Category: A Chat with an Expert on

836: Seed Saving Secrets – A Seed Chat

A Seed Chat with Bill McDorman. – In this episode, Greg Peterson from Urban Farm U and Bill McDorman discuss the fundamentals of seed saving, techniques for collecting and preparing seeds from various plants, and the benefits of maintaining genetic diversity. They also address specific audience questions about harvesting and storing seeds, and the effects of cross-pollination. The conversation emphasizes the importance of home-based seed saving for adapting plants to local conditions and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

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831: Growing Gourmet Mushrooms – A Garden Chat

A Garden Chat with Michael Judd. – Farmer Greg and Michael Judd, an expert in edible and ecological landscape design, discuss growing gourmet mushrooms outdoors. They cover the three easiest mushrooms to grow: shiitake, oyster, and wine cap mushrooms, along with their preferred growing conditions and necessary preparations. Michael shares practical advice on sourcing the right wood, maintaining moisture, and utilizing permaculture principles for effective mushroom cultivation. He also offers insights into his mini course and other resources available for those interested in further learning

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830: Seed Starting Essentials Explained – A Seed Chat

A Seed Chat with Bill McDorman. – In June 2024’s Seed Chat, Greg Peterson and Bill McDorman discuss key aspects of nurturing seed starts for a thriving garden. They emphasize the importance of proper seed starting mediums, suggesting lightweight, aerated materials like perlite and cocopeat over regular garden soil. They also highlight the need for adequate light, recommending artificial light setups if natural light is insufficient. Proper watering techniques are crucial, ensuring the soil remains moist without over-watering. They advocate for hands-on gardening and learning through observation and experimentation to achieve the best results. Come Chat with Us!

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825: Selecting for Good Seed Stock

A Seed Chat with Bill McDorman. – In June 2024’s Seed Chat, Bill McDorman and Greg Peterson delve into the art of cultivating optimal seed stock straight from your garden. Discover the satisfaction of hand-selecting seeds that thrive in your unique microenvironment. Bill and Greg explore the importance of observing characteristics of your plants for selecting what you want and looking for obvious factors such as disease and insect resistance. Learn how to enhance your garden’s resilience by selecting seeds adapted to local conditions in your garden or farm. Bill and Greg will present a green-thumb guide on curating seed stock that reflects your garden’s personality and promises seasons of success. Come Chat with Us!

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820 The Edible Landscape Project – A Garden Chat

A Garden Chat with Joan Baron. – Join Farmer Greg and Joan as they explore how Joan took an often overlooked area around her property and turned it into a lush garden. She transformed the alley behind her house into a lush garden that the city, neighbors and community are raving about. Listen and find out how you can do the same.

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819: How to Plant Your Seeds – A Seed Chat

A Seed Chat with Bill McDorman. – Whether you’re a gardening novice or a seasoned enthusiast, join us for an engaging session where we’ll identify the secrets of successful seed planting. Bill and Greg will guide you through the process, from selecting the right seeds to nurturing them into thriving plants. Learn about soil preparation, optimal planting depths, and the crucial role of sunlight and water. Discover insider tips for overcoming common challenges and ensuring a bountiful harvest. Come Chat with Us!

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813: What are Farm Trusts – A Garden Chat

A Garden Chat with Zack Wyatt. – We chat with Zack Wyatt of the Carolina Farm Trust is focused on revolutionizing the food systems in the Carolinas through regenerative farming practices and sustainable approaches. The Carolina Farm Trust has four pillars—Farm Apprenticeship Program, Food is Health Program, Urban Farm Network, and CFT Market & Distribution Center that are integral to their mission of fostering a healthier, more sustainable food system from farm to table

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812: Seed Borne Diseases – a Seed Chat

A Seed Chat with Bill McDorman. – (excerpt here)This is the April 2024 Seed Chat – Seed-borne diseases quietly jeopardize the vitality of crops, as seeds unwittingly harbor microscopic threats like fungi, bacteria, and pests. Bill and Greg will help you identify these pesky pests and guide you through the measures to screen for disease-resistant seeds to thwart these covert adversaries.

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808: How to Help Pollinators – A Garden Chat

A Garden Chat with Charliotte Ekker Wiggins. – Ever wonder about pollinators and their impact on our environment? Why are they important and how do they impact the environment around us? Join us as we chat with Charlotte Wiggins and explore all things pollinator!

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807: Seeds, Are They Dead or Alive? – A Seed Chat

A Seed Chat with Bill McDorman. – Don’t throw away seeds collected for years. Do a germ test. Germination testing is a vital step to ensure seed viability before planting. We will talk about the process and show you how to determine the ratio of successful germination. Then you can plant the germinated seeds right into the ground. Learning how to germ test empowers growers with crucial insights into seed quality, helping you make informed decisions on seed selection and planting strategies.

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