Today we’re hanging out with farmer and author Zach Loeks and he’s going to answer 5 questions. We’ll talk about his work at Ecosystem Solution Institute and we’re going to learn more about micro-landscaping. After the interview we’re going to celebrate with a Tomato Extravaganza.. because right now I am obsessed with America’s favorite fruit!

Zack Loeks is an educator, designer and grower, who specializes in Edible Ecosystem Design. He also manages an award-winning farm and has written a handful of books including The Permaculture Market Garden and The Edible Ecosystem Solution.

You can learn more about Zach’s work and order his books at www.ecosystemsolutioninstitute.com and www.zachloeks.com

 After the interview, it’s time to talk tomatoes! I share some info about a presentation I’ve been giving this spring – Let’s Talk Tomatoes, America’s Favorite Fruit. 
It’s a popular presentation that I’m scheduled to be giving at all three of the Mother Earth News Fairs this year. We’ll explore the history of this tasty little fruit… and then we’ll talk about some of our favorite types and varieties. 

Our Seeds & Weeds Facebook group weighed in on their favorite tomato types… Which is their favorite? We find out today! You can join our FB community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/619193340058728/

 Every year at Small House Farm we host a tomato tasting event. Its one of the most popular videos on our Youtube channel.. which tomato reigns supreme? You can watch the 2022 video here: https://youtu.be/OaC1r8cw33Q

 Be sure to subscribe to our Youtube channel to catch the 2023 tomato tasting too! 

 And remember, you can always support our podcast by joining our Patreon: www.patreon.com/smallhousefarm

Connect with us!

IG: @small_house_farm

FB: @smallhousefarm

YT: @smallhousefarm

You can support our podcast by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smallhousefarm

www.seedsandweedspodcast.com 

Support for the Seeds and Weeds Podcast comes from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company. Baker Creek offers America’s largest selection of heirloom and open-pollinated seed varieties from around the world – and right here at home. For more than 25 years, saving, sharing, and celebrating heirloom seeds has been their mission and their passion. Find out more at rareseeds.com.

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Why are moths always cast as the villain? What’s the difference between a moth and a butterfly? We’ll find out today in this special bonus episode! Let’s sit down for a chat with botanist and photographer Jim McCormac to talk about his new book Gardening for Moths. Jim and his co-author Chelsea Gottfried have written a book unlike any other available on the market!

Gardening for Moths is the first book to show midwestern gardeners and naturalists why they should attract specific moth species to their properties and how to do it. The book’s stunning color photographs and intriguing facts reveal the fascinating world of these insects, inspiring readers to incorporate moth-loving native plants into their landscapes. 

You can order your copy of this incredible new book on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/Gardening-Moths-Regional-Jim-McCormac/dp/082142520X

Follow Jim’s blog to learn more about his work and check out some beautiful photography at:   http://jimmccormac.blogspot.com/

Connect with us!

IG: @small_house_farm

FB: @smallhousefarm

YT: @smallhousefarm

You can support our podcast by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smallhousefarm

www.seedsandweedspodcast.com 

Support for the Seeds and Weeds Podcast comes from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company. Baker Creek offers America’s largest selection of heirloom and open-pollinated seed varieties from around the world – and right here at home. For more than 25 years, saving, sharing, and celebrating heirloom seeds has been their mission and their passion. Find out more at rareseeds.com.

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Today we’re hanging out with Erica Kempter and Mike Levine, co-owners of Nature & Nurture Seeds, a Michigan based seed company. We talk about why planting regional seed matters and some of their favorite varieties from this year’s catalog, then we play the Garden Dating Game! Let’s see how well Erica and Mike know each other… in the garden. 😉 

 Erica has been farming and gardening for nearly 30 years and Mike has been obsessed with edible plants for his entire adult life. Together, in 2013, they founded Nature & Nurture Seeds, which just happens to be one of my favorite seed companies! You can learn more about the company and browse their excellent selection of seeds at www.natureandnurtureseeds.com

Nature & Nurture Seeds was featured in my Top Ten Favorite Seed Companies list that we posted on Patreon earlier this year. You can find the full list at www.patreon.com/smallhousefarm

In this episode I also talk about our new Seeds & Weeds Facebook group. This a fun forum for all of us to share our plant adventures with each other.. find the group and join the conversation at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/619193340058728/

Connect with us!

