03/02/12 | Listen | Download
Today's guest takes seasonal and local eating to the next level. Hank Shaw, author of Hunt, Gather, Cook-Finding the Forgotten Feast, is a former line cook and political reporter who has been foraging for his dinner since childhood. His quest, honest food, without packaging, hormones or plastic. He hunts, he fishes, he gathers and he cooks and now pays the bills writing about food, fishing, foraging and hunting. Hank uses Wild spinach, Madrone bark, Manzanita berries and even Acorns as ingredients in his recipes. He answers the question, Why Hunting? His blog Hunter, Angler, Gardener, Cook, was nominated for Best Food Blog by the James Beard Foundation and he was voted the Best Food Blog by the International Association of Culinary Professionals. He writes for Field and Stream, Food and Wine, Organic Gardening, The Art of Eating, Gastronomica, Meatpaper, Edible Sacramento and other publications. We have the Name that Plant Contest and the Garden Tip of the Week with Denise Ritchie of Malibu Compost.

02/24/12 | Listen | Download
Today's guest, Wanda Wen, started Soolip out of a life-long passion for the paper arts. Her book, The Art of Gift Wrapping, is genius. Each year, Wanda hosts "A Soolip Wedding"-a showcase for artisans and industry experts, from bakers to designers giving brides, wedding planners and anyone interested in the arts an opportunity to be inspired. Always on the forefront of conscious celebrating, this year, Wanda will be showcasing "The Couple's Garden" a unique way for couples to express their love. (Here's an introduction to The Couple's Garden concept). A Soolip Wedding will be held on Sunday, March 4, 2012 at the Bel Air Bay Club in Malibu, CA. Malibu Compost is a sponsor of both Garden Gossip and A Soolip Wedding. Fill your garden with joy!

02/17/12 | Listen | Download
Community gardens are a way to take bare land and turn it into productive, usable space. Even if you don't have space for a garden at home, you can have your own plot of land to grow food. The latest community garden to come to Santa Barbara, is Trinity Gardens, a 2 acre plot on the grounds of the Trinity Lutheran Church on La Cumbre Road and Foothill. The force behind Trinity Gardens, Adam Graham of IWL, is our guest today. Adam also teaches landscape construction and irrigation at SBCC. And, since it's also President's Day weekend, we'll give you some little-known facts about our founding fathers. We'll have the Name That Plant Contest, Garden News and the Garden Tip of the Week. And, in the garden news department, Lotusland has just opened for the 2012 season and Martha Stewart is featuring our local garden legend, Lotusland on the cover of this month's issue!

02/10/12 | Listen | Download
Childhood obesity is an epidemic in this country. For the first time in 200 years, the new generation may have a shorter life span than their parents. It is a proven fact that when kids get interested in vegetable gardening they eat more fruits and vegetables. Our guest, Mike Ferraro, has come up with a fun way to introduce children to the world of vegetable gardens with "Growums" Garden Kits for kids. This brilliant concept involves characters with names like "Frank Cilantro" and "Elvis Parsley" or "Ice Berg-The Cool Lettuce Rapper". These Veggie characters star in videos that show kids how to care for every plant in their garden (I think it's not just for kids)! We'll also have the Name that Plant Contest and Garden News and as always, we'll be taking your calls.

02/03/12 | Listen | Download
Today, on Garden Gossip, we're in the mood for love. Jill-Marie Carre of Chocolats du Calibressan joins us as we explore the history of Chocolate and its connection to Sex and love and why we give Chocolate for Valentine's Day. Jill and her husband, Jean-Michel create tiny works of art out of chocolate. You can see Jean-Michel at work here. We'll have the Name That Plant Contest, the Garden Tip of the Week as well as Garden News and of course your calls. Garden Gossip is sponsored by Montecito Landscape, Malibu Compost, Agri-Turf and Emilio's Restaurante.

