The Beet: A Podcast For Plant Lovers

Episode Description: On this episode of The Beet, we turn up the heat with pepper pro Jason Tate of Bohica Pepper Hut. Jason walks us through everything you need to know about growing peppers – from seed starting, soil prep, and care tips, to tackling common pepper problems. Jason shares his go-to methods for harvesting, overwintering, and even growing peppers indoors, plus his expert advice on handling superhots safely.  Connect with Jason Tate: Jason Tate is the owner, founder, and farmer behind Bohica Pepper Hut. About six years ago, he started growing his first super-hot pepper plants, and his passion for peppers has only grown since. Today, Jason cultivates more than 250 varieties across his garden and property. In the fall of 2016, he launched “The Bohica Hut”, offering a wide range of pepper seeds, fresh and dried pods, and hot sauces to customers all across the U.S. Find more from Jason at his website: https://bohicapepperhut.com/ Find more from Jason on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bohicapepperhut/ Support The Beet: → Shop: https://growepic.co/shop → Seeds: https://growepic.co/botanicalinterests Learn More: → All Our Channels: https://growepic.co/youtube → Blog: https://growepic.co/blog → Podcast: https://growepic.co/podcasts → Discord: https://growepic.co/discord → Instagram: https://growepic.co/insta → TikTok: https://growepic.co/tiktok → Pinterest: https://growepic.co/pinterest → Twitter: https://growepic.co/twitter → Facebook: https://growepic.co/facebook → Facebook Group: https://growepic.co/fbgroup → Love our products? Become an Epic affiliate! https://growepic.co/3FjQXqV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode Description: In this episode of the Beet Podcast, we’re joined by Craig LeHoullier, for a deep dive into all things tomato. Craig shares his tips for growing epic tomatoes and how straw bales and containers can transform your tomato garden. We explore the groundbreaking Dwarf Tomato Breeding Project and how tomato color can actually hint at flavor. This juicy conversation is packed with wisdom from the Godfather of Tomato Growing. Connect with Craig LeHoullier: Craig LeHoullier, also known as the NC Tomatoman, is the breeder who named Cherokee Purple and authored Epic Tomatoes and Growing Vegetables in Straw Bales. He’s co-led the Dwarf Tomato Breeding Project and replaced his driveway with a thriving garden. With a vast collection of heirloom tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants, Craig has spent decades championing the colorful world of homegrown veggies. Find more from Craig LeHoullier on his website: https://www.craiglehoullier.com/ Find more from Craig LeHoullier at the Dwarf Tomato Project: https://www.craiglehoullier.com/dwarf-tomato-breeding-project/ Support The Beet: → Shop: https://growepic.co/shop → Seeds: https://growepic.co/botanicalinterests Learn More: → All Our Channels: https://growepic.co/youtube → Blog: https://growepic.co/blog → Podcast: https://growepic.co/podcasts → Discord: https://growepic.co/discord → Instagram: https://growepic.co/insta → TikTok: https://growepic.co/tiktok → Pinterest: https://growepic.co/pinterest → Twitter: https://growepic.co/twitter → Facebook: https://growepic.co/facebook → Facebook Group: https://growepic.co/fbgroup → Love our products? Become an Epic affiliate! https://growepic.co/3FjQXqV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Launch your business with a free trial of Shopify. Go to https://shopify.com/thebeet to learn more! Episode Description:  In this episode, Jacques sits down with horticulturist Wendy Proud to explore the beauty and resilience of arid climate plants. As a rep for Mountain States Wholesale Nursery, Wendy shares her deep knowledge of landscaping and plants' vital role in sustainable design. They dive into the challenges and rewards of her career in horticulture and her new educational initiative, the Kinship League. Connect with Wendy Proud: Wendy Proud is a dedicated horticulturist and advocate for resilient plants in Southwestern landscapes. As the California rep for Mountain States Wholesale Nursery and founder of the Kinship League, she works closely with landscape professionals to promote the