Seeds & Weeds Podcast
Are you a gardener, farmer, forager or herbalist - or maybe you're a little plant curious? Then you've come to the right place - this is Seeds & Weeds a podcast from Small House Farm!www.SeedsandWeedsPodcast.comThe Seeds and Weeds Podcast is hosted by Bevin Cohen and brought to you by Small House Farm. Support the show at www.patreon.com/smallhousefarm
Late Fall Garden Chores
As the gardening season winds down here at Small House Farm, weâre reflecting on the successes, surprises, and lessons from this yearâs garden and looking ahead to next spring. In this episode, we share our end-of-season garden chores and the practical steps weâre taking to prepare our gardens for winter.
In this episode, we discuss these late-fall garden chores:
Cleaning up garden beds and removing old plants, trellises, and supportsPlanting cover crops to protect and improve the soilBringing frost-sensitive plants indoorsHarvesting the last fruits, vegetables, and herbs before the frostPropagating plants throug...All About Echinacea and Plants That Heal
Echinacea - one of our favorite perennial native flowers!
In this episode:
the different species we growhow to propagate echinacea through root divisionthe challenges of growing from seedwhen to harvest the flowers, leaves, and rootsWeâll take echinacea from the garden into the apothecary and talk about teas, tinctures, decoctions, topical preparations, and even a few creative ways to bring this beautiful plant into the kitchen.
We also explore the fascinating differences between harvesting the aerial parts of the plant and its roots, including why late fall and early spring are the id...
Saving Seeds From Your Garden ~ It's Seed Saving Season!
We are digging into one of our favorite gardening skills: saving your own seeds!
Weâre talking about why seed saving mattersâfrom saving money and preserving favorite varieties to growing plants that become increasingly adapted to your own garden and local environment.
Easy crops for beginner seed saversWhen seeds are ready to harvestThe difference between wet and dry seedsHow to harvest, process, and properly store your garden seedsWe also get into some of the trickier aspects of seed saving, including cross-pollination, biennial crops, and why a little planning in the spring can...
Thomas Jefferson's Flowers w/ Peggy Cornett
In this episode, we're joined by Peggy Cornett, curator of plants at historic Monticello, to discuss her new book, Thomas Jefferson's Flowers.Â
This richly illustrated book examines Jeffersonâs gardening friendships in the United States and abroad, his many botanical and horticultural influences, and includes a comprehensive annotated list of the flowers documented by Jefferson throughout his lifetime.
Throughout our conversation, Peggy and I explore the history of Monticelloâs flower gardens, the research required to maintain historically accurate gardens, her work as the Senior Curator of Plants, the beautiful photography and paintings included in the b...
All About ROSES in the Garden, Kitchen, and Apothecary
Roses are far more than a symbol of loveâtheyâre one of the most versatile plants you can grow. In this episode of the Seeds & Weeds Podcast, we explore the fascinating history of roses, how to successfully grow them, and the many ways every part of the plant can be used throughout the year. From fragrant petals and vitamin-rich rose hips to edible leaves, youâll discover practical tips for harvesting, preserving, and using roses in the kitchen, apothecary, and around the home.
Special guest Janice Cox, author of Beautiful Roses, joins the conversation to sha...
Truly Crunchy Holistic Wellness
We recently caught up with Sidnye and Savannah, publishers of Truly Crunchy Magazine and two sisters that are passionate about health, wellness, and everything in between.  Â
Truly Crunchy Magazine is one of the fastest growing wellness magazines focused on healthy holistic living. Learn more about the magazine and subscribe at https://trulycrunchy.com/
Tune in to hear more about Sidnye and Savannah's work, their magazine, and what it means to be Truly Crunchy.
Follow Small House Farm on FB and IG for more fun!
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Homesteading Challenges and Answers from the Experts | The Homestead Festival
In this special on-the-road episode of the Seeds & Weeds Podcast, we share conversations recorded live at the Homestead Festival in Tennessee.Â
We explored the real-world challenges faced by beginning and aspiring homesteaders and then sat down with experienced experts to help answer those questions.
