Best Thistle Farms Podcasts (2024)

1
Updates & animal shenanigans! 50:54

12M ago50:54

50:54

I'm back! It's taken multiple attempts to record this episode due to various life chaos but here it is! I start with some quick personal updates, a little sad news (RIP Petal), homestead and hive news, and then I share some funny animal stories from the last few weeks. Thanks for your patience with me! Please check out my Instagram for photos of th…

1
My current nemesis: Thistle! 45:55

1y ago45:55

45:55

This week, I talk about thistles! How can we identify them? Are they good for pollinators? How do we destroy and conquer the invasive species? Will I be digging them up forever?? (Probably, yes) All this and more in episode 70! * References: https://weedwise.conservationdistrict.org/2017/thistle-identification.html https://deepgreenpermaculture.com…

1
Relaxed Fit! Updates & Bee Chatter 50:00

1y ago50:00

50:00

I'm back! Hurrah! This week, I share all the news from the homestead, including chicken updates, bee colony progress, and why I am drinking a gin & tonic at 4 in the afternoon! Then I get into some bee chatter; where I analyze a question from one of my mentees, and go through my thoughts on the topic. Warnings for bad language (sorry, mum), discuss…

1
Frogs That Freeze 30:28

1y ago30:28

30:28

Happy Friday! I hope you will enjoy this addition to my 'farm story' episodes. I am a big fan of this extraordinary little frog, and I hope you are too! * Article on crushed egg shells and slugs: https://www.gardenmyths.com/eggshells-control-slugs/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Baby Raccoon Attack?? 37:21

1y ago37:21

37:21

I'm back after my short break! Thank you for your patience. This episode starts with some updates on my sad-sack-ness and why I haven't uploaded anything for 2 weeks. I also talk about my hives (up to 2 colonies now!), and my garden (what is planted, what's growing, what's in bloom, etc). Then we get to the main story, which will not be for everyon…

1
Baby Season! & Hive Update 46:27

1+ y ago46:27

46:27

I'm back after last week's break! Things have been very busy here the last 2 weeks, and I talk a little about what has been going on. Then I get into baby season here on the homestead! I have news on the skinks, and the chickens. I ended up incubating the rest of Dahlia's clutch so discuss how that works and how to set up a brooder for newly hatche…

1
The Birds & The Bees 39:47

1+ y ago39:47

39:47

Happy Friday! This week, we're talking about the birds and the bees! Specifically, my install of a 3lb honey bee package, mallard ducks and their mating shenanigans, and my chickens. Funnily enough, right after I recorded this episode, I went out and found that one of Dahlia's eggs has hatched! It's a beautiful little yellow fluffball. Check out my…

1
Chaos Sprites (aka chickens) 17:43

1+ y ago17:43

17:43

Happy Friday! This is a short one because I haven't been able to do much outside due to the weather, and life off the homestead has been a touch chaotic. Speaking of chaos. . . a recent experience with one of my chickens has convinced me that they're actually adorably fluffy chaos sprites (who can't be trusted!). Listen in to hear how Petal, a smal…

1
Spring has sprung! (maybe) 37:14

1+ y ago37:14

37:14

Happy Friday! This week, I talk about what has been going on at the homestead. Is Spring finally here? It felt like it for about a week but then the cold returned! I have tried to make the most of the nice weather by cleaning up and prepping the gardens, and there's just so much to do that it can be hard to focus. Early in the episode, I give a sad…

1
Farm Story: Higgins, the Russian Tortoise 1:00:33

1+ y ago1:00:33

1:00:33

This week, I continue my Farm Story series by talking about a fan favourite: Higgins, the Russian tortoise. Have you ever wondered what the difference between a turtle and a tortoise is? Or where they come from? What they eat? If you have tortoise questions, I have some of the answers! Learn about how Higgins came to live with me, and about Russian…