01/27/12 | Listen | Download
What started out as one publication; Edible Ojai, the Edible Community has grown to over 70 publications in the US and Canada and last year was honored as The James Beard Foundation's Publication of the Year.The mission of Edible Santa Barbara is to showcase local farmers, fishermen, purveyors, chefs and producers of artisan products and to splurge in the bounty of Santa Barbara County. Today's guest is editor/publisher of Edible Santa Barbara, Krista Harris. We'll have the Name That Plant Contest, the Garden Tip of the Week and we'll be taking your calls. Garden Gossip is sponsored by Montecito Landscape, Malibu Compost, Agri-Turf and Emilio's Restaurante.

01/20/12 | Listen | Download
Is there a future for ornamental gardens in today's age of environmental and economic concerns? Do plants need to justify their existence to have a place in your garden? Is the creation of a beautiful garden for the sake of beauty alone "politically incorrect"? Our guest, author, permaculture designer, co-founder of the Santa Barbara Organic Garden Club, columnist for the Huffington Post and VP of the Santa Barbara Rose Society, Linda Buzzell-Saltzman, talks to us about the future of ornamental horticulture. As Linda says in her most recent column in the Santa Barbara Rose Society Newsletter "In many ways the fate of ornamental horticulture now hangs in the balance." We will have the Name That Plant Contest and the Garden Tip of the Week as well as Garden News and of course your calls. Garden Gossip is sponsored by Montecito Landscape, Malibu Compost, Agri-Turf and Emilio's Restaurante. Watch Larry & Linda Saltzman's backyard food forest video tour.

01/13/12 | Listen | Download
It's Rose pruning time in the West and we have a rose pruning pro with us today to tell us how to care for Roses. Rose Keppler Moradian, of Delicious Gardens by Rose, answers all of your rose pruning questions and more. Rose tended the veggie garden at Pierre Lafond Winery and you can read her blog here. We'll have the Name That Plant Contest and the Garden Tip of the Week. Garden Gossip is sponsored by Montecito Landscape, Malibu Compost, Agri-Turf and Emilio's Restaurante.

01/06/12 | Listen | Download
Fresh eggs from your own hens, have you ever though about having your own flock? On today’s show, best-selling author, Patricia Foreman talks about her new book, City Chicks, keeping micro-flocks of chickens as Garden Helpers. Patricia tells us why we don't need Rosters, using chickens as garden workers, organic compost creators and top soil enhancers. She also enlightens us on things we can do with chickens that we never thought possible, including outrageous chicken tricks! There's the Name that Plant Contest and your calls. Garden Gossip is sponsored by Montecito Landscape, Malibu Compost, Agri-Turf and Emilio's Restaurante.

12/23/11 | Listen | Download
"T'was the day before Christmas", it's Hannukka and Winter Solstice, no matter what you celebrate, today we celebrate man's interrelationship with the plant world and take you calls. We have the name that plant contest and the Garden Tip of the Week. As always, Garden Gossip is sponsored by Montecito Landscape, Malibu Compost, Agri-Turf and Emilio's Restaurante. Happy Holidays everyone.

12/16/11 | Listen | Download
It's our annual Holiday Give Away show! Fun trivia, holiday Name That Plant Contests, and our third Gifts From the Garden segment. As always, Garden Gossip is sponsored by Montecito Landscape, Malibu Compost, Agri-Turf and Emilio's Restaurante.

12/09/11 | Listen | Download
Tis the season to be jolly and in keeping with that sentiment, our avant garde Holiday celebration continues. As is tradition on Garden Gossip, we play the most untraditional Holiday music we can find and this week is no exception. We talk with Chase Bar & Grill Bartender and Toddy's Christmas Trees owner about the merits of having a live tree. Later on, the originator and founder of The Veggie Bed, Andrea Vincent is our guest. Her ingenious product, The Veggie Bed, is the green alternative to those plastic produce bags you pull off at the Farmer's Market and grocery store. We continue the Montecito Landscape/Garden Gossip 2012 Calendar holiday give-away and we'll have Name That Plant and the Garden Tip of the Week. Garden Gossip is brought to you by Montecito Landscape, Malibu Compost, Agri-Turf and Emilio's Restaurante.

