Farmer Fred

Farmer Fred x SMART POT

Farmer Fred, Beyond the Garden Basics Podcast Host

Man holding a box of tomatoes in a garden

Beyond the Garden Basics

If you’ve spent any time learning to garden online, there’s a good chance you’ve run into Farmer Fred Hoffman. He’s the voice behind the Beyond the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, where he breaks down gardening in a way that’s practical, science-based, and easy to use in your own yard.

Who is Fred? 🧑‍🌾

Fred Hoffman, better known as Farmer Fred, is a longtime garden educator and broadcaster. He’s been a UC Certified Master Gardener since 1982, and he’s spent decades helping home gardeners understand what works, what doesn’t, and why.

Before the podcast world, Fred was a familiar voice on Northern California radio, hosting multiple garden and farm shows over the years. Today, his podcast continues that same mission: straightforward garden advice for both new and experienced gardeners.

Farmer Fred and Smart Pots

Fred isn’t guessing when he talks about Smart Pots, he uses them.

In a Beyond the Garden Basics episode, Fred explains that he uses Smart Pots in his own garden, has purchased them himself, and points to the long lifespan, the air pruning effect that prevents circling roots, and the difference that shows up when you actually pull a plant and look at the root system.

He even references a side-by-side test he did with roses, where he found significantly more root mass in the Smart Pot grown plant compared to other containers.