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Plants Always Win: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Sean Patchett and Erin Alladin
A podcast where two Ontario gardeners dive down plant-fact rabbit-holes, answer audience questions, interview intriguing guests, and compete to bring you the most interesting stories and information. We care about ecologically sound gardening, strong human communities, and up-to-date science.
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- Sep 27, 202644 min
Ep 51 Our Top Plant ID Apps
These two free plant ID tools can help you level up your observation and identification skills, spot invasive species, and even engage in citizen science to track what is spreading in your area. If you garden, hike, or just want to know whether that weird thing in your yard is a native, a weed, or a problem waiting to happen, this episode is for you. Sean sends Erin to do a trial run of the apps he actually trusts, including the built-in photo matching tools on smart devices, iNaturalist, and EDD Maps. They explain why a confident-looking app result is not the same as a correct identification, how to improve your odds with better photos, and how to improve your own skills by learning to think about location, season, leaf shape, branching pattern, and flower stage. You’ll discover: Why free tools often beat paid plant ID apps How iNaturalist turns your plant photos into citizen science What EDD Maps tracks beyond plants, including insects, diseases, fungi, and wildlife How to increase your chances of an accurate match Links iNaturalist “Identify plants, animals, fungi, and more while adding to a living atlas of life on Earth.” EDDMapS Find, map, and report invasive species in your area. Plants Always Win: Resources Find all our favourite gardening resources in one place.  Comments? Feedback? Want your garden question to be featured in a future Q&A segment?  Email us, reach out over social media, or get Q&A priority by supporting us on Patreon.  Discord: https://discord.gg/K6wF9dY4JaBluesky: @plantsalwayswin.comTikTok: @plantsalwayswinpodcastYouTube: @plantsalwayswinpodcastWebsite: www.plantsalwayswin.com  CreditsWebsite Design and Illustration by Sophia Alladin Intro and Outro Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/when-my-ukulele-plays License code: GWOIMMBAS15FG6PH Timestamps 00:12 Introduction01:11 What’s Growing On? Erin’s Harvest + Japanese Beetles03:26 What’s Growing On? Sean’s dividing perennials and purging hostas06:53 The World’s Tallest Sunflower09:52 What Is Your Favourite Plant Identification App?10:27 Built-In Smart Device Photo Matching12:06 Knowing the Basics of Plant Identification13:30 iNaturalist for Native Plant Tracking20:22 Himalayan Balsam in Thunder Bay, Ontario23:48 Correctly Managing Invasive Species27:43 EDDMapS for Invasive Plant Tracking34:50 Final Thoughts and Best Practices for Plant ID Apps38:00 Growing More Fruit Trees and Shrubs in Central-Northern Ontario42:35 Outro and Contact Us
- Aug 18, 202653 min
Ep. 50 Midsummer Cleanup: Rescue Your Neglected Garden
Reclaim your neglected garden! Sean and Erin share eleven steps to overcome the overwhelm and start your own midsummer garden cleanup, even when you’re short on time and energy.
- Jul 10, 202636 min
Ep. 49 Community Urban Permaculture with Patrick Tohill
When a city dweller with no gardening experience gets pulled into leadership for a communal permaculture project, he starts using all his spare time to grow food and grow community in Toronto’s east end. This is Patrick Tohill co-founder of Garden@Kimbourne Community Permaculture Project.
- Jun 10, 202658 min
Plants Are for Everyone with Jesse Thorn
Sean talks with Jesse Thorn about how gardening in LA compares to gardening in Ontario; about produce exchange and community food distribution organizations; and about access to green space, including majestic sequoia trees. The two of them even step into the roles of internet judge and expert witness to settle an age-old question: is a palm tree really a tree?
- Apr 30, 2026
Ep. 47 Are You Starting Your Spring Garden Right?