12/02/11 | Listen | Download
In case you haven't noticed, the holidays are in full force and that means holiday parties, shopping and merriment of all kinds. We have got a ton of ideas for unusual gifts from the garden that everyone will love. Speaking of holiday parties, is there a way of enjoy ourselves without packing on extra pounds? Our guest, best selling author, Chef MD. Dr. John La Puma, talks about making healthy choices this season without sacrificing the fun. And, with the highest selling drug of all time, Lipitor, going generic this week, is there a way to bring down cholesterol without harmful drugs? Dr. La Puma has the answers. We'll have the Name that Plant Contest and during the month of December, we have the Montecito Landscape/Garden Gossip 2012 Calendar give away! Garden Gossip is brought to you by Montecito Landscape, Malibu Compost, Agri-Turf and Emilio's Restaurante.

11/25/11 | Listen | Download
We are celebrating Black Friday and Small Business Saturday in Garden Gossip style by giving you some ideas of how to step out of the box in the gift-giving department. Also on today's show: don't wait till spring to get the gardening bug, fall is the perfect time to plant a flower garden. If you live in a temperate climate, we'll tell you what to plant for color that will last until spring. We've got Garden News, Name that Plant and we are taking you calls. Garden Gossip is brought to you by Montecito Landscape, Malibu Compost, Agri-Turf and Emilio's Restaurante.

11/18/11 | Listen | Download
Today, we are talking about attraction, love and sex. The plant world is full of fascinating pollinating techniques; "Orchids manipulate, connive, court and cheat insects into having sex with them." (excerpted from Orchid Fever, by Eric Hansen). We will talk about some of the strange mating techniques plants resort to. Dating on Reality TV provides an interesting comparison to the plant world and we will also talk with restaurateur Constantine Tzortzis, finalist on ABC's hit series, The Bachelorette. Our listeners call, text and email questions for Constantine and he answers them all. We'll have the Name That Plant Contest and lots more. Garden Gossip is sponsored by Montecito Landscape, Malibu Compost, Agri-Turf and Emilio's Restaurante.

11/11/11 | Listen | Download
When good plants go bad; Cal-IPC's Don't Plant a Pest! Today we are talking about how to Plant Right with Santa Barbara County Invasive plant specialist, David Chang. What plants to avoid and why and some good alternatives. With Thanksgiving less than two weeks away, you'll want your garden to look its best, Chris gives his ideas. We'll have the Name that Plant Contest, the Garden Tip of the Week and we are taking your calls. Garden Gossip is sponsored by Montecito Landscape, Malibu Compost, Agri-Turf and Emilio's Restaurante.

11/05/11 | Listen | Download
Today on Garden Gossip, we are getting in the spirit of the holidays by talking with Wine Cask Pastry Chef, Rosie Gerard about holiday baking. We've also got Shuli Madmone, owner of Whole Spice Company here to talk about the secret to great cooking and baking; fresh spices. Name that Plant continues from last week as no one guessed the correct answer; we'll have Garden News, the Garden Tip of the Week and we'll be taking your calls. Garden Gossip is sponsored by Agri-Turf, Emilio's Restaurante, Malibu Compost and Montecito Landscape.

10/28/11 | Listen | Download
Today we are talking with Permaculture expert and founder of Surfers without Borders, Loren Luyendyk (P.S. Loren is also certified in Biodynamics) Loren tells us about his recent travels to Australia and New Zealand and he reveals "The most important thing we can do for our oceans" the answer will surprise you. And, because it's Halloween weekend we can't resist giving you the top 11 ways to stay safe from spirits, goblins, vampires, witches and the like using items from your own garden! As our guest, Loren will also reveal the scariest garden situation he has encountered recently. We'll have the name that plant contest and be taking your calls. Garden Gossip is sponsored by Agri-Turf, Emilio's Restaurante, Malibu Compost and Montecito Landscape.

10/21/11 | Listen | Download
Today's show is all about the joys of autumn. If you miss the colors of a cold climate fall, we'll tell you what to plant for autumn splendor, California style. Summer is over and the end of the warm-season produce coming to and end, why not extend summer's harvest by preserving? End of season pickles are a way to enjoy the summer all year long and we will reveal the secret to pickle crispness. Oh and if you aren't into making your own pickles, I have discovered the best bread and butter pickles you can buy: Happy Girl Kitchen Co. And, what should we be doing in our gardens this time of year? We've got an October garden checklist for you. Of course, we have the Name That Plant Contest and your calls. This weeks Name That Plant Contest went national, our winner was calling all the way from West Virginia! Our sponsors: Malibu Compost, Emilio's Restaurant, Agri-Turf and of course Montecito Landscape.

