Free Daily Podcast Summary
The Urban Farm Podcast with Greg Peterson: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Urban Farm Team
Welcome to The Urban Farm Podcast, your partner in the Grow Your Own Food revolution! This audio only podcast features special guests like Rosemary Morrow, Zach Loeks, and Andrew Millison as we discuss the art and value of growing food in urban areas. We'll explore topics such as gardening basics, urban beekeeping and chicken farming, permaculture, successful composting, monetizing your farm, and much more! Each episode will bring you tips and tricks on how to overcome common challenges, opportunities to learn from the experience of people just like you, and plenty of resources to ensure you're informed, equipped, and empowered to participate more mindfully in your local food system... and to have a great time doing it!
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- 2 days ago48 min
1009: Growing Your Farm Without Outside Inputs w/ Shawn and Beth Dougherty
In this Episode Farmer Greg welcomes returning guests Shawn and Beth Dougherty, homesteaders with 40 years of experience growing food and building a farm ecosystem with minimal outside inputs. They discuss their philosophy of homesteading, living soil, biological wealth, and the patterns that allow a farm to generate its own fertility and abundance. Their new book, One Cow Revolution, is an in-depth instruction manual for the family dairy cow, drawing on decades of experience with cows, goats, grazing, milk, and farm systems.Shawn and Beth have been homesteading for the last 40 years. They speak all over the country on sustainable farming, teaching whoever will listen how to grow food without inputs. They grow 95% of what they eat and what their animals eat, and the heart of their sustainable homestead is their grass-fed dairy cow. They joined us for the first time on episode 147 all the way back in October 2016.Key TopicsHomesteading as producing food for your family while improving the soilHow to grow food without relying on outside inputsCreating living soil is biological wealthHow to build self-fertile farm ecosystemsThe relationship between plants, animals, soil, and sunlightRotational grazing and working with natural patternsLearning through failure, mistakes, and setbacksThe role of dairy cows in a homesteadOne Cow RevolutionThe Independent FarmsteadMicrograzing and small-scale grazingGrass-fed dairy, milk, cheese, butter, whey, and buttermilkChickens and pigs as part of the farm nutrient cycleFamily, food, farming, and passing knowledge between generationsKey Questions AnsweredWhat is homesteading?Shawn and Beth define homesteading as producing food for your own consumption while improving the soil through the same activities. They see it as more than food production: it is a way of reconnecting people with natural systems and creating an environment where families can thrive.How can a farm become less dependent on outside inputs?The key is learning the natural patterns that generate food, animal feed, and soil fertility. Instead of continually importing fertility, a farm can cycle organic matter, manure, animals, plants, and other resources so that the ecosystem becomes increasingly self-fertile.Why is living soil so important?Living soil supports mineral-rich plants, which feed animals and people. Returning organic matter and nutrients to the soil allows biological wealth to increase from one generation to the next rather than being depleted.What role does a dairy cow play on a homestead?A dairy cow converts grass and hay into milk while also producing manure, a calf, and byproducts such as whey and buttermilk. Those resources can feed people, pigs, chickens, and the soil, creating connections throughout the farm ecosystem.How can a dairy cow work on a small property?The Doughertys explain that cows can fit on relatively small acreage when their food is brought to them. They describe the family dairy cow as a powerful way to convert abundant grass into nutrient-dense food and other resources for the farm.What does failure teach us about farming?Mistakes and setbacks force farmers to observe, experiment, and discover what actually works. Shawn and Beth describe their own years of “homesteading badly” as an important part of learning the patterns that eventually made their farm productive.How should farmers respond to drought and other natural events?Rather than automatically fighting every environmental change, farmers can look for the opportunities within it. Their experience with drought showed how changing conditions can strengthen warm-season grasses and renew