Cover crops can protect and improve garden soil during the time of year when our gardens are resting. In this episode, Erin talks with Twinflower Wilkie, a WSU Extension Master Gardener in Ferry County, about how cover crops help retain moisture, protect soil from erosion, cycle nutrients, and build healthier soil.

Twinflower also shares why cover crops can benefit pollinators and other beneficial wildlife, and why allowing your garden to go a little wild can be good for the garden and the creatures that depend on it. They discuss choosing and using cover crops in the home garden and simple ways gardeners can get started.

For gardeners in Washington's dry eastern climate and beyond, cover crops offer a practical way to keep soil protected and productive while creating a more welcoming garden for wildlife.

Resources mentioned in this episode, along with a full transcript, can be found on our website.

Every gardener has encountered advice that promises amazing results, from family traditions passed down through generations to the latest trend making the rounds on social media. How do you know what to trust?

In this episode, Erin talks with Bryce Battisti about what "research-based" really means and why it is a core part of the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program. Bryce shares his own journey from embracing popular gardening ideas to appreciating the value of research in helping gardeners make informed decisions.

Together, they explore how gardening recommendations are developed, why scientific understanding changes as new discoveries are made, and why local research is especially valuable for Washington gardeners. They also discuss practical ways to evaluate gardening advice, identify reliable sources, and avoid wasting time and money on untested practices.

Resources mentioned in this episode, along with a full transcript, can be found on our website.

In this episode of The Evergreen Thumb, Erin Hoover chats with Julie Banken, a Master Gardener with a background in entomology, about creating pollinator-friendly gardens by rethinking traditional fall cleanup practices. Julie shares her passion for gardening with insects in mind, explaining how leaving leaves, stems, and other natural debris provides essential winter habitat for a wide variety of pollinators and beneficial insects. She encourages gardeners to view their yards as crucial parts of the ecosystem, highlights the importance of native plants, and offers practical advice for supporting insect life cycles—like leaving leaf mulch and standing stems through winter and only tidying up the next year. By making simple intentional changes, gardeners can help sustain the pollinators and insects that depend on them, making a positive impact right in their home gardens.