The Beet: A Podcast For Plant Lovers

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Top Tips for Amending Clay Soil May 24, 2018

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When I was growing up my Mom always complained to my Dad about her garden and flower beds. She would say things like “Nothing grows in this red dirt!”, or “I’m not planting anything this year, it never grows!” I always thought Mom just didn’t have a green thumb. Fast forward about twenty years, and now I understand her struggle. Digging in my flower beds and garden used to be like playing in a big mud pie that was left out in the sun to dry. The flowers and vegetable plants I planted always showed signs of being over-watered. Because yes, I have clay soil. I’ve figured out a few ways that have improved the quality of my garden and flower bed soil. These tips have made my efforts in the garden more fruitful and less back-breaking. Learn More: Clay Soil Got You Down? Top Tips For Amending Clay Soil Keep Growing, Kevin Epic Soil Starter I've partnered with Garden Maker Naturals to formulate a custom organic fertilizer designed to take standard raised bed soil to the next level. I use it in all of my beds and containers. Order your Epic Soil Starter now. Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:

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Growing Tomatillos Start to Finish May 23, 2018

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Have you ever tried growing tomatillos? Often used as part of salsa or Mexican cuisine, this relative of the cape gooseberry is a popular fruit. But what are tomatillos, really? The Mexican husk tomato, sometimes called jamberry but more commonly called tomatillo, is a strange little plant. Its fruit grows within a natural papery lantern-like husk. Once ripe, the husk splits open and the fruit of your labor is ready to use. While most tomatillo varieties have origins in Mexico, these fruits are common throughout the Americas in the wild. There are two species, Physalis ixocarpa and Physalis philadelphica, but there’s many cultivars. The greenish or purple tomatillo fruit is used in an ever-increasing number of dishes, not to mention the salsa verde we all love. Let’s talk about all of the requirements for growing tomatillos so that you can enjoy them yourself! Learn More: Growing Tomatillos: Enjoy Salsa Verde All Summer Long Keep Growing, Kevin Epic Soil Starter I've partnered with Garden Maker Naturals to formulate a custom organic fertilizer designed to take standard raised bed soil to the next level. I use it in all of my beds and containers. Order your Epic Soil Starter now. Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:

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Controlling Fusarium Wilt (Damping Off Disease) May 22, 2018

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Anyone who’s been gardening for a while is familiar with the dreaded fusarium wilt. Also called damping off, this fungal disease causes newly-sprouted seedling stems to collapse. It’s frustrating, but it’s certainly not unknown. But did you know that fusarium itself is a widespread genus of multiple species which can also cause a number of blights and rots? In fact, fusarium species create a number of dangers for not just your plants, but even directly for you. Let’s go over some information on what fusarium is and learn about how and what it does. Then, we’ll go into ways to prevent against it and newly-developing information on how to fight back! Learn More: Fusarium Wilt, Blight, And Rot: How To Handle These Fungal Problems Keep Growing, Kevin Epic Soil Starter I've partnered with Garden Maker Naturals to formulate a custom organic fertilizer designed to take standard raised bed soil to the next level. I use it in all of my beds and containers. Order your Epic Soil Starter now. Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:

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Upside Down Peppers? May 21, 2018

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We've all heard of the "Topsy Turvy" tomato planters that allow you to grow tomatoes upside down, but what about other plants. Specifically peppers? Would they work? In today's show I outline how to grow these spicy veggies upside down! Keep Growing, Kevin Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:

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Fresh Manure = Good or Bad? May 20, 2018

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Manure is a great source of organic matter and fertility in the garden...but does it make sense to use it fresh? Find out the pros and cons in today's show. Keep Growing, Kevin Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:

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Caring For Calatheas! May 19, 2018

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Have you ever grown a rattlesnake plant? How about a peacock plant? A zebra plant? All of these are forms of calathea! Let’s explore the delightful and fun world of this gorgeous and popular houseplant. With many vivid variations, this leafy plant can be a perfect addition to your living space. In some areas of the world, they’re useful as well as decorative. Calathea leaves are used to wrap a specific type of tamale in Guatemala, for instance. In Thailand, calathea leaf rice containers are popular amongst the tourist trade. But enough about the uses of calathea. Let’s get on to what it is and how to grow it! Learn More: Calathea: Caring For The Rattlesnake Plant, Zebra Plant and More Keep Growing, Kevin Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:

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How to Treat Downy Mildew May 18, 2018

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Downy mildew and powdery mildew are often confused. If you’re looking for how to get rid of powdery mildew, check here. But downy mildew is a completely separate problem, even if it might look similar. Both are common issues in the garden. Today, we’ll go over everything there is to know about downy mildew. I’ll tell you how to treat it, but more importantly, I’ll help you determine how to prevent it so you don’t get it again! Learn More: Downy Mildew: How To Stop This Plant Disease Before It Starts Keep Growing, Kevin Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:

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How to Refresh Old Potting Soil May 17, 2018

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Don't throw your potting soil away once you're done growing with it for a season! It's easy to refresh or completely rejuvenate your soil using the methods in this episode. Keep Growing, Kevin Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:

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2 Ways to Hand Pollinate May 16, 2018

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Hand pollination is a fantastic way to increase fruit production on plants like cucumbers, zucchinis, etc. Here are two methods for both large and small-flowered plants! Keep Growing, Kevin Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:

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Hot Composting FAQs May 15, 2018

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I've gotten a lot of questions about how to restart a hot compost pile, so I figured I might as well do a FAQ episode about hot composting. Enjoy :) Learn More: Composting on Epic Gardening Keep Growing, Kevin Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:

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