climate you're in? Record-breaking heat waves, devastating droughts, wildfires scorching millions of acres, floods turning streets into rivers—we've seen it all this year. As climate extremes test our resilience, our gardens are feeling the impact too. How do we ensure our gardens not only survive but also grow in these unpredictable conditions? Let’s talk about water-saving techniques and strategies to keep your garden lush and sustainable with Noelle Johnson, aka the “Arizona plant lady.” She’s a horticulturist, landscape consultant, and the author of the new book, ‘The Water-Smart Garden.’In this episode, we learn:[02:53] How Noelle became a plant expert[04:36] Why water conservation is important[07:27] What does water conservation look like?[08:27] Identifying drought conditions[09:56] Water-saving tips for renters[10:49] What are the plants great for different plant zones?[13:43] Drought-tolerant plants[15:28] Espoma

Did you know you can use your plant passion as inspiration for how and where you go on vacation? I'm sure many of us have already done this on a small scale. Maybe you've been on a trip and kept taking pictures of plants that look just like the ones you have at home. Or perhaps you've insisted on visiting a local plant shop or botanical garden while on vacation (guilty as charged!). But plant friends, that can be just the beginning of how you travel and botanize for your plant passion.And we're going to dive into everything you need to know about it today with my horticulturist bestie Leslie Halleck, who has been on the show many times, and Marcia Castro Rosenberg, listener-turned-plant-shop owner and also a dear friend of mine.Leslie and Marcia have actually teamed up to create a once-in-a-lifetime trip called Botany & Betterment in The Amazon! It's a seven-day riverboat and jungle adventure on the Rio Negro River in Brazil this August 2025.In this episode, we learn:[03:40] Get to know Marcia[07:51] Lesl

If you’re a plant lover, you’ve probably come across Chantel, the brilliant mind behind @channygrayhome on Instagram. Over the past few years, she has built a community of over half a million plant enthusiasts. But there’s so much more to her than her incredible follower count.In this episode, I’ll take you behind the scenes of my chat with Channy—where we talked about her plant history, her love for DIYs, her big move from the Arizona desert to lush Iowa, and how she juggles being a plant mom and a mom to three kids.In this episode, we learn:[03:15] How Channy and I met at a Botanical Garden[07:28] What has Channy’s plant journey been like?[15:14] Add serenity to your life in 2025 and beat the winter blues with Wind River Chimes![16:56] Start your kitchen garden today by grabbing a copy of Kitchen Garden Living by Bailey Van Tassel[19:10] What does pest prevention mean for Channy?[21:12] Channy’s new plant soap for pest control![23:57] What does a bubble bath for plants look like?[25:07] How to balance mothe

When I visited the Seattle Spheres and saw the famous green wall with its 40,000 plants, I was mesmerized. But what really caught my eye were these strange little plastic baggies hanging off some stems. I wondered if they were hurting the plants at first. But then I looked closer, I realized those bags were filled with insects. Beneficial insects, to be exact. And they were there to manage pests naturally.So if you’re like me and have struggled with pests like spider mites, thrips, or mealybugs on your plants, this episode with Jamie Stanton from DMV Beneficials should show you how beneficial insects work in deterring pests naturally.GET THE FREE HOUSEPLANT PEST CONTROL DOWNLOAD HEREIn this episode, we learn:[02:34] Download my new houseplant pest guide for free![03:37] Meet Jamie from DMV Beneficials[06:59] What is a “beneficial insect” and what makes it beneficial?[09:59] Why not just use pesticides?[12:01] How do these beneficial predators work with your houseplants?[13:42] What are the risks of releasing

I can't believe we're already in 2025, but I am SO excited to spill all the tea about my wild plant experiment from last year. In 2024, I totally went for it and added over 40 new plant species to my collection—and it was quite the adventure! Some of these plants thrived, some flopped, and yes, some didn’t make it. So in this episode, I’m sharing it all—from my favorites to my fails—and what I learned along the way.In this episode, we learn:[01:51] Reflecting on 2024[04:31] What’s your plant parent personality?[06:38] Why I now consider myself a low maintenance plant parent[09:08] How I fell in love with Ficus (and fell out of love with Calathea)[11:52] My success with Anthuriums and Alocasia[13:37] Why my most repurchased plants are philodendrons (+ pothos)[15:19] Start 2025 with soothing premium chimes with Wind River![17:00] Grow your best garden yet with the AHS Essential Guide to Organic Vegetable Gardening![19:39] Why there is less light in your house than you believe[20:50] My top favorite plants in 20

What role do you think nature plays in your life? For me, it has always been a deeper way to improve my mental, physical, and emotional health. In fact, it’s not just me who thinks this way. The minute I hopped into the digital recording studio, I knew that my guest was someone very similar to me! I’ve been following Marcus Bridgewater, better known as Garden Marcus, for years, and I’m so happy to say that he surpassed my dreams of what this conversation on plants and wellness could have been.In this episode, we learn:[02:12] Who is Marcus from Garden Marcus?[04:49] Something we have in common![09:03] How did Garden Marcus get started?[12:50] How did Marcus first start gardening?[17:01] Our crazy plant parent stories[18:56] Community and isolation[20:37] Why we need more green spaces[27:41] How to be a more “grounding” person[30:08] How disconnected is the world from nature?[33:08] Exploring plant life parallels[36:37] How to understand “feelings”[39:35] How to awaken to nature’s presence[43:27] How Marcus’s

Plant friends, did you know your houseplants can double as pest control? Carnivorous plants don’t just survive—they hunt. Venus flytraps can snap down on unsuspecting flies, while pitcher plants lure bugs into their slippery traps. These carnivorous plants themselves are nature’s own pest management system.So I’ve brought on a guest who knows everything there is to know about them: Kenny Coogan, the head of education at the International Carnivorous Plant Society.Kenny has been growing carnivorous plants for about 20 years, and about five years ago, he joined the ICPS as the education director. He quit his day job and turned his passion into his profession, running a carnivorous plant nursery in Florida. As he puts it, "Carnivorous plants are my life."In this episode, we learn:[01:47] What’s not to love about carnivorous plants?[04:52] Who is Kenny?[08:01] Some facts about Venus flytraps[09:57] What is a carnivorous plant?[12:54] Where do we find carnivorous plants outdoors?[15:36] Don’t let your houseplants