Listen for the Garden Conversation every Thursday in the spring and summer and every other Thursday in the winters at 8:45am during Soundwaves with Joanie.  Be a part of the Garden Conversation!  E-mail your gardening questions, comments, ideas, and feedback to garden@khns.org.

Also check out the Haines Gardening Group on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/391469414560806/about/

In the wintertime, the Garden Conversation rotates Thursdays with the Snow Report.

Find more Garden Conversation episodes in our 2017 Garden Conversation archives and 2016 Garden Conversation archives.

To find a certain episode, press ctrl+F/apple+F to open your search function and search a keyword or date.

Garden Conversation - 02/29/24

Mardell Gunn talks with Sabine Churchill about growing herbs.

Garden Conversation - 02/15/24

Melissa Aronson talks with Blythe Carter. It's time to start seeds.

Garden Conversation - 02/01/24

Suzanne Vuillet-Smith talks with FNBA's Julie Ferrin. Julie takes care of all those enormous plants in the bank lobby.

Garden Conversation - 01/18/24

Mardell Gunn talks with Brooke Jasky-Zuber about medicinal plants, including some you thought were weeds.

Garden Conversation - 01/04/24

Joanie hosts Suzanne Vuillet-Smith and Richard Clement. The story of Richard and Laura's "fixer-upper" garden at the Soap Suds Alley home.

Garden Conversation - 12/21/23

Mardell Gunn and Mandy Ramsey's Solstice show. Planting by the moon, how light affect plants, and the science behind it all.

Garden Conversation - 12/14/23

Joanie hosts Erika Merlin and Melissa Aronson. Farming, food security, and agricultural land.

Garden Conversation - 12/07/23

Joanie hosts Suzanne Vuillet-Smith and Shannon McFeeters. Shannon talks about her hugelkultur garden.

Garden Conversation - 11/16/23

Joanie hosts Suzanne Vuillet-Smith and her guests Tom Weinert and Alison Adams to talk about all the different types of gardening they have done over the years.

Garden Conversation - 11/09/23

Mardell Gunn and Diz Kistler talk about drip irrigation

Garden Conversation - 11/02/23

Joanie hosts Melissa Aronson in the studio, and Justina Hotch and Gina St. Clair over the phone. Hydroponics!

Garden Conversation - 10/26/23

Mardell Gunn talks with Laurie Mastrella. How do you bring back a weedy, neglected garden bed?

Garden Conversation - 10/19/23

Joanie talks with Suzanne Vuillet-Smith and Gwen Hauser about the Klukwan Community Garden.

Garden Conversation - 10/12/23

Mardell interviews Brooke Jasky-Zuber of Lazy Daisy Farm in Skagway. Talking about medicinal garden weeds.

Garden Conversation - 10/05/23

Melissa Aronson and Betsy Van Burgh. As we approach the end of the season, what worked, what didn't work, and what we're doing right now.

Garden Conversation - 9/28/23

Mardell visits with Brooke Jasky Zuber at the Lazy Daisy Farm in SKagway

Garden Conversation - 9/21/23

Joanie's guests are Suzanne Vuillet-Smith and Greg Podsiki. Where has Greg been since retiring from the Post Office? In his garden!

Garden Conversation - 9/14/23

Joanie's guests are Mardell Gunn and Sabine Churchill. It's bulb-planting season.

Garden Conversation - 9/07/23

Mardell interviews Skip Elliot in his garden in Dyea. Tomatoes and more!

Garden Conversation - 8/31/23

Joanie hosts Suzanne Vuillet Smith and Fran Tuenge. Gardening is a challenge when you live on the beach. And you can change the color of your hydrangeas!

Garden Conversation - 8/24/23

Joanie hosts Melissa Aronson and Suzanne Vuillet Smith. Dividing perennials, and planting flower bulbs.

Garden Conversation - 8/17/23

Mardell visits with Vicky Munden in her garden

Garden Conversation - 8/10/23

Knikki Cinocco hosts Melissa Aronson and Derek Poinsette. Talking about electric fences.

Garden Conversation - 8/03/23

Mardell takes a walk around Rebecca Brewer's garden. Every year there's something different.