IG: @small_house_farm

FB: @smallhousefarm

YT: @smallhousefarm

You can support our podcast by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smallhousefarm

www.seedsandweedspodcast.com 

Support for the Seeds and Weeds Podcast comes from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company. Baker Creek offers America’s largest selection of heirloom and open-pollinated seed varieties from around the world – and right here at home. For more than 25 years, saving, sharing, and celebrating heirloom seeds has been their mission and their passion. Find out more at rareseeds.com.

Support the show

We’re back with another round of Ask an Herbalist and this time we’re sitting down with herbalist and educator Demetria Clark. You sent in some really interesting questions and Demetria and I had a very fun and informative conversation!

Demetria Clark is an internationally known herbalist, aromatherapist and midwife. She has studied and apprenticed with renowned herbal practitioners, including Rosemary Gladstar, Jane Smolnik and Susun Weed. She is the founder of the Heart of Herbs online school and Birth Arts International. 

Some of the questions we covered in today’s interview include:

• What are some herbs that you recommend for women's health and does this change throughout the stages of a woman's life?
• How can a new herbalist develop experience and connection with plants if they don't have the time or space to grow any herbs?
• What advice do you have for new herbalists when things just 'aren't working out'? How do we overcome the struggles of starting a new journey?

If you’d like to submit questions to “Ask an Herbalist” you can contact us via our website www.seedsandweedspodcast.com or email Bevin directly at [email protected]

Learn more about Demetria’s work at www.heartofherbs.com and www.birtharts.com

Join Heart of Herbs School using our special affiliate link!
https://classroom.heartofherbs.com/?aff=SmallHouseFarm

If you’d like to explore the world of herbs in more depth, check out Bevin’s award-winning book, The Artisan Herbalist at www.theartisanherbalist.com

Connect with us!

IG: @small_house_farm

FB: @smallhousefarm

YT: @smallhousefarm

You can support our podcast by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smallhousefarm

www.seedsandweedspodcast.com 

Support for the Seeds and Weeds Podcast comes from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company. Baker Creek offers America’s largest selection of heirloom and open-pollinated seed varieties from around the world – and right here at home. For more than 25 years, saving, sharing, and celebrating heirloom seeds has been their mission and their passion. Find out more at rareseeds.com.

Support the show

Seed steward Melissa DeSa tells us about her tomato breeding program and Bevin rambles on about one of his favorite wild herbs. 

 Melissa DeSa is a seed saver, artist and founder of the Florida nonprofit, Working Food. Today Melissa answers 5 questions and talks to use about some of her recent garden challenges and successes. She also tells about her latest tomato breeding project! 

 You can learn more about Melissa’s work at www.workingfood.org and follow along on Instagram at @workingfoognv

 In the second half of the show, Bevin shares his love for one of his favorite wild herbs: plantain. This versatile plant is useful in the kitchen as well as in the apothecary. Tune in to learn more about how to utilize the healing powers of the common and abundant herbal ally.

 Bevin also writes about plantain in his award-winning book, The Artisan Herbalist.
If you’d like to get a copy, you can find it here: https://www.smallhousefarm.com/product-category/books/
Use coupon code: seedshipfree to get get free shipping on your purchase!

Connect with us!

IG: @small_house_farm

FB: @smallhousefarm

YT: @smallhousefarm

You can support our podcast by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smallhousefarm

www.seedsandweedspodcast.com 

Support for the Seeds and Weeds Podcast comes from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company. Baker Creek offers America’s largest selection of heirloom and open-pollinated seed varieties from around the world – and right here at home. For more than 25 years, saving, sharing, and celebrating heirloom seeds has been their mission and their passion. Find out more at rareseeds.com.

