S2 Ep454: Better Lawns and Gardens - Hour 1 Best Father's Day Gifts For Gardeners June 6, 2026
Teresa Watkins kicks off a Mother's Day-themed episode of Better Lawns and Gardens with a heartfelt tribute to mothers, blending personal stories with urgent gardening advice. Amid a record-breaking May heatwave and prolonged drought, she warns of heat exhaustion risks and emphasizes smart watering practices—especially for container plants and turkeys—while debunking the myth that established landscapes need extra irrigation during dry spells. The episode pivots to practical solutions: how to save heirloom tomato seeds, the importance of soil testing before fertilizing, and the dangers of phosphorus runoff. A standout moment comes when listener Jeff shares how nature replanted his prized heritage tomatoes after last year’s harvest, sparking a deep dive into seed-saving techniques and the surprising botanical differences between 'Mother of Thousands' and 'Mother of Millions' succulents—both of which are invasive due to their prolific plantlets. Teresa also highlights the emotional connection between gardening and family, celebrating plants named after motherhood and encouraging listeners to preserve memories through shared garden stories.
Save heirloom tomato seeds by fermenting them in water for 3–4 days to remove gelatinous coating before drying and storing.
Never fertilize before a rainstorm—75% of nutrients wash away, so apply after rainfall to prevent stormwater runoff.
Use slow-release, phosphorus-free fertilizer (like 15-0-15) to protect Florida’s waterways from algae blooms.
Check soil health with a University of Florida Agritech Soil Test before fertilizing to avoid unnecessary applications.
Solarize your garden beds in summer to kill nematodes and soil-borne diseases before planting fall crops.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Mother's Day Tribute and Family Reflections
“I just got to get their names out. So I just want to give them a shout out on the air. They range in age from 27 to 4. And Jackson and McKenna. Xavier and Reagan and Emma, Bella, Madison, KK, Olivia, and also Katerina and Cadence.”
Extreme Heat and Drought Warnings
“If you have that... You know, get some water. Go sit down out of the – get in the shade because it can happen very quickly.”
Rain Forecast and Watering Guidelines
Teresa shares regional rainfall predictions across Florida, explaining how upcoming rain will benefit soil moisture and plant growth. She clarifies that established landscapes don’t need extra watering during droughts.
Listener Questions: Pandanus Palm and Avocado Tree
Teresa answers gardening queries from John (pandanus palm recovery) and Carol (avocado tree recovery), advising patience, arborist consultation, and careful observation before making decisions.
Fertilizing Best Practices and Soil Testing
“Never fertilize before a rainstorm. Yes, we will be getting rainstorms eventually and you never want to fertilize before a rainstorm. You lose about 75% of that fertilizer that you put down to stormwater runoff.”
“One, it's kind of funny to say this, but never fertilize before a rainstorm. Yes, we will be getting rainstorms eventually and you never want to fertilize before a rainstorm. You lose about 75 of that fertilizer that you put down to stormwater runoff.”
“If you'd like to save an heirloom tomato seed, you want to select a nice, good, healthy tomato. Then you extract the seeds by cutting it in half and squeezing the seeds out. You want to put them in a little jar with a little bit of water, and then you want to let it set for about three to four days.”
“Mother of thousands, the plantlets form along the margins of the leaves. And the mother of millions forms at the tips of the leaves.”
Host
Teresa Watkins
person
Lizzie
person
Mother of Millions
other
Mother of Thousands
other
Jeff
person
Avocado Tree
other
Carol
person
Kalanchoe
other
Chrysanthemums
other
Pandanus Palm
other
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