Rephonic
Artwork for Smarty Plants
Minnesota
Emerald Ash Borer
Spotted Wing Drosophila
Minnesota Department Of Agriculture
Online Plant Trade
Pollinators
Native Plants
Buckthorn
Participatory Science
Eco-Anxiety
Biocontrol
Invasive Species
Pollinator Habitat
Parasitoids
Native Minnesota Plants
Lawns To Legumes
Cover It Up!
Forests Of Minnesota
Minnesota Grown
Jumping Worms

Smarty Plants is a podcast exploring invasive insects and noxious weeds that threaten Minnesota’s natural and agricultural resources. Experts from the MDA’s Plant Protection Division cover important topics engaging the public in efforts to protect our environment.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes24Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Home & GardenNatureScienceLeisure

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Artwork for Smarty Plants

Latest Episodes

Just as berry season is approaching peak deliciousness in Minnesota, we zoom in and take a look at a tiny pest that causes problems for berry growers on this episode of Smarty Plants. Berry experts Mary Rogers from the University of Minnesota and And... more

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This year brought changes to the Minnesota Noxious Weed List. Listen to weed experts Emilie Justen from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and Dr. Jim Calkins from the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association and learn what changes to the lis... more

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After our long Minnesota winter, many of us are itching to get outside and work on our gardens, or put some new plants in the ground. Set yourself up for success this gardening season with this episode of Smarty Plants, featuring tips and tricks from... more

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As one of the most aggressive and invasive plants threatening Minnesota, buckthorn is a major problem in urban and rural forest alike. Managing a buckthorn infestation can make many go from pulling plants to pulling out their own hair, as the plant a... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Mary Rogers
Associate professor of sustainable and organic horticultural food production systems
University of Minnesota
Episode: Small Fly, Big Trouble
Andy Petran
Owner of Twin Cities Berry Company, high-density strawberry producer
Twin Cities Berry Company
Episode: Small Fly, Big Trouble
Emilie Justen
MDA staff focusing on invasive species and noxious weeds
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Episode: Weeding Through Changes
Jim Calkins
Nursery Production and Landscape Horticulture expert
Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association (and MNLA Foundation)
Episode: Weeding Through Changes
Michele Grabowski
Plant pathologist, Minnesota Department of Agriculture's Plant Protection Division
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Episode: Garden Smarter, Not Harder
Alan Sommerfeld
[Title not fully specified in transcript]
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Episode: Garden Smarter, Not Harder
Ellen Sommerfeld
Director of communications at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture; University of Minnesota Extension master gardener
Minnesota Department of Agriculture / University of Minnesota Extension
Episode: Garden Smarter, Not Harder
Mike Schuster
Assistant professor at Hamlin University; researcher with the Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pest Center at the University of Minnesota
Hamlin University / University of Minnesota
Episode: Buckthorn: There is Light at the End of the Tunnel
Lee Frelich
Director of the University of Minnesota Center for Forest Ecology; forest ecologist
University of Minnesota
Episode: Buckthorn: There is Light at the End of the Tunnel

Host

Jennifer Burington
Host who covers plant protection, extension outreach, and regulatory perspectives.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Small Fly, Big Trouble
Q: How does SWD affect the economics of fruit production in Minnesota?
SWD drives major economic impacts by reducing supply, increasing control costs, forcing practice pivots to new crops or production methods, and generating broader social and local economic disruption due to reliance on locally grown fruit.
Small Fly, Big Trouble
Q: What is SWD and why is it a concern for berry growers?
SWD is a very small fruit fly that can lay eggs in ripening berries, causing rapid population growth and economic losses, especially because there is no practical zero-tolerance threshold for larvae in fresh fruit; even a single egg can ruin a harvest.
Painful Plants
Q: What can people do to protect themselves when they are outdoors and may encounter these plants?
Stay on established paths, wear protective clothing, check for ticks, and carefully wash skin and gear if exposure occurs; report sightings with photos to aid identification and management.
Buckthorn: There is Light at the End of the Tunnel
Q: Why is Buckthorn such a problem in forests and residential areas, and what are its ecological consequences?
Buckthorn forms a dense understory that blocks light from reaching native ground flora, altering forest structure and wildlife habitat; deer prefer native plants over buckthorn, which exacerbates understory loss; along with altered nutrient cycling and soil conditions due to earthworm interactions, Buckthorn undermines biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Buckthorn: There is Light at the End of the Tunnel
Q: What are the key characteristics to help identify Common Buckthorn and differentiate it from glossy buckthorn?
Common Buckthorn can be identified by its general shrub-to-small-tree form, rounded dark green leaves about an inch across, and thorns near the stem; glossy buckthorn is distinguished mainly by a shinier leaf margin and smoother edges, with better performance in wet or northern areas. The hosts note that management differences largely relate to environmental context rather than intrinsic biology, meaning wetland versus upland strategies affect how each is controlled.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Smarty Plants

What is Smarty Plants about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on invasive insects, noxious weeds, and related ecological and agricultural issues in Minnesota, with experts from the state's Department of Agriculture and partner organizations unpacking regulatory processes, practical management strategies, and public-facing outreach. Episodes frequently cover risk assessments, cultivation standards, pest management, and restoration or conservation programs, often featuring case studies (e.g., buckthorn, poison ivy, buckthorn biocontrol) and guidance for homeowners, landscapers, and industry professionals. A standout trait is its strong integration of science, policy, and local resources (such as Master Gardener programs and Minnesota Grown), making it particularly useful for listeners ... more

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Smarty Plants launched 2 years ago and published 24 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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What guests have appeared on Smarty Plants?

Recent guests on Smarty Plants include:

1. Mary Rogers
2. Andy Petran
3. Emilie Justen
4. Jim Calkins
5. Michele Grabowski
6. Alan Sommerfeld
7. Ellen Sommerfeld
8. Mike Schuster

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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