Synopsis
The Epic Gardening podcast is a daily gardening tips and advice show brought to you by Kevin Espiritu, an urban gardener, hydroponics enthusiast, and all-around plant lover. Every day, a gardening question from YOU will be answered in a fun and informative way in under 10 minutes!
Episodes
-
Benefits of Water Harvesting
11/08/2023 Duration: 08minWhy harvest rainwater? In Martha’s garden, the harvesting process has afforded her a thriving, lush garden, and her book, City Nature. EG shop homepage: https://growepic.co/44SRvMq EG book collection page: https://growepic.co/3QujiOR EG homesteading book: https://growepic.co/3YmQKsH Connect With Martha Retallick: Martha Retallick is named for her great grandmother, a Victory Gardener who fed eight people from her plot in the blizzard capital of America, Buffalo, New York. With that level of determination in her DNA, Martha has to find ways to make gardening work. Even in Tucson, Arizona. She’ll reveal her secret superpower, water harvesting, during her “Epic Gardening” appearance. Western Sky Communications Web Site Book Buy Birdies Garden Beds Use code EPICPODCAST for 5% off your first order of Birdies metal raised garden beds, the best metal raised beds in the world. They last 5-10x longer than wooden beds, come in multiple heights and dimensions, and look absolutely amazing. Click here to shop Birdie
-
Greywater Systems
10/08/2023 Duration: 11minThere are many different kinds of greywater systems and ways to employ them in a garden. Martha uses greywater from her washing machine to water her fruit trees. She reaps other benefits, too, including financial incentives! EG shop homepage: https://growepic.co/3QutqqV EG book collection page: https://growepic.co/47npgad EG homesteading book: https://growepic.co/3ON9vT0 Learn More: Collecting Rainwater: Hints, Tips, And Tricks https://growepic.co/3qu1J6V Connect With Martha Retallick: Martha Retallick is named for her great grandmother, a Victory Gardener who fed eight people from her plot in the blizzard capital of America, Buffalo, New York. With that level of determination in her DNA, Martha has to find ways to make gardening work. Even in Tucson, Arizona. She’ll reveal her secret superpower, water harvesting, during her “Epic Gardening” appearance. Western Sky Communications Web Site Book Buy Birdies Garden Beds Use code EPICPODCAST for 5% off your first order of Birdies metal raised garden be
-
I Have An EPIC Podcast Announcement...
10/08/2023 Duration: 04minFor over six years, the Epic Gardening podcast has delivered daily gardening tips and tricks - and now we have a new name! Introducing....The Beet: A Podcast for Plant Lovers. We're updating the name to reflect the broader scope of the show, but also because we've launched a corresponding video podcast channel on YouTube, which you can subscribe to here. The video version of the show features an entire week of episodes in one long-form show, with our guests live on camera, along with podcast clips and "best of" moments. Hope you enjoy the new name, the new vibes, and the increased quality of the show - and as always, thanks for listening. Keep on growing, Kevin Shop the Store As an exclusive for listeners, use code THEBEET for 5% off your entire order on our store, featuring our flagship Birdies Raised Beds. These are the original metal raised beds, lasting up to 5-10x longer than wooden beds, are ethically made in Australia, and have a customizable modular design. Shop now and get 5% off your first order
-
How to Use Rainwater Cisterns
09/08/2023 Duration: 13minRainwater cisterns are a great way to actively harvest and conserve water. Here, Kevin and Martha discuss the ins and outs of using cisterns, and the benefits that come with installing them in your yard. EG shop homepage: https://growepic.co/3OxtQKK EG book collection page: https://growepic.co/44YEhOb EG homesteading book: https://growepic.co/3OJcls3 Learn More: Collecting Rainwater: Hints, Tips, And Tricks https://growepic.co/47jRuCT Connect With Martha Retallick: Martha Retallick is named for her great grandmother, a Victory Gardener who fed eight people from her plot in the blizzard capital of America, Buffalo, New York. With that level of determination in her DNA, Martha has to find ways to make gardening work. Even in Tucson, Arizona. She’ll reveal her secret superpower, water harvesting, during her “Epic Gardening” appearance. Western Sky Communications Web Siteq Book Buy Birdies Garden Beds Use code EPICPODCAST for 5% off your first order of Birdies metal raised garden beds, the best metal rai
