Song and Plants

Are sweet potatoes related to potatoes? What are some root colors other than orange? What do you need to know before growing Ipomoea batatas in your garden?

In this episode I was joined by Kate Garvie of Heartbeet farm to discuss all things Ipomoea batatas!

Opening tune: Vegetable Canon by Carmen Porter (https://carmenporter.com)

Where to learn more about and reach Kate:

[email protected]

https://heartbeetfarm.ca/

https://www.facebook.com/heartbeetf

https://instagram.com/heartbeet_farm?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

The EFAO farmer led research program:

https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/EFAO-Sweet-Potatoes-2020-final-audio.pdf

How does a seedless watermelon grow from a seed? Are watermelon seeds edible? Where did Citrullus lanatus originate?

This episode is all about Citrullus lanatus (watermelon)!

Opening tune: Vegetable Canon by Carmen Porter (https://carmenporter.com)

References:

https://cucurbitbreeding.wordpress.ncsu.edu/watermelon-breeding/seedless-watermelon-breeding/

https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2101486118

http://www.sci-news.com/genetics/kordofan-melon-genome-09692.html

https://watermelontimes.com/watermelon-history/

https://plantvillage.psu.edu/topics/watermelon/infos

https://ipm.missouri.edu/MEG/2020/7/watermelon-DT/

https://www.seedsavers.org/grow-watermelon

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/citrullus

What are some differences between flour, flint, dent, sweet and pop corn? How can you reliably save your own corn seeds? Why should you consider saving seeds and selecting for your bio-region?

In this episode Don Tipping (of Siskiyou Seeds) shares stories, histories, growing insights and experiences that he has amassed throughout his adventures with Zea mays (corn)!

Opening tune: Vegetable Canon by Carmen Porter (https://carmenporter.com)

To reach Don Tipping and view his amazing works:

https://www.siskiyouseeds.com/

Can you grow onions on a roof? Which species of Allium can be harvested all winter long? What do you call a plant that is beautiful, tasty and attractive to pollinators?

In this episode I was joined by the extreme salad and onion man, Stephen Barstow, to explore the amazingly diverse Allium genus.

Opening tune: Vegetable Canon by Carmen Porter (https://carmenporter.com)

How to reach Stephen, view some of his work and gorgeous Allium photos:

Stephen's blog: edimentals.com

Edimentals on FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/273637002647408

Youtube video of The Allium Garden Chicago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n6Ucq3tlHo

The Allium garden at Ringve (Chicago): https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10156846106840860

KVANN's World Garden and other collections at Væres Venner: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10158907489285860

Edimentalliums (Allium 2012-2021): https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150966880345860.471791.655215859

The Edible Garden: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVkv8ghbcNY

Norwegian Seed Savers: kvann.no

KVANN (Norwegian Seed Savers) Allium guild on FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/413417636047520

Are sweet and hot peppers the same species? What is the Scoville scale? In which growing conditions do Capsicum annuum plants flourish? Can you save your own pepper seeds?

This episode is an introduction to Capsicum annuum!

Opening tune: Vegetable Canon by Carmen Porter (https://carmenporter.com)

References:

https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170108/nutrients

https://peppergeek.com/how-to-store-pepper-seeds/

https://www.ishs.org/ishs-article/288_24

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/capsicum-annuum

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-the-scoville-scale#the-origins-of-the-scoville-scale

What is orach? How closely is it related to quinoa? What does Atriplex hortensis taste like?

This episode is the second half of a conversation with Frank Morton of Wild Garden Seeds. He shares inspiring insights into world of Atriplex hortensis and Chenopodium quinoa!

Frank's seed selections: https://www.wildgardenseed.com/

Opening tune: Amaranthaceae by Carmen Porter (https://carmenporter.com)

Is quinoa a high protein food? How much seed can one plant be expected to produce? What processing is required to obtain these delicious and nutritious seeds? Are you seeking a natural shampoo? Look no further, Chenopodium quinoa is all that and so much more!

This episode is part one of a two part conversation with Frank Morton of Wild Garden Seed Company about all things quinoa!

Frank Morton: https://www.wildgardenseed.com

Opening tune: Amaranthaceae by Carmen Porter (https://carmenporter.com)

Beetroot, spinach beets, Swiss chard, sugar beets, mangel wurzel and fodder beets are all the same species?! Which plant is the wild ancestor of this widely cultivated vegetable? What is mangel wurzel? Why should you consider growing and incorporating Beta vulgaris into your diet?

Opening tune: Amaranthaceae by Carmen Porter (https://carmenporter.com)

References:

https://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Beta_vulgaris.html

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/353802475_Evolution_of_Root_Morphology_in_Table_Beet_Historical_and_Iconographic

https://www.betterhensandgardens.com/growing-mangel-beets-for-chickens/

https://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Beta_vulgaris.html

https://www.seedsavers.org/grow-beet

https://www.nutritionadvance.com/beet-greens-nutrition-benefits/

What nutritional benefits make amaranth a potential super food? Aside from striking beauty, why ought you consider growing Amaranthus spp in your garden? How is amaranth historically significant? What species of Amaranthus are most commonly grown and which for what purpose? In this episode I was joined in conversation by Dr. Rob Myers to disscuss all things Amaranthus!

Dr. Rob Myers' book is called Amaranth: An Ancient Grain and Exceptionally Nutritious Food

Amaranth non-profit network: http://www.amaranthinstitute.org

Opening tune: Amaranthacea by Carmen Porter (https://carmenporter.com)

What is the difference between 'smooth' and 'savoy' leaf spinach? What ought you consider when choosing which Spinacia oleracea cultivars to grow? In which growing conditions does spinach thrive? This episode explores some of the particularities of this popular member of the Amaranthacea family!

Opening tune: Amaranthacea by Carmen Porter (https://carmenporter.com)

References:

Ribera, A., van Treuren, R., Kik, C. et al. On the origin and dispersal of cultivated spinach (Spinacia

oleracea L.) https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-020-01042-y

https://www.seedsavers.org/grow-spinach