The Beanstalk : A Podcast for Gardeners

Episode 61 – Raspberries – Sweet, Simple, and Rewarding 🍓 The community requested it, and we're kicking off our new listener-inspired episode block with raspberries! In this episode of The Beanstalk , we dive into everything you need to know about growing healthy, productive raspberry plants—from choosing the right varieties and understanding primocanes versus floricanes to pruning, harvestin...

Episode 60 – In-Ground vs Raised Beds vs Containers – The Great Garden Debate In Episode 60 of The Beanstalk, we tackle one of the biggest gardening debates: in-ground gardens, raised beds, or containers. 🌱  We break down the advantages, disadvantages, hidden costs, water needs, soil realities, accessibility concerns, and practical differences between each growing method. We also look at small ba...

Episode 59 – Peanuts – Peculiar, Productive, and Underground This week on The Beanstalk, we're digging into one of the strangest crops you can grow: peanuts! From their surprising underground fruiting habit to their connection with soil health and nitrogen fixation, peanuts are far more fascinating than most people realize. We'll talk varieties, growing tips, harvesting, seed saving, common challe...

Episode 58 – Turnips – Humble, Hardy, and Helpful Turnips might just be the most misunderstood vegetable in the garden, and in this episode of The Beanstalk, we're setting the record straight. 🌱 We'll explore sweet Japanese salad turnips, classic heirlooms, growing tips, common problems, and why this humble crop has been feeding people for thousands of years. Plus, we'll roast up some...

Episode 57 – Fruit Trees – Patient, Productive, and Rewarding In this episode of The Beanstalk, we're heading into the orchard to explore the world of fruit trees. 🌳 From apples and pears to peaches, plums, and nectarines, we cover choosing varieties, planting, watering, pruning, and dealing with common challenges. I also share some thoughts from this unusually warm winter and how it had me p...

Episode 56 – Bok Choi – Crisp, Quick, and Versatile In this episode of The Beanstalk, we take a deep dive into bok choi, one of the fastest-growing and most underrated vegetables you can grow. 🌱 We cover planting, harvesting, common pests, companion planting, and why this cool-season brassica deserves a permanent spot in more gardens. We also cook up a simple garlic ginger stir-fried bok choi rec...

Episode 55 – Tea Gardens – Calm, Useful, and Underrated In this episode of The Beanstalk, we slow things down and explore the world of tea gardens. 🌱 From mint and chamomile to lemon balm and lavender, we talk about growing herbs specifically for teas, relaxation, and everyday comfort. We cover harvesting, drying, common issues, and even put together a calming homemade tea blend straight from the...

Episode 54 – Pumpkins – Massive, Mighty, and Misunderstood In this episode of The Beanstalk, we finally dive deep into pumpkins — from giant sprawling vines to pie pumpkins and everything in between. 🎃 We talk growing techniques, pest issues, pollination, harvesting, storage, and why pumpkins are far more useful than most people realize. There’s also a warm roasted pumpkin soup recipe and a look...

Episode 53 – Cooking Herbs – Flavor, Freshness, and Function In this episode of The Beanstalk, we dive into cooking herbs and how they transform both your garden and your kitchen. 🌱 Learn the difference between soft and woody herbs, how to grow them successfully, and how to harvest for the best flavor. We also talk common issues, companion planting, and simple ways to use fresh herbs in everyday...

Episode 52 – Green Onions – Simple, Sharp, and Reliable In this episode of The Beanstalk, we dive into green onions — one of the simplest and most reliable crops you can grow. 🌱  From starting them from seed to regrowing them from scraps, we cover everything you need to keep a steady supply going. We also talk about common issues, harvesting methods, and how to make the most of this versatile pla...

Episode 51 – Salad Mixes – Fast, Fresh, and Endless In this episode of The Beanstalk, we dig into one of the fastest and most rewarding things you can grow — salad mixes. 🌱 From cut-and-come-again harvesting to building your own custom blend of greens, this episode is all about maximizing flavor and productivity in a small space. We talk about what to plant, how to grow it, and how to keep the ha...

Episode 50 – Warm Winter – Strange, shifting and stubborn Episode 50 of The Beanstalk dives into what it really means to garden through a winter that doesn’t feel like winter. 🌱  We talk about warm weather challenges, chill hours, pest pressure, and how to adapt when the seasons don’t follow the usual pattern. From garlic concerns to fruit trees and watering in dry conditions, this episode is all...

Episode 49 – Goldenrod – Bright, buzzing and misunderstood This week on The Beanstalk, we’re clearing the air about Goldenrod and giving this bright late-season powerhouse the credit it deserves. 🌼  We talk about how to grow it, manage common pests and fungal issues, and why it’s one of the most important pollinator plants in late summer. You’ll also hear about companion planting, seed saving, an...

