The Beet: A Podcast For Plant Lovers

In this week’s episode of The Beet, Jacques chats with backyard chicken expert Lisa Steele about why chickens might just be the hardest-working members of the garden team. From weed patrol to soil-scratching benefits, they discuss how chickens can boost your growing space while earning their keep. Plus, Lisa shares practical tips for getting started with a backyard coop without getting in over you...

This week’s episode of The Beet mixes things up. Jacques sits down with author and historian Dr. Kate Brown to discuss her book, “Tiny Gardens Everywhere: The Past, Present, and Future of the Self-Provisioning City,” and the surprising origins of gardens back in feudal times. They explore how wage labor replaced self-sufficient life on the land, and how today’s gardeners are flipping the script. E...

In this week's episode of The Beet, Jacques chats with Kodiak, Alaska gardener Marion Owen, aka “The UpBeet Gardener,” about the thrill of growing in what she calls “zone zero.” She shares how she stretches her season by adapting raised beds with protective coverage for the coldest months. In summer, the sun can linger until midnight, giving her plants a surprising boost, but making hardening off...

This week on The Beet, Jacques sits down with Tanner Mitchell, aka “Tannner the Planter”: author, houseplant expert, and TikTok gardening celebrity from the nursery and gardening store Famous In Oregon. They discuss his move from Oregon to Texas and why the “trap of intuition” can sometimes lead growers astray. The conversation goes beyond the basics, unpacking why successful plant care is more ab...

Looking to save money in the garden? This episode is for you! In this week’s episode of The Beet, Jacques chats with Stephanie Rose, Canadian master gardener, permaculturist, and herbalist. Together, they dig into what it really means to garden with nature, let go of perfection, and grow a thriving, beautifully wild space over time. They also discuss how gardening doesn’t have to be expensive at a...

In this episode of The Beet, Jacques chats with Missouri farmers and food preservers Staci and Jeremy Hill of Gooseberry Bridge Farm. With wild swings in weather, they’ve learned that fast, smart food preservation is essential. They dig into the how and why behind preserving the harvest, covering practical methods from their new book, The Preserver’s Garden. If you’ve ever wondered how to make you...

This week, Kevin is back to catch up with his friend and cut flower grower Milli Proust. They dive into her new book, How Does Your Garden Grow, and what it really takes to grow 70% of the seed you sell. They explore floral garden design, the quirks of saving flower seeds, plus how to clean, isolate, and store them like a pro. And yes, there’s a passionate detour into the prettiest veg around, rad...

This week on The Beet, Jacques chats with Elise Howard, author of Plant This, Not That, about why native plants truly matter. They dig into how invasive species disrupt ecosystems, and how to phase them out of your garden gradually. Along the way, they outline how to grow a thriving, abundant native garden at home, and make the case for letting the bugs snack on your plants for maximum ecosystem s...

In this episode of The Beet, the boys are back! Kevin is rethinking the harvest, focusing on using what he grows instead of chasing maximum yields. Jacques is expanding his container garden, and both are deep in garlic mode, proving you can build a thriving setup (and community) one bulb at a time. Along the way, they dig into potatoes once reserved for royalty, why raised beds might be the best w...

This week, Jacques chats with gardener, author, and tomato guru Frank Hyman. They dig into Frank’s roots in the gardening world, and how many people fall into gardening through a simple first infatuation with plants. Frank shares how he turned his nine callings into a career and explains why tomatoes have captured his heart for decades. Along the way, the conversation wanders into some thoughtful...

On this episode of The Beet, Jacques chats with Erin Schanen of The Impatient Gardener about how she got her start in her mom’s garden, what she’s growing now, and what projects she and Jacques happily put off. They dig into the lessons gardeners everywhere can learn from her over two decades of hands-in-the-dirt experience – wins, flops, and all. It’s all about trying things and seeing what works...

This week on The Beet, Jacques sits down with Ben Goulet-Scott and Jacob Suissa to talk plants, passion, and the power of good botany. The duo behind Let’s Botanize shares how they first fell for the plant world and how they’re channeling that love into a growing movement. They discuss biodiversity, ecology, and evolution while making the case for why plants deserve much more hype. Connect with Be...