-
Passive Water Harvesting
08/08/2023 Duration: 12minWhat is passive water harvesting? Martha outlines two methods of passively harvesting water in her garden. By slowing the water, allowing it to spread out, and sink down, she harnesses what would otherwise be urban runoff, and adds tons of free water to her garden in the process. EG shop homepage: https://growepic.co/43PpP9P EG book collection page: https://growepic.co/47fZLYw EG homesteading book: https://growepic.co/3Ok5QKS Learn More: Collecting Rainwater: Hints, Tips, And Tricks https://growepic.co/44SZSrk Connect With Martha Retallick: Martha Retallick is named for her great-grandmother, a Victory Gardener who fed eight people from her plot in the blizzard capital of America, Buffalo, New York. With that level of determination in her DNA, Martha has to find ways to make gardening work. Even in Tucson, Arizona. She’ll reveal her secret superpower, water harvesting, during her “Epic Gardening” appearance. Western Sky Communications Web Site Book Buy Birdies Garden Beds Use code EPICPODCAST for 5%
-
The Rationale for Water Harvesting
07/08/2023 Duration: 14minWhen Martha moved to Tucson, she wanted to plant a garden full of trees. But irrigating them posed a huge problem in her desert climate. Instead of spending tons of money on a full system, Martha opted to harvest from the “Big Watering Can In the Sky”. EG shop homepage: https://growepic.co/43RM3bu EG book collection page: https://growepic.co/3QnG4b4 EG homesteading book: https://growepic.co/47kyMLi Learn More: Collecting Rainwater: Hints, Tips, And Tricks https://growepic.co/3QupJkZ Connect With Martha Retallick: Martha Retallick is named for her great-grandmother, a Victory Gardener who fed eight people from her plot in the blizzard capital of America, Buffalo, New York. With that level of determination in her DNA, Martha has to find ways to make gardening work. Even in Tucson, Arizona. She’ll reveal her secret superpower, water harvesting, during her “Epic Gardening” appearance. Western Sky Communications Web Site Book Buy Birdies Garden Beds Use code EPICPODCAST for 5% off your first order of Bir
-
Soil Microbes and Gut Health, Gut Links to Immune System and Brain
04/08/2023 Duration: 13minWe have talked quite a bit about soil microbes and gut health on the podcast this season. In this episode we talk about what benefits the no dig method specifically gives your gut. EG shop homepage: https://growepic.co/3OJRDbH EG book collection page: https://growepic.co/3QzUKUX EG homesteading book: https://growepic.co/3Qij0dP Connect With Charles Dowding: Charles Dowding has made no dig popular with millions of readers and viewers. They love how it’s good for the soil, healthy for plants and easier plus time-saving for them. His growing methods are applicable for small areas and large ones, and are used worldwide. Since 1982 he has created and cropped four no dig market gardens on varied soils from stony to silt, and on two types of clay. Currently he grows vegetables on 0.35 acres/1300 meters 2 in Somerset, SW England, for local sales of salad leaves and vegetables. He has written 14 books, runs a YouTube channel and Instagram account, has created and sells online gardening courses, writes for gardening m
-
Companion Planting What Does It Mean
03/08/2023 Duration: 15minCompanion planting, multi-sowing, inter-planting, Charles and I get into all of it in this episode. Spoiler alert: we are breaking all the rules, and you can too. EG shop homepage: https://growepic.co/43M4QVx EG book collection page: https://growepic.co/453fvMD EG homesteading book: https://growepic.co/450OMkl Connect With Charles Dowding: Charles Dowding has made no dig popular with millions of readers and viewers. They love how it’s good for the soil, healthy for plants and easier plus time-saving for them. His growing methods are applicable for small areas and large ones, and are used worldwide. Since 1982 he has created and cropped four no dig market gardens on varied soils from stony to silt, and on two types of clay. Currently he grows vegetables on 0.35 acres/1300 meters 2 in Somerset, SW England, for local sales of salad leaves and vegetables. He has written 14 books, runs a YouTube channel and Instagram account, has created and sells online gardening courses, writes for gardening magazines, and gives