Spring is tiptoeing in and we want to set you up for the smoothest garden year ever. This week we’re recording live on location in Erin’s garden and examining what tasks she has already done, what’s next on the list, and what pressures to let go of. (Remember: don’t let perfect be the enemy of good!) The first order of business as winter ends is to prune woody fruit-producing perennials. We chat about currants, apples, and grapes—yes, grapes in zone 4b. Naturally that leads into propagation: cuttings, mound layering, and even air layering. Next we talk seed starting indoors and out and the season extension that helps us save space on our windowsills. Then it’s on to spring bulbs to plant, fall bulbs that are blooming, water management (if you’re listening from a region with flooding, our hearts go out to you!) and the ever-vital skill of observation. Finally, we wrap up with a lightning round of fifteen other early-spring tasks that get you set up for success. Ready to get your hands dirty? Listen now! Take a Peek at Erin’s Garden Last year’s cuttings Swenson Red The Swenson Red grape, pruned <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="768" data-id="865" src="https://plantsalwayswin.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/PXL_20260430_121300790-1024x768.jpg" alt="A small wooden trellis made from the end of a crib woven with twine has been wedged into a raised bed." class="wp-image-865" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/plantsalwayswin.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/PXL_20260430_121300790.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/plantsalwayswin.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/PXL_20260430_121300790.jpg?resize=300%2C225&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/plantsalwayswin.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/PXL_20260430_121300790.jpg?resize=768%2C576&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp
- Apr 14, 202642 min
Ep. 46 Ontario One Call
Are you breaking the law every time you plant a shrub? This week we welcome Ian Simpson, VP of Communications and Corporate Affairs at Ontario One Call. That’s the public safety administrative authority that makes sure your gardening project doesn’t end in a damaged gas line or ruptured water main. You’ll find Call Before You Dig services across Canada and the United States (search “One Call” for your province or “811” for your state), but Ontario is the one place where that call—or that click—is required by law. If you’re breaking ground, even by an inch or two, even out in the country, it’s your responsibility to submit a locate request to make sure you won’t be nicking any underground infrastructure. Fortunately, Ontario One Call makes the process easy, free, and surprisingly quick. Ian explains how it works behind the scenes, what your responsibilities are as a homeowner, renter, or landscaping contractor, and why it matters so much. He also shares some startling statistics about the number of accidents that do happen, especially to people who think they know where their underground utilities are. Don’t be one of those statistics! Listen now and get the dirt on digging safety. Connect with Ontario One Call Colour Codes: https://ontarioonecall.ca/#coloursOntario One Call: https://ontarioonecall.ca/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnwjQMBxkG4QrPW2q5sbjpAFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ON1Call/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/on1call/ Comments? Feedback? Want your garden question to be featured in a future Q&A segment? Email us, reach out over social media, or get Q&A priority by supporting us on Patreon. Discord: https://discord.gg/K6wF9dY4JaBluesky: @plantsalwayswin.comTikTok: @plantsalwayswinpodcastYouTube: @plantsalwayswinpodcastWebsite: www.plantsalwayswin.com CreditsWebsite Design and Illustration by Sophia Alladin Intro and Outro Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/when-my-ukulele-plays License code: GWOIMMBAS15FG6PH Timestamps 00:15 Introduction00:45 Meet Ian Simpson and Ontario One Call01:48 Underground Infrastructure in Rural Locations02:40 How to Request a Locate03:43 What if I’m Only Digging an Inch or Two?05:25 Sometimes the Infrastructure is a Mess06:20 Ian’s Role at Ontario One Call07:30 Close Calls and Consequences08:40 Statistics on Digging and Damage in Ontario12:03 Who’s At Fault When Damage Occurs?12:33 How it Works: Getting Locates from Infrastructure Owners14:05 Expiry Dates on Locates?15:30 How to Read the Colours of Spray-Painted Markings08:45 Unexpected Jobs that Might Require Locates19:36 Landscapers, Handymen and Liability24:12 Sharing Locates with Multiple Contractors26:19 Busting Myths28:00 Timing for Locates33:55 If You Do Hit Something…35:04 Courses and Resources Available from Ontario One Call37:00 When to Call 91138:31 What If You’re Not in Ontario?39:50 Final Words of Wisdom40:45 Outro and Contact Us
- Mar 27, 202642 min
Ep. 45 Hydrangea Happiness with C.L. Fornari
