A podcast for people that love designing, building and growing smarter gardens that work. Listen in as we talk with successful garden designers, builders, and growers. Discovering their stories along with how they think, work, and grow. This is your next step in creating a beautiful year-round, environmentally connected, low maintenance, and healthy thriving outdoor spaces! It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or an expert there will always be something inspiring when you listen to “The Garden Question” podcast. Host Craig McManus.

Mike and Judy Cunningham are the founders of Country Gardens Farm. They have been teaching people how to grow, cook, and preserve good organic food for over 10 years. Mike's plant love began in high school when his father helped him build a greenhouse in the back yard. After a degree in horticulture and a few years as a store manager with Pike Nurseries he began Southern Perennial Growers and Country Gardens Nursery. In 2011 the focus changed to growing organic vegetables to sell directly to the public through a CSA subscription model. Country Gardens Farm grows a wide assortment of year-round vegetables on 3 acres of the third-generation family farm by using greenhouses in the winter. Mike with lots of input from Judy authored his book "Seven Steps to an Organic Vegetable Garden" You will hear Mike's openness in sharing his successful methods for growing good food in our inaugural episode 001 of "The Garden Question" Podcast.

Gail Woody is an expert at enticing a Butterfly kaleidoscope   to her garden. She knows what they like and how to keep them happy year-round. She has been studying these fly jewels for many years and regularly attracts up to 38 different species of butterflies to her garden. Monarch butterflies are regular visitors twice a year on their migration treks between Mexico and Canada. In this episode Gail will also tell us how to attract and keep all the local butterflies coming to you place. Some with 6” to 8” wing spans and stories about giant 6” to 8” caterpillars. Gail has been gardening for over 30 years. She creates the perfect eco system that includes butterflies, hummingbirds, native plants, water features and more. Her passion for gardening is contagious! After listening to this episode there will be no excuses not to start building your own butterfly paradise! Gail Woody is an ISA Certified Arborist and a seasoned advanced Master Gardener. She speaks and writes on Butterflies, Hummingbirds, and native plants among other garden subjects If you want to learn how to attract your personal Butterfly kaleidoscope then today’s podcast is perfect for you!

Rick Smith is the pruning guru. In today episode your deepest pruning fears are comforted with Rick’s interesting and high impact stories. He explains why Smart landscape design matters and how to avoid the not so smart design mistakes. After listening you will appreciate how he protects his client’s garden investment for the long run and why they trust him with their extraordinary gardens. In this episode of “The Garden Question” you will know why garden plants do better when they stay closer to their natural size, form, and texture. Avoiding any signs of over-pruning or under-pruning. Rick reveals healthy plant management practice along with how his proven knowledge and experience helps prevent common pest and disease problems.  He lectures throughout the southeastern United States to horticulture college students, garden clubs, landscape companies and horticultural trade associations. He is featured in the University of Georgia green industry Super Crew training video and has appeared on PBS’s Growing a Greener World with Joe Lamp’l. Rick is the chairperson of the Georgia Certified Landscape Professional advisory board and also served on the Board of Directors and as President of Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association His company The Pruning Guru was founded in 2002 after 15 years of developing  his knowledge and skills with the landscape trail blazing company Post Properties.

Tara Dillard is a nationally recognized garden designer, author, and speaker. She has hosted her own CBS television program, The Better Gardening Show. After earning degrees in engineering and horticulture she began designing and installing low-maintenance organic landscapes. Her designs emphasis the balance between home, garden, and life. An award-winning author of 5 books, including Garden Paths and Stepping Stones, Beautiful by Design, and The Garden View. Tara writes a newspaper column; magazine articles and maintains a popular blog on her website: Tara Dillard.com Based in Atlanta, GA, she lectures nationally, spreading the message that creating a beautiful landscape will create a beautiful life. Host: Craig McManus

