The Northern Grower

There seems to be so much division and fear out there and one day after a day spent in too much sun, I processed my thoughts about why I choose to homestead and garden. I choose to find joy in homesteading and purpose in a positive mindset. In this episode I share my rambling thoughts about why we need the good and the joyful in our homesteading lives. *No intro with this ep as I'm playing around with finding a new one-again!https://linktr.ee/thenortherngrower

If you are trying to save money when it comes to gardening or starting your garden with a limited budget I share some money saving ideas and tips in this episode. These are some of the little ways we have managed to save money when it comes to growing our garden over the years.  So if you are interested in how to start a garden on a budget then you can find some ideas and inspiration here! I also share that many of the money saving tips involve community work and the importance of communities coming together can make positive change! Links: https://linktr.ee/thenortherngrower**APOLOGIES for the squeaky chair in the background, I'm working on a new podcasting space this month and that should hopefully mean no squeaky chair and better sound room! Intro Music: Wanderlust by Scott Buckley | www.scottbuckley.com.auMusic promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

With the rise and resurgence of gardening, growing and folk traditions I explore the ancient practice of moon gardening. In this episode I provide an introduction to lunar phase gardening as well as some old folklore practices on bringing the power of the moon into your gardening habits and practices.The Northern Grower | Instagram | LinktreeIntro Credits:  Wanderlust by Scott Buckley | www.scottbuckley.com.auMusic promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/email the show at thenortherngrowerpodcast@gmail.com

In this episode Erin shares about one of her favorite subjects-apothecary gardening. Apothecary gardening and growing home and herbal remedies is going through a revival, in part thanks to a combination of the modern homesteading and self sufficiency movements, the back to the land revival and resurgence of traditional skills and modern witch movement. Erin takes a look at the history of the apothecary garden and shares a few favorites to grow for those planning a kitchen or herb garden of their own! Links: The Northern Grower | Instagram | LinktreeEmail: thenotherngrowerpodcast@gmail.comIntro Credit:  Wanderlust by Scott Buckley | www.scottbuckley.com.auMusic promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ History and Information Sources for the Episode:Women’s Business: 17th-Century Female Pharmacists | Science History Institute Home - The Worshipful Society of Apothecaries

As a cold climate grower, growing in zones 3-4 I have to start some of my seeds early. One method is to start sowing seeds indoors, ready for transplant later. In this episode I share what seeds to start in January and February if you are a cold climate grower. Links: The Northern Grower | Instagram | Linktree  Wanderlust by Scott Buckley | www.scottbuckley.com.auMusic promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

If you are a gardener then you've probably heard about zones and if you are new, then you probably know that zones are sort of important. However how many of us know what the zones actually measure? In this episode I take a brief dive into Gardening Zones and what they mean. Links:A Map of USDA hardiness zones: https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/Canadian Hardiness Zones and a map of Canada with the USDA Zones:http://planthardiness.gc.ca/?m=1Formula for calculating Canadian Hardiness Zones: http://planthardiness.gc.ca/?m=1Shop Green Witch Seeds https://greenwitchseed.ca/ use code northerngrower for 15% off your order!

In this episode, Erin discusses her favourite annual varieties that she grows in her zone 3 garden. These varieties are well suited to cooler climates and can give you some ideas and inspiration to try in your own backyard or homestead!Listeners can use code: northerngrower  at https://greenwitchseed.ca/ for 15% off your order of seeds. Contact Erin at thenortherngrowerpodcast@gmail.com

In this episode, Erin discusses her favourite perennial plants to grow for colder climate gardeners and the benefits of perennials. If you are starting perennials from seed, now is a really good time to start. For updated blog posts including a written list of perennial recommendations for northern growers please visit: https://www.thenortherngrower.caFor 15% off your order off seeds, use code northerngrower at https://greenwitchseed.ca

In the new season of The Northern Grower, Erin gives an overview of when/how and what seeds she is starting this year month by month in her zone 3 homestead garden. 

In this episode I briefly move away from gardening to discuss practices and traditions that we observe here on the homestead to recognize the harvest season. From a Mabon altar to harvest feasts and activities this lifestyle episode can hopefully give you some ideas to start some fall traditions in your household. The next episode will focus on pumpkin uses and saving pumpkin seeds!email the show at thenortherngrowerpodcast@gmail.comThe Northern Grower | Instagram | Linktree (blog, seeds, instagram)Intro Track: Wanderlust by Scott Buckley | www.scottbuckley.com.auMusic promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Whether you are trying to practice homesteading, slow living, find more sustainability in your life or simply feeling overwhelmed with all the gardening and preserving of food. This episode can hopefully serve as a motivator and reminder that what you are doing is important. I discuss why it is valuable and important to continue or begin to learn homestead skills. I share my story and some listeners also contributed with their reasons why they are homesteading or choosing to learn traditional skills and connect to the land. Next episode: Fall Traditions on the HomesteadImportant Links: The Northern Grower | Instagram | Linktree email: thenortherngrowerpodcast@gmail.comListener Contributions Instagram: Byanka (@wild_yarrow_homestead) • Instagram photos and videosLisa (@lisamchuk) • Instagram photos and videosIntro Music: Wanderlust by Scott Buckley | Download and Stream on Chosic Wanderlust by Scott Buckley | www.scottbuckley.com.auMusic promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 

