Dr. Gerald Holmes, director of the CalPoly Strawberry Center knows how to cultivate the most delicious strawberries. Everything from varieties to grow, to how to grow them, and even to dealing with pests and diseases – this is the Strawberry Center’s focus. Listen as he and Kevin Espiritu discuss all of these topics and more. 

Learn More: 11 Strawberry-Growing Mistakes to Avoid This Year

Connect With Gerald Holmes:

Gerald Holmes is the founding Director of the Strawberry Center at Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo. Gerald got his Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from UC Riverside in 1994 then worked as a Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor in Imperial County for three years.  For the next 12 years he was an Extension Vegetable Pathologist and Associate Professor at NC State University then worked six years as Product Development Manager for Valent USA Corporation before becoming Director of the Strawberry Center in 2014.

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As an exclusive for listeners, use code THEBEET for 5% off your entire order on our store, featuring our flagship Birdies Raised Beds. These are the original metal raised beds, lasting up to 5-10x longer than wooden beds, are ethically made in Australia, and have a customizable modular design.

Get Our Books

Looking for a beginner's guide to growing food in small spaces? Kevin’s book, Field Guide to Urban Gardening, explains the core, essential information that you'll need to grow plants, no matter where you live!

He also wrote Grow Bag Gardening to provide you with specialized knowledge that can bring you success when growing in fabric pots.

Preorder Kevin’s newest book Epic Homesteading if you are looking to turn your home into a thriving homestead! 

Order signed copies of Kevin’s books, plus more of his favorite titles in our store.

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Gerald got started in the farming world through gardening with his dad. He developed an interest in horticulture in high school, and wanted to know more about agricultural practices around the world. Through Plant Pathology, he made his way to the Strawberry Center, which is celebrating its 10th year this summer. 

Learn More: 11 Strawberry-Growing Mistakes to Avoid This Year

Connect With Gerald Holmes:

Gerald Holmes is the founding Director of the Strawberry Center at Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo. Gerald got his Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from UC Riverside in 1994 then worked as a Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor in Imperial County for three years.  For the next 12 years he was an Extension Vegetable Pathologist and Associate Professor at NC State University then worked six years as Product Development Manager for Valent USA Corporation before becoming Director of the Strawberry Center in 2014.

Shop the Store

As an exclusive for listeners, use code THEBEET for 5% off your entire order on our store, featuring our flagship Birdies Raised Beds. These are the original metal raised beds, lasting up to 5-10x longer than wooden beds, are ethically made in Australia, and have a customizable modular design.

Get Our Books

Looking for a beginner's guide to growing food in small spaces? Kevin’s book, Field Guide to Urban Gardening, explains the core, essential information that you'll need to grow plants, no matter where you live!

He also wrote Grow Bag Gardening to provide you with specialized knowledge that can bring you success when growing in fabric pots.

Preorder Kevin’s newest book Epic Homesteading if you are looking to turn your home into a thriving homestead! 

Order signed copies of Kevin’s books, plus more of his favorite titles in our store.

More Resources

Looking for more information? Follow us:

YouTube (Including The Beet Podcast,  

Strawberries are supple fruits that can contract a host of diseases and pests. In this episode, Kevin and Dr. Gerald Holmes discuss the most common ones. From spider mites to Lygus bugs, and botrytis, they cover the best ways to keep these out of your strawberries.

Learn More: 11 Strawberry-Growing Mistakes to Avoid This Year

Connect With Gerald Holmes:

Gerald Holmes is the founding Director of the Strawberry Center at Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo. Gerald got his Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from UC Riverside in 1994 then worked as a Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor in Imperial County for three years.  For the next 12 years he was an Extension Vegetable Pathologist and Associate Professor at NC State University then worked six years as Product Development Manager for Valent USA Corporation before becoming Director of the Strawberry Center in 2014.

Shop the Store

As an exclusive for listeners, use code THEBEET for 5% off your entire order on our store, featuring our flagship Birdies Raised Beds. These are the original metal raised beds, lasting up to 5-10x longer than wooden beds, are ethically made in Australia, and have a customizable modular design.

Get Our Books

Looking for a beginner's guide to growing food in small spaces? Kevin’s book, Field Guide to Urban Gardening, explains the core, essential information that you'll need to grow plants, no matter where you live!

He also wrote Grow Bag Gardening to provide you with specialized knowledge that can bring you success when growing in fabric pots.

Preorder Kevin’s newest book Epic Homesteading if you are looking to turn your home into a thriving homestead! 

Order signed copies of Kevin’s books, plus more of his favorite titles in our store.

More Resources

Looking for more information? Follow us:

YouTube (Including The Beet...

There are thousands of varieties of strawberries that have been developed for use in commercial farming. In stores, they aren’t labeled, so you don’t know if you’re eating short day or day neutral berries. For home growers, knowing where you live is the basis of selecting the best varieties to grow. 

