On this episode, we’re tackling Phosphorus – an element, crucial to life on earth, which exists in both abundance and scarcity. We cover how humans got hooked on P fertilizers, the political and environmental impacts of mining and pollution, and what might be done about it.  Mentioned in this episode:   City of Austin Algae Mitigation;Toledo Junction Coalition Interview;  Points North Podcast;  US EPA explanation of phosphorus processing waste product storage;  Florida Public Radio story about Florida mine disasters; Atlas Obscura podcast: “The Belt and Berm”  Part 1 and  Part 2; Atlas Obscura text: Moroccan Western Sahara Wall; Soil is Sexy Support us by subscribing to our Patreon!  Email info@horticulturati.com 

On this episode, we’re tackling Phosphorus – an element, crucial to life on earth, which exists in both abundance and scarcity. We cover how humans got hooked on P fertilizers, the political and environmental impacts of mining and pollution, and what might be done about it.  Mentioned in this episode:  <a href="https://www.austintexas.gov/page/harmful-algae-mitigation#:~:text=In%202021%2C%20Phoslock%20treatment%20successfully,the%20treatment%20plan%20for%202023." rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> City of Austin Algae Mitigation</a>;<a href="https://youtu.be/wwoJDvX1SWk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Toledo Junction Coalition Interview</a>; <a href="https://www.interlochenpublicradio.org/podcast/points-north/2023-03-03/the-phosphorus-paradox" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Points North Podcast</a>; <a href="https://www.epa.gov/radtown/radioactive-material-fertilizer-production" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> US EPA explanation of phosphorus processing waste product storage</a>; <a href="https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/environment/2021-06-16/history-of-phosphate-mining-in-florida-fraught-with-peril" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Florida Public Radio story about Florida mine disasters;</a> Atlas Obscura podcast: “The Belt and Berm” <a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/podcast-the-belt-and-the-berm-part-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Part 1</a> and <a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/podcast-the-belt-and-the-berm-part-2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Part 2</a>; <a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/20975" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Atlas Obscura text: Moroccan Western Sahara Wall</a>; <a href="https://rhizos.substack.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Soil is Sexy</a> Support us by <a href="https://pat" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">subscribing to our Patreon! </a> Email <a href="mailto:info@horticulturati.com">info@horticulturati.com</a>

Horticulturati: The Phosphorus Paradox (Part 1)

On this episode, we’re gettin’ down and dirty with sheet mulch. Sheet mulching is a no-till, no-dig gardening practice of removing unwanted vegetation and building fertile soil by layering organic matter and letting it compost in place. While the layers suppress weeds by blocking sunlight, subterranean soil biology goes to work to break down the layers into new soil. The beauty of this simple practice is that you can do it at any time of year with materials you have on hand (like cardboard, shredded paper, and leaves) or can source for free from local sources (arborist wood chips, coffee grounds, and spent mushroom substrate). We discuss the reasons for sheet mulching, when and how to do it, and what to use. Then we dive into the corrugated controversy around cardboard and ponder the role of science in gardening.  Mentioned in this episode: “Pocket Prairies with John Hart Asher” (Horticulturati podcast episode, 2022); JHA pocket prairies ep of Horticulturati; Gaia’s Garden: A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture by Toby Hemenway (2001); “Fungal Vision with Daniel Reyes” (Hothouse podcast episode, 2018); Mycelium Running by Paul Stamets (2005); Teaming with Microbes: The Organic Gardener’s Guide to the Soil Food Web by Jeff Lowenfels and Wayne Lewis (2006); “Mulches: The Good, The Bad, and the Really, Really Ugly” by Dr. Linda Chalker Scott (presentation to the Clackamas County Master Gardeners, 2019); “The Cardboard Controversy” by Chalker-Scott (Garden Professors blog, 2015); “Permaculture - More Concerns” by Chalker-Scott (Garden Professors blog, 2010). Join The Horticulturati on Patreon for bonus episodes! Email us info@horticulturati.com 

On this episode, we’re gettin’ down and dirty with sheet mulch. Sheet mulching is a no-till, no-dig gardening practice of removing unwanted vegetation and building fertile soil by layering organic matter and letting it compost in place. While the layers suppress weeds by blocking sunlight, subterranean soil biology goes to work to break down the layers into new soil. The beauty of this simple practice is that you can do it at any time of year with materials you have on hand (like cardboard, shredded paper, and leaves) or can source for free from local sources (arborist wood chips, coffee grounds, and spent mushroom substrate). We discuss the reasons for sheet mulching, when and how to do it, and what to use. Then we dive into the corrugated controversy around cardboard and ponder the role of science in gardening.  Mentioned in this episode: <a href="https://www.horticulturati.com/episodes/pocket-prairies-with-john-hart-asher" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">“Pocket Prairies with John Hart Asher”</a> (Horticulturati podcast episode, 2022); JHA pocket prairies ep of Horticulturati; Gaia’s Garden: A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture by Toby Hemenway (2001); “<a href="https://www.hothousepodcast.com/eps/2018/5/22/fungal-vision-with-daniel-reyes" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Fungal Vision with Daniel Reyes</a>” (Hothouse podcast episode, 2018); Mycelium Running by Paul Stamets (2005); Teaming with Microbes: The Organic Gardener’s Guide to the Soil Food Web by Jeff Lowenfels and Wayne Lewis (2006); <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXL9n2KNm1E" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">“Mulches: The Good, The Bad, and the Really, Really Ugly”</a> by Dr. Linda Chalker Scott (presentation to the Clackamas County Master Gardeners, 2019); <a href="https://gardenprofessors.com/the-cardboard-controversy/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">“The Cardboard Controversy”</a> by Chalker-Scott (Garden Professors blog, 2015); <a href="https://gardenprofessors.com/permaculture-more-concerns/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">“Permaculture - More Concerns”</a> by Chalker-Scott (Garden Professors blog, 2010). <a href="https://www.patreon.com/Horticulturati" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Join The Horticulturati on Patreon</a> for bonus episodes! Email us <a href="mailto:info@horticulturati.com">info@horticulturati.com</a>

Horticulturati: The Multilayered Magic of Sheet Mulch

Susan Poizner

"Fruit trees need hands-on care." That's the motto of our guest, Susan Poizner of OrchardPeople.com. Susan is an urban orchardist, teacher, journalist, and filmmaker. She is the author of Growing Urban Orchards (2014), cofounder of the Ben Nobelman Park Community Orchard in Toronto and the host of the Urban Forestry Radio podcast. She also teaches fruit tree classes on her website. Colleen was eager to interview Susan after taking her online courses. Susan gives us the basics on why fruit trees need human intervention to thrive; we also discuss urban orchards, heirloom species, food forests, and Susan's transition from journalism to horticulture. Then Colleen and Leah discuss the impact of Austin's recent ice storm on fruit trees.   Mentioned in this episode:  North American Scion Exchange (Facebook group). Join THE HORTICULTURATI PATREON for early access to episodes and bonus content! Email us at info@horticulturati.com or call the Horticulturati Hotline at 347-WAP-HORT.  

"Fruit trees need hands-on care." That's the motto of our guest, Susan Poizner of <a href="https://orchardpeople.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">OrchardPeople.com</a>. Susan is an urban orchardist, teacher, journalist, and filmmaker. She is the author of <a href="https://orchardpeople.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/GrowingUrbanOrchards_SusanPoizner-sm.pdf" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Growing Urban Orchards</a> (2014), cofounder of the <a href="https://communityorchard.ca/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Ben Nobelman Park Community Orchard i</a>n Toronto and the host of the <a href="https://orchardpeople.com/podcasts/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Urban Forestry Radio</a> podcast. She also teaches fruit tree classes on <a href="https://learn.orchardpeople.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">her website</a>. Colleen was eager to interview Susan after taking her online courses. Susan gives us the basics on why fruit trees need human intervention to thrive; we also discuss urban orchards, heirloom species, food forests, and Susan's transition from journalism to horticulture. Then Colleen and Leah discuss the impact of Austin's recent ice storm on fruit trees.   Mentioned in this episode:  <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/scionexchange/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">North American Scion Exchange</a> (Facebook group). <a href="https://www.patreon.com/Horticulturati" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Join THE HORTICULTURATI PATREON</a> for early access to episodes and bonus content! Email us at <a href="mailto:info@horticulturati.com">info@horticulturati.com</a> or call the Horticulturati Hotline at 347-WAP-HORT.