**Apologies, please note the sound quality is not great with this episode, turns out my microphone was acting up, sound quality should resume as normal with all other episodes*With garlic planting season underway, this episode covers the basics of growing, harvesting and storing garlic with a focus on cold climates. Links Mentioned: Garlic and the Vampire by Bree Paulsen (goodreads.com) Interesting Garlic/Allium Book: Garlic and Other Alliums: The Lore and The Science by Eric Block (goodreads.com)Canadian Prairie Garlic eScape - Saskatchewan Garlic Online Store (saskgarlic.ca) Erin is a gardener, homesteader and educator growing in a zone 3 climate in Canada. She enjoys sharing her passion of growing food, the challenges and opportunities of growing in a cold climate, homesteading and slow living topics, the magic of simple homestead living as well as sprinkling in some folklore along the way. If you would like to email the show: thenotherngrowerpodcast@gmail.comTo visit the heirloom seed saving project and instagram visit: The Northern Grower | Instagram | Linktree and follow the links. With the garlic planting season coming up, I thought it would be perfect timing

In this episode I discuss growing blueberries and ways to save them. Next week's episode will be all about garlic-an indepth take on growing garlic in zone 3If you would like to reach out/comment email thenortherngrowerpodcast@gmail.comYou can connect with me here at: https://linktr.ee/thenortherngrowerpodcast Intro Music is:  Wanderlust by Scott Buckley | www.scottbuckley.com.auMusic promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 

In this episode Erin discusses the story and growing tips for Sunflowers. Next week will be all about blueberries, how to grow and preserve them!Important Links:Purchasing Sunflowers-Giant Varieities=-Giganteus Sunflower - Flowers And Bulbs | VeseysMonet's Pallet Sunflowers-Sunflower – thegreenwitchseedco Teddy Bear Sunflowers-Teddy Bear Sunflower Seeds – West Coast SeedsThe Northern Grower Links (instagram, etsy shop, store, blog)The Northern Grower | Linktree

In this episode I discuss the story and history of the Goji Berry and tips for gardening if you want to try growing this yourself! Next episode will be Sunflowers. Links for purchasing goji berry seeds: goji berry – thegreenwitchseedco Edmonton Heritage Goji Berry - Forest City Plants Shanghai Express Goji Seeds – West Coast Seeds Erin's Links-The Northern Grower | Linktree

Thank you for bearing with me whilst I continue to figure out my intro situation! In this episode I tell you all about the wonderful Haskap berry, some history, some useful stuff to know for growing and why any gardener within zones 2-4 should have some Haskaps in their life!Contact: thenotherngrowerpodcast@gmail.comInstagram: the_northern_growerVisit The Green Witch Seed Company – thegreenwitchseedco

In this episode I discuss my experiences, thoughts and tips for  gardening with a young family. We really started increasing garden production at the same time as when our newborn arrived and it was...chaotic to say the least. We survived and you will too, so if you are gardening or wanting to start gardening but have young children and are worried about having to do it all, I share my tips right here on the podcast. (Hey, if the episode this time around is not your cup of tea, the next episode will be all about growing haskaps so please stay tuned)!All my links, info and small shop can be found here: The Northern Grower | Linktree **Note due to technical issues we have no intro here, I launch straight into the podcast. 

In this episode, Erin discusses her favourite essential books for anyone wanting to begin their gardening or homesteading journey. She shares books that are not only "how to" guides but also some of her favourite reads that remind her why she began this journey of self sufficiency in the first place. You can visit the seed store, shop and Erin's social media here at The Northern Grower | Linktree. Thank you for supporting the podcast. 

In the next few episodes  in The Northern Grower I'll be analyzing the world of modern homesteading! What does it mean to homestead in modern society? What does the act of homesteading look like in today's world? In this episode and the next few I will also be looking at recommended reads for homesteaders, why is growing your own food so important, what are some ways you can take steps to become more self sufficient? Visit the seed store at The Green Witch Seed Company – thegreenwitchseedco and use code northerngrower for 15% off your order.For podcast feedback email thenotherngrowerpodcast@gmail.com Follow me on instagram at Green Witch Seed Co (@the_northern_grower) • Instagram photos and videos 

In this bonus episode our host Erin joins us to answer all your cold climate gardening questions. Thanks as always and good luck this season!