Seeds & Weeds Podcast

Echinacea - one of our favorite perennial native flowers!

In this episode:

• the different species we grow
• how to propagate echinacea through root division
• the challenges of growing from seed
• when to harvest the flowers, leaves, and roots

We’ll take echinacea from the garden into the apothecary and talk about teas, tinctures, decoctions, topical preparations, and even a few creative ways to bring this beautiful plant into the kitchen.

We also explore the fascinating differences between harvesting the aerial parts of the plant and its roots, including why late fall and early spring are the ideal times to dig roots. 

Along the way, we share some traditional uses for echinacea, ideas for combining it with other herbs, and why this beautiful native plant deserves a place in the garden - not only for its herbal potential, but for the pollinators and birds it supports.

Then, we are joined by author and artist Susan Ottaviano to talk about her beautiful new book, Plants That Heal: Plant-Based Wisdom for Body, Mind, and Soul. 

We talk about the many ways plants can support our well-being, the role mindfulness plays in our relationship with plants, and how creating art, cooking, gardening, and even simple everyday rituals can help us slow down and reconnect.

It’s an episode about echinacea, herbal wisdom, creativity, mindfulness, and the many ways plants can become part of our everyday lives.

Shop Echinacea seeds at Baker Creek: https://www.rareseeds.com/store/plants-seeds/herbs/echinacea-seeds

Buy your copy of Plants that Heal: https://link.amazon/B0hPPogTK

Follow Small House on FB and IG for more seed saving information:

www.facebook.com/SmallHouseFarm

www.instagram.com/small_house_farm

Join our Patreon community for exclusive content and Seasonal Herb Boxes: www.patreon.com/smallhousefarm

Support for the Seeds & Weeds Podcast comes from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company which invites you to the National Heirloom Expo in Mansfield Missouri September 27 and 28. The Expo has been called the World’s Fair of Pure Food, with music, food, fun, garden experts from around the world and the wildest flowers, fruits, and vegetables you’ve ever seen. Learn more at Rareseeds.com

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We are digging into one of our favorite gardening skills: saving your own seeds!

We’re talking about why seed saving matters—from saving money and preserving favorite varieties to growing plants that become increasingly adapted to your own garden and local environment.

• Easy crops for beginner seed savers
• When seeds are ready to harvest
• The difference between wet and dry seeds
• How to harvest, process, and properly store your garden seeds

We also get into some of the trickier aspects of seed saving, including cross-pollination, biennial crops, and why a little planning in the spring can make a big difference come harvest time.

Whether you’ve never saved a seed before or you’ve been doing it for years, I hope this episode inspires you to start small, save a few seeds, and discover just how simple—and rewarding—this practice can be.

Your best place to store seeds? In the soil. Keep planting, keep saving, and keep growing! 🌻

Our Seed Saving Videos on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVVVf8KSrdNY&si=HEIqbd8E9Ea05-cs

Saving Our Seeds: The Practice and Philosophy by Bevin Cohen
https://www.smallhousefarm.com/product/saving-our-seeds/

Tomato Tasting 2026 Video:
https://youtu.be/zFfdVLRsVSg?si=zGjrdj9BypqTOzLS

Follow Small House on FB and IG for more seed saving information:

www.facebook.com/SmallHouseFarm

www.instagram.com/small_house_farm

Join our Patreon community for exclusive content and Seasonal Herb Boxes: www.patreon.com/smallhousefarm

Support for the Seeds & Weeds Podcast comes from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company which invites you to the National Heirloom Expo in Mansfield Missouri September 27 and 28. The Expo has been called the World’s Fair of Pure Food, with music, food, fun, garden experts from around the world and the wildest flowers, fruits, and vegetables you’ve ever seen. Learn more at Rareseeds.com

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In this episode, we're joined by Peggy Cornett, curator of plants at historic Monticello, to discuss her new book, Thomas Jefferson's Flowers. 

This richly illustrated book examines Jefferson’s gardening friendships in the United States and abroad, his many botanical and horticultural influences, and includes a comprehensive annotated list of the flowers documented by Jefferson throughout his lifetime.

Throughout our conversation, Peggy and I explore the history of Monticello’s flower gardens, the research required to maintain historically accurate gardens, her work as the Senior Curator of Plants, the beautiful photography and paintings included in the book and so much more.

