Best Permiculture Podcasts (2024)

1
373-The Land Ethic: Aldo Leopold’s Conservation Philosophy 1:01:20

23m ago1:01:20

1:01:20

Aldo Leopold is considered to be one of the most consequential conservationists of the 20th century. In his posthumously published book “A Sand County Almanac,” he put forward the “land ethic” — the idea that the fates of humans and land are intertwined. To talk about Leopold’s influence on the conservation movement, joining me on the podcast this …

1
372-Groundcover Solutions for Difficult Spaces and Turf Lawn Reduction 45:32

6d ago45:32

45:32

Groundcover plants require far less maintenance than a turfgrass lawn and can also offer erosion control and ecological services, among many other benefits. To discuss groundcover solutions to lawn troubles, joining me this week is Kathy Jentz, author of “Groundcover Revolution.” Podcast Links for Show notes Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your B…

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371-Climate Change-Resilient Gardening, with Kim Stoddart 55:41

13d ago55:41

55:41

Extreme temperatures, drought and flooding are all becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change, creating new challenges for gardeners. To explain how to gird a garden for the effects of a warming planet, joining me on the podcast this week is Kim Stoddart, who literally wrote the book — two books, in fact — on climate change-resilient g…

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370-Bird-Friendly Gardening, with Jen McGuinness 55:10

20d ago55:10

55:10

Of the many reasons to garden, the presence of beautiful and interesting birds is among the most delightful. To explain how to make your garden bird-friendly, joining me on the podcast this week is Jen McGuinness, aka Frau Zinnie, the author of “Bird-Friendly Gardening: Guidance and Projects for Supporting Birds in Your Landscape.” Podcast Links fo…

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369-Essential Things to Know About Poison Ivy-Encore Presentation 55:14

28d ago55:14

55:14

About 80% of the population is allergic to the oily resin urushiol, the compound found in poison ivy that causes dermatitis — a burning, itching rash. Reactions to poison ivy range from mild to life-threatening, and I am among those who have ended up in the ER due to poison ivy exposure. As this three-leaved menace is in its peak season, I am revis…

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368-Tips for Controlling Deer and Other Nuisance Wildlife-Encore Presentation 58:10

1M ago58:10

58:10

Controlling deer is a challenge for many gardeners, whether they have ornamental gardens or are raising vegetables, not to mention rabbits, squirrels, groundhogs, raccoons, moles and voles. To explore the most effective ways to control nuisance wildlife, I spoke with wildlife damage management specialist Marne Titchenell, who shared her advice on w…

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367-How to Maintain Your Ultimate Gardening Tool, Your Body, with Movement Expert Katy Bowman 54:05

1M ago54:05

54:05

Of all the tools you use in the garden, your body is the most important, and maintaining it is pivotal. To explain how gardeners can make small changes in their gardening routines to protect and strengthen their bodies, movement expert Katy Bowman joins me on the podcast this week. Podcast Links for Show notes Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your…

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366-How Gardeners Can Adapt to Climate Change, with Toni Farmer 58:40

2M ago58:40

58:40

Climate change has forced food growers to adjust how they garden, and as trends toward more extreme weather continue, this will only become more true. My guest this week, organic gardener and environmental studies professor Toni Farmer, explains the steps gardeners can take to mitigate the effects that climate change has on their crops. Podcast Lin…

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365-Tiny and Wild: What To Know To Build a Small-Scale Meadow Anywhere 56:11

2M ago56:11

56:11

Converting lawn to meadow is not as hard as it may seem, and my guest this week demonstrates as much in his book “Tiny + Wild: Build a Small-Scale Meadow Anywhere.” Graham Laird Gardner works to get the word out about the simplicity and benefits of creating a native meadow. Podcast Links for Show notes Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Ga…

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364-Easy Ways to Help Heal Earth in Suburban and Urban Landscapes 1:02:27

2M ago1:02:27

1:02:27

Getting more people to participate in healing the ecosystem takes spreading awareness of both the problems and the solutions. My guest this week, Basil Camu, does just that in his new book “From Wasteland to Wonder: Easy Ways We Can Help Heal Earth in the Sub/Urban Landscape.” Podcast Links for Show notes Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best…

