
The Beet: A Podcast For Plant Lovers
The Beet started its existence as the Epic Gardening Podcast but has grown into a one-stop shop for plant lovers. Each week, we explore topics ranging from beginner gardening tips to in-depth discussions with industry and science experts. Here, we’ll open up new gardening horizons, inspire you to greater heights, share new and exciting discoveries in agriculture, and fill your mind with freshly harvested information you can apply to your own gardening journey.
Latest episodes

Aug 5, 2024 • 16min
How to Improve Strawberry Flavor
Good combinations of sweet and acidity is what makes strawberry flavor for Dr. Gerald Holmes, Director of the CalPoly Strawberry Center. While varieties have traits that promote good flavor, proper cultivation and climate alters flavors in myriad ways.
Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3YvLyVw
Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3LPSCEF
Book Collection Page: https://growepic.co/4ca784T
EG Homesteading Book: https://growepic.co/3YxVgXh
Learn More: 11 Strawberry-Growing Mistakes to Avoid This YearConnect With Gerald Holmes:Gerald Holmes is the founding Director of the Strawberry Center at Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo. Gerald got his Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from UC Riverside in 1994 then worked as a Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor in Imperial County for three years. For the next 12 years he was an Extension Vegetable Pathologist and Associate Professor at NC State University then worked six years as Product Development Manager for Valent USA Corporation before becoming Director of the Strawberry Center in 2014.
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Shop the StoreAs 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 BooksLooking 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! Order signed copies of Kevin’s books, plus more of his favorite titles in our store.More ResourcesLooking for more information? Follow us:
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Aug 3, 2024 • 46min
Gardening in Crank Mode with Jacques Lyakov | The Beet
In this full episode of the Beet Podcast, Kevin and Jacques have a conversation about their gardens. Crops that are flourishing in the summer season are in crank mode. If you want to know how to get your garden into crank mode, listen here!
EG shop homepage: https://growepic.co/4deLMEs
Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3Yh1lHp
EG book collection page: https://growepic.co/3Yh1tXp
EG homesteading book: https://growepic.co/4fgk4Jf
Learn More: 12 Beginner Gardening Mistakes to Avoid This SummerConnect With Jacques:
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Jacques’ Website
Shop the StoreAs 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 BooksLooking 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! Order signed copies of Kevin’s books, plus more of his favorite titles in our store.More ResourcesLooking for more information? Follow us:
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Aug 2, 2024 • 11min
The Theory of Crank
Could you get a garden into crank mode sooner? It all starts with proper fertility – namely, available nitrogen. Follow up that base with appropriate amounts of macronutrients and trace minerals, and crank mode begins!
EG shop homepage: https://growepic.co/3YkbXFz
Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/4cTUPec
EG book collection page: https://growepic.co/3WGiRE1
EG homesteading book: https://growepic.co/4cRMTKu
Learn More: 12 Beginner Gardening Mistakes to Avoid This SummerConnect With Jacques:
Jacques’ YouTube
Jacques’ Instagram
Jacques’ Website
Shop the StoreAs 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 BooksLooking 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! Order signed copies of Kevin’s books, plus more of his favorite titles in our store.More ResourcesLooking for more information? Follow us:
Our Blog
YouTube (Including The Beet Podcast, Epic Homesteading and Jacques in the Garden and Botanical Interest )
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Aug 1, 2024 • 12min
Top Garden Crankers
Jacques tomatoes are simply popping off this year. The lack of May Grey in San Diego, and his attentive care and fertilization helped. In this episode, Kevin and Jacques discuss their top crops this summer, and what they did to get them to crank.
EG shop homepage: https://growepic.co/3A0fkaJ
Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3Sqys89
EG book collection page: https://growepic.co/3ybY41C
EG homesteading book: https://growepic.co/3WEpaI0
Learn More: 12 Beginner Gardening Mistakes to Avoid This SummerConnect With Jacques:
Jacques’ YouTube
Jacques’ Instagram
Jacques’ Website
Shop the StoreAs 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 BooksLooking 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! Order signed copies of Kevin’s books, plus more of his favorite titles in our store.More ResourcesLooking for more information? Follow us:
Our Blog
YouTube (Including The Beet Podcast, Epic Homesteading and Jacques in the Garden and Botanical Interest )
Instagram (Including Epic...
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 31, 2024 • 14min
Update on the Epic Test Garden
Kevin and Jacques discuss happenings in the four 4x4 test gardens at the Epic Homestead. Previous experiments involved soil-testing, and tomato-burying. There’s even more experimentation planned to give gardeners a good idea of what works and what doesn’t.
EG shop homepage: https://growepic.co/4cWbspL
Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/46qrKof
EG book collection page: https://growepic.co/3Yl9tH1
EG homesteading book: https://growepic.co/4fi0fBn
Learn More: 12 Beginner Gardening Mistakes to Avoid This SummerConnect With Jacques:
Jacques’ YouTube
Jacques’ Instagram
Jacques’ Website
Shop the StoreAs 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 BooksLooking 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! Order signed copies of Kevin’s books, plus more of his favorite titles in our store.More ResourcesLooking for more information? Follow us:
Our Blog
YouTube (Including The Beet Podcast, Epic Homesteading and Jacques in the Garden and Botanical Interest )
Instagram (Including Epic...
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 30, 2024 • 11min
Break Structure, Break Edge
What interesting plantings did Jacques and Kevin grow over the last couple of years? For Jacques, it’s okra with cucumbers as a living mulch. Kevin twined his indeterminate tomatoes with cucumbers. Unique and interesting pairings are a great way to ensure heavy yields.
