Join Farmer Greg Peterson and Don Titmus, a horticulturist and permaculturist as they reflect on their 20-year friendship and shared journey in permaculture. They outline the fundamental principles of permaculture. They introduce the concepts from permaculture of elements, zones and stacking functions, where each element in a design performs multiple roles, using chickens as a primary example. They look at how zones and sectors work in permaculture design, emphasizing the importance of understanding the external elements and how they impact the property. Greg and Don also mention the Permaculture Design Course (PDC) they offer, tailored for different climatic regions, and encourage in-person attendance for enriched learning. They conclude by encouraging contributions to support their educational efforts and thank viewers for participating.

Our Guest: Don grew up in London and at age 16 spent 4 years being trained in horticulture through an apprenticeship and a college course. From there he continued landscaping in his hometown until he moved to Arizona in 1981, where he worked in landscaping and then starting his own business in garden maintenance. In 2003 he attended a Permaculture Design Course, which was life-changing for Don. He knew right away that this was the path he’d been waiting for, and later attended two Permaculture Teacher Trainings.

Visit www.urbanfarm.org/884-garden for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!

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*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

Growing Self-Sufficiency Through Seeds - A Seed Chat

Our monthly Seed Chat at SeedChat.org

In This Podcast: In this months Seed Chat Greg Peterson and Bill McDorman, explore how saving seeds fosters independence, self-sufficiency, and better food production. They delve into the conversation that by saving seeds, gardeners can create a diverse and resilient plant community adapted to their local conditions. The conversation includes personal anecdotes, such as Greg's successful basil seed saving, and highlights the benefits of community gardening and seed sharing. They underscore the importance of growing food locally to combat the decline in nutritional quality associated with industrial agriculture and long-distance food transport. The hosts also mention the Great American Seed Up initiative to encourage widespread seed saving and promote food security..

Visit UrbanFarm.org/883-seed for the show notes and links on this episode!

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*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

A Rosie On The House Replay

In this episode of 'Rosie on the House,' hosted by Romey Romero, Farmer Greg is joined by Erin Erickson and her mother Elise Pitterle, who run a small urban farm in South Tempe called Tempe Garden Girls. Motivated by food scarcity during the COVID era, they expanded their gardening efforts into a full-fledged urban farm, growing various vegetables, flowers, and maintaining fruit trees and poultry. Greg & Romey chat about their journey, the challenges faced, and the learning process of adapting to Arizona's unique climate. They also highlight the importance of community, educational outreach, and providing season-appropriate plant starts to help others succeed in urban farming. The episode underscores the critical role of local farmers in creating a sustainable and self-sufficient food system.

Erin and her husband, Todd raise their three daughters, maintain a thousand square foot garden, and care for various poultry. Erin grew up on a vineyard in Oregon, and loves passing on her passion for gardening to her kids and community. Her mother, Elise, is a certified master gardener with decades of experience dedicated to growing food and teaching others. Together, they sell produce at the Uptown Farmer's Market and are launching a region specific veggie start box to help local gardeners thrive In Arizona's unique climate.

Visit www.UrbanFarm.org/882-Rosie for the show notes and links on this episode!

Find them at TempeGardenGirls.com

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*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

In This Podcast: Greg Peterson from Urban Farm Fruit Tree Program and Tom Spellman, a seasoned nursery expert with Dave Wilson Nursery, discuss the intricacies of managing fruit trees in a changing climate. They provide an educational overview of effective fruit tree planting and maintenance techniques. Key topics include the importance of proper planting mix, establishing adequate basins with woody mulch, painting trunks for heat protection, and using cover crops like cow peas and sweet potatoes to maintain soil health. They also emphasize supplemental irrigation during high heat periods, the significance of rootstocks, and managing wind stress with natural windbreaks. The session includes practical advice on insect management, the benefits of companion planting, and ensuring optimal nutrient supply tailored to tree growth stages. The wrap with announcing the launch of Tom's new YouTube channel, 'Growing with Tom Spellman,' and a motivational note on personalizing one's garden space.

