Mid-South Gardening 4-18-26
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The Mid-South Gardening Podcast episode from April 18, 2026, delivers a vibrant, conversational update on spring gardening in the Memphis region, blending practical advice with lighthearted banter among hosts Veda Vance, Kenneth Mabry, and Jim Crowder. The hosts open with concerns over unseasonably hot, dry weather and a lack of rainfall, prompting urgent watering advice—especially for sun-loving plants like sun patients, which are thriving despite the heat if kept well-hydrated. They celebrate the rise of sun patients over New Guineas and discuss container gardening, soil reuse, and the growing popularity of aqua gardens with built-in waterfalls. The episode dives into pest management, spotlighting the resurgence of crepe myrtle bark scale and the importance of using tree and shrub insect drench instead of ineffective oils. They also address the high cost of fertilizers and nursery stock due to rising fuel and shipping prices, recommending organic alternatives like Milorganite and humic acid products. The hosts share seasonal tips on planting, including the challenges of planting trees in old root zones, and discuss the cold damage to gardenias and other tender perennials. They also explore the revival of boxwoods despite past blight concerns and offer guidance on managing aphids, powdery mildew, and invasive sea oats. The show closes with a nostalgic look at bonsai culture and the joy of growing unique plants like the elephant food bush.
Sun patients thrive in full sun but require consistent watering; they’re outperforming New Guineas in popularity.
Use tree and shrub insect drench (amylochlorophyte) for crepe myrtle bark scale—oil sprays are ineffective.
High fertilizer and nursery costs are driven by fuel, freight, and production expenses; consider organic alternatives like Milorganite.
Plant trees in old root zones only if you can’t dig deep; amend soil and create a berm to support shallow roots.
Gardenias are vulnerable to winter damage, even hardy hybrids; check stems with the scratch test to assess survival.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Spring Heat and Water Woes
The hosts open with concerns about unseasonably hot, dry weather in April, noting record highs and a lack of rainfall. They discuss the need for consistent watering, especially for sun-loving plants like sun patients, and share personal experiences of watering daily despite the drought conditions.
The Rise of Sun Patients
The hosts celebrate the dominance of sun patients in the bedding plant market, comparing their rise to the impact of knockout roses. They emphasize that sun patients thrive in full sun with proper hydration and discuss their performance in shaded areas due to shared irrigation.
Container Gardening and Soil Reuse
The hosts share tips on reusing old potting soil, mixing in fresh soil and conditioner, and the importance of loosening compacted soil at the bottom of pots. They also discuss the growing trend of aqua gardens with built-in waterfalls and the joy of water gardening.
Crepe Myrtle Bark Scale Crisis
“You know, if you've got crepe myrtles, go out there, take a look at them. If you see these little white bumps, that is Asian scale, crepe myrtle bark scale. So get the tree and shrub drench...”
Planting Trees in Old Root Zones
“You're going to have a very shallow rooted tree and then you're going to have those huge roots begin to rot away from that tree. And it's going to have air spaces in there and varmints, moles, voles, things like that can get in there.”
“You know, if you've got crepe myrtles, go out there, take a look at them. If you see these little white bumps, that is Asian scale, crepe myrtle bark scale. So get the tree and shrub drench...”
“You're going to have a very shallow rooted tree and then you're going to have those huge roots begin to rot away from that tree. And it's going to have air spaces in there and varmints, moles, voles, things like that can get in there.”
“The key to getting rid of aphids is to, regardless of what you're spraying with, whether it's a permethrin, a bifanthrin, acephate, whatever, is you've got to do it more than one time.”
Hosts
Sun Patient
other
Kenneth Mabry
person
Jim Crowder
person
Veda Vance
person
Crepe Myrtle Bark Scale
other
Bonsai
other
Dan West Garden Centers
other
Milorganite
product
Rhododendron
other
Memphis Water Gardens
other
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