Growing Joy with Plants - Wellness Rooted in Nature, Houseplants, Gardening and Plant Care

To me, a hedge of hydrangea is one of the most iconic things you can do for your garden. They're epic, gorgeous, and yes, they have a reputation for being a little high maintenance. But once you set them up for success, hydrangeas can be one of the easiest flowering shrubs to grow.

In this Best of Growing Joy replay, I'm sitting down with Ryan McEnaney aka @ryanplantsplants a fifth-generation member of Bailey Nurseries and the face behind the best-selling Endless Summer Hydrangeas collection. Ryan breaks down everything from the 4 main hydrangea varieties and the number one pruning mistake killing your blooms, to soil pH secrets for changing your flower color, fertilizing tips, and how reblooming varieties can flower every month.

If you already have a hydrangea in your garden, it's going to be so much happier this year. And if you don't have one yet? You just might be inspired to bring one home!

 

In this episode, we learn:

[06:13] What has Ryan’s plant parent journey looked like?

[09:54] What are the 4 main species of hydrangea?

[13:42] Understanding bloom cycles for pruning

[16:56] Say goodbye to balcony watering stress this summer with self-watering planters!

[17:23] Learn how to create the perfect cutting garden for bouquets with The Cut Flower Handbook

[18:25] What is the blooming cycle of hydrangeas?

[20:09] When should you prune hydrangeas?

[22:40] How does soil affect the color of Hydrangea macrophylla blooms?

[28:58] What should you know about planting hydrangeas in the ground?

[30:12] What’s the general light guideline?

[30:42] Common mistakes people make with planting hydrangea

[31:23] Get everything you need, from containers to raised beds, with Gardener's Supply Company

[32:40] Check your hydrangeas’ soil acidity with Espoma Organics

[34:30] Why is it important to choose hydrangeas with flower buds?

[42:42] How to extend the length of hydrangea blooms

[48:26] Where can you find Ryan on social media?

[48:43] Where can you get Ryan’s book ‘Field Guide to Outside Style’?

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

Northwest Flower and Garden Show

Bailey Nurseries

First Editions

Youtube: 210 How to Grow Citrus Indoors

Pop Star® Reblooming Hydrangea

Endless Summer Hydrangeas

Espoma Organic Soil Acidifier

Espoma Organic Garden Lime

Espoma Organic Holly-tone Organic Fertilizer

Espoma Organic Rose-tone Organic Fertilizer

‘Limelight' – Panicle Hydrangea – Hydrangea paniculata

Vanilla Strawberry™ Panicle Hydrangea

 

Have you been struggling to get your hydrangeas to bloom?

Check out the full show notes and blog for everything you need to know about hydrangea care, pruning, and soil!

 

Follow Ryan

Website

Instagram

Book

 

 

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

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Don't sweet peas have the most amazing floral scent? I remember them as a scent before I ever knew them as a flower, like the Bath & Body Works body spray that no other brands can seem to replicate. Then I realized I had never actually done an episode on these before, so there’s no better time than to invite my dear plant friend, Marryn Mathis, the Sweet Pea Queen, to share her story! Marryn quit a 21-year IT career, moved her family onto raw land in a 28-foot travel trailer, and built The Farmhouse Flower Farm from the ground up. She's now growing 40,000 sweet pea seedlings a season, breeding her own varieties, and just wrote a book on the subject! Let's get growing!

 

In this episode, we learn:

[02:49] Meet Marryn Mathis, the Sweet Pea Queen!

[06:51] Growing flowers at scale without formal training

[08:12] Growing cut flowers for florists vs. harvesting seeds for sale

[09:14] What’s her process of breeding and naming a new Sweet Pea variety?

[10:52] Why Sweet Pea deserves more popularity!

[13:38] What’s the history behind Sweet Pea? (Hint: It started in Sicily!)

[15:37] Lisa Ziegler’s Cut Flower Handbook

[16:55] Espoma Organic

[18:47] How sweet peas migrated from garden fixtures into the cut flower industry

[19:38] What is the sweet pea fragrance scale and how do you differentiate them?

[21:31] Spencer sweet peas vs. other varieties

[22:37] How to grow sweet peas in hot climates and warmer zones (like Florida and Texas)

[24:31] Starting sweet peas from seed vs. buying garden center seedlings

[24:45] How to start sweet peas from seed

[26:25] The #1 mistake people make when growing sweet peas

[27:06] The 55-degree germination temperature for sweet pea seeds

[29:51] When to transplant indoor-started sweet peas

[31:27] How sunlight and location impact the lifespan of your sweet peas

[32:58] How to set up drip irrigation for sweet pea beds

[36:17] How to create a magical "Sweet Pea Tunnel" with cattle panels

[37:15] What are the biggest mistakes beginners make with sweet peas?