the seed base for future conditions.Why did Shawn and Beth write One Cow Revolution?They wanted to capture the small, intuitive details of managing a cow that are traditionally learned by watching experienced farmers. The book is intended to provide the practical knowledge and reassurance of an experienced farmer or grandparent who can help someone understand what is happening and respond appropriately.Episode HighlightsHomesteading is about producing food while improving the soil through the same activities.A healthy farm can generate much of its own fertility, food, and abundance when its natural patterns are understood.Biological wealth begins with living soil and grows when nutrients and organic matter are returned to the ecosystem.Failure and setbacks can provide some of the most valuable education a farmer receives.Shawn and Beth describe the dairy cow as a central connector between grass, milk, pigs, chickens, manure, and soil.Grass captures sunlight and provides
- 1 weeks ago33 min
1008 - Worm Castings, Compost & Regenerative Gardening
In this Episode - What if the key to growing healthier, more productive gardens isn’t more fertilizer, but healthier living soil? Ben Lederer, co-founder of Regenerative Soil Company in North Phoenix, joins Greg to explore how compost, worm castings, mulch, and beneficial biology can transform the soil beneath your garden. You’ll learn simple ways to start composting, use kitchen scraps and chickens to build a regenerative cycle, and improve your soil while reducing reliance on synthetic inputs. Ben and Greg also share practical ideas for taking one small step toward a healthier garden and a more resilient community.Our Guest: Ben is the co-founder of Regenerative Soil Company, a small batch amendment company based in North Phoenix. A longtime gardener, chicken keeper, and compost enthusiast, Ben is passionate about helping people grow healthier plants naturally through worm castings, regenerative gardening practices, and living soil biology. He also works in turf grass management and enjoys teaching practical, approachable ways to build healthy soil at homeKey TopicsBen LedererRegenerative Soil CompanyWorm castingsLiving soil biologyRegenerative gardeningCompostingGreen mulch and cowpeasChickens and backyard food systemsLocal soil amendmentsTurf grass and soil managementPermaculture and closed-loop gardeningArizona Worm FarmCommunity gardeningThe Worm Farmer’s HandbookKey Questions AnsweredHow did Ben Lederer get into regenerative gardening and soil health?Ben grew up watching his parents garden and became fascinated by how plants grow. His experience in landscaping and turf grass management eventually led him to question conventional practices and look for ways to build healthier soil naturally. What are worm castings, and why are they useful in the garden?Worm castings are worm-processed organic material that contains microbes and nutrients. Ben describes them as a gentle organic fertilizer that can help plants grow stronger and handle environmental stress, while Greg shares his experience using them to reduce heat and transplant stress. What are some natural ways to improve garden soil?Ben recommends compost, worm castings, mulch, and green mulch. These practices can add organic matter, support soil biology, retain moisture, moderate soil temperature, and improve conditions for future plantings. How can cowpeas function as green mulch?Cowpeas help cover the soil, keep it cooler, and contribute nitrogen through their relationship with soil biology. At the end of the season, Ben recommends cutting the plants down and leaving the roots in the soil so they decompose in place. How can a beginner start composting at home?Ben says the simplest approach is to establish a compost pile in an appropriate area of the yard. A basic compost system needs a balance of nitrogen-rich “greens” and carbon-rich “browns,” along with moisture and occasional turning. How can gardeners get enough green material for compost?Ben suggests building relationships with neighbors and offering to collect their kitchen scraps. Providing neighbors with a five-gallon bucket gives them an easy way to contribute food waste while helping the gardener build compost. How do chickens, compost, and gardening form a regenerative cycle?Chickens can eat kitchen scraps, produce manure for the compost pile, and help turn and work through compost. The resulting compost feeds the garden, which produces more food and food scraps, creating a useful cycle between animals, compost, soil, and plants. Why does Ben emphasize buying soil amendments locally?Ben says local compost