Learn More:  11 Strawberry-Growing Mistakes to Avoid This Year

Connect With Gerald Holmes:

Gerald Holmes is the founding Director of the Strawberry Center at Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo. Gerald got his Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from UC Riverside in 1994 then worked as a Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor in Imperial County for three years.  For the next 12 years he was an Extension Vegetable Pathologist and Associate Professor at NC State University then worked six years as Product Development Manager for Valent USA Corporation before becoming Director of the Strawberry Center in 2014.

Shop the Store

As an exclusive for listeners, use code THEBEET for 5% off your entire order on our store, featuring our flagship Birdies Raised Beds. These are the original metal raised beds, lasting up to 5-10x longer than wooden beds, are ethically made in Australia, and have a customizable modular design.

Get Our Books

Looking for a beginner's guide to growing food in small spaces? Kevin’s book, Field Guide to Urban Gardening, explains the core, essential information that you'll need to grow plants, no matter where you live!

He also wrote Grow Bag Gardening to provide you with specialized knowledge that can bring you success when growing in fabric pots.

Preorder Kevin’s newest book Epic Homesteading if you are looking to turn your home into a thriving homestead! 

Order signed copies of Kevin’s books, plus more of his favorite titles in our store.

More Resources

Looking for more information? Follow us:

YouTube (Including The Beet Podcast,  

The garden strawberry came from cultivated wild strawberries. This occurred in regions all over the world, with strawberries specific to certain areas. Through cross pollination, people develop the delicious hybrids we love today. 

Learn More: 11 Strawberry-Growing Mistakes to Avoid This Year

Connect With Gerald Holmes:

Gerald Holmes is the founding Director of the Strawberry Center at Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo. Gerald got his Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from UC Riverside in 1994 then worked as a Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor in Imperial County for three years.  For the next 12 years he was an Extension Vegetable Pathologist and Associate Professor at NC State University then worked six years as Product Development Manager for Valent USA Corporation before becoming Director of the Strawberry Center in 2014.

Shop the Store

As an exclusive for listeners, use code THEBEET for 5% off your entire order on our store, featuring our flagship Birdies Raised Beds. These are the original metal raised beds, lasting up to 5-10x longer than wooden beds, are ethically made in Australia, and have a customizable modular design.

Get Our Books

Looking for a beginner's guide to growing food in small spaces? Kevin’s book, Field Guide to Urban Gardening, explains the core, essential information that you'll need to grow plants, no matter where you live!

He also wrote Grow Bag Gardening to provide you with specialized knowledge that can bring you success when growing in fabric pots.

Preorder Kevin’s newest book Epic Homesteading if you are looking to turn your home into a thriving homestead! 

Order signed copies of Kevin’s books, plus more of his favorite titles in our store.

More Resources

Looking for more information? Follow us:

YouTube (Including The Beet Podcast,  Epic...

Good combinations of sweet and acidity is what makes strawberry flavor for Dr. Gerald Holmes, Director of the CalPoly Strawberry Center. While varieties have traits that promote good flavor, proper cultivation and climate alters flavors in myriad ways. 

Learn More: 11 Strawberry-Growing Mistakes to Avoid This Year

Connect With Gerald Holmes:

Gerald Holmes is the founding Director of the Strawberry Center at Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo. Gerald got his Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from UC Riverside in 1994 then worked as a Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor in Imperial County for three years.  For the next 12 years he was an Extension Vegetable Pathologist and Associate Professor at NC State University then worked six years as Product Development Manager for Valent USA Corporation before becoming Director of the Strawberry Center in 2014.

Shop the Store

As an exclusive for listeners, use code THEBEET for 5% off your entire order on our store, featuring our flagship Birdies Raised Beds. These are the original metal raised beds, lasting up to 5-10x longer than wooden beds, are ethically made in Australia, and have a customizable modular design.

Get Our Books

Looking for a beginner's guide to growing food in small spaces? Kevin’s book, Field Guide to Urban Gardening, explains the core, essential information that you'll need to grow plants, no matter where you live!

He also wrote Grow Bag Gardening to provide you with specialized knowledge that can bring you success when growing in fabric pots.

Preorder Kevin’s newest book Epic Homesteading if you are looking to turn your home into a thriving homestead! 

Order signed copies of Kevin’s books, plus more of his favorite titles in our store.

More Resources

Looking for more information? Follow us:

YouTube (Including The Beet Podcast,  

In this full episode of the Beet Podcast, Kevin and Jacques have a conversation about their gardens. Crops that are flourishing in the summer season are in crank mode. If you want to know how to get your garden into crank mode, listen here!

