Garden Bugs & Disease

Garden Bugs & Disease

Author: Golden Acre Home and Garden February 19, 2023 Duration: 46:24
 
In this weeks episode.... caterpillar poop, noisemakers, predator bugs, difficulty pronouncing hard words, and debunking a well known garden myth!
 
We're helping you with the various garden bugs and diseases you may encounter in your garden and home. Plants are just as susceptible to weakness as us humans are, so let's explore ways to identify, eliminate, and prevent the various challenges your plants are most likely to encounter. It's not all bad though! We'll spotlight the good guys too that bring balance to your garden. 
 
But first, it's Colin's Birthday! We had maybe a little too much fun celebrating...
 
 
GARDENING IN THE NEWS...
We touched a bit on the Oyster Scale problem that ripped through Calgary, AB in 2015.
 

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Our question of the week comes from Ethariel who asks, "How do you get rid of thrips?" Listen in to find out what Colin recommends to battle these armoured pests!

https://www.goldenacre.ca/shop-all-departments/control-products/green-eco-friendly/oriline-bottle-500-bugs-orius-insidiosus-thrip-control/

 

If you have a question for the Helpful Gardeners, reach out to us! Send us an email social@goldenacre.ca or find our question of the week on our Instagram

NEXT WEEK

Bring gardening indoors! Are houseplants for everything? What should you keep in mind when considering bringing plants indoors? Golden Acre is also going on a road trip to SAIT - Southern Alberta Institute of Technology to find out how plants can postivitly impact wellness


Ever find yourself staring at a wilting houseplant or a patch of backyard dirt, unsure where to even begin? That's the exact spot where The Helpful Gardeners finds its footing. This isn't a lecture from a distant expert; it's a conversation between two people who genuinely love turning spaces into places. Colin brings his certification and decades of hands-in-the-dirt knowledge from working in all sorts of climates, while Brandi comes at it with a beginner's curiosity and the willingness to ask the questions you might be thinking yourself. Each episode of this podcast from Golden Acre Home and Garden feels like pulling up a chair in a friendly, sunlit shed. You'll hear practical, real-world advice on everything from landscaping fundamentals and seasonal garden tasks to keeping your indoor jungle thriving. They tackle specific problems, share successes and failures, and break down complex topics into manageable steps. Released three times a week, this regular dose of guidance aims to build your confidence, whether you're cultivating a windowsill herb garden or planning a major backyard overhaul. Tune in for the kind of relatable, grounded chat that makes the whole process feel less like a chore and more like a rewarding discovery.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 189

The Helpful Gardeners
Podcast Episodes
How To Tame Your Monstera [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:15
Do you have a Monstera deliciosa that's living up to its name - monstrous? We recently got a listener question from Jodi, who wrote in saying her beloved Monstera is basically taking over her living room. We've all watch…
Bloom Scrolling & Growing Plants in Pinecones?! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:31
While 'bloom scrolling' through our favorite garden inspo, we stumbled upon the most fun trending DIY ever: growing spider plant babies inside pinecones! It’s a great, low-cost rustic project to keep your hands busy and…
This Winter, Grow Mushrooms Indoors [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:42
If your outdoor garden is currently under a blanket of snow and you’re itching to grow something, we have the perfect indoor project for you. This week on the podcast, we’re diving into indoor mushroom kits. They’re low-…
45 Shades of Red: Decoding the Tomato Seed Aisle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:36
Staring at 45 different packets of tomato seeds is enough to make anyone want to throw in the trowel. You’ve got "Spicy Slice Peppers", "Mortgage Lifters," and things that look more like tie-dyed art projects than vegeta…
5 Easy Gardening Intentions for 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:11
We are officially stepping into 2026, and if we’re being honest, the world feels a little… loud lately. Between the 24-hour news cycle and the pressure to have a "perfect" life, our gardens shouldn't be another chore on…
Turn a Balsam Fir into a Dirty Soda [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:23
What if your favorite hike through the woods could be bottled up and served over ice? We’re adding Balsam Fir Syrup to our holiday menu, and honestly, it’s a total game-changer. From "Alpine Dr. Pepper dirty soda" to cit…
Holiday Cactus: How to Master the Bloom [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:23
We’re diving deep into the world of the Zygocactus—the ultimate "holiday" houseplant. If you’ve ever wondered why your "Christmas" cactus is blooming in October, what a 200 year old Christmas cactus looks like, or how th…
The Crafting Gardeners: DIY Seed Paper! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:05
The holiday season is all about spreading joy. Forget boring gift tags and plain cards; we’re talking about creating beautiful, plantable paper masterpieces using recycled materials, festive cookie cutters, and a sprinkl…
Snow Seeds to Pollinator Pathways in Norway [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:28
People are thinking outside the box when it comes to gardening and biodiversity. We recently heard about a smart idea out of Norway: they're actually combining snow with wildflower seeds and spreading it over hillsides.…
Poinsettia Secrets: How to Keep Yours Growing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:45
This week's listener question is a timely one from Karen who is growing an iconic seasonal beauty - the Poinsettia! We totally get it—these plants are the quintessential holiday vibe, but they can be a little dramatic es…