and soil products are more likely to retain active microbial life because they have not spent long periods sitting on a store shelf. He encourages gardeners to seek out local compost and soil producers. What does Ben see as the role of competition among local worm farms?Ben views other worm farms as potential complements rather than competitors. He believes there is ample demand for locally produced worm castings and that collaboration can help more gardeners succeed. What did Ben learn from personal setbacks?Ben describes rebuilding his life after struggling with drugs and alcohol as a teenager and young adult. He says the experience taught him resilience, responsibility, and accountability, and that those lessons now influence how he approaches agriculture and business. What book does Ben recommend for people interested in vermicomposting?<p
- 2 weeks ago42 min
Building Peace Through Being Prepared w/ Wendi Bergin - Ep 1007
SubtitleIn this Episode Wendi Bergin and Greg Peterson explore preparedness as a practical, positive part of everyday life rather than fear-driven survivalism. They discuss building a working pantry, storing and rotating food, developing skills, maintaining backups, and preparing for the specific challenges of where you live. Greg and Wendi also share lessons from Hurricane Helene and other emergencies, emphasizing that preparedness creates peace and makes it easier to care for family, neighbors, and community. Key TopicsPreparedness as a way of lifeWorking pantry and food storageFreeze-dried and survival foodsFood-system vulnerabilityThree-day grocery supply and “three-hour supply”Meal planning for food storagePressure canning and food preservation“Two is one, one is none”Backup power and generatorsWater storage and filtrationEmergency cooking and lightingSkills versus possessionsHurricane Helene preparedness lessonsNeighborhood food infrastructureKey Questions AnsweredWhat does preparedness look like without becoming hoarding?Wendi and Greg describe preparedness as having useful supplies that are part of everyday life. Food should be familiar, used, and rotated rather than purchased and forgotten. How can someone build a food supply without buying large amounts of survival food?Start with meals the household already eats. Wendi recommends identifying 10 familiar meals and gradually stocking enough ingredients to make each meal multiple times. Why should preparedness be for everyone?Emergencies aren't limited to natural disasters. Job loss, health crises, family needs, power outages, and other unexpected circumstances can all create situations where having food, water, skills, and supplies makes life easier. Why are skills more valuable than stuff?Skills travel with you. Greg explains that gardening, food preservation, cooking, and other practical abilities remain useful even if you move somewhere else or lose access to your existing equipment and supplies. What does “two is one, one is none” mean in practical preparedness?It means having backups because equipment can fail when you need it most. Both Greg and Wendi share experiences where generators or other equipment failed or had to be given to someone else. How should people prepare for their particular location?Preparedness depends on local conditions. The conversation covers hurricanes in Florida, ice storms in New Jersey, extreme heat in the low desert, and the different needs of other climates and households. How can preparedness strengthen a neighborhood?Prepared people can share resources and skills instead of simply relying on others. Greg describes neighbors sharing food during Hurricane Helene and his idea for a neighborhood potato-planting party to build food production into the community. How can someone get started today?Start by taking inventory of what you already have: food, water, filters, flashlights, batteries, cooking equipment, generators, and other supplies. Then identify the gaps that matter most for your household and location. Episode HighlightsPreparedness doesn't have to be heavy or fear-based; it can simply become part of everyday life. Build a pantry around food you actually eat, and rotate what you store. A stocked pantry became especially valuable when Greg and Heidi experienced a week without water and electricity during Hurricane Helene. Test generators and backup equipment regularly instead of assuming they will work when needed. Water, food, shelter, cooking, and light are fundamental preparedness priorities. Skills can be carried anywhere, while possessions can be lost, left behind, or fail. Start small: inventory what you already have, then fill the gaps based on your circumstances. Preparedness can move beyond the household into neighborhood food infrastructure and community care. Calls to Action & ResourcesHomesteading Made Simple — Podcast and YouTube channel featuring homesteading skills, mindset, gardens, animals, and homestead properties. Food storage inventory — Start by documenting the food, water, equipment, and other preparedness resources already in your home. 10 Times Food