Learn More: 12 Beginner Gardening Mistakes to Avoid This Summer

Connect With Jacques:

Shop the Store

As an exclusive for listeners, use code THEBEET for 5% off your entire order on our store, featuring our flagship Birdies Raised Beds. These are the original metal raised beds, lasting up to 5-10x longer than wooden beds, are ethically made in Australia, and have a customizable modular design.

Get Our Books

Looking for a beginner's guide to growing food in small spaces? Kevin’s book, Field Guide to Urban Gardening, explains the core, essential information that you'll need to grow plants, no matter where you live!

He also wrote Grow Bag Gardening to provide you with specialized knowledge that can bring you success when growing in fabric pots.

Preorder Kevin’s newest book Epic Homesteading if you are looking to turn your home into a thriving homestead! 

Order signed copies of Kevin’s books, plus more of his favorite titles in our store.

More Resources

Looking for more information? Follow us:

YouTube (Including The Beet Podcast,  Epic Homesteading and Jacques in the Garden and Botanical Interest )

Instagram (Including Epic...

Could you get a garden into crank mode sooner? It all starts with proper fertility – namely, available nitrogen. Follow up that base with appropriate amounts of macronutrients and trace minerals, and crank mode begins!  

Learn More: 12 Beginner Gardening Mistakes to Avoid This Summer

Connect With Jacques:

Shop the Store

As an exclusive for listeners, use code THEBEET for 5% off your entire order on our store, featuring our flagship Birdies Raised Beds. These are the original metal raised beds, lasting up to 5-10x longer than wooden beds, are ethically made in Australia, and have a customizable modular design.

Get Our Books

Looking for a beginner's guide to growing food in small spaces? Kevin’s book, Field Guide to Urban Gardening, explains the core, essential information that you'll need to grow plants, no matter where you live!

He also wrote Grow Bag Gardening to provide you with specialized knowledge that can bring you success when growing in fabric pots.

Preorder Kevin’s newest book Epic Homesteading if you are looking to turn your home into a thriving homestead! 

Order signed copies of Kevin’s books, plus more of his favorite titles in our store.

More Resources

Looking for more information? Follow us:

YouTube (Including The Beet Podcast,  Epic Homesteading and Jacques in the Garden and Botanical Interest )

Instagram (Including Epic Homesteading, 

Jacques tomatoes are simply popping off this year. The lack of May Grey in San Diego, and his attentive care and fertilization helped. In this episode, Kevin and Jacques discuss their top crops this summer, and what they did to get them to crank. 

Learn More: 12 Beginner Gardening Mistakes to Avoid This Summer


Connect With Jacques:

Shop the Store

As an exclusive for listeners, use code THEBEET for 5% off your entire order on our store, featuring our flagship Birdies Raised Beds. These are the original metal raised beds, lasting up to 5-10x longer than wooden beds, are ethically made in Australia, and have a customizable modular design.

Get Our Books

Looking for a beginner's guide to growing food in small spaces? Kevin’s book, Field Guide to Urban Gardening, explains the core, essential information that you'll need to grow plants, no matter where you live!

He also wrote Grow Bag Gardening to provide you with specialized knowledge that can bring you success when growing in fabric pots.

Preorder Kevin’s newest book Epic Homesteading if you are looking to turn your home into a thriving homestead! 

Order signed copies of Kevin’s books, plus more of his favorite titles in our store.

More Resources

Looking for more information? Follow us:

YouTube (Including The Beet Podcast,  Epic Homesteading and Jacques in the Garden and Botanical Interest )

Instagram (Including Epic...

Kevin and Jacques discuss happenings in the four 4x4 test gardens at the Epic Homestead. Previous experiments involved soil-testing, and tomato-burying. There’s even more experimentation planned to give gardeners a good idea of what works and what doesn’t.

Learn More: 12 Beginner Gardening Mistakes to Avoid This Summer

Connect With Jacques:

Shop the Store

As an exclusive for listeners, use code THEBEET for 5% off your entire order on our store, featuring our flagship Birdies Raised Beds. These are the original metal raised beds, lasting up to 5-10x longer than wooden beds, are ethically made in Australia, and have a customizable modular design.

Get Our Books

Looking for a beginner's guide to growing food in small spaces? Kevin’s book, Field Guide to Urban Gardening, explains the core, essential information that you'll need to grow plants, no matter where you live!

He also wrote Grow Bag Gardening to provide you with specialized knowledge that can bring you success when growing in fabric pots.

Preorder Kevin’s newest book Epic Homesteading if you are looking to turn your home into a thriving homestead! 

Order signed copies of Kevin’s books, plus more of his favorite titles in our store.

More Resources

Looking for more information? Follow us:

YouTube (Including The Beet Podcast,  Epic Homesteading and Jacques in the Garden and Botanical Interest )

Instagram (Including Epic...