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363-The Ethos of the Ecological Gardening Summit, Part II, with Rebecca McMackin 43:14

2M ago43:14

43:14

The Ecological Gardening Summit begins Wednesday, May 8, online, at noon Eastern time, and to prepare, I am sharing some of the principles that inspired this inaugural event. This week, I am revisiting my past podcasts with Rebecca McMackin, who will present “Adventures in Ecological Horticulture” during the summit. Podcast Links for Show notes Dow…

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362-The Ethos of the Ecological Gardening Summit, with Doug Tallamy 39:34

3M ago39:34

39:34

Gardening goes deeper than growing your own food and enhancing the beauty of your surroundings — it can support your local ecosystem and contribute to the healing of our planet. This is the ethos shared by the gardeners, educators such as Dr. Doug Tallamy and ecology experts who will join me on May 8th for the inaugural Ecological Gardening Summit.…

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361-Online Gardening Academy™ Students Share Their ‘Aha’ Moments and Lessons Learned 56:09

3M ago56:09

56:09

You’ve heard me say many times that what I love about gardening is there is always more to learn. Gardening keeps us on our toes and constantly presents opportunities to refine our methods. I decided to check in with gardeners in my Online Gardening Academy™ about their top takeaways from this past gardening season and what changes they will make i…

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360-Reflections on Gardening, with Scott Medal Recipient Margaret Roach 59:36

3M ago59:36

59:36

New York Times gardening columnist and “A Way to Garden” podcast host Margaret Roach — who is a repeat guest on “The joegardener Show” and a fan favorite — is back again, on the heels of being presented with the prestigious Scott Medal from the Scott Arboretum at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. She shares how she came to be the renowned garden …

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359-How to Attract Pollinators of Native Plants-Encore Presentation 1:00:35

3M ago1:00:35

1:00:35

To attract a greater diversity of pollinators to a garden, there’s nothing better than native plants. In this encore episode, pollinator conservationist Heather Holm joins me to discuss the benefits of fostering the mutually beneficial relationship between native plants and the pollinators they coevolved with. Podcast Links for Show notes Download …

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358-How a Volunteer Sunflower Turned a Flower Farmer into a Seed Breeder 1:04:52

3M ago1:04:52

1:04:52

Life has thrown Steve Kaufer some curveballs, but with some smart pivoting and serendipity, he’s become a successful seed breeder and seed farmer, earning the moniker “Sunflower Steve.” He joins me on the podcast this week to share his story and explain how a volunteer sunflower that grew in his field in 2007 set him on a new path years later. Podc…

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357-Tomato Talk and Big Gardening and Life Changes, with Craig LeHoullier 1:01:05

4M ago1:01:05

1:01:05

It’s time once again for my annual check-in with Craig LeHoullier, also known as NC Tomatoman, an heirloom tomato and straw bale gardening expert as well as a dwarf tomato breeder. I always look forward to catching up with Craig and finding out what new and exciting things he has going on in his garden and beyond. Podcast Links for Show notes Downl…

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356-Mastering Succession Planting, with Meg Cowden-Encore Presentation 56:04

4M ago56:04

56:04

Mastering succession planting takes knowledge and practice, but it’s not that tall of a task. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll enjoy the benefits of an extended growing season and a greater harvest. To help you make the most of your garden space, this week I am reprising my conversation with Meg Cowden, the founder of Seed to Fork, an expert in …

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355-Growing Flowers, Seeds and a Business, with Erin Benzakein of Floret Flower Farm 58:22

4M ago58:22

58:22

For success as a flower farmer as well as a seed breeder and seller, it helps to possess both a creative spirit and business acumen. My guest this week, Erin Benzakein of Floret Flower Farm and the Magnolia Network series “Growing Floret,” has both in spades, and we discuss how she maintains her creativity and furthers her mission to get more flowe…

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354-How Pesticide Regulations Fail Pollinators, with the Xerces Society 59:34