Horticulturati: Fruit Tree Care with Susan Poizner

Lisa Nunamaker

Amy Fedele

In this roundtable, we talk about drafting and drawing with Lisa Nunamaker, of Paper Garden Workshop, and Amy Fedele, of Pretty Purple Door, two fabulous garden educators who offer online courses in landscape graphics. Leah took courses from both instructors this year -- Lisa's Garden Graphics Toolkit and Amy's Great at Procreate.  We discuss why the fundamentals of hand-drafting remain so valuable to the design process; the role of digital design programs like AutoCAD; and how tablet apps provide a new, hybrid avenue of digital hand-drafting.  Then we turn to to the subject of emotional baggage: Why is drawing so scary for so many adults? How can we gain confidence as creatives and develop our own unique visual style?  Mentioned in this episode: the tablet apps (Procreate, Adobe Fresco, Morpholio Trace, Concepts); The Creative Habit by Twila Tharp (2006). The Horticulturati is brought to you by Leah Churner and Colleen Dieter. Join our Patreon for early access to shows and bonus episodes! 

In this roundtable, we talk about drafting and drawing with Lisa Nunamaker, of <a href="https://www.papergardenworkshop.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Paper Garden Workshop</a>, and Amy Fedele, of <a href="https://www.prettypurpledoor.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Pretty Purple Door</a>, two fabulous garden educators who offer online courses in landscape graphics. Leah took courses from both instructors this year -- Lisa's <a href="https://www.papergardenworkshop.com/garden-graphics-tool-kit-sneak-peek" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Garden Graphics Toolkit</a> and Amy's <a href="https://www.prettypurpledoor.com/procreate-course/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Great at Procreate</a>.  We discuss why the fundamentals of hand-drafting remain so valuable to the design process; the role of digital design programs like AutoCAD; and how tablet apps provide a new, hybrid avenue of digital hand-drafting.  Then we turn to to the subject of emotional baggage: Why is drawing so scary for so many adults? How can we gain confidence as creatives and develop our own unique visual style?  Mentioned in this episode: the tablet apps (Procreate, Adobe Fresco, Morpholio Trace, Concepts); <a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Creative-Habit/Twyla-Tharp/9780743235273" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">The Creative Habit</a> by Twila Tharp (2006). The Horticulturati is brought to you by Leah Churner and Colleen Dieter. <a href="https://www.patreon.com/Horticulturati" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Join our Patreon</a> for early access to shows and bonus episodes!

Horticulturati: The Art of Graphics with Lisa Nunamaker and Amy Fedele

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet, but some of the common names we use for plants downright stink! In this episode, we're diving into problematic colloquial names. Some common names are geographically misleading (“Jerusalem artichoke”); others are xenophobic, racist, or antisemitic ("wandering Jew"); while still others are an unfortunate combination of both (“Turk’s cap”).  While it's probably too much to expect everyone to start using Latin names for plants, we can adapt new common names that are more culturally sensitive and accurate. Like the plants themselves, common names are organic, living things that need to evolve over time.  First up, some armadillo drama and an update on Colleen's super-low-maintenance front yard renovation inspired by the writing of Roy Diblik (here's our original episode about that.) Mentioned:  Great at Procreate, an online digital drawing course from instructor Amy Fedele; "Problematic Common Names" (House Plant Hobbyist, 2021); How Plants Get Their Names by L.H. Bailey (Macmillian, 1933); Native Flora of Texas by the Texas Highway Department (undated, ca. 1960); The Better Common Names Project of the Entomological Society of America; and Potentially Problematic Common Names, a study by the American Public Gardens Association (2021).  Like the show? Please support us on Patreon!  Email  info@horticulturati.com

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet, but some of the common names we use for plants downright stink! In this episode, we're diving into problematic colloquial names. Some common names are geographically misleading (“<a href="https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=HETU" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Jerusalem artichoke</a>”); others are xenophobic, racist, or antisemitic ("<a href="https://www.house-plant-hobbyist.com/blog/2019/5/16/tradescantia-zebrina?rq=tradescantia" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">wandering Jew</a>"); while still others are an unfortunate combination of both (“<a href="https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MAARD" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Turk’s cap</a>”).  While it's probably too much to expect everyone to start using Latin names for plants, we can adapt new common names that are more culturally sensitive and accurate. Like the plants themselves, common names are organic, living things that need to evolve over time.  First up, some armadillo drama and an update on Colleen's super-low-maintenance front yard renovation inspired by the writing of <a href="https://www.workman.com/products/the-know-maintenance-perennial-garden/paperback" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Roy Diblik</a> (here's our <a href="https://www.horticulturati.com/episodes/gardening-for-maintenance-amp-the-soul-of-a-farmer" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">original episode about that</a>.) Mentioned:  <a href="https://www.prettypurpledoor.com/procreate-course/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Great at Procreate</a>, an online digital drawing course from instructor Amy Fedele; <a href="https://www.house-plant-hobbyist.com/blog/2021/1/19/problematic-common-names" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">"Problematic Common Names"</a> (House Plant Hobbyist, 2021); How Plants Get Their Names by L.H. Bailey (Macmillian, 1933); Native Flora of Texas by the Texas Highway Department (undated, ca. 1960); <a href="https://entsoc.org/publications/common-names/better-common-names-project" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">The Better Common Names Project</a> of the Entomological Society of America; and <a href="https://www.publicgardens.org/resources/potentially-problematic-common-names-north-american-public-gardens" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Potentially Problematic Common Names</a>, a study by the American Public Gardens Association (2021).  Like the show? Please <a href="https://www.patreon.com/Horticulturati" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">support us on Patreon!</a> Email  info@horticulturati.com

Horticulturati: Thorny Common Names

Attention plant lovers! Central Texas Seed Savers is hosting a Seed Swap at the Austin Central Library (710 W. Cesar Chavez St) on Saturday, October 29 from 11-1pm. This event is free and open to the public.  Bring seeds to share! Or just come get some seeds! For more info, visit https://www.centexseedsavers.org and https://library.austintexas.libguides.com/seedsandsustainability

Attention plant lovers! Central Texas Seed Savers is hosting a Seed Swap at the Austin Central Library (710 W. Cesar Chavez St) on Saturday, October 29 from 11-1pm. This event is free and open to the public.  Bring seeds to share! Or just come get some seeds! For more info, visit <a href="https://www.centexseedsavers.org/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.centexseedsavers.org</a> and <a href="https://library.austintexas.libguides.com/seedsandsustainability" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://library.austintexas.libguides.com/seedsandsustainability</a>

Seed Swap!

In this episode, Colleen unearths as much as she can about the largely unwritten history of plant pots. When did humans start growing plants in containers? How did innovations in materials and technology lead to the domestication of plants, plant collecting, and the growth of the nursery industry? Why are plant pots so overlooked as a facet of industrial design? (We can rattle off several iconic chair designs, but flowerpots? Not so much.) Why don’t the standardized names of nursery pot sizes correspond to their actual volume in the US? We have more questions than answers, folks.  First up, Leah is practicing her drawings. And we need an alternative name for the tricky season that comes between summer and fall in Texas.  Join our Patreon for bonus episodes and more! Email us at info@horticulturati.com or call the Horticulturati Hotline to leave a voicemail at 347-WAP-Hort.  Mentioned in this episode: Rain lilies (Cooperia drummondii); Paper Garden Workshop; “Elevation to Plan” technique; Plan to Elevation (Leah’s sketch); The Artist’s Way (1992) by Julia Cameron; Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain (1979) by Betty Edwards; Willy Guhl designs on Artnet; a bio of Guhl; history of flowerpots from the Salem Maritime National Historic Site; “Plastic Pots and the Nursery Industry: Production, Use, Disposal, and Environmental Impacts” (2020) by the APLD; Eric Soderholtz.

