Living Homegrown Podcast with Theresa Loe

Have you ever dreamed of starting your own gardening or farming business?

It can sound romantic and whimsical, can’t it?

But what's really involved in running a seasonal business around growing things? How do you manage the season or even your day around harvesting and delivering plant material?

This week, I share an episode I actually recorded for some of my students. You see, I have a secret podcast called Seedy Conversations® where I give the back story on businesses, homesteaders and bloggers.  We dive into what makes them tick.

Well, this episode is from those archives. I interviewed Erin Benzakein who has been on the Living Homegrown Podcast before (Episode #95). But this time, Erin pulls back the curtain and gives a snapshot of what life is like as a small organic farmer in the state of Washington.

Erin is the top floral farmer-florist in the country and she spills the beans on what it really means to run a small family farm.

And the good news is that Erin finds her business to be rewarding and inspiring each and every day. I think you will love her story! 

You'll learn:

  • About a typical day in the life of a farmer-florist
  • What is the best gear to wear in the field
  • Which crops to grow for market
  • The magical time for taking garden photos
  • The 1 morning practice that sets you up for success in your day
  • Top advice for anyone considering becoming a farmer

You can get more information about Erin, her farm and all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes at www.LivingHomegrown.com/119 as well as a full transcript of the show.

Direct download: 119_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:50am PDT

How to use your garden to make holiday gifts

Thinking of making any handmade gifts for the holidays this year?

It’s only October, but this is the perfect time to get started!

By starting now, you can create thoughtful gifts before the craziness of the holidays overwhelm you.

Host Theresa Loe interviews Stephanie Rose of Garden Therapy about garden crafts that make perfect holiday gifts. They discuss several projects (from season salt to homemade soap) that you can make quickly, easily, and with very little cost.

You will learn:

  • How Herbal Finishing Salt makes an impressive, low-cost gift
  • How to fast-track soap making with natural melt and pour ingredients
  • The type of cupcake molds to use for Lavender-Oatmeal Soap
  • Why mason jars are perfect for homemade candles
  • The trick to pressing herbs into the sides of your glass jar candles
  • And more…

As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/118 to get links to all the recipes, instructions and a full transcript of the episode.

Direct download: 118_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:14pm PDT

How to Make Color Dyes With Your Garden Plants

The plants in our backyards can have multiple uses beyond food.

That’s what this week’s podcast is all about…using our garden plants for something different: Making Natural Dye

Now, you may be wondering what the heck you would dye with your plants. Well, we’ve got you covered.

Host Theresa Loe brought on fiber and dye expert Chris McLaughlin to talk about all the things we can color using natural dyes. They walk through the terminology and the techniques.

It’s super mad-scientisty. Ha!

You will learn:

  • What is a fugitive color (No, it’s not a criminal)
  • How do you use a modifier
  • What is a mordant
  • Can we use common household ingredients to change colors
  • Which plants work best
  • Step-by-step how to dye a silk scarf using flowers

As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/117 to get links to everything mentioned and get a full transcript of the episode.

Direct download: 117_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:14pm PDT

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