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Before I get started, I need to ask everyone about their thoughts on the numbering of the podcast episodes. Are they of any use to you any more? Or are they just a holdover from the days of the small iPods? Would your rather just see more detail in the title?
I started labeling this way to enable some of the mp3 players to sort the episodes in order. But as I am now discovering, many listeners don’t care for them, so I am trying to decide if you want me to keep it or toss it?
What do you prefer?
Wisconsin GardenerYouTube Channel
I recently ears from Joey Baird and his wife on Facebook about their youtube channel.
I took a look at it and discovered not only did I like what they were doing, but I already subscribed to their channel. I should have mentioned them before.
The Wisconsin Vegetable Gardener, from Mequon, WI is with Joey Baird and his Wife
where they share gardening tips and tricks like I do both here and on youtube, but also shares a lot of recycle and re-use tips for your garden too.
The latest episode really gave me a “Duh” moment. Why didn’t I think of that? Joey shows how you can make seed tape from toilet tissue, flour, water, and a small brush. Great tips Joey!
In case you don’t know what a seed tape is, it’s a way you can buy seeds that are all on a strip of paper like tape, generally smaller hard to handle seeds like carrots. Instead of trowing lots more seeds than needed and later thinning them out, with a tape, you only plant what you should. Less thinning.
With Joey’s tip, you can make your own seed tape.
Many other worthwhile tips on his channel too.
www.youtube.com/user/WisVeggieGardeners
Call from Rob in Missouri
Rob called in from Missouri. Rob is not only starting a new garden this year, but also starting his own bee hive. Way to go, Rob!
He asks how far away from the Fruit Orchard and Garden he needs to place the hive.
I share with everyone my experiences with the suit orchards in California that have to pay to lease Bees every year and place them right in the orchards.
Bottom Line: Place as near or as far as you like and the bees will still range outward from the garden or orchard.
Of course, I defer this advice to my recommended source, Listener and Chef Mil Apostol at
Urban Farm and Bee Hive. mil is a frequent poster on the blog and runs an unbelievable beekeeping resource web site.
The W-O-R-D Organic Gardening System
One of my favorite and highly recommended Gardening Books is Ed Smith’s “The Vegetable Gardening Bible.
Large Format, lots of colored photos and terrific advice, Ed has come up with what he called his WORD system of gardening. He tends a 1500 sq ft garden in Northern Vermont, and as he says, if he can garden successfully there, there is no reason you can’t do the same.
WORD System
W-Wide
O- Organic
R- Raised
D- Deep Soil
New Garden Book – Disappointment
I recently saw an announcement of a new Gardening book from Storey Publishing. The cover showed beautiful red tomatoes, someone staking a plant in the garden, etc, so I thought I would give it a try.
I was disappointed. While the book is very simple as it says in the title, It was more of a typical suburban homeowners book, not so much for gardening.
Why do I say that?
Well, substantial amount of pages are devoted to buying a Chemical Fertilizer spreader, diseases of the laws Choosing Fungicides, Pesticides, and even a recommendation for Roundup.
I strongly feel there is enough mis-advice and pressure on new gardeners to take the easy way out and just spray it do we really need another source telling beginners to buy a chemical for their every problem?
There was a short section on Vegetable gardening, but thats not what bothered me about the book. I can give them some leeway there. It was the strong recommendation for all the chemicals and growing lawns that sent me over the edge. It’s been well established that lawns are wasting water, and being over sprayed with chemicals all ready.
Here’s the link, You be the judge:
Beginner’s Illustrated Guide to Gardening: Techniques to Help You Get Started
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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Shame on Storey publishing! I thought they were all about organic gardening?
I was as surprised as you, Emily. As you could tell from the podcast, I was also very disappointed in them.
Hi Steve,
I’m downloading this episode right now and saw BEEHIVES and that you mentioned my name. Thanks for the mention.
Anyway, to Rob in Missouri, I would say to place the hives where no one will be walking in their flight path, you have enough space to work the hives comfortably, and where you are able to get equipment to and from the hives. I have heard that the bees can forage up to 2-3 miles, so if the hives are within shouting distance or the garden, I’m quite sure the girls will visit.
Steve, I am glad to hear your take on that latest book. I recently read a gardening book and was not at all happy about the tacit approval to pesticides such as Round-up and their disapproval of compost tea citing possible e. coli contamination. I didn’t know if I was being a butt head because although there was some good advice in the book, and was easy to read, I find I no longer have any tolerance for chemicals in the garden or in my beehives for that matter.
Hi Steve,
I always enjoy your shows! I listen to podcasts while I’m working, cleaning, farming and gardening and use the small inexpensive MP3 players with tiny display screens so Im glad the episodes are numbered. I’m voting – keep it.
When you recommended the Wisconsin Gardener youtube channel I thought ‘Hmm I’ll have to check them out when I get home’. I lived in Mequon (the ‘e’ is short as in pet) 10 years ago. Well, Joey and Holly are quite nice, I like their tips and techniques, they’ve done a good job editing and I will be happily recommending their videos to friends and family. What really blew me away was… THEY LIVE IN MY OLD HOUSE!!! The old cast iron radiator & slanted ceilings were looking familiar, then the stairs… when he was shooting outside I knew it was ‘home’. It hasn’t actually been a farm for over 30 years, the land was sold and the city has grown up to the yards boundaries but that’s the old farm house. I will enjoy watching the transformation as they convert that lawn to garden and the heart of that land returns. So, thanks for that suggestion!!!
Keep up the good work & I’m looking forward to following you in this new adventure you’re on.
Kathe
Hey Steve,
Just thought i’d drop you line from the UK. I have been listening to your show for a few weeks now and i have to say what fantastic job your doing. Even though i’m in the UK you still give tons of advice that is transferable across all country’s.
Back in one of your earlier episodes, yes i downloaded them all and go through them whilst driving at work, you mentioned the food saver. I found this to be quite pricey for a tight budget and found another manufacturer by the name of Andrew James. Last year all my tomatoes and courgettes were going off because i had a fantastic harvest and had to give loads of stuff vegetables away but this vacuum sealer will allow me to store a large amount in the freezer for the winter months and cut down my shopping bill.
I purchased mine from Amazon for £40 and have chopped up vegetables for four stews, vacuum sealed and frozen each one so also a time saver for a hard working family. All i have to do now is take one out and stick in the slow cooker before going to work leaving more spare time in the evening for my gardening.
Great show as always.
Scott.
Hi Scott -
Thanks for taking the Time to say hello from the UK!
Thanks also for the name of a UK Product for vacuum Sealing. I can imagine that most of the products from here in the States are expensive overseas.
Vacuum sealing no matter what the brand extends the life of the products an unbelievably long time and I believe it’s one of the best ways to preserve. In addition, I think some Veggies taste better frozen than they do canned.
Glad you had such a great harvest. Pretty rough here in South Texas, US last year due to our drought.
BTW – what is a “courgette” ? Wish we all had the same terms!
Thanks again, Scott!
Steve, the Youtube link is not working
Fixed now, Thanks again, Mark!
Steve, I just watched the seed tape making portion of the Wisconsin Vegetable Gardner Youtube that you mentioned, I’ll certainly give that a try. On another tip from a couple of weeks back I’ve signed up for his newsletter and had some good correspondence with Damon. I appreciate your show.
Rob,
I just wanted to mention that we live around the same area. I’m in Oak Grove. Good luck in your garden!
How rude of me,
of course another good show Steve.
No Problem, Damon. Hard to keep all the boards straight, ain’t it? LOL
At least I know you’re still listening! Thanks, Buddy!