Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley

Episode 72: Pollinate Now! (Part 2)

In the second of a two-part conversation, Eli Arnow and Avalon Bunge are back to talk more about Pollinate Now!, their plans for the future of this initiative and how others can get involved.

A recent DEC study confirmed that between 38 and 60 percent of the New York State pollinator species studied are at risk. Pollinator populations can be helped by, among other things, conserving habitat, controlling invasive plants, changing mowing regimes, converting lawns into meadows, and controlling deer browsing of the understory of woodlands.

Restoring pollinator habitat for at-risk pollinators is the focus of Pollinate Now!, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving biodiversity and resilience for native bees and butterflies in the Hudson Valley. They are in the process of creating design toolkits to help landowners, landscape professionals and farmers implement restoration plantings across a diverse range of site types and scales. Starting with four unique designs for urban, riparian, working farms and old fields, they are striving to create a community of practice to improve biodiversity and resilience. Learn more by listening to this podcast episode of Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley.

Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Guests: Eli Arnow and Avalon Bunges

Photo by: Tim Kennelty

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Teresa Golden and Annie Scibienski

Episode 71: Pollinate Now! (Part 1)

A recent DEC study confirmed concerns about the health of some pollinator populations in New York State. The survey found that between 38 and 60 percent of the species studied are potentially imperiled or critically imperiled. Although the survey documented 16 bee and fly species for the first time in New York, recent sightings or records could not be confirmed for 79 pollinator species previously recorded in the state. The study found that more than one-third of the native pollinators surveyed are at risk of becoming extinct in New York. Pollinator populations can be helped by conserving habitat, controlling invasive plants, changing mowing regimes, converting lawns into meadows, paying attention to the siting and density of honey bee hives to reduce competition and spread of disease to native species, controlling deer browsing of the understory, retaining logs and snags in forests, and reducing unnecessary outdoor lights for nocturnal species.

To help address some of these issues, Pollinate Now! is focused on improving biodiversity and resilience through habitat restoration in support of at-risk pollinators. They are working to provide design toolkits to help landowners, landscape professionals and farmers implement restoration plantings across a diverse range of site types and scales. Starting with four unique designs for urban, riparian, working farms and old fields, they are striving to create a community of practice to improve biodiversity and resilience.

In the first of a two part conversation, listen to Eli Arnow and Avalon Bunge talk about how they got started with Polinate Now! and their plans for the future.

Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Guests: Eli Arnow and Avalon Bunge

Photo by:Tim Kennelty

Production Support:Linda Aydlett, Teresa Golden and Annie Scibienski

Episode 70: Spring Greens, Tall Shade Plants & Squash Borers

Welcome to another episode of the podcast, Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley, with something for everyone.

Annie Scibienski starts us off discussing the wide variety of tender greens that can be grown in spring gardens in the Hudson Valley. You probably know all about lettuce, but arugula and spinach are also great spring greens that are fun to grow, cook and eat! Gain some tips and techniques on Patch to Plate.

Then listen to Barbara Bravo talk about a wide range of options to add height to a New York shade garden which usually consist of low-growing plants. But structure and interest can be added with a number of shade tolerant plants such as flowering quince, giant fleece flower and goat’s beard. Ninebark is one of her favorites. Typically known as a medium shrub native to the eastern and central United States, there are ninebark cultivars that do well in shade. In addition to being a pollinator favorite, most varieties are drought tolerant too. Learn more on Made In the Shade.

Dede Terns-Thorpe and Jackie Hayden on Pests and Pathogens finish up this episode with a discussion about a popular pest of zucchini and other members of the cucurbit family: the dreaded Squash Vine Borer. As one of the earliest insects to show up in the garden as a moth, it can wreak havoc on a garden if not caught early. Learn some tips and tricks to help avoid and manage problems.

Hosts: Jean Thomas and Teresa Golden

Guests: Annie Scibienski, Barbara Bravo, Dede Terns-Thorpe and Jackie Hayden

Photo by: Tim Kennelty

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Teresa Golden and Annie Scibienski

Resources

Episode 69: Straw Bale Gardening

Episode 69: Straw Bale Gardening

Do you have rocky soil? Or problems with soil borne diseases? Straw bale gardening might be your answer. It’s a gardening approach that uses a bale of straw as the medium in which you plant. It creates relatively inexpensive raised beds. At the end of the season, you can compost the bales, so it’s the ultimate in sustainable gardening. Ideal for vegetable gardens in New York State and elsewhere, but they can also be used to grow ornamental flowers.

