Ron Wilson 11/29/2025 Hour 2

# The Botanical Banter Podcast: Gardening Insights with Rita and Ron Step into the world of gardening wisdom as Rita Heikenfeld, an Appalachian herbal scholar and media personality, joins host Ron Wilson for a delightful conversation about seasonal gardening and cooking. From transforming holiday leftovers into gourmet salads to discovering the surprising year-round benefits of holiday spices like cinnamon and ginger, this episode offers practical advice for both your garden and kitchen. The conversation blooms with insights about growing and cooking collard greens, storing Jerusalem artichokes, and the surprising health benefits of common holiday spices that do more than just flavor your food. Rita shares her expertise on how these aromatic additions can boost your mood and support your immune system throughout the year. Later, arborist Ron Rothhaas joins to tackle tree care questions, offering expert advice on ash tree regrowth after emerald ash borer damage, selecting the best street trees, and why winter is the ideal time for oak tree pruning. The episode wraps with a weather forecast that has gardeners preparing for potential winter storms. ## Timestamps:04:13 - Rita's recipe for collard greens with "pot liquor"07:32 - Jerusalem artichoke storage tips09:15 - Leftover turkey Cobb salad recipe12:30 - Holiday spices with year-round benefits14:25 - Cinnamon varieties and health benefits16:20 - Ginger's anti-inflammatory properties27:45 - Ash tree regrowth after emerald ash borer31:35 - Best trees for street planting34:20 - Winter oak tree pruning benefits38:30 - Winter weather forecast for gardeners Whether you're looking to make the most of your holiday leftovers, understand the medicinal properties of your spice rack, or prepare your trees for winter, this episode delivers practical knowledge you can use immediately in both your garden and kitchen. Subscribe now for more seasonal gardening wisdom!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.