Best Beneficial Insects Podcasts (2024)

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356 Q&A - Controlling Fruit Tree Pests, Soil Solarization around trees, The Asian Garden Beetle 32:23

1h ago32:23

32:23

We talk with fruit tree expert Ed Laivo today about how to control the four-legged varmints (as well as the winged ones) that get to your backyard fruit before you do. Plus, he has recommendations for potting mixes to grow fruit trees in containers. Is it safe to solarize soil with clear plastic to kill weeds or a lawn, if there’s a fruit tree in t…

1
Avoiding planetary boundary overshoot with Kate Meyer (PPF)

13h ago

—

In this episode of the People | Planet | Food podcast series, I chat with Kate Meyer, Founder and CEO of the Planetary Accounting Network (PAN). This small not-for-profit organisation from Wānaka is dedicated to translating cutting-edge earth systems science into actionable plans that help individuals, businesses, and governments operate within glo…

1
355 Rhubarb Growing Basics for Warm Climates 40:38

7d ago40:38

40:38

“Can you grow rhubarb here?” For those who have moved from colder climates to the warmer USDA zones, that might be a popular question. Memories of rhubarb pie, jams, and more while growing up back East or in the Midwest might have you hankering for fresh rhubarb. The plant, however, dislikes climates where summers get over 90 degrees on a regular b…

1
354 Lawn Substitutes 34:36

2h ago34:36

34:36

Fred and Debbie Flower discuss the trend of lawn elimination and alternative landscape options to save water. They explore lawn alternatives that require less maintenance and water, such as no-mow lawns, fescue varieties, and groundcovers like dymondia, kurapia, and clover. They also discuss the need for proper irrigation and maintenance in all typ…

1
Beginners guide to gene technologies (NT)

1d ago

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Over the last 25 years, genetic techniques have rapidly evolved. In this episode of Scigest, scientists Blue Plunkett and Dr Revel Drummond provide a brief guide to the latest gene technologies. What is a null segregant? What is CRISPR-Cas9? How do these cutting-edge tools differ from earlier GMO technologies? Note: Since we recorded this Dame Juli…

1
353 It's All About the Soil (for a Successful Garden!) 51:14

22d ago51:14

51:14

Today, we talk with Kevin Marini, a community education specialist with the University of California Cooperative Extension, about the topics of soil and successful gardening. We talk about the pros and cons of using native soil versus commercial soil, the importance of improving native soil, the use of bagged mixes in raised beds, and the role of o…

1
352 Mint Choices for Cooking. All About Zinnias. 32:18

20d ago32:18

32:18

What are the best mint varieties to use for cooking? We talk with a professional herb grower about the myriad of culinary herb choices available. Is there a better summer flower than Zinnias? This colorful warm weather annual comes in a wide variety of sizes, colors, and flower shapes…and it makes for a great cut flower, too! America’s Favorite Ret…

1
Rob Agnew: Changing weather into wine (SLFM)

9d ago

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For nearly 40 years, retiring scientist Rob Agnew has dedicated his career to logging and analysing the changing weather patterns in the Marlborough region. In this episode of Scigest, our new podcaster, Dion Mundy, sits down with Rob Agnew to explore his impactful career from his work in protecting the wine industry through meteorological trend st…

1
351 Honey, I Shrunk the Fruit Trees! 56:04

11d ago56:04

56:04

In this episode, Farmer Fred and Kevin Marini discuss the importance of thinning fruit trees and maintaining their height. Kevin Marini, a certified arborist and community education specialist with UC Cooperative Extension, also talks about the benefits of keeping fruit trees at a manageable height, the process of bringing down the height of a tree…

1
350 New Home? First Garden Tips 29:35

28d ago29:35

29:35

Looking to start a first garden in a new home? Before digging, do some planning, and some research. Today, America’s Favorite Retired College Horticultural Professor, Debbie Flower, and I have tips for getting that first garden off to a great start at your new home. And, we answer about how to garden when there’s a concrete patio in the way. We’re …