1
Relaxed Fit! Homestead Updates 51:59

1+ y ago51:59

51:59

I'm back from my holiday! This week, I talk about my Spring Break in Florida where I saw lots of alligators and interesting birds. Then I give updates on the homestead, including my chickens, bees, reptiles, and gardens. Please note, I did some swearing in this one! So please be mindful if listening around impressionable young minds. I will mark th…

1
Bees in the news! 37:09

1+ y ago37:09

37:09

Hello hello! Well, I didn't have time to get my tortoise episode ready BUT I did bring you something. This week, I talk about a few science publications and news articles that talk about our precious honey bees (and bumble bees). I had a lot of fun putting this one together, and I hope you enjoy it too. Links to articles/publications: Sci-Hub (free…

1
Frostbite & Chickens 38:02

1+ y ago38:02

38:02

Hello, hello! This week, I give a quick update on my stray kitty friend, as well as my 'baby' Orpingtons. Then I dive into frostbite: what is it? What does it look like in our chickens? Can we prevent it? And, most importantly, how to treat it. Please see my website for a rundown of everything discussed as well as a list of references. Hosted on Ac…

1
Farm Story: TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) 29:23

1+ y ago29:23

29:23

Hello! This week, I share another Farm Story. Listen in to learn about my local cat population, what TNR is, and how it can help humanely lower stray/feral cat populations. Also, learn about my own kitty friend! Please see my website for photos of the kitties in question, and for a rundown of everything discussed. You can check out the TNR clinic I…

1
Obesity in Chickens 34:43

1+ y ago34:43

34:43

Hello! Today's episode starts with a quick update on my fierce little hen, Boo, and then goes on to discuss the issue of obesity in chickens. How can we identify an overweight chicken? What can we do to prevent obesity? And just how much food should our chickens be eating anyway? Visit my website for a rundown of everything discussed, as well as so…

1
Farm Story: Boo & the Rooster 20:23

1+ y ago20:23

20:23

This week is the first in my series of what I am calling 'Farm Stories'. These are mini-episodes that share stories from around my homestead, with a focus on all the animals I am fortunate to share my life with. This week, I tell you all about my tiny hen, Boo, and her big attitude. Can a tiny hen take on a rooster three times her size? Listen in t…

1
2022 Hive News 1:10:06

1+ y ago1:10:06

1:10:06

This week, I do a 'year in review' for my apiary. I went into 2022 with two colonies, brought home a package and 4 nucleus colonies, and ended up with 5 colonies as of January 2023. Listen in to learn all about my gains, losses, and to follow each of my colonies as we moved through last year. Reading my bee journal for this episode was a wonderful …

1
2022 In Review(& Chicken Math) 52:22

1+ y ago52:22

52:22

I'm back! and I have news! For this episode, I go through goals I set for myself in 2022; what worked, what didn't. And then I explain how I fell afowl (hehe!) of the dreaded 'chicken math'. Please visit my website for a rundown of everything discussed, photos, and links. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
2021 Goals: what worked? what didn't? 56:54

2+ y ago56:54

56:54

Hello hello! I have returned from my podcast hiatus, and I have lots of news. Most of it depressing (sorry!). In this episode, I discuss goals I set for myself in 2021, what worked, what didn't; as well as what has been happening with me since my hiatus. Please note: this episode includes frank discussion of chicken death, depression, cancer, and c…

1
Aperitifs, Digestifs, and Moonshine

2+ y ago

—

After a much needed season break through a difficult time, we’re back and back to our roots with a little bit of boozy plants!Daniel talks about some fascinating findings about staghorn fern communication and distribution of labor, which you can read on our website at propagatedpodcast.comFrankie then takes us on a dinner party with aperitifs and d…

1
Weeds Part 2: Joe Pye, Curly Dock, Queen Anne’s Lace, Morning Glory, Milkweed, Thistle

3y ago

—

We're back with more weeds! Daniel talks about a carnivorous plant who has figured out a beautiful way to balance trapping prey and being pollinated which you can read on our website www.propagatedpodcast.comFrankie talks about Joe Pye Weed, Queen Anne's Lace, and Milkweed. Daniel talks about Curly Dock, Morning Glory (bindweed), and Thistle (Cirsi…

