Growing Joy with Plants - Wellness Rooted in Nature, Houseplants, Gardening and Plant Care

• The Beginner’s Guide to Canning and Fermenting Your Garden Bounty: Best of Growing Joy Replay

  If you’re an edible gardener, chances are you’ve found yourself staring at a heaping bowl of tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, or carrots, wondering how on earth you’re going to eat them all before they go bad.In this Best of Growing Joy replay, I’m revisiting my conversation with Stephanie Thurow, a certified master food preserver and bestselling author of several books on canning and fermenting. Stephanie shares everything you need to know to get started with home canning while making the whole process feel safe, approachable, and fun.In this episode, we learn:[06:06] How Stephanie got into canning and fermenting[07:42] What's the strategy behind the timing of canning? [09:53] Difference between canning and fermenting[11:53] Is fermentation a shelf-stable process like canning, or does it require refrigeration?[13:37] Why is it advised to consume a spoonful of fermented food each day, such as sauerkraut?[14:31] What is the storage setup for Stephanie's canned and fermented goods?[15:22] Materials you need for water bath canning[16:43] Why is a rack required when using your 4th burner pot for canning?[19:00] Where can you find premium, handcrafted wind chimes that are perfect for gifting?[20:32] Where can you find potting mixes, composts, and fertilizers for indoor and outdoor gardening?[23:05] Steps to prepare for a canning session[28:28] Common mistakes beginners make when canning[31:11] What are the basic requirements for fermenting vegetables?[32:16] Why “The Cottage Garden” is your ultimate resource for understanding the history, evolution, and stunning modern interpretations of cottage garden design[33:47] Difference between dry salting and brining in fermentation[35:44] Are there any precautions or cleanliness practices to follow during fermentation?[36:25] What do you need to know about fermenting basics?[38:31] What is the recommended timeline for fermenting different types of foods?[39:36] Common troubleshooting tips for fermenting to avoid issues like mold?[40:24] Should you follow recipes?[41:01] Where can you find trusted online recipes for fermentation and canning recipes?[42:15] What are Stephanie's favorite fermentation and canning recipes?[46:12] Unique or unusual items Stephanie has tried pickling[49:12] Where can you find Stephanie’s books online?[51:30] How do you break the seal on the tightly sealed jars?[52:35] Where can you find Stephanie on social media?Mentioned in our conversation:Growing Joy Episode 195: Homesteading For Beginners With Michelle Bruhn And Stephanie ThurowNational Center for Home Food PreservationBall Mason Jar Lids & BandsSpritz Society Pickle by Claussen®Food Preservation Cookbooks by Stephanie Thurow:Can It & Ferment It: More Than 75 Satisfying Small-Batch Canning and Fermentation Recipes for the Whole YearWECK Home Preserving: Made-from-Scratch Recipes for Water-Bath Canning, Fermenting, Pickling, and MoreWECK Small-Batch Preserving: Year-Round Recipes for Canning, Fermenting, Pickling, and MoreEver thought about making your own tiny ecosystem?Check out the full show notes and blog to learn how to create your own unique terrarium world!Follow Stephanie:WebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeFollow Maria and Growing Joy:Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha LeungJoin the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!Instagram: @growingjoywithmariaTiktok: @growingjoywithmariaSubscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmariaWebsite: www.growingjoywithmaria.comPinterest: @growingjoywithmariaOur Sponsors:* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOMAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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• Cultivating Abundance and Gratitude in the Garden

  What do a theater kid, a Venus flytrap, and a million TikTok followers have in common? Abundance… and my new plant friend Brian from Redleaf Ranch! Brian is the viral TikTok gardener you've probably come across if you spend any time in plant social media. He's the guy who makes you say "abundance!" out loud, and he’s here to talk about his approach to abundance and gratitude, plus how he used gardening as a tool for personal growth and community building.In this episode, we learn:[01:42] Meet Brian from Redleaf Ranch![02:47] How long has Brian been a theater kid and a plant person?[04:09] Why carnivorous plants have super tall flowers[05:06] Growing abundance: winter squash, potatoes, and food that preserves well[06:20] How Redleaf Ranch began[09:01] The “vision” moment that made Brian feel at home in the soil[11:24] Redleaf Ranch + Redleaf Exotics[14:48] Extend your growing season with Espoma Organic[16:23] Learn 75 plant facts with the book Plants with Superpowers by David Domoney[21:21] What Kevin from Epic Gardening taught us[22:53] Plant blindness to plant awakening[25:43] How “abundance!” became Brian’s signature catchphrase[29:24] Why abundance is a mindset, not just volume[31:34] How to find abundance during dark times[34:58] What is his mindfulness practice?[36:29] Why hand watering the garden is Brian’s meditation[37:49] Content creation vs. market farming[42:28] Strategic content creation with seasonal boundaries[42:49] What’s next for Redleaf?[44:17] Nature's rule: plants live/thrive in community[45:46] Where to find Brian and his book "Gardening for Abundance" and connect with Redleaf RanchMentioned in our conversation:Growing Joy 269: Carnivorous Plants: The Houseplant Pest Control You Never Thought Of with Kenny CooganGrowing Joy 147: How to Care For Carnivorous Plants Indoors with Damon of California CarnivoresRedLeaf ExoticsGardening For Abundance — Redleaf RanchSony Alpha ZV-E10Kevin from Epic GardeningInterested in adapting the abundance mindset?Check out the full show notes and blog here! Follow Brian:WebsiteInstagramYouTubeTikTokFacebookThank you to our episode sponsors:Espoma OrganicVisit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.Quarto: Plants with Superpowers by David DomoneyPick up Plants with Superpowers at your local bookstore, bookshop.org, Barnes and Noble, quarto.com, or amazon.com. Follow Maria and Growing Joy:Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha LeungJoin the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!Instagram: @growingjoywithmariaTiktok: @growingjoywithmariaSubscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmariaWebsite: www.growingjoywithmaria.comPinterest: @growingjoywithmariaOur Sponsors:* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOMAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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• Terrariums, Vivariums & Paludariums: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started: Best of Growing Joy Replay