- 3 weeks ago39 min
1006: Seed Libraries: Growing Community, Resilience & Local Seed
A Seed Chat w/ Rebecca NewburnRebecca Newburn, co-founder of Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library and a leader of the Seed Library Network, joins Greg Peterson for a conversation about the power of community seed libraries. They explore how seed libraries differ from seed banks, why local seed matters, and how seed saving can increase biodiversity, food resilience, and community connection. Rebecca also shares new resources for seed saving, education, children, librarians, and communities that want to create their own seed-saving cohorts. The conversation ultimately comes back to a simple idea: seeds are life embodied, and they sprout hope.Key Topics & EntitiesSeed Library NetworkRichmond Grows Seed Lending LibrarySeed libraries vs. seed banksCommunity seed saving and sharingLocal and regionally adapted seedSeed diversity and biodiversityPermaculture and traditional wisdomSeed-saving educationSeed-saving cohorts and teacher trainingSeed-saving guidelines and chartsSeed libraries in public libraries and schoolsFood resilience and cultural preservationKey Questions AnsweredWhat is a seed library?A seed library is a free community resource where people can get seeds without paying for them or being required to return seeds. When gardeners learn to save and return seeds, the library can become increasingly self-sustaining.How is a seed library different from a seed bank?Seed libraries generally serve home gardeners and don't require seeds to be returned. Seed banks are more commonly associated with farmers and often require a return of seed in greater quantity than was borrowed.Where did the modern seed library movement come from?Rebecca was inspired by BASIL, the Bay Area Seed Interchange Library at the Berkeley Ecology Center. While taking a permaculture design course, she connected with one of its founders and decided to develop a replicable model for creating seed libraries.Why is local seed so important?Rebecca believes communities need to re-localize their seed. Much commercial seed is produced in different climates and sometimes different countries. Locally saved seed has the opportunity to adapt to local conditions while communities preserve greater genetic and cultural diversity.What does localizing seed look like?It means more people learning to save and share seeds, increasing the diversity of seed stocks, and paying attention to which plants actually thrive in their own communities.What should home gardeners save seed from?Save seed from what you like. Greg and Rebecca emphasize selecting plants that perform well in your particular environment and produce food you actually enjoy eating.What makes a seed library successful?Success depends on the community. It might mean getting people to garden for the first time, meeting the community's demand for seed, or gradually increasing the percentage of locally donated seed.Why is genetic diversity valuable in a home garden?Greater diversity can mean different plants mature at different times, while variation may provide more resilience when pests, frost, or other challenges affect the garden.What does a gardener need to know about saving viable seed?Seed saving isn't simply about collecting seeds. Some crops need cross-pollination and a sufficient number of plants to maintain viable genetics. Rebecca's forthcoming seed-saving chart addresses ease of saving, potential cross-pollination, viable seed production, and recommended population sizes.When are cucumber seeds ready to save?Unlike cucumbers harvested for eating, cucumbers intended for seed saving should remain on the vine until they become fully mature, orange, and even begin to soften. This allows the seeds to develop properly.How can communities create seed-saving teachers?The Seed Library Network is developing replicable seed-saving cohorts that combine online instruction from experienced seed savers with local hands-on learning. The goal is to help communities develop people who can teach seed saving to others.How can seed libraries connect with children and educators?Rebecca is developing coloring books, seed-saving activities, story-time resources, songs, bookmarks, downloadable materials, and "Program In A Box" concepts that libraries, educators, and homeschoolers can use to teach children about seeds.Episode HighlightsSeed libraries are free community resources where people can access seeds without the obligation to return them, while seed b