1
Weeds Part 1: Mullein, Yarrow, Pokeweed, & Goatheads 48:40

3y ago48:40

48:40

This week we talk about some fun weeds! Frankie starts out talking about a cool article titled Genetics Discovery Reveals How Legumes Give Oxygen to Symbiotic Bacteria in Their Roots which you can find on our website. Then our hosts discuss what makes a weed. Daniel talks about Mullein and Pokeweed, and Frankie talks about Yarrow and Goatheads aka …

1
On Hiatus until Spring 2022 11:24

3y ago11:24

11:24

Hi folks! I've decided to place the podcast on hiatus until next Spring. We're going full tilt through autumn and into winter now, and things will be slowing down around the homestead. Plus, I'm just completely burned out due to a number of different factors, and I need the time to reset. I wanted to share some suggestions of episodes and podcasts …

1
The Future of Food 54:21

3y ago54:21

54:21

After a much needed vacation, technical issues, and many a personal emergency, we are BACK with ridiculous banter and awesome plant facts!! Daniel starts us off with an article about the (very very old) history of flowering plants, then talks about the history behind urban agriculture. Frankie then delves into victory gardens and rooftop gardens wi…

1
Hive News & English Orpingtons 41:43

3y ago41:43

41:43

Happy September! Important announcement: I will be taking the rest of September off so there will be no new episodes (or reposts) until October. I'm taking a much needed break to reset. I hope you will bear with me! This week, I discuss what things look like in my apiary, treating my top bar hive for mites using the oxalic acid dribble method, brin…

1
All Things Varroa Mite (re-post) 1:11:22

3y ago1:11:22

1:11:22

Hello from rainy Ohio! This week, I am reposting one of my earliest episodes that covers all things Varroa Mite. I go over what this nasty little parasite is, how it transferred from the Asian honeybee (apis cerana) to our beloved European honeybee (apis mellifera), its method of transmission into the US; testing methods, and available treatments. …

1
Tree Lore Pt. 2: Yggdrasil, Tree of Life, and Bigfoot

3y ago

—

We continue our tree lore! Daniel shares an article about the stats that trees make people happier. Frankie then talks about Yggdrasil the World Tree and the many trees of life, and Daniel talks about the most popular cryptid, bigfoot. Check out our website propagatedpodcast.com for more information and links!…

1
Mini episode: broody hens & hive updates 31:45

3y ago31:45

31:45

Hello hello! I am back from my vacation and right back into the thick of things. I've been so busy catching up on everything at the homestead that I am bringing you just a mini episode this week. I'll be discussing broody hens (or what it means when a hen 'goes broody') as well as what is happening in my bee hives. Then I'll share some highlights f…

1
Tree Lore Pt. 1: Forest Cryptids and the Sacred Celtic Trees

3y ago

—

It's time for a folklore episode! Frankie talks about an article from the Smithsonian about the first insect to become extinct due to humans. Then Daniel talks about some amazing cryptids and creatures of lore that lurk in forests. Frankie then talks about the lore behind the 7 sacred Celtic trees. Learn more and see links at propagatedpodcast.com…

1
Vacation Ep: repost of Episode 1! 49:57

3y ago49:57

49:57

Hello from my vacation! For the first time since I started this podcast, I am taking time off. I didn't want to leave you hanging, though, so I thought now would be a good time to repost Episode 1: A Chicken in a Parking Lot. This is all about how I fell into chicken keeping (and homesteading) when I found a small, beakless hen in an ALDI parking l…