Garden Conversation - 7/27/23

Mardell Gunn interviews Tracy Wirek-Cassidy about the Local Food Challenge

Garden Conversation - 7/20/23

Melissa Aronson and Amanda Randles in the studio. All about submitting your gardening entries to the Southeast Alaska State Fair.

Garden Conversation - 7/13/23

Melissa and Joanie talk about their gardens.

Garden Conversation - 7/06/23

Mardell visits with Sandrine Thompson at the Klukwan Community Garden.

Garden Conversation - 6/15/23

Live in the studio with Melissa Aronson and Kate Saunders. Always experimenting in the garden!

Garden Conversation - 6/1/23

Melissa Aronson is live in the studio this week with Vija Pelekis to discuss the Haines Farmers Market!

Garden Conversation - 4/6/23

Melissa Aronson is live in the studio this week with Dena Selby!

Garden Conversation - 3/30/23

Can you guess which crop is America's most desired? It's tomatoes! Mardell Gunn and Kat Saunders are here to unpack what its like growing this class favorite in the Chilkat Valley.

Garden Conversation - 3/16/23

If you want to learn how to grow brussels sprouts successfully, take a listen! Helena Muench is the guest gardener this week on Mardell's series One Crop at a Time.

Garden Conversation - 3/2/23

Growing a garden is one thing but protecting it from wildlife is a whole other challenge. Melissa Aronson has brought in Isabel Grant from the Defenders of Wildlife to talk about their program for getting an electric fence.

Garden Conversation - 2/16/23

The topic on this week's One Crop at a Time series is Winter Squash. Like so many crops in this corner of the world, it has to be grown just a little differently.

Garden Conversation - 1/19/23

With the continuation of the One Crop at a Time series, Mardell Gunn and Gina St. Claire are here to talk taters. The discussion today is on the how's and the why we grow potatoes, specifically in the Upper Lynn Canal.

Garden Conversation - 1/5/23

Melissa Aronson and Dena Selby in the studio bringing you some new years resolutions, chatting about indoor composting and giving some ideas about what seeds you can start in January.

Garden Conversation - 12/22/22

Happy Holidays from Mardell and Diz! With a little bit of cheer, they bring you the topic of holiday plants and the stories behind each one.

Garden Conversation - 12/15/22

Melissa Aronson has brought in a special guest this week, Joanie Wagner. The three topics for this morning are 'gifts for gardeners', 'things to do this time of year', and 'what to do if you just want to put your feet up and enjoy the wood stove'.

Garden Conversation - 12/8/22

Back again with the One Crop at a Time series! This time we have Mardell Gunn and George Figdor bringing you their experiences with growing chard.

Garden Conversation - 12/1/22

It's all things peas this week with Mardell Gunn on the phone with Brooke Jasky Zuber in Skagway. It can be very different growing peas in the Upper Lynn Canal but here are some helpful pointers thanks to the One Crop at a Time series.

Garden Conversation - 11/17/22

Melissa and Leanne come together to bring you some tips and tricks for keeping heathy houseplants, as well as a look at the importance of having select plants in your home for clean air.

Garden Conversation - 11/03/22

Melissa Aronson and Blyth Carter pop in for a live chat about the orchard project handbook which was a collaboration between Blyth Carter and Burl Sheldon. Blyth shares her knowledge and experiences that she added to the handbook.

Garden Conversation - 10/27/22

Mardell Gunn and Cindy Jimenez discussing the composting facility that Takshanuk Watershed plans to build after receiving a new grant.

Garden Conversation - 10/20/22

Mardell Gunn is in Skagway with chief and gardener for the Alaska House. They dive into what it's like planning and growing food for a restaurant.

Garden Conversation - 10/13/22

Live discussion with Melissa Aronson and Kate Saunders on the topic of growing produce indoors over the winter.

Garden Conversation - 10/6/22

Mardell Gunn brings in Sabine Churchill to talk all things bulbs. Is it too soon to plant? Is it too late? How do I plant them? Sabine has answers!

Garden Conversation - 9/29/22

This week Melissa Aronson is in the studio to talk about the Orchard Project with Burl Sheldon. Their discussion will focus on topics such as varieties, growing strategies, protection from wildlife and more.

