GardenDC Podcast Episode 308: Chaos Gardening

In this episode of GardenDC: The Podcast about Mid-Atlantic Gardening, we talk with author Teresa Woodard about Chaos Gardening*. The plant profile is on Popcorn Plant and we share what's going on in the garden as well as some upcoming local gardening events in the What's New segment. We close out with the Last Word on "From Fresh Basil to Dried" from Christy Page of GreenPrints.

BTW, YOU can become a listener supporter for as little as $0.99 per month!

See how at: https://members.spotify.com/to/gardendc-the-podcast

If you liked this episode, you may also enjoy listening to:

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 110: Self-Sowing Plants

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2022/07/gardendc-podcast-episode-110-self.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 303: Modern Cottage Gardening

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2026/10/gardendc-podcast-episode-303-modern.html

This episode is archived at: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3HwkgWsi4cH43k6RNm2zol?si=KunjX1fUTuCLXwS8g0MhNQ

Show Notes will be posted after 11/25/2026.

The GardenDC podcast is also available on -

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We welcome your questions and comments! You can leave a voice mail message for us at: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/message Note that we may use these messages on a future episode.

And be sure to leave us a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform plus share us on social media with #GardenDC, so other gardeners can find us too!

Episode Credits:
Host and Producer: Kathy Jentz

Music: Let the Sunshine by James Mulvany

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*You can order Teresa's book at https://link.amazon/B07kxpIMg

This link is to our Amazon affiliate account and we may earn a few pennies from these sales, but it will not impact your purchase price.

Fenton Friday: Potato Resurgence

Another week of fair fall weather is drawing to a close with rain and chilly temps. I think our killing frost/freeze may be here soon.

It has been so mild that I noticed the Potato plants are coming back along the front border of our plot (see the photo above). This is from the bed where we just planted Garlic and I thought I had cleared out any remaining Potatoes.

You'll notice in this picture several white kitty litter jugs we are using to store water in the plot and you can also see the neighboring plots Zinnias sprawling over and are still blooming prolifically. 

The Peas are getting tall now so I hope to see flowers forming soon with the pods following shortly afterwards.

In the Pollinator Garden strip, we have some Calendula returning from plants that shed their seeds there this spring. Also, I am noticing a lot more garbage being thrown in there by passersby. It is really frustrating and sometimes dangerous as some of it is sharp (broken glass) and also toxic (discarded drug paraphernalia). I just don't understand people -- there is a park trashcan nearby. Sometimes I want to scream, "This is why we can't have nice things." I bet many of you can relate.

What are you growing and harvesting in your garden this week?

About Fenton Friday: Every Friday during the growing season, I'll be giving you an update on my community garden plot at the Fenton Street Community Garden just across the street from my house in zone 7 Mid-Atlantic MD/DC border. I'm plot #16. It is a 10 ft x 20 ft space and this is our 15th year in the garden. (It opened in May 2011.) See past posts about our edible garden by putting "Fenton"  into the Search box above (at the top, left on this blog). 

Sweet Potato Plant Profile

Sweet Potato Plant Profile

Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) is an edible member of the morning glory family. There are hundreds of kinds of sweet potatoes with a variety of skin and flesh colors including yellow, white, orange, red, and purple.

They are native to the northwestern part of South America and are hardy in Zones 10-11.

Many people grow them just for their fleshy roots, but the ornamental heart-shaped leaves are also edible. The foliage is full of antioxidants and tastes like baby spinach.

To grow sweet potatoes you will need warm nights and days -- above 72 degrees -- for about four to five months. However, many varieties such as Beauregard have been developed to mature faster.

Sweet potatoes grow from sprouts called slips. Slips can be purchased from catalogs or they can be encouraged to grow from sweet potatoes. Cut the tips off a sweet potato and suspend it above a jar filled with water, anchoring it with toothpicks.

When all chances of a frost has passed, plant the rooted sprouts in the garden or in a large container filled with well-draining soil.

Fertilize sparingly if at all.

Water sparingly; they are drought-resistant and will rot if the soil is too moist.

Sweet potatoes are ready to harvest when the leaves turn yellow in the fall – be sure to dig them before they are touched by a frost.

They can be eaten immediately, but the flavors intensify when they are cured. Curing is also necessary if you want to store them over the winter. To cure sweet potatoes, spread them out on newspapers in a humid spot out of the direct sun and where temperatures stay around 80 degrees. After a week of curing, place them in a humid, well-ventilated area where temperatures stay around 55 degrees.

Sweet Potato: You Can Grow That!

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine.

Audio, Video, Photos, and Text by Kathy Jentz

Editing by Jackson Wantman

 

➤ If you enjoy this video, please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to our Youtube channel (thank you!)