Sign up for our monthly Tree Chat at FruitTreeChat.org

Visit UrbanFarm.org/881tree for the show notes and links on this episode!

Become an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 900 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click HERE to learn more.

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

Little Lighthouse Farm's Big Impact

In This Podcast: In this heartfelt interview, Rachel Opio shares her journey from a career in HR tech to becoming the founder of Little Lighthouse Farm, an urban farm in Phoenix. She discusses her background in data analytics, her mother's inspiring legacy as an educator and gardener, and how her mother's battle with cancer spurred her shift to farming. Rachel details the challenges of urban farming, the benefits of regenerative agriculture, and her commitment to providing nutrient-dense food to her community. She talks about the importance of accessibility, community engagement, and her future plans for expanding her farming efforts across Phoenix. Rachel also opens up about her recent struggles and successes with beekeeping and shares her love for educating children about gardening. Her story highlights the transformative power of connecting with the land and nurturing a sense of community..

Our Guest: Rachel Opio is a regenerative urban farmer, educator, and advocate based in Phoenix, Arizona. As the founder of Little Lighthouse Farm, she grows nutrient-dense, accessible food for her community, including pasture-raised eggs, produce, and specialty goods like tea blends and cookies. Born and raised in Phoenix, she lives and farms on the same property where she grew up. She is a Master Gardener, Master Beekeeper, and passionate community teacher, helping others connect with the land through sustainable practices. Her work is rooted in food equity, soil health, and empowering others to grow real food in urban spaces..

Visit UrbanFarm.org/LittleLighthouseFarm for the show notes and links on this episode!

Become an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 850 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click HERE to learn more.

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

Exploring Nature's Herbal Bounty.

In This Podcast: Greg welcomes returning guest Bevin Cohen, an award-winning author and owner of Small House Farm, to discuss Bevin's new book, 'Herbs in Every Season.' The conversation delves into Bevin's holistic approach to herbs, focusing on their various uses throughout the year—from medicinal to culinary applications. Bevin shares behind-the-scenes stories about writing the book, choosing which herbs to feature, and the fun yet intense experience of photographing the herbs and recipes included. The episode touches on specific herbs and their seasonal roles, such as parsley in spring and sunflower in autumn, as well as the versatile nature of herbs like mint and oregano. Bevin also recalls vivid personal anecdotes, including a touching story about canning tomatoes with his grandmother. The episode concludes with practical advice for listeners to get out and grow something, highlighting the accessibility and benefits of herbs.

Our Guest:  Bevin Cohen is an award-winning author, owner of Small House, farm, and host of the popular Seeds and Weeds podcast. Bevin offers workshops and lectures across the country on the benefits of living closer to the land through seeds, herbs, and locally grown food. He is a food and garden writer. Whose work has appeared in many national publications, and he's the author of more than 10 books, including The Artisan Herbalist, and his latest Herbs in Every Season.

To acquire Bevin's Latest book - Herb in Every Season

Visit UrbanFarm.org/SmallHouseFarmHerbs for the show notes and links on this episode!

Become an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 900 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click HERE to learn more.

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

In This Podcast: Host Greg Peterson interviews Matthew Geldin, head farmer at Farmscape in Southern California, about creating sustainable neighborhood food systems. Farmscape is the largest urban farming company in California, specializing in food-focused landscaping for various scales including backyard gardens, commercial campuses, and multi-family communities. Matthew shares his journey from landscape architecture to urban farming, explaining the challenges and successes of integrating food production into urban spaces. He emphasizes the importance of community-supported farms and discusses their work on notable projects like Levi's Stadium. Then he reflects on overcoming challenges such as urban tree root intrusion, the evolution of community farming, and the significance of designing spaces that are both productive and beautiful.

Our Guest:  Matthew Geldin has been the farmscape's head for farmer in Southern California since 2014, overseeing the weekly maintenance of hundreds of projects from backyard gardens to neighborhood farms. He is an expert in raised bed vegetable gardening and developed the company's farming service manual.