1
Nature's Weirdos 1:02:45

3y ago1:02:45

1:02:45

Daniel and Frankie talk about something a little lighter in this episode: the weirdo plants of nature. Daniel talks about an article where $1.2 million dollars worth of rare, stolen cactuses were confiscated and returned to Chile (you can find the link on our website at propagatedpodcast.com). Then they talk about some strange plants in the plant k…

1
Relaxed Fit Episode! 1:13:46

3y ago1:13:46

1:13:46

Hello! This week, I'm taking time off from the book reviews and educational topics, and instead talking about everything that has been happening here on the homestead. Topics include: rehoming an aggressive rooster, bringing a new rooster home, vegetable garden progress, and hive news. Please visit my website for photos of all things discussed. Han…

1
Logging & Deforestation 45:30

3y ago45:30

45:30

In this episode, Frankie and Daniel cover the heartbreaking facts of deforestation and logging. To learn more and see our episode notes, visit us at propagatedpodcast.com

1
The Thinking Beekeeper by C.Hemenway - Part2 1:25:15

3y ago1:25:15

1:25:15

Hello hello! This is part 2 of my review of 'The Thinking Beekeeper' by Christy Hemenway. This half of the book goes in depth on how to manage your top bar hive colony during its first year, complete with some very handy-dandy diagrams. Please see my website for a rundown of everything discussed plus photos. Here is the garlic-water varroa treatmen…

1
Lawns

3y ago

—

It's here, it's here! Our much anticipated, long awaited episode on lawns and lawn culture. Daniel shares an awesome article about fertilizer made from beer byproduct and manure, and then we talk history, impact, and solutions, as well as HOAs, golf, lawn bowling, and xeriscaping. Head over to our website propagatedpodcast.com for our research arti…

1
The Thinking Beekeeper by C.Hemenway - Part 1 1:10:46

3y ago1:10:46

1:10:46

Hello hello! This week, I'll be covering the first half of 'The Thinking Beekeeper' by Christy Hemenway, which is an excellent how-to guide on getting started with top bar hives. I also announce the winner of my giveaway! As always, please see my website for a rundown of everything discussed as well as photos from the book. Additional resources: Sc…

1
Farming Basics

3+ y ago

—

We dip our toes lightly into farming in this episode! Daniel shares an article about beneficial nematodes and then we delve into the world of farming: carbon emissions, monoculture vs permaculture, the dust bowl, and a whole lot of feelings about weirdly shaped bell peppers. Learn more on our website at propagatedpodcast.com!…

1
Gold Star Honeybees Top Bar Hive Review 1:02:52

3+ y ago1:02:52

1:02:52

This week, I’m sharing my thoughts and experiences with the Gold Star Honeybees top bar hive (complete kit); the quality of the materials, ease of putting it together, and how it is working out. I’m also hosting a giveaway for the book ‘The Thinking Beekeeper - Natural Beekeeping in Top Bar Hives’ by the owner of Gold Star Honeybees, Christy Hemenw…

1
Gardening Basics

3+ y ago

—

In this episode we talk garden basics! Good dirt, companion planting, pest control, pollinators and worms, garden styles, and our favorite garden snacks. With lots of tangents in between! Lots of love to your gardens, big or small.Please note: the Three Sisters Garden is a Native tradition and specifically Indigenous wisdom, and we meant to say tha…

1
The Adventures of Ginny the Guinea! 1:08:22

3+ y ago1:08:22

1:08:22

Welcome to episode 45! This episode is all about the adventures of Ginny, the guinea fowl hen. I also cover some facts about guinea fowl so that you can decide whether they might be a good fit for your homestead or farm. Links of interest: Episode 101 of the Hive Jive Podcast (Telling the Bees) Female Guinea Keet call from Youtube Good Sprout Rescu…

1
Propagated on Some Other Sphere Podcast 58:25

3+ y ago58:25

58:25

Daniel and Frankie got to be guests on Some Other Sphere podcast! They were interviewed by Rick Palmer about how they got into plants, how absolutely bananas plant communication is, and all kinds of fun plant talk (including a bit into the paranormal too!) Check it out, and check out Some Other Sphere Podcast as well!…