In this episode, Colleen unearths as much as she can about the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090915183205/http://www.absolutearts.com/artsnews/2004/08/16/32286.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">largely unwritten</a> history of plant pots. When did humans start growing plants in containers? How did innovations in materials and technology lead to the domestication of plants, plant collecting, and the growth of the nursery industry? Why are plant pots so overlooked as a facet of industrial design? (We can rattle off several iconic chair designs, but flowerpots? Not so much.) Why don’t the standardized names of nursery pot sizes correspond to their actual volume in the US? We have more questions than answers, folks.  First up, Leah is practicing her drawings. And we need an alternative name for the tricky season that comes between summer and fall in Texas.  <a href="https://www.patreon.com/Horticulturati" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Join our Patreon</a> for bonus episodes and more! Email us at <a href="mailto:info@horticulturati.com">info@horticulturati.com</a> or call the Horticulturati Hotline to leave a voicemail at 347-WAP-Hort.  Mentioned in this episode: <a href="https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=codr2" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Rain lilies</a> (Cooperia drummondii); <a href="https://www.papergardenworkshop.com/about" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Paper Garden Workshop</a>; “<a href="https://www.papergardenworkshop.com/blog/elevation-to-plan" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Elevation to Plan” technique</a>; <a href="https://www.horticulturati.com/plantoelevation" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Plan to Elevation (Leah’s sketch)</a>; <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Artist%27s_Way" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">The Artist’s Way</a> (1992) by Julia Cameron; <a href="https://www.drawright.com/bettys-books" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain</a> (1979) by Betty Edwards; <a href="http://www.artnet.com/artists/willy-guhl/4" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Willy Guhl designs on Artnet</a>; <a href="https://mid2mod.blogspot.com/2016/02/willy-guhl.html?m=1" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">a bio of Guhl</a>; <a href="https://nmscarcheologylab.wordpress.com/2012/09/27/gardening-at-the-narbonne-house-a-redware-flowerpot-from-salem-maritime-national-historic-site/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">history of flowerpots from the Salem Maritime National Historic Site</a>; <a href="https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.mnla.com/resource/resmgr/docs/apld-plastic-pots-white-pape.pdf" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">“Plastic Pots and the Nursery Industry: Production, Use, Disposal, and Environmental Impacts”</a> (2020) by the <a href="https://www.apld.org/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">APLD</a>; <a href="https://thedowneastdilettante.blogspot.com/2010/05/concrete-beauty-ee-soderholtz.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Eric Soderholtz</a>.

Horticulturati: Humble History of the Flowerpot

We're back with a salute to Monty Don, beloved British gardening expert, author, and fashion icon, whose infectious passion for plants is boosting our spirits through this bummer summer.  Though little known in the US, jaunty Monty is a big celebrity across the pond, as the host of the BBC's Gardener's World, Big Dreams, Small Spaces, and Around The World in 80 Gardens. With his soothing temperament and sharp insights, he's a bit like a cross between Anthony Bourdain and Mr Rogers.  We discuss differing approaches to horticulture and land stewardship in the US and the UK and how Big Dreams, Small Spaces has informed our thinking about the role of the landscape designer as consultant. Then we follow Monty's 80 Gardens journey to Mexico City to visit perhaps the oldest perennial flowering gardens in the world: the floating chinampas of Xochimilco.  (Where to watch these shows in the US? Gardener's World and Big Dreams are currently available on Amazon Prime. The full 80 Gardens series is on Youtube.) Mentioned in this episode:  Around The World in 80 Gardens (book) by Monty Don.  The Horticulturati is cohosted by Leah Churner and Colleen Dieter. Want more? Please join our Patreon to hear our bonus podcast, "In the Weeds," and early access to episodes! 

We're back with a salute to <a href="https://www.montydon.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Monty Don</a>, beloved British gardening expert, author, and <a href="http://richarddnorth.com/2013/02/monty-don-in-peasant-blue-on-grand-french-gardens/?doing_wp_cron=1659557220.8697350025177001953125" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">fashion icon</a>, whose infectious passion for plants is boosting our spirits through this bummer summer.  Though little known in the US, jaunty Monty is a big celebrity across the pond, as the host of the BBC's <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mw1h" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Gardener's World</a>, <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04rjkfv" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Big Dreams, Small Spaces</a>, and <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008x9bh/episodes/guide" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Around The World in 80 Gardens</a>. With his soothing temperament and sharp insights, he's a bit like a cross between Anthony Bourdain and Mr Rogers.  We discuss differing approaches to horticulture and land stewardship in the US and the UK and how Big Dreams, Small Spaces has informed our thinking about the role of the landscape designer as consultant. Then we follow Monty's <a href="http://%20https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ll13M9uGns" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">80 Gardens journey to Mexico City</a> to visit perhaps the oldest perennial flowering gardens in the world: the floating <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xochimilco#/media/File:Chinampa.JPG" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">chinampas of Xochimilco</a>.  (Where to watch these shows in the US? Gardener's World and Big Dreams are currently available on Amazon Prime. The full 80 Gardens series is on Youtube.) Mentioned in this episode:  <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2799212-around-the-world-in-80-gardens" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Around The World in 80 Gardens</a> (book) by Monty Don.  The Horticulturati is cohosted by Leah Churner and Colleen Dieter. Want more? <a href="https://www.patreon.com/Horticulturati" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Please join our Patreon</a> to hear our bonus podcast, "In the Weeds," and early access to episodes!

Horticulturati: The Full Monty Don

On this episode, we dive into ecologist Douglas Tallamy's books Nature's Best Hope (2019) and The Living Landscape (2014, with Rick Darke). Tallamy's work takes native plant gardening and wildlife gardening to another level by focusing not just on species diversity, but on diversity of species interaction to promote ecological conservation. According to Tallamy, "native" plants are those which have "evolved in a given place over a period of time sufficient to develop complex and essential relationships with a diversity of animals." Native plants, then, are organisms that have interacted with insects, birds, and mammals for thousands, if not millions, of years. We discuss Tallamy's perspective and the how we might tackle the challenge of implementing a conservation design -- and convincing homeowners to think of themselves as land stewards. Up first: It's hot here in Austin, so we are talking about what early triple-digit temps mean for gardeners. Leah is looking for her niche, taking inspiration from specialist insects.  Support us by joining our Patreon! $5 a month gets you early access to episodes, bonus content, and our deep gratitude. Mentioned in this episode: National Wildlife Federation's Native Plant Finder web tool; The Know Maintenance Perennial Garden (2014) by Roy Diblik; Planting in a Post-Wild World (2015) by Claudia West and Thomas Rainer. Also - after recording, we found this article from the NWF about yucca moths. (Their caterpillars eat the yucca seeds and flowers, not the leaves! Then the moths pollinate the yuccas in return!)

On this episode, we dive into ecologist Douglas Tallamy's books <a href="https://www.workman.com/products/natures-best-hope/hardback" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Nature's Best Hope</a> (2019) and <a href="https://www.workman.com/products/the-living-landscape/hardback" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">The Living Landscape</a> (2014, with Rick Darke). Tallamy's work takes native plant gardening and wildlife gardening to another level by focusing not just on species diversity, but on diversity of species interaction to promote ecological conservation. According to Tallamy, "native" plants are those which have "evolved in a given place over a period of time sufficient to develop complex and essential relationships with a diversity of animals." Native plants, then, are organisms that have interacted with insects, birds, and mammals for thousands, if not millions, of years. We discuss Tallamy's perspective and the how we might tackle the challenge of implementing a conservation design -- and convincing homeowners to think of themselves as land stewards. Up first: It's hot here in Austin, so we are talking about what early triple-digit temps mean for gardeners. Leah is looking for her niche, taking inspiration from specialist insects.  Support us by joining our <a href="https://www.patreon.com/Horticulturati" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Patreon</a>! $5 a month gets you early access to episodes, bonus content, and our deep gratitude. Mentioned in this episode: <a href="https://www.nwf.org/NativePlantFinder/Plants" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">National Wildlife Federation's Native Plant Finder</a> web tool; <a href="https://www.workman.com/products/the-know-maintenance-perennial-garden/paperback" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">The Know Maintenance Perennial Garden</a> (2014) by Roy Diblik; <a href="https://www.workman.com/products/planting-in-a-post-wild-world/hardback" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Planting in a Post-Wild World</a> (2015) by Claudia West and Thomas Rainer. Also - after recording, we found this article from the NWF about <a href="https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Invertebrates/Yucca-Moths" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">yucca moths</a>. (Their caterpillars eat the yucca seeds and flowers, not the leaves! Then the moths pollinate the yuccas in return!)

