About this podcast
Join landscape designer Joanne Shaw for practical, down-to-earth tips, expert interviews, and seasonal advice to help you create a beautiful, low-maintenance garden.
Episodes
The newest 50 of 380 episodes
- November Gardening Do's & Don'ts · 26 min · Season 12 Episode 39As temperatures drop and winter approaches, you might be surprised by what you should (and shouldn't) be doing in your garden. This week on Down the Garden Path, Joanne shares…
- It's Not Too Late! How to Plant Garlic This Fall · 17 min · Season 12 Episode 16In this episode of Down the Garden Path, Joanne shares simple tips for planting garlic, from choosing the right cloves and preparing your soil to protecting your plants through…
- Healthy Soil, Healthy Garden: Soil Testing, Compost & More · 45 min · Season 12 Episode 37Is your garden soil giving your plants everything they need to thrive? Last November, Joanne welcomed Amy Ellard-Gray to the podcast to explore why soil testing is one of the…
- Overwintering Your Annuals: How to Save Them for Next Spring · 22 min · Season 12 Episode 36Have you ever wished you could save your favourite annuals instead of replacing them every spring? In this episode of Down the Garden Path, Joanne Shaw shares three ways to save…
- October Gardening: What to Do, What to Leave Alone · 16 min · Season 12 Episode 35Is October really the time to cut everything back and put the garden to bed? Not necessarily. In this episode, we've gathered some of Joanne's best tips for October in the…
- Fall Rose Care: Pruning, Planting & Growing Tips · 33 min · Season 12 Episode 18Not sure what to do with your roses this fall? This week on Down the Garden Path, Joanne is joined by master gardener and author Cauleen Viscoff to talk about making rose care a…
- Native Ornamental Grasses for Your Garden · 15 min · Season 12 Episode 33Have you considered adding native ornamental grasses to your garden? They're often overlooked but add colour, texture, and movement while providing food and shelter for birds and…
- Three Dwarf Hydrangeas for Small Gardens · 20 min · Season 12 Episode 32Looking for a hydrangea that gives you plenty of colour without taking over your garden? This week on the podcast, Joanne shares three dwarf hydrangeas she has grown in her own…
- Fall Gardening: Is It Too Late to Plant? · 10 min · Season 12 Episode 31Wondering what you can still get done in the garden before the season wraps up? This week on Down the Garden Path, Joanne explains why fall is still a great time to add compost…
- Buying Mums? Why Asters Are the Better Choice for Your Fall Garden · 14 min · Season 12 Episode 30Thinking of buying mums for your fall garden? In this encore episode of Down the Garden Path, Joanne reviews the pros and cons of fall mums and shares why asters may be the…
- How to Help Butterflies in Your Late-Summer Garden · 17 min · Season 12 Episode 29Late August and early September are important times for migrating butterflies like monarchs, swallowtails, and painted ladies, and the plants in our gardens can make a real…
- Tired of Hostas? Three Shade Plants That Add Height & Colour · 15 min · Season 12 Episode 28Looking for something beyond hostas for your shade garden? This week, Joanne shares three standout shade-loving perennials that bring height, texture, colour, and serious foliage…
- Three Sun-Loving Perennials to Plant in August · 13 min · Season 12 Episode 27Does your August garden need a fresh burst of colour? In this episode, Joanne shares three of her favourite white perennials for sunny spaces that add contrast, brighten the…
- What Does Your Garden Need This August? · 33 min · Season 12 Episode 26What does your garden need this August? After the heat and stress of July, many lawns, containers, vegetables, shrubs and trees could use a little extra attention. In this…
- Mid-Summer Tips for Your Lawn and Garden · 23 min · Season 12 Episode 25In this mid-summer tips episode, Joanne answers some commonly asked questions about managing your lawn and garden. Some of the topics covered: Practical mid-season planting…
- What to Do in Your Garden in July · 25 min · Season 12 Episode 24Wondering what to do in your garden in July? This week on the podcast, Joanne reviews the essential July garden tasks every gardener should know, including deadheading, weeding…