Peggy Cornett has worked at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello since 1983, beginning as the associate director of gardens and grounds. She earned degrees in English and Botany from UNC-Chapel Hill and a master's from the University of Delaware's Longwood Graduate Program.

Visit Monticello website https://www.monticello.org/ and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TJMonticello

Monticello Farm and Garden FB group https://www.facebook.com/groups/356131388234344/

Get your own copy of Thomas Jefferson's Flowers: Historic Gardens at Monticello by Peggy Cornett https://amzn.to/3RfSa9k

Follow Small House Farm on FB and IG for more fun!

www.facebook.com/SmallHouseFarm

www.instagram.com/small_house_farm

Join our Patreon community for exclusive content and Seasonal Herb Boxes: www.patreon.com/smallhousefarm

Support for the Seeds & Weeds Podcast comes from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company which invites you to the National Heirloom Expo in Mansfield Missouri September 27 and 28. The Expo has been called the World’s Fair of Pure Food, with music, food, fun, garden experts from around the world and the wildest flowers, fruits, and vegetables you’ve ever seen. Learn more at Rareseeds.com

Support the show

Roses are far more than a symbol of love—they’re one of the most versatile plants you can grow. In this episode of the Seeds & Weeds Podcast, we explore the fascinating history of roses, how to successfully grow them, and the many ways every part of the plant can be used throughout the year. From fragrant petals and vitamin-rich rose hips to edible leaves, you’ll discover practical tips for harvesting, preserving, and using roses in the kitchen, apothecary, and around the home.

Special guest Janice Cox, author of Beautiful Roses, joins the conversation to share expert growing advice, the symbolism behind different rose colors, and dozens of creative recipes and botanical crafts—from rose water and herbal skincare to syrups, bath salts, natural dyes, wreaths, and more. Whether you’re a gardener, herbalist, or simply captivated by the beauty of roses, this episode is filled with inspiration to help you appreciate one of the world’s most beloved flowers in an entirely new way.

Purchase Beautiful Roses by Janice Cox: https://store.motherearthnews.com/products/beautiful-roses

Rose Identification Database: https://www.helpmefind.com/

Liz Fulcher’s interview about Herbal Hydrosols https://seedsandweedspodcast.com/herbal-hydrosols-liz-fulcher-mint-kitchen-apothecary/

Get a Summer Herb Box with a Rose Trading Card: https://www.smallhousefarm.com/product/seasonal-herb-gift-box/

Shop Small House, Rose Face Mask: https://www.smallhousefarm.com/product/terre-de-rose-claymask/

Follow Small House Farm on FB and IG for more fun!

www.facebook.com/SmallHouseFarm

www.instagram.com/small_house_farm

Join our Patreon community for exclusive content and Seasonal Herb Boxes: www.patreon.com/smallhousefarm

Support for the Seeds & Weeds Podcast comes from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company which invites you to the National Heirloom Expo in Mansfield Missouri September 27 and 28. The Expo has been called the World’s Fair of Pure Food, with music, food, fun, garden experts from around the world and the wildest flowers, fruits, and vegetables you’ve ever seen. Learn more at Rareseeds.com

Support the show

We recently caught up with Sidnye and Savannah, publishers of Truly Crunchy Magazine and two sisters that are passionate about health, wellness, and everything in between.    

Truly Crunchy Magazine is one of the fastest growing wellness magazines focused on healthy holistic living. Learn more about the magazine and subscribe at https://trulycrunchy.com/

Tune in to hear more about  Sidnye and Savannah's work, their magazine, and what it means to be Truly Crunchy.

Follow Small House Farm on FB and IG for more fun!

www.facebook.com/SmallHouseFarm

www.instagram.com/small_house_farm

Join our Patreon community for exclusive content and Seasonal Herb Boxes: www.patreon.com/smallhousefarm

Support for the Seeds & Weeds Podcast comes from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company which invites you to the National Heirloom Expo in Mansfield Missouri September 27 and 28. The Expo has been called the World’s Fair of Pure Food, with music, food, fun, garden experts from around the world and the wildest flowers, fruits, and vegetables you’ve ever seen. Learn more at Rareseeds.com

Support the show

In this special on-the-road episode of the Seeds & Weeds Podcast, we share conversations recorded live at the Homestead Festival in Tennessee. 

