Show overview
gardens4everybody launched in 2025 and has put out 56 episodes in the time since. That works out to roughly 10 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a weekly cadence, with the show now in its 2nd season.
Episodes typically run under ten minutes — most land between 6 min and 15 min — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Leisure show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed yesterday, with 14 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2025, with 42 episodes published. Published by Elizabeth and Maryanne.
From the publisher
At Gardens 4 everybody our goal is to encourage and empower people to enjoy gardening using methods which result in less work. No matter the space limitations or conditions everybody can grow something. From enjoying a small houseplant to growing your own food. We want you to experience the satisfaction and benefits gardening has to offer.We are sharing information about gardening in zone 5b which in our case is the Ottawa area. We use sustainable organic practices, focusing on permaculture, native plants for pollinators, and fruits and vegetables. Ultimately this encourages spaces that are habitats for small animals such as birds, bees and bugs, creating beauty and capturing carbon. We base episodes on our experiences working in the Barrhaven Food Cupboard garden and pollinator gardens, as well as our own homes and gardens. Join us as we explore seasonal topics and try to demystify gardening.
Latest Episodes
View all 56 episodesA quick discussion of common invasive garden plants and their native alternatives
Perennial vegetables to make your gardening easy- Asparagus, Rhubarb and Walking Onions
A new way to control Japanese beetles -introducing the Winsome Fly
Help ! My garden has a large wet puddle.
Spring Lawn Care
S2 Ep 2Invasive plants
We discuss invasive plants and Fozzie gets in on the talk: 0.22 definition; 00.51 impact of invasive; 2.12 periwinkle; 2.41 Lily of the valley; 2.49 Gout weed; 3.44 Sea Buckthor; 4.16 techniques to remove Invasive plants; 5.00 digging out; 5.19 solarization; 6.34 resources; 8.28 geranium vs pelargonium.
S2 Ep 8Pruning flowering shrubs- when and how.
0.22 when to prune, 1.56 tools, 2.14 structural pruning. 2.26 rejuvenation pruning,4.17 general pruning guidelines
S2 Ep 10Pruning a mature tree
0.40 maintenance pruning,3.00 rejuvenation pruning, 3.25 general pruning advice
S2 Ep 9Pruning a newly transplanted or juvenile tree.
0.29 principles,1.34 plant hormones,4,07 initial pruning, 4.3 overview of pruning5.1 pruning when tree is 2-3 years old, 6.25 branch collar,
S2 Ep 6Introduction to pruning
First episode on pruning. 0.49 - what is pruning, 1.08 self pruning, 1.56 why prune, 2.45 what happens to the plant when its pruned, 3.24 plant collar, 5.17 benefit to opening plant crown, 540 other benefits of pruning, 6.19 goals and timing of pruning, 8.30 safety, 8.59 tools,
S2 Ep 7 There are many types of promix, but which promix should you buy?
There are many types of promix but which is best, 1.58 we discuss the bacilli in promix, 2.27 recipe of promix. 3.00 peat harvesting. 5.00 plant growth, 5.26 plant galls,
S2 Ep 3Have fun planning your garden
How to start planning your garden. 0.20 2 year method, 040 shorter method, 1.06 less planning. 2.20 monitor conditions. 2.30 Map how you'll use your garden.4.53 observe light, exposure, wind, water pooling, dry areas, drainage. 8.00 plan garden rooms. 09.15 find your style. 1140 privacy, focal points.
S2 Ep 5Plants have senses and relationships - They're a lot like us
Plant senses 0.28 touch, 02.32 sound,04.40 light sense, 06.25 smell , 08.56 memory, 10.08 relationships,
S2 Ep 1Gardening in the winter. Seed starting as a way to garden when its cold outside.
We discuss seed starting: 1.00 seed starting mix; 2.30 cell pack tray;3.53 lighting; 4,21 heating pads; 6.02 labels; 6.25 seed sowing; 7.25 bottom watering; 7.40 when to strat lights and stop heat mat; 7.56 fertilize?; 8.00 back to lights; 9.2 transplanting; 1015 fan; 1105 clamshell sed starting; 1150 riddling; 1330 slow germination stratgey; 1425 whats a radicle; 1537 stratification; 1752 how to speed up germination.
S1 Ep 43Its a book review! 5 reading suggestions in time for Christmas
we discuss 5 books related to plants and fungi. We hope you like them1 The new plant collector - Darryl Cheng2 A home for the rusty patched bumble bee- Lorraine Johnson and Sheila Colla3 Bringing nature home - Doug Tallamy4 Entangled world - Merlin Sheldrake5 The hidden kingdom of fungi- Keith Seifert
S1 Ep 42Green Thumb Garden center owner Mary Reid discusses business, and how she shares her gardening knowledge.
Mary had an unusual path to owning a garden center. She shares her career path from banking to gardening. She discusses her role on the CBC Gardeners' question time and what it means to be a Master Gardener.
S1 Ep 41Seed saving-A fun, cheap way to get seeds for next year.
We discuss seed saving from native plants, fruits (yes tomatoes are fruits), and legumes. Fozzie interrupts to chase a fly. I slip up and suggest that different species can cross - that's incorrect :( . The rest of the information is good. For native seed information check out the Ottawa seed library. or Prairie Moon nursery.
S1 Ep 40Garlic Growing at Silver Springs Farm
Silver Springs farm is known for its garlic. Mel Jones who is in charge of the project shares how they started with a small patch of garlic and other vege. When deer ate everything except the garlic they made the smart decision to focus on garlic production and have expanded their operation yearly. They have also innovated using an old snow blower to create planting hills and inventing "the Dibbler". Check out our website - gardens4everybody.com for photos and to see Mel and his red tractor.
S1 Ep 39Silver Spring farm -known for its garlic we find out about the history behind the garlic.
We interview Anne Cole coordinator of volunteers at Silver Spring farm. The Farm was established in 1867 in the Bell's corners area of Ottawa. The original farm is still in place and is now an NCC property. The farm became a residence for adults with developmental disabilities, and then 30 years ago volunteers started to grow garlic in the unused farm fields and that has developed into a huge garlic growing operation. See our website gardens4everybody.com for photos and more information. In a future episode we interview head of garlic operations Mel Jones.
S1 Ep 38Fall tasks for a head start in the spring
Fall tasks can help make Spring less hectic. In this episode we discuss starting a new bed in the fall so its ready to go in the spring, leaf clean up, pruning raspberries, cleaning up hostas and spirea.