The Dirt on Gardening

Spring Gardening Q&A: Soil, Strawberries, Pests & Spring Planting Tips

In this spring-focused episode of The Dirt on Gardening Podcast, we—Andre the Farmer, Urban Gardening with Gray, and The Chocolate Botanist—kick off the growing season with a lively gardening Q&A packed with practical tips, laughs, and real-world garden updates.  We dive into everything gardeners are dealing with right now, from spring planting prep and recovering from winter damage to pest control, strawberries, compost, hydroponics, and choosing the right native plants for your region.  This episode covers:  *  Spring garden planning and seasonal planting tips  *  Recovering mango trees and tropical plants after freezes  *  Favorite native plants for pollinators and ecosystems  *  Carnivorous plants native to the Carolinas  *  Filling raised beds and improving soil naturally  *  Growing Okinawan spinach and longevity spinach  *  Strawberries: sunlight, soil pH, drainage, and bigger harvests  *  Hydroponic fertilizer issues and nutrient mixing  *  Worm composting and vermiculture basics  We also answer listener questions on: *  Whiteflies, spider mites, cucumber beetles, and grasshopper control  *  Using neem oil, insecticidal soap, and diatomaceous earth safely  *  Compost recommendations for different regions  *  Soil brands vs. building living soil locally  *  Earthworms, compost tea, and molasses myths  *  Watermelons, pawpaws, tropical fruit trees, and growing by climate zone  Along the way, we share stories from our own gardens, reflect on PlantCon experiences, debate gardening myths like electroculture, and somehow end up talking about Michael Jackson, movie nostalgia, and internet conspiracies.   Whether you grow on a patio, in raised beds, or across acres of land, this episode is packed with science-backed advice, honest gardening experiences, and community-driven conversation to help you grow with confidence this spring.   Resources & Links Mentioned: *  Sonias Bug Spray: soniasbugspray.com  *  Thryve Roots: thryveroots.com  *  Andre the Farmer: https://andrethefarmer.com [https://andrethefarmer.com] *  Urban Gardening with Gray: https://urbangardeningwithgray.com/ [https://urbangardeningwithgray.com/] *  The Chocolate Botanist: https://bio.site/thechocolatebotanist [https://bio.site/thechocolatebotanist] Keywords (SEO): spring gardening tips, gardening Q&A podcast, strawberry growing tips, pest control in garden, native plants gardening, compost and soil health, spring planting guide, hydroponic gardening tips, organic pest control, gardening podcast    Support Our Sponsors: Retain Spray: retainspray.com [http://retainspray.com/] Sonia’s Bug Spray: https://sonias-essentials.myshopify.com/ [https://sonias-essentials.myshopify.com/]Thryve Roots: ThryveRoots.com Andre The Farmer’s Pepper Sauce: andrethefarmer.com [http://andrethefarmer.com/] #Gardening #UrbanFarming #podcast #TheChocolateBotanist #BlackPlantCreators #GrowYourOwn #Horticulture #PlantCare #andrethefarmer #FarmToBalcony #BudgetGardening #GardenTips #GardenLife #PlantParent #UrbanGardening

