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Down The Garden Path Podcast

Down The Garden Path Podcast

By: Joanne Shaw
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 On Down the Garden Path Podcast, landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. She believes it is important and possible to have great gardens that are low maintenance. On Down the Garden Path, she speaks with industry experts and garden authors to educate listeners on how to seasonally manage their gardens and landscapes.Joanne Shaw
Episodes
  • Little Forests Durham with Ingrid Janssen

    Little Forests Durham with Ingrid Janssen
    Feb 26 2026
    This week, Joanne welcomes master gardener Ingrid Janssen to the podcast to discuss the inspiring work being done by Little Forests Durham, a nonprofit organization focused on planting Miyawaki mini forests throughout Durham Region. About Little Forests Durham Little Forests Durham is a volunteer-run community non-profit organization based in Durham Region, Ontario, Canada, focused on giving tools, knowledge, and support to people, communities, organizations and local authorities to plant Little Forests in their neighbourhoods and communities. Topics Covered Ingrid's background as a Durham Master Gardener, seed collector, and advocate for native treesHow Little Forests Durham was founded in 2024 and inspired by Little Forests KingstonWhat a Miyawaki mini forest is and how the method aims to compress forest succession into 20-30 yearsWhy these forests are planted using dense layers of native trees and shrubs to mimic a natural forest communityThe importance of soil preparation, including cardboard, compost, and mulch to suppress weeds and build fungal-rich soilHow sites are chosen through collaboration with municipal staff, parks departments, and local partnersWhy publicly accessible land is a priority for Little Forests Durham projectsThe logistics behind site prep, including access for trucks, compost delivery, mulch spreading, and volunteer coordinationHow volunteers help with planting days, often in large numbers, making it possible to plant hundreds of trees and shrubs in a short timeWhy planting design still matters, even in a more naturalized system, with careful placement of canopy trees, understory trees, and shrubsThe realities of maintenance, including weeding, invasive species removal, tree protection, fencing, and monitoring for droughtHow mini forests help address climate change by increasing biodiversity, cooling urban spaces, and creating habitat for wildlifeThe role of partnerships with organizations such as Rotary Clubs, conservation authorities, Green Communities Canada, Greenbelt Foundation, and Trees for LifeThe group's ambitious goal of planting 30 mini forests by 2030 in Durham RegionHow listeners can support the effort through volunteering, joining the team, donating, or helping bring projects to their own communitiesThe idea that homeowners can create smaller-scale versions in their own yards, known as pocket forestsIngrid's love of native trees, with a special mention of her flowering dogwood, grown from seed she collected herself Takeaways and Tips Mini forests do not require huge spaces. Even a small corner of a park or a backyard can support a meaningful planting.Native trees and shrubs matter. They support biodiversity, wildlife, and long-term ecological health.The Miyawaki method is about community. It brings together people, plants, fungi, wildlife, and local organizations in one shared effort.Good site access is essential. Successful projects need room for compost, mulch, tools, and tree delivery.Volunteer-friendly planning makes all the difference. Clear layouts and simple planting instructions help create a positive experience.Soil prep is key. Cardboard, compost, and mulch help suppress weeds and create better conditions for young trees to thrive.Maintenance matters. The first few years require protection from rabbits, trampling, invasive weeds, and possible drought.Climate action can be local. You don't have to wait for large systems to change. Communities can begin by planting trees where they live.Small efforts add up. Whether it is joining a planting day, donating materials, or creating a pocket forest at home, every action helps. You can find Little Forests Durham online at www.littleforestsdurham.ca and on Instagram, and Facebook. 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. Don't forget to check out Down the Garden Path on your favourite podcast app and subscribe! You can now catch the podcast on YouTube.
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    55 mins
  • Bloomin' Easy Plants with Madison House

