Best Soil Food Web Podcasts (2024)

1
Embrace the fungus 26:54

1h ago26:54

26:54

As rain pelts Southcentral Alaska, mushrooms (and wood frogs) are popping up everywhere. Jeff and Jonathan point out that mushrooms in lawns or meadows are usually a positive sign, indicating thriving soil microbiology. In fact, fungal activity in your lawn is beneficial, as mushrooms are great decomposers in the food chain. After the break, the gu…

1
Gardening in the rain 23:01

2h ago23:01

23:01

Record rainfall has hit Southcentral Alaska. However, as the guys discuss this week, gardens can still thrive despite the wet conditions. The team acknowledges that Alaskans are experts at gardening in wet soil. Jonathan points out that raised beds are excellent for rainy gardening, while Jeff mentions that containers are also effective. However, t…

1
All about hydrangeas 21:14

11d ago21:14

21:14

This week, the guys discuss the fascinating world of hydrangeas. Jeff mentions that these vibrant flowers are the top-selling plant in garden centers across the U.S. because they are both gorgeous and easy to maintain. He notes that their popularity is due to their colorful appearance as well as their resilience and adaptability. Jonathan adds that…

1
Farm Gate 104: Regenerating the water web, with Alpha Lo 35:26

5d ago35:26

35:26

ffinlo Costain speaks to Alpha Lo, the founder of the Climate Water Project, a series of podcasts and articles in which Alpha investigates how to restore the water web. Farm Gate is part of https://8point9.com/ To find out more about the Climate Water Project just visit https://climatewaterproject.substack.com/…

1
Into the meadowverse 23:52

28d ago23:52

23:52

This week, Jeff and Jonathan talk about all things lawns! But first, Jeff shares his thoughts on the benefits of going digital, including his weekly column at ADN. Next, they dive into lawn care. Jeff advocates for getting creative with mowing, especially with different designs. For example, you can switch things up every mow with new patterns like…

1
Harvest season 35:50

18d ago35:50

35:50

This week, the guys share plenty of tips on getting the most out of your garden, especially on how to harvest your plants and vegetables efficiently. In Alaska, things grow quickly, particularly cole crops like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage. Jeff emphasizes picking vegetables before they flower, while Jonathan suggests using a juicer to m…

1
Farm Gate 103: The Wood from the Trees 1:13:48

1M ago1:13:48

1:13:48

Forests are super important - they have enormous environmental, economic, cultural and amenity value as well as being sources of food and nutrition, medicines, habitats, fuel and, of course, building materials. In this programme, we discuss what timber can do - why forests are so important - how public support for commercial forestry could be impro…

1
Golfer’s Elbow - Medial Epicondylitis - Tendinitis - Tendinopathy 53:22

22d ago53:22

53:22

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of golfer's elbow with, Dr. Bryan Brozy, Doctor of Physical Therapy and Dr. Keoni Teta, ND. Whether you're a golfer, an athlete, or someone who suffers from elbow pain, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical tips to help you understand, prevent, and manage golfer's elbow effectively.…

1
Edible in Alaska 33:53

28d ago33:53

33:53

The guys are talking about all the rain happening in Southcentral Alaska recently, and Jonathan asks: Is too much rain bad for your garden? It turns out this is a nuanced question. For example, if your outdoor soil food web garden is healthy, rain shouldn't be too big of a deal. Just remember that too much water for indoor plants can be a bad thing…

1
8.9 Newsweek: War for soil, regen tech, and reducing nutrient pollution 1:18:15

1M ago1:18:15

1:18:15

* Pat Thomas from A Bigger Conversation - 1'00'' * Emily Bull from FAI Farms - 14'18'' * Professor Sebastian Dötterl from ECH Zurich - 31'08'' * Million Belay from IPES Food and the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa - 42'11'' * Vicki Hird from The Wildlife Trusts - 55'32'' * Alun Thomas from the Beacons Water Group - 1,05'23''…