You'll hear practical advice from homesteading personalities including Ruth Ann Zimmerman, Kaylee Richardson, Patty Ward, and Susan Wiley as they tackle common concerns such as:
Where to start without becoming overwhelmedHomesteading successfully on a small propertySorting through conflicting advice from books, social media, and the internetBuilding meaningful community and finding m...Direct Sow Your Garden - Tips and Techniques
We dig into the world of direct sow gardening and share our favorite tips for growing a thriving garden straight from seed. We talk about the benefits and challenges of direct sowing, our favorite cool and warm season crops, and practical techniques for timing, spacing, watering, and improving germination success.Â
In this episode you will learn:Â
What direct sowing is and why itâs great for beginner gardeners  The benefits and challenges of planting seeds directly in the garden  Which cool season crops are best for direct sowing  Which warm weather crops thrive when direct seeded  Why some pla...Vibrant Harvest w/ Sandra Mao
Itâs easy to âeat the rainbowâ when youâre growing one right in your own backyard!
Author and gardener Sandra Mao is joining us to talk about her new book Vibrant Harvest.
Sandra started to grow fruit trees and other edibles when she moved to California. Because of the blessings of the weather and lack of freezing temperatures, she is able to grow most vegetables and fruits year-round - though her content is aimed at gardeners from all growing zones. She loves helping new gardeners start growing their own food by sharing her pass...
All About Dandelions: Medicine Making and Culinary Creations
Weâre digging into one of the most overlooked plants in our landscape, dandelion, specifically Taraxacum officinale. What most people see as a weed, we see as a powerhouse of flavor, nutrition, and medicine...and weâre excited to share why.
We walk you through how to properly identify dandelion (and avoid common lookalikes), when and how to harvest each part of the plant, and why timing makes all the difference. From there, we head into the kitchen, where we share simple, practical ways to use dandelion leaves, flowers, and rootsâfrom fresh spring greens to infused vinega...
Ripe Tomato Revolution w/ Frank Hyman
We sit down with horticulturist, garden designer, and author Frank Hyman to dig into his new book Ripe Tomato Revolution. With over 40 years of experience, Frank shares practical, no-nonsense techniques to help you grow more tomatoes with less workâwhether youâre planting in rows, raised beds, or containers.
From smart seed-starting strategies to choosing the right supports (and why rebar might be your new best friend), this conversation is packed with actionable tips for gardeners of all levels. We also explore the rise of dwarf and micro-dwarf tomatoesâperfect for small spacesâand uncover a ârevolutionaryâ approach to...
Ten Plants You Need to Grow This Year!
In this episode of the Seeds and Weeds podcast, we're sharing our list of the ten plants we think every gardener should grow!
With so many amazing crops to choose from, narrowing it down wasnât easy â but we selected plants that are reliable, beautiful, productive, and useful in more than one way. Many of these crops offer dual or even triple purposes, giving you food, medicine, pollinator support, and garden beauty all in one plant.
We begin with powerful herbs and flowers like calendula, a cold-tolerant annual that thrives in the...
All about PEPPERS in the garden, kitchen, and apothecary!
In this flavor-packed conversation, we dive deep into the vibrant world of peppersâfrom seed to harvest, kitchen to apothecary. Timed perfectly for late-winter seed starting, this episode walks you through everything you need to know to successfully grow thriving pepper plants, including seed-starting tips, heat and light requirements, transplanting, and maximizing yields in the garden.
But the journey doesnât stop at the harvest. Youâll explore how peppers transform in the kitchenâfresh, dried, fermented, or smokedâand how heat levels (thanks to capsaicin) influence both flavor and culinary creativity. We share our personal experiences crafting u...
