Living Homegrown Podcast with Theresa Loe (general)

No, we are not talking about fairy gardens this week. We are discussing garden design on a teeny-tiny scale. It still involves design principals, plant choices and yes...maintenance...but with a fork instead of a rake. It can be a fun way to create the garden of your dreams without having to move the tree in your backyard. Sure you can turn a tiny garden into a fairy garden if you want to - but that something different. On today's episode, host Theresa Loe brings on Janit Calvo - a small gardening expert. They discuss Why miniature gardens are so popular, The therapeutic reasons you might want one, What makes them "real", How to create them yourself and get the scale just right, Why pathways are so important, The trick to laying teeny brick or stone, How these landscapes are perfect for people who can't get outside and Tips for creating them. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/112 for a full transcript of the show and all the links mentioned. 

Direct download: 112_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:02pm PDT

In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews community gardening expert LaManda Joy about the incredible work she does in Chicago with Community Gardens. You will not only be inspired by her story and her work, but you will also learn: How an old Victory Garden photo sparked an entire garden movement in Chicago, How LaManda grows new gardeners and generates community, What is the "Grow To Give" project, What you should look for in a community garden in your area, Why community gardens are the best places to learn, How to find a community garden and the importance of NOT being a perfect gardener. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/111 to learn more, get all the links mentioned in the episode and download a PDF of the full transcript of the episode.

Direct download: LH_111_LivingHomegrown_Podcast_2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:00am PDT

Have you ever stepped away from your garden in the summer time, only to discover an edible (like carrots, celery, cilantro or basil) bolted and went to flower before you used it?  Ugh!  Once it goes to flower, it's on it's way OUT.  But fear not…You can still enjoy something extra from that plant – the flowers.  In this week’s podcast, host Theresa Loe shares her favorite tips and tricks for homegrown flower arranging. And you can use these tips for some of those edibles in your garden that have bolted and gone to seed. We're talking about carrots, celery, fennel, cilantro...anything with a bloom. You’ll be amazed at the stunning arrangements you can create with very little effort.  And you can use these tips to create daily arrangements throughout the entire growing season.

 You'll Learn: 

  • The pro secret to fixing wilted flowers (It’s not what you think)
  • Why woody stems sometimes need a hammer
  • The recipe for making your own floral preservative
  • Tips for best color and shape of your arrangements
  • The secret for getting your stems to stand tall
  • The step-by-step instructions to the perfect bouquet

As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/110 for more tips, resources, a free PDF Flower Arranging Tip Sheet and the transcript.

Direct download: 110_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

In this week's episode, host Theresa Loe interviews Kirsten Shockey about her new book: Fiery Ferments. But don't let the name fool you!  Not all the recipes are super hot! This book teaches you how to make fermented foods that just have a little kick OR that will knock your socks off. YOU can get to choose and control the amount of heat as you make the recipes. It's a fascinating discussion about flavor and how to take your ferments to a whole new level. It doesn't matter if you are a complete beginner or an advanced fermenter - there is lots to discover on this one! You learn: How fermented condiments can really expand your pantry, Why fermentation is such a safe thing to do, What you can use that adds spice WITHOUT the heat, Which pepper really opens you up to other flavors, Why fermented foods are more nutritious than raw, How to ferment using standard kitchen equipment (nothing to buy), Which salts are the best to use, What is pepper mash and how can we make it and use it, Why pepper mash is an excellent way to use up the extra peppers in your garden, And so much more!  As always, you can get more links and resources at: www.LivingHomegrown.com/109 including a PDF download of the complete fermented pepper mash recipe and the full transcript of the episode. And if you want more behind-the-scenes, bonus content or even extra bloopers - check out www.LivingHomegrown.com/sponsor to learn more about becoming a listener-sponsor of the podcast. It's a great way to get a deeper connection with the content.