- What to Do After Your Peonies Bloom · 18 min · Season 12 Episode 23Peony season may be over, but there's still plenty to learn about these garden favourites. In this episode, Joanne explores the different types of peonies and explains what makes…
- When (and How) to Prune Your Lilacs · 10 min · Season 12 Episode 22Do you have a lilac bush in your garden? If you've ever wondered when or how to prune it, don't miss this week's episode. Joanne shares timely tips for caring for your lilacs and…
- Is a Pondless Water Feature Right for Your Yard? · 37 min · Season 12 Episode 21In this episode of Down the Garden Path, we revisit last spring's conversation with Ernest Williams from Aquascape about how pondless water features can bring the beauty…
- 5 Tips for Starting a Landscape Project · 24 min · Season 12 Episode 20Thinking about starting a landscape project? In this popular episode from last summer, Joanne shares practical advice from her years as a landscape designer, including how to…
- The Basics of Fruit Tree Pruning & Care · 1 h 7 min · Season 12 Episode 19In this popular episode from last spring, Joanne speaks with author and fruit tree care educator Susan Poizner about her book, Fruit Tree Pruning: The Science and Art of…
- Why Do Gardens Need Mulch? · 19 min · Season 12 Episode 14This week on Down the Garden Path, Joanne explains why mulch matters in the garden, how to choose the right kind, and why proper mulching can make a big difference for your soil…
- Gardening Basics for the Beginner Gardener · 43 min · Season 12 Episode 17This week on the podcast, Joanne speaks with Bri Petersen from Urban Gardening Canada about her new e-book, Gardening Basics for the Beginner Gardener. In this episode: Beginner…
- Ontario's Pick-Your-Own Peony Farm · 44 min · Season 12 Episode 16What if you could walk through acres of blooming peonies and cut your own bouquet to take home? In this episode, Joanne welcomes Valérie Chort of Fleur de Roy to share the story…
- What Are the May Garden Do's and Don'ts? · 37 min · Season 12 Episode 15This week on Down the Garden Path, Joanne discusses do's and don'ts for your May garden, and walks you through what to do now, what to wait on, and how to give your garden the…
- Tips for Growing Lettuce, Spinach & Potatoes · 49 min · Season 12 Episode 14Thinking about growing your own lettuce, spinach, and potatoes this spring? In this April 2025 encore episode, Joanne chats with Julia Dimakos about successfully growing these…
- Native Trees: Finding the Right Tree for the Right Spot · 52 min · Season 12 Episode 13This week on Down the Garden Path, Joanne chats with Manny Lavrador about the growing interest in native trees and how to choose the right one for your property. In this episode…
- Hardy Canadian-Grown Roses from Jackson & Perkins · 48 min · Season 12 Episode 12Have you been hesitant to add roses to your garden? This week on the podcast, Joanne talks with Paul Zimmerman about Jackson & Perkins' expansion into Canada, what it means for…
- April in the Garden · 30 min · Season 12 Episode 11After a long winter, it's tempting to get outside and start tidying, digging, and checking everything off our spring to-do list. But April is such a gentle, in-between month in…
- Landscape Designer Spotlight: Abby Rupsa of Botanical Living · 50 min · Season 12 Episode 10This month on Down the Garden Path, Joanne welcomes five talented landscape designers, each with their own style, story, and specialty. What connects them all is a shared passion…
- Landscape Designer Spotlight: Jeff Collins of REWILD Landscapes · 1 h 17 min · Season 12 Episode 9This month on Down the Garden Path, Joanne welcomes five talented landscape designers, each with their own style, story, and specialty. What connects them all is a shared passion…
- Landscape Designer Spotlight: Rita Nugent of Rita Nugent Landscape Design · 1 h 4 min · Season 12 Episode 8This month on Down the Garden Path, Joanne welcomes five talented landscape designers, each with their own style, story, and specialty. What connects them all is a shared passion…