Horticulturati: Conservation Design

John Hart

We sat down at the picnic table with John Hart Asher, host of Central Texas Gardener and Cofounder/Senior Environmental Designer at  Blackland Collaborative to talk about pocket prairies. What’s a pocket prairie? It’s a very small prairie. What’s a prairie? It’s a community of native grasses and forbs wildflowers that have evolved along with microbes, plants, and animals over millennia. This "disturbance-driven ecology" historically relied on periodic fire and low-frequency, high-intensity grazing to function. John Hart sees the "millions-year-old technology" of the American prairie as a replicable system that we can borrow in our own yards to sequester carbon, manage stormwater runoff, and support the essential interconnections between life forms that make up the food-soil web. As Douglas Tallamy writes in his book Nature's Best Hope, "If each American landowner made it a goal to convert half of his or her lawn to native plant communities...[we] could collectively restore some semblance of ecosystem function to more than twenty million acres of what is now ecological wasteland."    We discuss the role of wildfires and buffalo grazing in Texas before European settlement, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center's research on prescribed burning, and how to prepare, install, and maintain a pocket prairie.  John Hart insists that we must rethink our approach to landscape design, gardening, land ownership, and even our concept of "nature" if we are to sustain life on earth. He describes prairie restoration as "a trajectory, not an intervention" -- a process, rather than a product -- which can help us reconnect with the web of life, reduce climate anxiety, and make our homes more beautiful to boot.  Mentioned in this episode:   Nature's Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation that Starts in Your Yard by Douglas Tallamy; the  USDA Web Soil Survey; Black Owl Biochar;  KR Bluestem. Please join our Patreon for bonus episodes, early access, and more! 

We sat down at the picnic table with John Hart Asher, host of <a href="https://www.centraltexasgardener.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Central Texas Gardener</a> and Cofounder/Senior Environmental Designer at <a href="https://blacklandcollaborative.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Blackland Collaborative</a> to talk about pocket prairies. What’s a pocket prairie? It’s a very small prairie. What’s a prairie? It’s a community of native grasses and forbs wildflowers that have evolved along with microbes, plants, and animals over millennia. This "disturbance-driven ecology" historically relied on periodic fire and low-frequency, high-intensity grazing to function. John Hart sees the "millions-year-old technology" of the American prairie as a replicable system that we can borrow in our own yards to sequester carbon, manage stormwater runoff, and support the essential interconnections between life forms that make up the food-soil web. As Douglas Tallamy writes in his book Nature's Best Hope, "If each American landowner made it a goal to convert half of his or her lawn to native plant communities...[we] could collectively restore some semblance of ecosystem function to more than twenty million acres of what is now ecological wasteland."    We discuss the role of wildfires and buffalo grazing in Texas before European settlement, the Lady Bird Johnson <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg1zhtE69rw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wildflower Center's research on prescribed burning</a>, and how to prepare, install, and maintain a pocket prairie.  John Hart insists that we must rethink our approach to landscape design, gardening, land ownership, and even our concept of "nature" if we are to sustain life on earth. He describes prairie restoration as "a trajectory, not an intervention" -- a process, rather than a product -- which can help us reconnect with the web of life, reduce climate anxiety, and make our homes more beautiful to boot.  Mentioned in this episode:  <a href="https://www.workman.com/products/natures-best-hope/hardback" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Nature's Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation that Starts in Your Yard by Douglas Tallamy</a>; the <a href="https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/HomePage.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> USDA Web Soil Survey</a>; <a href="https://www.biocharsupreme.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Black Owl Biochar</a>; <a href="http://www.tsusinvasives.org/home/database/bothriochloa-ischaemum-var-songarica" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> KR Bluestem</a>. <a href="https://www.patreon.com/Horticulturati" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Please join our Patreon</a> for bonus episodes, early access, and more!

Horticulturati: Pocket Prairies with John Hart Asher

Hothouse is a podcast about design, ecology, and the way we garden now. Host Leah Churner sits down with experts and enthusiasts to talk about permaculture, the urban landscape, and how plants sometimes give us the feels. A meeting of the minds for plant people and the horticulture-curious, Hothouse is a different kind of gardening show: less of the how-to and more of the who, what, where, when, and why.

Love the intro, looking forward to the next 100 Episodes!!

Eatin and Sippin Locally

A great idea for a podcast and excellent execution.

So relevant

Hothouse

Gretchen O

Farmer-florist Gretchen O'Neil dishes the dirt on growing cut flowers. Gretchen is the founder of Petals, Ink, a floral design studio, mobile flower truck, and women-run farm in Manor, Texas. She'll tell us about the highs and lows of the farming life -- extraordinary beauty and terrible uncertainty -- and explain how working the land has helped this New England native find a sense of seasonality in balmy Central Texas. Of course, she'll also recommend a whole bunch of varieties you can plant from seed right now to start your own cutting garden -- no greenhouse required!   For more info on Gretchen, visit Petalsinkfloral.com. Pick up their bouquets at the Texas Famers Market at Mueller (Sundays 10-2) and the Petals, Ink flower truck at the Tasty Spoon (Thursdays-Saturdays 4-7). Grassdale Farm's Instagram is amazing. Recommended reading: Flower Confidential by Amy Stewart (2007) and Floret Farm's Cut Flower Garden by Erin Benzakein.  Hothouse is produced by Leah Churner and engineered by Mike Moody. Visit us at www.hothousepodcast.com.  Email the show with plant questions and feedback at info@hothousepodcast.com and follow us on Instagram @hothousepodcast. Music by Moonsicles. moonsicles.bandcamp.com.  

Farmer-florist Gretchen O'Neil dishes the dirt on growing cut flowers. Gretchen is the founder of <a href="https://hothousepodcast.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=932e6cfb9bf42c8df4449c599&amp;id=fb076cac6b&amp;e=68822b8631" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Petals, Ink</a>, a floral design studio, mobile flower truck, and women-run farm in Manor, Texas. She'll tell us about the highs and lows of the farming life -- extraordinary beauty and terrible uncertainty -- and explain how working the land has helped this New England native find a sense of seasonality in balmy Central Texas. Of course, she'll also recommend a whole bunch of varieties you can plant from seed right now to start your own cutting garden -- no greenhouse required!  For more info on Gretchen, visit <a href="http://Petalsinkfloral.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Petalsinkfloral.com</a>. Pick up their bouquets at the <a href="https://hothousepodcast.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=932e6cfb9bf42c8df4449c599&amp;id=4424e8ce01&amp;e=68822b8631" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Texas Famers Market at Mueller (Sundays 10-2)</a> and <a href="https://hothousepodcast.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=932e6cfb9bf42c8df4449c599&amp;id=7e33f650be&amp;e=68822b8631" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">the Petals, Ink flower truck</a> at the <a href="https://hothousepodcast.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=932e6cfb9bf42c8df4449c599&amp;id=9dc1205f25&amp;e=68822b8631" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Tasty Spoon</a> (Thursdays-Saturdays 4-7). Grassdale Farm's <a href="https://hothousepodcast.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=932e6cfb9bf42c8df4449c599&amp;id=819fd1bd85&amp;e=68822b8631" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Instagram</a> is amazing. Recommended reading: <a href="https://www.amystewart.com/books/flower-confidential/" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Flower Confidential </a>by Amy Stewart (2007) and <a href="http://www.floretflowers.com/book/" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Floret Farm's Cut Flower Garden</a> by Erin Benzakein. Hothouse is produced by Leah Churner and engineered by Mike Moody. Visit us at <a href="http://www.hothousepodcast.com/" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.hothousepodcast.com</a>.  Email the show with plant questions and feedback at <a href="mailto:info@hothousepodcast.com" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener">info@hothousepodcast.com</a> and follow us on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hothousepodcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@hothousepodcast</a>. Music by Moonsicles. <a href="http://www.moonsicles.bandcamp.com/" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">moonsicles.bandcamp.com</a>.