1
Farm Gate 102: Can Labour build 1.5m new homes in balance with nature? 57:01

28d ago57:01

57:01

In Britain, Labour has promised to "build 1.5 million new homes by the end of this parliament, with the biggest increase in social housing and affordable housebuilding in a generation." ffinlo Costain asks, can these homes be built in the time available - and just as importantly, can this level of house building be achieved in balance with nature a…

1
Cottonwood conundrum 26:24

1M ago26:24

26:24

This week, Jeff and Jonathan are dealing with the vast amounts of cottonwood seeds flying around Southcentral Alaska. Jonathan highlights how the seeds trigger allergies, while Jeff shares some science facts. For example, did you know a cottonwood tree can produce 1 to 2 million seeds per year? Additionally, parts of the cottonwood are edible, and …

1
Wheat from the Chaff - What does Labour's win mean for food, farming and nature? 53:01

1M ago53:01

53:01

Phil Carson (Nature Friendly Farming Network) and ffinlo Costain (8point9.com) discuss Labour's landslide general election victory, and what it means for food, farming and nature. This is Phil's last WFTC, as he moves on to a new role in Northern Ireland. A BIG thank you for all his knowledge and expert conversation.…

1
Secrets to thriving lilacs 23:28

2M ago23:28

23:28

This week, the guys are talking all about lilacs. In Alaska, there is a short window when lilacs are in full bloom (about 6 weeks), so it’s important to care for them properly to keep them healthy year after year. Fun fact: Jeff’s grandfather hybridized a lilac! After the break, Jeff shares the battery-powered tools he uses for gardening: Small cha…

1
All about chickweed 23:27

2M ago23:27

23:27

Jonathan reveals his fondness for chickweed, while Jeff expresses his dislike for this rapidly growing weed. However, they both agree on chickweed's resilient nature and its ability to spread. Digging a bit deeper, Jeff introduces the plant's alternative names, such as mouse ears, starflower and satin weed. Some fascinating aspects of chickweed inc…

1
8.9 Newsweek - UK Election Interviews 1:33:26

2M ago1:33:26

1:33:26

In this week's programme we'll hear interviews with candidates from three of the parties standing across Britain in next week's UK general election - the Liberal Democrats, the Conservatives and the Green Party. The Labour party were unable to make anyone available for a conversation. Julia Aglionby, the Liberal Democrat candidate for Penrith and S…

1
Wheat from the Chaff - UK Election Special: What's on offer? 46:55

2M ago46:55

46:55

Phil Carson and ffinlo Costain discuss what's on offer in the Conservative, Liberal Democrat, Green and Labour manifestos, in terms of food, farming and nature.

1
The hidden power of dandelions 28:57

2M ago28:57

28:57

Jonathan is bummed out that the dandelions are turning white. However, Jeff reminds him that each flower has about 300 seeds (making it a powerful spreader). This kicks off a discussion about the hidden powers of dandelions. For example, did you know that you can make teas, wine and even tempura with them? Also, the dandelion taproot can burrow 15 …

1
8.9 Newsweek podcast – Peter Byck: "AMP grazing smells amazing, it sounds amazing" 1:06:40

2M ago1:06:40

1:06:40

Peter Byck talks about his new documentary series, Roots so Deep - 0'40'' John Gilliland talks about the ARC Zero project - 13'56'' Tom Johnstone from the Usk Catchment Partnership talks about giving nature a voice - 27'17'' Sarah-Jane Laing from Scottish Land & Estates talks about Scottish land reform - 41'22'' Robert Hindle from Rural Solutions o…

1
Strategies for planting beans and peas 26:30

2M ago26:30

26:30

In this week's episode, Jeff and Jonathan dive into strategies for planting and caring for different types of beans and peas. Jeff begins by discussing the history of sweet peas, emphasizing their delightful fragrance, vibrant colors, and easy cultivation. Next, they compare sweet and snap peas, with Jeff emphasizing the importance of pinching and …

