Native Plants, Healthy Planet

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick record live at the 2026 Perennial Plant Association National Symposium in East Lansing, Michigan. In Part 1 of this series, Tom and Fran sit down with with Mandy Komes-Leifheit (Territory Manager - Native Plants at Midwest Groundcovers) and Elliott Duemler (Sales Representative · National Nursery Products) to discuss the role native plants are playing in the ornamental nursery industry. Topics include the current demand for native plants outside of native plant circles and how that demand has changed over the years, and what the forecast for native plants is in the future. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

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Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Tom and Fran follow up with good news about state of native plants and the work that still needs to be done. We have some book news!  “That’s Hot” pits East Coast vs West Coast.  “This or That” asks if money and location are key to biodiversity. We are giving listener shoutouts – Lots of them!  Make sure you stay for the secret. Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

That’s Hot – Fran’s Plant / Tom’s Plant

Read Fran’s Article / Read Tom’s Article

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Have a comment?  Email info@nativeplantshealthyplanet.com

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Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Ethan Tapper (Forestry Consultant and author of How to Love a Forest) to discuss his new book The Forest Year: Finding Hope in a World Worth Saving. Topics include how life has changed for Ethan over the last two years, focusing on your surroundings for ecosystem understanding, becoming one with the sense of home, finding inspiration every day, and what comes next after book number 2. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

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Have a question or a comment?  Call (215) 346-6189.

Follow Native Plants Healthy Planet – Website / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube

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Buy a T-shirt, spread the message, and do some good. Visit our store Here!

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Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Tom and Fran are eating on air again. What are they eating this time? “That’s Hot” spend some time in the prairies.  “This or That” asks some difficult questions about what is best. We are giving listener shoutouts – Lots of them!  Tom introduces a brand new segment and you can bet it's a good one. Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

That’s Hot – Fran’s Plant / Tom’s Plant

Read Fran’s Article / Read Tom’s Article

Have a question or a comment?  Call (215) 346-6189

Have a comment?  Email info@nativeplantshealthyplanet.com

Follow Native Plants Healthy Planet – Website / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube

Follow Fran Chismar Here.

Buy a T-shirt, spread the message, and do some good.

Visit our store Here!

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Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick reside over a panel of experts including Nathan Shampine (Natural Lands Manager, Mt. Cuba Center), Sam Hoadley (Manager of Horticultural Research, Mt. Cuba Center) and Jenna Webster (Senior Associate, LWLA) live at Mt. Cuba Center to discuss warm season grasses. Topics include the role warm season grasses play in restoration and meadows, what people should know before starting a meadow, which warm season grasses have the most untapped potential, wild type of cultivars, and seed vs. plugs vs. gallons.  The session ends with some wonderful audience questions. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

Follow Mt. Cuba Center Here.

Learn about the Mt. Cuba Center Trail Garden Here.

Follow LWLA Here.

Have a question or a comment?  Call (215) 346-6189.

Follow Native Plants Healthy Planet – Website / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube

Follow Fran Chismar Here.

Buy a T-shirt, spread the message, and do some good. Visit our store Here!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.