We explored the real-world challenges faced by beginning and aspiring homesteaders and then sat down with experienced experts to help answer those questions.

You'll hear practical advice from homesteading personalities including Ruth Ann Zimmerman, Kaylee Richardson, Patty Ward, and Susan Wiley as they tackle common concerns such as:

• Where to start without becoming overwhelmed
• Homesteading successfully on a small property
• Sorting through conflicting advice from books, social media, and the internet
• Building meaningful community and finding mentors
• Setting realistic goals and growing skills one step at a time

Along the way, we also share updates from Small House Farm, including an incredible strawberry harvest, early-season tomatoes, summer foraging adventures, and a behind-the-scenes look at our rose-themed Summer Herb Box. 

Learn more about The Homestead Festival on their website: www.thehomesteadfestival.com

Watch Bevin's full presentation, How to Press Oils @ Home, from the Homestead Festival here: youtu.be/hV-mPQHjm_I?si=kUFA2GcICj-DdJle

Homesteading with the Zimmermans YouTube:  www.youtube.com/@Ruthannzimm

Kaylee Richardson's, The Honeystead: thehoneystead.com

Patty Ward's Sow Right Seeds: sowrightseeds.com

Susan Wiley's There Was a Garden: www.therewasagarden.com

Whether you're just beginning your homesteading journey or looking for encouragement to keep growing, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and inspiration from people who have been there before.

Follow Small House on FB and IG for more fun!

www.facebook.com/SmallHouseFarm

www.instagram.com/small_house_farm

Join our Patreon community for exclusive content and Seasonal Herb Boxes: www.patreon.com/smallhousefarm

Support for the Seeds & Weeds Podcast comes from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company which invites you to the National Heirloom Expo in Mansfield Missouri September 27 and 28. The Expo has been called the World’s Fair of Pure Food, with music, food, fun, garden experts from around the world and the wildest flowers, fruits, and vegetables you’ve ever seen. Learn more at Rareseeds.com

Support the show

We dig into the world of direct sow gardening and share our favorite tips for growing a thriving garden straight from seed. We talk about the benefits and challenges of direct sowing, our favorite cool and warm season crops, and practical techniques for timing, spacing, watering, and improving germination success. 

In this episode you will learn: 

• What direct sowing is and why it’s great for beginner gardeners 
•  The benefits and challenges of planting seeds directly in the garden 
•  Which cool season crops are best for direct sowing 
•  Which warm weather crops thrive when direct seeded 
•  Why some plants dislike transplanting and grow better from seed outdoors 
•  How soil temperature affects seed germination and plant success 
•  Why frost dates are only a guideline — and what to pay attention to instead 
•  Tips for timing your planting based on your own garden conditions 
•  Proper seed planting depth and spacing techniques 
•  Why thinning seedlings is important and how to use the sprouts 
•  How to keep seed beds moist for better germination rates 
•  Using mulch to conserve moisture and protect young seedlings 
•  Easy beginner-friendly crops to start direct sowing with 
•  Simple tricks for improving germination and garden success 
•  Real-life gardening experiences from our spring season at Small House Farm

More gardening advice can be found in Bevin's books, Herbs in Every Season, Grow Great Vegetables, and Saving Our Seeds. Shop all books at https://www.smallhousefarm.com/product-category/books/

Shop Small House Heirloom and Organic Seed Collection at https://www.smallhousefarm.com/seed-collection/

Support for the Seeds & Weeds Podcast comes from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company which invites you to the National Heirloom Expo in Mansfield Missouri September 27 and 28. The Expo has been called the World’s Fair of Pure Food, with music, food, fun, garden experts from around the world and the wildest flowers, fruits, and vegetables you’ve ever seen. Learn more at Rareseeds.com

Support the show

It’s easy to “eat the rainbow” when you’re growing one right in your own backyard!

Author and gardener Sandra Mao is joining us to talk about her new book Vibrant Harvest.

Sandra started to grow fruit trees and other edibles when she moved to California. Because of the blessings of the weather and lack of freezing temperatures, she is able to grow most vegetables and fruits year-round - though her content is aimed at gardeners from all growing zones. She loves helping new gardeners start growing their own food by sharing her passion for growing colorful and productive varieties, offering unique tips and tricks, and teaching others how to use the harvest wisely.