From Amaranth to Zinnias | Farmer-Florist Gretchen O'Neil

Jane Perrone

On this episode, we’re taking an intimate look at the the most domesticated plants of all: houseplants. My guest, Jane Perrone, is a London-based journalist and the host-producer of the indoor gardening podcast  On The Ledge. We’ll discuss Jane’s background, some myths and misconceptions of container gardening, and the human tendency to anthropomorphize our houseplants. At the top of the show, I’ll dive into the revealing history of the Aspidistra elatior, a houseplant once so iconic it was the subject of a popular song, the codename for a “black propaganda” operation in WWII, and the central metaphor in a George Orwell novel. Today, the Aspidistra is barely considered a houseplant at all. Can this casualty of fashion ever come back in style? To learn more about On The Ledge, visit janeperrone.com or find the show on Apple podcasts. Find Jane on Instagram @j.l.perrone and on Twitter @janeperrone. Check out Darryl Cheng’s Instagram @houseplantjournal and his blog at houseplantjournal.com. Music in this episode is “The Biggest Aspidistra in the World” by Gracie Fields,  “Rite of Passage” by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under CC by 3.00, and  “Kid Kodi” by Blue Dot Sessions, licensed under CC BY-NC by 4.0. Please subscribe, rate, and review Hothouse on Apple Podcasts! For detailed show notes, visit hothousepodcast.com. Email the show at info@hothousepodcast.com. 

On this episode, we’re taking an intimate look at the the most domesticated plants of all: houseplants. My guest, <a href="http://janeperrone.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jane Perrone</a>, is a London-based journalist and the host-producer of the indoor gardening podcast <a href="http://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/get-started-with-on-the-ledge-podcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> On The Ledge</a>. We’ll discuss Jane’s background, some myths and misconceptions of container gardening, and the human tendency to anthropomorphize our houseplants. At the top of the show, I’ll dive into the revealing history of the Aspidistra elatior, a houseplant once so iconic it was the subject of a popular song, the codename for a “black propaganda” operation in WWII, and the central metaphor in a George Orwell novel. Today, the Aspidistra is barely considered a houseplant at all. Can this casualty of fashion ever come back in style? To learn more about On The Ledge, visit <a href="http://janeperrone.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">janeperrone.com</a> or find the show on Apple podcasts. Find Jane on Instagram @j.l.perrone and on Twitter @janeperrone. Check out Darryl Cheng’s Instagram @houseplantjournal and his blog at <a href="http://houseplantjournal.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">houseplantjournal.com</a>. Music in this episode is “The Biggest Aspidistra in the World” by Gracie Fields, <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/Global_Sampler/Rite_of_Passage" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> “Rite of Passage” by Kevin MacLeod</a>, licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CC by 3.00</a>, and <a href="http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Skittle/Kid_Kodi" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> “Kid Kodi” by Blue Dot Sessions</a>, licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CC BY-NC by 4.0</a>. Please subscribe, rate, and review Hothouse on Apple Podcasts! For detailed show notes, visit <a href="http://hothousepodcast.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">hothousepodcast.com</a>. Email the show at <a href="mailto:info@hothousepodcast.com">info@hothousepodcast.com</a>.

Houseplant Confidential with Jane Perrone

Daniel Reyes

On this episode, we venture into the strange and mysterious kingdom of fungi. Join Leah as she sits down to talk mushrooms with mycologist Daniel Reyes, the founder of MycoAlliance, a science and education company that offers classes in mushroom propagation and conducts research at an off-the-grid laboratory in a nature preserve in east Austin. Daniel is a specialist in Mycoremediation, the practice of using fungi to clean up toxic pollution.  We’ll start with some basic fungi facts (What is a mushroom, exactly?) and learn how easy it is to grow delicious mushrooms in your garden — even in pots! Hear tales of mycological adventure in the Amazon rainforest, learn how mushroom cultivation can help provide disaster relief to earthquake-damaged areas in Mexico City, and get the scoop on the future of fungi! To learn more about MycoAlliance, register for a class, or buy spawn, you can visit their website at txfungi.com. Follow them on Instagram at @mycoalliance. For dates and info about the Introduction to Mushroom Cultivation and Mycology class at Two Hives Honey, and the Mushroom Cultivation and Bioremediation Workshop at Circle Acres, visit the MycoAlliance events calendar. Download the iNaturalist app for help identifying Mushrooms of Texas. To donate to the Mushrooms for Mexico earthquake relief project, visit the GoFundMe page.  Other mentions in this episode: CoRenewal, formerly the Amazon MycoRenewal Project; The Telluride Mushroom Festival (August 16-19, 2018); Curcuma - plant-based food truck in Austin; Books: How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan;  Mycelium Running by Paul Stamets;  The Fungal Pharmacy by Robert Rogers. FYI: Morel season in Austin is February - April. This episode was recorded in February 2018 at Permanent RCRD Studios in Austin, Texas. Hothouse is produced by Leah Churner and engineered by Mike Moody. Visit us at www.hothousepodcast.com. Email the show with plant questions and feedback at info@hothousepodcast.com and follow us on Instagram @hothousepodcast. Music by Moonsicles. moonsicles.bandcamp.com.  

On this episode, we venture into the strange and mysterious kingdom of fungi. Join Leah as she sits down to talk mushrooms with mycologist Daniel Reyes, the founder of MycoAlliance, a science and education company that offers classes in mushroom propagation and conducts research at an off-the-grid laboratory in a nature preserve in east Austin. Daniel is a specialist in Mycoremediation, the practice of using fungi to clean up toxic pollution.  We’ll start with some basic fungi facts (What is a mushroom, exactly?) and learn how easy it is to grow delicious mushrooms in your garden — even in pots! Hear tales of mycological adventure in the Amazon rainforest, learn how mushroom cultivation can help provide disaster relief to earthquake-damaged areas in Mexico City, and get the scoop on the future of fungi! To learn more about MycoAlliance, register for a class, or buy spawn, you can visit their website at <a href="http://txfungi.com/" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">txfungi.com</a>. Follow them on Instagram at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mycoalliance/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@mycoalliance</a>. For dates and info about the Introduction to Mushroom Cultivation and Mycology class at <a href="https://www.twohiveshoney.com/" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Two Hives Honey</a>, and the Mushroom Cultivation and Bioremediation Workshop at Circle Acres, visit the MycoAlliance <a href="https://txfungi.com/calendar/" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">events calendar</a>. Download the iNaturalist app for help identifying <a href="https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/mushrooms-of-texas" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Mushrooms of Texas</a>. To donate to the Mushrooms for Mexico earthquake relief project, visit the <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/mushrooms-for-mexico" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">GoFundMe page</a>.  Other mentions in this episode: <a href="https://www.amazonmycorenewal.org/" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">CoRenewal</a>, formerly the <a href="https://www.amazonmycorenewal.org/about-us.html" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Amazon MycoRenewal Project</a>; <a href="https://www.telluridemushroomfest.org/" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">The Telluride Mushroom Festival</a> (August 16-19, 2018); <a href="http://www.eatcurcuma.com/" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Curcuma </a>- plant-based food truck in Austin; Books: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Change-Your-Mind-Consciousness-Transcendence/dp/1594204225" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">How to Change Your Mind</a> by Michael Pollan;  <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mycelium-Running-Mushrooms-Help-World-ebook/dp/B004GTLKEG" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Mycelium Running</a> by Paul Stamets;  <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fungal-Pharmacy-Complete-Medicinal-Mushrooms/dp/1556439539" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">The Fungal Pharmacy</a> by Robert Rogers. FYI: Morel season in Austin is February - April. This episode was recorded in February 2018 at Permanent RCRD Studios in Austin, Texas. Hothouse is produced by Leah Churner and engineered by Mike Moody. Visit us at <a href="http://www.hothousepodcast.com/" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.hothousepodcast.com</a>. Email the show with plant questions and feedback at <a href="mailto:info@hothousepodcast.com" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener">info@hothousepodcast.com</a> and follow us on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hothousepodcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@hothousepodcast</a>. Music by Moonsicles. <a href="http://moonsicles.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">moonsicles.bandcamp.com</a>.