-
Is Bare Soil Okay
02/08/2023 Duration: 11minWith the no dig method, you always have the ground covered, even if it’s just a thin layer of compost. EG shop homepage: https://growepic.co/43PkmQt EG book collection page: https://growepic.co/3rLcXnT EG homesteading book: https://growepic.co/44J258T Connect With Charles Dowding: Charles Dowding has made no dig popular with millions of readers and viewers. They love how it’s good for the soil, healthy for plants and easier plus time-saving for them. His growing methods are applicable for small areas and large ones, and are used worldwide. Since 1982 he has created and cropped four no dig market gardens on varied soils from stony to silt, and on two types of clay. Currently, he grows vegetables on 0.35 acres/1300 meters 2 in Somerset, SW England, for local sales of salad leaves and vegetables. He has written 14 books, runs a YouTube channel and Instagram account, has created and sells online gardening courses, writes for gardening magazines, and gives talks plus courses at home and abroad. Instagram YouTub
-
Where Did No Dig Gardening Come From
01/08/2023 Duration: 15minCharles Dowding has been using the no-dig method since the '80s. We discuss what he’s learned during his decades of do dig and what current experiments he’s running on his newly expanded gardening area. EG shop homepage: https://growepic.co/43QVCqW EG book collection page: https://growepic.co/44LNZn8 EG homesteading book: https://growepic.co/43Jayr7 Connect With Charles Dowding: Charles Dowding has made no dig popular with millions of readers and viewers. They love how it’s good for the soil, healthy for plants, and easier plus time-saving for them. His growing methods are applicable to small areas and large ones and are used worldwide. Since 1982 he has created and cropped four no dig market gardens on varied soils from stony to silt, and on two types of clay. Currently, he grows vegetables on 0.35 acres/1300 meters 2 in Somerset, SW England, for local sales of salad leaves and vegetables. He has written 14 books, runs a YouTube channel and Instagram account, has created and sells online gardening courses, w
-
What is No Dig Gardening
31/07/2023 Duration: 17minThis week we welcome Charles Dowding, the godfather of the no dig method! There is no one better to give us the scoop on no dig. In this method, you don’t disturb the soil as much as possible, add mulch on top to stop the weeds, and feed the soil with organic matter. EG shop homepage: https://growepic.co/477s2QX EG book collection page: https://growepic.co/3DBkEzU EG homesteading book: https://growepic.co/43GSJsM Connect With Charles Dowding: Charles Dowding has made no dig popular with millions of readers and viewers. They love how it’s good for the soil, healthy for plants and easier plus time-saving for them. His growing methods are applicable for small areas and large ones, and are used worldwide. Since 1982 he has created and cropped four no dig market gardens on varied soils from stony to silt, and on two types of clay. Currently he grows vegetables on 0.35 acres/1300 meters 2 in Somerset, SW England, for local sales of salad leaves and vegetables. He has written 14 books, runs a YouTube channel and Ins
-
The Power of Red and Black Berries
28/07/2023 Duration: 11minDeep red and purple produce like berries, can be a powerful part of our nutrition that can help protect our cells from cancer. Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3rL7gWY Book Collection Page: https://growepic.co/44ShpPY EG Homesteading Book: https://growepic.co/3Od57LA Connect With Dr. Ross Cameron: Dr. Ross Cameron is the Research Director within the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of Sheffield. He has published over 70 academic papers/book chapters on landscape plants and urban green spaces. He is co-author of Environmental Horticulture - The Science and Management of Green Landscapes and he wrote the health and wellbeing chapter in Science and the Garden. He is a professional horticulturist and advisor to the Royal Horticultural Society. Buy Birdies Garden Beds Use code EPICPODCAST for 5% off your first order of Birdies metal raised garden beds, the best metal raised beds in the world. They last 5-10x longer than wooden beds, come in multiple heights and dimensions, a