1
349 Stressed? Your Garden Can Help. 33:24

1M ago33:24

33:24

Gardening and being in nature can help reduce stress and anxiety. Forest bathing, or simply spending time in a natural environment, has been shown to have calming effects. Having a garden or indoor plants can also provide stress relief. Aromatic plants, such as jasmine, lavender, and mint, can have a soothing effect on the mind and body. Taking the…

1
An irresistible virgin redback spider lure (BDIS)

26d ago

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Redback spiders have established populations in Central Otago and Taranaki, posing a threat to human health and taonga native species such as the critically endangered Cromwell chafer beetle.We talk to Chemist Dr Andrew Twidle, who is leading the development of a pheromone tool to eradicate these invasive redback spiders, the first attempt in the w…

1
348 The Tastiest Peaches and Plums. Improving Sandy Soil. Raised Bed Drainage Tips. 38:12

1M ago38:12

38:12

Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasics.net. Audio, transcripts, and episode chapters also available at Buzzsprout. Pictured: Garden Gold Peach in Bloom Links: Subscribe to the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter https://gardenbasics.substack.com Sm…

1
347 Travelers' Garden Basics Playlist. All About Berries. Slugs in Compost. 41:08

2M ago41:08

41:08

It’s a holiday weekend and you might be traveling. What about a Garden Basics playlist for that long car ride or for listening to while lounging around someplace cool? We have suggestions for that playlist - the five most listened-to Garden Basics episodes. Also: wherever you live, you can probably grow some kind of berries. Today, we revisit our c…

1
The future urban consumer - part 2 (SITK)

1M ago

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Join us for the latest insights from a comprehensive global study on consumer preferences, following up on our initial Future Urban Consumer podcast from October last year. Understanding consumer attitudes is crucial when developing new food technologies and farming systems. Plant & Food Research's Future Urban Consumer programme delves into how co…

1
346 All About Soil Thermometers, pH Testing, Cardboard Mulch 29:08

2M ago29:08

29:08

How do use and adjust a soil thermometer? Why is my soil pH so variable at different soil depths? How do you use cardboard to replace a lawn and start a garden? Those are some of the questions, along with scenic bypasses - of course - that we’ll be tackling today. And there’s a lot of great garden tips in those scenic bypasses today. It’s all in Ep…

1
345 The Heart Healthy Garden, Live! 40:48

2M ago40:48

40:48

Did you know rose petals are edible, and contain lots of healthy fiber? That's part of today’s podcast, recorded live, in February 2024, at the Sacramento Rose Society's monthly meeting. The main topic is growing the Heart Healthy Garden! And roses can be an edible part of that healthy landscape. This podcast episode features foods to grow that can…

1
344 Q&A - Tomato Seed Saving? Seeding Mulched Area? 15:19

3M ago15:19

15:19

In this episode of the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, Fred Hoffman and Master Gardener Gail Pothour discuss saving tomato seeds. They address the question of whether saved tomato seeds will produce the same tomato variety and provide tips for ensuring seed purity. The conversation covers topics such as flower structure, pollination, isolat…

1
Exploring agritech with Brendan O’Connell (PPF)

2M ago

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In this episode of People | Planet | Food, Roger Robson-Williams speaks with Brendan O’Connell, Chief Executive of AgritechNZ, to discuss the role of agritech in creating a healthier, fairer, and more environmentally friendly food system. Brendan shares his perspective on what agritech is, how it can help, and how AgritechNZ supports a diverse rang…

1
343 A Tour of Debbie Flower's Garden 53:00

2M ago53:00

53:00

We pay a visit to the garden of America’s Favorite Retired College Horticulture Professor, Debbie Flower. It’s a living classroom on thriving low water use plants. Debbie talks in detail about the plants, many of which are California natives, and discusses the strategies of hydrozoning (grouping plants together based on their watering needs), desig…

