Hilary Dahl, host of the Encyclopedia Botanica podcast, announces a new season featuring guest gardening experts and enthusiasts. While Hilary continues to work on new episodes she'll be re-releasing a few timely fall favorites from the EB Podcast archives. This episode, "Cover Crops In The Home Garden", delves into the use of cover crops, explaining their benefits for soil health, nitrogen fixation, and carbon addition, alongside practical tips on planting and management. It also highlights the challenges smaller home gardens face with cover cropping, such as timing and space limitations, and stresses the importance of careful planning.

The quality of produce you grow is dependent on the quality of your soil. We are big advocates of doing everything possible to make garden soil the best it can be right from the start, and then working year after year to maintain and improve its quality. In this episode we're joined by award winning author Jeff Lowenfels to discuss the soil food web and garden soil ecosystems.

Jeff Lowenfels is the author of an award-winning trilogy of books on soil, Teaming With Microbes: The Organic Gardener’s Guide To The Soil Food Web, Teaming With Nutrients: The Organic Gardener’s Guide to Optimizing Plant Nutrition and Teaming With Fungi: The Organic Grower’s Guide to Mycorrhizae.

Hilary and Kelly Smith Trimble discuss Kelly's new book, Vegetable Gardening Wisdom; and share simple words of advice and practical inspiration for getting most out of your vegetable garden! 

Find photos, links to Kelly's book, and more in the show notes for this episode: www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/blog/ 

We're taking a little break and spending time with our families this week, we thought this would be a great time to recap a few of our favorite episodes that are still really timely for the season. 

Also, we need your support in order to continue providing you with fresh, quality weekly content. We've started a Patreon page so if you're enjoying this podcast, consider making a contribution: 

https://www.patreon.com/encyclopediabotanica

Don't forget to Tweet us @seattleurbnfarm using hashtag #EBpodcast with your garden questions!

This episode is for those of you out there who may not have a vegetable garden yet, or who are planning to expand an existing growing space. Or maybe you're thinking about adding some new beds for the next growing season. We are talking about how sheet mulching might be a good technique for you. Mulching your future garden space over the winter can give you a jumpstart on the garden building process for next season.

Also, we need your support in order to continue providing you with fresh, quality weekly content. We've started a Patreon page so if you're enjoying this podcast, consider making a contribution: 

https://www.patreon.com/encyclopediabotanica

Don't forget to Tweet us @seattleurbnfarm using hashtag #EBpodcast with your garden questions!

Microgreens are a great way to produce food all year long with minimum space and time. In this episode we'll discuss how to grow microgreens and crops that are best suited for this type of production. 

Also, we need your support in order to continue providing you with fresh, quality weekly content. We've started a Patreon page so if you're enjoying this podcast, consider making a contribution: 

https://www.patreon.com/encyclopediabotanica

Don't forget to Tweet us @seattleurbnfarm using hashtag #EBpodcast with your garden questions!

Spending a little time in the fall taking notes on what happened in your garden over that past season is a great way to get a jump start on your garden planning for the following spring. In this episode we are going to briefly introduce garden mapping and then Kellie and I will share our favorite crop varieties of the 2016 garden season.

Also, we need your support in order to continue providing you with fresh, quality weekly content. We've started a Patreon page so if you're enjoying this podcast, consider making a contribution: 

https://www.patreon.com/encyclopediabotanica

Don't forget to Tweet us @seattleurbnfarm using hashtag #EBpodcast with your garden questions!

This episode we are going to delve into the wonderful world of soil pH. Managing the pH of a garden may sound super complicated or perhaps a bit over-the-top for the beginning gardener. However, checking and adjusting the pH of your garden soil is actually very easy and very important.

Also, we need your support in order to continue providing you with fresh, quality weekly content. We've started a Patreon page so if you're enjoying this podcast, consider making a contribution: 

https://www.patreon.com/encyclopediabotanica

Don't forget to Tweet us @seattleurbnfarm using hashtag #EBpodcast with your garden questions!

This week we will be discussing how to use compost as a fall garden amendment. In particular, we're going to talk about it how you can use compost to improve and protect your soil over the wet winter months.

Also, we need your support in order to continue providing you with fresh, quality weekly content. We've started a Patreon page so if you're enjoying this podcast, consider making a contribution: 

https://www.patreon.com/encyclopediabotanica

Don't forget to Tweet us @seattleurbnfarm using hashtag #EBpodcast with your garden questions!