The Continuous Vegetable Garden w/ Charlie Nardozzi
Unlock the secrets to a low-maintenance, high-yield garden. Gardening expert and author Charlie Nardozzi shares how his book The Continuous Vegetable Garden helps growers maximize harvests while reducing time and effort.Â
From perennial vegetables and self-seeding crops to succession planting, overwintering, and season extension, this episode delivers practical, approachable techniques to help gardeners enjoy fresh food from early spring through late fallâno matter their garden size or experience level.
Learn more about Charlie and order his book:Â
https://www.gardeningwithcharlie.com/
Sign up for Charlie's gardening webinar:
https://www...
Making Herbal Extracts: Teas, Tinctures, Oils and Vinegars
In this first episode of Season 4, we dive into the art and science of herbal extractsâsimple, powerful ways to turn the plants you grow, forage, or purchase into food, medicine, and everyday remedies. Explore how the dormant season is the perfect time to slow down, take stock, and work with herbs in the kitchen and apothecary.
This episode breaks down four essential extraction methodsâwater, fat, alcohol, and vinegarâexplaining what each one extracts best and how to use them in real life. From teas, syrups, jellies, and broths to infused oils, salves...
2025 Recap and Reflection + All about Juniper: Winter Solstice Episode!
⨠Celebrate the Season of Rest and Reflection â¨
In this Winter Solstice special of Seeds & Weeds, we slow down, look back, and dream forward. As the longest night of the year arrives, we reflect on a season of growthâboth in the garden and beyondâcelebrating milestones, lessons learned, and the rhythms that guide a life rooted in the land.
This episode weaves together solstice traditions from around the world, personal highlights from a banner year for the podcast, and an exploration of juniper, the evergreen herb of winter. Discover juniperâs medicinal...
Herbs for Winter Wellness
From soothing teas to immune-boosting brews, this episode is a winter wellness treasure chest.Â
Listeners get an exclusive behind-the-scenes moment as we celebrate submitting a ginormous new manuscriptâ a major project set to hit bookshelves in July 2027.Â
From there, itâs all about the herbs:Â
Peppermint & Spearmint for digestion, mocktails, and holiday calm
Ginger for warming tea blends and digestive support
Fennel & Thyme for soothing sore throats
Sage & Rosemary for memory, flavor, and festive recipes
Cinnamon for aromatic comfort and ant...
The Squash Episode - in the Garden, Kitchen and Apothecary with our Favorite Fall Fruit!
From growing and harvesting to seed saving and cooking, weâre exploring everything you need to know about squash!â Learn the difference between summer and winter squash, how to cure them for long-term storage, and discover creative ways to use squash in the kitchenâfrom roasted seeds to pumpkin puree and even edible leaves and flowers! đ
Plus, weâre sharing the incredible benefits of nutrient-rich pumpkin seed oil, including its uses in cooking and natural body care products. âDid you know pumpkin seeds were once used as medicine for parasites? â đ
đ Shop:
Small House Pumpkin Oil,
L...
All About Sage + Propagating Herbs - Autumn Equinox Special!
đ Celebrate the Season of Transition with Seeds and Weeds! â đą
In this special Autumn Equinox episode, the Seeds and Weeds podcast dives into the magic of fall! â From the crisp air to the golden hues, we embrace the beauty of the season while sharing practical tips and inspiration for gardeners, foragers, and herbalists alike. đť
⨠Highlights include:
A deep dive into the versatile herb sageâits culinary, medicinal, and gardening wonders. â Learn how to make sage-infused compound butter, fried sage leaves, and even a cozy apple juice mocktail! â đ§đExpert garlic-growing tips from special guest ...Totally Tomatoes: How to Grow, Cook, and Save the Ultimate Summer Crop
Weâre diving into the juicy world of tomatoesâthe ultimate summer garden staple. â đ
From growing tips to recipes, seed-saving techniques, and expert advice, this episode is your one-stop shop for everything tomato.
đď¸ Whatâs Inside This Episode?
