Growers Podcast

Beer used to be a LOT stranger than it is today.In this episode of The Growers Show, we continue our journey through the history of medieval brewing with one of the most influential beer regulations ever written: Bavaria's famous beer law of 1516, later known as the Reinheitsgebot or German Beer Purity Law.The law restricted Bavarian beer to just three ingredients: barley, hops, and water.But what was in beer BEFORE the law?For centuries, brewers had flavored their beer with mixtures of herbs often referred to as gruit. Depending on the time and place, medieval brews could contain plants such as mugwort, yarrow, sweet gale, heather and other herbs—and historical sources even describe dangerous or intoxicating additives finding their way into some beers.The official explanations for brewing regulations included maintaining beer quality, protecting consumers, controlling prices, and reserving valuable grains such as wheat for bread.But we wanted to dig deeper.Who benefited when the ingredients in one of Europe's most important drinks became legally restricted? How did the rise of hops change medieval brewing? What happened to the enormous diversity of herbal beers that existed beforehand? And how were beer, taxation, political power, monasteries, brewers, and the ruling classes intertwined?We also explore some of the more controversial theories surrounding the law—including the idea that eliminating certain herbal brews may have changed not only who controlled beer production, but the kinds of experiences people could have from drinking it.Was the Beer Purity Law simply an early form of consumer protection?Was it economic regulation?Was it about political and religious power?Or was it some combination of all three?Grab a beer and join us as we explore medieval brewing, gruit, monks, hops, strange herbs, Bavarian politics, and the surprisingly complicated story behind the law that changed beer forever.As always, expect history, plants, speculation, questionable jokes, and plenty of Growers Show chaos along the way.

What did medieval monks actually do all day?Believe it or not, the answer involved a lot more than sitting quietly in a monastery praying.In this episode of the Growers Podcast, we're going back to medieval Europe to explore the fascinating history of monastic brewing, medieval beer, monastery breweries, farming, herb gardens, bread making, and traditional crafts.Monasteries weren't simply places where monks lived and prayed. Many became important economic and agricultural centers, producing food, beer, wine, medicines, herbs, bread, and other goods for their communities.The Benedictine tradition famously emphasized ora et labora — "prayer and work." Monks were expected to devote themselves not only to spiritual life but also to productive work, craftsmanship, farming, gardening, and self-sufficiency.And apparently, some of those monks got really good at making beer.We'll explore how medieval monks brewed beer, why beer was such an important part of medieval life, how monasteries became centers of agriculture and craftsmanship, and how monks helped preserve and develop knowledge about plants, herbs, farming, fermentation, brewing, and food production.We'll also look at the gardens and farms that supplied monasteries, the herbs used by medieval monks, the role of beer and fermentation in medieval society, and how some monastic brewing traditions survived for centuries.And, of course, we'll have plenty of jokes along the way.Prayer. Work. Farming. Gardening. Brewing. Baking.Maybe medieval monks had figured out something we've forgotten.🍺🌿Growers Show Ep 35

Lion's mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) has become one of the most talked-about medicinal mushrooms in the world—but does it live up to the hype?In this episode of the Growers Podcast, we dive into the fascinating history, health benefits, and culinary uses of lion's mane. We discuss the research surrounding brain health, memory, focus, nerve growth, inflammation, and holistic wellness, while also sharing our own thoughts on why growing and cooking your own food can be such a rewarding part of a healthier lifestyle.We also cover where to buy fresh lion's mane at local farmers markets, how to grow it at home from grow kits, where to forage for it in the wild, and some of our favorite ways to prepare it in the kitchen. From "crab cakes" to steaks and stir-fries, lion's mane is one of the most versatile edible mushrooms you can find.As always, expect plenty of jokes, random tangents, and the usual Growers Podcast chaos along the way.If you enjoy learning about medicinal plants, mushrooms, regenerative agriculture, holistic health, and sustainable living, be sure to subscribe for more episodes

What if one of the world's most celebrated medicinal herbs was also one of the easiest plants to grow at home?In this episode of the Growers Podcast, we dive into Holy Basil (Tulsi) (Ocimum tenuiflorum), a remarkable herb that has been treasured for thousands of years in traditional medicine, spiritual practice, and everyday cooking. Revered throughout India as the "Queen of Herbs," Tulsi has long been associated with vitality, resilience, and overall well-being.We explore the growing body of scientific research surrounding Holy Basil, including its potential role in helping the body respond to stress, supporting healthy inflammation levels, promoting metabolic health, and contributing to overall wellness. We also discuss why Tulsi is considered an adaptogen, how it's traditionally prepared as tea and food, and why it's one of the easiest medicinal plants to grow in a backyard or even on a sunny windowsill.Beyond its health benefits, we also explore the fascinating history and cultural significance of this sacred plant, its role in Ayurveda and Hindu traditions, and why growing your own herbs can be a rewarding step toward greater self-sufficiency and a closer connection to nature.As always, we balance science, history, gardening tips, and plenty of laughs while exploring one of the world's most remarkable plants.If you enjoy medicinal plants, herbal medicine, gardening, holistic health, botany, ecology, and unusual plant history, subscribe for new episodes every week.

