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Down The Garden Path Podcast

Down The Garden Path Podcast

De : Joanne Shaw
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 On Down the Garden Path Podcast, landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. She believes it is important and possible to have great gardens that are low maintenance. On Down the Garden Path, she speaks with industry experts and garden authors to educate listeners on how to seasonally manage their gardens and landscapes.Joanne Shaw
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    • Bloomin' Easy Plants with Madison House

      Bloomin' Easy Plants with Madison House
      Feb 19 2026
      This week, Joanne welcomes Madison House of Bloomin' Easy Plants to the podcast to talk about what makes gardening feel "easy" for newer gardeners and what's new in their plant lineup this year. About Bloomin' Easy Plants Bloomin' Easy finds stronger, more compact, longer-blooming genetics (often from European breeders), then trials plants for years in Canadian conditions before they ever reach garden centres. They also build support tools around each plant, such as QR-code care reminders, an app, a 24/7 chatbot ("Ask Miss Diggs"), and even "mental reality" previews, so shoppers can feel confident choosing the right plant for the right spot. Topics Covered What Bloomin' Easy Plants is (and who it's for): a brand built to help casual/new gardeners succeed with approachable plants and simple guidance.How plants get to homeowners: breeders → Bloomin' Easy trials → propagators create "baby plants" → finished container growers → local garden centres/big box stores.Why "grown locally" matters: plants supplied by growers near your garden centre are more likely to be adapted to your climate (better survival and performance).Plant genetics and long trialing: many varieties are trialed 3–10 years to confirm hardiness, disease resistance, compact habit, and flowering performance.Support tools for success: QR tags with care reminders, an app, "Ask Miss Diggs" chatbot (with info backed by credible sources/universities), and "see it mature" preview tech.Boxwood challenges and replacements: discussion of boxwood blight and boxwood tree moth concerns, plus plants that can be shaped and used as alternatives.New/featured plants and why they stand out: Blue Box® (Rhododendron / "small-leaf rhodo") as a boxwood-like replacement with early blooms (magenta or light pink) and evergreen structure; prune right after flowering to avoid removing next year's buds.Hydrangea "Bubble Bath": a compact, mophead-style look; zone 3–8, 2–3 ft tall/wide; lime-tinged blooms fading to creamy white; great in pots due to tidy shape.Perennials expansion: Bloomin' Easy launched perennials about two years ago due to grower demand; perennials follow the same "compact and easy" standard."Forged by Fire" (Silene): early spring bloomer with dark foliage and bright red flowers; compact (about 12–18 in), and noted as a native option with improved garden behaviour.Garden phlox varieties (e.g., Center of Attention, Confetti Cake): selected for long bloom and powdery mildew resistance in damp coastal trial conditions.Rudbeckia "Solar Sisters": a standout for rich colour and season-long bloom; treated as an annual in cooler zones if it's not hardy where you live. Industry-side support for garden centres: in-store display materials, a pro portal for assets, and staff/customer education events at partner garden centres.Zones are nuanced: even within the same neighbourhood, microclimates matter; tags include temperature info to make zone guidance easier. Takeaways and Tips "Right plant, right spot" beats "green thumb." Start with sun requirements, mature size, and your hardiness zone—most frustration comes from a mismatch, not failure.Buy within your zone (and your microclimate). If your yard is windy, exposed, or freeze/thaw heavy, choose hardier options or protect tender plants.Look for locally grown stock when possible. Plants finished by nearby growers are more likely to be tuned to your region's conditions.Use the tag tools. Scan QR codes for planting depth, spacing, and care reminders—especially helpful for first-timers.Boxwood alternative pruning tip: if you choose a spring-blooming "boxwood look-alike," prune right after it flowers so you don't remove next season's buds.Pot-to-ground trick for tender perennials/shrubs: enjoy them in containers, then plant them in the ground before freeze-up to overwinter (or treat as seasonal "annuals" if they're not hardy).When shopping, don't assume "perennial section" is hardy for you. Always check the tag for zone; some plants may be sold as seasonal colour in cooler climates.Find a retailer near you: Bloomin' Easy offers a retailer map on their site—use it to track down specific new varieties locally. You can find Bloomin' Easy Plants online at www.bloomingeasyplants.com and on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and Pinterest. Have a topic you'd like Joanne to discuss? Email your questions and comments to downthegardenpathpodcast@hotmail.com, or connect with Joanne on her 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...
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      38 min
    • Houseplant Chat: Fertilizer