Tomato Varieties Galore: From cherry tomatoes to beefsteaks, indeterminate to determinate, and even wild varieties, we explore the incredible diversity of tomatoes. â Thereâs truly a tomato for everyone! â
Expert Growing Tips: Erica Kempter from Nature and Nurture Seeds shares her secrets for tackling common challenges like blossom end rot, trellising techniques (hello, Florida weave!), and the best time to h...
The Joys and Benefits of Summer Flowers
Flowers offer us food and medicine in addition to beauty. Let's explore some of our favorite summer flowers and the many ways we can enjoy them in the kitchen and apothecary.Â
Some of our favorite summer flowers include Chamomile, Rose and Yarrow. We share some recipes and advice on how to make the most of these summer delights.
We'll also talk about some creative ways to use the bounty of herbs and veggies that are available right now.Â
Check out the Mountain Rose Herbs blog that's packed with useful content and re...
All About Lemon Balm + Mulch in the Garden - A Summer Solstice Special!
Celebrate the Sun in our Summer Solstice Special Episode!Â
Herbalist Mary Colvin joins us to talk all about lemon balm; in the kitchen, garden and apothecary - we love this amazing herb!Â
We share some recipes for herbal jellies, special stuffing for the Solstice feast, using salt to preserve herbs, and dig into the many medicinal uses for lemon balm. Mary shares info on lemon balm tea, topical uses for infusions and some of her favorite blends for lemon balm teas and tinctures.Â
You can learn more about Mary Colvin and her...
Herbs: When to Grow, Forage or Buy
Some herbs we can grow, others we can gather.. while some herbs might need to be purchased. In this episode we're exploring the many ways we acquire herbs!
We'll chat about some of the best herbs for growing and why we love having an herb garden.Â
Hear from forager George Barnett about when to gather our herbs and why its so important to be safe and responsible foragers!
Learn more about George's work at The Hungry Forager at https://www.thehungryforager.com/
Listen to the full conversation with George f...
Seeds Are Everywhere + Three Sisters Gardening
We're taking a deep dive into seeds! Let's explore our relationship with seeds and how seeds can be found everywhere!Â
We also talk about how to grow a Three Sisters Garden, sharing our experience after reading Buffalo Bird Woman's Garden. You can watch our full Three Sisters Youtube video at https://youtu.be/0SyKclXdz-A?si=pFijygMfF5_sGMd_ This is one of our most popular videos!Â
Bevin shares advice for growing healthy and productive corn - from sunlight and soil requirements to proper watering and planting depths plus the perfect time to ha...
Spring Equinox Special - Celebrating the Season of Renewal!
Spring has returned and we're ready to celebrate!Â
This is the season of renewal and we're talking about some of our favorite spring plants.. What are we planting and what's popping up in the wild? We also dig a little deeper into one of our favorite spring herbs - stinging nettles! Learn more about this important plant - where it grows, how to harvest it plus the many ways that we can make use of this powerful ally in the kitchen and the apothecary. Â
Have you ever wondered what the equinox really is? We...
Planning Your Garden in Three Simple Steps
It's time to start planning and planting the garden! This is one of the most exciting times of year - dreaming and scheming for our best garden yet!
In this episode we cover three simple steps to get the garden growing, from sun and soil to seeds and lights.
We talk about soil testing, seed starting mix, transplanting schedules and germination tests.Â
We also dig into the seed stash and talk about all the seeds we're planning to buy this year, and the seed companies we're shopping with!
See our Seed S...
Seed Swap Day + Five Seeds You Need to Plant
We're kicking off our third season with something new and different. Today we're celebrating SEED SWAP DAY!
What's seed swap day? We're glad that you asked - you'll learn all about this national seed sharing initiative when we travel back in time to the year 2021!
Learn more about National Seed Swap Day on Youtube: https://youtu.be/dzORyZTYmjA?si=_PEYsKtzpFDNdLBl
Connect with the Community Seed Network and Seed Savers Exchange:
https://www.communityseednetwork.org/
https://seedsavers.org/
Check out the Central Indiana Seed Swap:
https://hcmga.org/public-education...