1
Mastering the introduction of native plants to your garden 30:59

3M ago30:59

30:59

This week, Jeff and Jonathan celebrate the bountiful dandelions flourishing in Southcentral Alaska, prompting an important question: where do they originate? They discuss how attitudes towards dandelions have evolved over the years and explore strategies to prevent their overgrowth. Next, they share tips on introducing native plants to your yard, g…

1
8.9 Newsweek podcast - "Respect farmer experience to change food systems" 1:04:08

2M ago1:04:08

1:04:08

We'll hear from Jerry Alford from the Soil Association, Beth Metson from the Soil Association Exchange - and Lauren Baker from the Global Alliance for the Future of Food will tell us that we need to respect farmer experience and indigenous knowledge as much as we do peer-reviewed science. I'll talk to Neil Nicholas from Coleg Sir Gar about slurry s…

1
Tips for early season lawn care 36:41

3M ago36:41

36:41

This week, Jeff and Jonathan dive into essential tips for early season lawn care. Fresh off a weekend of 26 hours of yard work, Jonathan shares his experience aerating his entire lawn and testing the soil. Jeff emphasizes the importance of giving your lawn a trim, even if you're planning to let it grow into a meadow. Did you know lawn mowers are si…

1
Jeff’s gardening hacks 32:57

3M ago32:57

32:57

This week, the team eagerly digs into early season gardening. To start, Jeff discusses hardening off your plants in his Anchorage Daily News column. Jeff also offers a wealth of gardening advice, sharing his favorite hacks. These include ways to keep your fingernails clean when gardening, ensuring your hose can reach every garden corner, and labeli…

1
Farm Gate 101: Venture capital and regenerative agriculture 44:45

3M ago44:45

44:45

Farming at its best - agroecological or regenerative farming - can deliver a broad range of positive environmental and social outcomes. But at its heart, farming is a business. To scale the positives we need to scale the business of regenerative and agroecological agriculture - and for that we need investment. Pelican Ag is a venture capital busine…

1
Flawn seed kits with Anthony Nied 46:46

3M ago46:46

46:46

Jonathan needs assistance in regenerating a part of his lawn that was damaged last year. To aid him, the team brings in Anthony Nied, owner and operator of Flawn Seed Kits. This company focuses on creating lawns and meadows that require less maintenance. They discuss transitioning to a different type of lawn (not quite a meadow) that is low-growing…

1
8.9 Newsweek - Six Inches of Soil: Three years on 38:25

3M ago38:25

38:25

Six Inches of Soil is the hit UK film that traces the trials and tribulations of three young farmers who are each trying to work regeneratively with their land. Anna Jackson, farms an 800 acre mixed farm in Lincolnshire with her dad, Andrew - (0'50") Beef farmer Ben Thomas has 75 acres of field and agroforestry in Cornwall - (16'24") And Adrienne G…

1
Tomato Myths 36:58

4M ago36:58

36:58

This week, the team celebrates the upcoming gardening season in Alaska. However, this also means an increase in misinformation online, particularly about tomatoes! Jeff and Jonathan sift through the most misleading myths to set the record straight. After the break, the team continues the discussion from last week about hardening off plants, providi…

1
8.9 Newsweek - Peatland, worm-dancing, deer and venture capital 31:07

4M ago31:07

31:07

What exactly do the Soil Association mean by a Worm Hunt, and why do they want us to dance for these wriggly ecosystem warriors? Can venture capital really help to scale the transition to regenerative agriculture? Why has deer management become such a divisive issue in Scotland? And the latest UK Peatland Code revision is now open for consultation.…

1
Finding you soil’s sweet spot 29:58

4M ago29:58

29:58

This week, the guys start the episode with a listener's question: When should you start working in the garden? In Southcentral Alaska, Jeff notes that gardening begins when birch leaves are the size of a squirrel's ear. That said, It's crucial to exercise patience because your lawn and garden need sufficient time to dry out after winter's heavy sno…

