Seeds & Weeds Podcast

Are you dreaming of adding a greenhouse to your garden? Professional horticulturist and author Leslie Halleck joins us on the podcast to talk all things greenhouse growing and her new book, Home Greenhouse Revival. We explore the benefits of greenhouse gardening, choosing the right greenhouse for your space and growing goals, and the challenges of managing temperature, lighting, ventilation, and i...

As the gardening season winds down here at Small House Farm, we’re reflecting on the successes, surprises, and lessons from this year’s garden and looking ahead to next spring. In this episode, we share our end-of-season garden chores and the practical steps we’re taking to prepare our gardens for winter. In this episode, we discuss these late-fall garden chores: Cleaning up garden beds and removi...

Echinacea - one of our favorite perennial native flowers! In this episode: the different species we grow how to propagate echinacea through root division the challenges of growing from seed when to harvest the flowers, leaves, and roots We’ll take echinacea from the garden into the apothecary and talk about teas, tinctures, decoctions, topical preparations, and even a few creative ways to bring th...

We are digging into one of our favorite gardening skills: saving your own seeds! We’re talking about why seed saving matters—from saving money and preserving favorite varieties to growing plants that become increasingly adapted to your own garden and local environment. Easy crops for beginner seed savers When seeds are ready to harvest The difference between wet and dry seeds How to harvest, proce...

In this episode, we're joined by Peggy Cornett, curator of plants at historic Monticello, to discuss her new book, Thomas Jefferson's Flowers .  This richly illustrated book examines Jefferson’s gardening friendships in the United States and abroad, his many botanical and horticultural influences, and includes a comprehensive annotated list of the flowers documented by Jefferson througho...

Roses are far more than a symbol of love—they’re one of the most versatile plants you can grow. In this episode of the Seeds & Weeds Podcast , we explore the fascinating history of roses, how to successfully grow them, and the many ways every part of the plant can be used throughout the year. From fragrant petals and vitamin-rich rose hips to edible leaves, you’ll discover practical tips for h...

We recently caught up with Sidnye and Savannah, publishers of Truly Crunchy Magazine and two sisters that are passionate about health, wellness, and everything in between.     Truly Crunchy Magazine is one of the fastest growing wellness magazines focused on healthy holistic living. Learn more about the magazine and subscribe at https://trulycrunchy.com/ Tune in to hear more about  Sidnye and Sava...

In this special on-the-road episode of the Seeds & Weeds Podcast, we share conversations recorded live at the Homestead Festival in Tennessee.  We explored the real-world challenges faced by beginning and aspiring homesteaders and then sat down with experienced experts to help answer those questions. You'll hear practical advice from homesteading personalities including Ruth Ann Zimmerman...

We dig into the world of direct sow gardening and share our favorite tips for growing a thriving garden straight from seed. We talk about the benefits and challenges of direct sowing, our favorite cool and warm season crops, and practical techniques for timing, spacing, watering, and improving germination success.  In this episode you will learn:  What direct sowing is and why it’s great for begin...

It’s easy to “eat the rainbow” when you’re growing one right in your own backyard! Author and gardener Sandra Mao is joining us to talk about her new book Vibrant Harvest . Sandra started to grow fruit trees and other edibles when she moved to California. Because of the blessings of the weather and lack of freezing temperatures, she is able to grow most vegetables and fruits year-round - though he...

We’re digging into one of the most overlooked plants in our landscape, dandelion, specifically Taraxacum officinale . What most people see as a weed, we see as a powerhouse of flavor, nutrition, and medicine...and we’re excited to share why. We walk you through how to properly identify dandelion (and avoid common lookalikes), when and how to harvest each part of the plant, and why timing makes all...

We sit down with horticulturist, garden designer, and author Frank Hyman to dig into his new book Ripe Tomato Revolution . With over 40 years of experience, Frank shares practical, no-nonsense techniques to help you grow more tomatoes with less work—whether you’re planting in rows, raised beds, or containers. From smart seed-starting strategies to choosing the right supports (and why rebar might b...

In this episode of the Seeds and Weeds podcast, we're sharing our list of the ten plants we think every gardener should grow! With so many amazing crops to choose from, narrowing it down wasn’t easy — but we selected plants that are reliable, beautiful, productive, and useful in more than one way. Many of these crops offer dual or even triple purposes, giving you food, medicine, pollinator su...