Direct download: 109_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:53pm PDT

We all go through ups and downs in our lives and those things can actually impact our garden. Usually a traumatic experience changes us as people. But you know what? It can change the gardener within us as well. And that can mean we need to completely pivot our garden style or even location. In this episode, host Theresa Loe brings on garden designer Rebecca Sweet who happens to have one of the most beloved private gardens near the San Francisco area. People have been touring and admiring her garden for many, many years. Rebecca shares inspiring and insightful tips for when we may feel the need for a massive change in our own gardening lives. It’s a very touching interview! You'll learn: How any life change can make you see your garden differently, What to take when you move, Design tips for a brand new garden, How to make the experience a happy transition, Why care sheets for the new owners can save your garden's future, How to send off your old garden with a treasure hunt. As always, you can get more resources at www.LivingHomegrown.com/108 as well as a full transcript of the episode.

 

Direct download: 108_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:00am PDT

In this episode, you learn how to make wildcrafted cocktails with foraged ingredients. You learn about homemade syrups, bitters, infusions and garnishes from garden-fresh plants. Host Theresa Loe brings on foraging expert and author Ellen Zachos to give us the full scoop. You learn: All the different ways to use garden ingredients for cocktails, The basics of a good cocktail, How long infusions last on the shelf, Which plants make the best flavorings, How to forage safely, How to create the "Santa Fe Sundowner" Cocktail. As always, you can go to: www.LivingHomegrown.com/107 for more information, resource links, full transcript and a PDF of the lavender-infused cocktail recipe on the show. And if you would like bonus content only available to our crowd-sourced sponsors (including an after-the-show interview with Ellen), then go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/sponsor for more information.

Direct download: 107_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:39am PDT

If you are looking to eat local and in-season during the winter months, then you should be preserving some of the harvest now. The harvest can come from the farmer's market or your own backyard. Of course, you can break out the canning jars and put food up that way. But there are other methods that are super easy and preserve a lot of food at once. Today, host Theresa Loe brings on author Barbara Pleasant to chat about two such methods and whole lot more.  In this episode you learn: Which produce is best for cold and dry storage, Different ways that you can save foods in a dormant state, What it means to "cure" a pumpkin, The best pumpkin to grow for flesh and seed, How to prevent powdery mildew with a common kitchen ingredient, Which tomatoes are best for drying, Should you Steam veggies before drying, and How to store foods after dehydrating. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/106 for the show notes, transcripts and links to more information. 

Direct download: 106_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:28pm PDT

Chances are your garden and farmer’s market are bursting with summer flavors. It’s time to save those flavors so that you can enjoy them later...Which means, it's canning season!! In today’s episode, host Theresa Loe answers several listener canning questions so that you can stay on track with your summer preserves. You learn: If you can use coconut sugar in canning, Which pectin product is preservative free, Some common jar mistakes, Detective skills for determining why a jar breaks, The difference between citric acid and ascorbic acid, When should you be concerned about bubbles, Why wax sealing was eliminated from canning many years ago and more. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/105 to get all the links and free transcription of the show.

Direct download: 105_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:29pm PDT

Did you know that here in America the Monarch butterfly is in serious trouble?  It has had a 90% decline in it's population in the last 20 years. In this episode, you learn all about this beloved butterfly, the surprising reasons for its decline and what we as gardeners can do to help. Host Theresa Loe interviews author Kylee Baumle about this fascinating butterfly. You learn: Exactly why the Monarch is on the decline, The most important plant we need in our garden, The unusual migration of 3,000 miles the Monarch makes every year, How to create a Monarch Waystation, What is tagging and how we can do it, How we can become citizen scientists in our own backyard. As always, you can get more info and resources at www.LivingHomegrown.com/104 as well as a full transcript of the episode.

Direct download: 104_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:41am PDT

It doesn't matter if you are looking for something new to add to your current garden or if you are a beginner, looking to get started in fruit growing - Today's episode will inspire you with new flavors. Host Theresa Loe interviews author Dr. Lee Reich about growing some of the less common fruits. He gives tips on everything from pawpaws to juneberries. You learn: How Lee uses his backyard as his fruit laboratory, Which kiwi is hardy (even in New York), The benefits of growing juneberries, What is a lingonberry, Why you should never grow a lot of pawpaws, How Asian pears ripen differently than European pears, Which American Persimmons have the best flavor and so much more.  As always, you can visit www.LivingHomegrown.com for more free information, resources and a full transcript of the episode.

Direct download: 103_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:32am PDT