[39:45] Some cutting tips for sweet peas

[41:38] Is there a way to preserve sweet pea scent after cutting?

[41:51] What are the best workhorse sweet pea varieties for beginners?

[45:30] Where to find Marryn, her seeds, and her farm!

[46:10] Check out their new storefront on their farm!

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

Sweet Pea School Book by Marryn Mathis

PRO-MIX Potting Mix

Espoma Potting Soil Mix

Growing Joy 246: What is Regenerative Gardening and Permaculture? with Stephanie Rose of Garden Therapy

 

For Marryn's trusted advice on how to grow sweet peas,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

 

Follow Marryn:
Website
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
Shop

 

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Quarto: The Cut Flower Handbook by Lisa M Ziegler

Pick up The Cut Flower Handbook at your favorite local bookstore, quarto.com, bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble or amazon.com.

Espoma Organic

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

 

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Growing Joy with Maria by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy YouTube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

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If you knew where most grocery store lettuce comes from and what it goes through before it lands in that plastic box, you’d never look at bagged salad the same way again.

In this Best of Growing Joy episode, I’m sharing a practical, beginner-friendly guide on how to grow lettuce from seed so you can harvest fresh, crunchy salad greens right outside your door with my friend and garden coach, Nicole Burke of Gardener. We talk about simple ways to grow lettuce in raised beds, containers, grow bags, and even tiny balconies, so you can enjoy homegrown salads on repeat all season long!

Nicole breaks down the different types of lettuce and salad greens, when to direct sow seeds versus starting them indoors, and the watering routine that actually keeps those shallow roots happy. We also chat about easy organic pest strategies, smart spacing, and how to harvest lettuce so it keeps growing back, giving you that dreamy cut-and-come-again salad garden.

By the end of this episode, you’ll feel confident starting lettuce from seed and excited to swap those plastic boxes for vibrant, living greens just a few steps from your kitchen!

 

In this episode, we learn:

[00:03] Maria shares indoor hydroponic lettuce growth and outdoor lettuce garden prep.

[06:02] Why lettuce is ideal for first-time food-growing houseplant parents.

[06:53] What is Gardenary all about?

[08:23] How Nicole makes beautiful raised-bed gardens

[14:19] Where are 98% of the United States lettuces grown?

[17:01] What materials are needed for lettuce?

[20:47] Where can you find a wide array of quality lettuce seeds and seed mixes?

[23:27] Where to get a potting mix, soil, fertilizer, or compost for your garden beds/containers?

[25:15] What lettuce does Nicole recommend for beginners?

[24:34] Lettuce Category #1: Loose leaf

[29:15] Lettuce Category #2: Head lettuce

[31:09] Is Nicole indoor-starting or direct-sowing lettuce?

[32:32] How do you calculate when it's time to start direct sowing?

[35:55] What is the process of growing lettuce from seed?

[36:14] Process #1: If you have limited space

[40:40] Where to find a nutrition program for weight management, more energy, and clear skin?

[42:55] Process #2: If you live in an apartment

[46:01] What are Nicole’s tips for harvesting?

[47:53] What mistakes do people commonly make in growing lettuce?

[49:58] How to eat Swiss chard

[52:23] Have you heard of Nicole’s newest book Kitchen Garden Revival?

[57:45] Where can you follow Nicole?

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

Growing Joy Episode 120 Designing and Planning My Garden // Coaching With Nicole of Gardenary

Ivette Soler’s book The Edible Front Yard: The Mow-Less, Grow-More Plan for a Beautiful, Bountiful Garden

Hydroponic planter

Nicole Burke’s book Kitchen Garden Revival

Nicole’s Burke’s book Leaves, Roots & Fruit

Rocky Top Mix Salad Blend

Territorial Seed Company Spring Mixes

Martha Stewart's book Vegetables: Inspired Recipes and Tips for Choosing, Cooking, and Enjoying the Freshest Seasonal Flavors: A Cookbook

10 Years, 4 Cities, 8 Gardens-Nicole Burke's Kitchen Garden Journey

 

Craving fresher, crunchier salads straight from your garden?

Check out the full show notes and blog for my favorite beginner lettuce varieties, seed-starting tips, and easy harvest tricks!

 

Follow Nicole

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

 

 

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

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Why are monarch butterflies so special? If you follow me on Instagram, you already know my answer. The monarch butterfly has completely taken over my heart. I literally dressed up as one for Halloween this year, and I have zero regrets! Ever since my husband and I moved to Florida, I started planting milkweed just to watch them hatch in my own yard. And wow. Seeing their life cycle happen right in front of me made me think deeply about gardening. It also made me realize I had a lot to learn. So I called up my favorite wildlife nerd, David Mizejewski, and we spent a whole podcast episode just geeking out about monarch butterflies together! Let's dive in!