Gail Woody knows Hummingbirds and how to attracts them by the hundreds each day. Her garden is a must stop for thousands of hummers on their migration journey from and to Central America. She talks about her feeding strategies and nectar producing plants. Successful water attracting tactics. Growing proven reproduction habitat . Why insects are important to Hummingbird health. You are probably familiar with Gail Woody from our first interview on The Garden Question episode 002 How to Attract Butterflies. Gail has been gardening for over 30 years. She creates the perfect eco system that includes butterflies, hummingbirds, native plants, water features and more. Her passion for gardening is contagious! After listening to this episode her excitement will inspire you! Gail Woody is an ISA Certified Arborist and a seasoned advanced Master Gardener. She speaks and writes on Butterflies, Hummingbirds, and native plants among other garden subjects If you want to learn how to attracting Hummingbirds to your garden large or small this episode is perfect for you!

Dr. Bodie Pennisi is an Extension Horticulture Specialist at the University of Georgia. She has statewide responsibilities for the Georgia landscape industry and conducts applied research with emphasis on sustainable outdoor and indoor landscapes which includes plant, water, nutrient, and soil interactions. Dr. Pennisi also teaches online university level courses titled: Herbs, Spices, and Medicinal Plants; along with a Plant Physiology course. She also teaches Master Gardener training classes on landscape installation and maintenance, WaterSmart landscapes, interiorscapes, herbaceous and woody ornamental plant selection, plant propagation and plant physiology. Dr. Pennisi serves as educational advisor to the Georgia Green Industry Association (GGIA), the Urban Agriculture Council (UAC), and the national organization Green Plants for Green Buildings (GPGB). She serves on the environmental committee of the National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture (NICH). Dr. Pennisi is a Co-Editor-in-Chief of Scientia Horticulturae.

Christie Bryant speaks for trees every day. She loves to be in a person’s yard meeting their dogs and talking about what is best for their trees. Climbing to the highest heights and exploring soil depths is important to her for a complete understanding of each tree’s optimum health needs. Thirteen years as a consulting arborist Christie stays up to date on the latest tree research and what trees love and desire. Her tree consulting company is called Speaking for The Trees. She believes it is important to know a tree’s potential by performing a tree risk assessment and a real estate due diligence inspection. As President of the Georgia Arborist Association, she advocates for trees and the professional that take care of them. She earned a Bachelor degree in Environmental Horticulture from the University of Georgia. Is a Georgia Certified Landscape Professional, ISA Certified Arborist, and a trained Horticultural Therapist . Christie has appeared as a tree expert on The Weather Channel, various local news outlets, and WSB radio Saturday morning show Green & Growing with Ashley Frasca.

Joe Raboine started his career as a landscape contractor over 25 years ago. His garden hardscape expertise and innovation led him to Director of Residential Hardscapes at Belgard. Known as the best in class Belgard is a trend setter with their landscape pavers, retaining walls, fire pits and more creative hardscape products. Joe created a line of modular outdoor kitchen and living room components called Harmony Outdoor Living which is now Belgard Elements™. He also developed a method for converting simple sketches into 3D designs and animations so people can envision the hardscapes in their gardens before they are built. Belgard Design Studio is the fruit of his work. Joe is an avid gardener, outdoor photographer and hiker. In this episode we will talk with Joe about what’s good to know when choosing and building your next hardscape project.

Greg Huber is a public service and outreach faculty member of the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service and a Georgia registered landscape architect. He earned a Bachelor and Master’s degree from the University of Georgia College of Environment and Design. His 26-year career includes a dynamic range of field experience as a green industry professional and teacher. Prior to joining Extension in 2016, he was the coordinator and lead instructor for the Horticulture program at Southern Crescent Technical College, specializing in workforce training (2005-2015). Huber has field experience in a dynamic range of industry sectors including landscape design, site planning and construction documents, landscape contracting, landscape management, retail nursery, carpentry, and Christmas tree production. Huber now leads UGA’s Georgia Certified Landscape Professional and Georgia Certified Plant Professional Programs through the Georgia Center for Urban Agriculture. Georgia’s landscape and turf industries count on Huber’s communication of critical timely information and announcements through the Landscape Alerts & Updates newsletter, Georgia Certified Landscape Professional and Georgia Certified Plant Professional newsletters. He is the past recipient of the Southern Crescent Technical College Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Education and the Georgia Green Industry Association Educator and Communicator of the Year Awards.

