The Urban Farm Podcast with Greg Peterson

A Garden Chat with Don TitmusJoin 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.Our Guest: Don grew up in London and at age 16 spent 4 years being trained in horticulture through an apprenticeship and a college course. From there he continued landscaping in his hometown until he moved to Arizona in 1981, where he worked in landscaping and then starting his own business in garden maintenance. In 2003 he attended a Permaculture Design Course, which was life-changing for Don. He knew right away that this was the path he’d been waiting for, and later attended two Permaculture Teacher Trainings.Visit www.urbanfarm.org/877-garden for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!Toby Hemenway's Book Reference - Gaia's GardenNeed a little bit of advice or just a feedback on your design for your yard or garden?The Urban Farm Team is offering consults over the phone or zoom. Get the benefits of a personalized garden and yard space analysis without the cost of trip charges. You can chat with Greg or choose one of the senior members of our Urban Farm team to get permaculture based feedback.Click HERE to learn more!Become an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 850 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click HERE to learn more. *Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

A Rosie On The House ReplayIn this episode we explore the concept of wicking bed gardens, hosted by Romey Romero & Farmer Greg, our guest is Ray Jess, a Master Gardener and hard goods manager of the Urban Farm Fruit Tree Program Store. Ray explains his journey from traditional gardening, which he has practiced since childhood in Central California, to discovering wicking beds during his Master Gardener training. He details the construction and benefits of wicking beds, which water plants from the bottom up, saving 40-50% of water, reducing nutrient loss, and requiring less frequent watering. Ray also describes the materials needed for building a wicking bed, and the principles behind its operation, including capillary action, evaporation, and condensation. The episode also touches on the suitability of different plants for wicking beds, the importance of garden bed orientation, and the process of succession planting.Visit www.UrbanFarm.org/876-Rosie for the show notes and links on this episode!Need a little bit of advice or just a feedback on your design for your yard or garden?The Urban Farm Team is offering consults over the phone or zoom. Get the benefits of a personalized garden and yard space analysis without the cost of trip charges. You can chat with Greg, Janis or Ray to get permaculture based feedback.Click HERE to learn more!Become an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 850 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click HERE to learn more.*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

A Seed Chat with Bill McDormanIn 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..Visit www.urbanfarm.org/875-seed for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!What is the Seed Chat?At least ten times a year we have a live Seed Saving Class with Bill McDorman, the former Executive Director of Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance, Ketchum, Idaho. He got his start in the bio-regional seed movement while in college in 1979 when he helped start Garden City Seeds. In 1984, Bill started Seeds Trust/High Altitude Gardens, a mail order seed company he ran successfully until it sold in 2013. Come join us for the next live class, or catch up on our previous classes through our podcast episodes.  Either way you will expand your seed knowledge and gain new perspectives on your food system. Register anytime for the next event.Register Here for the Monthly Seed Saving Class with Live Q&ABecome an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 850 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click HERE to learn more.*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

The Gardenerd strikes again.In This Podcast: Returning guest Christy Wilhelmi discusses her new book, 'High Yield Small Space Organic Gardening.' Christy, founder of Garden Nerd, shares her expertise on small space, biointensive, and organic gardening techniques that allow her to generate up to 70% of her family's produce from just 300 square feet. Our conversation includes plant placement strategies, the importance of soil health, pest control, and various garden DIY projects. Additionally, Christie underscores the significance of testing soil quality and provides insights into the benefits of using a product called a tomato crib.Our Guest:  Christy is founder of Garden Nerd, the ultimate resource for garden nerds, where she publishes her popular blog, top ranked podcast and YouTube videos. She also specializes in small space, organic vegetable garden design, consulting, and classes. Between 50 and 70% of her family's produce comes from her garden of less than 300 square feet. She's also the author of High Yield Small Space Organic Gardening, 400 Tips for Gardening Success, grow Your Own Mini Fruit Garden, and her debut Novel Garden Variety.Visit UrbanFarm.org/HighYield for the show notes and links on this episode! Contact Christy at GardeNerd.comGet Christy's book HERENeed a little bit of advice or just a feedback on your design for your yard or garden?The Urban Farm Team is offering consults over the phone or zoom. Get the benefits of a personalized garden and yard space analysis without the cost of trip charges. You can chat with Greg, Janis or Ray to get permaculture based feedback.Click HERE to learn more!Become an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 850 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click HERE to learn more.*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