➤Remember to TURN ON notifications to know when our new videos are out

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~ Podcast: GardenDC

 

If you liked this video, we think you will like these other Plant Profiles:

~ Okra Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2022/09/okra-plant-profile.html

~ Cucumber Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2020/07/plant-profile-cucumbers.html

~ Collard Greens Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2023/12/collard-greens-plant-profile.html

~ Radish Plant Profile

http://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2020/04/plant-profile-radishes.html

~ Pumpkin Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2025/10/pumpkin-plant-profile.html

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Monday Thoughts: “When we watch closely, they [plants] speak in gestures: the leaves reaching towards the light, plant tendrils forming to show us that they’re looking for support, yellowing leaves falling to make space for more, and the new growth, validating our patience and understanding of their silent cues.” ~ Krystal Duran

“When we watch closely, they [plants] speak in gestures: the leaves reaching towards the light, plant tendrils forming to show us that they’re looking for support, yellowing leaves falling to make space for more, and the new growth, validating our patience and understanding of their silent cues.” 

~ Krystal Duran 

GardenDC Podcast Episode 307: Leave the Leaves

In this episode of GardenDC: The Podcast about Mid-Atlantic Gardening, we talk with entomologist Max Ferlauto about his research on the benefits of leaving the leaves. The plant profile is on Showy Skullcap Flower and we share what's going on in the garden as well as some upcoming local gardening events in the What's New segment. We close out with the Last Word on "Helping Holiday Plants" from Christy Page of GreenPrints.

BTW, YOU can become a listener supporter for as little as $0.99 per month!

See how at: https://members.spotify.com/to/gardendc-the-podcast

If you liked this episode, you may also enjoy listening to:

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 255: Tick-Free Gardening

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2025/09/gardendc-podcast-episode-255-expert.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 141: Nature's Best Hope with Doug Tallamy

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2023/03/gardendc-podcast-episode-141-natures.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 156: Gardening for Wild Bees

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2023/07/gardendc-podcast-episode-156-gardening.html

This episode is archived at: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2hzFgixex1fYdNPx5Jn6qp?si=gTYIT-j8SRONp5t3cy4m0g

Show Notes will be posted after 11/25/2026.

The GardenDC podcast is also available on -

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We welcome your questions and comments! You can leave a voice mail message for us at: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/message Note that we may use these messages on a future episode.

And be sure to leave us a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform plus share us on social media with #GardenDC, so other gardeners can find us too!

Episode Credits:
Host and Producer: Kathy Jentz

Music: Let the Sunshine by James Mulvany

PIN THIS FOR LATER!

Fenton Friday: November Eggplants

Another week of gorgeous balmy fall weather. We finally got some decent rain last night. I have been watering the seedlings and other fall crops every other day. Our Cistern access will be turned off this week so we have filled some kitty litter jugs to store water in the plot.

We pulled the Okra, which was flowering, but no longer producing pods. It grows like a tree and is always quite a wrestling match to get the stalks and roots dug out. We spread compost in its spot.

The container-grown 'Fairy Tale' Eggplant is still making lots of fruits (see pic above), so I have not pulled it out yet. I picked several this week and made a version of Eggplant Parmesan. We are due for a frost/freeze next week so that may be that.

The Sunchokes and Zinnias in the Pollinator Garden also keep going blooming. It does look like someone tried to steal some flowers and failed--leaving broken plants behind--very disappointing.

We thinned the Radish seedlings again and cut more Lettuces along with a handful of Cilantro and a bit of Dill. I also cut more Dahlia and Gomphrena bouquets.

Everything is humming along -- including the Peas and Carrots. 

What are you growing and harvesting in your garden this week?

About Fenton Friday: Every Friday during the growing season, I'll be giving you an update on my community garden plot at the Fenton Street Community Garden just across the street from my house in zone 7 Mid-Atlantic MD/DC border. I'm plot #16. It is a 10 ft x 20 ft space and this is our 15th year in the garden. (It opened in May 2011.) See past posts about our edible garden by putting "Fenton"  into the Search box above (at the top, left on this blog). 

Win a BARE™ Palmella™ customizable wooden plant support from Treleaf.shop in our November 2026 Washington Gardener Magazine Reader Contest

For our November 2026 Washington Gardener Magazine Reader Contest, we are giving away a BARE™ Palmella™ customizable wooden plant support from Treleaf.shop (value $24.00). 

   BARE™ trellises and plant supports are free of any treatment (no stain, no sealing or coatings). Just bare wood. The idea is to make it your own. Show your creative streak and dress up your plants by painting, coating, doodling, scribbling, or writing your own personal message on the trellis. Designed to support your indoor plants beautifully as they grow, these supports are meant to be seen, not hidden. The trellises are made in Atlanta and are finished with care, not mass-stamped.

   To enter to win the BARE™ Palmella™ trellis, send an email by 5:00pm on November 30 to WashingtonGardenerMagazine@gmail.com with “Treleaf Trellis” in the Subject line and in the body of the email. Tell us what your favorite article was in our November 2026 issue and why. Please include your full name and mailing address. Winners will be announced and notified on/about November 1. Replies might be published. 