Matthew's Book Recommendation - How to Prune Fruit Trees by Sanford R Martin

Visit UrbanFarm.org/Farmscape for the show notes and links on this episode!

Become an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 850 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click HERE to learn more.

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

Join Farmer Greg Peterson and Don Titmus, a horticulturist and permaculturist dive into month 2 of their yearlong discussion of the principles of permaculture. They discuss foundational aspects of observation, protracted and thoughtful observation (PATO), and the importance of understanding local environments. They also highlight their 'Garden Chats' available at gardenchat.org and urbanfarmpodcast.com, where listeners can learn more about permaculture ethics and principles. Additionally, they emphasize the need for in-person courses to build a strong community and offer practical examples of challenges like managing pests, weather patterns, and optimizing plant growth. Finally, they encourage documenting observations and naming one's farm to cultivate a sense of ownership and community engagement.

Our Guest: Don grew up in London and at age 16 spent 4 years being trained in horticulture through an apprenticeship and a college course. From there he continued landscaping in his hometown until he moved to Arizona in 1981, where he worked in landscaping and then starting his own business in garden maintenance. In 2003 he attended a Permaculture Design Course, which was life-changing for Don. He knew right away that this was the path he’d been waiting for, and later attended two Permaculture Teacher Trainings.

Visit www.urbanfarm.org/877-garden for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!

Toby Hemenway's Book Reference - Gaia's Garden

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*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

A Rosie On The House Replay

In this episode we explore the concept of wicking bed gardens, hosted by Romey Romero & Farmer Greg, our guest is Ray Jess, a Master Gardener and hard goods manager of the Urban Farm Fruit Tree Program Store. Ray explains his journey from traditional gardening, which he has practiced since childhood in Central California, to discovering wicking beds during his Master Gardener training. He details the construction and benefits of wicking beds, which water plants from the bottom up, saving 40-50% of water, reducing nutrient loss, and requiring less frequent watering. Ray also describes the materials needed for building a wicking bed, and the principles behind its operation, including capillary action, evaporation, and condensation. The episode also touches on the suitability of different plants for wicking beds, the importance of garden bed orientation, and the process of succession planting.

Visit www.UrbanFarm.org/876-Rosie for the show notes and links on this episode!

Become an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 850 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click HERE to learn more.

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

In this episode, the focus is on the importance of building resilient local seed and food economies. They elaborate on the six stages of the food economy — growing, harvesting, distribution, preparation, eating, and disposal — and stress the need for these processes to be circular, emphasizing composting and waste reuse. They identify seven components essential for a flourishing local food economy, including farming methods, education, harvesting and distribution, creating farmers, value-added products, culture, and local seeds.

The conversation then shifts to the critical role of local seed economy and how everyone can participate by saving and sharing seeds. The benefits of seed saving, including the creation of surplus and unique, locally-adapted varieties, are highlighted. Joseph Lofthouse's concept of landrace gardening and 'Grex' is introduced, emphasizing the joy and importance of growing plants adapted to local conditions. Stories of localizing food systems, the pitfalls of dependence on industrial agriculture, and the value of volunteer plants further enrich the discussion. Both Greg and Bill encourage listeners to embrace growing, saving seeds, and actively participating in their local food economies..

Visit www.urbanfarm.org/875-seed for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!

What is the Seed Chat?

At least ten times a year we have a live Seed Saving Class with Bill McDorman, the former Executive Director of Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance, Ketchum, Idaho. He got his start in the bio-regional seed movement while in college in 1979 when he helped start Garden City Seeds. In 1984, Bill started Seeds Trust/High Altitude Gardens, a mail order seed company he ran successfully until it sold in 2013. 

Come join us for the next live class, or catch up on our previous classes through our podcast episodes.  Either way you will expand your seed knowledge and gain new perspectives on your food system.

Register anytime for the next event.

Register Here for the Monthly Seed Saving Class with Live Q&A

Become an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 850 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click HERE to learn more.

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.