In this episode of The Palmcast, we sit down with Dr. David Creech of SFA Gardens for an in-depth conversation on a lifetime spent in horticulture.

Dr. Creech shares stories from his nearly 40+ years at Stephen F. Austin State University, including the history and evolution of SFA Gardens, his work in the fruit industry, and his experience owning and operating a peach orchard.

We also dive into growing in East Texas, native plants vs. nativars, and practical knowledge that only comes from decades of real-world experience. This conversation went nearly two hours and will likely become a multi-part series.

If you enjoy this episode, we encourage you to visit and support SFA Gardens. The gardens are funded entirely through private donations, and your support helps continue their mission.

👉 Visit & Support:
https://www.sfasu.edu/gardens

🌿 Topics include:
• History of SFA Gardens
• 40+ years in horticulture
• Peach orchards & fruit growing
• Native plants vs. nativars
• Growing in East Texas
• Lessons from decades of plant trials

👉 Check out our shops:
Sabal King of Texas (Etsy)
https://sabalkingoftexas.etsy.com

Teddy’s Nursery (eBay)
https://ebay.us/m/DLYoQL

If you enjoy the show, make sure to follow and stay tuned as we continue to explore cold-hardy palms, nursery life, and the realities of growing plants at scale.

Let’s keep growing 🌴🚀

In Episode 8, Tom and Teddy dive into essential spring tasks for palm growers and collectors. As the growing season kicks off, timing and preparation are everything.We cover when to buy your palms, what to look for when selecting healthy specimens, and how to design the perfect planting locations. We also get into proper watering techniques, site preparation, and how to set your palms up for success through the warmer months.Whether you're new to palms or a seasoned grower, this episode is packed with practical advice you can apply right now.We even announce our first sponsor - Nelson Plant Foods! Make sure you support them by picking up some of their fine fertilizers and feed your palms!https://nelsonplantfood.com/🌱 Topics include:When to purchase palms in springWhat to look for when buyingDesigning your planting layoutSite prep and soil considerationsWatering best practicesAnd much more👉 Be sure to check out our shops:Sabal King of Texas on Etsyhttps://sabalkingoftexas.etsy.comTeddy’s Nursery on eBayhttps://ebay.us/m/DLYoQLIf you enjoy the show, make sure to subscribe and follow along as we continue to explore cold‑hardy palms, nursery life, and the realities of growing plants at scale.Let’s keep growing 🌴🚀

🌴 The Palmcast – Episode with Joe LeVert 🌴

In this episode, we sit down with longtime palm grower Joe LeVert to talk about his decades of experience in the palm world and the incredible work he’s done at Aquinas High School in Augusta.

Joe shares the story behind the school’s growing Sabal and tropical garden—an evolving project where students get hands-on experience with planting, pruning, fertilizing, and maintaining a living landscape. It’s more than just a garden—it’s a real-world classroom shaping the next generation of horticulturists.

We also dive into:

• Joe’s journey into palms

• The evolution of the Aquinas garden

• Student involvement and impact

• The Southeastern Palm Society meeting hosted at the school

• Sabal discussions and growing insights

🌱 Support the Program
If you’d like to support the Aquinas High School horticulture program and help provide students with valuable life skills:

📧 Email Joe directly: jlevert@aquinashigh.org
📩 Or reach out to Tom or Teddy

Your support helps continue this meaningful work and invest in future growers.

🎧 Thanks for listening to The Palmcast!