4M ago59:34

59:34

Pesticide regulations are designed to reduce the harm that pesticide use has on humans and wildlife, but they are not intended to eliminate all risks and ecological damage. To explain how gaps in pesticide regulations fail pollinators and other beneficial insects, pollinator conservation specialist Emily May of the Xerces Society joins me on the po…

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353-No-Till Growers Guide to Ecological Market Gardening-Encore Presentation 1:04:05

5M ago1:04:05

1:04:05

No-till gardening improves soil health and reduces the gardener’s workload, all while supporting more vigorous plants with better resilience to pests and diseases and greater crop yields. My guest on this week’s encore presentation, organic market gardener and writer Jesse Frost, shares the many ways that ditching the tiller has benefited his farm …

1
352-Greenhouse Hacks and Tips: Lessons Learned In My First Year 1:07:31

5M ago1:07:31

1:07:31

I just passed the one-year mark of being a greenhouse owner in January. It has been an eye-opener, and I have learned so much. I want to share with you the greenhouse hacks and tips and the lessons learned in my first year and the main “aha” moments. Podcast Links for Show notes Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever - the 5 most i…

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351-The Cut Flower Handbook, with Lisa Mason Ziegler 58:52

5M ago58:52

58:52

A cut flower garden, when planted in succession and harvested frequently, provides a continuous source of joy to hobby gardeners — and great revenue source for commercial growers. To share her advice on how to start and maintain a cut flower garden, returning to the podcast this week is flower farmer Lisa Mason Ziegler. Podcast Links for Show notes…

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350-What to Know About Buying and Owning a Hobby Greenhouse 47:42

5M ago47:42

47:42

A hobby greenhouse is an addition to the garden that most gardeners dream about, but having no prior experience with greenhouses, they often don’t know where to start. My guest on this week’s encore episode, Master Gardener Sheri George, shares her many years of experience growing in greenhouses and her tips for selecting and operating a greenhouse…

1
349-Your Seed Starting Questions Answered 49:56

6M ago49:56

49:56

To get the hang of seed starting, it takes practice. There is a lot to know and a lot to get right, including watering, lighting and timing. So in this week’s podcast, I am answering seed starting questions that listeners have submitted to help you have a successful seed starting experience and get over any hurdles you’ve confronted. Podcast Links …

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348-The Top Five Seed Starting Mistakes and How to Fix Them 44:30

6M ago44:30

44:30

Seed starting is a fun winter and early spring activity that gives us an opportunity to exercise our green thumbs during an often dreary time of year, but missteps can lead to disappointment. To help you have a successful and delightful experience, this week I am sharing the top five seed starting mistakes and how to fix them or avoid them altogeth…

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347-Gardening in the U.K., with Bunny Guinness 1:10:53

6M ago1:10:53

1:10:53

The gardening culture in the United Kingdom is strong and ingrained in society, much more so than it is in the United States. To talk about what it’s like to be a gardener across the pond, joining me on the podcast this week is Bunny Guinness, a regular panelist on the long-running BBC Radio 4 program “Gardeners’ Question Time.” Podcast Links for S…

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346-Winter Houseplant Care, with Maria Failla 54:43

6M ago54:43

54:43

The plants that live indoors with you need special care to get through the coldest, darkest months of the year. To share her expert tips on winter houseplant care, joining me on the podcast this week is Maria Failla of Growing Joy. Podcast Links for Show notes Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever - the 5 most important steps anyo…

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345-The Lean Micro Farm: Raise Crops with Maximum Efficiency 1:03:09

7M ago1:03:09

1:03:09

Whether you have a small space that you want to make more productive or you have a sprawling garden that you struggle to maintain, you’ll want to hear what this week’s guest has to say. Ben Hartman is a farmer and author who applies the super-efficient “lean” system to gardening and micro farming and teaches others how they can do the same. Podcast…

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344-Grow Fruit Trees Successfully 1:08:06

7M ago1:08:06

1:08:06

Gardeners who wish to grow fruit trees will have much better results if they learn the ropes before they ever purchase a tree and dig a planting hole. Early decisions such as what cultivars to grow and where to plant them are pivotal to a successful orchard. To share how to get started growing fruit trees and how to do it successfully, joining me o…