Support the show

Foodscape gardener Brie Arthur shares her love affair with grains and Annie Toro Lopez plays Chili Pepper Trivia!

 Brie Arthur is an author, horticulturist, educator and host of the very popular Youtube channel Brie the Plant Lady. Today Brie is joining us for 5 Questions. We’ll have a chance to learn about why Brie loves growing grains as well as some recent challenges that she’s faced in the garden. She’ll also talk about her colleague Preston Montague and the important work that he is doing to promote native landscapes.  

You can learn more about Brie’s work at https://www.briegrows.com/ and follow her Youtube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@BrieThePlantLady

Learn more about Preston Montague at https://www.prestonmontague.com/

In the second half of the show, Bevin plays Chili Pepper Trivia with Annie Toro Lopez. Annie is an author, seed saver and owner of High Prairie Press. She recently published Huerfano’s Happy Heart: Favorite Green Chili Recipes and More. Annie tells us why preserving these special recipes is so important and which qualities determine the perfect green chili. Then we test her knowledge with a round of Chili Pepper Trivia! 

Learn more about Annie’s work and get your copy of Huerfano’s Happy Heart at https://highprairiepress.org/.
Its also available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Huerfanos-Happy-Heart-Favorite-Recipes/dp/B0BMYBXS85

 Connect with us!

IG: @small_house_farm

FB: @smallhousefarm

YT: @smallhousefarm

You can support our podcast by joining our patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smallhousefarm

www.seedsandweedspodcast.com 

Support for the Seeds and Weeds Podcast comes from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company. Baker Creek offers America’s largest selection of heirloom and open-pollinated seed varieties from around the world – and right here at home. For more than 25 years, saving, sharing, and celebrating heirloom seeds has been their mission and their passion. Find out more at rareseeds.com.

Support the show

Community gardener Sonya Harris tells us how we can get our hands on her special seeds and Bevin shares his Top 5 Peppers! 

Sonya Harris is a gardener, seed saver, founder of the Bullock Garden Project in Glassboro, NJ and all-around groovy lady! We have an opportunity to chat with Sonya about her favorite tomatoes, a fun gardening surprise and some of the interesting seeds she’s growing this year. We also learn about her collaboration with Ujamaa Seeds, a new seed company focused on diversity and inclusion. Ujamaa is a Swahili word that means 'extended family'.

 You can learn more about Sonya’s work at www.bullockgardenproject.org and connect with Sonya online at @NJGardenTeacher across all socials.

You can find Ujamaa Seeds at https://ujamaaseeds.com/

In the second half of the show, Bevin shares his Top 5 Peppers for the garden. If you’d like to grow the best peppers, you can find seeds for all of these special varieties at www.smallhousefarm.com

To see footage from our journey to Avery Island, Louisiana, where we had the chance to explore the unique history of the Tabasco pepper, you can find the video here. https://youtu.be/EJQM_U2v5Zs

Connect with us!

IG: @small_house_farm

FB: @smallhousefarm

YT: @smallhousefarm

You can support our podcast by joining our patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smallhousefarm

www.seedsandweedspodcast.com 

Support for the Seeds and Weeds Podcast comes from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company. Baker Creek offers America’s largest selection of heirloom and open-pollinated seed varieties from around the world – and right here at home. For more than 25 years, saving, sharing, and celebrating heirloom seeds has been their mission and their passion. Find out more at rareseeds.com.

Support the show

Andrew Bunting, VP of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society talks about this year’s garden trends and the Philadelphia Flower Show then we play a quick round of This or That! 

 Every year the PA Horticultural Society makes their predictions about what might start trending in our gardens and Andrew joins us to talk about their 2023 predictions. From battery-powered garden tools to exotic houseplants, we cover the most exciting new trends in the gardening world! 

 Andrew also tells us all about the Philadelphia Flower Show, the oldest garden show of its kind and then we wrap up the show with a round of This or That. Woodchips or Leaves? Magnolias or Camellias? What will Andrew choose? You’ll find out in this special bonus episode!