  What if your next plant project wasn’t just a container of soil and greenery—but a living, breathing world? In this Best of Growing Joy episode, we revisit a wonderful conversation I had a couple years back with terrarium expert Patricia from Doodle Bird Terrariums to explore the captivating art of creating terrariums, paludariums, and vivariums—miniature ecosystems that blend plants, animals, water, and even mist into magical displays. Because let's be real, in times like these, we need a little more whimsy in our lives. So get ready to get inspired to build your own thriving little universe, no matter your experience level.In this episode, we learn:[00:47] The magic of terrariums[05:22] How Patricia became the plant lady she is today[06:33] Why Patricia loves terrariums[07:03] How terrariums can have restorative effects on people[09:02] What are the differences among terrariums, vivariums, and paladariums?[11:56] What are the benefits of growing plants in terrariums?[12:32] What are common terrarium problems and how do you solve them?[14:36] How do you put isopods in your terrarium?[15:55] Maria’s first terrarium story[17:45] How different is it to set up a terrarium, a vivarium, and a paladarium?[18:39] What materials do you need for a basic terrarium?[20:30] Open terrariums vs closed terrariums[21:45] Where can you source terrarium containers?[23:25] Which plants are NOT recommended for terrariums?[25:56] Can you use beneficial insects in an open terrarium?[27:19] How much soil is needed in terrariums?[31:22] How to plant up a terrarium[32:21] Patricia’s recommended drainage layer setup[34:06] How do you water a terrarium? What water should you use for terrariums?[36:21] How often should you open a closed terrarium?[37:23] Patricia’s most recommended plants for terrariums[39:38] How do you set up a vivarium?[42:03] Can you use driftwood in a vivarium?[42:58] The best starter pets to put in a vivarium[45:05] Bigger plants to use in a vivarium[46:42] How to feed your vivarium animals[48:19] Where to get tiny and cute terrarium figurines[49:18] What is the biggest must-know when installing paladariums?[51:16] Do you clean the water in paladariums? Do you change it?[52:47] The most common terrarium care mistakes and questions[57:26] Where to find Patricia online[59:26] Maria and Billy’s terrarium plans![01:00:08] Thank you so much for the pre-orders, plant friends!Mentioned in our conversation:Growing Joy Episode 19: Terrarium 101 with @teenytinyterraA Family Guide to Terrariums by Patricia BuzoEver thought about making your own tiny ecosystem?Check out the full show notes and blog to learn how to create your own unique terrarium world!Follow Patricia:WebsiteInstagramBlogShopFollow Maria and Growing Joy:Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha LeungJoin the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!Instagram: @growingjoywithmariaTiktok: @growingjoywithmariaSubscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmariaWebsite: www.growingjoywithmaria.comPinterest: @growingjoywithmariaOur Sponsors:* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOMAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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• Fungus Gnats, Failing Fiddle Leaf Figs & The Gap of Death: Fix Your Top 3 Plant Problems

