Down The Garden Path Podcast

• Soil Testing with Amy Ellard-Gray

  This week on the podcast, Joanne discusses soil testing with The Hobby Homestead's Amy Ellard-Gray, who grows 75% of her family's fruits and vegetables in her Guelph backyard.  About Amy Amy runs The Hobby Homestead in suburban Guelph, where she cultivates over 100 varieties of native plants to support the local ecosystem. Through her YouTube channel, Instagram, website, and in-person consultations, she helps people design and troubleshoot their own food-growing spaces. Her mantra, "growing food in harmony with nature," guides everything she does, from tending soil life to welcoming wildlife into the garden. Topics discussed in this episode: "How much compost is too much?" Amy questioned the popular "just pile on compost" / no-dig approach (e.g., growing directly in municipal compost). After consulting an agronomist, she learned you can overdo compost, especially because compost often has high soluble salts that can stress plants. General rule of thumb from the agronomist: for established beds, about ½ inch (1 cm) of compost as a top-dressing per year is usually enough, but every garden is different. Why test compost and soil? Amy now plans to lab-test her own compost (about $20) for salts and nutrients before using it widely. Lab tests are often similar in price to store-bought kits and usually include a quick consult to interpret results. Soil tests are especially valuable for: New builds or new-to-you properties. High-value plants (e.g., Japanese maples, fruit trees). Chronic problem areas like failing lawns or veggie beds. Home test kits vs lab tests Simple garden-center test kits can be unreliable, especially if old or poorly stored. Nitrogen is hard to test accurately because it changes quickly in the soil; even lab reports often base nitrogen recommendations on plant symptoms, not just numbers. Labs can tailor tests to what you're growing (lawn, ornamentals, vegetables, etc.). pH: the quiet troublemaker Amy's big lesson: pH controls nutrient availability. Low pH can lock up phosphorus. High pH (common in parts of Ontario) ties up iron, manganese, and zinc. Just adding fertilizer won't help if pH is off and plants can't actually access those nutrients. Raising pH with lime is relatively straightforward; lowering pH (for blueberries/azaleas) is hard, requires repeated sulfur, and soil tends to drift back—Amy has nearly given up on blueberries because of this. Choosing soil: bulk vs bags, municipal compost Amy strongly prefers high-quality bulk triple mix from a trusted supplier (often with nutrient analysis available). She's wary of: Bagged soil/compost of unknown origin, age, and quality. Municipal compost giveaways, due to uncertain inputs (treated lawns, herbicides, diseased plants) and inconsistent processing. Leftover bulk soil gets used in pots, extra beds, or stored for future top-ups—she never feels like she has "too much soil." Building and maintaining soil in raised beds & pots Raised beds: start with good triple mix, then top up yearly with a thin layer of compost and mulch (leaves, straw, chop-and-drop). Containers: use potting mix or triple mix plus perlite for drainage; reuse soil but amend and top up rather than dumping it every year. She only uses extra fertilizer (like fish emulsion) when pushing density in containers (e.g., many beets in a small pot). Rotation, disease, and "messy" gardens Classic crop rotation is more critical at farm scale; in small backyards, many diseases are airborne, so simply shifting crops a few feet often doesn't prevent them. Rotation still matters for certain soil-borne diseases (Amy rotated tomatoes after Alternaria collar rot), but it's not the magic solution some make it out to be. Leaving more plant material, leaves, and roots in place supports soil life and natural pest-predator balance, instead of resetting everything with a "clean" fall garden. Amy's message for gardeners Shift your mindset from "feeding the plants" to "feeding the soil." Healthy, living soil is what ultimately feeds healthy, productive plants. Find The Hobby Homestead at www.thehobbyhomestead.com and on Instagram and YouTube. Resources Mentioned in the Show: Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden Are you a landscape or gardening expert? We'd love to have you on the show! Click here to learn more.  Find Down the Garden Path on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @downthegardenpathpodcast. Down the Garden Path Podcast On Down The Garden Path, professional landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. As the owner of Down2Earth Landscape Design, Joanne Shaw has been designing beautiful gardens for homeowners east of Toronto for over a decade. She does her best to bring you interesting, relevant and useful topics to help you keep your garden as low-maintenance as possible.  In Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, Joanne and fellow landscape designer Matthew Dressing distill their horticultural and design expertise and their combined experiences in helping others create and maintain thriving gardens into one easy-to-read monthly reference guide. Get your copy today on Amazon. Don't forget to check out Down the Garden Path on your favourite podcast app and subscribe! You can also catch the podcast on YouTube.