Straw bale gardening is an investment in time and money. But there are some things you need to consider. Join Master Gardener, Tim Kennelty, as he provides tips and tricks learned from years of experience using straw bales in his garden. He walks through the steps needed to ‘condition’ the bales so that they can successfully be used for growing. Watering and fertilizing the bales are fundamental. The location of the straw bales can be moved year to year and since it is basically soil-less gardening, the bales can even be placed on a driveway.

This gardening approach is ideal if you are limited for space or have soil issues. To learn how to get started, this episode of Nature Calls: Conversations of the Hudson Valley might be just what you are looking for!

Host: Jean Thomas

Guest: Tim Kennelty

Photo by: Tim Kennelty

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Teresa Golden and Annie Scibienski

Resources

Episode 68: Nativars

You’ve probably heard about native plants … ones that have evolved in an ecosystem in a specific area. They can be defined as plants that have been growing in a particular habitat and region for hundreds or years, or longer. Also called indigenous, they are well adapted to the climate, light, and soil conditions that characterize their ecosystem. A native range can vary from a narrow definition (e.g., a specific county) to a broader definition for a region (e.g., a particular hardiness zone, the Northeast, or the United States).

Non-native plants, also referred to as exotic or alien, are plants that have been introduced to an area from their native range, either purposefully or accidentally. The term non-native usually refers to plants from other countries, regions, or continents. A non-native plant is not necessarily ‘bad’. Many have nicely been incorporated into the landscape, while others are considered invasive (e.g., burning bush, bush honeysuckle, multiflora rose, etc.). due to their damaging impacts on the natural environment.

Native cultivars or nativars are cultivars (a cultivated variety) of native plants. Most nativars are intentional crosses between wild, native plant species or between other nativars. These nativars are selected for a specific characteristic including flower colors or forms, size, insect or disease resistance, tolerance of certain environmental conditions, and more.

Eli Joseph-Hunter and Brianna Davis (Greene Bee Greenhouse in Cornwallville, NY) join Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley to talk about the differences between native plants, non-natives, and nativars and how these plants can be used and grown responsibly in a landscape. Echinecea, hydrangea, hellebore, and redbud are among the plants that are discussed.

Learn more about the value of native plants in your Hudson Valley landscapes while understanding the wide range of varieties that are now available.

Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Guests: Brianna Davis and Eli Joseph-Hunter

Photo by: Teresa Golden

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Teresa Golden and Annie Scibienski

Episode 67: Asparagus, Vines, and Deer Repellents

Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley is back with another informative episode that's sure to captivate all nature lovers! Hear from experts with tips on how to cook asparagus, a popular springtime perennial. Then learn about some different fragrant vines that may work in your garden. Finally, explore the validity of popular myths about strong smelling soaps as deer repellents.

Up first is Patch to Plate, with Annie Scibienski, who shares her wealth of knowledge on all things asparagus. From growing to cooking and preserving, Annie provides some great tips to help you make the most out of this delicious perennial vegetable. She suggests different cooking methods, including blanching, grilling, and stir-frying, and shares some mouth-watering recipes like Pan Roasted Asparagus and Asparagus Quiche without crust. So, if you're a fan of asparagus or want to learn more about this nutritious and flavorful vegetable, don't miss this segment!

Next, Jean Thomas and Tim Kennelty are back with The Cover Up, with a focus on flowering vines. Passionflower is a beautiful climbing vine with white and purple or blue flowers. There are now hardier varieties that can survive in zone 5. While it blooms from midsummer to early fall, each flower only lasts about one day. The Kiwi vine is another interesting option that can grow up to 33 feet long and has some varieties that are hardy to zone 4. A native of China, it has green heart shaped leaves that are spirally arranged on the stem and a flower that has a slight resemblance to the kiwi bird. Both passionflower and kiwi vine can be fragrant additions to your garden if you can provide the appropriate support for them to climb.

Finally, Devon Russ debunks some myths about deer repellents in Hits and Myths. As many gardeners know, deer damage can be a significant problem, and there are many so-called remedies out there. Devon explores the effectiveness of strong-smelling soap and concludes that it's not a magic bullet. Instead, she recommends using deer repellents that contain eggs or creating a simple homemade egg and water spray. She also suggests that gardeners might want to consider using a protective cage or fence. So, if you want to protect your garden from deer damage and learn the truth about deer repellents, you won't want to miss this segment!

