The Beet: A Podcast For Plant Lovers

Rainwater cisterns are a great way to actively harvest and conserve water. Here, Kevin and Martha discuss the ins and outs of using cisterns, and the benefits that come with installing them in your yard.  Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3xSKgJf Botanical Interests Shop Homepage:  https://growepic.co/468iJjM Book Collection Page: https://growepic.co/3zKHOVSEG Homesteading Book: ht...

What is passive water harvesting? Martha outlines two methods of passively harvesting water in her garden. By slowing the water, allowing it to spread out, and sink down, she harnesses what would otherwise be urban runoff, and adds tons of free water to her garden in the process.  Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3Wok7ub Botanical Interests Shop Homepage:  https://growepic.co/3W28...

When Martha moved to Tucson, she wanted to plant a garden full of trees. But irrigating them posed a huge problem in her desert climate. Instead of spending tons of money on a full system, Martha opted to harvest from the “Big Watering Can In the Sky”. Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3Wn4zbd Botanical Interests Shop Homepage:  https://growepic.co/3Y2Q8tX Book Collection Page: htt...

In this full episode of the Beet podcast, Kevin has an in-depth conversation with renowned tomato grower and breeder, Craig LeHoullier. Their discussion ranges from growing epic tomatoes, to expert breeding techniques. Craig also imparts his experience working in the Dwaf Tomato Breeding Project. While you’re growing your own tomatoes, take note of Craig’s advice!  Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: ht...

Humans eat with their eyes, and with their memories of impactful flavors. Craig likes tomatoes with intensity, but he knows that everyone’s tasting preferences are different. That’s why he’s taken lots of time to understand the intricacies of different tomatoes.  Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/461lQK7 Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/45WiYOv Book Collection...

Believe it or not, Epic Tomatoes is a book written by Craig LeHoullier! Here he outlines all the basic tenets of great tomato-growing. Having a bountiful harvest of these fruits involves building in quality at every step, from seed-selection to ripening. Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3zGLp71Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/4bObQ8xBook Collection Page: http...

When Craig started gardening tomatoes, he learned to maximize his space by growing them in containers, and straw bales. In this episode, he reveals his secrets for successful bale and container tomatoes, and turns to the old adage “what you put in, you get out.”Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3VLiXbGBotanical Interests Shop Homepage:  https://growepic.co/4eUKUXaBook Collection Pa...

Craig’s Dwarf Tomato Breeding Project has been going strong for the last 18 years. Fervor about this project spread largely through word of mouth. He and other gardeners involved in the project have developed some of the coolest dwarf cultivars out there in conjunction with the Open Source Seed Initiative.  Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3RSrAA7 Botanical Interests Shop Homepage...

Craig LeHoullier has spent over 40 years gardening tomatoes. He loves the variety of tomatoes available to gardeners, and he loves to teach people about their flavors and nuances. Kevin and Craig talk about the Godfather’s current tomato projects, and reflect on results they got in the most recent tomato season.  Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/4cRfAGW Botanical Interests Shop Ho...

As a food scientist, Victoria Pardo Uzitas has plenty of experience with food trends and food safety. As a gardener of over two decades, she folds her knowledge of both into her growing space. In this full episode of the Beet Podcast, she and Jacques discuss how to keep the garden food-safe, and how to enjoy the tantalizing flavor the garden provides.  Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepi...

Victoria does a lot of research on disease trends, as they are often the precursor for food trends. And today, trends are global. We are increasingly connected, and there is increasing concern about the environmental impact of growing certain foods.   Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3xESioV Botanical Interests Shop Homepage:  https://growepic.co/3VLEml1 Book Collection Page:  htt...

Victoria Pardo Uzitas used to have a cocktail column under the pen name Libation Lady. Naturally, she has recipes in her back pocket for some of the tastiest out there. Hear her tips and tricks for increasing and infusing flavors in delicious beverages straight from the garden.  Epic Gardening Shop Homepage:  https://growepic.co/4bqqUZy Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3XPjHi...

Choosing food-safe beds is one of the most important ways gardeners can ensure their produce is nourishment, rather than poison. Another concern is durability, and there’s a fine balance between growing in food-safe materials, and purchasing something that will last.  Epic Gardening Shop Homepage:  https://growepic.co/45Rq9rh Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/4brccSd Book Coll...