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• Transitioning to Indoor Gardening

  This week on Down the Garden Path, Joanne shares her passion for indoor gardening with practical winter houseplant care tips and a reminder that there's always something new to learn and grow. Topics discussed: 1. From Annuals to Houseplants It's time to turn your attention to houseplants as gardening shifts indoors. Don't rush out to buy new plants: friends and family often have extras or cuttings to share. 2. Winter Care Basics During shorter days and lower light levels, houseplants slow down their growth. Do not fertilize in winter; they're not actively growing. Keep watering moderately: it's better to underwater than overwater. Use a moisture meter or finger test to check the soil before watering. 3. Refresh and Repot Check plants for dryness, dust, or signs they've outgrown their pots. Wipe dusty leaves with a damp cloth to help them absorb light. Consider repotting if roots are showing through the drainage holes. Use potting soil, not garden soil, and choose soil types suited to plant varieties (succulents, orchids, etc.). Avoid decorative pots without drainage for valuable plants. 4. Easy Propagation and Gift Ideas Take cuttings from plants like pothos, philodendron, and peperomia. Start them in water using clear containers to monitor root growth. Plant swaps are a fun and inexpensive way to expand your collection. Propagated plants make meaningful, affordable holiday gifts. 5. Learning and Experimenting Joanne shares her experiences with low-maintenance plants (snake plant, ZZ plant, pothos). Recently inspired to try more demanding varieties like Alocasia. Discusses challenges like insect issues and learning about proper soil mixes. 6. The Joy and Benefits of Houseplants Houseplants add life, colour, and calm to indoor spaces during the winter. Handling soil can improve mood and mental health. Every room benefits from having at least one plant. Notes the outdated NASA air-purifying study—plants don't clean air significantly but do add humidity and beauty. Resources Mentioned in the Show: Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden Have a topic you'd like me to discuss? Email your questions and comments to [email protected], or connect with me on my website: down2earth.ca Find Down the Garden Path on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @downthegardenpathpodcast. Down the Garden Path Podcast On Down The Garden Path, professional landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. As the owner of Down2Earth Landscape Design, Joanne Shaw has been designing beautiful gardens for homeowners east of Toronto for over a decade. She does her best to bring you interesting, relevant and useful topics to help you keep your garden as low-maintenance as possible.  In Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, Joanne and fellow landscape designer Matthew Dressing distill their horticultural and design expertise and their combined experiences in helping others create and maintain thriving gardens into one easy-to-read monthly reference guide. Get your copy today on Amazon. Don't forget to check out Down the Garden Path on your favourite podcast app and subscribe! You can now catch the podcast on YouTube.

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• Mythic Plants with Ellen Zachos

  This week, Joanne welcomes Ellen Zachos, author of 11 books on plants, including her latest, Mythic Plants: Potions and Poisons from the Gardens of the Gods. About Ellen A Harvard graduate, Ellen's first career was on Broadway (Les Miz), but the gift of a peace lily on opening night opened her eyes to the wonderful world of plants. Ellen taught at the New York Botanical Garden for many years and also served as Coordinator of the Gardening Department in Continuing Ed, before moving to Santa Fe, NM. She was named a Great American Gardener by the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival. Her 11th book, Mythic Plants: Potions & Poisons from the Gardens of the Gods, was published this year. Inspiration & Research Grew from Ellen's Greek heritage and lifelong love of mythology and plants. Greek mythology felt personally significant; she wasn't drawn to Norse or Indian myths. Extensive research across historical texts; citations couldn't fit in the print book, but are available online. Plant Stories & Mythology Connections Nepenthe (Poppy): In Homer's Odyssey, Helen of Troy prepared Nepenthe—an "anti-sorrow" drink of wine and opium poppy. Calmed grief temporarily. Linnaeus later named the tropical pitcher plant Nepenthes after this myth, believing its beauty could lift sorrow. Moly (Snowdrop): Hermes gave Odysseus "Moly" to protect him from Circe's spells. Described as a plant with black roots and white flowers—likely the snowdrop (Galanthus). Contains galantamine, which counters hallucinations—aligning with the myth's antidote effect. Modern research explores galantamine for Alzheimer's treatment. Fig: Valued food in ancient Greece, consumed fresh or dried before refrigeration existed. Special laws governed fig harvesting; penalties for theft were severe. Ancient figs required complex pollination (caprification). Some myths surrounding figs are notably "saucy." Pine Tree: Associated with violent origin myths, but also practical uses. Pine nuts were a staple food; pine resin sealed wine vessels, the origin of Retsina wine. Modern Retsina has a milder pine flavour, enjoyed especially in Greek summer settings. Aconitum (Monkshood): Misunderstood as poisonous to touch—false. Dangerous only if ingested. Blooms beautifully when few others do; it is resistant to deer and rabbits. Ellen wishes for a "Plant Mythbusters" show to debunk misinformation about plant toxicity. Daffodil (Narcissus): Linked to the myth of Narcissus falling in love with his reflection. Also central to the Persephone story, Zeus created a daffodil to lure her before Hades abducted her. Explains the origin of winter and spring cycles through Demeter's grief and renewal. Themes & Insights Plants in Greek mythology were deeply symbolic, medicinal, and magical. Many ancient uses align with modern scientific knowledge. The book groups plants thematically into short, easy-to-read chapters, ideal for bedtime or book clubs. Appeals to gardeners, historians, herbalists, and mythology enthusiasts. Ellen's Life & Work Today Now based in Santa Fe with a small, fully edible garden. Enjoys discovering new drought-tolerant plants in a vastly different climate. Former rooftop gardener in New York City; designed and maintained terrace gardens. Also teaches and speaks across the U.S.—including the upcoming Herb Society of America Conference in Texas (April). Other popular books: How to Forage for Wild Foods Without Dying, Backyard Foraging, The Wildcrafted Cocktail, The Forager's Pantry. Advocates for safe, informed foraging and appreciation of wild edibles. Mythic Plants features beautiful botanical illustrations by Lisel Ashlock. Mythic Plants makes a great gift and is available on Amazon! Find Ellen Zachos on Instagram. Other Resources Mentioned in the Show: Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden Down the Garden Path Podcast On Down The Garden Path, professional landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. As the owner of Down2Earth Landscape Design, Joanne Shaw has been designing beautiful gardens for homeowners east of Toronto for over a decade. She does her best to bring you interesting, relevant and useful topics to help you keep your garden as low maintenance as possible.  In Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, Joanne and fellow landscape designer Matthew Dressing distill their horticultural and design expertise and their combined experiences in helping others create and maintain thriving gardens into one easy-to-read monthly reference guide. Get your copy today on Amazon. Don't forget to check out Down the Garden Path on your favourite podcast app and subscribe! You can now catch the podcast on YouTube.