- Sep 4, 202641 min
1005: Growing Urban Fruit Trees with Tom Spellman
In this Episode Tom Spellman shares more than five decades of experience growing, propagating, and managing fruit trees, with a focus on what he calls urban fruit tree culture. He explains why backyard growers should prioritize varieties they enjoy, choose trees and rootstocks suited to their climate, manage tree size, and use successive ripening to extend harvests. Tom also discusses protecting fruit trees from heat, sunburn, wind, and sudden weather events through whitewashing, shade, pre-irrigation, and mulching. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes a simple goal for backyard growers: get a little bit of fruit all the time rather than an overwhelming amount all at once.Our Guest: Tom Spellman has been involved in the nursery business since 1973. At that time, he was a freshman in high school and rode his skateboard to work. Since then he has worked for several different nurseries including La Verne Nursery where he was general manager for 20 years. And Dave Wilson Nursery where he was the southwestern sales Manager for over 20 years. Since retiring he is an Urban Fruit Tree and orchard consultant. Most of all he is the person that knows more about fruit trees than anyone else I know!Key Topics & EntitiesUrban fruit tree cultureFruit tree variety selectionRootstocks and climate adaptabilityTree size managementSuccessive ripeningBare root fruit treesDesert fruit tree growingSunburn and sunscald protectionWind stress and windbreaksPre-irrigation before extreme heatMulching and soil temperatureCompanion plantingCitrus in desert climatesContainer-grown citrusKey Questions AnsweredWhat is urban fruit tree culture?Urban fruit tree culture is growing fruit trees under limited backyard conditions, where space is restricted and the goal is to make the most productive use of that space. Tom recommends growing varieties you actually like and will use while considering climate, geography, and soil type.Why is tree size management so important for backyard growers?Backyard growers generally don't need hundreds of pounds of one type of fruit at once. Keeping trees compact makes pruning, thinning, harvesting, and other maintenance easier while allowing multiple varieties to be grown in the same space.How can successive ripening extend a backyard harvest?By planting varieties that ripen at different times, gardeners can harvest the same type of fruit over a much longer period. Instead of getting one large crop for two weeks, several varieties can provide fruit for a month and a half or longer.How should gardeners choose a fruit tree rootstock?The rootstock needs to be adapted to the gardener's climate and soil as well as the variety itself. Tom explains that desert growers need rootstocks capable of handling heat, sandy soil, low-desert conditions, and alkalinity.Why are bare root trees pruned before planting?When bare root trees are dug, their roots are pruned. The top should be pruned back to balance the reduced root system so the tree can establish new growth successfully. Tom's experiments show that heavily pruned bare root trees can develop significantly more vigor and new scaffold growth than unpruned trees.How can fruit trees be protected from extreme desert heat?Tom recommends protecting exposed bark from sunburn with a breathable whitewash, using limited temporary shade during a tree's first summer, and thoroughly pre-irrigating before a predicted extreme heat event.How does mulch help fruit trees in hot climates?A four- to six-inch layer of mulch can keep soil temperatures significantly cooler, improve water retention, increase biological activity, and reduce weed seed germination. Tom also recommends maintaining a broad mulched basin around fruit trees.What is the advantage of companion planting around young fruit trees?The space around young trees is already being irrigated and maintained, so annual or temporary companion crops can make productive use of that space while the trees are becoming established. Crops such as cowpeas and sweet potatoes can also help reduce ground temperatures.Why is citrus especially valuable for desert gardeners?Citrus offers a wide range of varieties with different harvest periods. By selecting varieties with different seasons, gardeners can potentially harvest citrus for many months of the year.Can people grow citrus in climates where it cannot survive outdoors year-round?Yes. Tom describes container culture as an option for people with sunrooms or greenhouses. Trees can be moved outdoors after the d