1
343-Top Gardening Takeaways of 2023 56:27

7M ago56:27

56:27

As the year winds up, I like to pause and reflect on the valuable lessons that I learned over the past gardening season. These are my top gardening takeaways of 2023. Podcast Links for Show notes Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever - the 5 most important steps anyone can do to have a thriving garden or landscape. It’s what I sti…

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342-An Introduction to Growing Microgreens 1:13:20

7M ago1:13:20

1:13:20

Growing microgreens is easier than you think. Nutrient-dense microgreens can be raised at home for your family’s enjoyment, and it’s easy to scale up into a microgreens business, according to my guest this week, Jonah Krochmalnek, the owner and founder of Microgreens Consulting. Podcast Links for Show notes Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Be…

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341-A Backyard Year, with Margaret Renkl 49:25

7M ago49:25

49:25

Slowing down, removing distractions and paying attention allows us to absorb the wildlife that’s all around us, even when we otherwise feel that we are far removed from nature. Writer Margaret Renkl documents what she observed in her own suburban yard and how it made her feel in her series of 52 short essays collected in “The Comfort of Crows: A Ba…

1
340-My Favorite Gardening Gear and Gadgets Update 45:16

8M ago45:16

45:16

With holiday gift shopping season upon us, I am sharing my top gardening gear picks for the gardeners in your life — the tools, accessories and books that you may also want to pick up for yourself. In a nutshell, these are the items that I consider to be the must-have gardening gear — just to make your gardening life easier and more enjoyable. I’ve…

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339-Microbe Science for Gardeners, with Robert Pavlis 1:00:52

8M ago1:00:52

1:00:52

If you have been practicing organic gardening for a while, you probably observe the mantra “feed the soil and let the soil feed the plants,” though to get even more precise, my returning guest this week, chemist and gardening author Robert Pavlis, explains that what gardeners are actually doing is feeding the microbes in soil, and it’s the microbes…

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338-Ecological Landscape Design: Form and Function 40:09

8M ago40:09

40:09

Ecological landscape design is the practice of making meadows and gardens that are both pleasing to the eye and functional parts of the ecosystem, providing resources and habitat for essential wildlife. To share the principles of ecological landscape design and why it is so needed, returning to the podcast this week is landscape designer and author…

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337-Legends of the Leaf: The Secrets of Well-Known Houseplants, with Jane Perrone 1:03:57

8M ago1:03:57

1:03:57

How much do you know about the houseplant sitting on your windowsill? My returning guest this week, garden writer and houseplants podcaster Jane Perrone, is here to reveal the little-known histories of plants that have shared homes with us for generations. Podcast Links for Show notes Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever - the 5 …

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336-What We Sow: The Significance of Seeds, with Jennifer Jewell 1:09:58

9M ago1:09:58

1:09:58

Seeds hold the keys to sustaining life on this planet, and they draw cultural connections between ancestors and their descendants. To discuss her latest book, What We Sow, and the significance of seeds ecologically, culturally and personally, joining me on the podcast this week is Jennifer Jewell of “Cultivating Place.” Podcast Links for Show notes…

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335-Better Soil Health and Crop Yields Through Regenerative Agriculture, with Gabe Brown 59:09

9M ago59:09

59:09

Regenerative agriculture is an alternative to conventional agriculture that focuses on improving soil health for better fertility and moisture retention. The benefit to farmers is increased crop yields at less cost, and the benefit to all of us is more carbon being sequestered in soil to mitigate climate change. To discuss how he discovered regener…

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334-A Market Farmer’s Journey to Success-Encore Presentation 1:01:26

9M ago1:01:26

1:01:26

Once you’ve experienced the joy of raising fruits and vegetables to feed your family, it becomes much easier to imagine what it would be like to become a market farmer who grows enough to maintain a successful business. My guest this week, Conor Crickmore, left his tech career in New York City in 2009 to become a homesteader in upstate New York, an…