Follow Sandra on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/sandra.urbangarden/

Buy your copy of Vibrant Harvest at https://amzn.to/4cCz5WD

✨ Join our Patreon community for exclusive content, seasonal herb boxes, and more! ​www.patreon.com/smallhousefarm

Support for the Seeds & Weeds Podcast comes from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company which invites you to the National Heirloom Expo in Mansfield Missouri September 27 and 28. The Expo has been called the World’s Fair of Pure Food, with music, food, fun, garden experts from around the world and the wildest flowers, fruits, and vegetables you’ve ever seen. Learn more at Rareseeds.com

Support the show

We’re digging into one of the most overlooked plants in our landscape, dandelion, specifically Taraxacum officinale. What most people see as a weed, we see as a powerhouse of flavor, nutrition, and medicine...and we’re excited to share why.

We walk you through how to properly identify dandelion (and avoid common lookalikes), when and how to harvest each part of the plant, and why timing makes all the difference. From there, we head into the kitchen, where we share simple, practical ways to use dandelion leaves, flowers, and roots—from fresh spring greens to infused vinegars and even homemade coffee alternatives.

Then we step into the apothecary, where dandelion really shines. We talk about how we use it to support digestion, nourish the body, and create everything from mineral-rich tonics to soothing herbal oils.

Along the way, we also reflect on the bigger picture—how a plant we’ve been taught to "despise" might actually be one of the most valuable allies growing right at our feet. So the next time you see a dandelion, don't reach for the shovel to remove it, reach for it with curiosity instead!

Enjoy dandelion inspired products by Small House:
https://seedsandweedspodcast.com/all-about-dandelions/

Learn more about infusing oils to make herbal salves:
https://youtu.be/Rdq-ccoiBdg?si=8WoggWT5-XB8rme_

Harvest and eat dandelion greens with our recipe:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JYJYLGCW04

Learn more about dandelion and other beneficial herbs with Bevin's book Herbs in Every Season:  https://www.smallhousefarm.com/product/herbs-in-every-season/

Explore our Plant of the Month series on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/smallhousefarm

✨ Join our Patreon community for exclusive content, seasonal herb boxes, and more! ​www.patreon.com/smallhousefarm

Support for the Seeds & Weeds Podcast comes from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company which invites you to the National Heirloom Expo in Mansfield Missouri September 27 and 28. The Expo has been called the World’s Fair of Pure Food, with music, food, fun, garden experts from around the world and the wildest flowers, fruits, and vegetables you’ve ever seen. Learn more at Rareseeds.com

Support the show

We sit down with horticulturist, garden designer, and author Frank Hyman to dig into his new book Ripe Tomato Revolution. With over 40 years of experience, Frank shares practical, no-nonsense techniques to help you grow more tomatoes with less work—whether you’re planting in rows, raised beds, or containers.

From smart seed-starting strategies to choosing the right supports (and why rebar might be your new best friend), this conversation is packed with actionable tips for gardeners of all levels. We also explore the rise of dwarf and micro-dwarf tomatoes—perfect for small spaces—and uncover a “revolutionary” approach to preventing blight by rethinking how we protect our plants from rain.

Along the way, we swap stories, challenge common gardening practices, and even talk peanut butter sandwiches (yes, really).

If you’ve ever struggled with tomato diseases, limited space, or just want a better harvest with less hassle, this episode is for you.

Tune in and start growing smarter this season 🌱

Connect with Frank https://www.instagram.com/mushroomswithoutdying/

Purchase Ripe Tomato Revolution via Bookshop : https://bookshop.org/beta-search?keywords=Frank+Hyman

or on Amazon https://amzn.to/4m7lbyF

Buy a copy of Craig LeHoullier's book Epic Tomatoes https://amzn.to/4m9l2eg

Shop for Dwarf Tomato Seeds at https://forgottenheirlooms.com/ 

✨ Join our Patreon community for exclusive content, seasonal herb boxes, and more! ​www.patreon.com/smallhousefarm

Support for the Seeds & Weeds Podcast comes from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company which invites you to the National Heirloom Expo in Mansfield Missouri September 27 and 28. The Expo has been called the World’s Fair of Pure Food, with music, food, fun, garden experts from around the world and the wildest flowers, fruits, and vegetables you’ve ever seen. Learn more at Rareseeds.com

Support the show