1
All about voles 33:50

4M ago33:50

33:50

This week, Jeff and Jonathan received numerous questions about voles and the damage they cause. Did you know that voles take refuge between the snow and ground during winter? They even create intricate tunnels equipped with kitchens, sleeping areas, and more. However, they can cause significant damage to your lawn, although they usually leave the r…

1
Preparing your soil for healthy plants 30:48

4M ago30:48

30:48

This week, Jonathan is collecting birch water from his property, an early form of spring gardening as Jeff mentions. Later, they discuss how to prepare greenhouse soil to ensure it can support healthy plants. Jeff suggests adding things like fertilizer, compost, and warm water to the soil. Finally, they address listener questions about Korean Natur…

1
8.9 Newsweek - Timber! Micro farms, AMR, and regen misconceptions 46:35

4M ago46:35

46:35

Do we seriously need to chop down more trees to address the climate crisis? What about food? Is it possible to make a living from a third of an acre of land? In a world struggling with antimicrobial resistance - what's the WHO doing downgrading a whole class of antibiotics? And what about my farm - regenerative agriculture - it's a great idea, but …

1
Is plastic-free gardening achievable? 29:58

4M ago29:58

29:58

This week, Jeff and Jonathan continue their discussion about the flood of false information and click bait related to gardening and plant care. In contrast, they also explore some home remedies that can enhance your plants' health. After the break, they dig into a listener's question that combines their knowledge of coffee and the soil food web! To…

1
Wheat from the Chaff podcast: Flooding, Universal income & In-field crop diversity 38:39

4M ago38:39

38:39

Phil Carson (Nature Friendly Farming Network) and ffinlo Costain (8point9.com) discuss the week’s land use news - including:Government must deliver promised flood support, says CLA “Slurry pollution as damaging as sewage” NFFN unveils UK general election manifesto Farmers demand Universal Basic Income Research finds ten times more pests in insectic…

1
Should you sterilize your soil? 37:10

5M ago37:10

37:10

This week, Jeff and Jonathan discuss the inundation of gardening misinformation on the internet, particularly the widespread myth that soil should be sterilized. On the other hand, the best way to improve soil is by adding compost. Seeds naturally have everything they need to grow and protect themselves, which we can see in nature. Following the br…

1
8.9 Newsweek - A fit-for-purpose farming budget 57:10

4M ago57:10

57:10

Five interviews today - on topics ranging from the constant struggle for tenant farmers to dangers of slurry pollution. 1'08'' Martin Lines from the Nature Friendly Farming Network discusses the NFFN's general election manifesto, which includes a call for a fit-for-purpose farming budget 12'29'' Peter Powell from the Welsh Dee Trust talks about the…

1
Starting your seeds 29:42

5M ago29:42

29:42

This week, Jeff and Jonathan are enjoying the Alaskan spring sunshine. This means it's time to place those seedlings and plants on window sills - remember to rotate the pots! In the spirit of spring, it's an ideal time to purchase and plant seeds. They share tips on maximizing your seeds' potential, which begins with reading the instructions on the…

1
Wheat from the Chaff: Wye chicken? Unlocking nature finance - And special guest: Rob Yorke 51:39

5M ago51:39

51:39

Wheat from the Chaff: Wye chicken? Unlocking nature finance - And special guest: Rob Yorke Class-action-style claim takes on chicken giant, Avara Report focusses on unlocking finance for nature Updated carbon offsetting principles aim to combat greenwashing SPECIAL GUEST: Rob Yorke Welsh Government: New Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs confirmed…

1
Bears in the garden 23:14

5M ago23:14

23:14

This week, the guys continue their discussion on preparing for the summer gardening season. In places like Alaska, bear activity can be quite prevalent, even in cities such as Anchorage! Jeff and Jonathan share some of their personal encounters with bears. The takeaway from these stories is the importance of cleaning out last season's bird feeders,…

1
All about hanging baskets 23:00

5M ago23:00

23:00

This week, Jeff and Jonathan continue their discussion on springtime preparation for the gardening season. One excellent way to prepare is by starting your own hanging basket. Now is the perfect time to buy 4-inch starter plants suitable for hanging baskets, such as Fuchsias, Pelargoniums, Tuberous Begonias, and Lobelias. After the break, they expl…

