In this episode of The Dirt on Garden Podcast, we dive into plants in pop culture—from Little Shop of Horrors’ iconic Audrey II and Wizard of Oz’s soporific pop

We swap personal gardening updates (false spring chills in Dallas, seed-starting in the Carolinas), recent plant finds and losses, and listener call-outs from YouTube and Instagram, weaving in references to anime roses, Dr. Seuss’s Truffula trees in The Lorax, Popeye’s spinach myth, and sentient trees from Lord of the Rings and Ender’s Game. We also field a quick fig question for cold climates, share first-plant origin stories, and celebrate how thoughtful greenery and biophilic design elevate stories on screen and in our own spaces. We invite you to keep the conversation going by dropping your favorite plant moments from movies, TV, books, anime, music, and games—and the must-watch films Andre somehow still hasn’t seen!

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In this lively episode of The Dirt on Gardening, I’m joined by Andre, Gray, and our special guest Rashad of Afya Farms for a deep dive into modern homesteading—what it really takes, how to start small, and why planning matters. We chat weekend adventures, community shout-outs, and Rashad’s path from houseplants to a thriving, animal-powered homestead in Atlanta. Rashad breaks down efficient meat sources (rabbits vs. chickens), predator pressures, low-maintenance crops, storing food for the off-season, and practical first steps for aspiring homesteaders—from container gardening and tomatoes for canning to soap-making and sourdough. We also tackle squash struggles (powdery mildew tips included), quail vs. chickens for small spaces, the realities of land size, and the importance of creating multiple income streams to sustain the lifestyle. Plus, a quick tour of favorite crops (asparagus wins for patience) and houseplants (hello, monstera!).

Whether you’re dreaming of an acre and a half or a balcony full of containers, this conversation shows how homesteading is a spectrum: start where you are, pick one or two goals, and build from there. Follow Rashad at MoneyTreesATL on Instagram and Afia Farms across platforms, and get inspired to grow, store, and live a little more from scratch.

Support Our Sponsors:
Retain Spray: retainspray.com
Sonia’s Bug Spray: https://sonias-essentials.myshopify.com/
Thryve Roots: ThryveRoots.com
Andre The Farmer’s Pepper Sauce: andrethefarmer.com


#Gardening #UrbanFarming #podcast #TheChocolateBotanist #BlackPlantCreators #GrowYourOwn #Horticulture #PlantCare #andrethefarmer #FarmToBalcony #BudgetGardening #GardenTips #GardenLife #PlantParent #UrbanGardening

In this lively episode of the Dirt on Gardening, we're joined by special guest Nate from Classy Rabbit to continue our deep-dive into plant nutrition—especially the often-overlooked micronutrients. We swap weekend updates (RIP to a towering mango, congrats on Gray’s upcoming Home Depot miniseries, and Derek’s studio reset), then dive into practical, myth-busting guidance on NPK vs. micros, fertilizer antagonism, diagnosing leaf symptoms (like purpleing from potassium/magnesium issues), and why soil biology and structure must come first. Nate explains why rabbit manure is a standout “cold” amendment, how to use and even grind it for faster availability, and the importance of complete, carbon-rich mixes that support microbial life. We tackle real-world questions on sulfur water, chloramine in tap water, coffee grounds, alocasia potting mix, baby shampoo vs. dish soap for pests, and more—while keeping it playful and straight to the poop.

Key takeaways: don’t overdo micros, but don’t ignore them; prioritize living soil over quick nutrient hits; watch for nutrient interactions; and use simple, proven practices (like balanced mixes, appropriate manures, and mild soapy sprays) to help plants thrive.

Support Our Sponsors:
Retain Spray: retainspray.com
Sonia’s Bug Spray: https://sonias-essentials.myshopify.com/
Thryve Roots: ThryveRoots.com
Andre The Farmer’s Pepper Sauce: andrethefarmer.com


#Gardening #UrbanFarming #podcast #TheChocolateBotanist #BlackPlantCreators #GrowYourOwn #Horticulture #PlantCare #andrethefarmer #FarmToBalcony #BudgetGardening #GardenTips #GardenLife #PlantParent #UrbanGardening