Marlene sits down with “Farmer Fred” Hoffman, renown long time Garden Show radio host, writer and lifetime Master Gardener. Having decades of both practical experience and countless hours with farmers/garden professionals, Fred is an incredible fountain of knowledge, tips, troubleshooting – and a amazing storyteller in the best sense. Subjects discussed: Farmer Fred history; Growing up in North Hollywood; From radio to gardening; From Captain Fred to Farmer Fred; Truckers come to the rescue to find Farmer Fred’s stolen car; Diazinon experience piques Fred’s interest in gardening; Organic heirloom popcorn farming; When to plant tomatoes; Tomato Blossom End Rot and how to treat (or not); Beneficial insects and how to attract; Farmer Fred’s favorite tomatoes to grow; Heirloom tomatoes and limited fruit set; Marlene’s favorite peppers (Padrone and Shishido); Raised bed construction and irrigation; Companion planting; Malabar spinach – trellis climbing, summer greens; Tomato cages and the Florida Weave; Concrete reinforcement wire in raised beds; Compost, woodchips, straw for pathways and weed control; Strawberries…why Marlene and Fred don’t grow; Growing blueberries in metal water troughs; Farmer Fred’s best Christmas gift ever; Marlene’s greenhouse construction project; Country living; Fred and Marlene’s cycling stories Farmer Fred can found EVERYWHERE: FarmerFred.com, his website with TONS of articles, how-to guides, tips, and links KFBK Garden Show every Sunday from 8:00 – 10:00am PST, and available as KFBK Garden Show Podcast KSTE Get Growing Show every Sunday from 10:00 – 12:00pm PST, and available as KSTE Get Growing Podcast KSTE Farm Hour every Sunday from 12:00 – 1:00pm PST, and available as KSTE Farm Hour Podcast Farmer Fred Facebook Farmer Fred Twitter Farmer Fred Instagram Farmer Fred Pinterest   To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com