- Aug 28, 20261h 11m
1004: Growing Epic Tomatoes with Craig LeHoullier
In this Episode Craig LeHoullier shares his lifelong journey from childhood gardening memories to becoming a renowned heirloom tomato grower, seed saver, and plant breeder. He explains the differences between heirloom, open-pollinated, and hybrid tomatoes and why preserving tomato genetics matters for future gardeners. Craig discusses the Dwarf Tomato Breeding Project, the story behind Cherokee Purple, growing tomatoes in containers and straw bales, and the importance of learning directly from your plants. He encourages gardeners to get their hands dirty, experiment, save seeds, and enjoy gardening as a lifelong journey.Our Guest: Craig is a North Carolina-based gardener, author, and plant breeder known for his deep expertise in heirloom tomatoes. With a PhD in chemistry from Dartmouth and a 25-year career in pharmaceuticals, he later shifted full-time into gardening and seed saving. Craig is a longtime advisor to Seed Savers Exchange, and is credited with helping popularize varieties like Cherokee Purple tomatoes. He co-leads the Dwarf Tomato Breeding Project and authored Epic Tomatoes, a widely respected guide for home growers.Key Topics & EntitiesCraig LeHoullier and his 40-year gardening journeyHeirloom, hybrid, and open-pollinated tomatoesSeed Savers ExchangeTomato seed saving and preservationThe Dwarf Tomato Breeding ProjectCherokee Purple tomatoTomato breeding and geneticsEpic TomatoesStraw bale gardeningContainer tomato growingVictory Seed CompanyGardening misinformation and experimentationFood systems and food desertsGardening as community buildingKey Questions AnsweredWhat makes a tomato an heirloom?Craig defines an heirloom as a genetically stable variety that can be passed down through saved seed, with age and a meaningful history or story associated with it.What is the difference between heirloom and open-pollinated tomatoes?All heirlooms are open-pollinated, but not every open-pollinated tomato is an heirloom. Craig uses 1949, when Burpee's Big Boy was introduced, as a useful guidepost for distinguishing older heirlooms from newer open-pollinated varieties.Why are hybrid tomatoes valuable?Hybrids can combine desirable traits such as disease resistance, heat tolerance, growth habits, and productivity. Craig emphasizes that there are excellent hybrids, heirlooms, and open-pollinated varieties.How did the Dwarf Tomato Breeding Project begin?Craig and Patrina began crossing large, flavorful heirlooms with dwarf tomato varieties to create tomatoes that could be grown in smaller spaces while retaining excellent flavor and interesting characteristics.Why is Cherokee Purple important to Craig?Craig received seeds in 1990 from J.D. Green, who told him they came through a Cherokee family history in Tennessee. Craig grew the tomato, named it Cherokee Purple, and helped distribute it so the variety and its story could continue.What makes a tomato variety worth preserving?Beyond flavor and popularity, a variety may contain genetic traits that could become important for future challenges such as heat, drought, water scarcity, or emerging diseases.What is one of the biggest mistakes gardeners make with tomatoes?Craig says gardeners need to pay attention to their plants. Daily observation can reveal early signs of disease, nutritional problems, water stress, and other issues before they become serious.What is the key to successful straw bale gardening?A straw bale is conditioned with nitrogen, water, and fertilizer for roughly two weeks before planting. The bale heats up as it decomposes and provides a productive growing medium that eventually becomes useful organic matter.What tomatoes work well in small spaces?Craig recommends Sun Gold cherry tomatoes, dwarf tomatoes, and micro-dwarf varieties for containers and limited growing spaces. Cherry tomatoes can also perform well with less sunlight than many larger varieties.What is Craig's advice for beginning tomato growers?Get your hands dirty, start with good seedlings or learn to start your own seeds, and let the plants teach you. Gardening is an education and a journey rather than a rigid set of instructions.Episode HighlightsCraig traces his love of gardening to childhood memories of working with his father and grandfather and describes how joining Seed Savers Exchange in 1986 sparked his passion for heirloom tomatoes.He explains how heirloom tomatoes preserve genetics, history, and stories—and why today's newer open-pollinated varieties may become tomorr