Carol Hight is a native plant and wild flower advocate. She is a prolific writer for local publications and is a very in demand speaker for wildflowers. Her blog is BloomingBeautiful.comShe is a 30-year retired 5th grade science teacher. Carol is currently active with the West Georgia Chapter of the Georgia Native Plant Society where she has served as chairman of the Buffalo Creek Trail restoration committee, and as an active native plant rescue facilitator.

Brooks Garcia is fulfilling his dream in the Northeast Georgia Mountains. The sun awakens him every day to his new adventure at Villa del Sole. A Tuscan style home and garden complete with long vistas to far mountain ridges. He designed and built his Georgia version of a Tuscan style home complete with a clay tile roof and wood burning fireplace. When the sun slips behind the ridge Brooks celebrates another fulfilling day building his garden with a swimming pool soak. In our conversation Brooks reveals the key to unlocking Georgia’s red clay soils and growing flourishing healthy plants in your garden. Designing and building his “last great garden”. He talks about his favorite plants and how to use them in garden design. Some you won’t believe. He shares his hands in the dirt experiences building award winning gardens at the Chelsey Flower Show, Southeastern Flower Show, and Foxhall Flower Show. Brooks worked for Ryan Gainey as his personal assistant where he helped create many outstanding gardens in Atlanta, Long Island and abroad in France. For 25 years Brooks created gardens for his fellow Atlantans through his company Fine Gardens. Brooks attended the Lovett School and upon graduation went on to the University of Georgia earning his BLA in Landscape Architecture. Brooks has given his time restoring historical Old Clarkesville Cemetery, Hills and Dales in LaGrange and Historic Oakland Cemetery.

Lanie Riner knows pollinator gardens and why thy are so important to our lives. In this episode Lanie explains how to be pollinator successful. She teams with her husband Gray to grow hundreds of thousands of pollinator plants every year at their nursery Thunderwood Farms. Thunderwood Farms specializes in producing custom-grown perennial plants. Growing using clean methods supports plant health for an outstanding garden near you. Lanie’s moving story about how friends and neighbors saved the day right before an approaching hard freeze brought me to tears. Always an advocate for the horticulture green industry Lanie has taken the next step by becoming the Executive Director for the Georgia Green Industry Association (GGIA). Lanie was recognized as the GGIA Young Professional of the Year in 2013 and the GGIA Communicator of the Year in January 2020. She is a 2005 graduate from The University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture. She has served in leadership roles with Georgia Farm Bureau, Center for Applied Nursery Research, Advancing Georgia’s Leaders in Agriculture and Forestry and Georgia Green Industry Association (GGIA). If the legislature is in session, Lanie is at the state capitol watching legislation and gathering an audience advocating Georgia’s horticulture story.

Gail Woody knows native plants and why they are important for our gardens. She has been gardening for over 30 years. Creating the perfect eco system with native plants for butterflies, hummingbirds, and other wildlife. Her passion for gardening is contagious! After listening to this episode, you will search out every opportunity to use natives in your garden. Gail Woody is an ISA Certified Arborist and a seasoned advanced Master Gardener. She speaks and writes on Butterflies, Hummingbirds, and native plants among other garden subjects. You probably remember listening to Gail in episode 002 Attracting Butterflies to Your Garden and episode 005 Attracting Hummingbirds to your Garden.

You’ll never want to leave a Susanne Hudson designed garden. Each garden room is an invitation to relax and enjoy again and again. Susanne has been designing homes and gardens for over 40 years. She believes your home is for living and enjoying every day. Her personal garden has been featured in Southern Living, Better Homes and Gardens, Country Living, HGTV, This Old House, New Zealand’s Lifestyle Book and more. She shares her garden with guest each year during the Penny McHenry Hydrangea Festival Garden tour. Designing amazing twist with antique and vintage objects is one of her design signatures.

