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In this podcast, lifelong gardener Don Kinzler joins host John Lamb for a weekly dig into the fruitful topic of gardening in the upper Midwest (North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, eastern Montana and southern Manitoba). Don Kinzler is a horticulturist with North Dakota State University Extension for Cass County. He has been a trusted resource for gardeners in the region for decades. Lamb is an arts and entertainment reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead and a novice gardener, ready to ...
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Working Wild U is a new podcast that takes you out into the field, forest and range with the people and wildlife of the American West to tell you the big stories at the heart of the struggle to sustain resilient and connected landscapes and communities. We bring you immersive stories at the crossroads of culture and science focused on the challenges and successes of sharing and managing farms and ranches with wildlife. If you are passionate about open spaces, wild places and healthy communit ...
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While our yards and gardens can be a fulfilling source of delicious products, we can't forget that there's plenty to be found out in our parks and in the wild. In this episode, Don and John are joined by Candace Stock, a chef whose Indigenous cuisine has been enjoyed throughout the region, for a crash course on foraging for exciting flavors. Stock …
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Shambling horrors! Grasping tendrils! Creeping terror! In this episode, the call is coming from inside the shed as Don and John root out the spooky side of gardening, like the things that won't die, the things that choke out the light and flowers fit for the Bride of Frankenstein. Listen to this episode of GROANING Together...if you dare!…
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How did a wet spring and a dry fall impact our growing season, and what can we look forward to during our upcoming La Niña winter? In this episode, Don and John are joined by regular guest John Wheeler, chief meteorologist at WDAY TV, to recap this year's garden and share some wisdom on every gardener's second favorite topic: the weather.…
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As we pick the last of the zuccini and mow just one more time, it's a good time to take stock of the growing season. What worked, and what didn't? In this episode, Don and John share their observations from the 2024 growing season, with plenty of insights on how you can plan your garden better and react to shifting conditions. If you have your own …
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It's been a mild, dry fall in the upper Midwest, and your garden is still likely producing some goods for harvest...but, just in case you need reminding, winter is coming. In this episode, Don and John talk about getting your yard and garden put to bed for the winter and the essential tasks to get done so you're not scrambling when temperatures plu…
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We've had a warm start to the fall, but make no mistake: Harvest time is coming fast. In this episode, Don and John discuss how to store your hard-earned harvest, specifically carrots, potatoes and other root vegetables.
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It's not too early to think about setting your yard and garden up for success next spring, even as we're not quite done with this year's harvest. In this episode, Don and John go over a few of the pruning, seeding and fertilizing tasks that can be done in early autumn to give you a head start on next year.…
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There are ample opportunities for fall color displays all over our region—and they're absolutely worth the drive, of course—but what if you want fall colors in your own yard? In this episode, Don and John discuss some of the best options for trees and shrubs that bring the delight of fall color right to you.…
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You can almost feel the snap of fall in the air, and that means it's the best time of year for one crucial task: dividing some of your yard's most beautiful plants. In this episode, Don and John go over the processes for digging and dividing your peonies, irises and day lilies, a critical task if you want a luscious yard teeming with these dramatic…
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Summer sings its last sweet refrain during the Labor Day holiday weekend, and that comes with a few items for your lawn and garden checklist. In this episode, Don and John mark the last big summer weekend with a variety of annual chores that will set you up for success in the year ahead, including stamping out some weeds and giving your lawn a litt…
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There's nothing quite as show-stopping as a healthy, blooming hydrangea bursting with color in your yard. But where to start? In this episode, Don and John go over the basics of hydrangeas: How to choose the right variety, where to plant them and how to give them the best care.
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While we associate planting with the rush and excitement of spring, you still have lots of options later in the season, including shrubs and some spring bloomers. In this epsiode, Don and John take a look at fall planting and give you some reasons to hit up the garden centers for late-season delights.…
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If you love the idea of canning but are hesitant to make the leap, this show's for you. In this episode, Don and John are joined by Rita Ussatis, Family and Community Wellness Extension Agent at NDSU. Rita has been canning, and teaching about canning, for years and she has plenty of wisdom to get you started.…
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Once you start your own garden, it's easy to see how natural it is to save money and time by saving your own seeds. In this episode, Don and John discuss some of the benefits of keeping your seeds and give you some things to consider along the way.
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July is ending and we're well into the dog days of summer. Don Kinzler and John Lamb discuss the things to look for and what to do to keep your plants and flowers healthy in the hot weather. In this episode, Don also tells the story of his recent absence from the podcast.
