Encyclopedia Botanica

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Episode 20: Fall Garden Journaling Nov 04, 2016

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Spending a little time in the fall taking notes on what happened in your garden over that past season is a great way to get a jump start on your garden planning for the following spring. In this episode we are going to briefly introduce garden mapping and then Kellie and I will share our favorite crop varieties of the 2016 garden season.

Also, we need your support in order to continue providing you with fresh, quality weekly content. We've started a Patreon page so if you're enjoying this podcast, consider making a contribution:

https://www.patreon.com/encyclopediabotanica

Don't forget to Tweet us @seattleurbnfarm using hashtag #EBpodcast with your garden questions!

Episode 19: Garden Soil pH Oct 28, 2016

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This episode we are going to delve into the wonderful world of soil pH. Managing the pH of a garden may sound super complicated or perhaps a bit over-the-top for the beginning gardener. However, checking and adjusting the pH of your garden soil is actually very easy and very important.

Also, we need your support in order to continue providing you with fresh, quality weekly content. We've started a Patreon page so if you're enjoying this podcast, consider making a contribution:

https://www.patreon.com/encyclopediabotanica

Don't forget to Tweet us @seattleurbnfarm using hashtag #EBpodcast with your garden questions!

Episode 18: Applying Compost to the Fall Garden Oct 21, 2016

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This week we will be discussing how to use compost as a fall garden amendment. In particular, we're going to talk about it how you can use compost to improve and protect your soil over the wet winter months.

Also, we need your support in order to continue providing you with fresh, quality weekly content. We've started a Patreon page so if you're enjoying this podcast, consider making a contribution:

https://www.patreon.com/encyclopediabotanica

Don't forget to Tweet us @seattleurbnfarm using hashtag #EBpodcast with your garden questions!

Episode 17: Cover Cropping Oct 14, 2016

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Cover cropping is the practice of growing a crop specifically to generate organic matter, protect the soil, and increase soil nutrient levels.

In this episode, we discuss how cover crops work and why they are an incredibly important and effective way to maintain soil health and capture soil on site, but also why the practice of cover cropping can be tricky to employ in a home garden.

Also, we need your support in order to continue providing you with fresh, quality weekly content. We've started a Patreon page so if you're enjoying this podcast, consider making a contribution:

https://www.patreon.com/encyclopediabotanica

Don't forget to Tweet us @seattleurbnfarm using hashtag #EBpodcast with your garden questions!

Episode 16: The Organic Seed Alliance Field Day Oct 07, 2016

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Last week Kellie and I went to a community field day and variety tasting event put on by the Organic Seed Alliance. The event celebrates the second annual harvest at OSA’s Washington research farm, which serves as the hub of OSA’s Pacific Northwest organic plant breeding, seed education, and variety trial program.

In this episode, we’ll discuss OSA’s mission and some of the work they do and we’ll also share their technique for saving tomato seeds.

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In this episode, we discuss:

What the Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) is and their mission.
Why organic farmers and gardeners are reliant on organizations like the OSA to help develop seed adapted to their specific farm conditions and climates that don’t require the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers
How to save tomato seeds.

Important Take-aways:

Seeds are a living, natural resource that need careful management to meet food needs now and into the future.
The Organic Seed Alliance’s work is crucial to the future of organic farming. Research demonstrates that varieties developed under non-organic growing conditions are not always successful in organic and other low-input systems. Organic growers need crop varieties developed specifically for low-input systems – crops that mitigate pest and disease pressures, and that are adapted to their local conditions and climates.” The OSA is partnering with farmers all over the country to identify seed needs and to trial varieties and collect data.
Label any seeds you save with the variety and date!

Heard on the Episode:

“It’s not everyday that you get the opportunity to try seven different types of kale...sided by side. It’s just a good reminder of all of the different vegetable varieties and flavor qualities that are out there.” - Hilary Dahl

“I have to say, this was just such a cool experience...I’ve never really done anything like this before. I learned way more than I expected about the importance of seeds in our culture...honestly, I know it’s fall but it got me super jazzed up for planning my spring garden…!” - Kellie Phelan

Episode 15: Woody Herbs Sep 30, 2016

Show notes

These easy-to-grow plants tend to get neglected, but they’re actually really easy to keep nice and tidy. With a few simple steps, you can care for your herbs while also harvesting your crop! Join us as we chat about pruning herbs, using lavender, sage, and rosemary as examples.

Episode 14: Hops Sep 23, 2016

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It may be a surprise to some listeners that, not only are hops relatively easy to find a place for in the home garden, but they are also beautiful and really rewarding to grow. I love the way hops look and smell! In this episode we will talk a little bit about how to grow them, how to harvest them and how to use them.

Episode 13: Winter Squash Sep 16, 2016

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The ‘winter’ in winter squash refers to the time of year the crop is eaten, rather than planted. The winter squash category includes to storage squashes (butternut, spaghetti, and acorn), as well as pumpkins. In today’s episode, we cover everything you need to grow perfect winter squashes, including the lifecycle of the plant, when to harvest, and how the fruits should be cured for storage.

Episode 12: Planting Garlic Sep 09, 2016

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Today’s episode is all about garlic! Garlic is a member of the Allium family, which also includes onions, leeks, scallions, and chives. In most climates, garlic is planted in the late fall and harvested mid-summer the following year. Join us as we chat about selecting garlic seed, explore the differences between softneck and hardneck garlic, and, of course, discuss planting techniques and tips.

Episode 11: Leaf Miners Sep 02, 2016

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