Food Garden Life Show: Helping You Harvest More from Your Edible Garden, Vegetable Garden, and Edible Landscaping

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Growing tomatoes in a cool or maritime climate can feel like an uphill battle. It doesn’t have to be.In this episode, I’m joined by tomato expert Holly Farrell, author of The Tomato Grower’s Handbook, to talk about how to get reliable, flavourful harvests even when summers are mild, damp, or unpredictable.We dig into practical strategies for gardeners in places like coastal Canada, the UK, and the U.S. Pacific Northwest—where heat is limited and blight is always lurking.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why variety choice matters more than anything else The difference between bush (determinate) and cordon (indeterminate) tomatoes How to use microclimates (walls, courtyards, sunny corners) to your advantage Simple ways to add protection—from cloches to greenhouses How to reduce risk from blight in damp conditions Tips for growing tomatoes in: Balconies Containers Garden beds Tunnels & greenhouses How to deal with wind exposure (especially coastal winds) Holly’s favourite tomato varieties for different uses If you’ve ever struggled to ripen tomatoes or deal with disease pressure, this episode will give you a clearer path forward.If you would like to see what Holly is up to in the garden, here is her Instagram handle.  ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Pears deserve more respect in cold-climate gardens. While apples dominate the conversation, there are pear varieties that are just as hardy. The problem is, most growers don’t know about them. Varieties like Krazulya, Vekovaya, and Ure aren’t widely planted, but they probably should be.In this episode, I chat with Elisabeth Racine from Hardy Fruit Tree Nursery, where they’re testing about 200 pear varieties. We talk about what it takes to grow pears successfully in colder zones, including variety selection, pollination, feeding, and training.We also talk about some top cold-hardy pear varieties and the most common mistakes home growers make when planting pears.If you’ve ever wondered whether pears are worth the space in a northern garden—or which variety to choose if you only have room for one tree—this conversation will help you decide.Topics covered include:Why pears are a worthwhile cold-climate fruit crop How far north pears can realistically be grown The importance of variety selection Top cold-hardy pear varieties for home growers Pollination requirements What most people get wrong when planting pears How long it takes for pear trees to produce And if you’re looking for more on cold-hardy fruit, tune in to this episode about growing fruit in cold climates with Veronique from Hardy Fruit Tree Nursery!    ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Designing a vegetable garden can feel simple—until you try to make everything fit. Rows or raised beds? What goes where? And how do you plan it so it still makes sense in July?In this episode, I sit down with Natalie Bogwalker and Chloe Lieberman, authors of The New Natural Food Garden, to talk through practical, thoughtful ways to design a productive vegetable garden.We cover the decisions that matter most—layout, crop choice, and how to make a plan that you’ll actually follow through on.In this episode:Rows vs. beds: what works, and why Choosing crops for your space, climate, and habits How to place crops so they grow well (and don’t get in each other’s way) Making a garden plan you’ll stick with A look at no-till methods and how they fit into garden design This is a conversation about making your garden simpler, more productive, and more doable—not more complicated.Find out more about the book and about their online gardening programs on their website.  ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---In this episode, I chat with Michalina Hunter, founder of Cicada Seeds, about edible perennial crops.We explore:Ways to use perennial vegetables in a home-garden settingWhy perennial vegetables are a game-changer for sustainable gardening Top crops for home gardenersMichalina’s top recommendations for home gardenersAnd we also take a tangent to discuss an interesting tomato that Michalina introduced, the ‘Venus of Willendorf’ tomatoWhether you’re curious about food forests, edible perennials, or just want to try something new, tune in for practical advice from a seasoned grower.  ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Rising food costs have you looking at your food bill? This is a good year to grow more food at home. And in this episode, I have tips to help you hit the ground running this year.Find out about simple ways to add edible plants to the landscape, top crops for home gardens, how to grow more food in a small space, and edible hedges.In this episode, I share some of the ideas from my upcoming series of free online Earth Month gardening talks. These talks have been on my mind for a while—and this year feels like the right time.The earth month gardening talks are free. Please join me for one or all of them. Find out more about the free Earth Month series.  ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---In this episode, I continue my cross-Canada tour to hear about top veggie varieties.I’m joined by my former co-host, horticulturist, author, and longtime gardening educator Donna Balzer to talk all about her favourite vegetable varieties. Donna shares her long-time favourite varieties—the ones she grows year after year—as well as varieties that have recently impressed her. Donna and I wrote No Guff Vegetable Gardening together in 2011, and I’m a big fan of her approach to gardening. (If you’re looking for a copy of this Canadian classic, drop by Donna’s website.)Whether you're planning your garden or interested in hearing about interesting varieties, this conversation will give you ideas for your 2026 garden.  ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---This is a preview of a new show from Food Garden Life Media.Hosted by Steven Biggs, Fig Culture explores the world of growing figs in places where they’re not supposed to thrive.You’ll hear from fig experts in cold climates about the best varieties, learn how growers protect their trees through winter, meet passionate fig enthusiasts, and discover creative ways to use figs in the kitchen.In this first episode, we visit Vancouver Island—where figs are fully hardy, but a cool coastal climate makes ripening a challenge. Master fig grower Bob Duncan has trialled hundreds of varieties to find the ones that perform best in his conditions—and he’s found some outstanding picks.To hear more, search “Fig Culture” in your podcast app and follow the show. Episode 2 is waiting for you.  ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---In this episode, I sit down with gardening expert and author Stephanie Rose to explore her new book, The Wild & Free Garden.Need inspiration for your next gardening task or project? Need to reconnect with nature? Have a listen. Yes, this chat is rooted in gardening. But it’s also a thoughtful look at human nature, current culture, and psychology. Stephanie shares a refreshing approach to gardening—one rooted in creativity, sustainability, and community connection. Instead of clicking “buy” for a next-day delivery, she encourages gardeners to tap into the sharing economy, repurpose materials, and collaborate with others to create beautiful, meaningful outdoor spaces. This episode is perfect for gardeners, sustainability enthusiasts, and anyone looking to reconnect with nature—and with others—through their outdoor space.  ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Growing fruit in cold climates might seem daunting, especially if you have a small home garden. But with the right trees and a creative mindset, it’s surprisingly achievable.In this episode, we chat with Véronique Alexandre from Hardy Fruit Tree Nursery, a Canadian nursery specializing in fruit trees adapted to harsh northern winters.Want a hedge on your property? Forget the cedar hedge, Veronique will tell you about a flowering, fruiting hedge. She has many tips to help home gardeners succeed with fruit. We explore:Fruit trees, bushes, and cultivars for cold zonesGrowing a flowering and fruiting plum hedgeHow to fit fruit trees into small gardens and suburban yardsWhat you need to know about ordering and planting bare-root fruit treesA tough-as-nails apple that grows in zone 2 and even colderA new cold-hardy, tasty, and bred-in-Quebec cold-hardy apple that stores very well Whether you want a single apple tree, a productive backyard orchard, edible landscape, or a hedge that feeds your family, this episode will inspire you to start planting fruit—even in the coldest regions. If you’re looking for more on edible hedges, check out this edible hedge guide.   ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---What if some of your vegetable garden crops came back year after year — with less digging, less fuss, and a continuous harvest?In this episode, I’m joined by gardening expert Charlie Nardozzi, author of The Continuous Vegetable Garden, to explore how to design a self-sustaining food garden that produces continuously through the seasons.Charlie shares practical strategies for succession planting, perennial crops, fruit, gardening in shade, and no-dig gardening. We also talk about vertical gardening and how to keep tomato and pepper plants from one year to the next—so you can have an extra-early tomato and pepper harvest. If you’d like less maintenance and more of an ongoing harvest, this episode will inspire you to plant smarter — not harder.If you’re looking for more on crops you can grow in the shade, check out this guide to fruits and vegetables for shade.  ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Ever get to the end of the growing season and realize your tomato patch didn’t live up to the expectations you had when you planted it in the spring?In this episode we chat with tomato expert Frank Hyman, author of the brand-new book Ripe Tomato Revolution. He shares his top tips to get lots of healthy, homegrown tomatoes—with less work. Frank has over four decades of hands-on experience, as both a farmer and a gardener. He shares a super practical way for home gardeners to prevent disease, along with his easy-to-make, easy-to-use homemade tomato cages. Whether you’re a first-time tomato grower or a seasoned gardener, get ideas to improve your tomato harvest from Frank’s down-to-earth tips and techniques.Hear about: Simple DIYs: tomato cages, and Frank’s “tomato house” concept to prevent diseaseCreating conditions for tomatoes to thrive Mulching like a proWays to support tomato plantsDifferent types of tomato plantsFrank’s personal stories from years on an organic tomato farm Perfect for: urban gardeners, backyard growers, sustainable farmers, and tomato lovers of all levels.Listen now and let’s grow the best tomatoes you’ve ever tasted!If you’re looking for more on staking and supporting tomatoes, check out this great post.   ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Today we continue our cross-Canada tour, chatting with food gardeners, and sharing crop and variety ideas to help you as you plan your 2026 garden.We head to Manitoba, just outside of Winnipeg, to chat with Brent Poole, an avid backyard veggie gardener who has been at it for over 45 years. Along with his own big suburban yard, Brent has a big garden across the street. He loves to experiment with new techniques and new varieties, something he attributes to his background in biology. Brent writes for and is on the board of The Prairie Garden, an annual publication that’s all about gardening on the Canadian prairies. If you garden in a cold climate—or want to make the most of a short growing season—this episode is packed with practical ideas.  ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---We continue our cross-Canada tour, chatting with inspiring gardeners to hear about favourite varieties and top crops. Today we head to Regina, Saskatchewan, to chat with Candace Benson, who runs City Street Farms. Candace tells us about how she turns grass into gardens in a city that has a lot of single-family homes—and a lot of front lawns. She shares the story of her business, talks about her process to transform a lawn into a garden, and then talks about favourite veg and flower varieties. You can find Candace online, at citystreetfarms.ca  ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Today we’re joined by Helen Battersby, who talks about a gardening book that began as a coping tool. Helen tells us about Margaret Bennet-Alder, who turned to gardening during a difficult family chapter. Inspired by the homemade booklets her son used to manage appointments and medication while rebuilding his life, Margaret began tracking her garden the same way—seasonal tasks, plant sources, and hard-earned gardening lessons. The book, the Toronto Gardener’s Journal, was a shared project with her son. They started with 50 copies. Margaret and her son, and, later, sisters Helen and Sarah Battersby, grew the book into a nationally loved resource, with over 20,000 journals sold across Canada. This is a story about gardens—but also about resilience, care, and the healing power of gardening.  ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---We continue our cross-Canada tour, chatting with inspiring gardeners to find out favourite varieties and top crops. Today we chat with Niki Jabbour, a CBC radio gardening expert, one of the creators behind the gardening website savvygardening.com, and the award-winning author of The Year Round Vegetable Gardener, Groundbreaking Food Gardens: 73 Plans That Will Change the Way You Grow Your Garden, Veggie Garden Remix: 224 New Plants to Shake Up Your Garden and Add Variety, Flavor, and Fun, and Growing Under Cover: Techniques for a More Productive, Weather-Resistant, Pest-Free Vegetable Garden.Niki shares some of her long-time favourite veg varieties, more recent additions to her favourites list, and some varieties with a Canadian pedigree. (Spoiler alert: including one that’s listed in the Slow Fook Ark of Taste.)   ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---We continue our cross-Canada tour of inspiring gardeners to find out favourite varieties and top crops.Today we chat with Dave Hanson, co-host of The Grow Guide podcast, and owner of Sage Garden Greenhouses in Winnipeg, Manitoba.Dave shares some of his favourite veg varieties. He also talks about top herbs, one of his specialties.Lavender get smoked in a harsh winter? Dave has a suggestion. And if you just can’t get enough cucs, hear what he does.  ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Leafy greens always seem to bolt too quickly? Can’t figure out why your broccoli isn’t forming heads? Choosing vegetable varieties suited to your climate helps avoid these sorts of frustrations.In this episode, we get variety recommendations from gardening expert and entomologist Linda Gilkeson. Having spent much of her career on programs to reduce pesticide use, Linda is also an avid organic gardener who can garden year-round in her coastal climate.Her books include Backyard Bounty: The Complete Guide to Year-Round Organic Gardening in the Pacific Northwest and West Coast Gardening: Natural Insect, Weed and Disease Control.Linda gardens on Salt Spring Island, one of the Gulf Islands off the coast of British Columbia. She describes her growing conditions as coastal Pacific Northwest. Her variety recommendations are for these conditions.But even if you’re not in the Pacific Northwest, I suggest you tune in. You’ll hear about tomato varieties that produce when it’s too cold for most others to set fruit. Did you know there are three broad groups of broccoli? And get Linda’s vegetable gardening words of wisdom.Click here to see Linda’s list of top vegetable varieties.Find Linda online at lindagilkeson.caIf you’re looking for sources and tips about ordering vegetable seed, check out the post about where to get vegetable seed.    ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Not sure what to do with a long, skinny, straight-edged garden beside a driveway, patio, or building?In this episode, we take a long, slender ornamental garden and reimagine the space with edible plants.The garden we’re thinking about is actually a little sliver of the Joan of Arc Garden in Quebec City. But these same ideas work well in in many home-garden situations.We talk about:Crop ideas (kales, Thai basil, borage, shiso, and fern-leaf parsley)Groupings vs. individual plantsUrns for adding height an interest in this skinny spacePlants that last into the fall vs. plants that fade with fall weatherIf you’re looking for more on edible flowers like borage, check out this article about edible flowers.   ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Do you have a garden where you use traditional annuals, but you want to switch it up for something edible?Herbs are one option.In this episode, we look at a space that has a tidy, slightly formal feel.We replace the tightly clipped shrubs with edible alternatives.And then we change out the annuals for herbs.If you’re looking for more on using edible plants instead of traditional bedding plants, check out this post.   ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Wondering about adding edible plants to an existing gardening without spoiling the aesthetic?With the right plant choice, along with an understanding of how the space is used, you can add edible plants without spoiling the looks.In this episode, we take a public space and reimagine it with edibles.It’s a big space, with lots of lawn. We talk about plant choice for this shady spot, and about plant placement that doesn’t interfere with how this space is used. We include: Edibles as bedding plants Using height to make a focal point Edibles for colour Edible perennials Fruit for shadeIf you’re looking for more on crops for shade, check out this post.   ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Thinking of veggies for your container garden? Or planter boxes with herbs? In this episode, we look at a patio surrounded by planter boxes that are filled with red geraniums...nothing but red geraniums.Our goal? Transform this linear container garden from a continuous line of red into something varied, colourful—playful—and edible.Hear two different approaches to reimagining the planter boxes so that they’re a low-maintenance edible container garden.If you’re looking for more on the sub-irrigated planters from this episode, find out more here.  ***Join the 5,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang who stay on top of home food-growing ideas with our weekly e-mail. We’re making the world a better place one garden at a time!Grab the free e-books: Small-Space Food-Gardening Hacks and Growing Figs in Cold Climates.And say hi—we love to hear what you think!  ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Got a spot you’d like to use to grow food but not sure where to start?In this episode, we tackle a bare space with hard clay, in zone 3.Let’s not forget the deer and rabbits. Oh, and there’s a narrow “hell strip” that’s needs to be planted too.The good news is that there are lots of ways to add edibles to a garden. The way to start is by choosing a creative direction, and then getting started.We work through two entirely different approaches to this space.First, we explore a low-maintenance “grazing” garden with perennials. Next, we think about how to use a potager style in this space.For the plant palette we’re including options for:·         Partial sunlight·         Good cold tolerance for perennials (zone 3!)·         Less attractive to deer·         Plants that give options for adding colour, texture, and heightIf you’re looking for fruits, vegetables, and other plants that you can grow in the shade, here’s a post to get you started. ***-->Join the 5,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang who stay on top of home food-growing ideas with our weekly e-mail. We’re making the world a better place one garden at a time!-->Grab the free e-books: Small-Space Food-Gardening Hacks and Growing Figs in Cold Climates.-->And say hi—we love to hear what you think!  ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Think your climate is too cold to grow tender fruit? Find out how this grower harvests peaches, plums, cherries, apricots, and more…despite winter temperatures that can dip to -38°C (-36°F) and a short summer.In this episode, Donna and Steven chat with Saskatchewan fruit grower Dean Kreutzer.  We talk about:Fruit adapted to cold climatesUsing unheated greenhouses to grow tender fruit, grapes…and figsHeat sinks and insulated tarpsCapturing heat from the ground—without an elaborate geothermal heating systemKreutzer and his wife run Over the Hill Orchards in Saskatchewan.If you’re looking for more on cold-hardy fruit, check out this post on Saskatoon Berries. ***-->Join the 5,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang who stay on top of home food-growing ideas with our weekly e-mail. We’re making the world a better place one garden at a time!-->Grab the free e-books: Small-Space Food-Gardening Hacks and Growing Figs in Cold Climates.-->And say hi—we love to hear what you think!  ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Do you have more seeds and plants than you can fit into your garden?It’s a common problem for the enthusiastic food gardener!In this episode, Donna and Steven talk about finding more growing space so that you can fit more crops into the same space.Get ideas for:Growing in ungardenable spaces…like the root-infested space next to hedgesReducing space used by pathwaysTiering crops in a gardenUsing paved areas, decks—and stairs!If you’re looking for more on garden planning, check out these 7 vegetable garden layout ideas.  ***-->Join the 5,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang who stay on top of home food-growing ideas with our weekly e-mail. We’re making the world a better place one garden at a time!-->Grab the free e-books: Small-Space Food-Gardening Hacks and Growing Figs in Cold Climates.-->And say hi—we love to hear what you think!  ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Want to grow great tomatoes? With the right transplanting and care, your tomatoes will be off to a great start.In this episode, Donna and Steven talk about:Transplanting tomato seedlingsProtecting transplants from cold spring weatherHow to stake, train, and support tomato plantsPruning tomato suckersWatering and feedingTomato challenges, including pests, diseases, and blossom end rot.If you’re looking for more on how to support tomato plants, check out this article. -->Join the 5,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang who stay on top of home food-growing ideas with our weekly e-mail. We’re making the world a better place one garden at a time!-->Grab the free e-books: Small-Space Food-Gardening Hacks and Growing Figs in Cold Climates.-->And say hi—we love to hear what you think!  ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Wondering when to plant vegetables? Not sure what to plant first?You don’t need to plant everything at once.In this episode, Donna and Steven talk about when to plant vegetables, and the Canadian tradition of planting the garden over the Victoria Day (May 24) weekend.(Sometimes it makes sense…though not for all crops in all zones.)If you’re looking for more on planting vegetables, check out this article on direct seeding. ***-->Join the 5,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang who stay on top of home food-growing ideas with our weekly e-mail. We’re making the world a better place one garden at a time! -->Grab the free e-books: Small-Space Food-Gardening Hacks and Growing Figs in Cold Climates. -->And say hi—we love to hear what you think!  ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Your vegetable seedlings can look great indoors. Then fall like dominoes in the garden.If they’re not hardened off.But if you harden off seedlings, they stand a much better chance once you plant them in the garden.In this episode, Donna and Steven talk about:What hardening off meansWhy harden off seedlingsHow to harden off seedlingsWhen to harden off seedlingsHarden off seedlings in a greenhouseIf you’re looking for more on growing vegetables from seed, check out post on how to direct seed vegetables. -->Join the 5,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang who stay on top of home food-growing ideas with our weekly e-mail. We’re making the world a better place one garden at a time!-->Grab the free e-books: Small-Space Food-Gardening Hacks and Growing Figs in Cold Climates.-->And say hi—we love to hear what you think!  ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Wondering about fruit to grow in a cold climate?Today we head to Alberta, to find out how to grow saskatoon bushes. Arden Delidais grows in Zone 2—and doesn’t get any winter dieback on her saskatoon berries.Delidais’ orchard and winery, DNA Gardens, has a number of cold hardy crops including saskatoon berries, apples, plums, rhubarb, currants, and haskaps.Saskatoon bushes (Amelanchier alnifolia) are native to North America. (South of the border you might hear them referred to as juneberry or shadbush.)Delidais tells Steve and Donna about:How to prune saskatoon bushesSaskatoon varietiesSaskatoon pests and diseasesHow to propagate saskatoon berriesHow to use saskatoon fruitIf you’re looking for more on saskatoons, here’s a guide to growing them. -->Join the 5,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang who stay on top of home food-growing ideas with our weekly e-mail. We’re making the world a better place one garden at a time!-->Grab the free e-books: Small-Space Food-Gardening Hacks and Growing Figs in Cold Climates.-->And say hi—we love to hear what you think!  ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Have you tried direct sowing but didn’t get good results? Wondering how to direct sow seeds?Direct sowing—a.k.a. direct seeding or direct planting—is when we sow seeds straight into the garden. We skip starting transplants indoors.It gives better results for some crops—because there’s no transplanting shock. And that’s great, because it saves you the hassle of growing transplants.But some crops need extra growing time…and that’s where transplants make sense. Or sometimes, hot summer weather causes spotty germination outdoors, meaning transplants are a better option.To ace your direct seeding, you need to know which crops it works with—and how to do it.In this episode, Donna and Steven talk about:Why and when to direct sowWhen it makes sense to grow transplants instead of direct sowingHow to direct sow seedsWhat crops are best for direct sowingIf you’re looking for more ideas for planting your vegetable garden, here’s an article with 7 Vegetable Garden Layout ideas.     -->Join the 5,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang who stay on top of home food-growing ideas with our weekly e-mail. We’re making the world a better place one garden at a time!-->Grab the free e-books: Small-Space Food-Gardening Hacks and Growing Figs in Cold Climates.-->And say hi—we love to hear what you think!  ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Want to harvest more veg from the same amount of space? You can get lots more from a small space by growing in containers. (If you get it right…but that’s not difficult!)If you get these 4 things right, you’re on the road to container gardening success: The right containerGood soilA suitable locationProper careIn this episode, Donna and Steven share top tips for container gardening success, including choosing pots, selecting soil, finding a suitable spot, and caring for your container vegetables.If you’re looking for more on container gardening, here are top container garden crops.   ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Don’t miss out on fresh figs just because you’re gardening in a cold climate.There are many cold-climate fig growers who defy zone boundaries with creative overwintering techniques.Figs can take quite a bit of cold. Not the extreme cold. A creative gardener gets figs through the winter by moderating the extremes.In this episode, Donna and Steven talk about fig-growing tactics for cold climates so that you can harvest figs—even if you have zone envy!If you’re looking for more cold-climate fig-growing tips, drop by our fig home page.  ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Can’t get enough pawpaw fruit? Want to grow a pawpaw tree?If you haven’t tried pawpaw fruit, many people describe the flavour of its silky, yellow flesh as tropical.While it’s the largest fruit native to North America, it’s difficult to find the fruit for sale.  Yet it’s easy to grow.That’s why many gardeners and small farmers plant pawpaw trees.In this episode, Donna and Steven talk with pawpaw expert Adam D’Angelo to get tips on growing pawpaw trees. We talk about:Where to grow pawpaw treesPawpaw tree hardiness (yes, there are pawpaw growers in Canada!)Grafting pawpaw treesHow to grow pawpaw from seedPawpaw breedingWhat makes pawpaw a great fruit crop for home gardeners and small farmersD’Angelo is the founder of Project Pawpaw, a crowd-funded pawpaw research and breeding program.If you’re looking for more on pawpaw, tune into our interview with the Indiana Jones of pawpaw, Neal Peterson, and hear our chat with Toronto pawpaw expert Paul DeCampo.   ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---When you make only withdrawals—no deposits—you eventually end up in overdraft. It works that way at the bank, with friendships—and with soil.And growing crop after crop in a garden is like making withdrawal after withdrawal. The crops use nutrients. Working the soil affects its structure.Amending soil is like putting money back into the bank. Soil amendments can improve soil structure, soil chemistry, and return nutrients to the soil.In this episode, Donna and Steven talk about practical ways home gardeners can improve soil quality with soil amendments. We discuss different types of manures, making compost, using leaves, wood chips, and common products such as bone meal, peat moss, and blood meal.If you’re looking for more on soil, check out this post about how and when to use wood ash in the garden.  ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Looking for herb garden layout ideas? If you’re planning a herb garden, there are many ways to add herbs to the landscape. You can have a stand-alone herb garden, a herb lawn, herbs mixed with paving, use herbs as bedding plants, weave them into a perennial border, or make a herb container garden on a patio, deck, or paved space.In this episode, Donna and Steven talk about ideas for using herbs in home garden landscapes and share their favourite perennial herbs, annual herbs, and exotic herbs.If you’re looking for more on planning a kitchen garden, check out this post on kitchen garden planning.  ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Leafy greens fizzle out in the summer? Does your lettuce bolt too soon?Find out how to grow more leafy greens in your garden and how to extend your harvest so you can pick fresh salad greens as long as possible.In this episode, Donna and Steven talk about crops ideas for leafy greens, how to plant leafy greens in a home garden or edible landscape, choosing greens crops for ongoing harvest, how to hurry up your spring harvest, and how to slow down bolting—even in hot weather. If you’re looking for more on leafy greens, check out this guide to 5 heat-tolerant salad greens.  ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Tried growing a potted lemon tree but it didn’t thrive? Citrus expert Byron Martin has the solution. And it’s not difficult.AND he also has recommendations for other unusual potted citrus trees. We talk about finger limes, blood limes, pomelo, sweet lemon, sunquat, kumquat, citron, and more.For all of these citrus trees in pots, proper watering is the key to success. We hear how to water—and what to expect from potted citrus trees in the fall. (Spoiler alert: If your lemon tree drops leaves when you bring it indoors, you’re not alone!)We also find out about Byron’s favourite rootstock for citrus grafting.If you’re looking for more on indoor lemon trees, here’s a guide to growing a lemon tree in a pot (that actually fruits!)   ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Don’t have time to spend on fussy fruit crops? Then growing raspberries is something to think about. You can prune raspberries and manage the crop to maximize production. But this is one of those bulletproof crops that can do quite nicely without your help.In this episode, Donna and Steven talk about planting raspberries, how raspberries grow, how to prune raspberries, and how to care for them.If you’re looking for more on raspberries, tune in to our chat with Conrad Richter from Richters Herbs about the genus rubus (and learn about raspberry leaf tea!)And here’s more on how to tip-layer blackberries and black raspberries.   ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Wondering which flowers you can eat? There’s a wide variety of edible flowers that are easy to grow.You might already have some and just aren’t using them.Edible flowers often come from well-known vegetable, herb, and fruit crops. But there are many that come from ornamental plants too. Even some shrubs and trees.Find out which flowers are edible—and how you can use them to spice up your cooking and have fun with your culinary creativity. In this episode, Donna and Steven talk about their favourite edible flowers, and how to use them.If you’re looking for more fun crops, check out these edible perennials. (You might already be growing some of them!  ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Wondering which vegetables to grow? Or how to pick suitable varieties for your vegetable garden? If you put some thought into your choices, you can avoid harvest-time disappointments.In this episode, Donna and Steven talk about crops they find worthwhile, along with some favourite varieties. The choices for Donna’s cold prairie garden aren’t always the same as for Steven’s milder growing zone.  Start to narrow down the top choices for your vegetable garden with ideas on crops and varieties for:A reliable harvestSimplicitySuitability for your gardenIf you’re looking for more ideas to plan the perfect kitchen garden, check out these ideas.   ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Growing tomatoes from seed? Get the right combination of timing, soil, light, and containers, and you can grow great tomato seedlings at home.There’s more than one way to raise tomato plants from seed. And that means you can do it in a way that fits your growing space.AND make sure to pick a variety you’ll love—because that’s a big reason for growing tomato seedlings. Some of the best tomato varieties are only available as seeds.In this episode, Donna and Steven chat with Gen Z tomato grower Emma Biggs, who has raised tons of tomato plants for her annual plant sale and seed business. They talk about how they grow tomatoes from seed and the varieties they love. (They each do it differently!)If you want more on planting tomatoes from seed, check out the guide to growing tomato seedlings on the website.And say hi—we love to hear what you think.  ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Do you shut down your garden for the winter? Wondering what vegetables to plant in the winter? If you’re in a northern climate, to grow vegetables in winter you need to give them heat and light…and that usually means high-input greenhouse growing.But there’s another way to approach winter vegetable gardening. And it’s low-tech.The idea is to choose hardy crops and grow them big enough before light levels take a dive. Then keep those hardy crops alive in a protected space—and keep harvesting through the winter.The key to successes is the right combination of crops, varieties, and the spacing.In this episode, find out how to you can harvest winter vegetables in cold-climate home gardens.We’re joined by JM Fortier, co-author of the book The Winter Market Gardener. The books shares years of research at Ferme des Quatre-Temps.Fortier is also founder of The Market Gardener Institute, which offers training for small farmers. He’s founder of the small-farm tool and accessory retailer Growers & Co. ---If you’re looking for more information on seed-starting, vegetable gardening, and growing food at home, drop by the Food Garden Life website and grab the free guide, 20 Small-Space Food-Garden Hacks.And say hi—we love to hear from what you think.   ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Wondering when to plant your seeds indoors? Started too early and grown in pots too long before moving to the garden, your seedlings might run out of gas. They stall. But started too late, your seedlings might be midgets when it’s time to plant them in the garden.The right time to start seeds indoors—and have plants that aren’t too big or too small— depends on your crops and your location. It varies from place to place, but there’s a simple way to choose seed-starting dates.In this episode, Donna and Steven talk about when to start seeds indoors so that your vegetable transplants are a good size for transplanting into the garden. They also discuss direct-sowing dates for garden vegetables.If you’re looking for more information on seed-starting, vegetable gardening, and growing food at home, drop by the website and grab the free guide, 20 Small-Space Food-Garden Hacks.  ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Got seedlings that look like stilt-walkers? Are your seedlings leggy? Leggy seedlings don’t have as much chance of success once you transplant them into the garden…if they even make it that far.The best way to solve the problem of spindly seedlings is to prevent them from getting that way in the first place.Set up your seed-starting area so you can give seedlings good light, an appropriate temperature, a suitable potting soil, and good containers.In this episode, Donna and Steven talk about best practices so that you can grow compact, healthy vegetable seedlings at home.If you’re looking for more information on seed-starting, vegetable gardening, and growing food at home, drop by the website and grab the free guide, 20 Small-Space Food-Garden Hacks.And say hi—we love to hear from what you think.   ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.--- Seed catalogues are arriving already! Find out what you need to know to make good seed-shopping choices. In this episode, Steven and Donna share seed-shopping tips and talk about common seed-related terms.Not sure if untreated seed is organic? Wondering what "heirloom" really means? Tune in to find out about seed terminology and crop related lingo.  ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Damson plums: Sometimes they're simply called damsons. Their rich flavour makes them a culinary gem. Even though they're not difficult to grow, the fruit is rarely available commercially.Find out how to grow damsons.Sarah Conrad Gothie, Author of Damsons: An Ancient Fruit in the Modern Kitchen joins us to talk about the history of damsons, how to grow damsons, and how to use them in the kitchen. (Spoiler alert: They make a marvellous gin!)  ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---We head to the UK to chat with homesteader Kim Stoddart about how to grow a resilient vegetable garden. We talk about:Top tips for growing vegetables when conditions are not predictableChoosing crops for a climate-change vegetable gardenPerennial vegetablesTips for veggie gardening in hot summersKim is an award-winning writer, journalist, and educator. Her new book is The Climate Change Garden: Down to Earth Advice for Growing a Resilient Garden.   ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Brad Lancaster is a permaculture and regenerative design consultant and educator. His specialty is sustainable landscapes. We chat with Brad about using the landscape to harvest rainwater. And about using the landscape as a living air conditioner. Brad also talks about a very inspiring project that he helped spearhead, a community food forest.We talk about: Using permaculture principles in landscapingHow to harvest rainwater in the landscapeThe connection between landscapes and coolingUsing the soil and "speed bumps" in the landscape to make it a living spongeSelecting plants to suit the landscapeThe Dunbar Springs Urban Food ForestBrad is the author of Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond.    ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Vertical vegetable gardening squeezes more plants into a limited space by making use of space above the ground.In today’s episode, Steve digs into vertical gardening.We talk about:Top crops for vertical gardeningThe benefits of vertical gardeningSupport structures in a vertical gardenMaterials to make your own trellises and support structures.  ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Wally Satzewich joins us from Saskatchewan to tell us about Small-Plot Intensive Farming (SPIN Farming.) Having studied psychology and ran a taxi franchise, Wally became interested in market gardening. So he bought a farm. But a conventional market garden wasn’t the right fit for him. That’s because a big operation requires hired help and capital outlay for equipment. So Wally and his wife Gail sold the farm—and moved back to the city. To farm—to farm other people’s yards.And in the process, Wally mapped out a system of best practices called SPIN farming (Small Plot Intensive farming.)Today he tells us his journey, and what he’s learned along the way.We talk about:Running the 20-acre market gardenDownsizing and setting up in the cityThe SPIN model and variations on itComparing SPIN farming to commodity farmingUsing the SPIN model in small townsTop tips for new urban and SPIN farmers  ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter] 

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Andrew Huxsel joins us from St Placide, Quebec to tell us about worm composting. Also known as vermicomposting. Andrew runs Vermicbec, a company that sells worms and worm compost.We talk about:How vermicomposting worksUsing vermicompost (a.k.a. worm castings or worm wompost)Large scale vs. home-scale vermicompostingTop tips for home gardeners wanting to try worm composting (If you’ve tried it and had bug problems, Andrew tells you how to solve the problem)   ---There’s a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started.   [Join the newsletter]