- Aug 26, 202636 min
1003: Community Gardens Grow People and Relationships
A Rosie On The House Replay w/ Jenny BeasleyJenny Beasley of Heart for the City shares how a barren dirt lot in Glendale, Arizona, became a thriving community garden serving families, schools, volunteers, and gardeners from eight different cultures. She explains how partnerships, raised beds, shared food, and educational programs helped transform the space into much more than a place to grow vegetables. The conversation explores how community gardens create belonging, purpose, friendships, healthier neighborhoods, and stronger connections between people. Jenny also offers practical advice for anyone interested in starting a community garden of their own. Key Topics & EntitiesHeart for the City GardenJenny BeasleyCommunity gardensGlendale, ArizonaRaised garden bedsCommunity partnershipsCity of GlendaleSchool garden partnershipsEight different culturesCucuzza squashUrban gardening in the desertGardening educationFood accessCommunity buildingKey Questions AnsweredHow did Heart for the City Garden begin?Jenny Beasley was challenged to transform a barren, partly asphalt-covered dirt lot into a community garden. The City of Glendale provided the property, while a community development grant helped fund the initial development. What made the raised beds such a game changer?The raised beds gave individual families and gardeners a sense of ownership. They also allowed people from different cultures to grow vegetables they remembered from childhood or from their home countries. How does the garden bring different cultures together?Gardeners from places including Jordan, Trinidad, China, Mexico, Hungary, and Peru grow alongside one another, sharing vegetables, recipes, gardening knowledge, and traditions. What is the biggest lesson Jenny learned about building community?People want to feel connected and be part of something. Growing side by side gives people a natural way to participate, contribute, and build relationships. How can someone begin creating a community garden?First determine what type of community garden you want to create, then visit and learn from gardens with similar goals. Jenny says learning from people who have already developed successful gardens can save enormous amounts of time. How does the garden operate in the Arizona heat?Heart for the City Garden grows year-round. During the hottest part of the year, peppers, okra, herbs, and other crops are growing, while tomatoes can be more challenging. How does the garden create purpose for people?Jenny describes a woman who unexpectedly retired and found purpose, friendships, activity, and a new routine through spending time at the garden. What happens beyond gardening at Heart for the City?The garden hosts cooking events, recipe sharing, educational activities, guest speakers, celebrations, and even weddings. Visitors may leave with seeds, plants, or planting calendars. How does the surrounding neighborhood participate?Neighbors walk to the garden with their children, donate gardening supplies, volunteer, and help one another. The garden has become a close-knit neighborhood resource rather than simply a place to grow food. What does Jenny consider the garden's greatest accomplishment?She is most proud of how the gardeners connect, help one another, care for their garden spaces, celebrate life's milestones, and continue learning. As another gardener put it, they are “growing people also.” Episode HighlightsA barren dirt lot becomes a thriving community garden and food forest over roughly 12 years. Raised beds become a “game changer,” giving families ownership and encouraging participation from multiple cultures. Partnerships with the City of Glendale, schools, businesses, and volunteers help sustain the garden. The garden's cucuzza squash inspires a club, a giant trellis, shared recipes, and plenty of fun. Gardeners support one another with rides, meals, home check-ins, and friendship—creating what Jenny calls a “big garden family.” Cooking and food-sharing events help people learn what to do with the vegetables they grow. The garden welcomes people from throughout the area who want to learn about gardening or simply connect with others. Jenny's central message: community gardens don't just grow vegetables—they grow people and relationships. Calls to Action & Resou
- Aug 21, 202646 min
1002: Compost, Fungi & The Living Soil w/ Landen Schaelling - A Seed Chat.