Cover cropping is the practice of growing a crop specifically to generate organic matter, protect the soil, and increase soil nutrient levels. 

In this episode, we discuss how cover crops work and why they are an incredibly important and effective way to maintain soil health and capture soil on site, but also why the practice of cover cropping can be tricky to employ in a home garden.

Also, we need your support in order to continue providing you with fresh, quality weekly content. We've started a Patreon page so if you're enjoying this podcast, consider making a contribution: 

https://www.patreon.com/encyclopediabotanica

Don't forget to Tweet us @seattleurbnfarm using hashtag #EBpodcast with your garden questions!

Last week Kellie and I went to a community field day and variety tasting event put on by the Organic Seed Alliance. The event celebrates the second annual harvest at OSA’s Washington research farm, which serves as the hub of OSA’s Pacific Northwest organic plant breeding, seed education, and variety trial program.

In this episode, we’ll discuss OSA’s mission and some of the work they do and we’ll also share their technique for saving tomato seeds.

• Listen right now in your browser by clicking above.
• Subscribe in iTunes (or your favorite podcast player) to have our podcasts sent directly to your device.
• Stream from SoundCloud

In this episode, we discuss:

• What the Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) is and their mission.
• Why organic farmers and gardeners are reliant on organizations like the OSA to help develop seed adapted to their specific farm conditions and climates that don’t require the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers
• How to save tomato seeds.

Important Take-aways:

• Seeds are a living, natural resource that need careful management to meet food needs now and into the future.
• The Organic Seed Alliance’s work is crucial to the future of organic farming. Research demonstrates that varieties developed under non-organic growing conditions are not always successful in organic and other low-input systems. Organic growers need crop varieties developed specifically for low-input systems – crops that mitigate pest and disease pressures, and that are adapted to their local conditions and climates.” The OSA is partnering with farmers all over the country to identify seed needs and to trial varieties and collect data.
• Label any seeds you save with the variety and date!

Heard on the Episode:

“It’s not everyday that you get the opportunity to try seven different types of kale...sided by side. It’s just a good reminder of all of the different vegetable varieties and flavor qualities that are out there.” - Hilary Dahl

“I have to say, this was just such a cool experience...I’ve never really done anything like this before. I learned way more than I expected about the importance of seeds in our culture...honestly, I know it’s fall but it got me super jazzed up for planning my spring garden…!” - Kellie Phelan

These easy-to-grow plants tend to get neglected, but they’re actually really easy to keep nice and tidy. With a few simple steps, you can care for your herbs while also harvesting your crop! Join us as we chat about pruning herbs, using lavender, sage, and rosemary as examples.

It may be a surprise to some listeners that, not only are hops relatively easy to find a place for in the home garden, but they are also beautiful and really rewarding to grow. I love the way hops look and smell! In this episode we will talk a little bit about how to grow them, how to harvest them and how to use them.

Turns out gardening in straw bales might be the least expensive and most effective way to create a season-long container garden! Hilary and Craig LeHoullier discuss what a straw bale garden is and how to set one up!

Find photos, links to Craig's projects, and more in the show notes for this episode: http://www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/blog/ 

The ‘winter’ in winter squash refers to the time of year the crop is eaten, rather than planted. The winter squash category includes to storage squashes (butternut, spaghetti, and acorn), as well as pumpkins. In today’s episode, we cover everything you need to grow perfect winter squashes, including the lifecycle of the plant, when to harvest, and how the fruits should be cured for storage.

Today’s episode is all about garlic! Garlic is a member of the Allium family, which also includes onions, leeks, scallions, and chives. In most climates, garlic is planted in the late fall and harvested mid-summer the following year. Join us as we chat about selecting garlic seed, explore the differences between softneck and hardneck garlic, and, of course, discuss planting techniques and tips.

Tomatoes are probably the most popular garden vegetable, and for good reason; they're versatile, highly productive, and produce fruits that are far superior to any you can buy at the grocery store. In this episode we'll discuss tips for choosing and the best tomato for your space and needs and how to plant tomatoes.

Find photos, links to Kellie's business, and more in the show notes for this episode: http://www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/blog/ 

Emma Biggs talks with Hilary about the techniques she uses to grow 133 varieties of tomatoes, from seed to harvest, on her family’s urban lot in Toronto, Canada.

