Davis Garden Show

Nursery pro Don Shor has been gardening and selling plants in Davis for more than three decades. Join Don and co-host Lois Richter as they discuss and answer your questions on all things for the garden. Submit a question (or a brag!) to DavisGardenShow@gmail.com.

Replays Thursday 12-1pm, Saturday 9-10am
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Davis Garden Show, May 20, 2021 -- Melons, et cetera

MELONS! Kids love to plant them; they take over large areas; they all do well in Davis; and it's not too late to transplant them. The same goes for other cucurbits -- zucchini, cucumbers, pumpkins and other squash. Why do the recent cold nights cause problems for one species and not another? Is this spring's weather "typical"? IPM = IVM???  Hmmm... 

Don Shor and Lois Richter use this episode of Davis Garden Show to explore a wide range of topics: growing melons, moss, low care roses, weeds, and more!

Davis Garden Show, May 13, 2021, Tips For Low Water Gardening

As always, Don Shor and Lois Richter start by answering current questions.  Then the main portion of this show is especially timely in May 2021 as we review "12 Tips For Low Water Gardening."  

What are those 12 tips?  1. Water right.  2. Zone your plants by water need.  3. Water thoroughly.  4. Mulch well, mulch wisely.  5. Water your fruit trees like an orchard!  6. Reduce your lawn area.  7. Maybe get a "Smart timer."  8. Change your type of grass.  9. Rethink your lawn: consider a meadow.  10. Choose plants that use less water.  11. Consider California and southwestern [and other "Mediterranian" climate] native plants.  12. Think local -- use UCD Arboretum resources!  Bonus 13th tip:  Don't forget succulents!

Davis Garden Show, May 6, 2021 -- opportunities in May

Don Shor and Lois Richter talk about May garden activities, some late-season disease issues, ten tips for easy gardening, and more.

Like the show? Head on over to Big Day of Giving and show your support with a donation to Davis Media Access! That's bigdayofgiving.org/DavisMedia. Thanks for your support, and thanks for listening. And even if you are seeing this after May 6, it's never a bad time to help us -- https://KDRT.org/donate

Davis Garden Show, April 29, 2021 -- TOMATOES! part 4

Today Don Shor and Lois Richter offer their final segment about "Tomatoes." Actually, no show about tomatoes is really final, as that is a popularly requested, frequent topic of discussion on the Davis Garden Show. But this is the 4th part of a 4-part series on tomatoes done in spring 2021.

Davis Garden Show, April 15, 2021 -- Tomatoes part 2

For another week, most of today's Davis Garden Show focuses on TOMATOES! This is the second of a four-part, in-depth discussion about tomatoes -- info applicable wherever you grow them. But we also answer some listener questions and talk about other things: "volunteer" melon-squash-cucumber seedlings (mostly inedible crosses), what ripens AFTER you pick it?, Gesnariads including African Violets (there's a related garden club in Sac), the foibles of podcasting the Davis Garden Show, and other tidbits. Join Don Shor and Lois Richter for another lively discussion.

Don't forget that you can send YOUR questions/comments/brags to DavisGardenShow@gmail.com

Davis Garden Show April 08 2021: Talking tomatoes, Part 1

Let's talk about tomatoes: Part 1. Plus landscape coefficients and watering: Part 2.  April is designated Tomato Month on the Davis Garden Show - this episode is one of four that will feature a wide variety and depth of information about one of the Central Valley's favorite crops. Is it a fruit or vegetable? Is it a native or import? A true vine? An annual or perennial and more will be discussed.  For the past 15 years, the Davis Garden Show airs Thursdays noon - 1 PM, and Saturday morning 9 - 10 AM.

Davis Garden Show April 01 2021 -- Landscape Coefficients and ET rates

For a scholarly approach to "Making Sense of ET Adjustment Factors for Budgeting and Managing Landscape Irrigation" , see  https://ucanr.edu/sites/UrbanHort/files/217692.pdf   For a simpler, real-world explanation of all that, listen to this episode of Davis Garden Show. In addition to water use coefficients for landscape shrubs, Don Shor and Lois Richter talk about selecting vines and (as always!) when to plant tomatoes, peppers, and other vegetables.

Davis Garden Show March 25 2021

Don and Lois talk about a wide variety of Spring gardening topics!  Starting off with a mention of the warm weekend temperatures forecast, and about the latest update regarding California's ongoing drought, two years running. Today, the statewide figures are updated showing our region in "extreme drought" due to the low rainfall during our "typical" rain season September - March. Don talks about how this can especially impact our trees and other plants, and gives some watering advice. And of course, a return to the frequently asked questions such as: When is it best plant tomatoes? Mid-April! The Davis Garden Show airs live on KDRT 95.7 FM each Thursday noon - 1 PM, and replays Saturday monings 9 - 10 AM.

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Comments

Hi! Thank you for answering my last question. I found your answers very helpful and useful. I am currently relistening to the podcast where Eric called in. Hopefully one day I will do that too and then you can hear my voice. As far my question, i would like to know more about the 'Princess Maxine' rose. Eric bought it for me, but I can not find any information about it. What catagory of rose is it. Anything else you can tell me would also be helpful and useful. Roses are my specialty, but this has me stumped. It has lovely tiny light pink blooms. I have a picture of it, however it is not very clear. By the way, i am now working with Eric. He has hired me and i so enjoy working with him. Something else you might find interesting to know, Eric taps my mind for plant and gardening information, but I can not answer everything. So your answers are beneficial to the both of us. i am so excited that you answered my last question, that i look forward to your answer to my new question. your garden radio show is the best gardening radio show out there!

Robin, Southern California

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 11/29/2010 - 8:45pm

Hi! This is my first time writing to you, but I have been listening to your podcasts for a few months. I have a question about Irises for you, however I should mention that Eric in Southern California who has been e-mailing you is someone I know very closely.In fact he is the person who introduced me to your podcasts. I love it that you bring his questions onto your show. I feel such pride. As for my question, how do you get Irises (gladiolus too) to bloom again? I have a large pot where I have most of my bulbs planted. They all grow lovely leaves, but haven't flowered in several years. Thefreesias bloom year after year, but not the irises or gladiolus. I have them planted in a mix of potting soil and I now use Spray and Grow to fertilize.

Sincerely,
Robin Winderman
rkicker@rocketmail.com

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/28/2010 - 8:54pm

Hi Robin,
We discussed your iris/gladiolus question on today's show (9/30). We always enjoy Eric's questions; he gives us lots of ideas for seasonal topics.
Thanks for the note,
Don

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/30/2010 - 2:58pm

Hi, I work at a Garden Center and recently our company has begun to carry an Imidicloprid product (Bayer) for use on fruit trees and vegetables. My knee jerk reaction is horror. I know you'll be able to give me the real skinny, am I over reacting or is this a really bad idea? LOVE your show, "Hi Lois!: Greatly appreciated. Lori, San Luis Obispo County, CA

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/12/2010 - 12:17pm

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