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Ask Grumpy

Southern Living
Gardening
Southern Living
American Boxwoods
Purple Shamrock
Squirrels
Gardenia
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Grumpy Gardener
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 weeklyEpisodes164Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationHow ToLeisureHome & Garden

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Artwork for Ask Grumpy

Latest Episodes

Grumpy helps a reader tackle stubborn sucker growth, shares his favorite shade-loving caladiums, and breaks down the different varieties of bell peppers. Plus, don’t miss his very special Tip of the Week!

You can find us online at southernliving.com... more

Grumpy tackles readers’ questions about choosing the best clover for your lawn, troubleshoots common crepe myrtle problems, and spotlights the Plant of the Week: the 'Diamond Spire' Gardenia.

You can find us online at southernliving.com/askgrumpy

A... more

In this episode, Grumpy shares his top deer-resistant plant picks for Florida gardens, discusses tree and shrub fertilizer, and delivers a hot tip you won’t want to miss for successful spring planting.

You can find us online at southernliving.com/as... more

On the Season 4 debut, Grumpy answers readers’ questions about what you can grow from seedling to tree in a wet area, shares plants that help keep groundhogs from digging, and introduces the Plant of the Week: 'Radiance' Abelia.

You can find us onli... more

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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 Statesa month ago
  • Chamber bitters

    Question: How do I get rid of this weed?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Zack6238
    United States7 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 States8 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 States10 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 States10 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.

Crepe Myrtle Problems
Q: I live in upstate South Carolina. The leaves and bark of my crepe myrtles turned black last year. What can I do to avoid a repeat this year?
The issue is sooty mold from honeydew excreted by pests like aphids; treat the insects with a systemic insecticide to stop honeydew and mold from forming.
Crepe Myrtle Problems
Q: I plan to seed part of our property with clover soon, but there are many different varieties. I have both sunny and shady areas. Do you have a suggestion?
Clover is low-maintenance, fixes nitrogen, and works in sun or shade; white Dutch clover with pretty flowers and good nectar for pollinators is a solid option, and you can find seed online if not locally.
Shade-Loving Caladiums
Q: Are there caladium varieties that will thrive in shade?
Yes, many caladiums tolerate shade to full shade, though most prefer partial shade; leaves are the main appeal and should be protected from too much sun.
Groundhog Control
Q: What can I plant around the perimeter to deter groundhogs and reduce digging, preferably not too fragrant?
Plant choices with very spiny or thorny leaves such as Japanese Barberry, Dwarf Chinese Holly, and Top Gun shrub rose; hedge-forming these plants can create a barrier, and trapping is another option to remove them.
Groundhog Control
Q: What will grow from a seedling to a tree in a wet area, preferably with flowers?
The suggested native Sweet Bay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) fits well, growing 20 to 30 feet tall with fragrant white flowers in late spring and early summer; other options like Bald Cypress, River Birch, Red Maple, Black Gum, and Sycamore can tolerate poorly drained soils but may not offer showy flowers.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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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

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These podcasts share a similar audience with Ask Grumpy:

1. Open Book with Jenna
2. Food Network Obsessed
3. How to Decorate
4. Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist
5. Making Space with Hoda Kotb

How many episodes of Ask Grumpy are there?

Ask Grumpy launched 3 years ago and published 164 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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