Have you ever stopped to wonder why we spend billions of dollars trying to destroy one of the most nutritious and useful plants growing right beneath our feet?In this episode of the Growers Podcast, we take a fresh look at the humble dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and explore why it has been used for centuries as both food and medicine. We discuss its impressive nutritional profile, anti-inflammatory properties, traditional herbal uses, and the surprising ways people cook with it—from fried dandelion blossoms and homemade pesto to fresh salads, teas, wines, and roasted root coffee.We also dive into the role dandelions play in healthy ecosystems. Their deep taproots pull minerals from deep underground, helping improve soil health while providing one of the earliest food sources for bees and other pollinators.At the same time, millions of homeowners spend countless hours and money spraying herbicides to eliminate these plants from perfectly healthy lawns. Is our obsession with weed-free grass actually harming our soil, wildlife, and even ourselves?As always, we mix history, botany, humor, and plenty of friendly roasting while exploring one of the world's most misunderstood plants.If you enjoy plants, gardening, medicinal herbs, ecology, foraging, sustainable living, or just learning strange facts about the natural world, this episode is for you.Subscribe for weekly conversations about fascinating plants, forgotten history, ecology, conservation, and the weird side of botany.

Happy Fourth of July!As America approaches its 250th anniversary, we take a look back at the farming practices that helped build the United States during its earliest years.In this episode we explore colonial agriculture, the farms of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison, and the experimental farming techniques that shaped early American agriculture. We discuss how settlers adapted to a new continent, borrowed ideas from Native American agriculture, and blended farming traditions from across Europe and beyond.We also take a closer look at the famous Three Sisters planting method—corn, beans, and squash—which was taught to many colonists by Native Americans and remains one of the most ingenious companion planting systems ever developed.From Virginia plantations to New England homesteads, colonial farmers faced enormous challenges and constantly experimented with new crops, tools, and techniques. Many of the lessons they learned are still relevant today.Join us as we explore the forgotten agricultural history of early America, the founding fathers who were passionate farmers, and the farming methods that helped shape a nation.Happy Independence Day from the Growers Podcast!

Can plants predict the weather?In this episode of The Growers Show, we explore some of the fascinating plants that seem to know when rain, frost, or changing weather is on the way.From Texas sage bursting into bloom before a rainfall, to pine cones closing up ahead of wet weather, to dandelions folding their flowers shut before a storm, plants often respond to subtle environmental changes long before humans notice them.We discuss:• Why Texas sage is known as the "barometer bush"• How pine cones react to humidity• Why dandelions close before rain• Rhododendrons that curl their leaves before a freeze• Other plants that serve as natural weather indicators• The science behind these remarkable adaptationsAlong the way we dive into gardening folklore, plant biology, and whether some old-fashioned weather wisdom may have been right all along.If you enjoy botany, gardening, native plants, weather, and strange plant behavior, this episode is for you.As always, expect plenty of plant facts, questionable jokes, and a healthy amount of chaos.

In this episode, we explore some of the oldest seeds ever successfully germinated—and the results are honestly hard to believe.From ancient lotus seeds hundreds of years old, to 2,000-year-old Judean date palm seeds recovered from archaeological sites, to plants regenerated from 30,000-year-old Siberian genetic material frozen in permafrost… scientists have discovered that some plants can survive far longer than anyone expected.We discuss:How seeds can remain viable for centuries or even millenniaThe famous Judean date palm revivalAncient lotus seeds that still germinated after hundreds of yearsThe controversial 30,000-year-old Siberian plant experimentsWhat these discoveries reveal about plant biology and survivalAnd of course, things become slightly less scientific once we start imagining ancient gardeners accidentally time-traveling through seed storage.If you enjoy botany, archaeology, ancient history, weird science, and chaotic plant discussions, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we explore the fascinating history of growing plants in space—from the very first seeds launched into orbit to modern gardens aboard the International Space Station.Long before humans dreamed seriously about living on Mars, scientists were already asking an important question:👉 Can plants survive in space?We trace the history of space botany through:Early satellite experimentsSoviet and Russian plant-growing programsNASA research aboard the ISSThe first flowers and vegetables grown in orbitThe challenges of growing plants in microgravityAnd why future Moon and Mars missions may depend on plants more than we realizeWe also discuss how plants could help astronauts psychologically, recycle air and water, and eventually become a critical part of long-term human survival beyond Earth.From tiny seeds in orbit to futuristic Martian greenhouses, the story of plants in space is far stranger—and more important—than most people realize.If you enjoy botany, science history, space exploration, or weird experiments, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we read and discuss some of the most moving and unforgettable ibogaine experience reports we’ve come across.Unlike many psychedelic stories that focus on visuals or chaos, these reports are deeply personal—centered around addiction, trauma, healing, and confronting the past.One story follows a man struggling with a decades-long opiate addiction who says a single ibogaine experience completely changed the course of his life. Another comes from someone who felt lost and disconnected, only to emerge from the experience with a renewed sense of meaning and purpose.Many people who describe ibogaine experiences talk about encountering a guiding presence or “spirit of the iboga” that forces them to revisit painful memories, personal mistakes, and unresolved trauma in a way they had never experienced before.In this episode, we discuss:Why ibogaine is receiving renewed attention in addiction researchThe emotional and psychological themes common in ibogaine reportsTrauma, memory, and personal transformationThe fascinating cultural history of the iboga plantAnd what these stories may reveal about the human mindAs always, we approach these stories with curiosity, respect, and a healthy amount of discussion along the way.