In this week’s episode of the Beet Podcast, Jacques talks with Maine grower Elizabeth Brown about cultivating flowers. They share what first inspired them to start growing, and how Elizabeth makes the most of her six months in her Maine garden. The conversation then turns to the art of arrangement and how intentionality, combined with practicality, is the key to a stunning bouquet.  Connect with E...

In this week’s episode of the Beet Podcast, Jacques gets into all things permaculture with Pippa Chapman—permaculturalist, author, and food forester. Pippa shares her journey from running a pristine private estate to embracing the wilder, more abundant world of permaculture. They also discuss her book, Permaculture Planting Designs, a comprehensive guide to creating sustainable garden ecosystems....

This week on the Beet Podcast, Jacques digs into all things gardening with writer, speaker, and author Charlie Nardozzi. From learning the ropes in his grandfather’s garden to writing multiple books, Charlie shares the twists and turns of his gardening journey. They also chat about his newest book, The Continuous Vegetable Garden, and how gardeners everywhere can keep the garden going all year lon...

This week on the Beet Podcast, Jacques sits down with permaculturist, author, and mayor, Brandy Hall. From her roots in South Florida to her journey toward regenerative growing, Brandy shares how permaculture became the lens through which she approaches land, community, and leadership. Together, they explore how regenerative principles are everywhere, from farms and landscapes to backyard home gar...

On this Best of the Beet episode, we revisit Kevin’s talk with Darryl Cheng of Houseplant Journal. They discuss his book, The New Plant Parent, and rethink the basics of houseplant care. They break down how plants really use light, whether “natural light” indoors actually exists, and how to approach watering with a smarter strategy. Plus, Darryl tackles common misconceptions new plant parents have...

In today’s episode of the Beet, Jacques sits down with Epic influencer Graylen Brown (you may know him as @urbangardeningwithgray) to dig into the roots of his gardening journey – starting with Roma tomatoes grown alongside his grandmother. That childhood memory blossomed into a mission, and now Graylen is helping people grow food, confidence, and community one tip at a time. Connect with Graylen...

In the first episode of The Beet in the new year, Kevin and Jacques swap updates, exploring everything from Kevin’s time away from the homestead to why summer garden care sets the stage for winter wins. They celebrate thriving citrus trees, Jacques’s rock-solid fifth year in his garden, and the growth of wine grapes, wheat crops, and fruit trees. They also explore the top hardscaping options to el...

Episode Description: In this episode of the Beet Podcast, we revisit Kevin’s talk with Chef Chris Starkus. They dig into dry farming, water security, and the surprising ways urban population booms shape the food on our plates. Chris also goes beyond the usual “farm-to-table” vibe with creative cooking tips, preservation techniques, and new ways to use every last leaf from your garden. And yes, he...

Episode Description: This week on The Beet, Jacques chats with Botanical Interests’ new podcast host, Nicole Pitt! They discuss the In the Garden with Flower Hill Farm podcast, compare what seeds they're starting right now, and swap stories about their wildly different growing climates. For Nicole, everything begins with a single seed, and she never stops finding wonder in the flowers that follow....

This week on The Beet Podcast, Kevin and Jacques dive into the perks of fall gardening and celebrate hearty autumn harvests. Kevin dishes on his recent UK adventures, where he gleaned top-notch tips from the legendary Gerald Stratford. They also discuss GrowVeg teaming up with Epic Gardening and misconceptions about no-till gardening. To cap it off, they share what’s got them fired up for the rest...

Episode Description: This week on The Beet, garden pros James Alexander-Sinclair and Joe Swift bring their trademark blend of wisdom and wit to the mic. With more than 40 years of shared stories and a friendship built on good-natured ribbing, they show how gardening is at its best when it’s practical, joyful, and curious. In their conversation with Jacques, they remind us that the garden is a plac...

Episode Description: This week, Kevin digs in with Brian from Never Enough Dirt to talk ducks, dirt, and a dash of history. From the perks of keeping ducks in the garden to mastering small-scale succession planting, Brian shares how to grow smarter and keep it fun for the whole family. They wander through edible landscapes, explore California’s citrus roots, and even time-travel with heirloom plan...

Episode Description:  Gardeners love to gripe about the weather, and in Texas, there’s plenty to talk about! In this episode of the Beet Podcast, Jacques chats with Pam Penick, creator of the Digging blog and author of Gardens of Texas. Together they explore the state’s wildly varied climates and geology, exploring how gardeners in all states can design spaces that are both sustainable and perfect...