Houseplant Chat: Fertilizer
Down The Garden Path Podcast
In the fourth episode of Down the Garden Path's "Houseplant Chat” series, Joanne discusses the basics of fertilizing houseplants. Topics Covered When to start fertilizing Wait until days are noticeably longer (sometime after daylight savings time) when plants begin active growth again. How to read fertilizer labels (N-P-K) The three numbers represent Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K). Leafy plants may benefit from higher nitrogen; flowering plants often need more phosphorus. Choosing an “all-purpose” fertilizer Balanced blends (e.g., 10-10-10) can work for many...
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Houseplant Chat: Propagation Made Simple
Down The Garden Path Podcast
In the third episode of Down the Garden Path's "Houseplant Chat” series, Joanne discusses propagation, a simple and rewarding way to expand your plant collection. Topics discussed: Quick recap of and : winter light, soil refresh/repotting, and watering What propagation is (and why it’s easier than starting from seed) Best beginner-friendly plants to propagate: pothos and philodendrons Fixing a long, “leggy” trailing plant by trimming and replanting rooted cuttings back into the base to fill it out How to take cuttings: clean tools, cut around leaf nodes, and root in water How long...
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Houseplant Chat: Soil & Watering Tips
Down The Garden Path Podcast
In the second episode of Down the Garden Path's "Houseplant Chat” series, Joanne focuses on soil and watering techniques during the winter months. Topics discussed: Joanne emphasizes the vital role that soil plays in the health of our houseplants. Steer clear of potting soils with added fertilizers or unnecessary ingredients, as houseplants generally do not require fertilization during this period. Instead, opt for a basic, nutrient-rich potting mix that supports healthy growth without overwhelming your plants. For those with existing plants, it's essential to check if they need repotting....
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Houseplant Chat: Getting the Light Right
Down The Garden Path Podcast
This week, Joanne kicks off the 12th season of the Down the Garden Path podcast with the first episode in her “Houseplant Chat” series: Getting the Light Right. Tune in to learn how to keep your houseplants happy when winter light disappears. Topics discussed: Joanne emphasizes the importance of light for houseplants, especially in January, and shares practical tips for ensuring plants receive adequate light. She discusses her personal experiences with moving plants around her home to optimize their light exposure and highlights specific plants that thrive in low-light conditions, such as...
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Canada Gardener's Journal with Steven Biggs
Down The Garden Path Podcast
This week, Joanne welcomes horticulturist Stephen Biggs back to the podcast to talk about his latest project, the newly expanded About Steven Steven was recognized by Garden Making magazine as one of the “green gang” making a difference in Canadian horticulture. His home-garden experiments span driveway straw-bale gardens, a rooftop kitchen garden, fruit plantings, and an edible-themed front yard. He’s a horticulturist, award-winning broadcaster and author, and former horticulture instructor with George Brown and Durham Colleges in Ontario, Canada. His other books...
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Soil Testing with Amy Ellard-Gray
Down The Garden Path Podcast
This week on the podcast, Joanne discusses soil testing with The Hobby Homestead's Amy Ellard-Gray, who grows 75% of her family’s fruits and vegetables in her Guelph backyard. About Amy Amy runs The Hobby Homestead in suburban Guelph, where she cultivates over 100 varieties of native plants to support the local ecosystem. Through her , , , and in-person consultations, she helps people design and troubleshoot their own food-growing spaces. Her mantra, “growing food in harmony with nature,” guides everything she does, from tending soil life to welcoming wildlife into the garden....
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Transitioning to Indoor Gardening
Down The Garden Path Podcast
This week on Down the Garden Path, Joanne shares her passion for indoor gardening with practical winter houseplant care tips and a reminder that there’s always something new to learn and grow. Topics discussed: 1. From Annuals to Houseplants It's time to turn your attention to houseplants as gardening shifts indoors. Don't rush out to buy new plants: friends and family often have extras or cuttings to share. 2. Winter Care Basics During shorter days and lower light levels, houseplants slow down their growth. Do not fertilize in winter; they’re not actively growing. Keep watering...
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Mythic Plants with Ellen Zachos
Down The Garden Path Podcast
This week, Joanne welcomes Ellen Zachos, author of 11 books on plants, including her latest, . About Ellen A Harvard graduate, Ellen's first career was on Broadway (Les Miz), but the gift of a peace lily on opening night opened her eyes to the wonderful world of plants. Ellen taught at the New York Botanical Garden for many years and also served as Coordinator of the Gardening Department in Continuing Ed, before moving to Santa Fe, NM. She was named a Great American Gardener by the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival. Her 11th book, , was published this year. Inspiration & Research ...