Fungal Vision | Daniel Reyes 

Jenny Peterson

Join your host, Leah Churner, as she sits down with Jenny Peterson, author of The Cancer Survivor's Garden Companion (St. Lynn's Press, 2016) to talk about the therapeutic power of gardening. As a landscape designer, urban farmer, and breast-cancer survivor, Jenny has unique insight on the healing potential of outdoor spaces. She explains how to find relief in the garden, whether you're experiencing illness, stress, grief, anxiety, or depression. For many reasons, working with plants can help us clear mental fog, process feelings, and gain perspective on the rhythms of life. Plus: your host envies Jenny's adorable baby goats. Visit https://www.jennynybropeterson.com/ facebook.com/JennyNybroPeterson.    This interview was recorded in February 2018 at Permanent RCRD in Austin, Texas. Hothouse is produced by Leah Churner and engineered by Mike Moody. Visit us at www.hothousepodcast.com. Email the show with plant questions and feedback at info@hothousepodcast.com and follow us on Instagram @hothousepodcast. Music by Moonsicles: moonsicles.bandcamp.com.

Join your host, Leah Churner, as she sits down with <a href="https://www.jennynybropeterson.com/" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Jenny Peterson</a>, author of The Cancer Survivor's Garden Companion (St. Lynn's Press, 2016) to talk about the therapeutic power of gardening. As a landscape designer, urban farmer, and breast-cancer survivor, Jenny has unique insight on the healing potential of outdoor spaces. She explains how to find relief in the garden, whether you're experiencing illness, stress, grief, anxiety, or depression. For many reasons, working with plants can help us clear mental fog, process feelings, and gain perspective on the rhythms of life. Plus: your host envies Jenny's adorable baby goats. Visit <a href="https://www.jennynybropeterson.com/" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.jennynybropeterson.com/</a> <a href="http://facebook.com/JennyNybroPeterson" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">facebook.com/JennyNybroPeterson</a>.    This interview was recorded in February 2018 at Permanent RCRD in Austin, Texas. Hothouse is produced by Leah Churner and engineered by Mike Moody. Visit us at <a href="http://www.hothousepodcast.com/" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.hothousepodcast.com</a>. Email the show with plant questions and feedback at <a href="mailto:info@hothousepodcast.com" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener">info@hothousepodcast.com</a> and follow us on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hothousepodcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@hothousepodcast</a>. Music by Moonsicles: <a href="http://moonsicles.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">moonsicles.bandcamp.com</a>.

Healing Spaces | Jenny Peterson, The Cancer Survivor's Garden Companion 

Ryan Rosshirt

In Part 2 of the series “Nothing Natural About Capitalism,” Leah talks to Austin-based activist Ryan Rosshirt about permaculture design and the challenge of building a society that supports meaningful work. Like so many Americans, Ryan was jolted into political action by the rise of Donald Trump. He quit his desk job before the 2016 election to focus full-time on canvassing for social justice and environmentalist issues. At the same time, he discovered a passion for gardening; a small vegetable patch grew into the backyard microfarm where he’s producing a lot of his own food today. On this episode, Ryan talks about implementing permaculture principles to repair the ecosystem in his backyard. Also, he and Leah discuss the idea of “vocations,” the structural barriers imposed by capitalism that prevent people from enjoying meaningful work, and how the Austin chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is fighting business interests big and small to improve quality of life for workers.

In Part 2 of the series “Nothing Natural About Capitalism,” Leah talks to Austin-based activist Ryan Rosshirt about permaculture design and the challenge of building a society that supports meaningful work. Like so many Americans, Ryan was jolted into political action by the rise of Donald Trump. He quit his desk job before the 2016 election to focus full-time on canvassing for social justice and environmentalist issues. At the same time, he discovered a passion for gardening; a small vegetable patch grew into the backyard microfarm where he’s producing a lot of his own food today. On this episode, Ryan talks about implementing permaculture principles to repair the ecosystem in his backyard. Also, he and Leah discuss the idea of “vocations,” the structural barriers imposed by capitalism that prevent people from enjoying meaningful work, and how the Austin chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is fighting business interests big and small to improve quality of life for workers.

Nothing Natural About Capitalism (Part 2 of 2) with Ryan Rosshirt

Linda Lehmusvirta

Leah sits down with Linda Lehmusvirta, the producer of KLRU’s Central Texas Gardener, to find out what goes on behind the scenes of this long-running, award-winning public television show. Linda’s been producing CTG since the beginning, in the 1980s, when it began as a live call-in show. Viewership has now expanded beyond its namesake region, as CTG now airs weekly on PBS stations from Amarillo to Corpus Christi, and from Myrtle Beach to Tucson. Over the years, Linda has filmed hundreds of gardens, interviewed countless locals, and embarked on a personal garden education of trial and error. Hear about the history of CTG and the many myths and misconceptions Linda’s encountered along the way. Also: How to retain a sense of humor when foul weather, downed limbs, or busted pipes destroy your best-laid garden plans.    Leah is teaching a free class, “Urban Permaculture for Austinites,” on Saturday, May 12 at 10am at The Natural Gardener. Visit naturalgardeneraustin.com for more details.    Here is Linda’s article in Organic Life magazine that she mentions in the episode. Here are the CTG segments referenced: Elizabeth McGreevy on “Gravel in the Garden,” David Cristiani on “Drought Garden Mistakes,” and Christy Ten Eyck on “Drought Garden Design.” On tour segments: Leah’s balcony garden, and Sandy Stone’s shady wildlife garden.    This interview was recorded in February 2018 at Permanent RCRD Studios in Austin, Texas. Hothouse is produced by Leah Churner and engineered by Mike Moody. Visit us at www.hothousepodcast.com.  Email the show with plant questions and feedback at info@hothousepodcast.com and follow us on Instagram @hothousepodcast. Music by Moonsicles. www.moonsicles.bandcamp.com.   

Leah sits down with Linda Lehmusvirta, the producer of <a href="http://klru.org/ctg" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">KLRU’s Central Texas Gardener</a>, to find out what goes on behind the scenes of this long-running, award-winning public television show. Linda’s been producing CTG since the beginning, in the 1980s, when it began as a live call-in show. Viewership has now expanded beyond its namesake region, as CTG now airs weekly on PBS stations from Amarillo to Corpus Christi, and from Myrtle Beach to Tucson. Over the years, Linda has filmed hundreds of gardens, interviewed countless locals, and embarked on a personal garden education of trial and error. Hear about the history of CTG and the many myths and misconceptions Linda’s encountered along the way. Also: How to retain a sense of humor when foul weather, downed limbs, or busted pipes destroy your best-laid garden plans.  <a href="http://www.naturalgardeneraustin.com/component/option,com_jcalpro/Itemid,113/extid,460/extmode,view/" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Leah is teaching a free class</a>, “Urban Permaculture for Austinites,” on Saturday, May 12 at 10am at The Natural Gardener. Visit <a href="http://naturalgardeneraustin.com/" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">naturalgardeneraustin.com</a> for more details.  Here is <a href="https://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/garden/creature-comforts" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Linda’s article in Organic Life magazine</a> that she mentions in the episode. Here are the CTG segments referenced: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t_VcZ_ENvQ" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Elizabeth McGreevy on “Gravel in the Garden</a>,”<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HirD2iKU1U" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank"> David Cristiani on “Drought Garden Mistakes,</a>” and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRZio-l0cNw" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Christy Ten Eyck on “Drought Garden Design.”</a> On tour segments: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxuvjeR-2cs" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Leah’s balcony garden</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAQYRfUbPb0" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Sandy Stone’s shady wildlife garden</a>.  This interview was recorded in February 2018 at Permanent RCRD Studios in Austin, Texas. Hothouse is produced by Leah Churner and engineered by Mike Moody. Visit us at <a href="http://www.hothousepodcast.com/" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.hothousepodcast.com</a>.  Email the show with plant questions and feedback at <a href="mailto:info@hothousepodcast.com" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener">info@hothousepodcast.com</a> and follow us on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hothousepodcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@hothousepodcast</a>. Music by Moonsicles. <a href="http://www.moonsicles.bandcamp.com/" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.moonsicles.bandcamp.com</a>.

