Plant Doctor with Mike Meier

In this episode of Plant Doctor with Mike Meier, Mike welcomes the arrival of spring, sharing his excitement and the challenges that come with the season. He discusses the importance of preparing for gardening, addressing common concerns such as wind damage to trees and houseplants that need a little TLC. With just a few days left until spring, Mike reflects on the unpredictable weather, including the recent rain that left the grou...

In this episode of Plant Doctor with Mike Meier, Mike delves into the intriguing world of plant folklore and old wives' tales, providing listeners with a blend of humor and insightful gardening advice. He kicks off the conversation by exploring the age-old practice of talking to plants, revealing that while plants may not hear us in the traditional sense, sound waves can actually help stimulate root growth when amplified through th...

In this lively episode of Plant Doctor with Mike Meier, Mike tackles the seasonal challenges of fall gardening, starting with a common Halloween dilemma: reviving sagging jack-o'-lanterns. Mike shares his expert advice on how to rehydrate and preserve your pumpkin carvings, offering practical tips like soaking them in cold water and using petroleum jelly to lock in moisture. He also suggests a clever trick to deter pesky squirrels ...

In this episode of Plant Doctor with Mike Meier, Mike navigates the intricacies of fall gardening, sharing essential tips for transitioning plants indoors and preparing your lawn for the colder months. He emphasizes the importance of bringing outdoor plants inside gradually and offers detailed advice on using insecticidal soap to keep pests at bay.

Listeners are treated to a lively discussion on lawn care, where Mike advises a call...

In this episode of Plant Doctor with Mike Meier, Mike delves into the nuances of fall lawn care, offering expert advice on mowing, fertilizing, and preparing your garden for the colder months. He emphasizes the importance of adjusting your lawn mower to the appropriate height for fall and discusses the benefits of dormant fertilization, explaining how it helps plants build strong root systems to withstand winter stressors.

Mike als...

In this episode of Plant Doctor with Mike Meier, Mike dives into the often-overcomplicated world of planting spring flowering bulbs. He dismantles the myths surrounding bulb planting, emphasizing that it's not rocket science and can be quite forgiving. Mike provides practical advice on how deep to plant bulbs, the correct orientation, and the best time to plant them to avoid premature growth.

Mike also shares tips on caring for bul...

In this episode of Plant Doctor with Mike Meier, Mike dives into a variety of topics, from the best practices for growing chives to the folklore of weather prediction. The episode kicks off with a call from Don, who asks about managing the blooms on his chives. Mike explains the benefits of letting them flower and how it doesn't harm the plant, providing useful tips for both regular and garlic chives.

Mike then shares his personal ...

In this episode of Plant Doctor with Mike Meier, Mike delves into the perennial debate on organic versus synthetic pesticides. He begins by sharing his disdain for the summer heat and reminisces about his younger days when he enjoyed warmer climates. Mike emphasizes his realistic approach to gardening and his disdain for misleading information, particularly in the media.

Mike tackles common misconceptions about organic gardening me...

In this episode of Plant Doctor with Mike Meier, Mike dives into a variety of listener questions and offers practical advice on lawn care, pest control, and plant health. The episode kicks off with a call from Mary, who is curious about the best time to aerate her lawn. Mike explains the importance of soil moisture and suggests fall as the optimal time for periodic maintenance aeration. Mary also asks about weed control, and Mike r...

In this episode of Plant Doctor with Mike Meier, Mike tackles the controversial topic of "No Mow May" and its impact on lawns and pollinators. Mike starts by expressing his frustration with the heat and humidity, and then dives into a heated discussion about the "No Mow May" policy. He explains why he believes this policy is unnecessary and potentially harmful to both lawns and pollinators.

Mike argues that suburban landscapes alre...

In this episode of Plant Doctor with Mike Meier, Mike dives into listener questions and offers practical advice on various gardening challenges. The episode kicks off with a call from Chris, who is dealing with a pest problem on his redbud tree. Mike helps identify the culprit, likely Japanese beetles, and recommends using insecticides like Malathion or Sevin to protect the tree. He also explains the difference between insecticidal...

In this episode of Plant Doctor with Mike Meier, Mike starts by addressing the recent severe weather and its impact on trees, particularly focusing on the frequent question of when and how to transplant trees and shrubs. With the summer heat and infrequent rains, Mike explains why fall is generally a better time for planting, emphasizing the importance of adequate watering and the challenges posed by summer conditions.

Mike takes l...

In this episode of Plant Doctor with Mike Meier, Mike starts with a discussion on the recent sporadic weather conditions affecting the coulee region, highlighting the paradox of drying lawns amidst flooding rivers. With the rising costs of utilities, many are opting to let their lawns go dormant. Mike explores whether this is a viable option and the potential drawbacks of allowing your lawn to dry out.

Mike explains that while lawn...

In this insightful episode of Plant Doctor with Mike Meier, Mike kicks off with a warm welcome and a reflection on the recent Fourth of July weekend, before diving into a topic suggested by a listener—blossom end rot. With the recent heavy rains, many gardeners are facing the challenges of overwatered soil, which can lead to root rot and other plant diseases.

Mike explains the intricacies of blossom end rot, a common issue affectin...

In this festive episode of Plant Doctor with Mike Meier, Mike dives into the timely topic of fireworks safety, just in time for the 4th of July celebrations. As we prepare to enjoy backyard barbecues and dazzling firework displays, Mike emphasizes the importance of respecting these explosive devices to avoid injuries and accidents.

Mike shares practical advice on how to set up a safe fireworks display, including maintaining a safe ...