The Garden Mixer

In this episode of the newly logo'd and newly music'd The Garden Mixer, Marianne tries her hand at interviewing Leslie -- posing transparently self-serving questions about Leslie's transition to a tiny garden in order to make herself feel better about the future. In her  (self-described) "penetrating and 60 Minutes-esque style", Marianne is after information that all gardeners secretly wonder about in their more overwhelmed moments: Do I want to garden here forever? Can I garden here forever? What does it feel like to downsize when you love your big garden? What does it mean to have a balanced life like normal people? Other discussion topics include bulbs (yes, apparently the two of them are still planting); exciting group trips to the UK and Portugal that Marianne is planning with her travel buddy Andrea Gaspar;  and how to gather interesting greens and garden bits without being caught by your neighbors.  Questions, comments, or kudos? They'd love to hear them at: comments@thegardenmixer

This week on The Garden Mixer, Leslie Harris, Marianne Willburn, and their guest, Scott Beuerlein from The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens, continue to wrestle over the big topic of bulbs for the benefit of listeners who still have bags of obligation awaiting them in the garage.    Big ones, little ones, early ones and late ones are discussed on their merits and – as Marianne is involved – their possible vulgarity.  Sales are discussed. Vendors are endorsed. Scott once again endears himself to listeners by commiserating over post-bloom daffodil foliage, while Leslie issues judgement over braiding it, and offers alternatives.  Meanwhile, Marianne talks about one of the problems of foliage that has nothing to do with looks but everything to do with successfully pairing bulbs with the rest of your garden. As usual, it’s a fun and informative mix up of plants and points of view, with the promise of more sophisticated drinking choices in future episodes.

In this week’s episode of The Garden Mixer, Leslie Harris & Marianne Willburn stir up a spirited two-part discussion about all things bulb with their inaugural guest, Scott Beuerlein of The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Horticulture Magazine, and GardenRant. Whether you’re going for naturalistic layers or the hypnotizing effect of thousands en masse, there’s more than one way to make the most of what you’ve still got left to plant, and they’ve all three got an opinion over which is best.  Scott and Leslie inevitably gang up on Marianne’s design ideas and drink choices (even as Scott quaffs boxed red wine and admits some of his best displays are by accident); Marianne sexually harasses Leslie and snidely rejects her Bulb Spiral; and Leslie reveals her worst bulb planting mistake made while under the influence of inexperience (which they all agree is fairly common when you’re just starting out).  And what does a poached egg have to do with bulb planting anyway?  Marianne thinks it makes for a profound analogy, even if Scott is irritatingly better at expressing it.

On this episode we talk about the premeditated murder of some large Abyssinian bananas, how Leslie is meh on winter berries, peonies (Leslie protests the look of singles, Marianne protests Leslie's color choices), a good thing to do with excess cherry tomatoes (an alternative from leaving them in unlocked cars). We do several "Book Moments". Who are we kidding... only Marianne has book moments while Leslie continues to rely on the brain that lives in her back pocket. Deer deterrents, when plants fail, is it our fault and should we consider Mahjnong if we have a a black thumb? Also, Black Thumb; is that code for "I don't like to fuss with plants"? Winter annuals, and then finally (it's another long one, good people), shouldn't we have a guest for the next episode?