Herbal Remedies for Sleep w/ Maria NoĂŤl Groves, Wintergreen Botanicals
Grab a pillow - this episode is going to put you to sleep! ;) Maria NoĂŤl Groves, clinical herbalist and award-winning author, is here to talk about her new book, Herbal Remedies for Sleep.
Learn about adaptogen and nervine herbs - how they're different and when to use them, plus Maria will share some of her favorite ways to work with herbs like lavender, lemon balm, holy basil and blue vervain!
Find Wintergreen Botanicals and explore Maria's classes and herbal courses at https://wintergreenbotanicals.com/
Order your copy of Herbal Remedies for Sleep a...
Grow Exotic Plants in Small Spaces w/ Wendi Phan
Grow, harvest and enjoy exotic and interesting herbs and edibles - even in the smallest spaces!
Garden educator and Youtuber Wendi Phan joins us to talk about growing exotic plants in her suburban garden in Los Angeles, some of her most popular Youtube videos and she shares tips and advice for those of us interested in growing exotic plants in our gardens.
We also sample some of Wendi's classic jasmine green tea. Hear our tasting notes and learn more about harvesting and processing green tea.
Wendi talks about her popular Youtube video demonstrating...
All About Garlic w/ Kristin Graves, The Garlic Companion
Grow your best garlic ever with farmer Kristin Graves! Kristin will tell us about planting, growing and harvesting garlic and will share tips to help us produce abundant harvests of this pungent allium.
She also talks about using garlic to create value-added products, how to properly dry and cure garlic, black garlic cheesecake, The Garlic Goddess and so much more!
Kristin Graves is a fifth-generation farmer in Alberta, Canada and the author of The Garlic Companion. In addition to her vegetable CSA, she focuses on growing fresh garlic for local markets and creating value-added products...
Growing Good with Hobby Farms
A special bonus episode of Seeds & Weeds!
From 2021-2024, our friends at Hobby Farms hosted the Growing Good Podcast, a program about small-scale, sustainable farming. Bevin was a guest on the show in 2022 to talk about his book, The Complete Guide to Seed & Nut Oils.
Unfortunately, Hobby Farm as decided to discontinue the show, but generously gave us permission to rebroadcast Bevin's episode here on Seeds & Weeds!
Please enjoy this encore episode of Growing Good. Host Lisa Munniksma talks with Bevin about the early days of Small House Farm, his book...
All About Lavender w/ Terry Vesci, The Lavender Companion
Grow and harvest fragrant lavender for the kitchen and apothecary!
Author, chef, and lavender farmer Terry Vesci joins us to talk about her new book The Lavender Companion. We'll learn how to grow and harvest lavender, the best cultivars for culinary and medicinal uses and some of Terry's favorite ways to use lavender. She'll also share some tips to help us overwinter our lavender plants!
Terry Vesci is the co-owner of Pine Creek Canyon Lavender Farm in Pine, Arizona, which welcomes thousands of visitors each year and includes a successful online business. Vesci...
The Magic of Mushrooms
Let's dig into the wild world of fungi to explore the magic of mushrooms. We'll talk about growing and harvesting mushrooms and using the mushrooms as both food and medicine - plus recipes for double mushroom extract and delicious shiitake duxelles. This is a mushroom laced episode of Seeds & Weeds!
Learn how to grow shiitake mushrooms on logs!
Video 1: https://youtu.be/wh6PeZDriNU?si=yUwWQqLY3DUX7E6E
Video 2: https://youtu.be/Xr5UzHWQusM?si=qlSj780YmRajCjx6
Listen to our interview with Erin Hamilton from The Mushroom Conservatory:
https...
Food History & Fermentation w/ Dr. Julia Skinner
Which came first - beer or bread? Let's explore fermentation, the history of food, and the work of Dr. Julia Skinner.
