Teaming With Microbes – Details, episodes & analysis

This week, Jeff and Jonathan are discussing healthy soil structure—particularly the role of worms. As the true engineers of the soil food web, worms bring organic matter from the surface down into the soil. This action creates burrows that hold air, water, and organic matter, forming the building blocks for a thriving organic soil structure.

After the break, the duo addresses a listener question about the differences between applying chemical treatments versus concentrated organic substances to soil.

Finally, they highlight the importance of maintaining a gardening diary or journal.

All that and more on this episode of Teaming with Microbes!

**********************************************

Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.com

Plant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!

Thanks to our sponsors:

• Big Foot Microbes
• Number 2 Organics made in partnership with Malibu Compost
• Down To Earth All Natural Fertilizers 

The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.  

Special thanks to the Anchorage Daily News for hosting the show!

As rain pelts Southcentral Alaska, mushrooms (and wood frogs) are popping up everywhere. Jeff and Jonathan point out that mushrooms in lawns or meadows are usually a positive sign, indicating thriving soil microbiology. In fact, fungal activity in your lawn is beneficial, as mushrooms are great decomposers in the food chain.

After the break, the guys discuss growing potatoes and ways to ensure you get the most out of your spuds. For example, if your potatoes are flowering, don't panic! Let them hang out for a few weeks (or a month) so the starches can filter down into the spud. This ensures a great-tasting potato!

Finally, the team tackles a listener's question about cauliflower.

All that and more on this episode of Teaming with Microbes!

**********************************************

Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.com

Plant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!

Thanks to our sponsors:

• Big Foot Microbes
• Number 2 Organics made in partnership with Malibu Compost
• Down To Earth All Natural Fertilizers 

The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.  

Special thanks to the Anchorage Daily News for hosting the show!

Jonathan is bummed out that the dandelions are turning white.  However, Jeff reminds him that each flower has about 300 seeds (making it a powerful spreader).  This kicks off a discussion about the hidden powers of dandelions.  For example, did you know that you can make teas, wine and even tempura with them?  Also, the dandelion taproot can burrow 15 feet into the ground!

After the break, Jonathan gives an update on his new ‘meadow’ and is surprised to see an abundance of clover. 

All that and more in this week's episode of Teaming With Microbes!

**********************************************

Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.com

Plant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!

Thanks to our sponsors:

• Big Foot Microbes
• Number 2 Organics made in partnership with Malibu Compost
• Down To Earth All Natural Fertilizers 

The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.  

In this week's episode, Jeff and Jonathan dive into strategies for planting and caring for different types of beans and peas.

Jeff begins by discussing the history of sweet peas, emphasizing their delightful fragrance, vibrant colors, and easy cultivation.

Next, they compare sweet and snap peas, with Jeff emphasizing the importance of pinching and picking the flowers.

After the break, Jonathan recounts his experience of using a wildflower seed kit in hopes of creating a lush meadow in his yard.

All that and more in this week's episode of Teaming With Microbes!

**********************************************

Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.com

Plant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!

Thanks to our sponsors:

• Big Foot Microbes
• Number 2 Organics made in partnership with Malibu Compost
• Down To Earth All Natural Fertilizers 

The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.  

Special thanks to the Anchorage Daily News for hosting the show!

This week, Jeff and Jonathan celebrate the bountiful dandelions flourishing in Southcentral Alaska, prompting an important question: where do they originate?

They discuss how attitudes towards dandelions have evolved over the years and explore strategies to prevent their overgrowth.

Next, they share tips on introducing native plants to your yard, garden, or meadow, including optimal planting locations and conditions for their growth. For those in northern climates, Jeff recommends the book, 'Wildflowers for Northern Gardens.'

Post-break, they discuss methods to identify plants, emphasizing that most mobile phones feature built-in AI plant identifiers.

Finally, they address a few listener questions.

Tune in to this week's episode of Teaming With Microbes for more.

**********************************************

Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.com

Plant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!

Thanks to our sponsors:

• Big Foot Microbes
• Number 2 Organics made in partnership with Malibu Compost
• Down To Earth All Natural Fertilizers 

The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.  

Special thanks to the Anchorage Daily News for hosting the show!