Find photos, links to Emma's work, and more in the show notes for this episode: http://www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/blog/ 

Stefani Bittner, owner of Homestead Design Collective, talks with Hilary about how to create a beautiful and productive outdoor living space.

Find photos, links to Stefani's work, and more in the show notes for this episode: http://www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/blog/ 

In this episode, Sara and Hilary talk about container gardening. Much of Sara’s work is focused on utilizing unused balcony, patio and rooftop space in very urban environments, so this episode focuses on the unique set of needs and challenges that comes along with growing in more unconventional garden space.

Find photos, links to Sara's work, and more in the show notes for this episode: http://www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/blog/

Hilary talks with legendary garden writer, Rosalind Creasy about the joys and perils of eating flowers. 

Find photos, links to Ros's books, and more in the show notes for this episode: http://www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/blog/

Hilary and Colin share everything you need to know to grow your best crop of carrots and parsnips yet! 

Find photos, links to Colin's books, and more in the show notes for this episode: http://www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/blog/

Guest Kelly Sullivan of Botanique Flowers, a Seattle-based floral design studio, talks with Hilary about how she turned her 6,000 square foot city lot into a productive flower farm. 

Find photos, links to Kelly's work, and more in the show notes for this episode: http://www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/blog/

In this first episode of the 2019 season, Hilary and Tara Austen Weaver discuss planning for, planting and growing fruit trees! 

Find photos, links to Tara's work, and more in this episode's show notes: http://www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/blog/

In this episode Hilary and Colin answer a listener's questions about wood-framed raised bed construction best practices. Their business, Seattle Urban Farm Company has designed and built hundreds of custom raised bed gardens in the Seattle area, so check out this episode for an inside scoop on all of the pro tips!

Pre-order their newest book Grow More Food here!

I've been getting a lot of requests for more crop-specific episodes next season. I love these episodes and would be happy create more if we reach our campaign goal. Remember that everyone who contributes any amount to the 2019 kickstarter campaign will have the opportunity to vote on the topics we cover in 4 of the episodes. But in the meantime, I thought I’d share this episode on Cauliflower from the 2018 season! Enjoy.

We're 50% Funded!! Our campaign ends on 2/1/2019, so if you're planning to contribute, now's the time :)

Check out our Kickstarter campaign to help bring the 2019 season of the Encyclopedia Botanica Podcast to life!

http://kck.st/2D1iWcp

#EBPodcast

Hey There! We have an amazing season of the Encyclopedia Botanica Podcast in store for you! Just like last season, Hilary will be joined by a different guest expert each week. We're hosting a Kickstarter campaign to fund this upcoming season of the podcast and we need your support to bring this project to life. Check out this episode for a teaser mini seed-starting Q&A episode and details on the what we have planned for 2019!

We make this podcast for you and count on listener support to continue creating new content. This season will only happen if we reach our Kickstarter goal! Please check out our campaign here:

Encyclopedia Botanica 2019 Kickstarter

To stay in touch be sure to check our website, www.seattleurbanfarmco.com, follow us on Instagram, and subscribe to our newsletter! 

Hilary and Colin cover a wide range of listener questions in this late-summer Q+A episode. 

This is going to be the last regularly scheduled episode of the 2018 season. We're going to take the fall to write, record and produce our best episodes yet! Stay tuned for updates on how you can support the podcast and when to expect the launch of the 2019 season. 

To stay in touch be sure to check our website, www.seattleurbanfarmco.com, follow us on Instagram, and subscribe to our newsletter! 

Thank you for another great season!

In this episode Shannon Douglas of Honest Magazine and Hilary  discuss intuitive cooking tips and techniques for the popular garden brassicas Kale and broccoli.

Your support is what keeps this podcast going! Any contribution helps. Consider supporting us at the $5/month level for access to our Slack group! For more info, check out our Patreon page!

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/encyclopediabotanica

Show notes: We're on a short break from show notes while navigating the first few weeks of parenthood- check out http://www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/blog/ and Colin's books for more on these subjects!

#EBpodcast 

Natalie Carver of DC-based edible landscaping company, Love and Carrots, joins Hilary to share her experience with tomato hornworms. In this episode they discuss how to spot hornworms and their damage in the garden, and the best ways to manage them.

Your support is what keeps this podcast going! Any contribution helps. Consider supporting us at the $5/month level for access to our Slack group! For more info, check out our Patreon page!