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333-Why Oaks Are Our Most Essential Native Trees, with Doug Tallamy-Encore Presentation 50:09

9M ago50:09

50:09

Oaks are what are known as keystone plants due to the pivotal role they play in the food chain. Because so many species rely on oaks for their survival, my guest this week, entomologist Doug Tallamy, Ph.D., calls them “our most essential native trees.” Podcast Links for Show notes Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever - the 5 most…

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332-Growing Cool Season Flowers, with Lisa Mason Ziegler-Encore Presentation 1:01:41

10M ago1:01:41

1:01:41

Fall may be here, but the gardening season is far from over. Cool season flowers can be planted now or early next spring to give your garden a pop of color and aroma before most gardens are in bloom. In this week’s podcast, flower farmer Lisa Mason Ziegler shares her tips for what to grow, when and how. Podcast Links for Show notes Download my free…

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331-The Ecological Garden Blueprint: 10 Essential Steps That Matter Most 1:04:08

10M ago1:04:08

1:04:08

As gardeners, there are many opportunities for us to become better stewards of the environment. On this week’s podcast, I share my ecological garden blueprint: 10 steps for you to take to partner with nature and support the ecosystem. Podcast Links for Show notes Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever - the 5 most important steps a…

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330-Natural Garden Design Basics, with Benjamin Vogt 57:31

10M ago57:31

57:31

Natural garden design is growing in popularity, and many more gardeners would like to get on board if only they had a better idea of how to get started. If you’re curious about starting a natural garden with native plants, then you’re in luck, because my guest this week is author and garden designer Benjamin Vogt of Monarch Gardens. Podcast Links f…

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329-Cultivating a Personal Garden Style with Rochelle Greayer 59:27

10M ago59:27

59:27

Part of what makes gardening so magical is that every garden is unique. To share how gardeners can identify their personal garden style and achieve their garden goals, joining me this week is garden author, designer and teacher Rochelle Greayer of Pith + Vigor. Podcast Links for Show notes Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever - t…

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328-Behind the Scenes with Joe and GardenFarm™ Manager Tobi 1:09:20

10M ago1:09:20

1:09:20

Maintaining my five-acre GardenFarm™ and keeping up with documenting the garden’s progress through the growing season is far from a one-person job. This week, Tobi McDaniel, the GardenFarm manager, joins me on the podcast for the first time to offer a peek behind the curtain and share what her days here are like. Podcast Links for Show notes Downlo…

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327-The Nuances of Native and Non-Native Ladybugs and Other Insects 1:04:24

11M ago1:04:24

1:04:24

Promoting native insects via gardening is a worthwhile endeavor that is growing in popularity, but just because native insects are good to have in the garden, that doesn’t also mean all non-native insects are bad to have around. My guest this week, environmental studies professor Kaitlin Stack Whitney, Ph.D., encourages gardeners to examine the rea…

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326-An Introduction to Modern Homesteading, with Jill Winger 51:37

11M ago51:37

51:37

Modern homesteading has surged in popularity since the onset of the pandemic in 2020, which triggered in many people a desire to become more self-sufficient and closer to the land that sustains us. To discuss this phenomenon, the benefits of homesteading and how to get started, joining me on the podcast this week is Jill Winger, creator of The Prai…

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325-Grounded: Reclaiming Well-Being and Finding Self-Sufficiency Through Gardening 58:12

11M ago58:12

58:12

Time spent outdoors in the fresh air tending to gardens has a rejuvenating effect, which gardener, author and video maker Liz Zorab of Byther Farm can attest to better than anyone. Liz joins me on the podcast this week to share how gardening contributed to restoring her health and to talk about the economical, efficient ways that she raises food fo…

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324-The Potential of Mushrooms to Overcome Environmental Challenges 48:34

11M ago48:34

48:34

Mushrooms can do some pretty amazing things, and as research continues, we are gaining an even better understanding of the potential of fungi to help us overcome an array of environmental challenges. Mycologist Tradd Cotter joins me on the podcast to share the emerging uses of mushrooms beyond food. Podcast Links for Show notes Download my free eBo…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Permiculture Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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