The Beet: A Podcast For Plant Lovers

Local farming is a business, and there are a ton of mistakes that would-be farmers make in their first few years. Brandon Youst comes in to talk about the Urban Farm Academy he’s created. Connect With Brandon Youst: Brandon Youst is the founder of Bootstrap Farmer, a company bringing on inventive new products for small farmers. He’s also the founder of the Urban Farm Academy, an educational arm to...

Interested in taking a small farm and turning it into a profitable business that you can run part or full time? Brandon Youst of Bootstrap Farmer is on the show to talk all about it. Connect With Brandon Youst: Brandon Youst is the founder of Bootstrap Farmer, a company bringing on inventive new products for small farmers. He’s also the founder of the Urban Farm Academy, an educational arm to teac...

Tomatoes are the quintessential garden crop, but with them come a lot of diseases and growing problems. Find out how to identify and avoid them in today’s show. Buy Birdies Garden Beds Use code EPICPODCAST for 10% off your first order of Birdies metal raised garden beds, the best metal raised beds in the world. They last 5-10x longer than wooden beds, come in multiple heights and dimensions, and l...

Having trouble with your pepper crop? Here’s a rapid-fire list of some of the issues you’ll run into when growing these bad boys. Buy Birdies Garden Beds Use code EPICPODCAST for 10% off your first order of Birdies metal raised garden beds, the best metal raised beds in the world. They last 5-10x longer than wooden beds, come in multiple heights and dimensions, and look absolutely amazing. Click h...

You’re either a pepperhead or not - and I’m certainly a pepperhead! Here are some fun varieties I recommend growing in containers or balconies. Buy Birdies Garden Beds Use code EPICPODCAST for 10% off your first order of Birdies metal raised garden beds, the best metal raised beds in the world. They last 5-10x longer than wooden beds, come in multiple heights and dimensions, and look absolutely am...

It’s been a weird year, so why not mix it up by growing some WEIRD vegetables? Buy Birdies Garden Beds Use code EPICPODCAST for 10% off your first order of Birdies metal raised garden beds, the best metal raised beds in the world. They last 5-10x longer than wooden beds, come in multiple heights and dimensions, and look absolutely amazing. Click here to shop Birdies Garden Beds Buy My Book My book...

Cukes are often seen as a sprawling, vining plant that takes over everything they touch. But today we look at bush and compact growing habit varieties that will grow well on your balcony or in your container garden. Buy Birdies Garden Beds Use code EPICPODCAST for 10% off your first order of Birdies metal raised garden beds, the best metal raised beds in the world. They last 5-10x longer than wood...

As a small space gardener you might think certain crops get too unruly to grow - but there’s often a variety that will work. Today we look at container tomato varieties to consider. Buy Birdies Garden Beds Use code EPICPODCAST for 10% off your first order of Birdies metal raised garden beds, the best metal raised beds in the world. They last 5-10x longer than wooden beds, come in multiple heights...

Horseradish - you either love it or hate it...or if you’re a gardener...you GROW it. Today we dive into this interesting spicy root that’s beloved (or not) around the world. Learn More: Horseradish Plant: Hot Roots For Culinary Adventures Buy Birdies Garden Beds Use code EPICPODCAST for 10% off your first order of Birdies metal raised garden beds, the best metal raised beds in the world. They last...

Want to get into saving your own seeds, but confused on the process? Brijette and I talk about the three easiest ones to save in today’s show. About Brijette Peña In 2010, when owner Brijette Peña came to the stark conclusion that few companies were producing regionally adapted seeds for Southern California climates, she took an oath. An oath to produce organic, regionally adapted seeds that garde...

Balcony gardening is booming, but variety selection is key, otherwise you’ll grow massive plants that will overtake your balcony and grow poorly. Here are some fantastic compact suggestions for you. About Brijette Peña In 2010, when owner Brijette Peña came to the stark conclusion that few companies were producing regionally adapted seeds for Southern California climates, she took an oath. An oath...

Continuing the list, we tackle southern seed companies to support when shopping for seeds locally. Southern Exposure Seed Exchange Eastern Seed Companies Two Seeds in a Pod (WV) True Love Seed (PA) Common Wealth Seed Growers (VA) Fruition Seeds (NY) High Mowing Seeds (VT) Hudson Valley Seed Company (NY) Northern Seed Companies Meadowlark Hearth (NE) Small House Farm (MI) Prairie Garden Seed (Saska...