Diving into community design with AgrihoodsIn This Podcast: We dive into what AgriHoods are and their transformative impact on communities. Hosts Sarah Rosenberger and Matthew Geldin from Farmscape discuss their roles and experiences with AgriHood projects. Sarah explains her background in urban farming and her journey through various community-based agricultural programs, while Matthew shares his expertise in vegetable gardening and farm maintenance. We explore the concept of AgriHoods, which are communities centered around agricultural amenities like farms and gardens. Key benefits include providing access to nourishing food, encouraging outdoor activity, and fostering a sense of community. They highlight successful projects such as Rancho Mission Viejo and the challenges of implementing AgriHoods, emphasizing the importance of intentional design and adequate funding. Our Guests: Sarah has been working at Agrihood sites since 2015 and works for Farmscape in a few different roles. She is passionate about designing programs that exist at the intersection between farms, ecology and human residents. After nearly a decade of working in these types of programs she serves as a consultant for developers of all scales to implement edible and ecologically vibrant amenity spaces and engagement programs. Matthew has been Farmscape’s Head Farmer in Southern California since 2014, overseeing the weekly maintenance of hundreds of projects from backyard gardens to neighborhood farms. He is an expert in raised bed vegetable gardening and developed the company’s farming service manual.Sarah's Book Recommendation - The Art of Gathering by Priya ParkerMatthew's Book Recommendation - The Botany of Desire by Michael PollanVisit UrbanFarm.org/FarmscapeAgrihood for the show notes and links on this episode! Need a little bit of advice or just a feedback on your design for your yard or garden?The Urban Farm Team is offering consults over the phone or zoom. Get the benefits of a personalized garden and yard space analysis without the cost of trip charges. You can chat with Greg, Janis or Ray to get permaculture based feedback.Click HERE to learn more!Become an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 850 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click HERE to learn more.*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

Sourdough Tools and Tricks for BakersIn This Podcast: Greg interviews Erik Fabian, co-founder of Sourhouse, about his journey and the innovations his company brings to sourdough baking. Sourhouse, based in Asheville, creates tools for home bakers, including a countertop device called Goldie. Erik shares his background as a home baker and marketer, his challenges and inspiration during the COVID-19 lockdown, and how Sourhouse successfully launched via Kickstarter. He talks about the importance of sourdough in understanding and improving the food system, the benefits of sourdough baking, and the supportive sourdough community. Eric shares how his product Goldie helps maintain sourdough starter conditions and the benefits of consistent sourdough starter temperature.The episode is filled with practical advice for both novice and experienced bakers, including tips on creating and maintaining starters, as well as encouraging generosity and community building through baking. Wrapping up with Sourhouse's Bake for Your Neighbors initiative and the 1 Percent for Asheville program to support local recovery efforts. Our Guest:  Erik is co founder of Sour House, an Asheville based company making tools for sourdough home bakers. In the early days of COVID, when the world was learning to bake sourdough, he envisioned a countertop device called Goldie to help bakers care for their sourdough starters, he teamed up with his industrial designer, friend, Jennifer Yoko Olson to create their first products. Sour House now sells their products to bakers worldwide. Their first product Goldie recently received a best kitchen gear award from Good Housekeeping.Erik's Recommended Book - Southern Ground by Jenifer LapidusVisit UrbanFarm.org/SourHouse for the show notes and links on this episode! Need a little bit of advice or just a feedback on your design for your yard or garden?The Urban Farm Team is offering consults over the phone or zoom. Get the benefits of a personalized garden and yard space analysis without the cost of trip charges. You can chat with Greg, Janis or Ray to get permaculture based feedback.Click HERE to learn more!Become an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 850 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click HERE to learn more.*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

A Garden Chat with Don TitmusJoin Farmer Greg Peterson 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 and ethics of permaculture focusing on Earth care, people care, and fair share. This episodes sets the stage for a series of eight more sessions focusing on the individual permaculture principles. They emphasize the organic and adaptable nature of permaculture, likening it to martial arts in energy flow and management. The conversation also touches on practical implementations of permaculture in gardening and community, encouraging a sustainable and regenerative approach to living in harmony with nature.Our Guest: Don grew up in London and at age 16 spent 4 years being trained in horticulture through an apprenticeship and a college course. From there he continued landscaping in his hometown until he moved to Arizona in 1981, where he worked in landscaping and then starting his own business in garden maintenance. In 2003 he attended a Permaculture Design Course, which was life-changing for Don. He knew right away that this was the path he’d been waiting for, and later attended two Permaculture Teacher Trainings.Visit www.urbanfarm.org/871-garden for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!Need a little bit of advice or just a feedback on your design for your yard or garden?The Urban Farm Team is offering consults over the phone or zoom. Get the benefits of a personalized garden and yard space analysis without the cost of trip charges. You can chat with Greg or choose one of the senior members of our Urban Farm team to get permaculture based feedback.Click HERE to learn more!Become an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 850 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click HERE to learn more. *Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

