This time of year, hope springs eternal in the minds of gardeners with dreams of a bountiful spring, summer and fall garden, filled with beautiful flowers, delicious fruits, and wonderful vegetables. But for many second year gardeners, as well as many more experienced gardeners, there could be a "sophomore slump". So why does a so-so garden year sometimes follow a wildly successful garden year? Debbie Flower, our favorite retired college horticulture Professor, holds our collective hands and offers tips for thwarting the gardeners' sophomore slump. Also, Phil Pursel of Dave Wilson Nursery has advice on how you can be harvesting fresh fruit from May or June all the way through November and for some, into December. Plus, the University of California Davis Arboretum Superintendent Emeritus Warren Roberts, waxes rhapsodic about the plant of the week, the barberry. And finally, Debbie Flower offers some words of reassuring hope about your 2021 Garden year. It's Episode 72 of the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast. And we'll do it all in under 30 minutes. Let's go. Pictured:  The Plant of the Week - Barberry (Berberis thunbergii)Links:Farmer Fred Rant: Growing Your First Vegetable Garden? Some Tips.Dave Wilson Nursery CatalogSeed starting kitsSeed starting soil mixesUC Davis ArboretumMore episodes and info available at Garden Basics with Farmer FredGarden Basics comes out every Friday during November through January. We’ll be back to a twice a week schedule in February.  More info including live links, product information, transcripts, and chapters available at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred. Please subscribe, and, if you are listening on Apple, please leave a comment or rating. That helps us decide which garden topics you would like to see addressed.Got a garden question? There are several ways to get in touch: leave an audio question without making a phone call via Speakpipe.Text us the question: 916-292-8964. E-mail: fred@farmerfred.com or, leave a question at the Facebook, Twitter or Instagram locations below. Be sure to tell us where you are when you leave a question, because all gardening is local. And thank you for listening.All About Farmer Fred:Farmer Fred website: http://farmerfred.comDaily Garden tips and snark on TwitterThe Farmer Fred Rant! BlogFacebook:  "Get Growing with Farmer Fred"Instagram: farmerfredhoffmanFarmer Fred Garden Videos on YouTubeAs an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases from possible links mentioned here.The Proffitt PodcastThe podcast that shows you tips & strategies to create content with confidence!Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify