The Beanstalk : A Podcast for Gardeners

Episode 31 – Radishes – Fast, Fiery and Underrated

 Radishes might be small, but they pack a serious punch, and today on The Beanstalk we’re giving them the respect they deserve. 🌱 

In this episode, I dig into why radishes are one of the fastest, most useful crops you can grow, how to grow them well, and what they can teach you about your soil. We’ll talk varieties, pests, harvesting at the right moment, and even how radishes quietly improve your garden behind the scenes. 

There’s also a simple, fresh recipe that shows off radishes at thei...

Episode 30 — Chickens - The Real Garden MVPs

Today on The Beanstalk, we’re stepping beyond the raised beds and diving straight into the coop for a deep, feathery, long-form episode all about backyard chickens. 🐔 

I talk about why chickens are some of the best companions a gardener can have, how to raise them in a way that complements your garden, and all the joys and challenges they bring to a homestead. 

You’ll also hear the full saga of Rogue, the Golden Wyandotte who survived a predator attack and found safety with my flock. We’l...

Episode 29 - Beets - Nature’s Sweet Root With a Sassy Attitude

In Episode 29 of The Beanstalk, we’re diving into the colorful, earthy, surprisingly sweet world of beets!

From choosing the right varieties to growing, thinning, harvesting, and dealing with leaf miners, this episode is packed with practical tips and fun stories.

We’ll talk root development issues, companion planting, and how to save your own beet seed like a pro. We’ll also whip up a bright roasted beet and orange salad.

Whether you’re a beet lover or a beet ske...

🌻 Episode 28 — Sunchokes - Abundant, Resilient, and Infamously Gassy

Sunchokes are hardy, productive, and… let’s be honest, a little infamous for what they do to your digestive system. In this episode, we dig into how to grow them, why they spread like they’re trying to take over the world, and how to harvest and cook them without fear. 

I also share a fun story about my friend Laura giving me some tubers this year—and how I’ve been agonizing over where to plant them so they don’t colonize my yard. We’ll talk pests, planting...

Episode 27 — Winter Gardening - The Best Time to Plan, Repair, and Grow

🌱 In this episode, John tackles Winter Gardening—the season of planning and repair!

Learn why the freeze-thaw cycle is actually good for your soil and how to monitor hardy crops like kale and garlic.

We cover essential indoor gardening ideas (like microgreens) and the crucial steps for winterizing your water lines and tools.

This episode is your guide to staying productive, busy, and excited, even when the garden sleeps!

The Beanstalk, Episode 26 - Sweet Potatoes (Thanksgiving Special!)

Celebrate Thanksgiving with a deep dive into one of the holiday’s favorite crops—sweet potatoes! In this festive episode, John covers everything you need to know about growing sweet potatoes, including choosing slips, preparing warm soil, managing vines, and curing your harvest for the best flavor and longest storage life.

We’ll also look at common pests, how to maximize yields even in cooler climates, and why sweet potatoes are such a rewarding addition to your garden. Whether you're planning next year’s patch or just love lea...

🌱 Episode 25 — Carrots - Crunchy, Colorful, and Completely Worth Growing

In this episode, we dig into everything you need to know about growing carrots—soil prep, planting, thinning, watering, harvesting, and dealing with pests like carrot rust fly.

We also cover companion planting, how to save carrot seeds, and the differences between colorful carrot varieties.

Plus, stick around for a simple honey-glazed rainbow carrot recipe. Perfect for gardeners of all levels!

🌽 Episode 24 — Corn - Tall, Sweet, and Traditional

Welcome back to The Beanstalk! Today we dive into corn —

choosing varieties, planting, block-style pollination, feeding, pest fixes, harvest timing, companion planting, and seed-saving basics.

Stick around for fun facts, a Garden Nerd Corner, and a tasty grilled Mexican street corn (elote) recipe to celebrate the harvest.

🌿 Episode 23 – Turmeric - the Golden Spice of Life

Dig into the vibrant world of turmeric — a golden root with incredible flavor, health benefits, and beauty for your garden.

In this episode, we’ll cover how to grow, harvest, and use turmeric both indoors and out, plus explore its tropical companions, fun cultural history, and a cozy golden milk latte recipe.

Tune in and bring a little sunshine to your soil! 🌞

🌿 Episode 22 – Peas - The Sweethearts of Spring

Welcome back to The Beanstalk! This week we’re diving into the world of peas — those crisp, sweet gems of early spring.

From snow and snap to shelling varieties, we’ll cover how to grow, trellis, and harvest them, save your own seeds, and choose perfect companion plants.

Plus, a creamy parmesan and pea risotto recipe to wrap up the season’s first harvest! 🌱

Episode 21 – Growing Together - A Thank You from The Beanstalk

John shares heartfelt thanks to listeners around the world and reflects on how gardening connects us all, even in a divided world.

Enjoy a cozy Potato & Leek Soup recipe, explore how gardening improves mental health in the Garden Nerd Corner, and discover fun facts about gardens worldwide.

From our patch to yours… keep on climbing. 🌿

🌿 Episode 20 – Compost: Turning Scraps into Garden Gold

Welcome back to The Beanstalk, fellow Beans! 🌱 In today’s episode, we’re digging deep—literally—into the magic of composting. Whether you’re managing a small backyard bin or a full-sized pile, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to turn kitchen scraps and garden waste into nutrient-rich, living soil.

We’ll explore hot vs. cold composting, different bin designs and DIY options, and even compare on-ground versus contained systems. You’ll learn what materials make the best compost, what to avoid tossing in...

 In this fiery episode of The Beanstalk, John digs deep into one of the boldest and most underrated plants you can grow — horseradish! 🌱🔥

Learn how to plant, harvest, and contain this hardy root, and discover why it’s been prized for flavor and medicine since ancient times.

We’ll talk about how to keep it from taking over your garden, what makes it so spicy, and how to make your very own homemade horseradish sauce. Plus, stick around for six fun (and nose-tingling!) facts about this powerful plant that might just surprise you.

Whether you’r...

🌿 Episode 18 – When the Garden Floods - Lessons from the Storm

Sometimes nature reminds us who’s really in charge. In this special episode, John shares his personal experience waking up to find his garden, business office, garage, and even his chicken coop under several inches of floodwater — and what it took to recover.

We’ll dig into how to handle flooding while it’s happening, what to do afterward to protect your soil and plants, and how to prepare for future storms before they strike. You’ll also learn how floods affect local ecosystems, why lawns and root...

Parsley may have a reputation as just a plate garnish, but in this episode of The Beanstalk we dig into why it’s so much more.

🌱 Learn how to grow both curly and flat-leaf parsley.
✂️ Find out the best ways to harvest and store it.
🐛 Discover how to deal with pests like the parsley worm.

We’ll also explore parsley’s surprising history, its powerhouse nutrition, and why it’s such a helpful companion plant in the garden.

And of course, I’ll share one of my favorite recipes—homemade chimichurri sauce—that proves pars...

🌱 Episode 16 – Mint: Invincible and Aromatic 🌿

Welcome back to The Beanstalk, fellow Beans! This week we’re tackling one of the most unstoppable herbs in the garden—mint. Known for its bold fragrance, refreshing flavor, and vigorous growth, mint is both a blessing and a bit of a challenge for gardeners.

In this episode, we’ll cover:

The best ways to plant mint without letting it take over your garden.

How to grow it successfully in containers and indoors.

The history, folklore, and surprising...

🌿 Episode 15 – Onions - Layered and Long-Growing

Onions may be humble, but they’re one of the most rewarding crops you can grow. In this episode of The Beanstalk, John peels back the layers on this kitchen essential—covering how to grow them from seed, sets, or transplants, why day length matters, and the secrets to harvesting and curing for long storage.

You’ll learn fun onion history, why they make you cry, and how they can even deter pests in your garden. And of course, we’ll wrap up with a delici...

🌿 Episode 14 – Basil - The King of Summer Herbs

Basil isn’t just any herb — it’s the King of Summer. In this episode of The Beanstalk, John shares why basil deserves a spot in every garden, how to grow it successfully, and the secrets to harvesting it for maximum flavor. We’ll cover common pests and problems, the pros and cons of working with this fragrant favorite, and wrap things up with a recipe for fresh, homemade basil pesto.

Whether you’re growing sweet basil for salads, Thai basil for curries, or...

Episode 13 - Strawberries - The Sweet Reward of Patience

🍓 In this episode of The Beanstalk, we’re diving into one of the most beloved garden crops of all time — strawberries! Whether you’re after juicy June-bearing harvests, steady everbearing plants, or the flexibility of day-neutral types, strawberries can be a sweet reward for any gardener with a little patience.

We’ll cover how to plant and care for them, the importance of runners, and how to keep your strawberry patch thriving year after year. You’ll also learn about the most common pests and problems, along with tr...

🌿 Episode 12 : Rhubarb : The Tart Titan of the Garden

Welcome back to The Beanstalk! My name is John, and today we’re diving into one of the most misunderstood and underappreciated garden crops—rhubarb. This tart perennial veggie masquerading as a fruit has deep roots in garden history and deserves a spot in your patch, especially if you're looking for a low-maintenance, high-reward plant.

In this episode, we’ll explore why rhubarb thrives in cooler climates, how to grow it successfully, when and how to harvest it (without getting into trouble w...