Living up in northeast USA? Here’s a fantastic seed company to support.  Fruition Seeds About Brijette Peña In 2010, when owner Brijette Peña came to the stark conclusion that few companies were producing regionally adapted seeds for Southern California climates, she took an oath. An oath to produce organic, regionally adapted seeds that gardeners, farmers and market growers could depend on. San D...

If you live up in the pacific northwest, here are a few of Brijette’s favorite seed companies. Quail Seeds Redwood Seeds About Brijette Peña In 2010, when owner Brijette Peña came to the stark conclusion that few companies were producing regionally adapted seeds for Southern California climates, she took an oath. An oath to produce organic, regionally adapted seeds that gardeners, farmers and mark...

Living in the southwest USA? Here are a few companies we think you should support with your gardening dollar. San Diego Seed Company Plant Good Seed About Brijette Peña In 2010, when owner Brijette Peña came to the stark conclusion that few companies were producing regionally adapted seeds for Southern California climates, she took an oath. An oath to produce organic, regionally adapted seeds that...

There’s a mad rush on seeds in the USA and even globally. Why is this happening? I brought Brijette Peña of San Diego Seed Company back on the podcast to update us on her seed company as well as the national seed landscape right now. About Brijette Peña In 2010, when owner Brijette Peña came to the stark conclusion that few companies were producing regionally adapted seeds for Southern California...

  Buy Birdies Garden Beds Use code EPICPODCAST for 10% off your first order of Birdies metal raised garden beds, the best metal raised beds in the world. They last 5-10x longer than wooden beds, come in multiple heights and dimensions, and look absolutely amazing. Click here to shop Birdies Garden Beds Buy My Book My book, Field Guide to Urban Gardening, is a beginners guide to growing food in sma...

Make sure you're not wrecking your body as you garden! Buy Birdies Garden Beds Use code EPICPODCAST for 10% off your first order of Birdies metal raised garden beds, the best metal raised beds in the world. They last 5-10x longer than wooden beds, come in multiple heights and dimensions, and look absolutely amazing. Click here to shop Birdies Garden Beds Buy My Book My book, Field Guide to Urban G...

You know those tiny oranges you buy in big bags at the store? The ones you can peel in one long strip that taste super sweet? They’re called clementines and they’re not exclusive to stores. You can grow them at home by having your own clementine tree! Clementine Tree: Growing the Cutest Treat Buy Birdies Garden Beds Use code EPICPODCAST for 10% off your first order of Birdies metal raised garden b...

If you love DIY-ing and don’t want to use any more peat moss in your garden, here are a few fantastic peat-free recipes from my friend Stephanie Rose. Garden Alchemy Buy Birdies Garden Beds Use code EPICPODCAST for 10% off your first order of Birdies metal raised garden beds, the best metal raised beds in the world. They last 5-10x longer than wooden beds, come in multiple heights and dimensions,...

Today we talk about a simple plant, but packed with flavor and uses in the kitchen: oregano. Buy Birdies Garden Beds Use code EPICPODCAST for 10% off your first order of Birdies metal raised garden beds, the best metal raised beds in the world. They last 5-10x longer than wooden beds, come in multiple heights and dimensions, and look absolutely amazing. Click here to shop Birdies Garden Beds Buy M...

With all of the craze going on right now, I figured we should talk about growing your own toilet paper...but let’s hope it doesn’t come to that! Buy Birdies Garden Beds Use code EPICPODCAST for 10% off your first order of Birdies metal raised garden beds, the best metal raised beds in the world. They last 5-10x longer than wooden beds, come in multiple heights and dimensions, and look absolutely a...

If you’re sick of putting your seedlings in a windowsill that doesn’t get much sun, or you just want to super-charge your indoor gardening process, you should consider T5 grow lights. Your seedlings, herbs, and greens will respond immediately to the increased amount of light you’re giving them. https://www.epicgardening.com/t5-grow-lights-guide/ Buy Birdies Garden Beds Use code EPICPODCAST for 10%...

Can you just plant a whole tomato in the ground? And if you do...what will happen? Buy Birdies Garden Beds Use code EPICPODCAST for 10% off your first order of Birdies metal raised garden beds, the best metal raised beds in the world. They last 5-10x longer than wooden beds, come in multiple heights and dimensions, and look absolutely amazing. Click here to shop Birdies Garden Beds Buy My Book My...

Packed with vitamin C, the fruit of the guava tree is prized for its delicious flavor. These tropical wonders produce nearly four times the vitamin C of oranges, in fact! The leaves are used medicinally and are aromatic when crushed. And the tree’s bark is fascinating, too. https://www.epicgardening.com/guava-tree/ Buy Birdies Garden Beds Use code EPICPODCAST for 10% off your first order of Birdie...