Gardening Q&A: Soil Mixes, Watering Tips, Sugarcane Sourcing & PlantCon Houston

In this lively, Q&A-driven episode of The Dirt on Gardening Podcast, we—Andre the Farmer, Urban Gardening with Gray, and The Chocolate Botanist—answer your best gardening questions and share real-world advice you can actually use. We cover everything from where to source sugarcane in bulk (and how to network with juicers and local farmers) to building the right soil mix for containers and grow bags—with the honest truth: it always depends on your plant, climate, and drainage setup.  We also break down:  * Bamboo vs. native river cane for garden structures * Watering strategies that go beyond “just water more” * Mosquito control that actually works (and what’s overhyped) * Why most “plant repellent” claims aren’t as effective as advertised Along the way, we share updates from our own gardens—late-season potato experiments, unexpected cucumber success, and mango tree recovery—plus our excitement for PlantCon Houston, where we’ll be hosting a grafting class, bringing plant starts, and connecting with the community. Expect a mix of practical tips, science-backed insights, and a few wild moments (yes… we really questioned if pandas are real). Resources & Links:  * The Chocolate Botanist: https://bio.site/thechocolatebotanist [https://bio.site/thechocolatebotanist] * Urban Gardening with Gray: https://urbangardeningwithgray.com/ [https://urbangardeningwithgray.com/] * Andre the Farmer: https://linktr.ee/andrethefarme [https://linktr.ee/andrethefarme] We also shout out helpful tools like soil and root boosters, tool care essentials, and always recommend checking your local cooperative extension office for region-specific planting calendars and advice. Whether you're just starting out or leveling up your garden, this episode encourages you to experiment, grow bigger than you think, and learn fast from both wins and failures. Got more questions? Keep them coming—we’re building this with you. Keywords (SEO): gardening Q&A podcast, soil mix for containers, watering garden tips, sugarcane sourcing, mosquito control garden, plantcon houston, bamboo vs river cane, beginner gardening advice, urban gardening tips, grow bag soil mix  Support Our Sponsors: Retain Spray: retainspray.com [http://retainspray.com/] Sonia’s Bug Spray: https://sonias-essentials.myshopify.com/ [https://sonias-essentials.myshopify.com/]Thryve Roots: ThryveRoots.com Andre The Farmer’s Pepper Sauce: andrethefarmer.com [http://andrethefarmer.com/] #Gardening #UrbanFarming #podcast #TheChocolateBotanist #BlackPlantCreators #GrowYourOwn #Horticulture #PlantCare #andrethefarmer #FarmToBalcony #BudgetGardening #GardenTips #GardenLife #PlantParent #UrbanGardening

Why Blooms Drop (and How to Stop It): Pollinators, Heat, and Hand-Pollination

In this episode of The Dirt on Gardening Podcast, we—Andre the Farmer, Urban Gardening with Gray, and The Chocolate Botanist—dig into one of the most frustrating gardening problems: flowers that never turn into fruit. We break down the real reasons behind poor fruit set and blossom drop, especially for tropical crops like mango, dragon fruit, and cacao, and share practical solutions you can actually use in your garden. From pollination problems to heat stress and nutrient imbalances, we explain what’s going wrong—and how to fix it. We also explore the often-overlooked world of pollinators. It’s not just about honeybees—wasps, flies, and native pollinators play a huge role in successful fruiting. Plus, we walk through when and how to hand-pollinate for more reliable harvests.  In this episode, we cover:  *  Why flowers drop before setting fruit  *  The role of temperature, chill hours, and seasonal timing  *  Monoecious vs. dioecious plants and how that affects yield  *  Nutrient shifts (when to reduce nitrogen and boost phosphorus & potassium)  *  How to attract and support diverse pollinators  *  Simple hand-pollination techniques for better fruit production  We also answer listener questions on pawpaws, loquats, peppers, and blueberries, share a real-world cautionary story about a social media account hack (and how to recover), and highlight the value of cooperative extension resources for region-specific growing advice. This episode blends science, experience, and community—plus a personal reflection on legacy, travel, and the power of gardening to bring people together. If you’re struggling with fruiting plants or want to boost your harvests, this episode gives you the tools to troubleshoot and succeed. Keywords (SEO): why plants not fruiting, flower drop causes, pollination tips gardening, hand pollination guide, mango pollination, dragon fruit pollination, cacao pollination, fruit set problems, garden pollinators, increase fruit yield gardening    Support Our Sponsors: Retain Spray: retainspray.com [http://retainspray.com/] Sonia’s Bug Spray: https://sonias-essentials.myshopify.com/ [https://sonias-essentials.myshopify.com/]Thryve Roots: ThryveRoots.com Andre The Farmer’s Pepper Sauce: andrethefarmer.com [http://andrethefarmer.com/] #Gardening #UrbanFarming #podcast #TheChocolateBotanist #BlackPlantCreators #GrowYourOwn #Horticulture #PlantCare #andrethefarmer #FarmToBalcony #BudgetGardening #GardenTips #GardenLife #PlantParent #UrbanGardening

Spring Boom, Summer Stall: Microclimates, Heat-Resilient Gardens, and Food Forests