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• The Suburban Gardenista

  This week on the podcast, Joanne welcomes Brandie, the Suburban Gardenista, an avid gardener passionate about supporting pollinators with native plants. Brandie is Pollinator Stewardship Certified by Pollinator Partnership Canada and loves sharing her learnings through podcasts, workshops, and social media.  You can find her online on YouTube and Instagram @thesuburbangardenista. Brandie's Gardening Journey Began gardening ~20 years ago after moving into a home with no plants Inspired by her mother's lush gardens Discovered native plants through growing Obedient Plant — her "gateway" plant Realized the importance of planting natives to support local ecosystems and pollinators Certified through Pollinator Partnership Canada (Pollinator Stewardship Certification) Shares gardening insights via YouTube, Instagram, and workshops Native vs. Non-Native Plants Native plants provide critical support for specialist pollinators (those reliant on specific species) Non-natives mainly support generalist pollinators Balance between natives, non-natives, and invasives is key Common aggressive natives: Canada Anemone, Obedient Plant, Common Milkweed Alternatives like Butterfly Milkweed and Swamp Milkweed are more contained Managing Aggressive or Invasive Species Important to research before planting Remove known invasives such as English Ivy, Vinca/Periwinkle, Lily of the Valley Learn plant behaviour (spreading, seeding, etc.) before adding to the garden Designing with Natives in Small Spaces Small gardens can host a wide variety (Brandie has 70+ species) Focus on the right plant, right place, rather than "low maintenance" alone Use design creativity: logs, natural materials, and container plants to fill early gaps Community and Education Shares excess seedlings with neighbours; encourages community planting Label plants with signs to spark curiosity and conversation Promotes pollinator education through advocacy and her YouTube channel Pollinator Partnership Canada Certification The program includes 3 components: Education: 8 in-depth classes Habitat Creation: Build pollinator-supportive space Advocacy: Share learnings through outreach (e.g., YouTube video) Highly recommended by Brandie; new cohorts start in February Includes regional eco-guides and plant-pollinator charts YouTube & Monthly Garden Tours Started in 2020 to document native garden progress Monthly updates show plants' life cycles and seasonal variations Helps gardeners identify seedlings and avoid weeding out young natives Encourages patience and learning through real-life, imperfect gardening videos Key Takeaways Start small—one native plant at a time Do research: focus on scientific names, avoid hybrids if aiming for ecological impact Natives can thrive in containers and urban spaces Real gardens are messy, evolving, and full of learning opportunities Supporting native pollinators starts with curiosity and one plant Brandie's Favourite Natives Obedient Plant (despite its unruly habits) Swamp Milkweed – fragrant and pollinator-friendly Eastern Redbud Tree – long-term vision for beauty and ecosystem support How to Support Pollinators "Start with one plant. Once you see the pollinators arrive, you'll be hooked." Gardening with natives isn't about perfection—it's about participation in the ecosystem. Native Plant Resources Mentioned Books: A Garden for the Rusty Patched Bumblebee  Gardener's Guide to Native Plants of the Southern Great Lakes Region Online Resource: Rick Gray's interactive North American map of native plant sources Organizations: Pollinator Partnership Canada Have a topic you'd like me to discuss? Please let me know what other topics you would like me to discuss. Email your questions and comments to [email protected], or connect with me on my website: down2earth.ca Find Down the Garden Path on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @downthegardenpathpodcast. Down the Garden Path Podcast On Down The Garden Path, professional landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. As the owner of Down2Earth Landscape Design, Joanne Shaw has been designing beautiful gardens for homeowners east of Toronto for over a decade. She does her best to bring you interesting, relevant and useful topics to help you keep your garden as low maintenance as possible.  In Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, Joanne and fellow landscape designer Matthew Dressing distill their horticultural and design expertise and their combined experiences in helping others create and maintain thriving gardens into one easy-to-read monthly reference guide. Get your copy today on Amazon. Don't forget to check out Down the Garden Path on your favourite podcast app and subscribe! You can now catch the podcast on YouTube.

