Free Public Gardens of Washington: Bellevue Botanical Garden
Release Date: 01/20/2026
How to Think Like a Vegetable Gardener
The Evergreen Thumb
Good vegetable gardens aren’t built by following rules; they’re built by paying attention. In this episode, we step back from prescriptive advice and focus on how experienced gardeners actually make decisions. Instead of chasing planting dates or perfect systems, we talk through how to read your landscape, choose crops that make sense for your goals and conditions, and time planting based on what plants respond to, not what the calendar says. You’ll learn how to think about frost dates, growing degree days, and USDA zones without confusion, and why observation is one of the most valuable...
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Free Public Gardens of Washington: Bellevue Botanical Garden
The Evergreen Thumb
What does it take to steward a public garden in the middle of a growing city? This episode explores how Bellevue Botanical Garden blends design, ecology, and community partnerships to create a resilient urban landscape. James Gagliardi, the director of Bellevue Botanical Garden, shares insights into the garden's history, community involvement, and its role as a vital green space in an urban environment. He discusses the importance of accessibility, educational opportunities for home gardeners, and the collaborative efforts in maintaining and curating the garden. The conversation also...
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Vegetable Crop Rotation Secrets to Save Time and Soil
The Evergreen Thumb
Are you looking to boost your vegetable garden’s productivity while keeping soil healthy and pests under control? In this episode, Erin dives into practical crop rotation strategies, including Eliot Coleman’s proven rotation and the leaf–root–flower–fruit method. Learn how to sequence crops, use cover crops, and plan rotations that maximize yields and protect your garden soil. We’d love your feedback! 🌱 Your input helps The Evergreen Thumb improve and bring you more of the gardening content you care about. Please take a few minutes to complete our listener survey and share your...
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A Short Holiday Interlude
The Evergreen Thumb
We're taking a break from the podcast this week for the holidays. We'll be back on January 6 with a new episode on vegetable crop rotation. Happy New Year!
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Northwest Native Plant Guilds: How to Design Low-Maintenance Gardens
The Evergreen Thumb
Creating Plant Guilds with Native Plants in Washington State Discover how to design thriving, low-maintenance landscapes by mimicking nature's own plant communities! In this solo episode, we explore the concept of plant guilds—groups of plants that work together to create mutually beneficial ecosystems—using Washington's incredible diversity of native species. Learn the essential layers of a successful guild, from canopy trees down to groundcovers, and how each plant plays a specific role in supporting the whole community. We feature detailed deep dives into two guilds: Western...
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Rediscovering The Lost Apples Of The Pacific Northwest
The Evergreen Thumb
Washington once grew hundreds of unique apple varieties—many of which disappeared from modern cultivation. In this episode, David Benscoter of the Washington Lost Apple Project shares how he tracks down these forgotten varieties, why so many vanished, and what it takes to preserve their genetics for the future. We explore how old orchards are located and identified, the stories behind rare rediscoveries, and how these heritage apples contribute to biodiversity and resilience in a changing climate. David also offers insight into how home gardeners can support conservation efforts and even...
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Soil Structure Secrets: Grow Thriving, Vibrant Gardens
The Evergreen Thumb
In this episode of The Evergreen Thumb, host Erin Hoover interviews Deirdre Griffin-LaHue, an expert in soil health, about the importance of soil structure in gardening. They discuss how soil structure—how mineral particles and organic matter form aggregates—affects water retention, air flow, and plant health. Deirdre explains the difference between soil texture and soil structure. Key tips include protecting soil with mulch or cover crops, adding organic matter to feed beneficial microbes, and avoiding compaction by not working the soil when it's too wet or dry. Resources mentioned in...
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Gardening for Clean Water: How Everyday Choices Impact Water Quality
The Evergreen Thumb
In part nine of our Program Priority Series, guest Laurel Moulton is back to go over clean water. In this episode, Laurel covers: What the clean water program priority is about How our everyday gardening practices impact water quality Gardening and landscape choices to protect clean water Clean water and Integrated Pest Management Key aspects of Integrated Pest Management How Integrated Pest Management practices help safeguard clean water Integrated Pest Management approaches for common pests and plant problems Common pest management misconceptions Resources...
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How Climate Shifts Are Changing Our Pest Problems
The Evergreen Thumb
In this episode of The Evergreen Thumb, guest Todd Murray joins host Erin Hoover to discuss how climate change is affecting garden pests. He explains that "pests" are defined by their interactions with humans and tend to thrive in disturbed environments, often reproducing rapidly. Climate change, especially shifting rainfall patterns and warmer temperatures, is stressing plants, making them more vulnerable to native and non-native pests such as beetles and aphids. Resources mentioned in this episode, along with a full transcript, can be found on our .
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Soil Health Secrets: How to Build Resilient Garden Soil
The Evergreen Thumb
Healthy soil is the foundation of every thriving garden. 🌱 In this episode of The Evergreen Thumb, Erin explores the key principles of soil health and how gardeners can apply them to create resilient, productive soil at home. What you’ll discover in this episode: The core principles of soil health and why they matter for your garden How to keep soil covered, reduce disturbance, and maintain living roots Ways to encourage diverse soil life for stronger, healthier soil Resources mentioned in this episode, along with a full transcript, can be found on our . ...
info_outlineWhat does it take to steward a public garden in the middle of a growing city? This episode explores how Bellevue Botanical Garden blends design, ecology, and community partnerships to create a resilient urban landscape.
James Gagliardi, the director of Bellevue Botanical Garden, shares insights into the garden's history, community involvement, and its role as a vital green space in an urban environment. He discusses the importance of accessibility, educational opportunities for home gardeners, and the collaborative efforts in maintaining and curating the garden. The conversation also highlights future growth plans and how visitors can engage with and support the garden.
We’d love your feedback! 🌱
Your input helps The Evergreen Thumb improve and bring you more of the gardening content you care about. Please take a few minutes to complete our listener survey and share your thoughts.
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Resources mentioned in this episode, along with a full transcript, can be found on our website.