Connecticut Garden Journal
Thursdays 8:58 pm and Saturdays 11:57 am
Connecticut Garden Journal is a weekly program hosted by horticulturalist Charlie Nardozzi. Learn more about Charlie at gardeningwithcharlie.com.
Ways To Subscribe
Latest Episodes
-
Boltonia is a pollinator favorite often visited by butterflies, bees and other insects. It's deer and rabbit proof and a delightful fall flower for your garden.
-
Helenium has the unfortunate common name of sneezeweed because it blooms when ragweed is flowering. It's a carefree, native perennial to grow for fall color and food for the pollinators.
-
Charlie's tips for harvesting apples and pears.
-
While there are chemical controls for Japanese and other ground dwelling beetles, there are effective ecologically friendly controls as well.
-
Fall in Connecticut feels longer and warmer. It's an opportunity to garden more, so start planting quick maturing, cool weather loving greens like spinach, lettuce, arugula, escarole, kale and Swiss chard.
-
Humans may need a break from the heat, but melons like cantaloups, honeydews and watermelons thrive during hot, wet summers.
-
"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet," except when that rose is a rose of Sharon, which is neither a rose nor from Sharon; it's actually a shrub in the hibiscus family. You can use the edible blooms to make tea.
-
Raccoons may be clever and nimble, but don't let that stop you from growing corn in your garden. There's an electric fence that'll help keep raccoon hands off your ears.
-
Hardy hibiscus is different from the woody, tropical, shrub hibiscus. Some varieties boast burgundy colored leaves as well as bi-colored pink and red varieties. One light yellow colored variety has the delicious sounding name, 'French Vanilla'.
-
Much like cilantro, people either love okra or hate it. Harvest the pods when they're less than 4 inches long for the best flavor and texture. Young okra pods are more tender and have less of a “slimy” mouthfeel. Eat them in soups, stews, fried or sautéed. Okra is in the hibiscus family, so the flowers are edible and delicious stuffed or used as a garnish.