Garden Conversation - 9/22/22

On this Garden Conversation, Mardell Gunn invites Rebecca Brewer to dive into the topic of garlic. With different growing styles and climate, both women share their knowledge on growing garlic successfully.

Garden Conversation - 9/15/22

If you're interested in preserving food through freeze drying, wine making, fermenting and pickling, then you're in the right place! Melissa Aronson has Dan Chavez and Laura Murphy in to chat about these topics and their nutritional benefits.

Garden Conversation - 9/8/22

Mardell Gunn teams up with Rebecca Brewer to chat about a favorite podcast. More specifically they will touch on the Joe Gardener podcast, show #270 and #272 featuring Robert Pavlis.

Garden Conversation - 9/1/22

On this early morning conversation Mardell Gunn interviews Brooke Jasky- Zuber. She is working for the Skagway Traditional Counsel as the manger of the Lazy Daisy Farm.

Garden Conversation - 8/18/22

This week Mardell Gunn takes us to the Southeast Alaska State Fair for a conversation with the Corruptive Extension's Family and Community Development Agent. Guest, Sarah Louis, happens to be an expert on canning and is kind enough to shares her knowledge with us!

Garden Conversation 10-15-20

Burl Sheldon and Melissa Aronson discuss local orchard projects with guest

Garden Conversation 9-17-20

Melissa brings Carl Koch and Abby McCallister from the Alaska Department of Fish & Game to talk about how to deter/prevent bears from getting into gardens.

Garden Conversation - On Site at Nancy Berland's

Mardell Gunn is On Site across Mud Bay at Nancy Berland's

Garden Conversation - 9-3-20

Melissa Aronson, Liz Marantz-Falvey, and Betsy Van Burgh all call-in for a fun fifteen minutes of late season gardening

GC - On Site at Sabine Churchill's

Mardell Gunn is on site at Sabine Churchill's garden

Garden Conversation - On Site at Melissa Aronson's

Mardell and Melissa at Melissa's Garden

Garden Conversation - On Site at Helena Meunch's

Mardell Gunn is On Site at Helena Meunch's

Garden Conversation - Pledge Drive Edition

Mardell Gunn is "On Location" at Lauren McPhun's

Garden Conversation - On Site at Blythe Carter's

Mardell Gunn tries out recording on site for the first time at Blythe Carters

Garden Conversation 1-30-20

Mardell brings Rebecca Brewer on to talk about choosing seeds for spring

Garden Conversation 01-02-20

Scott and Valina Hansen talk about storing and preserving their crops

Garden Conversation 12-26-19

Garden Stories for the Holidays: a poem from Mandy Ramsey, a short story from Debi Kennedy, and a local take on The Night Before Christmas from Rebecca Brewer

Garden Conversation 12-19-19

Winter Solstice Garden Conversation: Melissa Aronson and Kate Saunders talk about wintering chickens in snowy/cold conditions

Garden Conversation 12-5-19

Melissa Aronson calls in due to the snow to discuss holiday presents (and other things). [Note there is a technical issue early in the piece causing an echo from the host]

Garden Conversation 11-14-19

Melissa has gardening book and magazine suggestions for the winter.

Garden Conversation 9-19-19

Mardell and Heidi discuss mushrooms and pros/cons of this summers weather for certain crops, and some tips for fall harvest/putting up food

Garden Conversation 9-5-19

Joanie, Melissa Aronson, and Liz Falvey discuss teaching gardening to their grandkids and the importance of inspiring the next generation of gardeners

Garden Conversation 8-29-19

Mardell Gunn and Marie Boisvert talk about Starvin' Marvin and teaching the next generation of gardeners

Garden Conversation 8-22-19

Melissa Aronson and Blythe Carter talk about dealing with this summer's abnormalities, including extra heat, less water and spotted tussock moth caterpillars

Garden Conversation 8-15-19

Mardell Gunn and Leslie Evenden talk about drought conditions and other abnormal gardening conditions this year

Garden Conversation 7-25-19

Melissa Aronson and Kate Saunders discuss reinforcing geodesic domes and the current harvest

Garden Conversation 7-18-19

Melissa Aronson and Kate Saunders discuss reinforcing geodesic domes and the current harvest

Garden Conversation 7-11-19

Leslee Downer and Blythe Carter discuss a few questions and... bees!