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A fulfilling part of growing your own garden is sharing it with those you love, and better photos make that easier. In this episode, John sits down with Britta Trygstad, aka Britta The Photographer, to talk about some simple tactics you can use to get better photos of your garden to document it and share it with the world. Learn more about Trygstad…
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Spoiler: The most common culprit with trees that die unexpectedly is improper care. In this episode, Don and John explore the Mystery of the Murdered Tree and teach us all a basic lesson in tree care that might prevent the unthinkable from happening to your trees and shrubs.
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Summer is a great time for your garden...unless your plants aren't quite growing the way they should. In this episode, Don and John look at the most common issues that begin to pop up this time of year, including blossom end rot, fungus and pests.
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For something as deep and complex as gardening, it's vital to have others around to teach you new things and give you new ideas. In this episode, Don and John are joined by Rachel Sailer, organizer of the 2nd Annual Red River Valley Garden Tour. The tour allows any gardener to take a peek at the yards of experienced gardeners and find new inspirati…
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As we enter the thick of summer, you've no doubt been busy in your garden. But this time of year marks a time when you can take it a little easier. In this episode, Don and John discuss the tasks you can stop doing once we hit July, like fertilizing and pruning,
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Apples and apple trees are more commonly associated with cooler autumn days and heaping buckets full of delicious apples. But if you want that sweet apple crop, there's no time like summer to give them some extra attention. In this episode, Don and John go over some of the tasks you should be thinking about with your apple trees, or what to do if y…
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Throughout this season, we’ve explored landowner- and community-led efforts to support imperiled species, from bears and birds to ferrets and fish. In the final episode of this season, we’re looking ahead to the future of imperiled pollinators on working lands. Across the country, there is a growing crisis when it comes to pollinators. What happens…
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Peonies and irises are an enthusiastic addition to your yard or garden thanks to their early summer start and showy blossoms. In this episode, Don and John go over the basics of caring for peonies and irises, including an easy way to get ants off your peony blossoms before bringing them indoors.
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Arguably, no other flower carries as much meaning and history as a rose, which makes them a popular choice for a gardener. But roses can also present a thorny (forgive the pun) challenge. In this episode, Don and John go over the basics of growing and caring for your roses, from sourcing the best roses to pruning them safely.…
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How do we restore salmon spawning habitat in the Upper Salmon watershed without harming the ranching communities that rely on the river? The answer lies in locally-driven collaboration. In this episode, we explore the decades-long community effort to restore spawning grounds for Columbia Basin salmon by letting landowners take the lead. Back in the…
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In this episode, WDAY Chief Meteorologist John Wheeler joins Don and John for a look at possible weather patterns for the upper Midwest as we head into the summer growing season. Plus, he talks about setting up new raised garden plots and gives us a simple pepper sauce recipe.
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We all know fertilizing is an important part of maintaining healthy trees and shrubs along with a healthy yard and garden. But when should we fertilize, how much should we use, and what kinds of fertilizers work the best? In this episode, Don and John tackle the important question of fertilizing and discuss why May and June are the best times to ge…
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There isn't anything quite as satisfying as a full, lush lawn. And nothing is as frustrating as a lawn that doesn't look healthy, no matter how hard you try. In this episode, Don and John go over some of the most common concerns facing those who care for lawns, including yellow patches, thinning spots, weeds, fertilizing and mowing.…
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In the heart of America's grasslands, a battle for survival is unfolding. The lesser prairie-chicken, an iconic species of the Great Plains, is on the brink of extinction. But there's a growing network of producers and partners across the plains looking to change that. Today on the show, can ranchers and partners work together to save the lesser pr…
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We're hot on the heels of planting season, meaning it's time to head out to our local garden centers to find the right plants and shrubs for our yards and gardens. What should we know before we go? In this episode, Don and John share their collected wisdom to keep in your back pocket before you find yourself enthralled with what a garden center has…
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Gardening is all about strong connections, like our connection to the Earth and the connections with one another shown in the love and knowledge we pass down from one generation to the next. In this episode, Don and John pay tribute to the moms (and dads and grandparents) who shared their hard-won gardening experience with us. Our listeners share t…
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When it comes to conservation, can a group of high school students really make a difference? Join Jared and Hallie as they dive into a story involving the Colorado River, an ancient endangered fish, and a group of high school students who are becoming the next generation of stewards. Complete show notes are available on our website.…
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Every stage in the development of your garden is important, but nothing matches the excitement of getting your plants into the ground once spring comes around. In this episode, Don and John go over spring planting methods that will give your plants their best shot at a successful growing season. === "Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast" is a show…
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Don and John go over their recommendations for the best tools to get your yard in garden in shape this spring, from the right pair of gloves to a reciprocating saw.
