Rephonic
Artwork for Ask Grumpy

Ask Grumpy

Southern Living
Gardening
Southern Living
American Boxwoods
Purple Shamrock
Squirrels
Gardenia
Apple Podcasts
Grumpy Gardener
Spotify
Gardening Tips
Nutsedge
Plant Drainage
Boxwood Blight
Sugar Baby Forsythia
Japanese Maple
Gardening Scams
Gardenias
Bird Feeders
Deer
Gardening With Bulbs

Ask Grumpy, a podcast featuring Steve Bender, AKA Southern Living’s Grumpy Gardener is back for Season 4. For more than 30 years, Grumpy has been sharing advice on what to grow, when to plant, and how to manage just about anything in your garden. Tune in for episodes every Wednesday as Grumpy answers reader questions, solves seasonal conundrums, and provides need-to-know advice for gardeners with ... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes160Founded3 years ago
Categories
LeisureEducationHow ToHome & Garden

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Ask Grumpy

Latest Episodes

Ask Grumpy is back for Season 4! Starting March 11, 2026, new episodes drop every Wednesday through April 29. In this eight-episode season, Steve Bender, also known as The Grumpy Gardener, answers your toughest gardening questions with his trademark ... more

On the season finale of Ask Grumpy, a reader struggles with a dying Japanese Maple. Plus, the tip of the week.

You can find us online at southernliving.com/askgrumpy

Ask Grumpy Credits:

Steve Bender aka The Grumpy Gardener - Host

Nellah McGough -... more

What to know about daffodil bulbs. Plus, the tip of the week.

You can find us online at southernliving.com/askgrumpy

Ask Grumpy Credits:

Steve Bender aka The Grumpy Gardener - Host

Nellah McGough - Co-Host

Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living

L... more

A reader has a weed dilemma. Plus, the gripe of the month.

You can find us online at southernliving.com/askgrumpy

Ask Grumpy Credits:

Steve Bender aka The Grumpy Gardener - Host

Nellah McGough - Co-Host

Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living

Lott... more

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Host

Steve Bender
Host of The Grumpy Gardener / Ask Grumpy; long-time Southern Living gardening expert with a dry, humorous style.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 319 ratings
  • Grumpy … but entertaining

    The information is solid, but I listen each week to hear the biting sarcasm and anti-squirrel soliloquies. I like the short format too. Should be done all year. I miss it when there is no new content.

    Update: Why just Wednesday and just through end of April?

    Makes me grumpy myself!

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    jdlorenzo8
    United States6 days ago
  • Chamber bitters

    Question: How do I get rid of this weed?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Zack6238
    United States6 months ago
  • Love

    Love this podcast so much that I went back and I’m binged listening to all of them!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    suzan73
    United States7 months ago
  • It’s good for what it is

    I like that Grumpy is a down to earth straight shooter. He never repeats the abundant gardening misinformation you see all over social media. He knows his stuff. How do we submit questions for Grumpy? Please tell me I do not have to join FB to ask questions …

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Medeb
    United States9 months ago
  • Love these but they're too short!Beef them up a little, please? Tell us about fishing or a BBQ recipe or about sniping gophers.

    Audible
    5
    Paul E. Zimmerman
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The show is appreciated for reducing gardening misinformation and prioritizing soil health and pollinator-friendly practices.
Listeners praise concise, informative tips and the host's humor.
Fans value practical, region-specific gardening guidance and quick, actionable takeaways.
Content is seen as trustworthy and accessible, though a few listeners want longer episodes or deeper technical detail.
Some critiques exist around pace or depth on certain topics, but overall sentiment is positive.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Peak Planting Time
Q: How should I store my bulbs until planting?
Store bulbs in a cool, dry, dark place and avoid freezing them or storing them with ripening fruit.
Peak Planting Time
Q: When should I plant my bulbs?
October and November are the best months for planting daffodil bulbs.
Peak Planting Time
Q: Should I order pre-chilled daffodil bulbs?
If you live in warm zones like 8B and 9, it is recommended to get pre-chilled bulbs to ensure they bloom properly.
Weed Control
Q: How can I get rid of Japanese stilt grass?
To control Japanese stilt grass, apply a pre-emergent herbicide like Preen in early spring to prevent seed germination.
Mulch Mania
Q: How long are seeds good for?
Seeds can be stored effectively for a year under general conditions, but some can remain viable for much longer if stored properly, like in the Svalbard seed vault.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Ask Grumpy

What is Ask Grumpy about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Ask Grumpy delivers concise, practical gardening advice with a trademark gruff humor. Across recent episodes, the show emphasizes plant care and seasonal timing for the Southern garden, with frequent Q&A segments that tackle topics like tree care, bulb planting, weed management, soil health, and pest control. The host blends hands-on horticultural know-how with personality, making complex gardening concepts approachable for home gardeners who value reliable tips and a lighthearted banter. A standout aspect is the host's emphasis on soil health, native plants, pollinator-friendly choices, and climate-aware strategies, which helps listeners navigate regional gardening challenges while keeping content entertaining.

Noteworthy elements include... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Ask Grumpy?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Ask Grumpy. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Ask Grumpy and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Ask Grumpy get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Ask Grumpy, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Ask Grumpy?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Ask Grumpy, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Ask Grumpy have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Ask Grumpy has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

How many episodes of Ask Grumpy are there?

Ask Grumpy launched 3 years ago and published 160 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Ask Grumpy?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Ask Grumpy?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Ask Grumpy from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Ask Grumpy?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Ask Grumpy. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days