Bat-faced Cuphea (Cuphea llavea) Plant Profile

Bat-faced Cuphea (Cuphea llavea) Plant Profile

Bat-faced Cuphea (Cuphea llavea) is an annual flowering plant with small, tubular flowers at the end of multiple curving stems. The blooms are purple and red. They resemble a bat’s face when viewing the end of the flower head on.

Bat-faced Cuphea is native to Mexico and is in the Loosestrife family.

It is hardy to USDA Zones 9 to 12. It prefers to grow in full to part sun in well-draining soils.

Give it a slow-release fertilizer at the beginning of the growing season.

It can be grown as a container plant during the summer months, then brought indoors as a houseplant over the winter.

Bat-faced Cuphea generally grows to 18 inches tall and wide. If it grows too big, it can be pruned back after flowering.

It attracts hummingbirds and other pollinators.  It is generally considered to be deer resistant.

Bat-faced Cuphea can be propagated by cuttings taken in spring or fall. It can also be grown from seed

Bat-faced Cuphea: You Can Grow That!

 

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine.

Audio, Videos, Photos, and Text by Kathy Jentz

Editing by Jackson Wantman

 

➤ If you enjoy this video, please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to our Youtube channel (thank you!)

➤Remember to TURN ON notifications to know when our new videos are out

➤ FIND Washington Gardener Magazine ONLINE

~ WashingtonGardener.blogspot.com

~ http://twitter.com/WDCGardener

~ https://www.instagram.com/wdcgardener/

~ Facebook.com/WashingtonGardenerMagazine

~ Podcast: GardenDC

 

If you liked this video, we think you will like these other Plant Profiles:

~ Monkey Balls Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2020/11/plant-profile-monkey-balls-gomphocarpus.html

~ Mexican Sunflower Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2026/09/mexican-sunflowers-tithonia-plant.html

~ Marigold Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2025/07/marigold-plant-profile.html

 PIN THIS FOR LATER!

Monday Thoughts: “Life is like a flower: You watch it grow from the time you place it in the ground.” ~ Chloe Hurst

“Life is like a flower: You watch it grow from the time you place it in the ground.” ~ Chloe Hurst

November 2026 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine: Goldenrods, Savoy Cabbage, Critter-Resistant Bulbs, Ficus Tips, and much more…

 

The November 2026 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine is out now and posted online (see link above).

Inside this issue:

• Goldenrod for the Mid-Atlantic Region
• Deer- and Rabbit-Resistant Spring Flowering Bulbs  
• How to Grow Savoy Drumhead Cabbages
• Dealing with Weedy Nightshades
• Safely Using Reclaimed Wood in the Garden
• Essential Fall Maintenance Tasks
• Garden Book Reviews
• Garden to Garment: Growing Fabric
• 5 Pro Tips for Ficus Growing Success
• Win a Treleaf Plant Trellis
• A New Scabiosa

and much more…

Note that any submissions, event listings, and advertisements for the December 2026 issue are due by November 15.

>>  Subscribe to Washington Gardener Magazine today to have the monthly digital publication sent to your inbox as a PDF several days before it is available online. You can use the PayPal (credit card) online order form here: https://www.washingtongardener.com/index_files/subscribe.htm

GardenDC Podcast Episode 306: Cultivating President Lincoln's Story

In this episode of GardenDC: The Podcast about Mid-Atlantic Gardening, we talk with Seth Young about President Lincoln's Cottage. The plant profile is on Bat-faced Cuphea and we share what's going on in the garden as well as some upcoming local gardening events in the What's New segment. We close out with the Last Word on "Putting the Garden to Bed" from Christy Page of GreenPrints.

BTW, YOU can become a listener supporter for as little as $0.99 per month!

See how at: https://members.spotify.com/to/gardendc-the-podcast

If you liked this episode, you may also enjoy listening to:

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 285: Thomas Jefferson's Flowers

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2026/05/gardendc-podcast-episode-285-thomas.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 175: Herstory of DC Gardens

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2023/12/gardendc-podcast-episode-175-herstory.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 153: An American Garden Story

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2023/06/gardendc-podcast-episode-153-american.html

This episode is archived at: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7nEYNcezyvedLRbJXy3iwW?si=9Gu8Un6OSQCdPeKjOomPLQ

Show Notes will be posted after 11/15/2026.

The GardenDC podcast is also available on -

• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gardendc/id1502631179
• Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc
• RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/gardendc-G2ql5V
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• Headliner: https://play.headliner.app/podcast/37086
• Himalaya: https://www.himalaya.com/courses/gardendc-1747568
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We welcome your questions and comments! You can leave a voice mail message for us at: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/message Note that we may use these messages on a future episode.

And be sure to leave us a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform plus share us on social media with #GardenDC, so other gardeners can find us too!

Episode Credits:
Host and Producer: Kathy Jentz

Music: Let the Sunshine by James Mulvany

PIN THIS FOR LATER!

The Lincoln Cottage garden plan by Jennifer Horn.