1
8.9 Newsweek - Soil carbon assessments and method of production labels 39:07

6M ago39:07

39:07

Four conversations today - first, I'll meet David Wright, the Chief Executive of Ecometric, to find out about how exactly soil carbon is measured - then after that I'll talk to Chris D'Agorne from Life to Land about an analysis that shows that the non-native sycamore is now the UK's third most populous tree species. Later I'll discuss the benefits …

1
Wheat from the Chaff (re-edit): Soil science, biodiversity renewal, and special guest: Chris Smaje 45:44

5M ago45:44

45:44

ffinlo Costain (8point9.com) and Phil Carson (Nature Friendly Farming Network) discuss the week's land use news - and meet special guest, Chris Smaje, author of "Saying NO to a farm-free future" This is a re-edit of the original podcast, which contained inaccuracies in the first section (soil carbon intro).NEWS ARTICLES DISCUSSED:New paradigm in so…

1
Spring garden chores 29:07

6M ago29:07

29:07

This week, Jeff and Jonathan are celebrating the longer spring days in Alaska. However, the warming sun has them thinking about the impacts of global warming. They kick off this week's episode by discussing recent scientific studies, which warn that global warming could threaten the survival of dung beetles. Next, they explore various natural indic…

1
Farm Gate 100: "They belong to this land" - The Reindeer Chronicles 56:00

5M ago56:00

56:00

ffinlo Costain meets Judith D Schwartz - the author of Cows Save the Planet, Water in Plain Sight and The Reindeer Chronicles. Western civilisation has, for generations, sought to extract itself from its dependency on the natural world. Indigenous knowledge has been devalued and lost. And even now, as our monumental folly becomes clearer with each …

1
Wheat from the Chaff - Sycamores, Ecocide, the SDP and special guest: Heather Wildman 48:06

5M ago48:06

48:06

Phil Carson (Nature Friendly Farming Network) and ffinlo Costain (8point9.com) discuss the week's news - and are joined by special guest, farm business and succession adviser, Heather Wildman. News stories Phil and ffinlo discuss: Scottish Forestry rejects findings of Royal Society of Edinburgh tree report Non-native Sycamore is third most common B…

1
Plants that glow? 26:05

6M ago26:05

26:05

In this week's episode of Teaming with Microbes, Jeff and Jonathan examine the influx of gardening clickbait articles in our online and print media. They dissect the reasons behind this trend and share their insights on navigating through the clutter. Moving away from the digital sphere, they dive into the scientific realm of bioluminescence, inves…

1
Wheat from the Chaff - BNG, Organic markets, £1bn from the Lib Dems and special guest: Andy Heald 49:33

6M ago49:33

49:33

ffinlo Costain (8point9.com) and Phil Carson catch up on the week's land use news - and meet forestry expert, Andrew Heald. News items they discuss: Highland estate to generate biodiversity credits with SLR and RePlanet https://8point9.com/highland-estate-to-generate-biodiversity-credits-with-slr-and-replanet/ How will BNG affect the UK biodiversit…

1
How microbes affect the taste of food 21:24

6M ago21:24

21:24

We're talking more about microbes this week! Have you ever wondered why certain foods and drinks taste the way they do? The answer is microbes! This week, Jeff and Jonathan examine new studies that explore how microbes influence the taste of tea. Later, they discuss the vital role of microbial diversity in cheese production. Lastly, they delve into…

1
8.9 Newsweek - Biodiversity credits, liver fluke, time capsules and diversity in the countryside 45:39

6M ago45:39

45:39

Interviews with: Max Bodmer from RePlanet - 1'05'' Elina Body from Vet Sustain and The George Farm Vets - 14'45'' Dr Kelly Hemmings from RAU - 24'50'' Navaratnam Partheeban from IVC Evidensia Farm Vets - 30'50''

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Soil Food Web Podcasts

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