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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
Iowa State University Extension
Bumblebee
Habitat Loss
Fertilization
Gardening
Herbs
Fall Color
Native Plants
Spring Lawn Care
Sweet Corn
Cover Crops
Forestry

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes200Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationHow ToHome & GardenLeisure

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Artwork for Garden Variety

Latest Episodes

Native plants improve biodiversity and help local insects and wildlife thrive. Dani Gehr sits in for Charity Nebbe, and she talks with Iowa State Extension horticulture specialist Ray Kruse about what natives have succeeded in his garden and what pla... more

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Advice for trees and perennials in need.

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There are a lot of different factors that can derail a fruit crop, even after your blossoms have survived the last frost. It was a tough spring for many fruit crops, but if you are lucky enough to have some fruit on your tree, there are a few things ... more

YouTube

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

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Ray Kruse
Iowa State University horticulturist
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
Episode: These native plants are fan-grass-tic!
Aaron Stile
Horticulture specialist
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
Episode: Getting bark to basics
Cindy Haynes
Professor of Horticulture, Iowa State University
Iowa State University
Episode: Closer I am to vine
Aaron Steil
Horticulture Specialist, Iowa State University Extension
Iowa State University Extension
Episode: Closer I am to vine
Jessie Liebenguth
Horticulturist at Reiman Gardens, Ames
Reiman Gardens
Episode: Grow with the flow
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
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
Dan Fillius
Iowa State University Extension Horticulture Specialist
Iowa State University Extension
Episode: Grow with what you know

Host

Charity Nebbe
Host of Garden Variety; long-running horticulture journalist and educator affiliated with Iowa Public Radio and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 35 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.

Shows are perceived as content-rich with real-world applicability for home gardeners.
Audience appreciates the concise, practical gardening tips and the depth of expertise from guests.
Listeners enjoy approachable experts who make complex horticulture concepts understandable.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

These native plants are fan-grass-tic!
Q: How do you manage aggressive spreaders in your garden?
He suggests removing or cutting back spreading flowering heads or rhizomes when necessary, and prefers to keep harmless seed spreaders but control root runners when they threaten the native balance.
These native plants are fan-grass-tic!
Q: What have you observed this year about plant performance and pests/disease?
He notes some favorites like Northwood switchgrass and New England asters, with a reminder that even strong performers can suffer from unusual weather and disease pressure, so monitoring is ongoing.
These native plants are fan-grass-tic!
Q: How do you define native plants and native origins?
Ray explains a North American orientation, recognizing that native status can be regional but that his practical approach focuses on North American origins and then selecting cultivars that suit local conditions.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Garden Variety

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

A practical, garden-focused show that brings in horticulture experts, foresters, and ISU Extension resources to help home growers improve their lawns, fruit patches, perennials, and vegetable plots in the Midwest. Episodes center on actionable how-tos and real-world troubleshooting—from pruning and plant selection to pest management, soil health, and disease prevention. A standout is the steady rotation of university-backed experts and conservation-minded guests who translate research into accessible tips for amateur gardeners, with a strong emphasis on native plants, biodiversity, and sustainable practices. The format blends technique, trial results, and listener-friendly anecdotes, making it useful for listeners who want trustworthy guida... more

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How many listeners does Garden Variety get?

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To see how many followers or subscribers Garden Variety 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.

Which podcasts are similar to Garden Variety?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Garden Variety:

1. Super Cool Plants - Formerly Known as Let's Argue About Plants
2. MARGARET ROACH A WAY TO GARDEN
3. Talk of Iowa
4. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
5. This Old House Radio Hour

How many episodes of Garden Variety are there?

Garden Variety launched 4 years ago and published 200 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. Ray Kruse
2. Aaron Stile
3. Cindy Haynes
4. Aaron Steil
5. Jessie Liebenguth
6. Mark Vitosh
7. Adam Tomes
8. Joel Sartore

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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