Hort Culture

About Hort Culture

Welcome to Hort Culture, where a group of Extension professionals and plant people talk about the business, production and joy of farming. So, join us for a chat on the culture of horticulture. Questions/Comments/Feedback/Suggestions for Topics: hortculturepodcast@l.uky.edu (mailto:hortculturepodcast@l.uky.edu) Check us out on Instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/hortculturepodcast/)

Publisher

Plant People

Category

arts · business · education · leisure · science

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

11 Mar 2023

Latest episode

11 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

187 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   11 Oct 2026

   Spooky Season, Spooky Plants

   October is officially here, and the Hort-Culture team is embracing all things spooky season! In this episode, Alexis, Jessica, and Ray explore the weird, eerie, and fascinating world of spooky plants—from botanical tricksters to true atmospheric creepy crawlers. The crew kicks off with a quick psychological dive into why morning darkness feels oddly safe compared to the evening, before jumping straight into plants that give us the chills: * Spooky Environments & Mind Games: How a simple stroll through the woods can turn eerie. Ray shares a late-night encounter with a rustling Bigtooth Aspen in the Red River Gorge, Alexis breaks down why American Beeches look like "little ghosts" waving through winter forests, and the team analyzes why standing alone in a rustling cornfield triggers instant sensory overload. * The Strange & The Carnivorous: Alexis highlights the world of carnivorous plants—including a hilarious nod to the International Carnivorous Plant Society's definition of "murderous plants"—and shares tips for keeping pitcher plants happy in a patio bog. * Botanical Oddities & Eerie Mimics: From the ghostly, non-photosynthetic Ghost Pipe (Monotropa uniflora) that steals nutrients from surrounding roots, to the rotting-flesh aroma of the giant Corpse Flower, and the dramatic, bat-like blooms of the Tacca (Bat Flower). * Dangerous Defenses & Wicked Weeds: The hosts talk about nightmare-inducing thorns, featuring the terrifying 6-to-8-inch spikes of Honey Locust trees, alongside the dark, toxic history of Jimson Weed (Datura), Pokeberry, and Poison Hemlock. * Folk Lore & The Wailing Trees: Ray dispels the myth behind the name "Witch Hazel" (spoiler: it's all about flexibility, not witches!), reminisces about glowing Jack-O'-Lantern mushrooms in the woods, and recounts how a Berenstain Bears book helped him conquer his fear of a local "wailing tree." Grab a warm drink, get cozy, and join the conversation! Do you have a spooky plant story or local tree legend? Send your tales to hortculturepodcast@gmail.com or connect on Instagram @HortCulturePodcast. Don't forget to leave a 5-star rating and review! Questions/Comments/Feedback/Suggestions for Topics: hortculturepodcast@gmail.com Check us out on Instagram! [https://www.instagram.com/hortculturepodcast/]

2. 

   4 Oct 2026

   Markets, Milk, and Lettuce Growing with Gabe Cassone

   In this episode of Hort Culture, Brett, Alexis, and Ray  are joined by guest Gabe Cassone, agricultural economist at the University of Kentucky's Center for Crop Diversification (CCD), to dive into the numbers behind growing and selling local produce and dairy. Tune in as we break down everything from digital farmers market price reporting and USDA shipping point data to the surprising price differences between urban and rural markets. We also explore the future of the dairy industry, unique value-added consumer trends (like eye-tracking tech in grocery stores and European-style milk vending machines), and Gabe's own backyard vertical hydroponic lettuce experiment! Gabe CassoneExtension Associate [https://ccd.uky.edu/people/gabe-cassone] Center for Crop Diversification [https://ccd.uky.edu/] Price ReportsRegional Farmers Market & Produce Auction Price Data [https://ccd.uky.edu/pricereports] Questions/Comments/Feedback/Suggestions for Topics: hortculturepodcast@gmail.com Check us out on Instagram! [https://www.instagram.com/hortculturepodcast/]

3. 

   27 Sept 2026

   State Fair Showstoppers

   In this episode hosts Ray, Alexis, and Brett discuss the enduring appeal and sheer spectacle of state fair giant produce competitions. They explore the mix of agricultural science, elite genetics, and environmental conditions—such as Alaska's long daylight hours and cool nights—that drive these extreme growths. The hosts highlight notable Kentucky records, including a state-record 1,882.4-pound pumpkin from Grayson County, a 245.7-pound watermelon, and a 95-inch sunflower. They also marvel at mind-boggling national records like a 138-pound cabbage, a nearly 6-foot-long carrot, a 39.5-pound head of broccoli, and a 0.38-pound green bean. Wrapping up the episode, the hosts share what giant or random crops they would personally attempt to grow. Growing Giant Pumpkins in the Home Garden [https://cfaes.osu.edu/fact-sheet/growing-giant-pumpkins-home-garden] Exhibiting and Judging Vegetables [https://publications.mgcafe.uky.edu/4ah-16pa] Questions/Comments/Feedback/Suggestions for Topics: hortculturepodcast@gmail.com Check us out on Instagram! [https://www.instagram.com/hortculturepodcast/]

Who has been a guest on Hort Culture

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Kayla Preston
• Savannah Columbia
• Sarah Geurkink
• Hunter-Anne
• Spencer

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

17 ratings

Spotify

4.7 / 5

19 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 71 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

96

Social presence

91

YouTube

0

Engagement

71

Contact Hort Culture

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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Questions about Hort Culture