-
Restoring Your Attention in the Garden
27/07/2023 Duration: 14minOur daily lives can be stressful. With work and other stressors, our brains work very hard day in and day out. While we are in the garden, we are able to have a “soft fascination” which helps restore our ability to pay attention. Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/44CzAtn Book Collection Page: https://growepic.co/46YwrWd EG Homesteading Book: https://growepic.co/3Or5qUh Connect With Dr. Ross Cameron: Dr. Ross Cameron is the Research Director within the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of Sheffield. He has published over 70 academic papers/book chapters on landscape plants and urban green spaces. He is co-author of Environmental Horticulture - The Science and Management of Green Landscapes and he wrote the health and wellbeing chapter in Science and the Garden. He is a professional horticulturist and advisor to the Royal Horticultural Society. Buy Birdies Garden Beds Use code EPICPODCAST for 5% off your first order of Birdies metal raised garden beds, the best metal raised
-
How You Breathe In The Garden Impacts Your Health
26/07/2023 Duration: 15minYou are what you eat and you are what you breathe in. Humans are mostly microbial beings, it is very important that we are mindful about what beneficial organisms we surround ourselves with. Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3KbWOhT Book Collection page: https://growepic.co/44RORWI EG Homesteading Book: https://growepic.co/3Y7E9cQ Connect With Dr. Ross Cameron: Dr. Ross Cameron is the Research Director within the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of Sheffield. He has published over 70 academic papers/book chapters on landscape plants and urban green spaces. He is co-author of Environmental Horticulture - The Science and Management of Green Landscapes and he wrote the health and wellbeing chapter in Science and the Garden. He is a professional horticulturist and advisor to the Royal Horticultural Society. Buy Birdies Garden Beds Use code EPICPODCAST for 5% off your first order of Birdies metal raised garden beds, the best metal raised beds in the world. They last 5-10x lon
-
What Attracts Us to Flower Colors
25/07/2023 Duration: 11minColors are powerful! Dr. Ross Cameron discusses including plants in your garden that have a positive effect on your mood. What is fascinating about this is, there is a rule of thumbs for which colors evoke which emotions. However, your personal experiences can override the norm! Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/44DbAWO Book Collection page: https://growepic.co/43IJkkq EG Homesteading Book: https://growepic.co/3KaQ040 Connect With Dr. Ross Cameron: Dr. Ross Cameron is the Research Director within the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of Sheffield. He has published over 70 academic papers/book chapters on landscape plants and urban green spaces. He is co-author of Environmental Horticulture - The Science and Management of Green Landscapes and he wrote the health and wellbeing chapter in Science and the Garden. He is a professional horticulturist and advisor to the Royal Horticultural Society. Buy Birdies Garden Beds Use code EPICPODCAST for 5% off your first order of Birdi
-
Birds by the Backdoor
24/07/2023 Duration: 14minDr. Ross Cameron and I talk about why it’s important to attract birds to your garden. Not only is it important for your garden ecosystem, it is also important for your overall health. Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3Dh1X4a Book collection page: https://growepic.co/43u8inG EG homesteading book: https://growepic.co/473H7TG Connect With Dr. Ross Cameron: Dr. Ross Cameron is the Research Director within the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of Sheffield. He has published over 70 academic papers/book chapters on landscape plants and urban green spaces. He is co-author of Environmental Horticulture - The Science and Management of Green Landscapes and he wrote the health and wellbeing chapter in Science and the Garden. He is a professional horticulturist and advisor to the Royal Horticultural Society. Buy Birdies Garden Beds Use code EPICPODCAST for 5% off your first order of Birdies metal raised garden beds, the best metal raised beds in the world. They last 5-10x longer th
