Episode 59 – Peanuts – Peculiar, Productive, and Underground

This week on The Beanstalk, we're digging into one of the strangest crops you can grow: peanuts! From their surprising underground fruiting habit to their connection with soil health and nitrogen fixation, peanuts are far more fascinating than most people realize.

We'll talk varieties, growing tips, harvesting, seed saving, common challenges, and even make a batch of homemade peanut butter.

Whether you've grown them before or are just learning how they actually develop, this episode is packed with practical advice and a few surprises along the way. 🌱🥜🌿

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 58 – Turnips – Humble, Hardy, and Helpful

Turnips might just be the most misunderstood vegetable in the garden, and in this episode of The Beanstalk, we're setting the record straight. 🌱

We'll explore sweet Japanese salad turnips, classic heirlooms, growing tips, common problems, and why this humble crop has been feeding people for thousands of years. Plus, we'll roast up some maple-glazed turnips and give those often-overlooked greens the attention they deserve.

Whether you're already a turnip fan or a lifelong skeptic, this episode might just convince you to give them another chance. 🥕✨

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 57 – Fruit Trees – Patient, Productive, and Rewarding

In this episode of The Beanstalk, we're heading into the orchard to explore the world of fruit trees. 🌳

From apples and pears to peaches, plums, and nectarines, we cover choosing varieties, planting, watering, pruning, and dealing with common challenges. I also share some thoughts from this unusually warm winter and how it had me paying closer attention to chill hours and the health of my own trees.

Whether you're planting your first backyard fruit tree or already dreaming of a small orchard, this episode is packed with practical advice for the long haul. 🍎🍑🌱

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 56 – Bok Choi – Crisp, Quick, and Versatile

In this episode of The Beanstalk, we take a deep dive into bok choi, one of the fastest-growing and most underrated vegetables you can grow. 🌱

We cover planting, harvesting, common pests, companion planting, and why this cool-season brassica deserves a permanent spot in more gardens. We also cook up a simple garlic ginger stir-fried bok choi recipe and explore the fascinating history behind this ancient crop.

Whether you're growing it for the first time or looking to improve your harvests, there's plenty to dig into in this episode. 🥬

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 55 – Tea Gardens – Calm, Useful, and Underrated

In this episode of The Beanstalk, we slow things down and explore the world of tea gardens. 🌱

From mint and chamomile to lemon balm and lavender, we talk about growing herbs specifically for teas, relaxation, and everyday comfort. We cover harvesting, drying, common issues, and even put together a calming homemade tea blend straight from the garden.

It’s a quieter kind of gardening episode — but one that connects the garden to daily life in a really meaningful way.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 54 – Pumpkins – Massive, Mighty, and Misunderstood

In this episode of The Beanstalk, we finally dive deep into pumpkins — from giant sprawling vines to pie pumpkins and everything in between. 🎃

We talk growing techniques, pest issues, pollination, harvesting, storage, and why pumpkins are far more useful than most people realize. There’s also a warm roasted pumpkin soup recipe and a look into the surprisingly fascinating history and biology behind these massive plants.

Whether you grow pumpkins every year or have never tried them before, this episode is packed with practical advice and seasonal gardening energy.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 53 – Cooking Herbs – Flavor, Freshness, and Function

In this episode of The Beanstalk, we dive into cooking herbs and how they transform both your garden and your kitchen.

🌱 Learn the difference between soft and woody herbs, how to grow them successfully, and how to harvest for the best flavor.

We also talk common issues, companion planting, and simple ways to use fresh herbs in everyday meals.

If you’ve ever wanted to take your cooking to the next level straight from your garden, this episode is for you.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 52 – Green Onions – Simple, Sharp, and Reliable

In this episode of The Beanstalk, we dive into green onions — one of the simplest and most reliable crops you can grow. 🌱 

From starting them from seed to regrowing them from scraps, we cover everything you need to keep a steady supply going. We also talk about common issues, harvesting methods, and how to make the most of this versatile plant in the kitchen. 

It’s a small crop with a big impact on your everyday meals.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 51 – Salad Mixes – Fast, Fresh, and Endless

In this episode of The Beanstalk, we dig into one of the fastest and most rewarding things you can grow — salad mixes. 🌱

From cut-and-come-again harvesting to building your own custom blend of greens, this episode is all about maximizing flavor and productivity in a small space.

We talk about what to plant, how to grow it, and how to keep the harvest going all season long. Plus, we wrap it all up with a simple, fresh garden salad straight from the soil to your plate.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 50 – Warm Winter – Strange, shifting and stubborn

Episode 50 of The Beanstalk dives into what it really means to garden through a winter that doesn’t feel like winter. 🌱 

We talk about warm weather challenges, chill hours, pest pressure, and how to adapt when the seasons don’t follow the usual pattern. From garlic concerns to fruit trees and watering in dry conditions, this episode is all about staying flexible and learning as you go. 

If your winter has felt a little off lately, this one will help you make sense of it.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.