The Beet: A Podcast For Plant Lovers

Summer is just around the corner and it’s time to turn over the garden. Kevin and Jacques have been focused on tomatoes, and different ways to grow them. They’ve just harvested garlic and onions, and they’re getting ready for massive harvests of other warmth-loving plants. Epic Gardening Shop Homepage:  https://growepic.co/4bXY6bP Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/4ejDSuT Book...

Common garden wisdom has recently been put to the test on the Epic Homestead. Everything from garden soil to growing methods is under the meticulous supervision of Kevin and Jacques. As they carry out their research and come to conclusions, they’ll share their results with the community.  Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3Vmgu7u Botanical Interests Shop Homepage:  https://growepic...

In this week’s the Beet Podcast, we’re in conversation with Kristine Ellis of Dunkin’ Ducks. Kevin and Kristine discuss duck care, from rearing ducklings, to supporting a healthy collective at home. Does Kristine succeed in converting Kevin from chicken-keeper to duck-keeper? Listen and find out! Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3VihtFw Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://g...

Everything you need to know about ducklings – sourcing, brooding, and rearing – is in this episode. Kristine Ellis of Dunkin Ducks even provides some extra tips and tricks that she has gathered in her multiple decades of caring for ducklings.   Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3VihtFw Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3KA2z8B Book Collection Page: https://grow...

What structures do duck-keepers need to rear ducks safely? A water source and a shelter are obvious starting places. And you can even give your ducks a super deluxe living situation. Kristine Ellis discusses what they need, how to protect them, and what predators to expect.  Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3XaJAJv Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3x6wcvi Boo...

Kristine Ellis knows how to provide the optimal profile of vitamins and nutrients for ducks. While you can just go to the feed store and purchase standard food for your ducks, there are ways to boost their nourishment. Here, she provides a complete breakdown of how to give them good food and a healthy life.  Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/4aWlc1n Botanical Interests Shop Homepag...

In this episode, Kevin and Kristine Ellis of Dunkin Ducks compare and contrast domestic ducks and chickens. Turns out, on the homestead, ducks function in much the same way that chickens do with some marked differences. Ducks have stronger immune systems than chickens and tend to be much hardier in exposure to the elements.   Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3VzbEEU Botanical Inte...

It’s Duck week on the Beet! Kristine Ellis got started with ducks when her dad brought some home for her birthday. After creating a social media account for her ducks that went viral, Kristine developed Dunkin Ducks as a way to share her pets and educate people about duck rearing.  Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/4eckpwa Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3KEG...

You don’t need a lot of space to have your own pond. A fountainscape or pondless waterfall is easy to install on a patio. It’s even possible to have an above ground pond in a small space. With a little extra TLC, and the right balance, it will thrive.   Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/4565ZJU Botanical Interests Shop Homepage:  https://growepic.co/3yHK5AD Book Collection Page: ht...

Fish are a critical part of ponds. Koi are commonly considered, but there are so many fish you can include in a pond. They become living artwork in the pond scape. But they also have a function!  Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3UZ9T2k Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/4c47kTO Book Collection Page: https://growepic.co/4e8uREI EG Homesteading Book: https://gro...

Adding a water feature to your yard starts with a solid plan. Not only do you need to know where the water edge is, but you’ll need to think about landscaping, elevation, and how the pond fits into the landscape. Hiring a certified Aquascaper to create something magnificent is an option too.  Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3wQk7u9 Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://growe...

Gardens without water are incomplete, according to Greg the Pond Guy. There is no feature that will change a garden more than a pond. Not only is the sound of moving water relaxing, water features bring in wildlife and insects that support the ecosystem. It’s not just the water feature, but everything it entails.   Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/4bGsd7v Botanical Interests Shop...

Greg Whitstock, the Pond Guy has been in the pond trade for 33 years. He founded his professional pond business Aquascape in college. It all started when he decided he wanted to work in a field he loved, and built a pond for his turtles. Today Aquascape is the #1 pond contracting company in Chicago.  Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/4bEHc1S Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https...

So you’ve built your first terrarium. What’s next? Water and light are the key aspects you’ll need to keep an eye on. Then you can add plants if you’re feeding detritivores. Using the proper tools will make maintenance much easier too! Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3yzFMar Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/4bQ9ru7 Book Collection Page: https://growepic.co/4...

If you want to add animals to your first terrarium, it might be difficult to know where to start. You need to know animal food sources, and what size of container is suitable to which species. Thankfully, Ben Newell has the skinny on what you need for housing animals in your terrarium. Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3QTzcSb Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/...

Ben Newell of Worcester Terrariums has all the info you need about building your own terrarium at home. From containers, to soil, and even to different ways to build your own, there is much that goes into it. But it only has to be as expensive or exotic as you want it to be. Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3KhCefm Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3VcC1jQ Boo...

Here, Kevin and Ben Newell discuss the different ways you can jazz up your terrarium, diving into the complexities of adding isopods. They touch on different ways people make their terrariums unique and interesting, and how you can do the same.  Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/4dWiUSO Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3VcmFvL Book Collection Page:  https://gr...

Ben’s interest in plants and terrariums came later in life, in his 20s. He sought out many different horticultural hobbies, and terrariums are the interest he stuck with. His love for the simplicity of terrariums led to his founding of Worcester Terrariums, which has amassed millions of followers. Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/4bSa5Hy Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://...

When Emily started gardening, She felt her brain coming back to life. Now it has a lot to do with her children, and how they know the source of the foods they eat. Maybe the reason a person begins gardening changes over time, but that makes growing plants enriching. Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/4dECDWV Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/4as9dZl Book Collect...

Emily’s view on pest control changed when beneficial insects arrived in her garden. Pests are not necessarily a problem to fight. Instead, the approach is more about patience and allowing the garden ecosystem to balance itself without human intervention. Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3Ka9Fk9 Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3K8nRdo Book Collection Page: ht...

A gardener’s personality is directly related to how they organize their growing space. Emily has clients who need the tidiness of rows, along with those who simply let the strong survive. There’s no right or wrong way to do it! Give yourself grace and you’ll succeed. Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/4bJGOic Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3WNlGn4 Book Collec...

It’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the available information about gardening. While you might see a lot of conflicting messages, it’s more important to have a strong foundation. Experiments don’t usually lead to problems. This is what Emily Grohovsky tells her clients as new gardeners. Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3yxCyE6 Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://growepic....

Emily Grohovsky is a self-taught, Zone 8b gardener based in Central Mississippi. She owns a turnkey garden business called Cedar Hill Gardens. She empowers her clients to grow kitchen gardens right outside their doors, so they can enjoy their harvests year-round.  Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/4bF4a8L Botanical Interests Shop Homepage:https://growepic.co/4bq0RTa Book Collection...

We’ve touched on rose pests and diseases. This episode is dedicated to getting your rose garden started. Ensure you have proper conditions, pick the right roses, and just get growing! You won’t be disappointed in the results when you provide your rose garden with everything it needs.  Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3WEXUcP Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/4...

Many rose diseases can be prevented through proper care, which prevents pests that can spread diseases as well. But dealing with any diseases that crop up isn’t that difficult. Heirloom Roses owner, Ben Hanna has the essential tips for tackling rose diseases.  Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3UtgTUU Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/4aeyANW Book Collection Pa...