beauty, resilience, and sustainability of arid-region plants. With a strong background in wholesale nursery growing and a passion for education, Wendy is committed to inspiring others to see the value and versatility of desert-friendly landscapes. Find more from Wendy Proud at the Kinship League Website: https://kinshipleague.com/  Find more from Wendy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinshipleague/  Support The Beet: → Shop: https://growepic.co/shop  → Seeds: https://growepic.co/botanicalinterests Learn More: → All Our Channels: https://growepic.co/youtube  → Blog: https://growepic.co/blog  → Podcast: https://growepic.co/podcasts  → Discord: https://growepic.co/discord  → Instagram: https://growepic.co/insta  → TikTok: https://growepic.co/tiktok  → Pinterest: https://growepic.co/pinterest  → Twitter: https://growepic.co/twitter  → Facebook: https://growepic.co/facebook  → Facebook Group: https://growepic.co/fbgroup  → Love our products? Become an Epic affiliate! https://growepic.co/3FjQXqV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode Description: In this episode of The Beet Podcast, we talk with Central Florida grower and plant seller David Scanlon, founder of Practical Plants. David shares his journey to establishing his food forest and nursery, and how he grows resilient and adapted crops, focusing on local food sovereignty and self-sufficiency.  Connect with David Scanlon: David Scanlon is a grower and plant seller based in Central Florida. He started Practical Plants to support home gardeners in growing their own food and becoming more self-sufficient. His work promotes local food sovereignty and builds resilient communities by preserving and sharing plant varieties that are well-adapted to the region’s unique climate and challenges. Find more from David on his website: https://practicalplantsfl.com/products/schedule-a-site-visit-consultation Find more from David on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/practical_plantsfl/ Support The Beet: → Shop: https://growepic.co/shop → Seeds: https://growepic.co/botanicalinterests Learn More: → All Our Channels: https://growepic.co/youtube → Blog: https://growepic.co/blog → Podcast: https://growepic.co/podcasts → Discord: https://growepic.co/discord → Instagram: https://growepic.co/insta → TikTok: https://growepic.co/tiktok → Pinterest: https://growepic.co/pinterest → Twitter: https://growepic.co/twitter → Facebook: https://growepic.co/facebook → Facebook Group: https://growepic.co/fbgroup → Love our products? Become an Epic affiliate! https://growepic.co/3FjQXqV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode has been brought to you by Fox Farm, crafting soil and fertilizers since 1984. Supercharge your plants by locating a Fox Farm retailer near you: https://foxfarm.com/find-a-dealer/ Episode Description:  In this episode of the Beet Podcast, Jacques chats with Cool Birds™ spokesperson Drin Chissus (also known as Bird Lady Drin) about all things feathered and fabulous. They dive into how birds can improve your garden and why you definitely want them hanging around. Learn how to create a bird-friendly space that keeps winged guests coming back for more. Connect with Drin Chissus: Adrianne “Drin” Chissus, aka “Bird Lady Drin,” is a wildlife advocate, birding expert, and the Director of Consumer & Bird Engagement at Global Harvest Foods and their flagship brand, Cool Birds™. With a deep passion for bird feeding and a knack for sharing practical, engaging tips, Drin inspires both beginners and seasoned bird lovers to see bird feeding as fun, fresh, and endlessly entertaining. Find more from Cool Birds™ here: https://morecoolbirds.com/  Find more from Drin on the Cool Birds™ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morecoolbirds/  Support The Beet: → Shop: https://growepic.co/shop  → Seeds: https://growepic.co/botanicalinterests  Learn More: → All Our Channels: https://growepic.co/youtube  → Blog: https://growepic.co/blog  → Podcast: https://growepic.co/podcasts  → Discord: https://growepic.co/discord  → Instagram: https://growepic.co/insta  → TikTok: https://growepic.co/tiktok  → Pinterest: https://growepic.co/pinterest  → Twitter: https://growepic.co/twitter  → Facebook: https://growepic.co/facebook  → Facebook