The quality of produce you grow is dependent on the quality of your soil. We are big advocates of doing everything possible to make garden soil the best it can be right from the start, and then working year after year to maintain and improve it

Episode 113: Wood-Framed Raised Beds

Nov 27th, 2021 33m 48s

In this episode Hilary and Colin answer a listener's questions about wood-framed raised bed construction best practices. Their business, Seattle Urban Farm Company has designed and built hundreds of custom raised bed gardens in the Seattle area

Episode 112: High tunnels, Hoophouses and Greenhouses

Nov 17th, 2021 26m 16s

This week we'll be discussing management techniques for growing in high tunnels, hoophouses and greenhouses! We're thrilled to be joined this week by our good friend and Seattle Urban Farm Co co-founder Brad Halm. Brad is also the co-author o

Episode 111: Powdery Mildew

Nov 3rd, 2021 27m 9s

This week on the podcast we're tackling powdery mildew! Colin and Hilary are joined by Jenny Rebecca Glass, Extension Coordinator and Plant Diagnostician for the WSU-Puyallup Plant and Insect Diagnostic Laboratory. Jenny will help us answer you

Episode 110: Growing Under Cover with Niki Jabbour

Oct 27th, 2021 38m 54s

In this podcast we chat with special guest Niki Jabbour about techniques for using structures of all sizes in your garden year-round to extend your season, reduce pest pressure, and improve yields. Show notes: Episode 110: Growing Under Cover

Episode 109: Cucumbers

Oct 19th, 2021 34m 34s

Everything you wanted to know about cucumbers but were afraid to ask. We dig into the history of the cucumber, it's botanical curiosities and why you should start succession planting them. The survey…! In order to keep making this podcast, we

Fall 2021 New Season Preview!

Sep 30th, 2021 12m 24s

After an extended hiatus, we’re back and ready to bring you some amazing new episodes of the Encyclopedia Botanica Podcast! The survey…! In order to keep making this podcast, we need your support by taking this quick, 30 second survey for our

Episode 108: Garden Beets with Kellie Phelan

Jun 28th, 2019 39m 6s

Kellie's back as a special co-host for this last episode of the 2019 season and it's all about growing, harvesting and cooking with beets! Find photos, links to Kellie's business, and more in the show notes for this episode: www.seattleurbanfar

Episode 107: Harvesting For Quality and Production with Colin McCrate

Jun 22nd, 2019 26m 46s

Learning proper harvest timing and technique can help increase yields and ensure you get the best tasting produce from your garden. In this episode, Hilary and Colin talk harvesting methodology. They break down the techniques into five categori

Episode 106: Vegetable Gardening Wisdom with Kelly Smith Trimble

Jun 7th, 2019 30m 22s

Hilary and Kelly Smith Trimble discuss Kelly's new book, Vegetable Gardening Wisdom; and share simple words of advice and practical inspiration for getting most out of your vegetable garden! Find photos, links to Kelly's book, and more in the

Episode 105: Straw Bale Gardening with Craig LeHoullier

May 18th, 2019 43m 30s

Turns out gardening in straw bales might be the least expensive and most effective way to create a season-long container garden! Hilary and Craig LeHoullier discuss what a straw bale garden is and how to set one up! Find photos, links to Craig'

Episode 104: Growing Tomatoes (Re-release)

May 10th, 2019 33m 27s

Tomatoes are probably the most popular garden vegetable, and for good reason; they're versatile, highly productive, and produce fruits that are far superior to any you can buy at the grocery store. In this episode we'll discuss tips for choosin

Episode 103: Tomatoes with Emma Biggs

May 3rd, 2019 34m 53s

Emma Biggs talks with Hilary about the techniques she uses to grow 133 varieties of tomatoes, from seed to harvest, on her family’s urban lot in Toronto, Canada. Find photos, links to Emma's work, and more in the show notes for this episode: ht

Episode 102: Edible Garden Design with Stefani Bittner

Apr 28th, 2019 36m 50s

Stefani Bittner, owner of Homestead Design Collective, talks with Hilary about how to create a beautiful and productive outdoor living space. Find photos, links to Stefani's work, and more in the show notes for this episode: http://www.seattleu

Episode 101: Container Gardening with Sara Gasbarra

Apr 19th, 2019 41m 39s

In this episode, Sara and Hilary talk about container gardening. Much of Sara’s work is focused on utilizing unused balcony, patio and rooftop space in very urban environments, so this episode focuses on the unique set of needs and challenges t

Episode 100 - Edible Flowers with Rosalind Creasy

Apr 12th, 2019 40m 53s

Hilary talks with legendary garden writer, Rosalind Creasy about the joys and perils of eating flowers. Find photos, links to Ros's books, and more in the show notes for this episode: http://www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/blog/

Episode 99: Carrots and Parsnips with Colin McCrate

Apr 5th, 2019 35m 6s

Hilary and Colin share everything you need to know to grow your best crop of carrots and parsnips yet! Find photos, links to Colin's books, and more in the show notes for this episode: http://www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/blog/

Episode 98: Backyard Cutting Garden with Kelly Sullivan

Mar 29th, 2019 47m 13s

Guest Kelly Sullivan of Botanique Flowers, a Seattle-based floral design studio, talks with Hilary about how she turned her 6,000 square foot city lot into a productive flower farm. Find photos, links to Kelly's work, and more in the show no

Episode 97: Fruit Trees with Tara Austen Weaver

Mar 22nd, 2019 47m 22s

In this first episode of the 2019 season, Hilary and Tara Austen Weaver discuss planning for, planting and growing fruit trees! Find photos, links to Tara's work, and more in this episode's show notes: http://www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/blog/

Episode 89: Cauliflower- Rerelease

Jan 26th, 2019 25m 49s

I've been getting a lot of requests for more crop-specific episodes next season. I love these episodes and would be happy create more if we reach our campaign goal. Remember that everyone who contributes any amount to the 2019 kickstarter campa

Mini Q&A Episode + What's in store for the 2019 season!

Jan 19th, 2019 14m 24s

Hey There! We have an amazing season of the Encyclopedia Botanica Podcast in store for you! Just like last season, Hilary will be joined by a different guest expert each week. We're hosting a Kickstarter campaign to fund this upcoming season of

Episode 96: August Gardening Q + A

Aug 28th, 2018 33m 28s

Hilary and Colin cover a wide range of listener questions in this late-summer Q+A episode. This is going to be the last regularly scheduled episode of the 2018 season. We're going to take the fall to write, record and produce our best episodes

Episode 95: Intuitive Cooking with Shannon Douglas, Brassicas Edition

Aug 10th, 2018 26m 40s

In this episode Shannon Douglas of Honest Magazine and Hilary discuss intuitive cooking tips and techniques for the popular garden brassicas Kale and broccoli. Your support is what keeps this podcast going! Any contribution helps. Consider sup

Episode 94: Tomato Hornworms

Jul 29th, 2018 23m 40s

Natalie Carver of DC-based edible landscaping company, Love and Carrots, joins Hilary to share her experience with tomato hornworms. In this episode they discuss how to spot hornworms and their damage in the garden, and the best ways to manage

Episode 93: July Slack Q + A

Jul 13th, 2018 24m 6s

Hilary and Colin chat blueberry care, Brassica pests and the herb chervil in this Q+A episode. Your support is what keeps this podcast going! Any contribution helps. Consider supporting us at the $5/month level for access to our Slack group! F