      Houseplant Chat: Fertilizer
      Feb 11 2026
      In the fourth episode of Down the Garden Path's "Houseplant Chat" series, Joanne discusses the basics of fertilizing houseplants. Topics Covered When to start fertilizing Wait until days are noticeably longer (sometime after daylight savings time) when plants begin active growth again. How to read fertilizer labels (N-P-K) The three numbers represent Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K).Leafy plants may benefit from higher nitrogen; flowering plants often need more phosphorus. Choosing an "all-purpose" fertilizer Balanced blends (e.g., 10-10-10) can work for many houseplants, especially as a baseline. Three common fertilizer formats Water-soluble liquid: mix into watering can; easy to apply while watering.Granular: sprinkle on the soil surface; dissolves as you water (Joanne notes it can feel less precise).Slow-release pellets: dissolve gradually; may only need reapplying every few months. Frequency & control Liquids are immediate and routine-friendly; granular and slow-release can be less frequent but require awareness of plant needs. Start gently Use half-strength for the first few feedings at the start of the season to ease plants in. Organic vs. big-box options Joanne prefers organic options (often lower N-P-K numbers) and mentions the appeal of local/smaller brands, while acknowledging "use what you have" if it's already in your cupboard. Check expiry dates Expired fertilizer is usually not harmful—just potentially less effective. Know your special plants Spot-check care requirements for "can't-risk-it" plants: heirlooms, cuttings, orchids, sentimental favourites (she shares the example of a long-loved rubber tree). Homemade fertilizer recipes (with caution) DIY approaches (tea/coffee grounds/fish emulsion) exist, but beginners should stick to products with known N-P-K values. Takeaways and Tips Don't rush it: Start fertilizing when daylight increases (typically after daylight savings), not in the dead of winter.Half-strength first: For the first few fertilized waterings, go 50% strength to avoid shocking plants waking up from slower winter growth.Match fertilizer to the goal: Leaf growth: consider a more nitrogen-forward option.Flowering: look for a higher middle number (phosphorus). Pick a method you'll actually remember: If you're consistent with watering, liquid can be easiest.If you forget steps easily, slow-release may be safer; just add a reminder so it doesn't get missed. Follow the label (seriously): Package directions matter more than brand debates.Research your "VIP plants": If a plant is sentimental or pricey, do a quick care check so you're not guessing at feeding needs.Use what you have, smartly: If you find old fertilizer, check the expiry date; it may still work, just a bit weaker.Keep it measurable: If you're newer to houseplants, prioritize fertilizers with clear N-P-K numbers over DIY mixes until you've got a baseline routine. Other Houseplant Chat episodes Getting the Light Right Soil and Watering Tips Propagation Made Simple Have a topic you'd like Joanne to discuss? Email your questions and comments to downthegardenpathpodcast@hotmail.com, or connect with Joanne on her 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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      12 min
    • Houseplant Chat: Propagation Made Simple

      Houseplant Chat: Propagation Made Simple
      Feb 3 2026
      In the third episode of Down the Garden Path's "Houseplant Chat" series, Joanne discusses propagation, a simple and rewarding way to expand your plant collection. Topics discussed: Quick recap of Houseplant Chat #1 and #2: winter light, soil refresh/repotting, and wateringWhat propagation is (and why it's easier than starting from seed)Best beginner-friendly plants to propagate: pothos and philodendronsFixing a long, "leggy" trailing plant by trimming and replanting rooted cuttings back into the base to fill it outHow to take cuttings: clean tools, cut around leaf nodes, and root in waterHow long rooting can take (and why patience pays off, especially for woodier plants)"Mother plant" strategy: pruning the original plant and using the cuttings to rebuild a fuller shapeGift and budget-friendly uses: making plants to share, sell, or give as giftsA reminder that plants are more resilient than we think, and even cut stems can be decorative in waterUsing propagation as décor: greenery in vases for low-light areas and windowless rooms Takeaways and Tips: Start with easy wins: pothos and philodendrons root quickly and are beginner-proof.Always cut near a node: that's where roots are most likely to form.Use clean, sharp tools: cleaner cuts make for healthier cuttings.Re-fill leggy plants: root cuttings, then plant them back into the pot to thicken the base and make the plant look brand new.Don't panic if something snaps off: trim it neatly, pop it in water, and see what happens.Water propagation can double as décor: a vase of cuttings adds life to dark corners, and you can pot them up later.Expect slower rooting on woody plants: they can still work, but they take longer.Experiment without fear: some cuttings won't take (and that's okay) because the learning is part of the fun. Have a topic you'd like Joanne to discuss? Email your questions and comments to downthegardenpathpodcast@hotmail.com, or connect with Joanne on her 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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      18 min
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