1
342 Q&A Grow Carrots in Summer? Weed Cloth - Good or Bad? 18:31

3M ago18:31

18:31

Master Gardener Fred Hoffman and his guests answers garden questions from listeners on the Tuesday edition of the Garden Basics podcast. The first question is about weed cloth and its impact on soil improvement and fertilization. Fred and Debbie Flower advise removing the weed cloth and using just mulch instead. The second question is about plantin…

1
341 Fred's Garden Tour with Debbie 47:33

2M ago47:33

47:33

Something a little different today. America’s Favorite Retired College Horticulture Professor, Debbie Flower and myself take a stroll through the Farmer Fred backyard garden, talking about the plants, and discussing the strategies to make them successful plants, with, of course, all sorts of garden tips thrown in. It’s the ultimate scenic bypass ep…

1
Dion Mundy: new tech for the vine doctor (SLFM)

2M ago

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New technologies are essential in helping scientists and growers combat vine diseases in vineyards. This week, podcaster and data scientist Tom Moore interviews vine doctor Dion Mundy about his latest research on plant disease monitoring, disease identification, and modelling for future climate changes. Dion was one of our first interviews on Scige…

1
340 Q&A Cross-Pollination Concerns, Best Cities and States for Gardening 20:05

3M ago20:05

20:05

Farmer Fred and Debbie Flower discuss: •The impact of climate and weather on gardening success. •Understanding cross-pollination and its implications for seed saving and plant breeding. •The importance of local conditions and location-specific knowledge in gardening. •Different perspectives on the best US cities for gardening, highlighting the infl…

1
339 How To Water Clay Soil (and more clay gardening tips!) 34:15

3M ago34:15

34:15

In this episode of Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, the focus is on how to water clay soil and other tips for gardening in clay. Debbie Flower, America's Favorite retired college horticultural professor, shares valuable insights on the topic. The episode covers the characteristics of clay soil, the importance of organic matter, watering techniques, …

1
058: What To Do In Your June Garden 18:39

3M ago18:39

18:39

📩 Questions? Email me at jessica@homegrownfoodandflowers.com Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps new gardeners find the show 💚 💻 Website and Blog: Homegrown Food and Flowers 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homegrownfoodandflowers/By Homegrown Food and Flowers

1
338 Q&A Squash Flowers? Fertilizer Application? Tart Cherries? 25:14

3M ago25:14

25:14

In this episode of the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, Fred and his expert guests answer questions about: • Squash pollination woes with Master Gardener and vegetable expert Gail Pothour. • The timing and application of plant fertilizer, with America's Favorite Retired College Horticulture Professor, Debbie Flower. • Choosing tart/sour cher…

1
337 How To Choose Nursery Plants. Tips for Starting a School Garden. 52:49

3M ago52:49

52:49

If you’re the type of gardener that buys flowering plants at a nursery that are covered in blooms, America’s Favorite Retired College Horticulture Professor, Debbie Flower, will explain why you shouldn’t do that, and a lot more nursery plant shopping tips! Also, we have tips for starting an elementary school garden. And you don’t have to be a schoo…

1
Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest flume tank (FTS)

3M ago

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Plant & Food Research's Nelson site is home to Aotearoa New Zealand's largest flume tank, an innovative facility that allows scientists to test and develop new technologies in both simulated open ocean and controlled laboratory environments. In this week's podcast, Julie Blommaert sits down with fellow scientists Suzy Black and Louise Kregting to d…

1
057: Companion Planting In Containers: Tips and Combination Ideas 28:08

4M ago28:08

28:08

📩 Questions? Email me at jessica@homegrownfoodandflowers.com Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps new gardeners find the show 💚 💻 Website and Blog: Homegrown Food and Flowers 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homegrownfoodandflowers/By Homegrown Food and Flowers

1
336 Q&A Kitchen Scraps in the Garden? When to Plant a Magnolia Tree? 18:09

4M ago18:09

18:09

In this episode, Farmer Fred answers a listener's question about burying kitchen scraps in the garden. He discusses the potential problems with this method, including attracting scavengers and affecting the quality of the soil microbiology. He suggests composting the kitchen scraps first or using alternative methods like African keyhole gardens. De…

