The Dallas Garden School

The Dallas Garden School

Hosted by: Callie Works-Leary

Welcome to The Dallas Garden School Podcast, where gardening gets smart, practical, and regionally relevant. Hosted by garden educator and founder Callie Works-Leary, this show answers real questions from real...

All Episodes

Episodes

Dividing Perennials: Techniques and Timing

How to Divide and Propagate Perennials: Tips for Texas Gardeners In this episode of the Dallas Garden School podcast, I address a question from my student Debra about dividing her Salvia 'Mystic Spires Blue'. I offer...
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Aggressive vs. Invasive: Wording Matters

When we talk about plants in the garden, the words we use matter. Too often, gardeners describe a plant as “invasive” when they really mean “fast-spreading” or “self-seeding.” But the distinction is critical—both for...
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Fall is For Perennials

Fall is For Perennials In this episode, I talk about the common pitfalls beginner gardeners face when buying and planting perennials and how relying solely on nursery stock can be limiting. Fall, especially here in...
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Garden CSI: Solving Pest Mysteries

In this episode, we're diving into the intriguing mystery of what's eating our plants. Join me as we decode the clues left by various pests and learn how to identify the culprits behind the damage. We'll explore...
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Growing Great Zinnias: A Master Class

In this episode, I dive into the wonderful world of zinnias, a charming and super easy-to-grow flower. I cover everything from the various types of zinnias and their unique characteristics to how to plant, care for,...
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What Does That Mean?! Decoding Garden Terms

Unlock the secrets behind the most common — and confusing — gardening terms! In this episode of the podcast, I break down gardening lingo that can sometimes be confusing like “deadhead,” “transplant,” “pinch,” “bolt,”...
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What's In My Garden Bag

Essential Gardening Tools and Supplies for North Texas Gardeners In this episode of the Dallas Garden School podcast, I'm sharing my must-have gardening supplies and walking through the critical tools and materials I...
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Unlocking the Power of Liquid Fertilizers

Mastering Liquid Fertilizer Application for Your Garden In this episode of the Dallas Garden School podcast, host and North Texas gardening expert Callie Works-Leary answers a question from a student about the proper...
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Top 10 Favorite Perennials for North Texas Gardens

In this episode of The Dallas Garden School Podcast, host and North Texas gardening expert Callie Works-Leary shares her personal list of the top 10 best-performing perennials for our unique climate. These aren’t just...
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The Dark Side of Coco Coir: What Gardeners Need to Know

Coco coir is everywhere these days—from seed-starting kits to trendy potting mixes. It's often hailed as a sustainable alternative to peat moss, but is it really as eco-friendly and effective as it sounds? In this...
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Who’s Eating My Plants? A Quick Guide to Caterpillar Troubleshooting

Are mysterious holes appearing in your garden plants overnight? You're not alone—and chances are, caterpillars are the culprits. In this episode, we're diving into how to identify caterpillar damage, recognize the...
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Why Did My Tomato Seedlings Fail? Troubleshooting Weak Starts

In this episode, Callie answers a thoughtful question from a student named Paula, who’s puzzled by a common indoor seed-starting dilemma: why did most of her tomato and pepper seedlings thrive—except for two specific...
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