10/14/11 | Listen | Download
Our guest today is Sam Farzan, from Back to the Roots. Back to the Roots is the brain child of UC Berkeley graduate students, Alejandro Velez & Nikhil Arora. They figured out how to grow mushrooms from used coffee grounds and the product, Back to the Roots, Grow your own Mushroom Garden is genius. The company is committed to being fully sustainable and it is an inspiration see the videos on their website. Go to their Facebook page, post a photo of your mushroom garden and Back to the Roots will send a Grow your own mushroom garden to the elementary school of your choice, anywhere in the country! We also heard from Diane Durst of the Santa Barbara County Foodbank about the upcoming Empty Bowls Lunch at Rockwood Women's Club on Sunday, November 6th. We had lots of fun playing Name that Plant and talking to Sam. Garden Gossip is sponsored by Malibu Compost, Emilio's Restaurante, Agri-turf and of course, Montecito Landscape.

10/07/11 | Listen | Download
Today we'll be talking with farmer-turned-activist Eric Herm about his book, "Son of a Farmer, Child of the Earth". When he returned to his family farm in West Texas, after college and a career in broadcast journalism, Eric was shocked by the changes he saw in the landscape of his childhood. Genetically modified seeds, herbicides, pesticides and poisons were killing the land and this prompted Eric to write a book chronicling his journey toward a more sustainable future for himself, his family, his farm and the planet. Son of a Farmer, Child of the Earth is available on Amazon and at your local bookstores. Eric is a keynote speaker at next week's Right2Know March in Washington, DC. For more information about the dangers of Genetically Modified Organisms, see the Institute for Responsible Technology website. Garden Gossip is sponsored by Malibu Compost, Emilio's Restaurant and Agri-Turf.

09/30/11 | Listen | Download
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden's nursery manager, Bruce Reed joins us to talk about the upcoming Native plant sale, caring for Native plants in the home garden, fall planting for a spring bloom and lots more. We'll have the Name that Plant Contest and we'll be taking your calls. Brought to you by Malibu Compost, Emilio's Restaurante and Agri-turf.

09/23/11 | Listen | Download
Today, we'll be talking with Beth Bailey, the founder of Kiddo Food, a company who provides healthy alternative snacks for kids of families on-the-go with Squeezies, 100% percent organic fruits and vegetables and nothing else in an easy to eat, self-serve package (available locally Whole Foods Markets). A busy Mom and Entrepreneur, she's transformed the lunch program of a local school through the use of parent volunteers, local farmers and chefs. We'll be talking about what's next for Kiddos and of course, school lunches the healthy way. We'll have the Name That Plant Contest and the Garden Tip of the Week by Malibu Compost, the Bio dynamic soil food.

09/16/11 | Listen | Download
NY Times Best-selling author, Chef MD, Dr. John La Puma, will be guest-hosting Garden Gossip. The Cullen's will be reporting on the National Heirloom Expo from Santa Rosa California, we'll have the Name That Plant Contest and we'll be taking your calls.

09/09/11 | Listen | Download
Today, we'll be talking about how to have an Ocean Friendly Garden with Surfrider Foundation's Ocean Friendly Garden National Coordinator, Paul Herzog. We'll have a continuation of last week's Name that Plant Contest, the Garden Tip of the Week brought by Malibu Compost and we'll be taking your calls. Garden Gossip is also sponsored by Agri-Turf and Emilio's Restaurant.

09/02/11 | Listen | Download
Did you know that honey bees aren't native to North America? Today we are talking with bee keeper, Nick Wigle about the vital function of bees to our food supply, attracting bees to your property and how to deal with bees when they make their hives in inconvenient places (like the walls of your home) and who to go to for help in removing hives safely. We'll have the Name that Plant Contest and we'll be taking your calls. Brought to you by Malibu Compost, Agri-Turf and Emilio's Restaurant.