So, whether you're a seasoned gardener or just love nature, this episode of Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley is packed with useful information and fascinating stories that are sure to entertain and educate. Tune in now and join the conversation!

Hosts: Jean Thomas and Annie Scibienski

Guests: Annie Scibienski, Tim Kennelty, Jean Thomas, Devon Russ

Photo by: Tim Kennelty

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Teresa Golden, Annie Scibienski

Episode 66: What’s New in Perennials (Part 2)

Just as perennials are long-lasting and recurring plants, Joe Behn, wholesale perennial grower of Behn’s Best Perennials, is back again! He re-joins a lively conversation with Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas about flowering perennials. This time, they cover some of the newer perennial plant choices for the second half of the flowering season – late summer into fall. Joe shares his knowledge of the unique features of these plants, including their hardiness, and discusses his personal favorites. Don't miss this chance to hear from a local Hudson Valley expert in the industry and discover the latest trends in the world of perennials in New York State.

Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Guest: Joe Behn

Production Support: Teresa Golden, Linda Aydlett and Annie Scibienski

Resources

Episode 65: What’s New in Perennials (Part 1)

The word perennial can have two meanings. As an adjective, it can mean long lasting or continually recurring. As a noun, it refers to plants that have a life cycle lasting more than two years. They may die back seasonally, but even in their dormant phases, their root systems are living and will continue growing when conditions are right. While perennials can last many years, that doesn’t mean it’s a stagnant topic. New cultivars are developed, tested and released every year.

In the first of a two-part episode, wholesale perennial grower, Joe Behn of Behn’s Best Perennials, joins the podcast, Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley, in a lively discussion about the newest flowering plants that have captured the attention of gardeners in New York State. He shares valuable insights on the hottest new cultivars, their ability to resist deer, rabbits and drought conditions, and even some plants that are incredibly robust. In this episode, the discussion focuses on perennials that will bloom in spring and summer.

Tune in and take some notes as you learn about these exciting new flowering plants.

Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Guest: Joe Behn
Photo by: Tim Kennelty
Production Support: Teresa Golden, Linda Aydlett and Annie Scibienski

Resources

Episode 64: Spuds, Shade and Sedges

Are you looking for inspiration to connect with nature and improve your gardening skills? In this episode of Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley, Master Gardener Volunteers from Cornell Cooperative Extension share their expertise on potatoes, dry shade gardening, and ground covers and vines.

Looking for something different to make with potatoes? In Patch to Plate, Annie Scibienski's tips for preparing potatoes will have your mouth watering for a healthy and delicious meal. She recommends avoiding foil and microwaves when cooking and suggests adding herbs or other ingredients for added flavor.

Next up, in Made in the Shade, Barbara Bravo's recommendations for drought-tolerant plants that thrive in dry shade are a game-changer for those struggling to cultivate their gardens. Epimedium, brunnera, liriope, hellebores and carex are all options that may work for you.

And finally, in The Cover Up, Jean Thomas and Tim Kennelty discuss the benefits of sedges, bearberry and trailing arbutus as ground covers and vines that support pollinators and provide shelter for insects and birds.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to learn from these experts and take your gardening skills to the next level. Tune in to Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley and discover new ways to connect with the natural world around us.

Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Guests: Annie Scibienski, Barbara Bravo

Photo by: Tim Kennelty

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Teresa Golden and Annie Scibienski

Resources

Episode 63: Nature and Mental Health

Anxious? The combination of the recent pandemic, world events, plus the looming impacts or climate change have all resulted in many mental health challenges in many individuals. Mindfulness is a technique that helps to improve mental health. Mindfulness can be described as the awareness that emerges through paying attention, in the present moment, nonjudgmentally to an unfolding experience, moment by moment. A broader focus on nature-based mindfulness has been proven to be very beneficial to reducing anxiety.

Join Luke Vitagliano, a native of Westchester County in New York’s Hudson Valley, in a great conversation about Nature and Mental Health. As a doctoral candidate, Luke has research focused on creating and implementing a group nature-based mindfulness intervention aiming to reduce anxiety among college students. This approach can be expanded to others, children and adults alike. Learn about multiple nature-based health interventions, and how listeners can practice mindfulness on a daily basis.

Share Luke’s passion for enhancing mental health benefits and integrating mental health and wellness services with the great outdoors on this episode of Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley.

Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Resources