EG shop homepage: https://growepic.co/46p8isg
Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/4bZw1QD
EG book collection page: https://growepic.co/3Woy3UK
EG homesteading book: https://growepic.co/3WBGYUi
Learn More: 12 Beginner Gardening Mistakes to Avoid This SummerConnect With Jacques:
Jacques’ YouTube
Jacques’ Instagram
Jacques’ Website
Shop the StoreAs 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 BooksLooking 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! Order signed copies of Kevin’s books, plus more of his favorite titles in our store.More ResourcesLooking for more information? Follow us:
Our Blog
YouTube (Including The Beet Podcast, Epic Homesteading and Jacques in the Garden and Botanical Interest )
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Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 29, 2024 • 12min
Get Your Garden Into Crank Mode
Kevin and Jacques never know which part of their summer gardens will pop off. This year, it’s corn for Kevin, and tomatoes for Jacques. Is it a couple of seasons of compost added to the top of a raised bed that gets J and K into crank mode? Find out here!
EG shop homepage: https://growepic.co/3WGe6cr
Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3ydIIJX
EG book collection page: https://growepic.co/4cW9WE5
EG homesteading book: https://growepic.co/4fynHuv
Learn More: 12 Beginner Gardening Mistakes to Avoid This SummerConnect With Jacques:
Jacques’ YouTube
Jacques’ Instagram
Jacques’ Website
Shop the StoreAs 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 BooksLooking 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! Order signed copies of Kevin’s books, plus more of his favorite titles in our store.More ResourcesLooking for more information? Follow us:
Our Blog
YouTube (Including The Beet Podcast, Epic Homesteading and Jacques in the Garden and Botanical Interest )
Instagram (Including Epic...
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 27, 2024 • 49min
Integrated Pest Management with Susan Mulvihill | The Beet
Pest control is an important aspect of organic gardening. And as a master gardener, Susan Mulvihill has tons of experience with integrated pest management (IPM). In this full episode of the Beet Podcast, Susan and Kevin discuss common pests, misconceptions about them, and the best ways to control them and maintain a thriving organic garden.
EG shop homepage: https://growepic.co/4cXX0xn
Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/4bZ1rXl
EG book collection page: https://growepic.co/4bXdvsd
EG homesteading book: https://growepic.co/4cg4dId
Learn More: 7 Mistakes to Avoid When Fighting Garden PestsConnect With Susan Mulvihill:Susan Mulvihill is the author of the new book, The Vegetable Garden Problem Solver Handbook and The Vegetable Garden Pest Handbook. Susan has been a Master Gardener for over 20 years and is the Sunday garden columnist for The Spokesman-Review newspaper in Spokane, Washington. She and her husband, Bill, garden in raised beds. Her mission has been to teach everyone how to grow their own food, to respect nature by avoiding the use of chemicals, and encourages everyone to plant a diverse landscape to attract a wide variety of beneficial insects.
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Love Epic Gardening products?Apply to the Epic Affiliate Program. Shop the StoreAs 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 BooksLooking 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! Order signed copies of Kevin’s books, plus more of his favorite titles in our store.More... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 26, 2024 • 13min
Dealing with Diseases in Your Vegetable Garden
You have options while diagnosing your diseased plants. You can reach out to your local Master Gardeners group or you can consult Susan Mulvihill’s new book, The Vegetable Garden Problem Solver Handbook.
EG shop homepage: https://growepic.co/3YcB1hx
Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3Whv0Of
EG book collection page: https://growepic.co/3xWOEqJ
EG homesteading book: https://growepic.co/3A08yS4
Learn More: 7 Mistakes to Avoid When Fighting Garden PestsConnect With Susan Mulvihill:Susan Mulvihill is the author of the new book, The Vegetable Garden Problem Solver Handbook and The Vegetable Garden Pest Handbook. Susan has been a Master Gardener for over 20 years and is the Sunday garden columnist for The Spokesman-Review newspaper in Spokane, Washington. She and her husband, Bill, garden in raised beds. Her mission has been to teach everyone how to grow their own food, to respect nature by avoiding the use of chemicals, and encourages everyone to plant a diverse landscape to attract a wide variety of beneficial insects.
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Website
Love Epic Gardening products?Apply to the Epic Affiliate Program. Shop the StoreAs 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 BooksLooking 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! Order signed copies of Kevin’s books, plus more of his favorite titles in our store.More ResourcesLooking for more information? Follow us: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 25, 2024 • 13min
Can You Give a Plant TOO MUCH Light
Is there such a thing as giving your plants too of a good thing? Actually, yes. Plants teach us many lessons, one of which is - everything in moderation!
EG shop homepage: https://growepic.co/46gIaQf
Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/3Sjeufh
EG book collection page: https://growepic.co/4faAzGN
EG homesteading book: https://growepic.co/3SiemNd
Learn More: 7 Mistakes to Avoid When Fighting Garden PestsConnect With Susan Mulvihill:Susan Mulvihill is the author of the new book, The Vegetable Garden Problem Solver Handbook and The Vegetable Garden Pest Handbook. Susan has been a Master Gardener for over 20 years and is the Sunday garden columnist for The Spokesman-Review newspaper in Spokane, Washington. She and her husband, Bill, garden in raised beds. Her mission has been to teach everyone how to grow their own food, to respect nature by avoiding the use of chemicals, and encourages everyone to plant a diverse landscape to attract a wide variety of beneficial insects.
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Website
Love Epic Gardening products?Apply to the Epic Affiliate Program. Shop the StoreAs 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 BooksLooking 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! Order signed copies of Kevin’s books, plus more of his favorite titles in our store.More ResourcesLooking for more information? Follow us:
Our Blog
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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