1
335 Roof Rat Controls, Asparagus-Lemon Recipes 35:01

4M ago35:01

35:01

The first chat today involves roof rats (and is an encore presentation while construction is ongoing here at Barking Dog). It will be particularly useful for those of you with large yards, or acreage, or even a small farm, in which you have a large orchard. And for those of you suburban dwellers who might have a few citrus trees, or, for that matte…

1
GB 334 Q&A Rhubarb for Hot Climates? Lights for Seedlings? 21:20

4M ago21:20

21:20

The first question on the Tuesday Q&A edition of the Garden Basics podcast is about growing rhubarb in hot weather. Fred and his guests, Master Gardeners Kathy Morrison and Ruth Ostroff, discuss their experiences with growing rhubarb in Sacramento. They also share a rhubarb recipe. The second question is about grow lights for starting tomato and pe…

1
056: How To Work With A Shady Garden 20:27

4M ago20:27

20:27

Even though a shady garden space isn't ideal for all gardeners, there are still a ton of options when choosing what to plant. Plus, with the tips in this episode, you might be able to adapt to your shady situation that you have in the past. 📩 Questions? Email me at jessica@homegrownfoodandflowers.com Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It help…

1
Future-Fit: Navigating Sustainability with Martin Rich (PPF)

3M ago

—

In this episode of the People | Planet | Food podcast series, host Roger Robson-Williams talks to Martin Rich, a former investment banker turned Chief Executive of the UK’s Future-Fit Foundation. Martin shares his journey from international finance to earth systems science and doughnut economics and explains why he now leads a sustainability charit…

1
333 Controlling Snails & Slugs, Feed Your Soil, Grow Your Own Protein 42:12

4M ago42:12

42:12

We are in the midst of spring construction here, so we are taking the opportunity to not shout over the whine of power saws and the banging hammers. Instead, we will be revisiting some of the most popular segments ever aired on our podcast. In Episode 83, we explained why feeding your soil yields better results than feeding your plants. Sound confu…

1
332 Q&A Whiteflies? 1st Tomato? Planting Citrus? 19:59

3M ago19:59

19:59

Farmer Fred and Don Shor from Redwood Barn Nursery answer a garden question from a listener about whiteflies on grapes. But are they really whiteflies? They discuss how to control whiteflies and leaf hoppers on grapevines, the use of organic sprays, and the importance of correct pest identification. Also, Debbie Flower answers a question about remo…

1
331 Cucumber Starting and Training Tips 37:00

3M ago37:00

37:00

Mid to late spring is cucumber planting time in most of North America, and we have more cucumber growing tips for you today. We covered a lot of cucumber growing basics back in episode 266 last May, but today, cucumber cheerleader and America's favorite retired college horticultural professor, Debbie Flower, has more cucumber planting advice for yo…

1
055: What To Do In Your May Garden 19:47

4M ago19:47

19:47

It's planting time! Finally, the month of the last spring frosts is here and we're able to plant out so many things. Tomatoes, peppers, squash, zinnia, sunflower, and so many more summer crops can make their way tot the garden. 📩 Questions? Email me at jessica@homegrownfoodandflowers.com Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps new gardene…

1
330 Q&A Bermudagrass Control? Black Plastic for the Garden? 23:47

4M ago23:47

23:47

In Episode 330, Q&A - Gail from Orangevale, CA wants to start a vegetable and flower garden in her backyard, which is currently covered in Bermuda grass. Debbie Flower, America’s Favorite Retired College Horticulture professor, and I suggest waiting a year and using soil solarization to kill off the Bermudagrass. We also recommend starting small wi…

1
Food. Who's helping? (PPF)

4M ago

—

What would it take to make the global food system healthier, fairer, and more environmentally restorative? Hi, I am Roger Robson-Williams, Chief Sustainability Officer at Plant & Food Research. I am delighted to start my People | Planet | Food series in conversation with two remarkable leaders from opposite sides of the planet working on exactly th…