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The Suburban Gardenista
Down The Garden Path Podcast
This week on the podcast, Joanne welcomes Brandie, the Suburban Gardenista, an avid gardener passionate about supporting pollinators with native plants. Brandie is Pollinator Stewardship Certified by Pollinator Partnership Canada and loves sharing her learnings through podcasts, workshops, and social media. You can find her online on and @thesuburbangardenista. Brandie’s Gardening Journey Began gardening ~20 years ago after moving into a home with no plants Inspired by her mother’s lush gardens Discovered native plants through growing Obedient Plant — her “gateway”...
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How to Overwinter Your Annuals
Down The Garden Path Podcast
If your summer containers still look surprisingly lush, don't toss them out just yet. This week on the podcast, Joanne discusses how, with a little care, you can enjoy them again next year. Tune in to learn how to overwinter your annuals. Topics discussed: Many annuals are still looking great in mid-October — don’t toss them yet! You can successfully overwinter several annuals to save money and enjoy them again next year. There’s no single foolproof method; success depends on the type of plant, growing conditions, and care. Joanne shares three main methods: bringing the whole plant...
info_outlineThis week on the podcast, Joanne welcomes Brandie, the Suburban Gardenista, an avid gardener passionate about supporting pollinators with native plants.
Brandie is Pollinator Stewardship Certified by Pollinator Partnership Canada and loves sharing her learnings through podcasts, workshops, and social media.
You can find her online on YouTube and Instagram @thesuburbangardenista.
Brandie’s Gardening Journey
- Began gardening ~20 years ago after moving into a home with no plants
- Inspired by her mother’s lush gardens
- Discovered native plants through growing Obedient Plant — her “gateway” plant
- Realized the importance of planting natives to support local ecosystems and pollinators
- Certified through Pollinator Partnership Canada (Pollinator Stewardship Certification)
- Shares gardening insights via YouTube, Instagram, and workshops
Native vs. Non-Native Plants
- Native plants provide critical support for specialist pollinators (those reliant on specific species)
- Non-natives mainly support generalist pollinators
- Balance between natives, non-natives, and invasives is key
- Common aggressive natives: Canada Anemone, Obedient Plant, Common Milkweed
- Alternatives like Butterfly Milkweed and Swamp Milkweed are more contained
Managing Aggressive or Invasive Species
- Important to research before planting
- Remove known invasives such as English Ivy, Vinca/Periwinkle, Lily of the Valley
- Learn plant behaviour (spreading, seeding, etc.) before adding to the garden
Designing with Natives in Small Spaces
- Small gardens can host a wide variety (Brandie has 70+ species)
- Focus on the right plant, right place, rather than “low maintenance” alone
- Use design creativity: logs, natural materials, and container plants to fill early gaps
Community and Education
- Shares excess seedlings with neighbours; encourages community planting
- Label plants with signs to spark curiosity and conversation
- Promotes pollinator education through advocacy and her YouTube channel
Pollinator Partnership Canada Certification
- The program includes 3 components:
- Education: 8 in-depth classes
- Habitat Creation: Build pollinator-supportive space
- Advocacy: Share learnings through outreach (e.g., YouTube video)
- Highly recommended by Brandie; new cohorts start in February
- Includes regional eco-guides and plant-pollinator charts
YouTube & Monthly Garden Tours
- Started in 2020 to document native garden progress
- Monthly updates show plants’ life cycles and seasonal variations
- Helps gardeners identify seedlings and avoid weeding out young natives
- Encourages patience and learning through real-life, imperfect gardening videos
Key Takeaways
- Start small—one native plant at a time
- Do research: focus on scientific names, avoid hybrids if aiming for ecological impact
- Natives can thrive in containers and urban spaces
- Real gardens are messy, evolving, and full of learning opportunities
- Supporting native pollinators starts with curiosity and one plant
Brandie’s Favourite Natives
- Obedient Plant (despite its unruly habits)
- Swamp Milkweed – fragrant and pollinator-friendly
- Eastern Redbud Tree – long-term vision for beauty and ecosystem support
How to Support Pollinators
- “Start with one plant. Once you see the pollinators arrive, you’ll be hooked.”
- Gardening with natives isn’t about perfection—it’s about participation in the ecosystem.
Native Plant Resources Mentioned
- Books:
- Online Resource:
- Rick Gray’s interactive North American map of native plant sources
- Organizations: Pollinator Partnership Canada
Have a topic you'd like me to discuss?
Please let me know what other topics you would like me to discuss.
Email your questions and comments to downthegardenpathpodcast@hotmail.com, or connect with me on my website: down2earth.ca
Find Down the Garden Path on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @downthegardenpathpodcast.
Down the Garden Path Podcast
On Down The Garden Path, professional landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. As the owner of Down2Earth Landscape Design, Joanne Shaw has been designing beautiful gardens for homeowners east of Toronto for over a decade. She does her best to bring you interesting, relevant and useful topics to help you keep your garden as low maintenance as possible.
In Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, Joanne and fellow landscape designer Matthew Dressing distill their horticultural and design expertise and their combined experiences in helping others create and maintain thriving gardens into one easy-to-read monthly reference guide.
Get your copy today on Amazon.
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