 

In this episode, we learn:

[03:57] Meet David Mizejewski, a naturalist, NWF, and a fellow monarch nerd!

[04:36] Why monarch butterflies hold a special emotional place for me

[06:06] What are the benefits of monarchs?

[08:49] Are monarchs really disappearing?

[10:53] Why the endangered/threatened designation is so confusing

[12:52] What would a "threatened" listing actually do for monarchs?

[15:28] Manukora

[17:13] How microplastics affect the environment

[18:25] Why are monarchs disappearing?

[19:20] The monarch lifecycle

[22:19] Why monarchs are specialists

[29:48] How gardeners can actually help monarch butterflies

[31:33] Native milkweed varieties worth knowing

[35:12] How to source pesticide-free native plants

[36:45] What are neonicotinoids?

[37:37] Which milkweed to avoid (aka the tropical milkweed problem)

[42:39] How to visually identify tropical milkweed

[45:05] Why you shouldn’t hand-rear monarchs!

[48:25] How the monarch migration actually works

[52:03] What to do instead of hand-rearing!

[53:43] Why parasitic wasps killing caterpillars is natural

[57:46] Where to find native plants by zip code

[59:46] How to certify your monarch garden with NWF

[01:01:19] My plans for my new home, my HOA, and my neighborhood kids!

[01:02:35] NWF's "cues of care" strategy

[01:04:37] Where to find David and all NWF resources

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

National Wildlife Federation

Native Plants Finder

Garden for Wildlife

Native Plant Finder by Zip Code

Certified Wildlife Habitat

 

If you want to help the monarch population,

check out the full show notes and blog for David's expert advice!

 

Follow David:

Website
Instagram
YouTube
Facebook
TikTok
LinkedIn

 

Thank you to our episode sponsor:

Manukora

Go to manukora.com/bloom to get up to 31% off the starter kit that includes their 850+ Manukora honey jar, 5 honey travel sticks, a wooden spoon, and a guidebook, PLUS $25 worth of free gifts! 

 

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Growing Joy with Maria by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy YouTube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Did you know your “regular” herb garden can double as a medicinal herb garden, and that the mint you grab for mojitos can actually calm your nerves and your digestion? I used to think herbalism meant mysterious tincture bottles and complicated formulas… until I started turning the basil, mint, and lemon balm I grow into simple herbal teas I actually drink every night.

In this Best of Growing Joy episode, I’m revisiting a conversation with Juliet from the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine, botanist, herbalist, and author of The Healing Garden. If you’re a gardener, tea lover, or herbalism beginner who wants to learn how to grow and use medicinal herbs you already have, this episode is for you!

You’ll learn which common herbs (like mint, basil, rosemary, lemon balm, and calendula) are most powerful to start with, how to harvest and dry them for tea, and why plant energetics (matching herbs to your unique body) matters more than any trendy supplement. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to make your own herbal tea from garden herbs instead of reaching for another tea bag.

 

In this episode, we learn:

[04:58] What led Juliet Blankenspoor to become interested in herbalism

[08:52] What makes plants medicinal, and have they been proven by doctors?

[11:51] Energetics of plants and how to complement their energies with people's

[15:49] How do you determine your own energy constitution?

[16:45] Who is Wim Hoff and what are the possible benefits of cold showers?

[19:16] What's the best way to get started with this completely new field of medicinal benefits?

[22:22] Where to get the best seeds for your spring garden

[23:38] The right choice for safe indoor and outdoor gardening products

[27:03] What are the properties of Mint?

[28:30] Some of the commonly used herbs that we might not be aware of

[30:01] What tonic means in the context of herbal medicine

[32:36] What are the medicinal properties of chives?

[33:58] How we can prepare tea from fresh and dried herbs

[38:16] Is there any medicinal value to the mint stem?

[39:43] What other herbs can you grow to make your own tea?

[44:13] Your next favorite kitchen appliance!

[47:19] What are some of the most versatile medicinal plants Juliet recommends exploring that aren't found in a traditional culinary garden?

[48:19] What plants should you add to your culinary garden for medical benefits?

[52:38] Juliet Blankespoor’s favorite herbs that you can add to your cooking recipes

[57:39] What can you learn from the book ‘The Healing Garden: Cultivating and Handcrafting Herbal Remedies'?

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

The Healing Garden: Cultivating and Handcrafting Herbal Remedies, book by Juliet Blankespoor

Tea strainers

Wim Hof Method

FREE 2-week trial to the Garden Party!

 

Curious what else your herb garden might be hiding?

Check out the full show notes and blog for beginner-friendly herbalism tips and recipes!

 

Follow Juliet

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Healing Garden Gateway, Juliet's personal website

 

 

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.