Is there more to simply rinsing produce before eating it? Garden food safety is about mitigating risks, especially for those with sensitive immune systems. Simple practices like washing harvests with vinegar and water, and cleaning tools between uses add an extra layer of protection and make the harvest last longer. Epic Gardening Shop Homepage:  https://growepic.co/3W2wEnZ Botanical Interests Sho...

Victoria Pardo Uzitas is a food scientist. Food scientists work to keep food safe for eating. While it may not be something many gardeners think about, it’s paramount. From clearing debris to testing soil, gardeners have many ways to engage in food-safe practices.  Epic Gardening Shop Homepage:  https://growepic.co/4clSEjv Botanical Interests Shop Homepage:  https://growepic.co/3RQlRL5 Book Collec...

In this full-length episode of the Beet Podcast, Linda Ly of Garden Betty takes us through the practice of no-waste gardening. That means you get the most out of your harvests by using all the parts of your favorite veggies! Linda also shares the many plants that are popular worldwide, but perhaps not in the US.   Epic Gardening Shop Homepage:  https://growepic.co/3VzFEPV Botanical Interests Shop...

There are many parts of common plants that aren’t as common to see in American stores and markets that you can use in your cuisine such as pepper leaves, Squash leaves, and tomato leaves.   Epic Gardening Shop Homepage:  https://growepic.co/45C8PGT Botanical Interests Shop Homepage:  https://growepic.co/3xjypUm Book Collection Page: https://growepic.co/4c5PyzQ EG Homesteading Book:  https://growep...

Linda shares her unconventional use of seeds in the kitchen. Pickled radish seed pod bloody marys anyone? Check out Botanical Interests Rat’s Tail Radish Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3VCvqye Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3RFHz4u Book Collection Page: https://growepic.co/3REb4U2 EG Homesteading Book: https://growepic.co/4bjvXLk Learn More: Do Regrowing...

Mix it up by adding some unconventional greens to your salads. Try fava bean leaves or pea shoots. Check out Linda’s  new cookbook for some unique salad recipes The No-Waste Vegetable Cookbook. Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/4csv6ZN Botanical Interests Shop Homepage:  https://growepic.co/45Cwoz1 Book Collection Page: https://growepic.co/3xs71U2 EG Homesteading Book: https://grow...

3-in-1 plants anyone? You don’t need to wait for your Brassicas to fully mature before harvesting pieces of the plant to enjoy.  Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3VC3f2A Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/4bc7SGo Book Collection Page: https://growepic.co/3ximaY9 EG Homesteading Book: https://growepic.co/3KT9k5D Learn More: Do Regrowing Food Scraps Hacks Actuall...

Stop right there! Before you toss your carrot tops into the compost, try using those greens in some of your favorite recipes. This week, we welcome Linda Ly of Garden Betty on the show to talk all about using all parts of the plant from the garden.  Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/45R8v7j Botanical Interests Shop Homepage:  https://growepic.co/3XyAeHz Book Collection Page: https:...

In this full episode of the Beet Podcast, Kevin and Jacques get together at the Epic Homestead to take a look ahead to summer, and a look back at spring. Topics range from what they’re excited about, and what they would change. Within the discussion are plenty of tips and tricks gardeners can employ in their own gardens. Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3Vqac6x Botanical Interests...

When you have an extended harvest of one type of plant, you have to figure out how to use it! Save donating your produce, there are so many ways to enjoy your favorite garden veggies. Kevin and Jacques aren’t strangers to this dilemma, and they share some of their best recipes here. Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/4b1z0Yv Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3VF...

Gardening gets even better with the addition of landscaping. At the Homestead, the Epic Pond exemplifies how working with the landscape improves the garden tenfold. Jacques has been breaking up the garden with pollinator patches. They both have benefitted from self-sowing annuals and perennials as well.  Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/4aX9eoc Botanical Interests Shop Homepage:  ...

Changing your methods in the garden is a great way to apply the lessons learned in a season. Whether it’s the timing, the plants you grow, or the modes you use, new seasons are opportunities for new perspectives. Hear how Jacques and Kevin take a moment of pause in the June Gloom of San Diego.  Epic Gardening Shop Homepage:https://growepic.co/3VFTDou Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://grow...