For some of us, happiness is a hydrangea in full, glorious bloom. And if you’re not yet well acquainted with these flowering shrubs, who better to learn from than The Garden Lady herself? C.L. Fornari is the author of the upcoming 2026 book Hydrangea Happiness: Planting, Pruning and Blooming, among many others. She’s also a well-known gardening radio host and podcaster, appearing over the years as a contributor on NPR’s The Cultivated Gardener, as host of GardenLine on WXTK, as co-host of the podcast Plantrama, and today as the eponymous host of The Garden Lady on several NPR stations. We get the scoop on her broadcasting career, on her founding of the Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival, and on how she planned a modern-day guide to hydrangeas that’s “more Instagram and less coffee table book.” Dive into this interview to learn about choosing the right hydrangea for a northern garden, about the truth of acidifying your soil for those beautiful blue mophead blooms, and about finding joy in your garden and your life.  Find C.L. Online at: GardenLady.com Facebook: @CLTheGardenLady Instagram: @CLTheGardenLady Mentioned in This Episode Hydrangea Happiness: Planting, Pruning & Blooming: https://brandeisuniversitypress.com/title/hydrangea-happiness-planting-pruning-and-blooming/  The Cope Cod Hydrangea Festival: https://www.capecodchamber.org/events/cape-cod-hydrangea-fest/     Hydrangeas on the Azores:  https://www.treehugger.com/hydrangeas-azores-4869708   Comments? Feedback? Want your garden question to be featured in a future Q&A segment?  Email us, reach out over social media, or get Q&A priority by supporting us on Patreon.  Discord: https://discord.gg/K6wF9dY4JaBluesky: @plantsalwayswin.comTikTok: @plantsalwayswinpodcastYouTube: @plantsalwayswinpodcastWebsite: www.plantsalwayswin.com  CreditsWebsite Design and Illustration by Sophia Alladin Intro and Outro Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/when-my-ukulele-plays License code: GWOIMMBAS15FG6PH Timestamps:  00:14 Introduction00:56 C.L. Fornari’s Garden Radio Host Career05:52 Founding the Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival08:33 Why (and How!) C.L. Wrote About Hydrangeas11:21 Postcards from Plants14:43 How Many Hydrangeas? Breeding and Selection16:43 A Paniculata Hydrangea for Erin’s Cold, Clay Conditions18:47 Finding the Right Spot for Your Shrub21:16 Are Hydrangeas Invasive?23:00 Hydrangea paniculata, a.k.a. Panicled Hydrangea23:25 Hydrangea arborescens, aka Smooth Hydrangea24:15 Hydrangea macrophylla, a.k.a. Bigleaf Hydrangea, a.k.a. Mophead Hydrangea25:09 Hydrangea serrata, a.k.a. Mountain Hydrangea27:10 C.L.’s Hydrangea Poetry28:25 Hydrangea quercifolia, a.k.a. Oakleaf Hydrangea28:35 Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris., a.k.a. Climbing Hydrangea28:55 Acidifying Soil for Blue Hydrangeas31:05 The Stubborn Myth that Pi
- Mar 16, 202647 min
Ep. 44 Internet Plant Science with Dr. Vikram Baliga
The internet is a minefield of questionable plant hacks, rage bait, and—sigh—banana water. Good thing The Plant Prof is here to shed some science on the matter. Vikram Baliga, a.k.a. The Plant Prof, is a professor of horticulture and the host of the podcasts Planthropology and Deep Roots. He is that rare being in the world of science: an academic who has also honed the skill of communicating with non-academic audiences. As he says, public taxes pay for science research. The public deserves good, true scientific information. Today’s conversation ranges across education and misinformation in the digital age, the evolution of science, and the importance of experimentation. Then we get practical with tips on compost tea, a nuanced discussion on using synthetic or organic fertilization methods, and garden hacks that actually work. Of course, we also have to take a few minutes to get excited about Vikram’s information–packed children’s book, Plants to the Rescue: The Plants, Trees, and Fungi that are Solving Some of the World’s Biggest Problems. Have a listen; class is in session! Find Vikram Online at: The Planthropology Podcast Deep Roots Podcast Texas Tech Davis College of Ag Natural Resources website YouTube Bluesky Instagram Facebook X Vikram’s Book: Plants to the Rescue , published by Neon Squid Books Timestamps 00:14 Intro00:30 Meet Vikram Baliga, The Plant Prof02:33 Vikram’s Podcasts: The Planthropology Podcast and DeepRoots03:37 The Challenge of Public Science Communication10:42 Plants don’t read our textbooks.12:20 Plants Always Win Stole its Name from Planthropology Merch13:04 The Evolution of Science and the Freedom to Experiment15:56 Vikram’s Home Fertilizer Hack Experiments: Rice Water, Banana Water, Oatmeal, Cinnamon, etc.18:36 How to Make Compost Tea21:22 Synthetic Commercial Fertilizers vs. Organic Fertilizers for Containers, Planters, and Gardens30:48 Vikram’s New Kids’ Book: Plants to the Rescue36:50 Gardening Hacks that Actually Work40:04 Things That Make Your Gardening Life Easier40:41 That Time Sean Hacked his Leg Open 42:32 The Best Way to Grow a Garden is In Community44:52 Find Vikram Online45:43 Outro and Contact Us
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About Plants Always Win
A podcast where two Ontario gardeners dive down plant-fact rabbit-holes, answer audience questions, interview intriguing guests, and compete to bring you the most interesting stories and information. We care about ecologically sound gardening, strong human communities, and up-to-date science.
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