Paul Chappell grows trees headed to a landscape garden near you. He talks about the fascinating journey your tree might take before finding a home in your garden. Once your tree finds its home, Paul lays out what it takes for you to be a successful tree grower for multiple generations. Paul fell in love with plants and their care over 36 successful years ago. He tells some very interesting stories about his time at Callaway Gardens. The challenges of growing native trees in the nursery. Also, some plant design practices and choices you will want to avoid. Paul is a Georgia Certified Landscape Professional, an ISA Certified Arborist, and a 20 plus years nursery grower of fine trees. This is episode 015 “Where Trees Come From” of The Garden Question Podcast. Our conversation with Paul Chappell of Diversified Trees coming up.

Jo Phillips is the Horticultural Manager for the best-preserved 19th century garden in the United States. The first planting at Hills and Dales Estate occurred in 1841 with the still growing original boxwoods. The garden estate is a horticultural testament to the three women with their families that have called it home. Today’s garden stays true to the original design and each woman’s contribution. Jo tells stories about how much Alice Callaway loved Hills and Dales and was ahead of her time in so many ways. The horticultural staff reflects Mrs. Callaway love every day in their care for the original garden design. You will want to listen all the way to the end to appreciate how important historical gardens are to our future garden success. Jo earned her BSA Horticulture Degree from The University of Georgia. This is Episode 016 “Hills and Dales Garden Wisdom” of The Garden Question Podcast.

Mike and Judy Cunningham are harvesting the last summer crops at Country Gardens Farm. Fall gardening is just around the corner and Mike takes a break to talk about his favorite time of the year in the garden. Some of the things you will discover in this episode are the best practices Mike implements for soils, plant selections, and timing. All important for a successful fall harvest. Mike and Judy Cunningham have been teaching people how to grow, cook, and preserve good organic food for over 10 years. Country Gardens Farm is a third-generation family farm growing a wide assortment of organic year-round vegetables they sale to the community from their 3 acres. Mike with lots of input from Judy authored his successful "Seven Steps to an Organic Vegetable Garden" You will remember Mike's openness in sharing his successful methods for growing good food in our inaugural episode 001 of "The Garden Question" Podcast.

Becky Griffin knows gardening connects future generations to agriculture and how they will benefit from that experience. Our children today need food and agriculture knowledge in order to yield wise policy decisions for their future.She talks about how a child’s nutrition, wellness and economic benefits increases along with test scores by being exposed to gardening.Becky has found that a child’s natural curiosity of the outdoor world often leads to developing patients, curiosity and creativity when being involved in school gardening.Becky Griffin is the Community and School Garden Coordinator for University of Georgia Extension. She knows what it takes to have a successful school garden.  We will explore the keys to starting a sustainable children’s garden in this 018 episode of The Garden Question Podcast “Gardening with Children”.

0019 - The Great Georgia Pollinator Census - Becky Griffin Becky Griffin knows pollinators count. Now she wants you to count the pollinators in the The Great Georgia Pollinator Census Being a self-confessed “Geeky Kid” with a great love for insects she wore out the bee book in her local library.  Now Becky  is the coordinator of The Great Georgia Pollinator Census taking place this year on August 20th and 21st, 2021. Putting good food on your table is no accident. In this episode we will find out how good insects and their supporting habitat make a difference. Becky tells us the simple method for collecting important data to be used by the University of Georgia researchers. This valuable data reveals pollinator trends and is needed to conduct economic valuation studies of pollination. Becky is a Georgia Certified Beekeeper and works with community and school gardeners to increase beneficial insect habitat. She is also part of UGA's Native Plants and Beneficial Insect Working Group and hosts “The Great Georgia Pollinator Podcast” This is a back-to-back episode featuring our guest Becky Griffin the Community and School Garden Coordinator for The University of Georgia Extension. You will want to hear episode 18 “Gardening with Children” when you finish this episode 19 of The Garden Question Podcast. Connect with Becky: Becky Griffin is the Community and School Garden Coordinator for University of Georgia Extension. Website: The Great Georgia Pollinator Census Facebook Group: The Great Georgia Pollinator Census Certify your pollinator habitat: Connect To Protect Program