Podcast Summary: Hoy por Hoy – "Meterse en un Jardín"

Episode Theme:
Exploring the Geographic and Climatological Factors That Determine Crop and Plant Growth Differences Across Spain
Date: November 18, 2025
Host: Àngels Barceló
Guest Expert: Eduardo Barba (Gardening Specialist)

Overview

This episode of "Hoy por Hoy," hosted by Àngels Barceló, delves into the fascinating topic of how geography and climate shape the possibilities and limitations for plant and crop cultivation across the diverse regions of Spain. Eduardo Barba, a regular expert on the program, joins Àngels for an engaging, practical conversation about outdoor vs. indoor plants, plant adaptation, problem-solving for home gardeners, and why not every plant thrives everywhere. Listeners also get hands-on tips and answers to real-life gardening questions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Climate Determines What Grows Where

• Ficus benjamina as an Example
  • In Málaga or Cádiz: Can thrive outdoors year-round due to steady warm temperatures ([02:32]).
    • Eduardo Barba:

      "En una Málaga, por ejemplo, temperaturas por debajo de 9 grados centígrados son difíciles de alcanzar... durante todo el año estaría perfecto." ([02:34])

  • In Teruel: Must be sheltered in winter, as cold kills the plant.
    • "Ahí esta planta en el invierno moriría irremediablemente." ([02:45])
• Indoor vs. Outdoor Plants
  • The "indoor plant" concept is human-made—if the climate allows, many can be kept outdoors.

    "Lo de la planta de interior es una invención humana... todas las plantas se pueden cultivar en el exterior, siempre y cuando el clima lo permita." – Eduardo ([03:33])

2. Plant Genetics, Origin, and Adaptation Limits

• Why Some Plants Don't Adapt
  • Genetics and native conditions dictate adaptation. Plants from tropical zones can’t handle freezing temperatures just as someone from the Arctic would struggle in the tropics ([04:21]).
  • Some species can gradually adapt to cold if acclimated slowly.
• Not all adaptations are beneficial—plants from cold regions may suffer in continual warmth.

3. The Importance of "Horas de Frío" (Chill Hours)

• Fruit Trees Need Winter Cold to Thrive
  • Example: Manzano (apple tree) can't grow well indoors due to lack of necessary cold exposure.

    "Los manzanos necesitan... horas de frío. Es el número de horas que necesita una planta por debajo de 7 grados centígrados para estar sana." – Eduardo ([06:26])

  • Without this cycle, the plants have poor health, flowering, and fruiting.

4. The Case of the Coleus (Cóleo)

• Seasonal Adaptation and Maintenance
  • Barba demonstrates pruning and prepping a coleus for indoor wintering.
    • Plants show signs of needing to come inside: leaf color changes and drooping.
    • Mediterranean regions allow coleus outdoors year-round; colder areas require indoor shelter in winter.
  • Quote:

    "Este cóleo se va a poner tan tremendo y tan bonito." – Eduardo ([09:48])

5. Audience Q&A – Practical Gardening Advice

• Olive Tree Troubles in Cornella de Llobregat (Caller: Vanessa)
  • Issue: Olive attacked by pests, pruned heavily, now only a basal ‘chupón’ (shoot) and one branch left.
  • Eduardo's advice:
    • Don’t panic—let the new shoot grow, as it may become the main plant if the old branches are too damaged.
    • Don’t change soil immediately; instead, try organic fertilizer.

      "Lo que tienes que hacer es esperar... ese chupón puede que sea el futuro del olivo." ([13:31]) "Abono orgánico sí que le vendría bien... que no sea de síntesis química, para que el árbol esté un poquito más fresco." ([15:19])

• Bulbs: Fresias and Hyacinths (Rosario, via voice note)
  • When to plant? Still in time, but at the very last moment to plant spring-flowering bulbs in Spain.

    "Los bulbos estamos todavía en el límite temporal para plantarlos... pero estamos ya en el límite, límite, límite." – Eduardo ([20:50])

    • Fresias can remain in soil from year to year; hyacinths and tulips lose vigor over time and may need replanting.

6. Other Key Environmental Factors

• Heat as a Limiting Factor:
  • Some plants can't handle prolonged high temperatures (e.g., camelias, hortensias)—they need milder, more humid climates ([15:54]-[17:22]).
• Humidity:
  • Northern Spain (e.g., Asturias, Euskadi) supports humidity-loving species like ferns, but is hostile to Mediterranean plants like lavender, which rot in excess moisture ([18:10]).
• Precipitation:
  • Constant rain kills drought-adapted plants (e.g., thyme); conversely, lack of rain makes some lush garden species impossible in certain regions ([18:29]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Lo de la planta de interior es una invención humana..."
  Eduardo Barba explains why our terminology about indoor/outdoor plants is more about our lifestyles than about the plants’ actual needs.
  – ([03:33])

• "En jardinería, aunque nos guste, hay sitios donde no se puede tener de todo."
  Àngels encapsulates the frustration and acceptance gardeners must have about regional plant limits.
  – ([18:55])

• Live Pruning of a Coleus

  • [09:13] Eduardo performs a live demonstration of pruning a coleus in the studio, tossing leaves on the floor, much to Àngels' amusement.

  • "Este tío está loco, es que acaba de dejar un suelo..." – Àngels Barceló ([09:28])

• Hands-On Advice

  • On over-pruned olive trees:

    "Ese chupón puede que sea el futuro del olivo... mucha luz, sol directo y mucho cariño." – Eduardo Barba ([13:31], [15:12])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:38 – Eduardo Barba introduced.
• 01:25 – Introduction to topic: differences in plant cultivation across Spain.
• 02:23 – Ficus example: why some plants thrive outdoors in the south, not in the north.
• 03:26 – "Indoor" plants are a human invention—actually climate determined.
• 06:19 – Chill hours: why apple trees need cold to be healthy and productive.
• 09:13 – Live coleus pruning and prepping plants for winter indoors.
• 11:49 – Listener question: Olive tree attacked by pests, pruning, and recovery.
• 15:47 – Beyond cold: other climatic factors (heat, humidity) impacting plant health.
• 19:09 – Listener question: Planting bulbs, best timing for fresias and hyacinths.

Conclusion & Takeaways

• The main driver behind what plants thrive where in Spain is a combination of genetics, place of origin, and above all, local climate—temperature, humidity, and rainfall patterns.
• The popular labelling of "indoor" and "outdoor" plants is more about environmental limitations indoors/outdoors than about the plant itself.
• Adapting plants to local conditions may require gradual acclimation, seasonal movement, or simply accepting the limitations imposed by your region.
• Listeners are encouraged to experiment, observe, and adjust their care in response to how plants behave as the seasons and climate change.

For more gardening wisdom, tune into Hoy por Hoy live or subscribe to the SER Podcast.