Garden Gossip

Autumn at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden

Celebrate the magic of fall and the richness of Hispanic Heritage Month with us as we journey through the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. In this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Travel with Terri" Show, travel writer Terrie Guthrie explores the spectacular Autumn at the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden: ¡Mundo México! event, running from Sept. 20 through Nov. 2, 2025.
The conversation highlights how the Dallas Arboretum, a premier fall attraction, has been transformed with over 110,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash to create an unprecedented celebration of Mexican living culture, contemporary art, and biodiversity. We delve into the stunning pumpkin village, creative art installations, and the importance of this event in fostering community engagement and creating lasting family memories. Discover why this immersive cultural experience positions Dallas as a national destination for cultural tourism.
Key Takeaways:- The Dallas Arboretum is a beloved year-round destination.- The event features a festival-wide transformation with over 110,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash.- ¡Mundo México! celebrates Mexican culture, art, and biodiversity.- The pumpkin village is a main highlight, showcasing creative pumpkin houses inspired by Mexican regions.- The gardens feature plants and art installations that tell cultural stories.- Family-friendly events at the Arboretum are designed to create lasting memories.- The festival has helped position Dallas as a national destination for cultural tourism.
For more information and to plan your visit, check out the official Dallas Arboretum website: https://www.dallasarboretum.org/ 
Follow Terri’s adventures:https://travelwithterri.net/    https://www.instagram.com/travelwithterri/  https://www.youtube.com/@travelwithterri   https://www.facebook.com/travelwithterrifromtexas   
🎙️ Listen to Travel with Terri weekly: https://travelwithterri.podbean.com/  
🎧 Also featured on Big Blend Radio’s Vacation Station, Garden Gossip, and Big Daily Blend podcast channels: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

Author Liz Parker - Witches of Honeysuckle House

In celebration of National Literacy Month, this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "Books & Authors" show with Books Forward features author Liz Parker, who discusses her upcoming novel, "Witches of Honeysuckle House" (October 21, 2025, Alcove Press). A must-read for "practical Magic" fans, this enchanting story blends curses, sisterhood, and the power of plants with themes of generational trauma, family, and community. 
Liz shares insights into the 13-year curse central to the story, the sentient house that shapes the narrative, and how her background in herbalism informs the magic woven throughout the book. She also talks about intention in witchcraft, the significance of plants, and her goal of helping readers reconnect with the natural world.
📘 More about Liz and her books: https://www.lizparkerwrites.com/  
⏱️ Chapters / Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction to Witches of Honeysuckle House02:07 – The Curse and Its Significance04:29 – Sisterhood and Generational Trauma06:28 – Exploring Spells vs. Curses07:59 – Themes of Family and Community09:51 – The Impact of Generational Trauma11:22 – The Role of Plants and Nature13:35 – The Author's Journey to Writing17:17 – The Magic of Belief and Imagination18:53 – The Sentient House and Its Personality20:50 – Witchcraft and Family Legacy22:20 – Herbalism and the Power of Plants29:52 – The Connection Between Plants and Humanity32:11 – Conclusion and Future Works
🔔 Learn more about Books Forward: https://booksforward.com/ 

Greening Los Angeles: The Transformative Work of North East Trees

This episode of Big Blend Radio shines a spotlight on North East Trees, an award-winning urban greening nonprofit committed to building climate resilience and advancing environmental equity in underinvested communities throughout Los Angeles.
Featured Guests:🌳 Joe Laskin – Director of Development, North East Trees – https://www.northeasttrees.org/ 🌿 Cheryl Leutjen – Author of “Love Earth Now” and “Madness on the Brink of Eco-Apocalypse," and Board Director, North East Trees – https://cherylleutjen.com/ Recognized as a 2025 Nonprofit of the Year by the California Association of Nonprofits, North East Trees is making a lasting difference through urban forestry, biodiversity enhancement, and workforce development programs. From planting over 100,000 trees to transforming schoolyards into green spaces, the organization demonstrates how trees can heal communities, foster connection with nature, and combat climate change.
📺 Learn more in this PBS special: Combatting Climate Change with Trees – https://www.pbs.org/video/combatting-climate-change-with-trees-tcffrw/ 
This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio’s "Parks & Travel", "Quality of Life", and "Garden Gossip" Channels. Keep up with all Big Blend Radio shows at: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork *** Images by Alex Michel, courtesy of North East Trees

