Episode 164: Tools Retrospective (Part 2)

Welcome to the second part of our Tools Retrospective with Master Gardener Volunteer, Joan Satterlee, which consists of 3 previously aired segments known as Tools of the Trade. Learn about some great resources that many gardeners consider essential.

This episode starts off with a short segment about bird identification. The Merlin app developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology was developed over 10 years ago with contributions of photos and recordings from over 5000 birders around the world. It's very easy to use as it asks you very easy questions such as where and when you saw the bird, its size, colors (up to 3), and what activity the bird was engaged in when you saw it. It then provides you with photos and a brief description to help you identify what you saw. It also has a sound ID feature that allows you to make a recording and the app tells you what birds you are hearing. A very useful tool to better understand the world around you.

Next, learn more about perennials with three great resources. "Essential Perennials" is organized by botanical name but has a handy common name index too. It provides information such as the plant's flower color, bloom time, foliage characteristics, and light requirements."Gardening with Perennials by Month" is another great book featuring 700 different species, with great descriptions, that is organized by bloom time, as well as providing information on growing conditions and potential plant diseases. So if you are looking to create a garden with something in bloom all season, or a garden with plants that are in bloom at the same time, this book is for you. Finally, for beginners, check out "Perennial All Stars" featuring 150 different options. Plants are selected for their long bloom times, ease of maintenance, ability to grow in a variety of conditions, and reliability to come back year after year.

The third segment in this episode features the Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder. You might wonder why we recommend this for Hudson Valley Gardeners, but it is such an easy, ready-to-use web tool. You can search by both botanical and common name with over 8,000 plant listings that are concise, informative and consistent. It includes 17 attributes for each plant including zone, bloom time, bloom description, suggested uses, noteworthy characteristics, etc. So it's a wonderful tool for New York gardeners.

Next time, we'll have even more tool resources that you may find helpful.

Host: Jean Thomas

Guest: Joan Satterlee

Photo by: Tim Kennelty

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Deven Connelly, Teresa Golden, Taly Hahn, Tim Kennelty, Amy Meadow, Xandra Powers, Annie Scibienski, Robin Smith

Resources

• Merlin Identification
• Merlin Bird ID app identifies more than 450 bird species by sound
• Essential Perennials: The Complete Reference to 2700 Perennials for the Home Garden: Clausen, Ruth Rogers, Christopher, Thomas, Detrick, Alan L.;
• Gardening with Perennials Month by Month by Joseph Hudak (goodreads.com) ;
• Perennial All-Stars: The 150 Best Perennials for Great-Looking, Trouble-Free Gardens: Cox, Jeff:
• Plant Finder | Missouri Botanical Garden

Last updated March 12, 2025