In this vibrant episode of The Dirt on Gardening Podcast, hosts Andre the Farmer, Urban Gardening with Gray, and The Chocolate Botanist are joined by special guest Malakai of Edible Earth Solutions, tuning in from The Gambia to share real-world insights on tropical gardening, food forests, and climate-smart growing. We kick things off celebrating a 500-download milestone before diving into practical, experience-driven gardening talk—from spring growth explosions to summer slowdowns, and how factors like day length, soil temperature, and watering habits directly impact plant performance. Malakai breaks down how he’s building a thriving tropical food forest in West Africa, sharing actionable strategies for creating resilient systems anywhere in the world. Learn how to design and manage microclimates using windbreaks, canopy layers, and shade, plus when to mulch, compost, and fertilize for crops like moringa, cassava, bananas, and fruit trees.  This episode also covers:  * How to grow in extreme heat and manage summer stress * Watering strategies (including why early mornings matter) * Using chop-and-drop methods for soil fertility * Microclimate design for small and large gardens * Transitioning from backyard gardening to edible landscapes We also answer audience questions on: * Soursop pollination and fruiting tips * Growing moringa in colder climates * Pawpaw success for Zone 6B growers * Why cilantro tastes “soapy” to some people * Can Malaysian dwarf coconuts grow in Central Florida? Plus, we highlight valuable resources and growers to follow, including Malakai (@plantwithmalakai), cooperative extension offices for local guidance, and insights from experienced backyard growers.   Whether you're growing in Florida, Texas, New York, or across the globe, this episode delivers practical gardening strategies, tropical growing knowledge, and soil-building techniques to help you adapt, grow more food, and build resilient systems. From food forests to family, this conversation reminds us that gardening connects communities across climates—and sometimes, the best advice is simple: wake up early, water deeply, and keep planting. Keywords (SEO): tropical gardening, food forest design, microclimate gardening, moringa growing tips, soursop pollination, heat tolerant gardening, edible landscaping, composting and mulching, backyard fruit trees, sustainable gardening podcast  Support Our Sponsors: Retain Spray: retainspray.com [http://retainspray.com/] Sonia’s Bug Spray: https://sonias-essentials.myshopify.com/ [https://sonias-essentials.myshopify.com/]Thryve Roots: ThryveRoots.com Andre The Farmer’s Pepper Sauce: andrethefarmer.com [http://andrethefarmer.com/] #Gardening #UrbanFarming #podcast #TheChocolateBotanist #BlackPlantCreators #GrowYourOwn #Horticulture #PlantCare #andrethefarmer #FarmToBalcony #BudgetGardening #GardenTips #GardenLife #PlantParent #UrbanGardening

Off-Grid Living in Hawaii: Rainwater Harvesting, Solar Power, Food Forests & Homesteading Reality

What does it really take to live off-grid in Hawaii? In this episode of The Dirt on Gardening, we’re joined by special guest Jah (Mr. OffGrider), who shares his real-world experience building a self-sufficient lifestyle on the Big Island. Since 2019, Jah has been developing raw land into a functional off-grid homestead—starting with tents and machetes, and eventually building a shipping container home powered by solar energy and rainwater harvesting systems. He breaks down the challenges of managing moisture, preventing mold, and adapting to Hawaii’s unique climate conditions. We dive deep into food production and sustainable gardening, including growing sweet potatoes, collard greens, corn, and establishing a tropical food forest with bananas, coconuts, starfruit, and red Brazilian pineapples. Jah also shares insights on drought conditions, pest control, and the reality of supplementing food with long market trips. This episode also covers: *  Off-grid homesteading basics and land development  *  Rainwater collection and solar power systems  *  Tropical permaculture and food forest design  *  Grafting vs. air layering for fruit trees  *  Tree recovery after freezes and climate stress  *  Tools and techniques for small-scale farming  *  Social media and homesteading content creation  *  PlantCon Houston highlights and community building  Whether you're interested in off-grid living, permaculture, sustainable gardening, or starting your own homestead, this episode delivers practical advice and honest insight. Jah reminds us that homesteading isn’t about perfection—it’s about starting small, learning as you go, and growing something meaningful. Keywords (for SEO): off-grid living Hawaii, homesteading Hawaii, rainwater harvesting system, solar off-grid home, tropical food forest, permaculture gardening, growing sweet potatoes, air layering vs grafting, sustainable living podcast, self-sufficiency tips   Support Our Sponsors: Retain Spray: retainspray.com [http://retainspray.com/] Sonia’s Bug Spray: https://sonias-essentials.myshopify.com/ [https://sonias-essentials.myshopify.com/]Thryve Roots: ThryveRoots.com Andre The Farmer’s Pepper Sauce: andrethefarmer.com [http://andrethefarmer.com/] #Gardening #UrbanFarming #podcast #TheChocolateBotanist #BlackPlantCreators #GrowYourOwn #Horticulture #PlantCare #andrethefarmer #FarmToBalcony #BudgetGardening #GardenTips #GardenLife #PlantParent #UrbanGardening