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/encyclopediabotanica

Show notes: We're on a short break from show notes while navigating the first few weeks of parenthood- check out http://www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/blog/ and Colin's books for more on these subjects!

#EBpodcast 

Hilary and Colin chat blueberry care, Brassica pests and the herb chervil in this Q+A episode. 

Your support is what keeps this podcast going! Any contribution helps. Consider supporting us at the $5/month level for access to our Slack group! For more info, check out our Patreon page!

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/encyclopediabotanica

Show notes: We're on a short break from show notes while navigating the first few weeks of parenthood- check out http://www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/blog/ and Colin's books for more on these subjects!

#EBpodcast 

This week on the podcast Hilary and Stephen Mirsky, of Seed Savers Exchange, discuss how to increase your winter squash yields through hand pollination.  

Your support is what keeps this podcast going! Consider making a one-time contribution here or supporting us at the $5/month level for access to our Slack group. For more info, check out our Patreon page!

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/encyclopediabotanica

Show notes: http://www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/blog/

Basil is one of those crops that almost everyone wants to grow. It's relatively versatile and it is one of the most productive crops per plant that you can grow in your garden. In this episode Hilary is joined by former Seattle Urban Farm Co. colleague and farmer, Skip Mackintosh to discuss their time-tested techniques for making the most of the space you've dedicated to basil.

Your support is what keeps this podcast going! Consider making a one-time contribution here or supporting us at the $5/month level for access to our Slack group. For more info, check out our Patreon page!

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/encyclopediabotanica

Show notes: http://www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/blog/

Shannon Douglas of Honest Magazine defines "cooking intuitively" is a style of cooking based on understanding the fundamentals of cooking and paying close attention to your ingredients. In this episode she joins Hilary to discuss some general garden-inspired cooking tips that you can apply to a variety of crops. They'll focus on 2 spring crops, peas and radishes, to help illustrate these points. As always, Hilary will sprinkle in her harvesting and gardening tips as they relate to cooking intuitively. 

Your support is what keeps this podcast going! Consider making a one-time contribution here or supporting us at the $5/month level for access to our Slack group. For more info, check out our Patreon page!

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/encyclopediabotanica

Show notes: http://www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/blog/

We're talking cauliflower! This crop is notoriously difficult to grow compared to other plants in the Brassica oleracea family. In this episode we discuss why and steps you can take to maximize your cauliflower growing success! 

Your support is what keeps this podcast going! Consider making a one-time contribution here or supporting us at the $5/month level for access to our Slack group. For more info, check out our Patreon page!

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/encyclopediabotanica

Show notes: http://www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/blog/

This week we'll be discussing management techniques for growing in high tunnels, hoophouses and greenhouses!

We're thrilled to be joined this week by our good friend and Seattle Urban Farm Co co-founder Brad Halm. Brad is also the co-author of our gardening books, including our most recent "Grow More Food", which is available for preorder now and will ship in early February 2022.

Send us your question and episode topic suggestions: eb@seattleurbanfarmco.com

Backyard beekeeping of honeybees is a great way to increase the number of pollinators in your garden, learn about how pollination works and, of course, the hives provide you with your own source of local honey. One thing that is not commonly discussed is that honeybees are not native to North America. While honeybees are very beneficial, there are also many species of native bees that could use help too. Today we are going to talk a bit about native bees and why its important to create habitat for native pollinators, especially if you're a backyard honeybee keeper. 

Your support is what keeps this podcast going! Consider making a one-time contribution here or supporting us at the $5/month level for access to our Slack group. For more info, check out our Patreon page!

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/encyclopediabotanica

Show notes: http://www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/blog/

In this episode, Phoenix area based gardener, Angela Judd and Hilary discuss how to grow citrus.

Your support is what keeps this podcast going! Consider making a one-time contribution here or supporting us at the $5/month level for access to our Slack group. For more info, check out our Patreon page!

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/encyclopediabotanica

Show notes: http://www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/blog/

#EBpodcast 

In this episode Mark Macdonald of West Coast Seeds joins Hilary to discuss growing the grain quinoa. While many grains are impractical to grow in a home garden or smaller farm, the dense seed heads on quinoa plants provide high yields in compact spaces and provide a great option to those who might be interested in growing grains at home. 

Your support is what keeps this podcast going! Consider making a one-time contribution here or supporting us at the $5/month level for access to our Slack group. For more info, check out our Patreon page!

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/encyclopediabotanica

Show notes: http://www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/blog/

#EBpodcast