08/26/11 | Listen | Download
Today we talk about growing chilies in the chilliest part of the nation with master
gardener and president of the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association
president, Gary Cobus. Today is the debut of a song Gary (his band is Seldom Herd)
wrote for Garden Gossip as well. And, we take on the challenge of what to plant in
those "difficult" places like the parking strip and between stepping stones. We'll
have the Name that Plant Contest and the Garden Tip of the Week brought to you
by Malibu Compost, Agri-Turf and Emilio's Restaurant.

08/19/11 | Listen | Download
Our guest, Manager of the Petaluma Seed Bank, Paul Wallace, about Heirloom
Seeds, Seed Saving and the upcoming Heirloom Expo, Sept 13, 14 & 15 in Santa
Rosa, CA. We'll have the Name that Plant Contest, the Garden Tip of the Week
and we'll be taking your calls. Garden Gossip is brought to you by Malibu Compost,
Agri-Turf, Emilio's Restaurant, Montecito Landscape and Baker Creek Heirloom
Seeds.

08/12/11 | Listen | Download
Our guest, award-winning author, photojournalist, society columnist, garden
aficionado and world traveler, Beverley Jackson. We’ll be talking about the gardens
of the Alhambra in Spain, the secret gardens of the forbidden city in China and
she'll read excerpts from her new book The Beautiful Lady Was A Palace Eunuch
(you can find all of Beverley's books at Amazon.com). We'll have the Name that
Plant Contest and the Garden Tip of the Week with Denise Ritchie of Malibu
Compost. For more about Beverley Jackson: Scala Regia Blogspot

07/29/11 | Listen | Download
Today, we take the challenge and talk about some of the common construction
projects and give the landscaping solution. We’ll have the Name that Plant Contest,
the Garden Tip of the Week and we will be taking your calls.

07/22/11 | Listen | Download
Your garden can grow out of control. Today we are talking about kludge,
disorganization, uncontrolled growth or growth that is too controlled. When you
know something's wrong with your landscaping but you aren't sure what it is, your
garden probably needs editing. We'll talk about the causes and the solutions to this
most common landscape problem. We'll have the Name that Plant Contest & of
course we'll be taking you calls.

07/15/11 | Listen | Download
Our guest, documentary filmmaker Jeremy Seifert, talks about his award-winning
documentary DIVE! He fed his family for an entire year fresh, good food that was
being tossed into grocery store dumpster's. Jeremy also talks about his current film
(currently untitled) on Genetically Modified Organisms in our food supply. He takes a
break from filming in Iowa to talk to us about his trip to Haiti and what inspired him
to tell this story. After the earthquake in Haiti, Monsanto donated tons of hybrid
seeds; the Haitian peasant population rose in protest and burned seeds. Why
would people from one of the poorest country in the world refuse the gift of seeds?
Denise Ritchie, founder of Malibu Compost, joins the conversation.

07/08/11 | Listen | Download
Our guest, Patty Pagaling, of Transition to Organics, a non-profit based in Ojai
that helps farmers, hotels, golf courses and cities transition away from harmful
pesticides & chemicals. Denise Ritchie of Malibu Compost also joins the
conversation. Both Malibu Compost & Transition to Organics are sponsoring the
Ojai premiere of the award-winning documentary "Queen of the Sun-What are
the bees are telling us?" at the Ojai Theater July 9 & July 11-13.

07/01/11 | Listen | Download
We are celebrating Independence Day weekend with little-known facts about our
founding fathers & we are declaring our independence from "standard" garden
maintenance. Our friend, Denise Ritchie, founder of Malibu Compost is on hand to
give us the Garden Tip of the Week. We also play a few excerpts from the reading
of the Declaration of Independence.

06/17/11 | Listen | Download
Our guests, filmmaker / director Taggart Siegal (director of The Real Dirt on Farmer
John) & producer Jon Betz, talks about their award-winning film: "Queen of the Sun,
What are the bees telling us?".

