In this episode we discuss the benefits and practicalities of installing and using drip irrigation systems in vegetable gardens. We delve into the specifics of drip irrigation, explaining how it delivers water efficiently to the soil, reduces weed pressure, and minimizes water waste. We also cover the basics of setting up a drip system and the maintenance required, as well as adapting watering schedules to various climates and soil types.
Adding organic matter to your garden is crucial for vegetable growing success, and for many gardeners, compost is the most readily available source of organic matter. In this episode we discuss how to use compost as a fall garden amendment to improve and protect your soil over the wet winter months.
Hilary Dahl, host of the Encyclopedia Botanica podcast, announces a new season featuring guest gardening experts and enthusiasts. While Hilary continues to work on new episodes she'll be re-releasing a few timely fall favorites from the EB Podcast archives. This episode, "Cover Crops In The Home Garden", delves into the use of cover crops, explaining their benefits for soil health, nitrogen fixation, and carbon addition, alongside practical tips on planting and management. It also highlights the challenges smaller home gardens face with cover cropping, such as timing and space limitations, and stresses the importance of careful planning.
The quality of produce you grow is dependent on the quality of your soil. We are big advocates of doing everything possible to make garden soil the best it can be right from the start, and then working year after year to maintain and improve its quality. In this episode we're joined by award winning author Jeff Lowenfels to discuss the soil food web and garden soil ecosystems. Jeff Lowenfels is the author of an award-winning trilogy of books on soil, Teaming With Microbes: The Organic Gardener’s Guide To The Soil Food Web, Teaming With Nutrients: The Organic Gardener’s Guide to Optimizing Plant Nutrition and Teaming With Fungi: The Organic Grower’s Guide to Mycorrhizae.
In this episode Hilary and Colin answer a listener's questions about wood-framed raised bed construction best practices. Their business, Seattle Urban Farm Company has designed and built hundreds of custom raised bed gardens in the Seattle area, so check out this episode for an inside scoop on all of the pro tips! Pre-order their newest book Grow More Food here!
This week we'll be discussing management techniques for growing in high tunnels, hoophouses and greenhouses! We're thrilled to be joined this week by our good friend and Seattle Urban Farm Co co-founder Brad Halm. Brad is also the co-author of our gardening books, including our most recent "Grow More Food", which is available for preorder now and will ship in early February 2022. Send us your question and episode topic suggestions: eb@seattleurbanfarmco.com
This week on the podcast we're tackling powdery mildew! Colin and Hilary are joined by Jenny Rebecca Glass, Extension Coordinator and Plant Diagnostician for the WSU-Puyallup Plant and Insect Diagnostic Laboratory. Jenny will help us answer your questions about the lifecycle of this common garden disease as well as management tips and techniques. Send us your question and episode topic suggestions: eb@seattleurbanfarmco.com
In this podcast we chat with special guest Niki Jabbour about techniques for using structures of all sizes in your garden year-round to extend your season, reduce pest pressure, and improve yields. Show notes: Episode 110: Growing Under Cover with Niki Jabbour The Grow More Food Pre-Order Giveaway!
Everything you wanted to know about cucumbers but were afraid to ask. We dig into the history of the cucumber, it's botanical curiosities and why you should start succession planting them. The survey…! In order to keep making this podcast, we need your support by taking this quick, 30 second survey for our podcast hosting platform. Once we have enough replies to the survey we will creating episodes again! In this season we’ll be addressing topics selected by you! So, starting now please email your garden questions or topics you’d like us to cover to our new dedicated email address: eb@seattleurbanfarmco.com
After an extended hiatus, we’re back and ready to bring you some amazing new episodes of the Encyclopedia Botanica Podcast! The survey…! In order to keep making this podcast, we need your support by taking this quick, 30 second survey for our podcast hosting platform. Once we have enough replies to the survey we will creating episodes again! In this season we’ll be addressing topics selected by you! So, starting now please email your garden questions or topics you’d like us to cover to our new dedicated email address: eb@seattleurbanfarmco.com
Kellie's back as a special co-host for this last episode of the 2019 season and it's all about growing, harvesting and cooking with beets! Find photos, links to Kellie's business, and more in the show notes for this episode: www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/blog/
Learning proper harvest timing and technique can help increase yields and ensure you get the best tasting produce from your garden. In this episode, Hilary and Colin talk harvesting methodology. They break down the techniques into five categories to help you make the most of your bounty. Find photos, links to Colin's books, and more in the show notes for this episode: www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/blog/
Hilary and Kelly Smith Trimble discuss Kelly's new book, Vegetable Gardening Wisdom; and share simple words of advice and practical inspiration for getting most out of your vegetable garden! Find photos, links to Kelly's book, and more in the show notes for this episode: www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/blog/
Turns out gardening in straw bales might be the least expensive and most effective way to create a season-long container garden! Hilary and Craig LeHoullier discuss what a straw bale garden is and how to set one up! Find photos, links to Craig's projects, and more in the show notes for this episode: http://www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/blog/
Tomatoes are probably the most popular garden vegetable, and for good reason; they're versatile, highly productive, and produce fruits that are far superior to any you can buy at the grocery store. In this episode we'll discuss tips for choosing and the best tomato for your space and needs and how to plant tomatoes. Find photos, links to Kellie's business, and more in the show notes for this episode: http://www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/blog/
Emma Biggs talks with Hilary about the techniques she uses to grow 133 varieties of tomatoes, from seed to harvest, on her family’s urban lot in Toronto, Canada. Find photos, links to Emma's work, and more in the show notes for this episode: http://www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/blog/
Stefani Bittner, owner of Homestead Design Collective, talks with Hilary about how to create a beautiful and productive outdoor living space. Find photos, links to Stefani's work, and more in the show notes for this episode: http://www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/blog/
In this episode, Sara and Hilary talk about container gardening. Much of Sara’s work is focused on utilizing unused balcony, patio and rooftop space in very urban environments, so this episode focuses on the unique set of needs and challenges that comes along with growing in more unconventional garden space. Find photos, links to Sara's work, and more in the show notes for this episode: http://www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/blog/
Hilary talks with legendary garden writer, Rosalind Creasy about the joys and perils of eating flowers. Find photos, links to Ros's books, and more in the show notes for this episode: http://www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/blog/
Hilary and Colin share everything you need to know to grow your best crop of carrots and parsnips yet! Find photos, links to Colin's books, and more in the show notes for this episode: http://www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/blog/
Caroline McKallor
Great gardening info! I get excited to grow everything they discuss on this podcast.