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• How to Overwinter Your Annuals

  If your summer containers still look surprisingly lush, don't toss them out just yet. This week on the podcast, Joanne discusses how, with a little care, you can enjoy them again next year. Tune in to learn how to overwinter your annuals. Topics discussed: Many annuals are still looking great in mid-October — don't toss them yet! You can successfully overwinter several annuals to save money and enjoy them again next year. There's no single foolproof method; success depends on the type of plant, growing conditions, and care. Joanne shares three main methods: bringing the whole plant indoors, taking cuttings, and storing tubers. Method 1: Bring the Whole Plant Indoors (Treat as a Houseplant) Works well for mixed containers where some plants still look healthy. Steps: Scoop out healthy plants, repot in fresh soil. Use a tray or boot tray with gravel to create humidity. Lightly water (avoid soggy soil). Treat with Safer's insecticidal soap, diatomaceous earth, or Bios Nutrients herbal plant soap to remove insects. Keep in a cool location with indirect light (e.g., basement or bright garage that doesn't freeze). Reduce watering through winter; keep soil barely moist. Trim plants back slightly. Begin fertilizing lightly again as days lengthen (Feb–March). Examples: Coleus Geraniums (Pelargoniums) Million Bells (Calibrachoa) — heavy feeders; need more light Method 2: Take Cuttings Ideal for plants like Coleus, Cigar Plant (Cuphea ignea), Geraniums, and others with soft stems. Process: Take small cuttings (3–4 inches). Remove lower leaves. Root in water until roots form. Pot rooted cuttings in small pots (3-inch) with fresh soil. Use Ziploc bags or plastic covers to maintain humidity if needed. Grow under indirect light or with grow lights. Benefits: Saves space compared to bringing in full plants. Allows propagation of multiple new plants. Method 3: Save Tubers (Overwinter Dormant) Best for plants like Tuberous Begonias, Canna Lilies, and Dahlias. Steps: Let the plant naturally die back (reduce watering). After foliage dries up, gently remove tubers from soil. Do not wash — just brush off soil and roots. Allow to dry completely. Store in paper bags, cardboard boxes, or vermiculite/newspaper. Keep in a cool, dark, dry location all winter. In late February/March, inspect tubers for rot or mildew. Pot them up with fresh soil and water lightly until new growth appears. General Tips & Insights This process helps extend your garden budget and reduce spring costs. Overwintering annuals is an experiment — expect variable results. Minimal maintenance: check occasionally for dryness or rot. Grow lights can improve success, especially for tropical plants. Try both full-plant and cutting methods to compare results. Share propagated plants with friends and neighbours! Think ahead when choosing annuals next spring — pick varieties worth saving. Final Thoughts Overwintering annuals is low-cost and low-risk — a great winter experiment. Use it as a way to stay connected to your garden through the cold months. Even if you missed the window this year, plan to try it next fall. The reward: saving money, learning new skills, and keeping your garden thriving year after year. Resources Mentioned in the Show: Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden Have a topic you'd like me to discuss? Please let me know what other topics you would like me to discuss. Email your questions and comments to [email protected], or connect with me on my website: down2earth.ca Find Down the Garden Path on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @downthegardenpathpodcast. Down the Garden Path Podcast On Down The Garden Path, professional landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. As the owner of Down2Earth Landscape Design, Joanne Shaw has been designing beautiful gardens for homeowners east of Toronto for over a decade. She does her best to bring you interesting, relevant and useful topics to help you keep your garden as low maintenance as possible.  In Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, Joanne and fellow landscape designer Matthew Dressing distill their horticultural and design expertise and their combined experiences in helping others create and maintain thriving gardens into one easy-to-read monthly reference guide. Get your copy today on Amazon. Don't forget to check out Down the Garden Path on your favourite podcast app and subscribe! You can now catch the podcast on YouTube.

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