06/10/11 | Listen | Download
Our guest, Tahara Ezrahti, of Art From Scrap in Santa Barbara talks about school
gardens. And Oscar Carmona, of Healing Grounds Nursery, talks about his
conversion to BioDynamics & how this reduced plant pests. He also talks about other benefits to BioDynamics. Denise Ritchie of Malibu Compost has a quiz about
worms & of course there's the Name that Plant Contest & all the rest.

06/03/11 | Listen | Download
Medical Doctor, TV personality, Chef, best-selling author & lifestyle coach,
Dr. John La Puma (Chef MD) talks about healthy eating and food as medicine.
His book, "ChefMD's Big Book of Culinary Medicine" is a NY Times best seller &
available on Amazon & Chauser's Bookstore. You can also watch "Eat & Cook
Healthy with Dr. John La Puma" on PBS (KPBS / KQED). Join us for this fascinating
show, may you never be the same!

05/27/11 | Listen | Download
It's Memorial Day weekend & the weather is great for gardening. We've got tips on
how to turn your yard into a garden sanctuary. There's a bonus Name that Plant
Contest & the Garden Tip of the Week.

05/20/11 | Listen | Download
Our guest, Mike Blackwell, Executive Chef of the Montecito Country Club talking
about Share our Strength's Taste of the Nation. Chris Cullen, just returned from
Columbia, where crime rate has dropped 58% in the past two years, find out how
and why. Denise Ritchie, from Malibu Compost is back & talking about planting
according to the cosmos.

05/13/11 | Listen | Download
Owen Dell, Landscape Architect, Lecturer & author of "Sustainable Landscaping
for Dummies". We'll have the Name that Plant Contest & the Garden Tip of the
Week.

05/06/11 | Listen | Download
Wildland Fire Specialists, Curtis Vincent & Jeff Saley from the Montecito Fire Dept.
talk about "Firewise Landscape Design" including "Defensible Space". What you
need to know in order to protect your home when wildfires strike. We'll have
Garden News, the Name that Plant Contest & the Garden Tip of the Week.

04/29/11 | Listen | Download
Corey Wells, Plant Heathcare Coordinator from Lotusland talks about how "Living
Soil" is the key to plant health and tells us how to bring life to any soil. Regular
features include Name that Plant and the Garden Tip of the Week.

04/21/11 | Listen | Download
Our guests: Judy Ryder of CAMA Santa Barbara tells us about the upcoming
"Hidden Gardens of Montecito Tour" and CAMA's upcoming "Season of the Century".
Christie Boyd, owner of Porch in Carpinteria, is here to tell us about Porch's
new garden center at their new location on Santa Claus Lane in Carpinteria.
A special Easter weekend Name that Plant contest and Denise Ritchie, founder of
Malibu Compost, joins us with the Garden Tip of the Week.

04/15/11 | Listen | Download
Our guest, Bruce Reed, nursery manager from the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, talks about controlling critters of all sizes, from deer to insects without the use of chemicals or pesticides. This was a great show!

04/08/11 | Listen | Download
On today's show, Scott Daigre of Tomatomania talking about the annual Tomatomania sale in Ojai. Bruce Reed, Nursery Manager from the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden talking about California Native Plants in the home landscape. Regular features include Name that Plant and the Bio dynamic Garden Tip of the Week, care of Malibu Compost.

04/01/11 | Listen | Download
It's our annual April Fool's day show full of bad jokes and our guest, Tahara Ezrahti, Green Schools Education Director, from Art From Scrap in Santa Barbara talking about worm composting. We of course have the Name that Plant Contest and the Bio dynamic Garden Tip of the Week care of Malibu Compost.

03/18/11 | Listen | Download
On today's show, Santa Barbara County wildlife biologist, Kate McCurdy, manager
of Sedgwick Reserve, talks about wildlife in the urban landscape and preserving wildlife habitat. We'll have the Name that Plant Contest and the Garden Tip of the Week, care of Malibu Compost.

03/11/11 | Listen | Download
Executive Director of Casa del Herrero, Molly Barker and consulting arborist, Duke McPherson talk about Casa del Herrero and it's recent designation as a national Historic Landmark. Regular features include Name that Plant and the Garden Tip of the Week.