The Beanstalk : A Podcast for Gardeners

Pineapples probably aren't the first thing that comes to mind when you picture a backyard garden—especially if your backyard happens to spend part of the year buried in snow.

But that doesn't mean we can't grow one.

This week on The Beanstalk, we're heading into the tropics to explore one of the strangest fruits we've covered yet. We'll find out how a pineapple actually grows, why the fruit itself isn't quite what it appears to be, and how something you'd normally toss into the compost might just become your next houseplant.

These plants are tough, weird, surprisingly patient, and they have a few tricks up their spiky sleeves that make them unlike almost anything else we've grown.

And once we finally get our hands on a pineapple, we're firing up the grill and putting it to good use with a simple dessert worthy of a Chill, Chat & Cook evening.

So grab a pineapple, fellow Beans—and whatever you do, don't throw away the top.

We're growing pineapples! 🍍🌱

From our patch to yours… keep on climbing.

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Cabbage might seem like one of the simpler vegetables in the garden, but there’s a whole lot hiding underneath those tightly packed leaves.

This week on The Beanstalk, we’re digging into one of the great cool-season classics and discovering just how strange its family tree really is.

We'll talk about growing beautiful heads of cabbage, dealing with the little critters that seem determined to eat them before we do, and some of the quirks that can make this seemingly simple vegetable a little more complicated than expected.

And once harvest time arrives, we're putting some of that cabbage to work in the kitchen with a homemade classic that lets some microscopic helpers do part of the cooking for us.

So make a little room in the cool-season garden, fellow Beans.

We're growing cabbage! 🥬🌱

From our patch to yours… keep on climbing.

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When you think of kiwis, chances are you picture those fuzzy little brown fruits sitting in the grocery store.

But there's a whole lot more growing beneath that fuzzy exterior.

This week on The Beanstalk, we're digging into the surprisingly strange world of kiwis—and finding out that this seemingly tropical fruit has a few relatives that might be tougher than you'd ever expect.

From massive vines and unusual fruits to some downright fascinating plant biology, kiwi has plenty of surprises waiting for us. And, of course, we'll eventually find our way into the kitchen and make something delicious with them too.

So grab your gardening gloves and find something sturdy to climb, fellow Beans.

We're growing kiwis! 🥝🌱

From our patch to yours… keep on climbing.

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🍄 This week on The Beanstalk, we're diving headfirst into the incredible world of garden fungi—and we're going deep. 

We'll explore edible mushrooms you can deliberately cultivate, including wine caps in wood-chip beds, oyster mushrooms, shiitakes on hardwood logs, portobellos, lion's mane and more, before wandering into the world of famous wild mushrooms like chicken of the woods, hen of the woods, morels and chanterelles. Then we're heading underground to discover mycelium, decomposition, mycorrhizal fungi, and the ancient partnerships that help plants access nutrients and water through microscopic fungal networks. 

We'll separate some of the science from the hype surrounding mycorrhizal products, talk about beneficial fungi versus fungal diseases, and explore ways to encourage a healthier fungal ecosystem in the garden. And because an episode this mushroom-heavy deserves an equally ridiculous recipe, we're making an absolutely loaded multi-mushroom bourguignon where the fungi are unquestionably the stars of the show. 

If you've ever wondered what's really happening beneath the mulch after those mysterious mushrooms appear, this is the episode for you, fellow Beans. 🌱🍄

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🌱 This week on The Beanstalk, we're turning the microphone over to the fellow Beans for our first big Questions & Answers episode! 

We're talking garlic scapes, favorite tomato varieties, why I grow an unreasonable number of cucumbers, my background with food and gardening, and the story behind why I started The Beanstalk in the first place. We'll also count down some of my greatest garden successes and most painful failures—including 250 pounds of tomatoes, a 150-plant cucumber jungle, a bean disaster, and the spearmint invasion that was ultimately defeated by a completely unrelated plumbing catastrophe. 😂 

Instead of our usual recipe, we're talking about the importance of building strong communities and holding onto the good people who make our gardens—and our lives—better. Then we'll finish with gardening history, the rise of gardening podcasts and video, and a Garden Nerd Corner about how sharing gardening knowledge has evolved from conversations over the fence to conversations around the world. 

Never give up, never surrender, and keep growing together, fellow Beans. 🌱

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This week on The Beanstalk, we're looking beyond the garden rows and exploring some of the edible plants hiding in plain sight. 🌿

From dandelions and purslane to dock, lamb's quarters, and other familiar wild plants, we're digging into what they are, how they've been used, and why some of the plants we call weeds are surprisingly useful. We'll talk about growing and harvesting them, safe identification, seed saving, and even turn a few properly identified wild greens into dinner. 

Most importantly, we'll cover why knowing exactly what you've found—and where it has been growing—matters before you ever take a bite. You may never look at the weeds in your garden quite the same way again! 🌱

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Episode 67 – Melons – Sweet, Sprawling and Refreshing

Melons are taking over The Beanstalk this week! 🍈 We're digging into cantaloupes, honeydews, muskmelons, and some of the specialty varieties that make growing your own so much fun. 

We'll talk about getting those vines through the summer, pollination, pests, figuring out when a melon is truly ripe, saving seeds, and why a vine-ripened melon can taste so different from one at the grocery store. We'll also put the harvest to work with a fresh Summer Melon and Cucumber Salad and dig into some surprisingly nerdy melon biology along the way. 

If you've ever wanted to grow sweeter, better melons right out of your own garden, come hang out with your fellow Beans! 🌱

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Episode 66 – Zinnias – Bright, Cheerful and Blooming

This week on The Beanstalk, we're bringing a splash of color to the garden with zinnias! 🌼

 Learn how to grow these easy, heat-loving flowers, keep them blooming all season, save seeds for next year, and attract butterflies and pollinators to your yard. We'll also whip up a colorful summer pasta salad inspired by the beauty of the garden and explore some fascinating facts about one of the easiest flowers you'll ever grow. 

Whether you're planting your first flower bed or adding color to your vegetable garden, this episode is blooming with ideas! 🌱

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Episode 65 – Ornamental Flowering Trees – Elegant, Colorful and Timeless

Spring may only last a few weeks, but ornamental flowering trees can leave memories that last a lifetime! 🌸

This week on The Beanstalk, we're exploring some of the most beautiful flowering trees you can grow, from elegant Japanese cherries and colorful redbuds to classic dogwoods and wildlife-friendly serviceberries. We'll cover planting, care, common problems, and even mix up a refreshing Cherry Blossom Lemonade.

If you've ever wanted to transform your landscape with breathtaking seasonal color, this episode is for you! 🌳🌱

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Episode 64 – Honeysuckle – Fragrant, Colorful and Climbing

This week on The Beanstalk, we're climbing into the fragrant world of honeysuckle! 🌸

Join John as we explore the differences between native and invasive varieties, learn how to grow and care for these beautiful vines, discover why hummingbirds can't get enough of them, and even make a refreshing homemade honeysuckle lemonade. We'll also dive into fascinating history, fun facts, and the science behind one of the garden's sweetest-smelling plants.

Whether you're looking to add more pollinators to your yard or simply enjoy an incredible floral display, this episode has something for every Fellow Bean! 🌱

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