Julia Skinner is a food historian, educator and founder of Roots, a fermentation and food history company that bridges the gap between modern people and historic food. Dr. Skinner holds a PhD in Library and Information Science and is the only historian or food writer in the US to win two 40 under 40 awards in one year. Julia is joining us on the show today to talk about her fermented life.
We're talking...
Foraging Food & Medicine w/ Megan Edge plus two free e-books!
Let's get wild! Herbalist Megan Edge joins us to talk about foraging, ethical harvesting, working with invasive plants, wild lettuce, medicinal mushrooms and so much more!
Megan Edge comes from a long line of foragers and, having foraged across Canada in both wild and urban settings, she has a wealth of experience to share. A generational forager, Megan has ethically harvested from the forest since a child and now, through her shop, Beyond the Garden Gate, she shares Mother Natureâs healing bounty with her herbal teas, salves and tinctures.
Learn more about Megan's work at...
Seed Saving and Story Telling - Remembering Wisconsin's Tomato Man
We've got tomatoes on our mind! Bevin shares a story of Thane Earle, famed Wisconsin seed saver most well known for introducing the world to the Amish Paste tomato!
Hear about Thane's incredible collection of seeds; more than 1000 varieties of tomatoes and hundreds of beans! We dig into the history of the classic Amish Paste tomato and meet other dedicated seed savers including Lee Stoltzfus from the Landis Valley Museum in Pennsylvania and Tom Hauch, founder of Heirloom Seeds.
Bevin was recently a guest on Wisconsin Public Radio's Morning Show with...
From Seed to Skincare w/ Zehra Murthy, Belfiore Herbal
Want to make your own Vitamin A oil from homegrown carrots? Learn how to do it, plus so much more, from Zehra Murthy, UCSF scientist and owner of Belfiore Herbal!
Let's take a deep dive in homegrown botanicals, working with hydrosols and the science of skincare. Zehra Murthy is a scientist at University of California where sheâs spent the last 40 years studying cellular and molecular biology and sheâs applied that knowledge to the creation of Belfiore Herbal, a line if botanical skin care products crafted with herbs grown right on the farm!
...
Preserve Your Harvest w/ Sarah Thrush, Preserving with a Purpose
You've harvested some amazing produce from your garden - Now what? Author and TikTok sensation Sarah Thrush joins us to talk about canning, food preservation and her new book, Preserving With A Purpose. Sarah is a third generation canner and and expert in home food preservation. She shares some tips and tricks to help us succeed with our canning projects as well as some of her favorite recipes!
Sarah Thrush is known for her passion for canning and preserving food. She shares her knowledge and experience on food preservation through her posts, videos and recipes in TikTok...
Herbal Hydrosols w/ Liz Fulcher + Mint in the Kitchen and Apothecary
Hydrosols are aromatic waters produced by steam distillation of botanicals. Learn about these unique herbal products, the distillation process, and more with clinical aromatherapist Liz Fulcher. Liz also shares her Top 5 hydrosols and how to use them!
Liz Fulcher brings over 33 years of essential oil experience, research, and education to her work as a clinical aromatherapist, educator, podcast host, and distiller.
Since 1997 Liz has been teaching and making it easy for others to safely and effectively use essential oils and hydrosols. In 2010 she founded the Aromatic Wisdom Institute where she offers online training...
Create Botanical Cocktails w/ Tenae Stewart
Garden to glass beverages can bring joy and relaxation into your life. Learn how to make seasonal botanical cocktails (and mocktails) with author and herbalist Tenae Stewart!
Tenae Stewart is a certified astrologer and spiritual coach. She is on a mission to embody simplicity in daily rituals and self-care practices, as these can be such supportive tools in our busy, modern world. Her work empowers others to create rituals and to connect with the earth in ways that fit effortlessly into their real lives. Today, Tenae is joining us on the show to talk about her new...