In this July Seed Chat, Greg Peterson, Bill McDorman, and Landen Schaelling explore how compost, fungi, microbial life, and living plant roots work together to build healthier soil. Landen explains why keeping plants growing is more important for long-term soil carbon than simply adding organic matter, and why fungal-rich compost can help store the carbon plants produce. The conversation covers cover crops, composting methods, curing, moisture, carbon-to-nitrogen ratios, chop-and-drop, crimping, and compost extracts. Our Guests: Landen Schaelling is the founder of Sacred Soil Solutions. He is focused on bringing optimal and approachable microbe inputs to gardeners and homesteaders, while also teaching farmers in the American West how to implement soil building solutions at scale.And Bill McDorman has committed his life to community-based seed stewardship. In 1984, he started Seeds Trust High Altitude Gardens, a bioregional mail order seed company that he ran for 28 years. He authored the book Basic Seed Saving in 1994, and in 2010 Bill and his wife, Belle Starr, founded Seed School.Key Topics Compost and soil healthFungal-dominant compostSoil food webCover crops and living rootsRhizophagy cycleMicrobial fermentationsLiquid carbon and soil carbon storageThermophilic compostingJohnson-Su compostingBokashiCarbon-to-nitrogen ratiosChop-and-drop and crimpingCompost curing and moistureLanden Schaelling / Sacred Soil SolutionsKey Questions AnsweredWhy are living plants more important than simply adding compost for long-term soil improvement?Living plants act as the soil's “income earners,” putting liquid carbon into the soil through their roots. Compost can support that system, but keeping roots in the ground is what continually feeds the soil food web. What makes compost truly valuable?The goal isn't simply the solid organic material. High-quality compost provides a living community of fungi and other soil food web organisms that can interact with plant roots and help store plant-derived carbon. How can you encourage fungal growth in compost?Landen recommends a high-carbon pile, roughly 60–70% carbon, along with consistent moisture. Chunkier wood chips can help encourage fungal activity, and the compost needs a long curing period for the microbial community to develop. How long should compost cure?After the heating phase, Landen recommends roughly nine to 12 months of curing with consistent moisture around 50–60%. He describes seeing a significant increase in fungi, protozoa, and other soil food web organisms as the compost matures. Should compost be sifted?Landen strongly recommends against sifting mature compost because it adds oxygen, dries the material, and can damage fungal hyphae. The living organisms on the compost matter more than producing a perfectly fine, crumbly product. Can weeds function as cover crops?Some weeds can contribute positively when they are temporarily left growing, but not all weeds provide the same benefits. Landen specifically notes that context matters and that some weeds can be less supportive of fungal relationships. What is the difference between chop-and-drop and crimping?Chop-and-drop can create a rapid release of nitrogen, while crimping breaks the stems without completely severing them, allowing nutrients to move more slowly into the root system. Either approach works best when another crop is ready to capture the released nutrients. How often should microbial fermentation sprays be applied?Landen says plants can benefit from very frequent, even daily, applications because they respond well to small amounts delivered consistently. However, he emphasizes that less frequent applications can still provide significant benefits when time is limited. What should consumers look for when buying compost?Landen recommends asking compost producers for microscope analysis. He argues that microscopy provides important evidence about the biological quality of the finished compost. Episode HighlightsLiving plants, not dead organic matter, are the primary “income earners” that build soil carbon.Cover crops keep roots in the ground and continually support the soil food web.Fungal-rich compost helps capture and store the carbon produced by plants.A compost pile with roughly 60–70% carbon can encourage strong fungal development.Thermophilic composting is only part of the process; long-term curing is critical.Maintaining 50–60% moisture for ni
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About The Urban Farm Podcast with Greg Peterson
Welcome to The Urban Farm Podcast, your partner in the Grow Your Own Food revolution! This audio only podcast features special guests like Rosemary Morrow, Zach Loeks, and Andrew Millison as we discuss the art and value of growing food in urban areas. We'll explore topics such as gardening basics, urban beekeeping and chicken farming, permaculture, successful composting, monetizing your farm, and much more! Each episode will bring you tips and tricks on how to overcome common challenges, opportunities to learn from the experience of people just like you, and plenty of resources to ensure you're informed, equipped, and empowered to participate more mindfully in your local food system... and to have a great time doing it!
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It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of The Urban Farm Podcast with Greg Peterson as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the The Urban Farm Podcast with Greg Peterson podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official The Urban Farm Podcast with Greg Peterson product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by Urban Farm Team.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts. Upgrade to Pro for 15, or Premium for 50. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does The Urban Farm Podcast with Greg Peterson release new episodes?
The Urban Farm Podcast with Greg Peterson publishes weekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does The Urban Farm Podcast with Greg Peterson cover?
The Urban Farm Podcast with Greg Peterson covers topics including Leisure, Education, Arts, Food, Courses, Garden, Home & Garden. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
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Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.