Teaming With Microbes

Latest Episodes:

Rhizophagy rundown Feb 16, 2024

Show notes

This week, Jeff and Jonathan explore the relationship between sounds and plants. Did you know that plants grow towards the sound of water?

Next, Jeff disagrees with a recent article he read (article), where scientists are studying rhizobia bacteria that form nitrogen-fixing nodules to enhance plant fertilization. However, Jeff believes that they should focus on rhizophagy, which provides nitrogen to plants without the need for nodules.

Later, the duo addresses some interesting listener questions in detail.

Listen to this episode of Teaming With Microbes for all of this and more!

**********************************************

Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.com

Plant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!

Thanks to our sponsors:

The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.

Special thanks to the

Anchorage Daily News

for hosting the show!

Alaska birch syrup with Ted Hammers Feb 09, 2024

Show notes

This week, Jeff and Jonathan interview Ted Hammers, co-owner of Alaska Wild Harvest.

They tap into the biology of Birch trees, discussing the process of making Alaska birch syrup, its different phases, and its various use cases.

Later in the episode, they also discuss the benefits of birch water and chaga.

Tune in to this episode of Teaming With Microbes for all that and more!

**********************************************

Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.com

Plant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!

Thanks to our sponsors:

The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.

Special thanks to the Anchorage Daily News for hosting the show!

The surprising benefits of snow in gardening Feb 02, 2024

Show notes

As Anchorage, Alaska is experiencing a record snowfall, there is some good news: The snow is storing a significant amount of nitrogen, which is sometimes referred to as "poor man's fertilizer" (12 lbs of nitrogen per acre). That said, be sure to remove the snow from the greenhouse and shed to prevent them from collapsing.

Jeff and Jonathan are also celebrating the almost 2 hour increase in daylight over the course of January. This means that now is a great time to prune winter geraniums, and prepare them for the summer growing season.

All that and more in this episode of Teaming With Microbes!

**********************************************

Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.com

Plant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!

Thanks to our sponsors:

The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.

Special thanks to the

Anchorage Daily News

for hosting the show!

The best manure for organic gardening Jan 26, 2024

Show notes

This week, Jeff and Jonathan rekindle last week’s discussion about microplastics in the environment. But this time, they dive into a new scientific article that states there is more microplastics in the air than in the soil.

Next, the team explores microbial fuel cells. That is, batteries that run off bacteria!

Finally, the guys talk about the best kinds of manure for organic gardening (including some that aren’t good)!

All that and more in this episode of Teaming with Microbes!

**********************************************

Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.com

Plant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!

Thanks to our sponsors:

The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.

Special thanks to the

Anchorage Daily News

for hosting the show!

Is plastic pollution killing your soil? Jan 19, 2024

Show notes

The days are finally getting longer in Alaska, and Jeff and Jonathan are getting excited for gardening in 2024!

This week, the guys start off by discussing the differences between ectomycorrhizal fungi (which are found more near the equator) and endomycorrhizal fungi (which thrive near the north and south pole areas).

After the break, the guys delve into the problem of plastic pollution in food and soil and discuss some ways soil food web gardeners can mitigate plastics in their gardens (and lives).

Finally, the team looks at a new search engine called ecosia.org that uses ad revenue to plant trees!

All that and more in this episode of Teaming with Microbes!

**********************************************

Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.com

Plant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!

Thanks to our sponsors:

The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.

Special thanks to the

Anchorage Daily News

for hosting the show!

New Year’s gardening resolutions Jan 05, 2024

Show notes

This week Jeff and Jonathan wrap up 2023 by encouraging folks to make sure and recycle their Christmas trees.

Next, the team brings in 2024 by discussing some New Year’s gardening resolutions. These include:

Stop using artificial nutrients
Use (and make) more compost
Grow something from seed
Roll seeds in mycorrhizal fungi
Test your soil
Stop rototilling
No bare soil
Feed the microbes
Share the food from your gardens
Read the Teaming with Microbes series!

All that and more in this week’s episode of Teaming With Microbes!

**********************************************

Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.com

Plant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!

Thanks to our sponsors:

The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.

Special thanks to the Anchorage Daily News for hosting the show!

What the heck is biochar? Dec 29, 2023

Show notes

Biochar is a black carbon compound produced through pyrolysis, enhancing soil fertility and plant growth in gardening.

This week Jeff and Jonathan discuss some scientific studies about biochar, how some Alaska Native tribes have historically incorporated it into their gardens, as well as some pros and cons to using it.

Next, the team has some fun chatting about amanita muscaria folklore (that distinct red mushroom with white spots), and why it is considered the “Christmas Mushroom”.

Finally, the duo wraps up with a listener question about compost.

All that and more in this week’s episode of Teaming With Microbes!

**********************************************

Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.com

Plant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!

Thanks to our sponsors:

The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.

Special thanks to the

Anchorage Daily News

for hosting the show!

Superheroes in the soil Dec 22, 2023

Show notes

This week Jeff and Jonathan discuss more scientific studies. First, they consider how fungi and bacteria impact water freezing. These “ice nucleators” are what cause ice crystals to form into snow and hail.

Next, the team discusses plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). These superheroes of the soil are nitrogen fixing bacteria that include phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB), and zinc solubilizing bacteria (ZPK).

Finally, the duo wraps up the episode with a chat about how global warming is affecting plant hardiness zone maps.

All that and more in this week’s episode of Teaming With Microbes!

**********************************************

Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.com

Plant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!

Thanks to our sponsors:

The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.

Special thanks to the Anchorage Daily News for hosting the show!

The power of mycorrhizal fungai Dec 15, 2023

Show notes

This week Jeff and Jonathan discuss a new scientific study that looks into how adding mycorrhizal fungai to certain types of farmland can increase the yield by more than 40 percent!

Later, the team discusses how redwood trees reproduce, highlighting the fact that scientists have found buds that extend back 1,000 years.

Finally, Jeff shares how a certain photo inspired his interest in the soil food web, and how it led to his first book, Teaming With Microbes.

All that and more in this week’s episode of Teaming With Microbes!

**********************************************

Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.com

Plant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!

Thanks to our sponsors:

The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.

Special thanks to the Anchorage Daily News for hosting the show!

Coffee in the garden Dec 08, 2023

Show notes

This week Jeff and Jonathan discuss the use of coffee grounds in the garden, as well as gardening in general. Apart from being one of the best drinks on the planet, coffee (or coffee grounds) can work wonders in your compost or mulch.

Later on, the team debunks some common myths about coffee in the garden, such as its acidity or its alleged ability to kill slugs.

All that and more in this week’s episode of Teaming With Microbes!

**********************************************

Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.com

Plant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!

Thanks to our sponsors:

The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.

Special thanks to the

Anchorage Daily News

for hosting the show!