Talkin' Dirty at the Library

Master Gardener Emily Clem talks with North Alabama Extension Agent, Brian Brown about plant irrigation. Alabama gets 50-60 inches of rain yearly, but not always when plants need it. Brian covers both spray and drip irrigation systems and recommends smart controllers. Drip irrigation helps prevent plant disease and is also cost effective. He gives a step by step guide on setting up a system that can cost as little $50 for a basic system. Hint: save your tuna cans, they are the exact size to measure one inch of water, which is the weekly recommendation for watering your garden.

Master Gardener Emily Clem talks with Extension Agent, Allyson Shabel, about plant propagation. They discuss the different ways gardeners can get new plants from their already established home or neighbor gardens. Highlighting the technique of plant cuttings, seeds, and plant layering, Allyson gives details about the best practices and tools to give new plants the best start. 

 Links:
https://www.aces.edu/  (Alabama Cooperative Extension)
https://www.alcpl.org/

Have questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.org
Music by Pixabay 

Master Gardeners Emily Clem and Kathy Cook give a tour of The Library Garden. Designed by landscape architect, Carol Lambdin, the garden  includes raised beds, a butterfly garden, a wet area, and shaded sections. Now three years old, the garden is full of native trees, plants and edibles, and visitors are encouraged to take home berries and veggies in season. In addition, the garden has become a great home for insects and a few resident birds. Kids of all ages enjoy the grassy area, bubble rock fountains and winding footpaths. Volunteers are always welcome to help maintain the garden.

Master Gardeners Emily Clem and Kathy Cook talk about the benefits of composting. Gardeners with clay soil know it needs a lot of amendment for growing plants. Kathy gives easy to follow, step by step instructions for both new and experienced growers. A great way to recycle kitchen scraps and yard scraps, and it's also therapeutic. So good for the soil and good for the soul! 

 Links:
https://www.aces.edu/  (Alabama Cooperative Extension)
https://www.alcpl.org/

Have questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.org
Music by Pixabay      

Master Gardener Emily Clem has a conversation with Toby Gray about the value of oak trees. As the Plant Recorder for the Huntsville Botanical Gardens, Toby talks about the variety of oaks and their place in the ecosystem. With the newer trend in landscaping encouraging native plants and wildlife, oaks play a significant role in providing food for both insects and animals.  He also talks about the best way to cultivate an oak for home landscapes.  

Links:
https://www.aces.edu/  (Alabama Cooperative Extension)
https://www.alcpl.org/

Have questions about this episode? Ema...

Master Gardeners Emily Clem and Melissa Kirkindall talk about hummingbirds. Melissa has years of experience studying hummingbirds and talks about the different species, their migration, habitats, feeding, and what plants attract them to backyard bird enthusiasts. With nests the size of a walnut, the smallest hummer fits on the tip of an eraser and the largest measures eight and a half inches long! More fascinating facts in this podcast!

Links:
https://www.aces.edu/  (Alabama Cooperative Extension)
https://www.alcpl.org/

The Athens-Limestone Public Library has a wide selection of books on local g...

Master Gardener Emily Clem talks with horticulturist, Katrina Mitchell, from the Huntsville Botanical Gardens about Alabama's endemic plants. With its diverse ecosystem of mountains, plateaus, valleys, rivers and glades, Alabama boasts over 3000 native plant species. Among those are over 28 endemic plants that grow only in Alabama and nowhere else in the world. Identifying, locating, and conserving these rare and often endangered plants are the topics of this podcast. 

 Links:
https://www.aces.edu/  (Alabama Cooperative Extension)
https://www.alcpl.org/

The Athens-Limestone Public Library has a wide selection of books on local gardening
...

Master Gardener Soozi Pline talks with Jayne Luetzow, Regional Agent for Northwest Alabama Cooperative Extension office, about pruning. Step by step pruning techniques, including when to prune, why to prune, and what tools to use. A master class in pruning trees and shrubs with specific mentions of azaleas, hydrangeas, and roses, as well as a discussion of the controversial crepe 'murder' pruning technique. 

Links:
https://www.aces.edu/  (Alabama Cooperative Extension)
https://www.alcpl.org/

The Athens-Limestone Public Library has a wide selection of books on local gardening
Have questions about this ep...

Master Gardener Emily Clem talks with Master Beekeeper Bud Rogers about backyard beekeeping for the hobbyist. These busy pollinators are masters of efficiency and can make an amazing difference in the output of your backyard garden. They talk about how bees make honey and tips to avoid getting stung. Bud avidly promotes beekeeping as an accessible hobby with equipment adapted for people in wheelchairs or unable to lift heavy weights.  

Links:
https://www.aces.edu/  (Alabama Cooperative Extension)
https://mastergardeners-limestonecountyalabama.org/
https://www.alcpl.org/

The Athens-Limestone Public Library has a selection of...

Kate Gribbin, Recreation Manager, along with Hallie Porter, Development Director, and Jennifer Johnson, Master Gardener, highlight the new pollinator gardens of the North Alabama Land Trust. Started in 1987 as a means to keep development off Monte Sano Mountain, the Land Trust now covers 10 counties, 10,000 acres and has 10 nature preserves for education and recreation. With newly planted pollinator gardens at Blevins Gap and Harvest Square, they talk about the Land Trust's role in preserving our natural resources amidst North Alabama's increasing growth and expansion.

Links:
https://www.aces.edu/  (Alabama Cooperative Extension)
https://www.landtrustnal.org/2023/04/17/n...