  If you’ve ever watched your fiddle leaf fig drop all its leaves, battled fungus gnats that fly into your ear, or poured water on your plant only to watch it run straight through the pot without soaking in, this is your wake-up call. I called in the big guns for this one with my plant friend Mandi from Happy Happy Houseplant. Between our two communities, these are the plant problems we get asked about the most, and she’s got science-backed fixes for each of them. We’re going to be talking about failing fiddle leaf figs, fungus gnats that refuse to leave, and that dreaded “gap of death” in your soil. So let's get to it!Get my new Houseplant SOS course here! In this episode, we learn:[02:26] Get to know my “Plant SOS” mini-course![05:29] How Happy Happy Houseplant began[09:51] How did Mandi grow a million-follower plant brand on IG?[15:16] Wind River Chimes[17:03] The Ultimate Guide to Houseplant Propagation[27:35] Problem #1: Why people kill their fiddle leaf figs[28:24] The #1 factor in fiddle leaf success[31:08] How to trigger growth for fiddle leaf figs[34:32] Fertilizing and leaf cleaning tips for fiddle leaf figs[36:50] Problem #2: The gap of death (hydrophobic soil)[37:30] Hydration Renew product for soil rehydration[39:23] Large plant repotting challenges[43:39] Problem #3: Fungus gnats[44:12] How fungus gnats show up[46:06] How do you treat fungus gnats?[46:45] What are death drops?[47:12] Does cinnamon work for fungus gnats?[54:43] What’s the biggest surprise in Mandi’s plant journey?[56:30] Who does Mandi look up to in the plant space?[59:59] Where to find Happy Happy Houseplant and their products?Mentioned in our conversation:Plant SOS: The Houseplant First Aid & Pest Survival GuideVintage RevivalsFungus Gnat Death DropsHydration RenewSoil RefreshKiller SmilesPlant FoodMelani Sanders (@justbeingmelani)Dana Carpenter (@fancyplantsclub)Chantel Gray (@channygrayhome)Diatomaceous Earth: Uses, Benefits, and SafetyDMV BeneficialsTaffy ShopGrowing Joy 289: How to Propagate Plants in Fluval Stratum with Lindsay SistiHaving a hard time getting rid of those fungus gnats?Check out the full show notes and blog here for Mandi's tips!Thank you to our episode sponsors:Wind River ChimesVisit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on your chosen wind chimes.Quarto: The Ultimate Guide to Houseplant Propagation by Lindsay SistiGrab your copy of The Ultimate Guide to Houseplant Propagation at quarto.com and wherever books are sold. Follow Maria and Growing Joy:Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha LeungJoin the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!Instagram: @growingjoywithmariaTiktok: @growingjoywithmariaSubscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmariaWebsite: www.growingjoywithmaria.comPinterest: @growingjoywithmariaOur Sponsors:* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOMAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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• How to Manage Deer, Squirrels, Chipmunks, Moles, Voles and Other Animals in Your Garden with Brie The Plant Lady: Best of Growing Joy Replay

  When I polled our listener community about your top requests for outdoor garden-related episodes, the number one request surprised me: it wasn’t managing fertilizer, succession planting, or garden design. It was how to manage pesky animals getting into your gardens! Today, I have the answer to your prayers: Brie from briegrows.com walks us through such a comprehensive list of practices and solutions for managing pests and other critters in the garden. This conversation really helps us rethink the way we approach animals in the garden, and I’m excited for you to learn from Brie as I did!In this episode, we learn:[00:06:05] How Brie became Brie The Plant Lady[00:08:59] Brie shares her greatest achievement in plant propagation[00:11:29] Maria’s experience with squirrels and deer in the garden[00:14:15] Do we call them ‘pests’ or ‘animals’?[00:21:03] How to use hot peppers as animal repellent[00:24:18] Different and easy ways to use peppermint oil as animal repellent (hint: seashells!)[00:26:49] How to prevent squirrels and chipmunks from digging holes in your garden beds[00:30:20] Vole king bags vs chicken wire planters[00:32:47] How to deal with moles in the garden[00:33:21] Why you should use less mulch in the garden[00:39:16] Do you need to worry about burrowing animals if you have raised beds?[00:43:14] Squirrel damage vs groundhog damage[00:45:29] Setting up a wildlife camera for better animal surveillance in the garden[00:49:24] The best and easiest deer fence kits for your garden[00:54:25] The different plants that help repel rabbits [00:57:26] How often should you apply repellents to your plants?[01:01:50] How to install hedges and streamers that keep deer away[01:13:33] The rookie mistakes gardeners make when trying to keep animals from the gardenMentioned in our conversation:The Foodscape Revolution by Brie ArthurGardening with Grains by Brie ArthurThe Humane Gardener: Nurturing a Backyard Habitat for Wildlife by Nancy LawsonDeer‑Resistant Design: Fence‑free Gardens that Thrive Despite the Deer by Karen ChapmanHave you ever tried to rebloom an orchid?Check out the full show notes and blog to learn what to expect in your first year as an orchid parent!Follow Brie:Brie GrowsBooksInstagramFacebookFollow Maria and Growing Joy:Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha LeungJoin the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!Instagram: @growingjoywithmariaTiktok: @growingjoywithmariaSubscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmariaWebsite: www.growingjoywithmaria.comPinterest: @growingjoywithmariaOur Sponsors:* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOMAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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