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_outlineIn 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 Houseplant Chat #1 and #2: 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 rooting can take (and why patience pays off, especially for woodier plants)
- “Mother plant” strategy: pruning the original plant and using the cuttings to rebuild a fuller shape
- Gift and budget-friendly uses: making plants to share, sell, or give as gifts
- A reminder that plants are more resilient than we think, and even cut stems can be decorative in water
- Using propagation as décor: greenery in vases for low-light areas and windowless rooms
Takeaways and Tips:
- Start with easy wins: pothos and philodendrons root quickly and are beginner-proof.
- Always cut near a node: that’s where roots are most likely to form.
- Use clean, sharp tools: cleaner cuts make for healthier cuttings.
- Re-fill leggy plants: root cuttings, then plant them back into the pot to thicken the base and make the plant look brand new.
- Don’t panic if something snaps off: trim it neatly, pop it in water, and see what happens.
- Water propagation can double as décor: a vase of cuttings adds life to dark corners, and you can pot them up later.
- Expect slower rooting on woody plants: they can still work, but they take longer.
- Experiment without fear: some cuttings won’t take (and that’s okay) because the learning is part of the fun.
Have a topic you'd like Joanne to discuss?
Email your questions and comments to downthegardenpathpodcast@hotmail.com, or connect with Joanne on her 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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