Myths and Misconceptions | Linda Lehmusvirta

Colleen Dieter

Colleen Dieter, co-founder of the the Central Texas Seed Library, talks about how saving, swapping, and sharing seeds can help us build community, reclaim lost agricultural knowledge, and preserve crucial genetic diversity in our global food supply. Thanks to Colleen and a group of other volunteers, a seed library is coming soon to Austin’s fabulous new downtown Central Library. Here, anybody can browse and take home free, open-pollinated seeds to grow in the garden. CTSL is hosting a seed swap and seed-saving class at Austin Central Public Library on October 20, 2018 at 1pm. For more info on the Central Texas Seed Library, visit them on Facebook. Find Colleen Dieter, landscape consultant and certified arborist, at www.redwheelbarrowplants.com See Leah and Colleen on Central Texas Gardener on KLRU! Please subscribe to the Hothouse email newsletter! Sign up at www.hothousepodcast.com. Follow Hothouse on Instagram @hothousepodcast Music in this episode is  “Elatan” by Gustav Landin and  “Nostalgia of an ex-gangsta rapper” by Deef

<a href="http://www.redwheelbarrowplants.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Colleen Dieter</a>, co-founder of the the <a href="https://centexseedlibrary.wixsite.com/website" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Central Texas Seed Library</a>, talks about how saving, swapping, and sharing seeds can help us build community, reclaim lost agricultural knowledge, and preserve crucial genetic diversity in our global food supply. Thanks to Colleen and a group of other volunteers, a seed library is coming soon to Austin’s fabulous new downtown Central Library. Here, anybody can browse and take home free, open-pollinated seeds to grow in the garden. CTSL is hosting a seed swap and seed-saving class at <a href="http://library.austintexas.gov/central-library" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Austin Central Public Library</a> on October 20, 2018 at 1pm. For more info on the Central Texas Seed Library, visit them on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CentralTexasSeedLibrary/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a>. Find Colleen Dieter, landscape consultant and certified arborist, at <a href="http://www.redwheelbarrowplants.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.redwheelbarrowplants.com</a> See Leah and Colleen on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFsSvpudJKY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Central Texas Gardener on KLRU!</a> Please subscribe to the Hothouse email newsletter! Sign up at <a href="http://www.hothousepodcast.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.hothousepodcast.com</a>. Follow Hothouse on Instagram @hothousepodcast Music in this episode is <a href="http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Gustav_Landin/Canzoni_per_i_Natali_del_Futuro/01_-_gustav_landin_-_elatan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> “Elatan” by Gustav Landin</a> and <a href="http://freemusicarchive.org/music/deef/Beat_Scene_Routine/4_-_deef_-_nostalgia_of_an_ex-gangsta-rapper" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> “Nostalgia of an ex-gangsta rapper” by Deef</a>

Gone to Seed | Colleen Dieter 

LaJuan Tucker

On this episode, we'll examine the relationship between natural history and social history. Join Leah as she sits down with park ranger LaJuan Tucker to talk about the conservation of urban wildlife, and how changing societal attitudes determine how we relate to our landscapes. LaJuan will explain how, in recent years, Austin's Parks and Recreation Department has implemented a new mandate to protect pollinator habitats, even when that means sacrificing the "manicured" look of the park in high-traffic areas.  We'll also zoom out and talk more broadly about the philosophy of conservation today. How should our parklands be used, and who gets to decide? Should we strive to preserve "native" landscapes, or build more community gardens? And how do we reconcile the romance of the Texas landscape with the racist realities of our past? We'll talk about the lingering effects of Jim Crow in Austin, from actual monuments to the Confederacy, to present-day structural inequality. And we'll hear about LaJuan's personal mission to encourage more young Austinites of color to seek careers in environmental conservation and city planning. Here, and in upcoming episodes as well, we'll begin to engage with the paradox of Austin as an environmentally progressive, yet socioeconomically segregated, city.  For a map of the many sites discussed in this episode, along with the full transcript, photos, and more, visit hothousepodcast.com. While you're there, sign up for the newsletter to get bonus Hothouse content! Email the show with plant questions and feedback at info@hothousepodcast.com and follow us on Instagram @hothousepodcast. This interview was recorded in April 2018 at Permanent RCRD Studios in Austin, Texas. Hothouse is produced by Leah Churner and engineered by Mike Moody. Music by Moonsicles. moonsicles.bandcamp.com.  

On this episode, we'll examine the relationship between natural history and social history. Join Leah as she sits down with park ranger LaJuan Tucker to talk about the conservation of urban wildlife, and how changing societal attitudes determine how we relate to our landscapes. LaJuan will explain how, in recent years, Austin's Parks and Recreation Department has implemented a new mandate to protect pollinator habitats, even when that means sacrificing the "manicured" look of the park in high-traffic areas.  We'll also zoom out and talk more broadly about the philosophy of conservation today. How should our parklands be used, and who gets to decide? Should we strive to preserve "native" landscapes, or build more community gardens? And how do we reconcile the romance of the Texas landscape with the racist realities of our past? We'll talk about the lingering effects of Jim Crow in Austin, from actual monuments to the Confederacy, to present-day structural inequality. And we'll hear about LaJuan's personal mission to encourage more young Austinites of color to seek careers in environmental conservation and city planning. Here, and in upcoming episodes as well, we'll begin to engage with the paradox of Austin as an environmentally progressive, yet socioeconomically segregated, city.  For a map of the many sites discussed in this episode, along with the full transcript, photos, and more, visit <a href="http://www.hothousepodcast.com/" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">hothousepodcast.com</a>. While you're there, sign up for the newsletter to get bonus Hothouse content! Email the show with plant questions and feedback at <a href="mailto:info@hothousepodcast.com" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener">info@hothousepodcast.com</a> and follow us on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hothousepodcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@hothousepodcast</a>. This interview was recorded in April 2018 at <a href="http://www.permanentrcrd.com/studio" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Permanent RCRD Studios</a> in Austin, Texas. Hothouse is produced by Leah Churner and engineered by Mike Moody. Music by Moonsicles. <a href="http://moonsicles.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">moonsicles.bandcamp.com</a>.

Conservation & Identity | Park Ranger LaJuan Tucker

The upcoming season of Hothouse is devoted to climate change. I'll be talking to activists, artists, farmers, and journalists about the new normal that we face in 2019. How is climate change already affecting our lives? What can we do to limit global warming? And how are each of us reckoning, in our own personal ways, with the future? Stay tuned and stay in touch! info@hothousepodcast.com "Belview" by C. Scott is licensed under CC BY 3.0  

The upcoming season of Hothouse is devoted to climate change. I'll be talking to activists, artists, farmers, and journalists about the new normal that we face in 2019. How is climate change already affecting our lives? What can we do to limit global warming? And how are each of us reckoning, in our own personal ways, with the future? Stay tuned and stay in touch! info@hothousepodcast.com "Belview" by C. Scott is licensed under CC BY 3.0

Hothouse Season 2 Preview

Hi Hothouse listeners! Hothouse Season 2 is still in the works, but guess what! I'm launching a spinoff podcast: The Horticulturati!  The Horticulturati is a biweekly gardening talkshow I'm cohosting with my friend, and repeat Hothouse guest, Colleen Dieter. We're a couple of "designing women" here to fill you in on the ups and downs of landscaping life and teach each other about horticultural history and sundry fun plant facts.  Episode 1 is out February 7! Please subscribe to The Horticulturati by following  this link right here. Email us at info@horticulturati.com and visit us at www.horticulturati.com.

