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.

879: Bevin Cohen on Herbs in Every Season.

Greg welcomes returning guest Bevin Cohen, an award-winning author and owner of Small House Farm, to discuss Bevin’s new book, ‘Herbs in Every Season.’ The conversation delves into Bevin’s holistic approach to herbs, focusing on their various uses throughout the year—from medicinal to culinary applications. Bevin shares behind-the-scenes stories about writing the book, choosing which herbs to feature, and the fun yet intense experience of photographing the herbs and recipes included. The episode touches on specific herbs and their seasonal roles, such as parsley in spring and sunflower in autumn, as well as the versatile nature of herbs like mint and oregano. Bevin also recalls vivid personal anecdotes, including a touching story about canning tomatoes with his grandmother. The episode concludes with practical advice for listeners to get out and grow something, highlighting the accessibility and benefits of herbs

878: Matthew Geldin on Building Neighborhood Farms

Host Greg Peterson interviews Matthew Geldin, head farmer at Farmscape in Southern California, about creating sustainable neighborhood food systems. Farmscape is the largest urban farming company in California, specializing in food-focused landscaping for various scales including backyard gardens, commercial campuses, and multi-family communities. Matthew shares his journey from landscape architecture to urban farming, explaining the challenges and successes of integrating food production into urban spaces. He emphasizes the importance of community-supported farms and discusses their work on notable projects like Levi’s Stadium. Then he reflects on overcoming challenges such as urban tree root intrusion, the evolution of community farming, and the significance of designing spaces that are both productive and beautiful.

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.

856: Mike Clow on Technology on the Homestead

Mike Clow, a homesteader, engineer, and co-founder of Desert Life Ranch, discusses his journey from suburban life to sustainable living in the Arizona desert. He emphasizes the importance of integrating technology like solar power and aquaponics to enhance self-reliance and sustainability. Mike introduces his innovative project ‘Homestead Electronics,’ which uses affordable, custom-built sensors to monitor various homestead parameters, aiming to simplify and improve homestead management. Mike also touches on the challenges and continuous learning involved in homesteading and the importance of perseverance. He offers practical advice for those interested in merging technology with homesteading for more efficient and resilient living

854: Debbie Piesen on Building Home Scale DC Grids

Debbie Piesen from Living Energy Farm discusses sustainable energy systems and microgrids. Debbie explains her journey and the challenges of living off-grid without fossil fuels. She shares the benefits and challenges of DC microgrids over AC systems and the importance of good design and decentralized energy production. Additionally, Debbie highlights various sustainable practices and projects, including solar ovens and battery storage, that are being implemented at Living Energy Farm and in the Caribbean. The discussion emphasizes the necessity of communal effort and education in transitioning to renewable energy sources