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Artwork for Garden Variety

Garden Variety

Iowa Public Radio
Iowa State University
Horticulture
Iowa
Pollinators
Fruit Trees
Strawberries
Cicadas
Plant Diseases
Bumblebee
Iowa State University Extension
Habitat Loss
Fertilization
Herbs
Fall Color
Spring Lawn Care
Sweet Corn
Cover Crops
Forestry
Soil Health
Christmas Trees

Whether you're a master gardener, just getting started or somewhere in between - there's always something new to learn in your garden and landscape. On each episode we'll talk with horticulturists, foresters and other experts. We'll learn about vegetable gardens, lawns, native plants, trees and more. Garden Variety is the podcast for all the things you'd like to grow or grow better. Garden Variety... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes197Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
LeisureHome & GardenHow ToEducation

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Artwork for Garden Variety

Latest Episodes

Often called the "queen of climbers," clematis are known for their beautiful blooms and ability to add height to your garden. These vining members of the buttercup family make a beautiful addition to almost any yard and they are in full bloom right n... more

YouTube

When you flip through the pages of your favorite garden catalog, your eye might be caught by any number of new varieties of your favorite plants. All of the new plants at your garden center or in that garden catalog have to be tried and tested before... more

YouTube

The oak is the state tree of Iowa. It’s a keystone species that provides habitat for a variety of wildlife species, including over 500 species of butterflies and moths. But Iowa’s oak woodlands are disappearing at an alarming rate. Iowa Department of... more

YouTube

Fire blight can spread fast through orchards and backyard fruit trees, leaving growers scrambling to protect their crops. We talk with Iowa State University assistant professor and fruit tree specialist Suzanne Slack about how fire blight develops, w... more

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Recent Guests

Mark Vitosh
DNR District Forester
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Episode: Diversi-tree is key
Adam Tomes
Associate Professor of Horticulture, turf grass specialist
Iowa State University
Episode: Lawn story short
Jeff Iles
Professor of Horticulture
Iowa State University
Episode: Small but might-tree
Joel Sartore
National Geographic photographer and founder of the National Geographic Photo Ark
National Geographic Society
Episode: BONUS: The pep talk you need to start a backyard prairie
Cindy Haynes
Professor of Horticulture, Iowa State University
Iowa State University
Episode: Get a thrillium from trillium
Aaron Steil
Iowa State University Extension Horticulture Specialist
Iowa State University Extension
Episode: Get a thrillium from trillium
Zach Schumm
Insect diagnostician
Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic, Iowa State University
Episode: Pest in show
Dan Fillius
Iowa State University Extension Horticulture Specialist
Iowa State University Extension
Episode: Grow with what you know
Randall Vos
Iowa State University Extension Horticulture Specialist
Iowa State University Extension
Episode: The root to great fruit

Host

Charity Nebbe
Host of Garden Variety, affiliated with Iowa Public Radio and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 34 ratings
  • TGI hort day!

    I don’t garden. I’m here for the puns

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mr x 🔪
    United Statesa year ago
  • TGI hort day!

    Brief, smart, fun

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ms C 123
    United States2 years ago
  • I look forward to this podcast every week

    I found this podcast in the NPR app and it has become one of my very favorites. There isn’t any filler, it’s all content. It gives useful information aimed at people at home, not specialists, but it doesn’t talk down. They bring in interesting experts in their fields. I always walk away with something I hadn’t known before I listened. I hope it runs forever.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    woogathering in singapore
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listener enthusiasm for seasonal and regional garden advice is high.
Shows with expert guests are seen as credible and informative for home gardeners.
Audience values practical guidance that doesn't talk down to non-specialists.
Listeners appreciate concise, information-dense episodes with actionable tips.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Lawn story short
Q: Why is fall fertilization emphasized, and what should be done in spring?
Fall fertilization helps the plant store nutrients in the root system; spring fertilization should be modest to thicken the canopy without encouraging excessive growth that increases mowing burden.
Lawn story short
Q: How do you know when it's time to mow and how low should you cut?
Aim to remove no more than one third of the leaf tissue in a single mowing, keep the mower at around three inches, and gradually bring it down if needed to avoid stressing the grass.
Pest in show
Q: When is it reasonable to take action vs. tolerating some damage?
Decide based on the potential damage, cost of control, and whether the garden's goals justify intervention; often alternative tactics like water sprays or hand removal are preferable to chemicals.
Pest in show
Q: How reliable are mobile apps for identifying insects, especially the small ones in the garden?
Apps are more reliable for larger insects; for small specimens, photos can be insufficient, and professional clinics or lab analysis may be necessary for an accurate ID.
Pest in show
Q: But, OK, so I'm in the garden and I see an insect and I don't know what it is. What should I do?
Approach with curiosity, try to identify the insect to the species level if possible, take good photos without blur, and consider using samples for professional identification rather than rushing to conclusions.

Audience Metrics

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Garden Variety

What is Garden Variety about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Gardening-focused discussions that blend practical how-to with expert insight, spanning plant selection, pruning, fruit production, and pest management. Episodes often center on timely, home-gardening decisions—choosing reliable cultivars, understanding catalog marketing, and adapting landscapes to local conditions and climate changes—while balancing aesthetics with long-term plant health. A recurring strength is bringing ISU Extension and horticulture faculty, entomologists, and foresters to translate research into actionable tips for backyard gardeners and small-scale landscape projects. A standout trait is the show's emphasis on real-world applicability for non-specialists, with accessible explanations and demonstrations that help listen... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Garden Variety?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Garden Variety:

1. Short Wave
2. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
3. Science Friday
4. The Splendid Table: Conversations & Recipes For Curious Cooks & Eaters
5. Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio

How many episodes of Garden Variety are there?

Garden Variety launched 4 years ago and published 197 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 Garden Variety?

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What guests have appeared on Garden Variety?

Recent guests on Garden Variety include:

1. Mark Vitosh
2. Adam Tomes
3. Jeff Iles
4. Joel Sartore
5. Cindy Haynes
6. Aaron Steil
7. Zach Schumm
8. Dan Fillius

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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