Spring Gardening Q&A: Soil, Strawberries, Pests & Spring Planting Tips

In this spring-focused episode of The Dirt on Gardening Podcast, we—Andre the Farmer, Urban Gardening with Gray, and The Chocolate Botanist—kick off the growing season with a lively gardening Q&A packed with practical tips, laughs, and real-world garden updates. We dive into everything gardeners are dealing with right now, from spring planting prep and recovering from winter damage to pest control, strawberries, compost, hydroponics, and choosing the right native plants for your region. This episode covers:  Spring garden planning and seasonal planting tips  Recovering mango trees and tropical plants after freezes  Favorite native plants for pollinators and ecosystems  Carnivorous plants native to the Carolinas  Filling raised beds and improving soil naturally  Growing Okinawan spinach and longevity spinach  Strawberries: sunlight, soil pH, drainage, and bigger harvests  Hydroponic fertilizer issues and nutrient mixing  Worm composting and vermiculture basics We also answer listener questions on: Whiteflies, spider mites, cucumber beetles, and grasshopper control  Using neem oil, insecticidal soap, and diatomaceous earth safely  Compost recommendations for different regions  Soil brands vs. building living soil locally  Earthworms, compost tea, and molasses myths  Watermelons, pawpaws, tropical fruit trees, and growing by climate zone Along the way, we share stories from our own gardens, reflect on PlantCon experiences, debate gardening myths like electroculture, and somehow end up talking about Michael Jackson, movie nostalgia, and internet conspiracies. Whether you grow on a patio, in raised beds, or across acres of land, this episode is packed with science-backed advice, honest gardening experiences, and community-driven conversation to help you grow with confidence this spring. Resources & Links Mentioned: Sonias Bug Spray: soniasbugspray.com  Thryve Roots: thryveroots.com  Andre the Farmer: https://andrethefarmer.com Urban Gardening with Gray: https://urbangardeningwithgray.com/ The Chocolate Botanist: https://bio.site/thechocolatebotanistKeywords (SEO): spring gardening tips, gardening Q&A podcast, strawberry growing tips, pest control in garden, native plants gardening, compost and soil health, spring planting guide, hydroponic gardening tips, organic pest control, gardening podcast   Support Our Sponsors: Retain Spray: retainspray.com Sonia’s Bug Spray: https://sonias-essentials.myshopify.com/Thryve Roots: ThryveRoots.comAndre The Farmer’s Pepper Sauce: andrethefarmer.com#Gardening #UrbanFarming #podcast #TheChocolateBotanist #BlackPlantCreators #GrowYourOwn #Horticulture #PlantCare #andrethefarmer #FarmToBalcony #BudgetGardening #GardenTips #GardenLife #PlantParent #UrbanGardening