Group: https://growepic.co/fbgroup  → Love our products? Become an Epic affiliate! https://growepic.co/3FjQXqV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to this week’s sponsor, Gorilla. Gorilla carts are built smart – always tough! Check out their products at https://www.gorillamade.com. Episode Description: This week on The Beet Podcast, we’re going big and digging into the archives for a Best of the Beet throwback with none other than Kevin Fortey of Giant Veg. Join the two Kevins as they discuss the wild world of giant vegetables, swap stories, and explore how Kevin F. became a legend in the land of oversized produce. Connect with Kevin Fortey: Kevin Fortey grew up in the world of giant veg, following in the footsteps of his dad – a pioneer of the UK’s giant vegetable movement and founder of the British National Pumpkin Championships. Since taking over the family legacy in 1996, Kevin’s family has grown record-breaking whoppers. He’s become a staple on TV, and earned a loyal following as one of the biggest names in big veggies. Find more from Kevin Fortey on his website: https://giantveg.co.uk/ Find more from Kevin Fortey on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/giantveg   Support The Beet: → Shop: https://growepic.co/shop  → Seeds: https://growepic.co/botanicalinterests  Learn More: → All Our Channels: https://growepic.co/youtube  → Blog: https://growepic.co/blog  → Podcast: https://growepic.co/podcasts  → Discord: https://growepic.co/discord  → Instagram: https://growepic.co/insta  → TikTok: https://growepic.co/tiktok  → Pinterest: https://growepic.co/pinterest  → Twitter: https://growepic.co/twitter  → Facebook: https://growepic.co/facebook  → Facebook Group: https://growepic.co/fbgroup → Love our products? Become an Epic affiliate! https://growepic.co/3FjQXqV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Launch your business with a free trial of Shopify. Go to https://shopify.com/thebeet to learn more! Episode Description: On this episode of The Beet Podcast, we explore the fascinating world of rare and endangered vegetables with seed hunter Adam Alexander, who tracks down hundreds of unique seed varieties on the brink of disappearing. He shares the stories behind these extraordinary plants, and why saving their seeds matters more than ever.  Connect with Adam Alexander: Since discovering his first heirloom pepper in Donetsk in the late ’80s, Adam Alexander has been on a mission to find, grow, and save rare, endangered, and delicious vegetables. A dedicated seed saver for the Heritage Seed Library, he’s now collected over 500 varieties—growing around 140 each year. Find more from Adam Alexander at his website: https://theseeddetective.co.uk/ Purchase "The Accidental Seed Heroes": https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/797554/the-accidental-seed-heroes-by-adam-alexander/ Support The Beet: → Shop: https://growepic.co/shop  → Seeds: https://growepic.co/botanicalinterests  Learn More: → All Our Channels: https://growepic.co/youtube  → Blog: https://growepic.co/blog  → Podcast: https://growepic.co/podcasts  → Discord: https://growepic.co/discord  → Instagram: https://growepic.co/insta  → TikTok: https://growepic.co/tiktok  → Pinterest: https://growepic.co/pinterest  → Twitter: https://growepic.co/twitter  → Facebook: https://growepic.co/facebook  → Facebook Group: https://growepic.co/fbgroup  → Love our products? Become an Epic affiliate! https://growepic.co/3FjQXqV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to Storyblocks for sponsoring this video! Get 2 extra months free with annual plans for a limited time only: https://storyblocks.com/TheBeet Episode Description: In this episode of the Beet Podcast, Jacques Lyakov sits down with Mark Valencia of Self Sufficient Me to discuss how his backyard garden turned into a global movement. They explore the link between self-sufficiency, mental health, and reconnecting with nature. Mark shares practical tips and big-picture inspiration for anyone looking to grow food and live more intentionally.  