 Learn more about PHS and the Philadelphia Flower Show at www.PHSonline.org

 And remember, you can always support our podcast by joining our Patreon: www.patreon.com/smallhousefarm

Thanks!

 Connect with us!

IG: @small_house_farm

FB: @smallhousefarm

YT: @smallhousefarm

www.smallhousefarm.com

 www.seedsandweedspodcast.com

Support for the Seeds and Weeds Podcast comes from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company. Baker Creek offers America’s largest selection of heirloom and open-pollinated seed varieties from around the world – and right here at home. For more than 25 years, saving, sharing, and celebrating heirloom seeds has been their mission and their passion. Find out more at rareseeds.com.

Support the show

Herbalist Mel Mutterspaugh answers your questions and I share my Top Five favorite herbs for the tea garden! 

Mel is a clinical herbalist, host of The Herbalist’s Path podcast and founder of Apothecary Mommas, an online herbal mentorship just for moms. 

 You can learn more about Mel’s work at www.theherbalistspath.com

 Before we sit down with Mel, I share my Top 5 herbs for the tea garden. I narrowed my list down to cultivated herbs that can be grow by anybody, anywhere.

 After the interview, I end the show with a recipe for Golden Milk from my book The Artisan Herbalist. Golden Milk is a traditional Indian beverage that has been enjoyed since antiquity. You can also find the recipe (and a discount code for The Artisan Herbalist) on our Patreon page. https://www.patreon.com/smallhousefarm

 If you have any questions that you’d like to ‘Ask an Herbalist’ on a future episode, let us know! You can submit your questions through our website www.seedsandweedspodcast.com, or if you’re tuning in via Youtube, drop your questions down on the comments!

 Remember, you can always support our podcast by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smallhousefarm

Thanks!

 Connect with us!

IG: @small_house_farm

FB: @smallhousefarm

YT: @smallhousefarm

www.smallhousefarm.com

 www.seedsandweedspodcast.com

Support for the Seeds and Weeds Podcast comes from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company. Baker Creek offers America’s largest selection of heirloom and open-pollinated seed varieties from around the world – and right here at home. For more than 25 years, saving, sharing, and celebrating heirloom seeds has been their mission and their passion. Find out more at rareseeds.com.

Support the show

Jon Jackson has to choose between pork or beef and Enoch Graham answers your gardening questions!
 
You can support our podcast by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smallhousefarm

Today Jon Jackson joins us for a game of This or That, where I offer him two choices and he has to decide between this.. or that. Jon is a veteran, farmer, BBQ master and founder of Comfort Farms, a nonprofit organization that grows heirloom vegetables and raises various livestock with the goal of helping veterans heal after their service.

What does Jon prefer to BBQ.. pork or beef? Does he choose community gardens or farmers markets? We'll find out today!

Learn more about Jon’s work:  https://www.stagvetsinc.org/

But first, Youtuber Enoch Graham will answer all of your gardening questions, in a segment I like to call "Ask the Gardener."

After being recognized by his neighbors for his organic gardening style, Enoch started the very popular YouTube channel “the Urban Gardener” to share his gardening adventures through his many videos, in the garden and on the road visiting other gardeners.

Check out Enoch’s work: www.letsgetgrowing.live
Join his "Let's Get Growing!" gardening group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theurbangardener

We wrap the episode with my review of the new book Urban Foraging by Lisa Rose.

Purchase a copy of Urban Foraging here:
https://www.amazon.com/Urban-Foraging-Find-Gather-Plants/dp/1643260839/

You can always support our podcast by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smallhousefarm

Connect with us!
IG: @small_house_farm
FB: @smallhousefarm
YT: @smallhousefarm
www.smallhousefarm.com

www.seedsandweedspodcast.com

Support for the Seeds and Weeds Podcast comes from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company. Baker Creek offers America’s largest selection of heirloom and open-pollinated seed varieties from around the world – and right here at home. For more than 25 years, saving, sharing, and celebrating heirloom seeds has been their mission and their passion. Find out more at rareseeds.com.

Support the show