🎧 Episode 11 : Peppers : From Sweet Bells to Fiery Faves 🌶️

In this flavorful episode of The Beanstalk, we’re diving into the wide world of peppers — from the sweet crunch of bell peppers to the fiery kick of your favorite hot varieties. Learn why peppers are a must-grow crop, how to get them started strong, keep them healthy, and harvest them at peak flavor. We’ll cover common pests and problems, pros and cons, and wrap things up with a simple stuffed bell pepper recipe that’s as garden-fresh as it gets!

Episode 10 : Soils : The Real Foundation of Gardening

In this special 10th episode, we’re digging deep—literally and figuratively—into the world of soil. From native dirt to raised bed mixes, compost, mulches, microbial life, and more, this one’s packed with everything you need to build a strong foundation for your garden. We’ll also touch on fixing tough soil types, handling flooding, and wrap it all up with a cozy recipe for spaghetti, garlic bread, and a fresh garden salad.

Episode 9 : Cucumbers : Crunchy, Cool, and Completely Worth It

Whether you’re growing them for fresh snacking or crispy pickles, cucumbers are a summer garden favorite for good reason. In this episode of The Beanstalk, we dive into growing both pickling and slicing varieties, from planting and trellising to managing pests like cucumber beetles and powdery mildew. You’ll also learn how to keep your cucumbers from turning bitter, when to harvest, and we’ll wrap up with a quick cucumber salad recipe featuring feta and dill. Cool, crunchy, and totally worth it!

Episode 8 : Growing Kale : A Cold-Hardy Classic

In this episode of The Beanstalk, we’re diving into one of the most reliable and nutrient-packed crops you can grow—kale! From curly to flat-leafed varieties, we’ll talk about why kale deserves a place in your garden, how to grow it successfully in cooler temps, and how to handle common pests like cabbage loopers. We’ll also highlight the delicious White and Red Russian kale varieties and wrap things up with a hearty recipe: Cheesy Kale & Fried Potato Gratin—a dish that might just make you fall in love with kale...

Episode 7 : Growing Garlic : The Garden MVP

Garlic isn’t just a kitchen staple—it’s a garden powerhouse. In this episode of The Beanstalk, I’m digging deep into how to grow garlic, from planting both hardneck and softneck varieties to harvesting delicious garlic scapes along the way. We’ll talk about timing, spacing, soil needs, and common issues to watch out for. Plus, I’ll share a simple garlic scape pesto recipe that’s perfect for adding a punch of flavor to almost anything. Whether you're a first-time grower or a garlic groupie like me—this one's for you. Duration: 00:16:58

Episode 6 : Tomatoes : The Crown Jewel of the Garden 🍅
In this flavorful episode of The Beanstalk, we’re diving into tomatoes—the beloved staple of every summer garden. Learn how to choose the right varieties, tackle pests like hornworms, and prevent common issues like blossom end rot. We’ll also cover pruning tips and common issues. To top it off, we’re sharing a simple and delicious Garden Fresh Tomato Bruschetta recipe that celebrates your homegrown bounty. Let’s get growing!

Episode 5 : Growing Potatoes : Garden Gold from the Soil
Dig into the basics of growing your own potatoes! In this episode, we cover planting, hilling, harvesting, and storage tips—plus a simple and tasty recipe using your homegrown spuds. Potatoes are one of the easiest and most satisfying crops to grow. Let’s get tuber excited! 🥔

Episode 4 : Growing Squash : Summer Slicers and Winter Keepers

In this episode of The Beanstalk, we dig into one of the most rewarding garden crops: squash! From fast-growing zucchini to hearty winter varieties like butternut and acorn, we cover everything you need to know to grow squash successfully. Learn about common pests, tips for healthy plants, and a tasty squash recipe to enjoy the fruits of your labor!

Episode 3 : Growing Beans: One of the Easiest and Most Rewarding Crops

In this episode of The Beanstalk, we’re talking all things beans — bush, pole, snap, and dry. Beans are one of the easiest, most rewarding crops you can grow, and perfect for beginners. We’ll dig into planting tips, pest control, and even wrap things up with a simple garden-fresh bean recipe.

Episode 2 : Getting Started with Gardening: A Beginner’s Guide

In this episode of The Beanstalk, we’re going back to the roots — literally. Whether you’ve got a backyard, a few containers, or just a sunny windowsill, I’ll walk you through the basics of starting your gardening journey. We’ll cover what you need, how to pick your first plants, and the simple tools that make a big difference. Let’s grow something together!

Episode 1 : Welcome to the Beanstalk

Get to know your host, John, and the mission behind The Beanstalk. In this short kickoff episode, we dig into why growing your own food matters, what to expect from future episodes, and how this podcast can help you start (or grow) your gardening journey — no matter your experience level.