In this flavor-packed conversation, we dive deep into the vibrant world of peppers—from seed to harvest, kitchen to apothecary. Timed perfectly for late-winter seed starting, this episode walks you through everything you need to know to successfully grow thriving pepper plants, including seed-starting tips, heat and light requirements, transplanting, and maximizing yields in the garden. But the jo...

Unlock the secrets to a low-maintenance, high-yield garden. Gardening expert and author Charlie Nardozzi shares how his book The Continuous Vegetable Garden helps growers maximize harvests while reducing time and effort.  From perennial vegetables and self-seeding crops to succession planting, overwintering, and season extension, this episode delivers practical, approachable techniques to help gar...

In this first episode of Season 4, we dive into the art and science of herbal extracts —simple, powerful ways to turn the plants you grow, forage, or purchase into food, medicine, and everyday remedies. Explore how the dormant season is the perfect time to slow down, take stock, and work with herbs in the kitchen and apothecary. This episode breaks down four essential extraction methods —water, fa...

✨ Celebrate the Season of Rest and Reflection ✨ In this Winter Solstice special of Seeds & Weeds , we slow down, look back, and dream forward. As the longest night of the year arrives, we reflect on a season of growth—both in the garden and beyond—celebrating milestones, lessons learned, and the rhythms that guide a life rooted in the land. This episode weaves together solstice traditions fr...

From soothing teas to immune-boosting brews, this episode is a winter wellness treasure chest.  Listeners get an exclusive behind-the-scenes moment as we celebrate submitting a ginormous new manuscript— a major project set to hit bookshelves in July 2027.  From there, it’s all about the herbs:  Peppermint & Spearmint for digestion, mocktails, and holiday calm Ginger for warming tea blends and...

From growing and harvesting to seed saving and cooking, we’re exploring everything you need to know about squash!​ Learn the difference between summer and winter squash, how to cure them for long-term storage, and discover creative ways to use squash in the kitchen—from roasted seeds to pumpkin puree and even edible leaves and flowers! 🍂 Plus, we’re sharing the incredible benefits of nutrient-ric...

🍂 Celebrate the Season of Transition with Seeds and Weeds! ​ 🌱 In this special Autumn Equinox episode, the Seeds and Weeds podcast dives into the magic of fall! ​ From the crisp air to the golden hues, we embrace the beauty of the season while sharing practical tips and inspiration for gardeners, foragers, and herbalists alike. 🌻 ✨ Highlights include: A deep dive into the versatile herb sage —...

We’re diving into the juicy world of tomatoes—the ultimate summer garden staple. ​ 🍅 From growing tips to recipes, seed-saving techniques, and expert advice, this episode is your one-stop shop for everything tomato. 🎙️ What’s Inside This Episode? Tomato Varieties Galore: From cherry tomatoes to beefsteaks, indeterminate to determinate, and even wild varieties, we explore the incredible diversity...

Flowers offer us food and medicine in addition to beauty. Let's explore some of our favorite summer flowers and the many ways we can enjoy them in the kitchen and apothecary.  Some of our favorite summer flowers include Chamomile, Rose and Yarrow. We share some recipes and advice on how to make the most of these summer delights. We'll also talk about some creative ways to use the bounty...

Celebrate the Sun in our Summer Solstice Special Episode!  Herbalist Mary Colvin joins us to talk all about lemon balm ; in the kitchen, garden and apothecary - we love this amazing herb!  We share some recipes for herbal jellies, special stuffing for the Solstice feast, using salt to preserve herbs, and dig into the many medicinal uses for lemon balm. Mary shares info on lemon balm tea, topical u...

Some herbs we can grow, others we can gather.. while some herbs might need to be purchased. In this episode we're exploring the many ways we acquire herbs! We'll chat about some of the best herbs for growing and why we love having an herb garden.  Hear from forager George Barnett about when to gather our herbs and why its so important to be safe and responsible foragers! Learn more about...

We're taking a deep dive into seeds! Let's explore our relationship with seeds and how seeds can be found everywhere!  We also talk about how to grow a Three Sisters Garden , sharing our experience after reading Buffalo Bird Woman's Garden . You can watch our full Three Sisters Youtube video at https://youtu.be/0SyKclXdz-A?si=pFijygMfF5_sGMd_ This is one of our most popular videos! ...