- Landscape Designer Spotlight: John Bright of BRIGHT Design Studio · 50 min · Season 12 Episode 7This month on Down the Garden Path, Joanne welcomes five talented landscape designers, each with their own style, story, and specialty. What connects them all is a shared passion…
- Little Forests Durham with Ingrid Janssen · 55 min · Season 12 Episode 6This week, Joanne welcomes master gardener Ingrid Janssen to the podcast to discuss the inspiring work being done by Little Forests Durham, a nonprofit organization focused on…
- Bloomin' Easy Plants with Madison House · 38 min · Season 12 Episode 5This week, Joanne welcomes Madison House of Bloomin' Easy Plants to the podcast to talk about what makes gardening feel "easy" for newer gardeners and what's new in their plant…
- Houseplant Chat: Fertilizer · 12 min · Season 12 Episode 4In the fourth episode of Down the Garden Path's "Houseplant Chat" series, Joanne discusses the basics of fertilizing houseplants. Topics Covered • When to start fertilizing •…
- Houseplant Chat: Propagation Made Simple · 18 min · Season 12 Episode 3In the third episode of Down the Garden Path's "Houseplant Chat" series, Joanne discusses propagation, a simple and rewarding way to expand your plant collection. Topics…
- Houseplant Chat: Soil & Watering Tips · 20 min · Season 12 Episode 2In the second episode of Down the Garden Path's "Houseplant Chat" series, Joanne focuses on soil and watering techniques during the winter months. Topics discussed: • Joanne…
- Houseplant Chat: Getting the Light Right · 14 min · Season 12 Episode 1This week, Joanne kicks off the 12th season of the Down the Garden Path podcast with the first episode in her "Houseplant Chat" series: Getting the Light Right. Tune in to learn…
- Canada Gardener's Journal with Steven Biggs · 26 min · Season 11 Episode 37This week, Joanne welcomes horticulturist Stephen Biggs back to the podcast to talk about his latest project, the newly expanded Canada Gardener's Journal. About Steven Steven…
- Soil Testing with Amy Ellard-Gray · 51 min · Season 11 Episode 36This week on the podcast, Joanne discusses soil testing with The Hobby Homestead's Amy Ellard-Gray, who grows 75% of her family's fruits and vegetables in her Guelph backyard…
- Transitioning to Indoor Gardening · 28 min · Season 11 Episode 35This week on Down the Garden Path, Joanne shares her passion for indoor gardening with practical winter houseplant care tips and a reminder that there's always something new to…
- Mythic Plants with Ellen Zachos · 42 min · Season 11 Episode 34This week, Joanne welcomes Ellen Zachos, author of 11 books on plants, including her latest, Mythic Plants: Potions and Poisons from the Gardens of the Gods. About Ellen A…
- The Suburban Gardenista · 42 min · Season 11 Episode 33This week on the podcast, Joanne welcomes Brandie, the Suburban Gardenista, an avid gardener passionate about supporting pollinators with native plants. Brandie is Pollinator…
- How to Overwinter Your Annuals · 24 min · Season 11 Episode 32If your summer containers still look surprisingly lush, don't toss them out just yet. This week on the podcast, Joanne discusses how, with a little care, you can enjoy them again…
- Fall Isn't Finished — Your Trees Are Thirsty! · 17 min · Season 11 Episode 31This week on the podcast, Joanne discusses the importance of watering your trees and evergreens throughout October and November. Topics discussed: • This summer was the driest…
- October in the Garden · 28 min · Season 11 Episode 30In this encore presentation of October in the Garden, Joanne Shaw reviews some of the tasks you can do this month, but don't worry, it's not as labour-intensive as you think!…
- Adding Asters to Your Garden · 17 min · Season 11 Episode 29In this encore episode of Down the Garden Path, Joanne discusses how to extend the blooming season in your garden by adding asters. Topics covered in this week's episode: •…
- BIOS + Ryzome New Plant Fertilizer with Aaron Deacon · 1 h 25 min · Season 11 Episode 28This week, Joanne welcomes Aaron Deacon from BIOS Nutrients back to the podcast to discuss the newest addition to his product line, a game-changing plant fertilizer in…
- Rain Gardens · 59 min · Season 11 Episode 27This week, Joanne Shaw discusses rain garden design with Michael Albanese, owner of AVESI Stormwater and Landscape Solutions and author of The Modern Rain Garden: Scrape, Shape…