This week, Jeff and Jonathan dive into essential tips for early season lawn care. Fresh off a weekend of 26 hours of yard work, Jonathan shares his experience aerating his entire lawn and testing the soil. Jeff emphasizes the importance of giving your lawn a trim, even if you're planning to let it grow into a meadow.

Did you know lawn mowers are significant polluters? Jeff suggests mowing one time less each month to benefit the environment and encourages listeners to get creative with their mowing patterns. 

The discussion then shifts to the abundance of dandelions in South Central Alaska, reminding gardeners to consider the sun's axis when setting up greenhouses or planting gardens.

The guys wrap up by addressing a listener's question about the benefits and usage of liquid kelp in gardening. All that and more on this week’s episode of Teaming With Microbes.

**********************************************

Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.com

Plant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!

Thanks to our sponsors:

• Big Foot Microbes
• Number 2 Organics made in partnership with Malibu Compost
• Down To Earth All Natural Fertilizers 

The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.  

Special thanks to the Anchorage Daily News for hosting the show!

This week, the team eagerly digs into early season gardening. To start, Jeff discusses hardening off your plants in his Anchorage Daily News column.

Jeff also offers a wealth of gardening advice, sharing his favorite hacks. These include ways to keep your fingernails clean when gardening, ensuring your hose can reach every garden corner, and labeling everything.

Following a short break, the team addresses dandelion management.

Lastly, they respond to a variety of listener questions. Topics range from the complexities of compost tea to the potential benefits of adding birch water to your garden.

Tune in to this week’s episode of Teaming with Microbes for these insights and more!

**********************************************

Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.com

Plant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!

Thanks to our sponsors:

• Big Foot Microbes
• Number 2 Organics made in partnership with Malibu Compost
• Down To Earth All Natural Fertilizers 

The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.  

Special thanks to the Anchorage Daily News for hosting the show!

Jonathan needs assistance in regenerating a part of his lawn that was damaged last year. To aid him, the team brings in Anthony Nied, owner and operator of Flawn Seed Kits. This company focuses on creating lawns and meadows that require less maintenance. They discuss transitioning to a different type of lawn (not quite a meadow) that is low-growing, suitable for play, and has some color.

For more information about Anthony's work, visit Flawn Seed Kits.

Catch all this and more in this week's episode of Teaming with Microbes!

**********************************************

Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.com

Plant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!

Thanks to our sponsors:

• Big Foot Microbes
• Number 2 Organics made in partnership with Malibu Compost
• Down To Earth All Natural Fertilizers 

The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.  

Special thanks to the Anchorage Daily News for hosting the show!

This week, the team celebrates the upcoming gardening season in Alaska. However, this also means an increase in misinformation online, particularly about tomatoes! Jeff and Jonathan sift through the most misleading myths to set the record straight.

After the break, the team continues the discussion from last week about hardening off plants, providing examples of the correct way to do it. By the way, now is a great time to start planning this for Alaskan gardens and plants.

Finally, they address a listener's question about compost.

Don't miss all this and more in this week's episode of Teaming with Microbes!

**********************************************

Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.com

Plant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!

Thanks to our sponsors:

• Big Foot Microbes
• Number 2 Organics made in partnership with Malibu Compost
• Down To Earth All Natural Fertilizers 

The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.  

Special thanks to the  Anchorage Daily News for hosting the show!

This week, the guys start the episode with a listener's question: When should you start working in the garden? In Southcentral Alaska, Jeff notes that gardening begins when birch leaves are the size of a squirrel's ear. That said, It's crucial to exercise patience because your lawn and garden need sufficient time to dry out after winter's heavy snowfall.

Later, they discuss the advantages of ramial wood and the necessity of allowing your soil to warm up consistently for your intended germination.

Lastly, the team explores the idea of hardening off your plants. They emphasize its importance in ensuring plants acclimate properly to sunlight and wind.

Catch all this and more in this week's episode of Teaming with Microbes!

**********************************************

Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.com

Plant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!

Thanks to our sponsors:

• Big Foot Microbes
• Number 2 Organics made in partnership with Malibu Compost
• Down To Earth All Natural Fertilizers 

The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.  

Special thanks to the Anchorage Daily News for hosting the show!