Summer 2024 Garden Roundup with Kevin and Jacques | The Beet
Sep 7, 2024
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Laura, a pond landscape guru from Garden Answer, and Greg, an expert from Aquascapes, dive into the beauty of aquatic gardens. They recount their visit to stunning Chicagoland ponds, sparking excitement about water features in personal gardens. The conversation shifts to handling an abundant harvest, with creative tips for preserving tomatoes and peppers through innovative cooking techniques. Listeners get inspired with unique recipes and practical advice on using homegrown produce, enhancing both gardening skills and culinary creativity.
The hosts emphasize the importance of managing a surplus garden harvest through creative cooking and effective preservation techniques.
They discuss the transformative experience of visiting Aquascape's ponds, which inspired a deeper appreciation for incorporating water features into gardening.
The podcast highlights the distinction between landscaping and gardening, encouraging listeners to prioritize the aesthetic integration of natural elements in their outdoor spaces.
Deep dives
HaikuBox: The Bird Identification Device
The HaikuBox is an innovative AI-powered device designed for bird enthusiasts, allowing users to identify local bird species by their songs and calls. Developed by Dr. David Mann in collaboration with experts from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, it provides continuous monitoring of bird sounds, enhancing the bird-watching experience. Users can connect the device to Wi-Fi and receive notifications about new bird sightings, adding an interactive element to their birding endeavors. This device is particularly beneficial for those looking to connect with nature and learn more about the avian life in their vicinity.
Element: Hydration for Outdoor Activities
Element offers a zero-sugar electrolyte drink mix ideal for individuals engaging in outdoor activities, such as gardening. This drink mix provides essential electrolytes without any sugar or artificial ingredients, making it a healthy hydration option. The product appeals not just to gardeners but also to athletes and fitness enthusiasts, enhancing their hydration strategies. With a variety of flavors available, Element is marketed as an easy solution for maintaining hydration, especially during hot days spent outdoors.
Epic Trip to Aquascape Headquarters
The hosts recount an exciting trip to Aquascape's headquarters in the Chicago area, which shifted their outlook on incorporating water features into their own gardens. Initially hesitant about the idea of adding a pond, the experience at Aquascape made them appreciate the beauty and tranquility that such installations can offer. The visit included a tour of various impressive ponds that showcased different styles and landscaping techniques, illustrating the potential of well-designed water features. This journey inspired them to rethink their approach to garden landscaping and the role of water in creating immersive outdoor spaces.
Landscaping vs. Gardening: A Design Perspective
The distinction between landscaping and traditional gardening is emphasized as an essential consideration for enhancing outdoor aesthetics. The hosts discuss how a well-designed landscape can serve as a focal point in a yard, elevating the overall ambiance and functionality of the space. They draw from their experiences visiting established water features that integrated seamlessly with the surrounding landscape, noting the importance of trees and plants in creating a natural look. The conversations highlight the need to focus on the landscaping elements that complement and enhance the garden, rather than solely on the plants themselves.
Harvesting and Cooking Seasonal Produce
The hosts discuss the excitement and challenges of harvesting a bountiful garden, particularly when it comes to tomatoes and peppers. They share strategies for managing large harvests, such as using freezer storage for surplus tomatoes and exploring creative cooking methods for sweet corn. The conversation reveals a deep understanding of seasonal cycles and the importance of sustainable cooking practices, urging listeners to experiment with different recipes based on available ingredients. This exchange highlights how engaging with one's garden can lead to a more gratifying culinary experience, enhancing both cooking skills and appreciation for homegrown produce.
What do you do with an overload of freshly harvested garden produce? This week's episode, sponsored by LMNT, comes complete with a free sample pack - visit https://bit.ly/LMNT_Epic to get yours!
In this week's episode, Jacques and Kevin chat about ways to store that harvest for longer, why upskilling your fundamentals in cooking is essential, and what they do to use those veggies. They also discuss their recent visit to incredible pond landscapes with Laura from Garden Answer and Greg from Aquascapes.
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.
Get Our Books
Looking for a beginner's guide to growing food in small spaces? Kevin’s book, Field Guide to Urban Gardening, explains the core, essential information that you'll need to grow plants, no matter where you live!
He also wrote Grow Bag Gardening to provide you with specialized knowledge that can bring you success when growing in fabric pots.
Preorder Kevin’s newest book Epic Homesteading if you are looking to turn your home into a thriving homestead!