Garden Conversation Mardell & Kate Fossman

Mardell and Kate talk about lessons learned from gardening in Haines

Garden Conversation: Mardell Gunn and Ann Myren

Mardell and Ann Myren discuss the differences between coastal/inland (Southeast vs Yukon) gardening

Garden Conversation: Mardell Gunn and Kerry Cohen

Mardell and Kerry talk about a variety of gardening topics

Garden Conversation 4-25-19

Melissa Aronson and Kate Saunders discuss substitutes for plastic use in the garden

Garden Conversation 3-28-19

Sally Boisvert and Mardell Gunn answer questions from listeners: How best to balance carbon in local compost?

Garden Conversation 3-14-19

Sally Boisvert and Mardell Gunn answer questions from listeners: What kinds of grow bulbs/lights to use for starts?

Garden Conversation 1-31-19

Mardell chats with Kate SAunders about seeds and getting starts ready.

Garden Conversation 1-17-19

In this Garden Conversation recorded in December, Mardell chats with Courtney Culbeck

Garden Conversation 1-3-19

Leslee Downer and Melina Shields keep it bright in the darkness: all about flowers!

Garden Conversation 12-20-18

A collection of Garden stories to brighten the dark days this week

Garden Conversation 12-13-18

Mardell and Jill talk about how to keep your houseplants healthy and beautiful

Garden Conversation 12-6-18

Mardell G and Leslee Downer discuss gardening blogs and resources

Garden Conversation 11-29-18

Melissa Aronson and Leslie Downer discuss the aspects of growing corn in the valley and suggest gardening gifts for the season.

Garden Conversation 11-8-18

Mardell Gunn and Donna Catotti talk old school Haines gardening knowledge

Garden Conversation 11-1-18

Melissa Aronson and Blythe Carter talk about an overview of the summer season and fall harvest

Garden Conversation 10-18-18

Mardell and Rebecca Brewer enlighten us on constructing and implementing root cellars

Garden Conversation 10-4-18

Mardell and Katie talk about Starvin' Marvin and composting/gardening at the Haines School

2018 Garden Conversation episodes

 

September 13, 2018

Melissa and George expand on the topic from last week and discuss growing leeks.

 

September 6, 2018

Melissa and George Figdore talk all about growing onions.

 

August 30, 2018

Melissa and Leslee Downer talk all about garlic.

 

August 23, 2018
Mardell and Kate Saunders discuss a variety of questions that have been submitted.
August 16, 2018
Mardell and Kerry Cohen discuss new varieties they’ve tried out in their gardens this year.

 

August 9, 2018

Melissa and Laura Murphy discuss bees and other factors affecting pollination this summer.

 

August 2, 2018

Leslie Downer and Randa Syzmanski guest on the show to talk about locally produced fertilizer

 

July 19, 2018

Melissa brings Deana on to talk about gardening related fair events.

 

July 12. 2018

Mardell and Erika talk about the upcoming fermentation workshop.

 

July 5, 2018

Melissa and Kate continue their conversation from the previous week.

 

June 21, 2018

Melissa and Kate chat about harvesting already, edible landscaping, and always learning new things in the garden

 

June 14, 2018

Mardell brings in Zach Loeks to talk about his gardening book

 

June 7, 2018

Mardell and Kate Saunders discuss dealing with a variety of garden bugs

 

May 31, 2018

Mardell brings in Leslie Downer to talk about a variety of tips and tricks dealing with temperature

 

May 23, 2018

Melissa, Betsy and George discuss the difficulties of wind exposed garden plots

 

May 17, 2018

Mardell and Rebecca discuss what’s happening in the garden this time of year.

 

May 10, 2017

Melissa and Leslie talk about the Community Garden and upcoming plant sale.

 

May 3, 2017

Mardell and Leah discuss seed selection.

 

April 5, 2018

Mardell and Rebecca discuss seed starts.

 

March. 21, 2018

Liz and Melissa discuss choosing lighting for seed starting.

 

Feb. 22, 2018

Mardell visits with Yukon gardener Chris Bartsch about “root heaters.”

 

Feb. 8, 2018

Mardell and Melissa talk about ordering seeds!