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The season is finally starting to make a turn for the warmer, and while it's still a little too cool to get plants in the ground, there's still plenty to do. In this episode, Don and John go over some of the tasks you can do to get your yard and garden in shape after the dormant winter months, like raking and pruning.…
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How do new trees get introduced to our region, and who's researching how well they'll do here? In this episode, Don and John talk to Dr. Todd West, NDSU's Woody Plant Improvement Director, for a look into the research he does on new varieties of trees and shrubs that will perform well in our region. Dr. West also has some advice on choosing trees f…
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When we think of a community garden, we might think it's a community of people growing gardens. But the inverse is also true. In this episode, Don and John welcome Jack Wood, co-founder of the Growing Together community garden, to the show. Jack talks about how his group has opened its arms to new Americans in the Fargo-Moorhead area and grown a ti…
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Since you're probably thinking about the growing season, chances are you're also thinking about canning your harvest once fall comes. In this episode, Don and John are joined by Rita Ussatis, the Cass County (N.D.) Extension Agent for Family and Community Wellness, to hear her guidance about successful canning.…
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From rain in January to a blizzard bookended by unseasonable warmth, it's been an odd winter for gardeners in our part of the world. In this episode, Don and John field questions from your fellow Growing Together listeners on what to do and what to look out for as we transition from not-winter to spring.…
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Finding an imperiled species on his ranch scared the daylights out of Russell Davis. What he and his neighbors did next may have saved their town. Today on Working Wild U, join us as we return to the high plains of eastern Colorado to learn how a small ranching community transformed a migratory bird’s imperiled status from threat to opportunity. Co…
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If you're new to growing plants in your home, or looking for something that gives you a little slack when it comes to timely watering, succulents may be right for you. In this episode, Don and John go over the basics of succulents, from watering to potting to making them bloom. They'll also settle the nagging question: Are they "cactuses" or "cacti…
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It's been a mild winter in our neck of the woods, but it's still not quite warm enough to get your garden growing ... or is it? In this episode, Don and John go over the basics of starting seeds indoors, including the setup you'll need and the timelines for your favorite varieties. === "Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast" is a show for gardeners…
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Today on Working Wild U, we're spotlighting, quite literally, one special species that calls the Great Plains home. A small predator that was thought to be extinct.... twice! Meet the black-footed ferret, the most endangered mammal in North America. Thanks to community-driven efforts spanning the Great Plains, from dedicated ranchers in eastern Col…
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Those of us in the northern U.S. are appreciating this warm winter for reducing the stress of things like travel or snow removal. But what about plants that are stirring way too soon? In this episode, Don and John talk through the effects that a warm winter can have on your plants, ways you can give them some extra care, and what to plan for the ne…
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Giving someone flowers can say a lot, but the flowers themselves might be saying more than you think. In this episode, Don and John talk about floriography, the "language of flowers" that arose in the Victorian era as a way for people to send messages of friendship, gratitude, sorrow and love via certain types of flowers. They'll also go over some …
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For someone who studies a serene topic like trees, NDSU Extension Forester Joe Zeleznik has quite a few pressing issues on his plate. In this episode, Don and John welcome Zeleznik onto the Growing Together podcast for a conversation about trees, which is normally a rather quiet topic. Zeleznik's studies, however, take him into some urgent topics l…
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Grizzly bears are expanding their range. But where are they headed? To find out, we get out on the land with ranchers Erik Kalsta and Jami Murdoch, who are working with partners to monitor wildlife – including grizzlies – on their operation in southwest Montana. Together with Erik, Jami and Blackfeet rancher Kristen Kipp, plus a band of other exper…
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We tend to think about blossoms and greenery when landscaping our yards, but winter offers its own unique opportunities. In this episode, Don and John discuss the choices you can make to turn your yard into a winter wonderland of lingering shadows and attention-grabbing contrast using the principles of Piet Oudolf and the New Perennial Movement.…
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With so many different seed companies each offering different varieties, starting a flower and garden projects from seed can leave anyone feeling a little scattered In this episode, Don and John talk about different varieties of seeds and how to make the right choices when starting a garden project.
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When a section of the Big Hole River in southwest Montana ran dry in 1988, all eyes were on the future of one of the last remaining populations of arctic grayling in the lower 48. Out of the struggle, a collaboration emerged that change the future of the Big Hole - a future where human communities, wildlife and the ecosystems they depend on can thr…
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