1
#22 – Houseplant Basics: Plants for Your Caregiving Style

3+ y ago

—

Daniel and Frankie talk about the basics of houseplants in this episode! They cover plants great for the attentive caregiver, plants for the inattentive caregiver, and plants for the inconsistent caregiver. Use this as a sign to forgive yourself of all the plants you've killed: you ARE a plant person, you just might not have had the right plants fo…

1
Honeybee Democracy, T.Seeley, final chapters! 1:08:29

3+ y ago1:08:29

1:08:29

Hello hello! This week, I finish up my book review of 'Honeybee Democracy' by Thomas Seeley with chapter 10 and the epilogue. Chapter 10 is all about how we can apply the 'swarm smarts' of honeybee swarms to our human forms of governing and decision-making. The Epilogue is a succinct summary of everything covered in the book. I hope you enjoy it! A…

1
#21 – 420 Special: Cannabis & Hemp 1:05:54

3+ y ago1:05:54

1:05:54

Happy 420! We have a very special guest, Jay this episode!! Jay has worked in the cannabis industry in Denver for years and tells us all about the history of weed/ganja/pot/marijuana/devils lettuce/etc, how the plant works, how cannabinoids work in your body, and how cool hemp is!

1
Honeybee Democracy, T.Seeley, Chpt 9 49:06

3+ y ago49:06

49:06

Hello hello! This week, we move on to Chapter 9 of Honeybee Democracy by Thomas Seeley. This chapter looks at how the decision making process of honey bee swarms is comparable to the decision making process of primate brains. Yes, really! Quick correction: at the end, I say my next episode will cover chapter 10 and the Prologue. I meant chapter 10 …

1
#20 – Spring Foraging: Ramps, Dandelions, Violets, Wild Onion, Clover, Nettles, Morels, & Chickweed 1:20:47

3+ y ago1:20:47

1:20:47

It's spring time!! In this episode, we cover spring foraging basics with a few of our favorite delicious & important spring snacks. We start out by covering foraging basics, along with the racist and dark history of foraging and trespassing laws. Then we go on to talk about our favorite spring foragables and how to identify and use them! Daniel cov…

1
Honeybee Democracy, T.Seeley, Chpt 8 57:33

3+ y ago57:33

57:33

Hello hello! This week, I push on with my book review of Honeybee Democracy by Thomas Seeley, and cover Chapter 8. This chapter is all about the dynamics of swarm flight. How do the bees make their way to their chosen nest site? Which bees lead the way? How many bees of the 10k+ within a swarm have visited the nest before? These questions and more …

1
#19 – Sugar Cane, Rum, & Sugar Cane Alternatives

3+ y ago

—

We're back with more sugar facts! Frankie gets deeper into sugar cane and talks about rum, and Daniel talks about sugar alternatives including tree sugars, dates, coconut sugar, agave, stevia, and sugar alcohols. They also chat about an article written in Science News about how scientists may have found why catnip repels insects (good news for futu…

1
Honeybee Democracy, T.Seeley, Chpt 7 1:10:37

3+ y ago1:10:37

1:10:37

Hello hello! This week, I am covering Chapter 7 of Honeybee Democracy, which is all about the swarm's final flight home. Have you ever wondered how a honeybee swarm manages to take flight all at once, as one great cloud of bees? What allows 10 thousand plus bees to take off as one cohesive unit? What signals to them to prepare for flight? You're ab…

1
Honeybee Democracy, T.Seeley, Chpt 6 57:39

3+ y ago57:39

57:39

This week, I cover chapter 6 of Honeybee Democracy by Thomas Seeley. This chapter is all about how the scout bees of a swarm come to a consensus on their new nest site. We will learn about how nest site quality relates to waggle dance enthusiasm; how the discoverer scouts recruit other bees to support their site; and whether scout bees compare vari…

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