Hi Hothouse listeners! Hothouse Season 2 is still in the works, but guess what! I'm launching a spinoff podcast: The Horticulturati!  The Horticulturati is a biweekly gardening talkshow I'm cohosting with my friend, and repeat Hothouse guest, Colleen Dieter. We're a couple of "designing women" here to fill you in on the ups and downs of landscaping life and teach each other about horticultural history and sundry fun plant facts.  Episode 1 is out February 7! Please subscribe to The Horticulturati by following <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-horticulturati/id1497065108" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> this link right here</a>. Email us at <a href="mailto:info@horticulturati.com">info@horticulturati.com</a> and visit us at <a href="http://www.horticulturati.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.horticulturati.com</a>.

Introducing The Horticulturati: New episode Feb 7!

Capitalism: Can't live with it, can't live without it! Or can we? And what is the connection between capitalism and what we eat, how we work, and who bears the impacts of climate change? For a lot of us, the ecological consequences of our economic system are clear: factory farming, algae blooms, pollinator decline, and the Trump Administration's evisceration of the EPA. What, if any, are the alternatives? In this two-part series, "Nothing Natural About Capitalism," the Starship Hothouse will boldly go where no gardening podcast has gone before, as Leah attempts to articulate some nascent ideas about how the design principles of permaculture, combined with the populist vision of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), might offer a ray of hope in these dispiriting times. In Part 1, Mike Moody, co-host of the Star Trek Discovery Pod (and the engineer of this show) interviews Leah about how she envisions a path between democratic socialism and environmentalism. Also, Leah tracks down one of her podcasting heroes,  Chenjerai Kumanyika, co-host of Gimlet's Uncivil, at the Podcast Movement Conference in Philadelphia. Kumanyika explains that capitalism is not just an economic system; it's a mindset, and he offers insight into why we are having these discussions right now. In Part 2, Leah interviews activist and permaculture designer Ryan Rosshirt about why he joined the DSA, how he turned his backyard into a permaculture farm, how what civic engagement can improve our quality of life. From Co-ops, to city council meetings, to the joy of chickens, we're covering a lot of ground here, so bear with us! 

Capitalism: Can't live with it, can't live without it! Or can we? And what is the connection between capitalism and what we eat, how we work, and who bears the impacts of climate change? For a lot of us, the ecological consequences of our economic system are clear: factory farming, algae blooms, pollinator decline, and the Trump Administration's evisceration of the EPA. What, if any, are the alternatives? In this two-part series, "Nothing Natural About Capitalism," the Starship Hothouse will boldly go where no gardening podcast has gone before, as Leah attempts to articulate some nascent ideas about how the design principles of permaculture, combined with the populist vision of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), might offer a ray of hope in these dispiriting times. In Part 1, <a href="https://twitter.com/mikemoody" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mike Moody</a>, co-host of the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/star-trek-discovery-pod/id1286223309?mt=2" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Star Trek Discovery Pod</a> (and the engineer of this show) interviews Leah about how she envisions a path between democratic socialism and environmentalism. Also, Leah tracks down one of her podcasting heroes, <a href="https://twitter.com/catchatweetdown?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Chenjerai Kumanyika</a>, co-host of Gimlet's <a href="http://www.gimletmedia.com/uncivil" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Uncivil</a>, at the Podcast Movement Conference in Philadelphia. Kumanyika explains that capitalism is not just an economic system; it's a mindset, and he offers insight into why we are having these discussions right now. In Part 2, Leah interviews activist and permaculture designer <a href="https://twitter.com/ryanrosshirt" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ryan Rosshirt</a> about why he joined the DSA, how he turned his backyard into a permaculture farm, how what civic engagement can improve our quality of life. From Co-ops, to city council meetings, to the joy of chickens, we're covering a lot of ground here, so bear with us!

Nothing Natural About Capitalism (Part 1 of 2)

On this Horticulturati, we bring you stories of adaptation and change. Leah has been studying up on butterfly holometabolism -- that is, complete metamorphosis -- with assistance from her niece, nephew, and Vladimir Nabokov. Colleen describes the history of Victory Gardens, from World War I to the present day, and outlines three ways to start a “pandemic garden” of your own. But first: we revisit the sleeper masterpiece that is the Secret Life of Plants doc (1979), which is only available in bootleg on YouTube. Watch it here. Mentioned in this episode:   A color guide to familiar Butterflies Caterpillars and Chrysalides by Josef Moucha;  Butterfly Gardening for the South by Geyata Ajilvsgi;  Gayata on Central Texas Gardener;  photo of a giant swallowtail chrysalis and a  monarch chrysalis; Nabokov’s 1948  “Butterflies” essay from the New Yorker; Sebastian’s rescued chrysalis and newly emerged monarch;  National Audubon Society Field Guide to Butterflies of North America;  A Brief History of Gardening by Neil Fairbairn;  Nature’s Garden for Victory and Peace by George Washington Carver;  Victory Garden (undated propaganda film); “How to Plant a Victory Garden” (NYT Sunday Style); this  article about panic gardening; this  article about scallions; and Central Texas Seed Savers. Many thanks to our young lepidopterists in the field, Sebastian and Margot. Get in touch with us on our website. 

On this Horticulturati, we bring you stories of adaptation and change. Leah has been studying up on butterfly holometabolism -- that is, complete metamorphosis -- with assistance from her niece, nephew, and Vladimir Nabokov. Colleen describes the history of Victory Gardens, from World War I to the present day, and outlines three ways to start a “pandemic garden” of your own. But first: we revisit the sleeper masterpiece that is the Secret Life of Plants doc (1979), which is only available in bootleg on YouTube. Watch it <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD1apbw8rgI" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. Mentioned in this episode:  <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3370860-a-colour-guide-to-familiar-butterflies-caterpillars-and-chrysalides" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> A color guide to familiar Butterflies Caterpillars and Chrysalides</a> by Josef Moucha; <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/1388832.Butterfly_Gardening_for_the_South" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Butterfly Gardening for the South</a> by Geyata Ajilvsgi; <a href="https://www.centraltexasgardener.org/episode/backyard-butterflies/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Gayata on Central Texas Gardener; </a><a href="https://bugguide.net/images/cache/HZ9/LYL/HZ9LYLWLKZYZ4RSH4RCZ7RWLMZNLMRELZZ2LKRFZHZUL3LBLFLFZQRPLZZ6LSZOLIZHHIZ1LQZQHERBLIZBLIZ.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">photo of a giant swallowtail chrysalis</a> and a <a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a3/Monarch_chrysalis_%2838005054515%29.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> monarch chrysalis</a>; Nabokov’s 1948 <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1948/06/12/butterflies-vladimir-nabokov" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> “Butterflies” essay</a> from the New Yorker; Sebastian’s <a href="https://www.horticulturati.com/monarchs" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">rescued chrysalis and newly emerged monarch</a>; <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/119965/national-audubon-society-field-guide-to-butterflies-by-national-audubon-society/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> National Audubon Society Field Guide to Butterflies of North America</a>; <a href="https://www.abebooks.com/first-edition/Brief-History-Gardening-Fairbairn-Neil-Emmaus/733815922/bd" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> A Brief History of Gardening</a> by Neil Fairbairn; <a href="https://www.thehenryford.org/collections-and-research/digital-collections/artifact/370969/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Nature’s Garden for Victory and Peace</a> by George Washington Carver;  <a href="https://archive.org/details/victory_garden" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Victory Garden (undated propaganda film</a>); “<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/22/t-magazine/victory-garden-plans.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How to Plant a Victory Garden” (NYT Sunday Style)</a>; this <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-impulse-to-garden-in-hard-times-has-deep-roots-137223" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> article about panic gardening</a>; this <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/30/dining/fresh-greens-quarantine-coronavirus.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> article about scallions</a>; and <a href="http://centexseedsavers.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Central Texas Seed Savers</a>. Many thanks to our young lepidopterists in the field, Sebastian and Margot. Get in touch with us on <a href="https://www.horticulturati.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">our website</a>.

Horticulturati: Metamorphosis & Victory Gardens

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