Connect with Mark Valencia: Mark Valencia started gardening out of necessity – to save money and support his family. But it quickly became much more, enriching his life and boosting his mental health. He launched Self Sufficient Me, now a popular blog and YouTube channel with over 2.3 million followers. Today, Mark inspires people worldwide to get outside, grow their own food, and slow down a little. Find more from Mark on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/selfsufficientme  Find more from Mark on his website: https://selfsufficientme.com/  Support The Beet: → Shop: https://growepic.co/shop  → Seeds: https://growepic.co/botanicalinterests  Learn More: → All Our Channels: https://growepic.co/youtube  → Blog: https://growepic.co/blog  → Podcast: https://growepic.co/podcasts  → Discord: https://growepic.co/discord  → Instagram: https://growepic.co/insta  → TikTok: https://growepic.co/tiktok  → Pinterest: https://growepic.co/pinterest  → Twitter: https://growepic.co/twitter  → Facebook: https://growepic.co/facebook  → Facebook Group: https://growepic.co/fbgroup  → Love our products? Become an Epic affiliate! https://growepic.co/3FjQXqV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode Description:  On this episode of the Beet Podcast, Jacques digs into all things fruit trees with orchard pro and influencer Susan Poizner. From childhood memories to juicy tips on growing your own, they cover it all. Tune in to learn how to grow fruit trees that actually bear fruit – sweet, delicious, and plentiful! Connect with Susan Poizner: Susan Poizner is a leading voice in fruit tree care, known for her award-winning educational resources. Her journey began in 2009 with the co-founding of Toronto’s Ben Nobleman Park Community Orchard. A journalist and BBC-trained media pro, Susan used her skills to dive deep into organic fruit tree care, developing a practical approach she now shares through her website. Find more from Susan Poizner at her website: https://learn.orchardpeople.com/about-susan  Find more from Susan Poizner on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orchardpeople/  Support The Beet: → Shop: https://growepic.co/shop  → Seeds: https://growepic.co/botanicalinterests  Learn More: → All Our Channels: https://growepic.co/youtube  → Blog: https://growepic.co/blog  → Podcast: https://growepic.co/podcasts  → Discord: https://growepic.co/discord  → Instagram: https://growepic.co/insta  → TikTok: https://growepic.co/tiktok  → Pinterest: https://growepic.co/pinterest  → Twitter: https://growepic.co/twitter  → Facebook: https://growepic.co/facebook  → Facebook Group: https://growepic.co/fbgroup  → Love our products? Become an Epic affiliate! https://growepic.co/3FjQXqV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Launch your business with a free trial of Shopify. Go to https://shopify.com/thebeet to learn more! Episode Description:  The standards for organic farming were built with care and good intentions. But when today’s Beet Podcast guest discovered they’d been co-opted, he set out to change that. What started as a farmer organizing turned into a lifelong mission to reclaim the original meaning of “organic” by focusing on the soil. He and Logan dig into organic farming – and the tangled rules around what the word means today. Connect with Dave Chapman: Dave Chapman has been farming for 37 years and now runs Long Wind Farm in Vermont. He’s Co-Director of the Real Organic Project and a founding member of Vermont Organic Farmers. A driving force behind the Keep The Soil In Organic movement, Dave works to reclaim organic standards from the USDA. Through his roles in key associations and task forces, he’s pushing to restore the true meaning of “organic”. Find more from Dave at the Real Organic Project: https://realorganicproject.org/ Support The Beet: → Shop: https://growepic.co/shop  → Seeds: https://growepic.co/botanicalinterests  Learn More: → All Our Channels: https://growepic.co/youtube  → Blog: https://growepic.co/blog  → Podcast: https://growepic.co/podcasts  → Discord: https://growepic.co/discord  → Instagram: https://growepic.co/insta  → TikTok: https://growepic.co/tiktok  → Pinterest: https://growepic.co/pinterest  → Twitter: https://growepic.co/twitter  → Facebook: https://growepic.co/facebook  → Facebook Group: https://growepic.co/fbgroup  → Love our products? Become an Epic affiliate! https://growepic.co/3FjQXqV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices