A Chat with an Expert on Archives

889: Permaculture Principle…Working with Nature

A Garden Chat with ______. – This month Greg from Urban Farm and Don Titmus from Bee Oasis discuss the principle of working with nature rather than against it. They cover various permaculture techniques, such as building soil organically, harvesting rainwater, using polyculture, and incorporating animals for land management. The conversation highlights the importance of seed saving, biological pest control, and the benefits of a permaculture design course. They also share personal experiences and insights on creating sustainable and resilient ecosystems.

887: Who Owns Our Seeds with Bill McDorman, A Seed Chat

A Seed Chat with Bill McDorman. – In This Podcast: Greg and Bill navigate the evolution of seed ownership and its impact on biodiversity. They highlight how, historically, seeds were predominantly grown locally, fostering diversity. However, today, four major companies dominate the global seed market, resulting in a significant loss of agricultural diversity. This shift has made the food system vulnerable to diseases and climate change, which were traditionally mitigated by seed diversity. Efforts to preserve genetic diversity through seed banks are underfunded and face operational challenges, raising concerns about future accessibility.

The conversation emphasizes the importance of local seed saving and sharing initiatives as a means to reclaim control over seeds. Resources like Seed Up Saturday and organizations such as goingtoseed.org are promoted as vital tools for increasing seed diversity within communities. The session concludes with encouragement for individuals to actively participate in seed saving and sharing to enhance local food security and biodiversity.

884: Elements, Zones and Stacking Functions in Permaculture

A Garden Chat with Don Titmus- Join Farmer Greg 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 then 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 explore how zones and sectors work in permaculture design, emphasizing the importance of understanding the external elements and how they impact the property.

883: Seeding your way to Independence & Abundance

A Seed Chat with Bill McDorman. – 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

881: Tom Spellman on Fruit Trees in Extreme Weather

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.

877: Permaculture Principle ‘Observation’ with Don Titmus

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.

875: Building a Local Seed Economy with Bill McDorman

A Seed Chat with Bill McDorman. – 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.

858: Seeds of Innovation and Natural Harmony – A Seed Chat

A Seed Chat with Bill McDorman. – In this episode, Greg Peterson from Urban Farm U and Bill McDormand discuss seed-saving and the importance of embracing creativity and chaos in gardening, particularly during winter. They delve into personal anecdotes about sustainable practices and running businesses, highlighting the intersections of fear, excitement, and change in various aspects of life. Additionally, they touch on the evolving practices in permaculture and grain cultivation, particularly Kernza, and its potential for sustainable agriculture.

851: Exploring Seed Conferences – A Seed Chat

A Seed Chat with Bill McDorman. – (excerpt here)

848: Cultivating Ancient Grains for Modern Health – A Seed Chat w Bill McDorman

A Seed Chat with Bill McDorman. – Bill and Greg discuss the dual benefits of growing ancient grains for both gut health and gardening. They explore the nutritional advantages of ancient grains, such as spelt, emmer, and einkorn, and their lesser known intolerance to gluten. They also address modern agricultural issues, including the presence of glyphosate and its impact on gut health. The conversation highlights practical aspects of growing grains, from seed selection to planting and harvesting, and the advantages of using heirloom grains in local economies. Listeners are encouraged to explore local grain varieties, connect with local growers, and consider the age-old method of sourdough bread making to enhance digestive health.