1
329 How to Water 39:37

4M ago39:37

39:37

This episode is entitled, How to Water Your Garden. “What!?!” you’re probably thinking. “Of course I know how to water my garden, lawn, and indoor plants, I’m a gardener!” As Farmer Fred Garden Rule #8 says: “If it works for you, fine. But keep an open mind.” Join us as America’s Favorite Retired College Horticulture Professor, Debbie Flower, has a…

1
328 Q&A Add Fertilizer to Compost Pile? Can Later Ripening Peach Trees Survive Peach Leaf Curl? 15:25

5M ago15:25

15:25

In this episode of the Garden Basics Podcast, Farmer Fred and Master Gardener Susan Muckey discuss composting and answer a listener's question about adding nitrogen to a compost pile. They explain that adding nitrogen is not necessary for most compost piles and discuss the ideal carbon-nitrogen ratio. They also provide tips for turning a compost pi…

1
054: 7 Time-Saving Steps To Get Your Garden Planted This Spring 22:07

4M ago22:07

22:07

You've got a flat of plants, a garden almost ready to plant out, and no time to get it done. Sound familiar? This episode will give you seven tips to help you get your garden in the ground with a minimum of fuss and no time wasted on tasks that don't move the needle the way you want it to go. -Which seedlings you should buy at this point in the sea…

1
327 The Heart Healthy Garden 57:01

5M ago57:01

57:01

The healthiest food you can eat, is the food you grow yourself. Where have you heard THAT before? Today, let’s grow a heart-healthy garden! What are the foods you can plant that are best suited, chemically, to help reverse what might be going on around your ticker, including high cholesterol, elevated blood sugar, and stress? We talk with Dr. Laura…

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326 Q&A Working with Coir vs Peat Moss, Reuse Old Potting Soil. Runaway Plum Tree! 18:44

5M ago18:44

18:44

Q&A - Working with Coir, Peat Moss, Perlite, etc. Reusing Old Potting Soil. 00:24 Q&A - Runaway Plum Tree! 16:10 Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasics.net. Transcripts and episode chapters also available at Buzzsprout. Pictured: Wheelbarrow with H…

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053: An Easy Plan For Planting One Raised Bed (+ Seedling Shopping List) 12:08

5M ago12:08

12:08

If you're still wondering what to plant, this episode lays it all out for you. Short and snappy instructions tell you how to lay out a single 4x8 raised bed with the right combination and location of your plants so they all thrive and you get months of harvests of fresh veggies, flowers, and herbs. If you want a more detailed seasonal guide, snag a…

1
325 Peach Leaf Curl Control Tips. All the Presidents' Gardens. 31:58

5M ago31:58

31:58

Appearing now (or soon) on a peach or nectarine tree near you: Peach Leaf Curl? What is this fungus that causes the leaves on these trees to redden, pucker, and curl? And how can you control it? (Please note, I did not say, “eradicate”). America’s favorite retired college horticultural professor, Debbie Flower has some tips. Also, we go back about …

1
Roger Robson-Williams: A man on a mission (SLFM)

4M ago

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Roger Robson-Williams, Chief Sustainability Officer at Plant & Food Research, joins Scigest podcast host Rebecca Bloomer to discuss his scientific journey and interest in the future prosperity of food production in Aotearoa. In their conversation, Roger introduces his upcoming podcast, People, Planet, Food, which will feature discussions with indiv…

1
051: 8 Gardening YouTube Channels Worth Watching (Composting, Self-Sufficiency, Flowers, and More) 25:11

5M ago25:11

25:11

Here is an amazing list of resources during the peak learning time of the season. Plants are going in, seeds are getting started, and these channels will help you learn so much, from composting to self sufficiency to growing flowers in soil blocks. Huw Richards Charles Dowding Shifting Roots No-Till Growers: I misspoke here and said No Till Farmer,…

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Beneficial Insects Podcasts

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