In this inspiring episode of Big Blend Radio’s "Garden Gossip" Show, nationally recognized gardening expert Pam Penick talks about her brand-new book, "Gardens of Texas: Visions of Resilience from the Lone Star State," out now through Timber Press. Pam shares insights on creating climate-resilient, waterwise, and wildlife-friendly gardens, drawing from two decades of experience as a garden writer, speaker, designer, and advocate for sustainable landscaping.

Through the stunning, photo-rich pages of Gardens of Texas, Pam takes readers on a tour of 27 diverse gardens across the Lone Star State, demonstrating how gardeners can adapt to droughts, heat, floods, and freezes while still cultivating beauty and biodiversity. The conversation explores native plants, local soil types, crevice gardens, heirloom varieties, seed swaps, and the importance of local nurseries—with lessons that extend far beyond Texas.

Pam also reflects on how gardening connects us to nature, promotes ecological health, and serves as a creative response to climate change. Whether you’re a novice gardener or a seasoned plant lover, her insights offer both inspiration and practical wisdom for growing with purpose in any environment.

Learn more about Pam and her work at: https://www.penick.net/digging/

Get the book: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/pam-penick/gardens-of-texas/9781643263748/

Listen to more Garden Gossip episodes on: https://garden-gossip.podbean.com/

Celebrate the magic of fall and the richness of Hispanic Heritage Month with us as we journey through the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. In this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Travel with Terri" Show, travel writer Terrie Guthrie explores the spectacular Autumn at the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden: ¡Mundo México! event, running from Sept. 20 through Nov. 2, 2025.

The conversation highlights how the Dallas Arboretum, a premier fall attraction, has been transformed with over 110,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash to create an unprecedented celebration of Mexican living culture, contemporary art, and biodiversity. We delve into the stunning pumpkin village, creative art installations, and the importance of this event in fostering community engagement and creating lasting family memories. Discover why this immersive cultural experience positions Dallas as a national destination for cultural tourism.

Key Takeaways: - The Dallas Arboretum is a beloved year-round destination. - The event features a festival-wide transformation with over 110,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash. - ¡Mundo México! celebrates Mexican culture, art, and biodiversity. - The pumpkin village is a main highlight, showcasing creative pumpkin houses inspired by Mexican regions. - The gardens feature plants and art installations that tell cultural stories. - Family-friendly events at the Arboretum are designed to create lasting memories. - The festival has helped position Dallas as a national destination for cultural tourism.

For more information and to plan your visit, check out the official Dallas Arboretum website: https://www.dallasarboretum.org/

Follow Terri’s adventures: https://travelwithterri.net/ https://www.instagram.com/travelwithterri/ https://www.youtube.com/@travelwithterri https://www.facebook.com/travelwithterrifromtexas

🎙️ Listen to Travel with Terri weekly: https://travelwithterri.podbean.com/

🎧 Also featured on Big Blend Radio’s Vacation Station, Garden Gossip, and Big Daily Blend podcast channels: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

In celebration of National Literacy Month, this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "Books & Authors" show with Books Forward features author Liz Parker, who discusses her upcoming novel, "Witches of Honeysuckle House" (October 21, 2025, Alcove Press). A must-read for "practical Magic" fans, this enchanting story blends curses, sisterhood, and the power of plants with themes of generational trauma, family, and community.

Liz shares insights into the 13-year curse central to the story, the sentient house that shapes the narrative, and how her background in herbalism informs the magic woven throughout the book. She also talks about intention in witchcraft, the significance of plants, and her goal of helping readers reconnect with the natural world.

📘 More about Liz and her books: https://www.lizparkerwrites.com/

⏱️ Chapters / Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to Witches of Honeysuckle House 02:07 – The Curse and Its Significance 04:29 – Sisterhood and Generational Trauma 06:28 – Exploring Spells vs. Curses 07:59 – Themes of Family and Community 09:51 – The Impact of Generational Trauma 11:22 – The Role of Plants and Nature 13:35 – The Author's Journey to Writing 17:17 – The Magic of Belief and Imagination 18:53 – The Sentient House and Its Personality 20:50 – Witchcraft and Family Legacy 22:20 – Herbalism and the Power of Plants 29:52 – The Connection Between Plants and Humanity 32:11 – Conclusion and Future Works

🔔 Learn more about Books Forward: https://booksforward.com/