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Ask Grumpy

Southern Living
Gardening
Southern Living
Gardening Tips
Hydrangeas
Japanese Maple
Stink Bugs
Skinks
Squirrels
Podcast Season Announcement
Azaleas
Crepe Myrtle
Bird Feeders
French Hydrangea
Tomatoes
Sun Patients
Gardening Advice
Clay Soil
Gardenia
Composting
African Violets

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes168Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
How ToHome & GardenLeisureEducation

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Artwork for Ask Grumpy

Latest Episodes

Grumpy shares advice on how to remove spiky smilax vine for good, explains why black walnut trees produce toxins and which plants can thrive around them, and helps a reader revive a rescued camellia with browning leaves. Plus, the Plant of the Week: ... more

Grumpy answers readers’ questions about planting Little Miss Figgy outdoors, shares tips for saving your rosebush from losing its leaves and blooms, and introduces the Plant of the Week: Red Diamond Loropetalum.

You can find us online at southernliv... more

In this episode, a listener from Northern Virginia asks for advice on decorating a pergola with colorful, blooming vines. Grumpy shares tips on how to prune lavender and offers guidance on saving your hawthorn. Plus, tune in to learn about the Plant ... more

Grumpy talks passalong plants, offers expert advice on getting your amaryllis to bloom,  and reveals the secrets to helping your hydrangeas thrive. Plus, don’t miss his Tip of the Week on how to grow hydrangeas from cuttings!

You can find us online ... 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

4.8 out of 5 stars from 322 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 States2 months ago
  • Chamber bitters

    Question: How do I get rid of this weed?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Zack6238
    United States8 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 States9 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 Statesa year 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 Statesa year 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.

Grandma’s Gardenia Cuttings
Q: Will hydrangeas thrive in full sun in Chesapeake, Virginia?
Most hydrangea varieties differ: oak leaf hydrangeas prefer shade, while panicle hydrangeas like Limelight tolerate sun; for extreme heat, avoid pruning in fall or winter for non-rebloomers to prevent losing blooms.
Grandma’s Gardenia Cuttings
Q: What is the best time to prune amaryllis for re-bloom?
Wait for the foliage to yellow naturally before cutting it back, avoid fertilizing a leafless bulb, and keep it outdoors in mild climates or bring indoors in freezing areas until growth resumes.
Grandma’s Gardenia Cuttings
Q: Can I cut back my two old gardenia bushes that are too close to the house?
Yes, gardenias can be cut back quite aggressively and will regrow from the base, but for best flowering this year, prune after they finish blooming instead of right now.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

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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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Which podcasts are similar to Ask Grumpy?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Ask Grumpy:

1. Biscuits & Jam
2. Gardening Simplified
3. Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist
4. Be My Guest with Ina Garten
5. Things Bakers Know: The King Arthur Baking Podcast

How many episodes of Ask Grumpy are there?

Ask Grumpy launched 3 years ago and published 168 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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