Episode 31 – Radishes – Fast, Fiery and Underrated

 Radishes might be small, but they pack a serious punch, and today on The Beanstalk we’re giving them the respect they deserve. 🌱 

In this episode, I dig into why radishes are one of the fastest, most useful crops you can grow, how to grow them well, and what they can teach you about your soil. We’ll talk varieties, pests, harvesting at the right moment, and even how radishes quietly improve your garden behind the scenes. 

There’s also a simple, fresh recipe that shows off radishes at their best. If you’ve ever grown radishes — or struggled with them — this episode will change how you look at these fiery little roots.

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

Episode 30 — Chickens - The Real Garden MVPs

Today on The Beanstalk, we’re stepping beyond the raised beds and diving straight into the coop for a deep, feathery, long-form episode all about backyard chickens. 🐔 

I talk about why chickens are some of the best companions a gardener can have, how to raise them in a way that complements your garden, and all the joys and challenges they bring to a homestead. 

You’ll also hear the full saga of Rogue, the Golden Wyandotte who survived a predator attack and found safety with my flock. We’ll cover care, pests, eggs, garden integration, and even a cozy homestead recipe made with your own fresh eggs. 

If you’ve ever wanted chickens or just love hearing about the chaos and charm they bring, this episode is for you. Come hang out, laugh, learn, and maybe consider adding a feathered friend or two to your garden ecosystem.

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

Episode 29 - Beets - Nature’s Sweet Root With a Sassy Attitude

In Episode 29 of The Beanstalk, we’re diving into the colorful, earthy, surprisingly sweet world of beets!

From choosing the right varieties to growing, thinning, harvesting, and dealing with leaf miners, this episode is packed with practical tips and fun stories.

We’ll talk root development issues, companion planting, and how to save your own beet seed like a pro. We’ll also whip up a bright roasted beet and orange salad.

Whether you’re a beet lover or a beet skeptic, this episode will give you everything you need to grow them with confidence. Tune in and get ready to see beets in a whole new light! 🌱✨

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

🌻 Episode 28 — Sunchokes - Abundant, Resilient, and Infamously Gassy

Sunchokes are hardy, productive, and… let’s be honest, a little infamous for what they do to your digestive system. In this episode, we dig into how to grow them, why they spread like they’re trying to take over the world, and how to harvest and cook them without fear. 

I also share a fun story about my friend Laura giving me some tubers this year—and how I’ve been agonizing over where to plant them so they don’t colonize my yard. We’ll talk pests, planting tips, saving tubers, and we wrap it all up with a delicious roasted sunchoke recipe. 

If you’ve ever been curious about Jerusalem artichokes, this is your crash course. Tune in and let’s grow together! 🌱

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

Episode 27 — Winter Gardening - The Best Time to Plan, Repair, and Grow

🌱 In this episode, John tackles Winter Gardening—the season of planning and repair!

Learn why the freeze-thaw cycle is actually good for your soil and how to monitor hardy crops like kale and garlic.

We cover essential indoor gardening ideas (like microgreens) and the crucial steps for winterizing your water lines and tools.

This episode is your guide to staying productive, busy, and excited, even when the garden sleeps!

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

The Beanstalk, Episode 26 - Sweet Potatoes (Thanksgiving Special!)

Celebrate Thanksgiving with a deep dive into one of the holiday’s favorite crops—sweet potatoes! In this festive episode, John covers everything you need to know about growing sweet potatoes, including choosing slips, preparing warm soil, managing vines, and curing your harvest for the best flavor and longest storage life.

We’ll also look at common pests, how to maximize yields even in cooler climates, and why sweet potatoes are such a rewarding addition to your garden. Whether you're planning next year’s patch or just love learning about homegrown staples, this episode is packed with practical and seasonal insight.

To wrap things up, John shares a cozy Thanksgiving recipe: Honey Glazed Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows—a nostalgic twist that blends classic mashed potato seasonings with sweet potato sweetness for the perfect holiday side dish. Happy Thanksgiving from The Beanstalk!

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

🌱 Episode 25 — Carrots - Crunchy, Colorful, and Completely Worth Growing

In this episode, we dig into everything you need to know about growing carrots—soil prep, planting, thinning, watering, harvesting, and dealing with pests like carrot rust fly.

We also cover companion planting, how to save carrot seeds, and the differences between colorful carrot varieties.

Plus, stick around for a simple honey-glazed rainbow carrot recipe. Perfect for gardeners of all levels!

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

🌽 Episode 24 — Corn - Tall, Sweet, and Traditional

Welcome back to The Beanstalk! Today we dive into corn —

choosing varieties, planting, block-style pollination, feeding, pest fixes, harvest timing, companion planting, and seed-saving basics.

Stick around for fun facts, a Garden Nerd Corner, and a tasty grilled Mexican street corn (elote) recipe to celebrate the harvest.

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

🌿 Episode 23 – Turmeric - the Golden Spice of Life

Dig into the vibrant world of turmeric — a golden root with incredible flavor, health benefits, and beauty for your garden.

In this episode, we’ll cover how to grow, harvest, and use turmeric both indoors and out, plus explore its tropical companions, fun cultural history, and a cozy golden milk latte recipe.

Tune in and bring a little sunshine to your soil! 🌞

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

🌿 Episode 22 – Peas - The Sweethearts of Spring

Welcome back to The Beanstalk! This week we’re diving into the world of peas — those crisp, sweet gems of early spring.

From snow and snap to shelling varieties, we’ll cover how to grow, trellis, and harvest them, save your own seeds, and choose perfect companion plants.

Plus, a creamy parmesan and pea risotto recipe to wrap up the season’s first harvest! 🌱

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