The Dirt Doctor Radio Show

The March 28, 2026, Dirt Doctor Podcast with Howard Garrett discusses how to manage nutgrass (a sedge), hibiscus, a book recommendation (Bargyla Rateaver's Organic Method Primer), recommended tomato varieties, stink bugs in the house, why you can't grow grass under shade trees, bamboo management, cockroaches, selective organic herbicides, koi pond management, and hydrogen peroxide. Advertisers:Crazy Water is the only mineral water bottled in Texas. Rich with Mother Nature-infused minerals, which are more readily absorbed by your body. https://drinkcrazywater.com/ Dr. Ohhira probiotics have been part of the Garrett family health regimen for years. https://drohhiraprobiotics.com/dr-ohhira-probiotics/https://www.dirtdoctor.comShow Notes:Crazy WaterSPCA dogNutgrass / sedgeHibiscusBook - Bargyla Rateaver's Organic Method PrimerOrganic Program materials to useSoft rock phosphate and substitutions for itTomatoesStink bugs in the house (flea beetles)Growing grass in shadeNutrients lacking in North Texas soilBamboo managementCockroachesSelective herbicides (organic)Koi pond algae managementHydrogen Peroxide, saltHOCl dermatologistBest Product recommendations found on Dirt Doctor Website

The March 21, 2026, Dirt Doctor Podcast with Howard Garrett discusses damage from the recent freeze, how to control grass burs, grassy weeds (rescue grass), dicondra (love it or hate it), Agralawn and the Agralawn recipe, how to germinate tough shelled seeds, and the use of trichogramma wasps, beneficial nematodes, and cornmeal products.Advertisers:Crazy Water is the only mineral water bottled in Texas. Rich with Mother Nature-infused minerals, which are more readily absorbed by your body. https://drinkcrazywater.com/ Freeze Miser® prevents your outside water pipes from freezing, wherever you are located. No power needed Freeze Miser prevents frozen pipes with smart flow control. https://www.freezemiser.com/Dr. Ohhira probiotics have been part of the Garrett family health regimen for years. https://drohhiraprobiotics.com/dr-ohhira-probiotics/Show Notes:Howard's TeaSPCA reportCold spell damageControlling grass bursRescue Grass weedsDicondraAgralawn Crabgrass KillerFormula to make your ownGerminating tough seedsBeneficial nematodes (Nature's Control)Trichogramma wasps (Kunafin)MulchesFlea beetlessoft pest controlGrafting/air layeringCornmeal

The March 14, 2026, Dirt Doctor Podcast with Howard Garrett offers answers posted by listeners using the "Ask Howard" button on the Dirt Doctor website. Topics include eating flowers grown organically, planting potatoes and asparagus, weed blocking plastics, tree root flares, arborists, lava sand and gravel, beneficial nematodes, dog run design, rose rosette, and much more.Show Notes March 14, 2026 Eating FlowersAsparagusPlanting asparagusPotatoesWeed blocking plasticstree root flarearboristslava sand and gravelBeneficial nematodesHorseherbDog run designBioWashLive Oak leaf blisters Advertisers:Crazy Water is the only mineral water bottled in Texas. Rich with Mother Nature-infused minerals, which are more readily absorbed by your body. https://drinkcrazywater.com/ Freeze Miser® prevents your outside water pipes from freezing, wherever you are located. No power needed Freeze Miser prevents frozen pipes with smart flow control. https://www.freezemiser.com/Dr. Ohhira probiotics have been part of the Garrett family health regimen for years. https://drohhiraprobiotics.com/dr-ohhira-probiotics/Douglass King Seeds https://www.dkseeds.com/Seed Specialist Since 1912https://www.dirtdoctor.com