Exploring the Treasures of South Carolina's Coast

In celebration of Parks & Recreation Month, this episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Jo Goes Everywhere!” travel podcast with writer and photographer Jo Clark explores the stunning coastal treasures of South Carolina. Tune in to learn about the natural beauty, wildlife, and historical significance of Huntington Beach State Park, Brookgreen Gardens, and Atalaya Castle.
Jo shares fascinating stories—from the architecture of the castle to the legacy of rice plantations—and offers helpful travel tips, including seasonal events, scenic highlights, and community conservation efforts. Whether you're a nature lover, history buff, or art enthusiast, this episode is full of inspiration for your next adventure!
📖 Read Jo's Article: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/exploring-the-treasures-of-south-carolinas-coast/ 
🗓️ “Jo Goes Everywhere!” airs every 2nd Sunday at 7pm EST on Big Blend Radio.🎧 Listen & Subscribe: https://jogoeseverywhere.podbean.com/ 
🌍 Follow Jo's Travels:http://www.haveglasswilltravel.com/ https://recipestravelculture.com/ 
🎙️ Also featured on: Big Blend’s Vacation Station, Parks & Travel, Garden Gossip & Big Daily Blend channels: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

The Charm of Point Defiance Rose Garden in Tacoma

This episode of Big Blend Radio features travel writer Linda Kissam, “Food, Wine & Shopping Diva,” who shares her recent visit to the stunning Point Defiance Rose Garden in Tacoma, Washington. From the garden’s rich history and environmental significance to its natural beauty and community value, this conversation is a tribute to the Pacific Northwest’s floral charm. Discover how the region’s climate helps roses thrive, how nature and public spaces foster well-being, and why the garden is a perfect place for everything from peaceful picnics to family outings.
📖 Read Linda’s article: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/point-defiance-rose-garden-in-tacoma/ 
🎧 Follow Linda’s podcast: https://lindakissam-foodwinetravel.podbean.com/ 
🌐 Follow Diva Linda’s adventures: https://allingoodtaste.info/ 
🎙️ Also listen on Big Blend’s Garden Gossip podcast channel: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

Discover Brandywine Valley: Gardens, History & Culinary Delights

In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Wander the World with Sharon,” award-winning travel writer and photographer Sharon K. Kurtz takes us on a journey through the picturesque Brandywine Valley in Chester County, Pennsylvania — the heart of America’s Garden Capital.
Explore the region’s rich heritage, from the legacy of the DuPont and Wyeth families to its thriving conservation efforts and artistic traditions. Sharon also shares insider travel tips and highlights must-see destinations like the world-renowned Longwood Gardens and Kennett Square, known as the Mushroom Capital of the World. Plus, get a taste of the area’s vibrant culinary scene and garden culture.
📝 Read the full article: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/discovering-chester-countys-brandywine-valley 
🌍 More on Sharon K. Kurtz: https://sharonkkurtz.com 
📅 New episodes premiere the first Wednesday of every month at 12pm CST: https://wandertheworldwithsharon.podbean.com 
🎧 This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio’s Vacation Station & Garden Gossip channels: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

Origami in the Garden

As part of Big Blend Radio's GARDEN PARTY Celebrations, travel writer Debbie Stone talks about artist Kevin Box’s origami-like pieces that range from small works to larger forms, the latter of which can be found in the enchanting outdoor sculpture gardens in Santa Fe, Orlando, and Tulsa. Read Debbie's story and check out the images of the art, here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/origami-in-the-garden-is-a-feast-for-the-senses/  
Big Blend Radio's "Global Adventures with Debbie Stone " Podcast airs every 4th Tuesday. Follow the podcast here: https://global-adventures-debbie-stone.podbean.com/ 

Bevin Cohen - Herbs in Every Season

In celebration of National Garden Month, this episode of Big Blend Radio features gardening expert Bevin Cohen who discusses his new book, "HERBS IN EVERY SEASON: 48 Edible and Medicinal Herbs for the Kitchen, Garden, and Apothecary," that's out now through Timber Press. 
"Herbs in Every Season" offers gardeners, herbalists, cooks, and homesteaders a new way of looking at herbs throughout the year, and from every angle. The photographed guide features information on gardening, cooking, and integrating herbs as part of a holistic wellness routine. Herbalists will learn how an herb’s growth habits inform its medicinal capabilities, and gardeners will gain insight into herbs as integral culinary plants for the kitchen garden, pollinator plants for perennial borders, and key ingredients for a home apothecary. 
Bevin Cohen is an author, herbalist, gardener, seed saver, and educator. He is the owner of Small House Farm, the founder of Michigan Seed Library Network, and offers workshops and lectures. More at: http://www.smallhousefarm.com/