-
Are Crows Good Or Bad for the Garden
21/07/2023 Duration: 13minIf you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em! Crows may pull up some plants in your garden - but they may also protect your chickens and other animals from predators. EG shop homepage: https://growepic.co/43vuMo1 EG books: https://growepic.co/3OcDB1D EG homesteading book: https://growepic.co/3PRWbh3 Connect With Kaeli Swift: Dr. Swift earned her PhD in avian behavioral ecology from the University of Washington. While there, she studied American crows, with a special emphasis on behaviors around death. She is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Washington, where she is studying the breeding ecology of the Tinian monarch. Video, audio, and print reports of her research have been featured by: National Geographic, PBS, the New York Times, The Atlantic, Ologies podcast, Science Friday and many others. Blog Twitter Instagram TikTok Buy Birdies Garden Beds Use code EPICPODCAST for 5% off your first order of Birdies metal raised garden beds, the best metal raised beds in the world. They last 5-10x lon
-
How to Get Gifts From Crows
20/07/2023 Duration: 19minThe crows might not ACTUALLY be giving me gifts as we know it. EG shop homepage: https://growepic.co/43rlMR9 EG books: https://growepic.co/3XOI7qk EG homesteading book: https://growepic.co/3NPIKeM Connect With Kaeli Swift: Dr. Swift earned her PhD in avian behavioral ecology from the University of Washington. While there, she studied American crows, with a special emphasis on behaviors around death. She is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Washington, where she is studying the breeding ecology of the Tinian monarch. Video, audio, and print reports of her research have been featured by: National Geographic, PBS, the New York Times, The Atlantic, Ologies podcast, Science Friday and many others. Blog Twitter Instagram TikTok Buy Birdies Garden Beds Use code EPICPODCAST for 5% off your first order of Birdies metal raised garden beds, the best metal raised beds in the world. They last 5-10x longer than wooden beds, come in multiple heights and dimensions, and look absolutely amazing.
-
How to Ethically Befriend Crows
19/07/2023 Duration: 13minDr. Kaeli Swift discusses why we have to be careful, educated, and thoughtful if we want to feed wildlife. EG shop homepage: https://growepic.co/3JYln1D EG books: https://growepic.co/46OGNYH EG homesteading book: https://growepic.co/44ppoUP Connect With Kaeli Swift: Dr. Swift earned her PhD in avian behavioral ecology from the University of Washington. While there, she studied American crows, with a special emphasis on behaviors around death. She is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Washington, where she is studying the breeding ecology of the Tinian monarch. Video, audio, and print reports of her research have been featured by: National Geographic, PBS, the New York Times, The Atlantic, Ologies podcast, Science Friday and many others. Blog Twitter Instagram TikTok Buy Birdies Garden Beds Use code EPICPODCAST for 5% off your first order of Birdies metal raised garden beds, the best metal raised beds in the world. They last 5-10x longer than wooden beds, come in multiple heights a
-
How Smart Are Corvids
18/07/2023 Duration: 17minBeing a “bird brain” isn’t such a bad thing after all! Dr. Kaeli Swift talks about the misunderstandings of the brains and intelligence of Corvids. EG shop homepage: https://growepic.co/3NTyn9I EG books: https://growepic.co/3rwDXaw EG homesteading book: https://growepic.co/44nsmJH Connect With Kaeli Swift: Dr. Swift earned her PhD in avian behavioral ecology from the University of Washington. While there, she studied American crows, with a special emphasis on behaviors around death. She is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Washington, where she is studying the breeding ecology of the Tinian monarch. Video, audio, and print reports of her research have been featured by: National Geographic, PBS, the New York Times, The Atlantic, Ologies podcast, Science Friday and many others. Blog Twitter Instagram TikTok Buy Birdies Garden Beds Use code EPICPODCAST for 5% off your first order of Birdies metal raised garden beds, the best metal raised beds in the world. They last 5-10x longer tha