The March 7, 2026, Dirt Doctor Podcast with Howard Garrett offers answers posted by listeners using the "Ask Howard" button on the Dirt Doctor website. Questions include topics such as spring pest control, planting gardens in raised beds, tree pruning, and what products are safe (or not) to use in an organic garden. #OrganicGardening #SoilAmendments #Pruning #PlantSeed #Trees #StumpRemoval #BeneficialNematodes #HowardGarrettBooks Crazy Water is the only mineral water bottled in Texas. Rich with Mother Nature-infused minerals, which are more readily absorbed by your body. https://drinkcrazywater.com/ Freeze Miser® prevents your outside water pipes from freezing, wherever you are located. No power needed Freeze Miser prevents frozen pipes with smart flow control. https://www.freezemiser.com/Dr. Ohhira probiotics have been part of the Garrett family health regimen for years. https://drohhiraprobiotics.com/dr-ohhira-probiotics/Douglass King Seeds https://www.dkseeds.com/Seed Specialist Since 1912https://www.dirtdoctor.comShow Notes March 7, 2026 Herb Book - Howard Garrett https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2142388.Herbs_for_TexasComfreyorchidsstump removaltree pruning and sick tree treatmentRaised bedsFire antsBeneficial nematodes (Nature's Control)Trichogramma wasps (Kunafin - https://www.kunafin.com)Fungus gnatsMilorganiteaphidsBuy Herbs of Texas bookFabulous Trees slide showSpring plantingOrganic fertilizingHorseherb

Show Notes:Howard's Tea - JuniperSPCA dog for adoptionQ&AAsparagus roots, tree roots, next to housesDry MolassesFire AntsOrange OilBeneficial NematodesCorn Gluten MealHenbitBook - Herbs for Texas by Howard GarrettAvoid broadleaf herbicidesDon't mulch against treesCalendarsWhat to plantPruningFreeze MiserGiant Bark AphidGarlic Pepper TeaToolsCompostSick Tree Treatment AdvertisersCrazy Water is the only mineral water bottled in Texas. Rich with Mother Nature-infused minerals, which are more readily absorbed by your body. https://drinkcrazywater.com/ Douglass King Seeds, Seed Specialist Since 1912, developer of Habiturf Native Lawn Mix, https://www.dkseeds.com/Freeze Miser® prevents your outside water pipes from freezing, wherever you are located. No power needed Freeze Miser prevents frozen pipes with smart flow control. https://www.freezemiser.com/Dr. Ohhira probiotics have been part of the Garrett family health regimen for years. https://drohhiraprobiotics.com/dr-ohhira-probiotics/

This week's Dirt Doctor podcast with Howard Garrett has more answers to questions sent in by listeners and readers of the website. We are into spring planting and Howard Garrett offers tips about planting from seed, varieties to try, and organic products to use - and avoid. And much more! Show Notes:Fences - metal, wood, cedar postsBook - Lawn Care (by Howard Garrett)Coffee - mushroom varietyQ&A:Watch plants for pests (get them early)Plumeria - move out in stagesPercentages of soil amendments in beds (rates by square feet)Maples native vs hybridShantung maple, Japanese mapleAlfalfa pellets as organic fertilizer (look at percentage in mix)Turf treatmentAgralawn crabgrass killerCompost as fertilizerAvoid contaminated compost (picloram, chlopyralid)Leaf managementMaking own Garrett Juice - recipes General weed control, rescue grassThree of the advertisers on the Dirt Doctor site and podcast are Crazy Water, Douglass King Seed, and Doctor Ohhira's probiotics. Crazy Water is the only mineral water bottled in Texas. Rich with Mother Nature-infused minerals, which are more readily absorbed by your body. https://drinkcrazywater.com/ Douglass King Seeds, Seed Specialist Since 1912, developer of Habiturf Native Lawn Mix, https://www.dkseeds.com/Dr. Ohhira probiotics have been part of the Garrett family health regimen for years. https://drohhiraprobiotics.com/dr-ohhira-probiotics/

Howard Garrett's weekly video podcast touches on many subjects and is supported by the library and content on his Dirt Doctor website and in his many gardening and landscaping books. This week signs of spring are all around (in the questions listeners sent in) and his art will be on display on Valentine's Day in a Deep Ellum art gallery. https://www.dirtdoctor.comTea - may help with cedar feverSPCA dogBook Recommendation: The One-Straw Revolution: An Introduction to Natural Farming by Masanobu Fukuoka https://bit.ly/4aBSq85Ants on trees When to mulch leaves in compostShredded tree trimmings When to move citrus trees outside in springHoja santa from seedCrape myrtleGinkgo PalmsShade clothIn Howard's Garden (pruning)Podomatic - former podcasts