    Bloomin' Easy Plants with Madison House
    Feb 19 2026
    This week, Joanne welcomes Madison House of Bloomin' Easy Plants to the podcast to talk about what makes gardening feel "easy" for newer gardeners and what's new in their plant lineup this year. About Bloomin' Easy Plants Bloomin' Easy finds stronger, more compact, longer-blooming genetics (often from European breeders), then trials plants for years in Canadian conditions before they ever reach garden centres. They also build support tools around each plant, such as QR-code care reminders, an app, a 24/7 chatbot ("Ask Miss Diggs"), and even "mental reality" previews, so shoppers can feel confident choosing the right plant for the right spot. Topics Covered What Bloomin' Easy Plants is (and who it's for): a brand built to help casual/new gardeners succeed with approachable plants and simple guidance.How plants get to homeowners: breeders → Bloomin' Easy trials → propagators create "baby plants" → finished container growers → local garden centres/big box stores.Why "grown locally" matters: plants supplied by growers near your garden centre are more likely to be adapted to your climate (better survival and performance).Plant genetics and long trialing: many varieties are trialed 3–10 years to confirm hardiness, disease resistance, compact habit, and flowering performance.Support tools for success: QR tags with care reminders, an app, "Ask Miss Diggs" chatbot (with info backed by credible sources/universities), and "see it mature" preview tech.Boxwood challenges and replacements: discussion of boxwood blight and boxwood tree moth concerns, plus plants that can be shaped and used as alternatives.New/featured plants and why they stand out: Blue Box® (Rhododendron / "small-leaf rhodo") as a boxwood-like replacement with early blooms (magenta or light pink) and evergreen structure; prune right after flowering to avoid removing next year's buds.Hydrangea "Bubble Bath": a compact, mophead-style look; zone 3–8, 2–3 ft tall/wide; lime-tinged blooms fading to creamy white; great in pots due to tidy shape.Perennials expansion: Bloomin' Easy launched perennials about two years ago due to grower demand; perennials follow the same "compact and easy" standard."Forged by Fire" (Silene): early spring bloomer with dark foliage and bright red flowers; compact (about 12–18 in), and noted as a native option with improved garden behaviour.Garden phlox varieties (e.g., Center of Attention, Confetti Cake): selected for long bloom and powdery mildew resistance in damp coastal trial conditions.Rudbeckia "Solar Sisters": a standout for rich colour and season-long bloom; treated as an annual in cooler zones if it's not hardy where you live. Industry-side support for garden centres: in-store display materials, a pro portal for assets, and staff/customer education events at partner garden centres.Zones are nuanced: even within the same neighbourhood, microclimates matter; tags include temperature info to make zone guidance easier. Takeaways and Tips "Right plant, right spot" beats "green thumb." Start with sun requirements, mature size, and your hardiness zone—most frustration comes from a mismatch, not failure.Buy within your zone (and your microclimate). If your yard is windy, exposed, or freeze/thaw heavy, choose hardier options or protect tender plants.Look for locally grown stock when possible. Plants finished by nearby growers are more likely to be tuned to your region's conditions.Use the tag tools. Scan QR codes for planting depth, spacing, and care reminders—especially helpful for first-timers.Boxwood alternative pruning tip: if you choose a spring-blooming "boxwood look-alike," prune right after it flowers so you don't remove next season's buds.Pot-to-ground trick for tender perennials/shrubs: enjoy them in containers, then plant them in the ground before freeze-up to overwinter (or treat as seasonal "annuals" if they're not hardy).When shopping, don't assume "perennial section" is hardy for you. Always check the tag for zone; some plants may be sold as seasonal colour in cooler climates.Find a retailer near you: Bloomin' Easy offers a retailer map on their site—use it to track down specific new varieties locally. You can find Bloomin' Easy Plants online at www.bloomingeasyplants.com and on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and Pinterest. 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...
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    38 mins
  • Houseplant Chat: Fertilizer

    Houseplant Chat: Fertilizer
    Feb 11 2026
    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 houseplants, especially as a baseline. Three common fertilizer formats Water-soluble liquid: mix into watering can; easy to apply while watering.Granular: sprinkle on the soil surface; dissolves as you water (Joanne notes it can feel less precise).Slow-release pellets: dissolve gradually; may only need reapplying every few months. Frequency & control Liquids are immediate and routine-friendly; granular and slow-release can be less frequent but require awareness of plant needs. Start gently Use half-strength for the first few feedings at the start of the season to ease plants in. Organic vs. big-box options Joanne prefers organic options (often lower N-P-K numbers) and mentions the appeal of local/smaller brands, while acknowledging "use what you have" if it's already in your cupboard. Check expiry dates Expired fertilizer is usually not harmful—just potentially less effective. Know your special plants Spot-check care requirements for "can't-risk-it" plants: heirlooms, cuttings, orchids, sentimental favourites (she shares the example of a long-loved rubber tree). Homemade fertilizer recipes (with caution) DIY approaches (tea/coffee grounds/fish emulsion) exist, but beginners should stick to products with known N-P-K values. Takeaways and Tips Don't rush it: Start fertilizing when daylight increases (typically after daylight savings), not in the dead of winter.Half-strength first: For the first few fertilized waterings, go 50% strength to avoid shocking plants waking up from slower winter growth.Match fertilizer to the goal: Leaf growth: consider a more nitrogen-forward option.Flowering: look for a higher middle number (phosphorus). Pick a method you'll actually remember: If you're consistent with watering, liquid can be easiest.If you forget steps easily, slow-release may be safer; just add a reminder so it doesn't get missed. Follow the label (seriously): Package directions matter more than brand debates.Research your "VIP plants": If a plant is sentimental or pricey, do a quick care check so you're not guessing at feeding needs.Use what you have, smartly: If you find old fertilizer, check the expiry date; it may still work, just a bit weaker.Keep it measurable: If you're newer to houseplants, prioritize fertilizers with clear N-P-K numbers over DIY mixes until you've got a baseline routine. Other Houseplant Chat episodes Getting the Light Right Soil and Watering Tips Propagation Made Simple 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. Don't forget to check out Down the Garden Path on your favourite podcast app and subscribe! You can now catch the podcast on YouTube.
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    12 mins
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