Episode 48 – Blanketflower – Bold, blazing and resilient This week on The Beanstalk, we’re diving into Blanketflower, one of the boldest and toughest bloomers you can grow. 🌼🔥 We talk about how to grow it, how to keep it thriving through heat and drought, and what to watch out for when pests or drainage issues show up. You’ll also get companion planting tips, seed saving advice, and a colorful s...

Episode 47 – Rabbitbrush – Golden, Gritty, and Glorious Episode 47 of The Beanstalk is all about rabbitbrush — a golden, drought-tough native that lights up the landscape in late summer and fall. 🌼  We explore how to grow it, manage common issues, save seeds, and design resilient gardens that support pollinators when they need it most. If you’re building a water-wise landscape or want bold color...

Episode 46 – Globemallow – Fiery, Fearless, and Resilient Episode 46 of The Beanstalk is all about globemallow — a fiery, drought-tough native that thrives where other plants struggle. 🌞  We explore how to grow it, manage common issues, save seeds, and design water-wise landscapes that support pollinators. If you’re building a resilient garden in hot, dry conditions, this plant deserves a spot on...

Episode 45 – Milkweed – Wild, Vital, and Transformative In Episode 45 of The Beanstalk, we’re diving into milkweed and why this bold native plant is essential for monarch butterflies and pollinators alike. 🦋  We talk about choosing the right species, managing pests organically, saving seeds, and building real habitat in your backyard. You’ll learn how milkweed supports entire ecosystems and how t...

Episode 44 – Nasturtium – Peppery, Playful, and Powerful In this episode of The Beanstalk, we’re digging into nasturtiums — one of the most versatile and exciting plants you can grow. 🌿  From companion planting benefits to edible flowers and homemade pesto, we explore why this bold little annual deserves a spot in every garden. We talk pests, seed saving, varieties, and even the science behind th...

Episode 43 – Yarrow – Tough, Timeless, and Useful  This week on The Beanstalk, John takes a deep dive into yarrow, a tough, ancient plant that’s been helping gardens and people thrive for thousands of years 🌿. We talk about how to grow it, harvest it, handle common problems, and why it’s such a powerful ally for pollinators and soil health. You’ll hear about its long history, its modern uses, and...

Episode 42 – Bee Balm – Bold, Buzzing, and Brilliant  In this episode, John digs into bee balm, a bold native plant that supports pollinators, smells incredible, and quietly ties together beauty, function, and resilience 🌼🐝. We talk about how to grow it, harvest it, deal with common problems, and why it plays such an important role in a healthy garden ecosystem. There’s a cozy herbal tea recipe,...

Episode 41 – Utah Daisy - Resilient, Wild and Friendly We’re kicking off a special run of flower-focused episodes on The Beanstalk, and this week we’re starting strong with Utah Daisy. 🌼 John dives into how this tough native flower thrives in hot, dry conditions while blooming steadily all season long for pollinators and wildlife. You’ll learn how to grow it, manage common problems, save seeds, a...

Episode 40 — Irrigation — Drips, Drops, and Sanity Today we’re diving into the surprisingly deep world of irrigation — from watering cans and hoses all the way to drip systems, clay ollas, and passive hydrology. John shares the saga of how a water main failure transformed his yard into an irrigation experiment, and why consistency matters more than sheer volume when it comes to watering. We cover...

Episode 39 — Cauliflower — Creamy, Crinkly and Clever Today on The Beanstalk we’re talking cauliflower — the creamy, fractal, surprisingly finicky brassica that rewards good timing and consistent care.  We’ll cover how to grow it, why it’s worth the effort, how to avoid common cauliflower heartbreaks like buttoning, and why Romanesco looks like it belongs in a sci-fi movie.  We’ll roast up some ca...

Episode 38 – Swiss Chard – Colorful, Tough, and Tasty  Swiss chard is one of the most reliable and colorful greens you can grow, and in this episode of The Beanstalk, John breaks down why it deserves a spot in every garden 🌱.  From planting and harvesting to dealing with pests and cooking it up in simple, tasty ways, this episode covers everything you need to know. You’ll learn why chard keeps pr...

Episode 37 – Brussels Sprouts – Cold-Hardy, Sweet and Productive   Brussel sprouts are one of the most misunderstood crops in the garden, and today on The Beanstalk, John sets the record straight. 🌱  From planting and pest control to harvesting after frost and cooking them into something truly crave-worthy, this episode covers everything you need to know to grow great sprouts. You’ll learn why ti...