Our monthly Seed Chat at SeedChat.orgIn This Podcast: In this month's Seed Chat, Greg Peterson and Bill McDorman discuss seed planting, soil temperatures, and techniques for successful gardening. They talk about the Great American Seed Up initiative, which aims to provide communities with affordable seeds through bulk purchases and local events. Highlighting the importance of community involvement in seed resilience, Bill shares a story of a successful effort by a Mormon community in Idaho. The conversation also covers tips for starting seeds indoors with seed mats, avoiding root-bound plants, and the significance of perennial herbs. The discussion emphasizes the vital role of seeds in local food security and sustainability, encouraging people to participate in community seed-saving efforts..Visit UrbanFarm.org/870-seed for the show notes and links on this episode! Need a little bit of advice or just a feedback on your design for your yard or garden?The Urban Farm Team is offering consults over the phone or zoom. Get the benefits of a personalized garden and yard space analysis without the cost of trip charges. You can chat with Greg, Janis or Ray to get permaculture based feedback.Click HERE to learn more!Become an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 850 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click HERE to learn more.*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

A Rosie On The House Radio Show ReplayIn This Podcast: Rosie on the House replay features Romey Romero, Farmer Greg and Paige Mollen from the Mollen Foundation discussing the Garfield Farm to School initiative. They discuss the importance of connecting children to their food sources through local food procurement, school gardens, and food education. The initiative includes various activities such as student-led farm stands, composting, and soil health education, all aiming to integrate food into learning and promote sustainable practices. Mollen Foundation key values such as regeneration, nourishment, and partnership are emphasized throughout the discussion. The episode also mentions the Mollen Foundation's annual events, including a 10K, half marathon, and the addition of a full marathon, all supporting health and education programs.  Paige Mollen is with the Mollen Foundation. Their school programs teach students about healthy food through gardening, cooking, and mindfulness. These programs are part of the farm to school movement, which connects schools with local food.Visit www.UrbanFarm.org/868-Rosie for the show notes and links on this episode!Need a little bit of advice or just a feedback on your design for your yard or garden?The Urban Farm Team is offering consults over the phone or zoom. Get the benefits of a personalized garden and yard space analysis without the cost of trip charges. You can chat with Greg, Janis or Ray to get permaculture based feedback.Click HERE to learn more!Become an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 850 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click HERE to learn more.*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

Erin and Elise are out to change the local food economy.In This Podcast: Greg speaks with Erin Erickson and her mother, Elise Pitterly, who are part of a mother-daughter team aiming to transform the food economy in Phoenix. They own a small urban farm in South Tempe where they grow a variety of produce and raise poultry. Erin, with a background in vineyard farming from Oregon, and Elise, a certified master gardener, share their journey from initial challenges to developing a flourishing farm using permaculture and regenerative agriculture. They discuss the impact of the pandemic on their decision to move to Arizona, exploring new gardening techniques inspired by various YouTube homesteaders. They touch on the importance of local farming, community support, and their approach to market their produce effectively. Additionally, they highlight their upcoming venture of launching a region-specific veggie start box for local gardeners..Our Guest:  Erin and her husband, Todd raise their three daughters, maintain a thousand square foot garden, and care for various poultry. Erin grew up on a vineyard in Oregon, and loves passing on her passion for gardening to her kids and community. Her mother, Elise, is a certified master gardener with decades of experience dedicated to growing food and teaching others. Together, they sell produce at the Uptown Farmer's Market and are launching a region specific veggie start box to help local gardeners thrive In Arizona's unique climate.Book RecommendationsErin - The Marvelous Pigness of Pigs by Joel SalatinElise - Vegetables Love Flowers by Lisa Mason Ziegler'sVisit UrbanFarm.org/TempeGardenGirls for the show notes and links on this episode! Need a little bit of advice or just a feedback on your design for your yard or garden?The Urban Farm Team is offering consults over the phone or zoom. Get the benefits of a personalized garden and yard space analysis without the cost of trip charges. You can chat with Greg, Janis or Ray to get permaculture based feedback.Click HERE to learn more!Become an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 850 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click HERE to learn more.*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.