LH 172: Catching You Up On All Things Living Homegrown

You are probably wondering what happened to the podcast. Right at the end of December, host Theresa Loe came out with episode 171 and then the show went radio silent for 2 months.

Theresa never meant to be away this long! She recorded this special episode to explain why she was taking break, what's going on behind-the-scenes in her business and filling you in on all the good things farm fresh.

This episode will catch you up on everything!

You will learn:

• What Theresa loves about this weekly podcast
• About being inducted into a podcasting Hall of Fame
• Why she's taking a much needed break
• What's new on my 1892 farmstead property
• What's new in Living Homegrown
• Who she's helping with a new part of her business
• and SO much more...

 As always, you can learn more at www.LivingHomegrown.com/172 with links mentioned and a full transcript of the episode.

LH 171: How to Add Vintage Blooms to a Modern Garden

It's a wonderful thing to add flowers to our vegetable gardens to attract pollinators. But it's also REALLY important to feed our souls as well as the pollinators when we're gardening.

Growing heirloom flowers is a way to do just that.

What is an “heirloom” flower and why are they so special?

That’s what host Theresa Loe sets out to answer on today’s podcast episode. She explores the many benefits of adding vintage blooms to our gardens with garden author, Chris McLaughlin. 

Chris shares her insights into these treasured plants, why we need to add more flowers to our veggie gardens, and why heirlooms hold a special place in our hearts.

Plus, Chris shares her recipe for making lavender-honey simple syrup, which is awesome in SO many different drink concoctions.      

As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/171 to get a full transcript, other links and resources AND the printable recipe mentioned in the episode.

LH 170: How To Create A Sacred Space To Unwind From The Busy World

Life is busy.

Life can be stressful.

It’s often too easy to get caught up in the noise of the world…which can lead to MORE stress.

As gardeners, we usually have a sense that reconnecting with nature is important, but what if you made that connection part of your regular routine?

What if you intentionally created a space that was just for you so that you could reconnect and slow down?

That’s what today’s episode is all about.

Host Theresa Loe brought on Jessi Bloom, who gives us her 5 steps for creating a sanctuary so you can recharge and reconnect to nature. Jessi also shares practical things that we can do to not only make our garden more beautiful, but to help us be better stewards of the earth.

You will learn:

• Why creating a sanctuary is so important in our busy lifestyles
• How to be a better steward of the earth with our gardens
• The 5 most important steps to creating any ecological garden
• What is smudging and why would we want to do it
• How to sheet mulch to remove weeds or lawn
• Why water is the most important element in any garden
• How to create a wildlife habitat
• What does it mean to build plant layers in a garden
• And SO much more...

As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/170 to get more information, links and a full transcript of the show. 

LH 169: Easy Ideas for All-Natural Gifts From Your Garden

There’s something special about a homemade gift. But it becomes even more special when it includes a little piece of your garden as well.

It can be as simple as a dried flower or an herbal sprig. But that added touch means that you are sharing something that you nurtured with your own hands. And THAT can't be found in a store.

In today’s episode, host Theresa Loe brought back garden author, Stephanie Rose, to share her tips and insights into making extraordinary crafts that can be shared as gifts. And she has graciously included a recipe for Tub Tea that you can print out and make this holiday season…or any time of the year. Just got to our show notes at: www.LivingHomegrown.com/169 to print the recipe/instructions.

You will learn:

• Why botanical gifts can be the best gifts of all
• What type of equipment is needed when crafting at home
• Why we should avoid chemicals on our skin
• The difference between essential oils and fragrance oils
• What a lotion bar is and how they are made
• What are bath melts
• The joys of Tub Tea
• Tips for gift wrapping the things you make
• How long homemade body products last
• And SO much more...

 As always, you can get more links and resources at www.LivingHomegrown.com/169 as well as a full transcript of the show.

LH 168: How To Make Simple Infusions for Medicine and Skin Care

In this episode, we explore extracting the best healing properties from some of the common plants and culinary herbs we are likely growing in our own backyards using infusion.

Don't fret that this is some complicated process, or you don't have time for it.

Herbal infusions are incredibly easy to make – all you do is infuse fresh or dried herbs in a liquid to draw out the healing properties. And these infusions can be used on their own or as a base for other things such as moisturizing creams or salves.

Host Theresa Loe brought on author Colleen Codekas to chat about all the different ways we can make infusions and what to do with them after we create them.

There's a recipe for her Flower-Whipped Body Butter you can make at home below. Be sure you don't miss it!

You will learn:

• The different liquids we can use as our base
• Which liquid base includes extra beneficial bacteria
• What we can create from oil infusions
• Some of the safety considerations when make our own herbal medications
• What is a patch test and why do we do it
• How to make our own flower-whipped body butter
• And SO much more...

 Be sure to go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/168 to print the PDF recipe for Flower-Whipped Body Butter.

LH 167: Tips for saving your backyard food garden seeds

Preserving the flavors of the season doesn't have to stop when that last canning jar lid has "popped."

If you know how to save seed from your own food garden, you are truly self-sufficient and can save your favorite plants to grow, harvest, and repeat again year after year without ever opening a seed catalog. 

Saving seed is also a great way to share your garden with others. By saving seed, you can give your favorite flavors and best producers to others by handing them a tiny envelope of potential. What a great gift for a fellow gardener, or a friend thinking about starting their own garden.

In today’s episode, host Theresa Loe interviews author Julie Thomson-Adolf about some of the best ways for us to save our own garden’s potential each year…in seed.        

You will learn:

• The many benefits of saving seed
• The difference between open-pollinated & hybrid seed
• What is meant by the word “heirloom”
• How to dry harvest
• Why you would want to ferment some seed
• The best way to dry a “wet” harvest seed
• Tips for saving seed to prolong viability
• And SO much more...

As always, you can get more free resources at www.LivingHomegrown.com/167 as well as a full transcript of the show. 

And you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/FRESH to get Theresa's Free Farm Fresh Resource Guide to help you live farm fresh without the farm.

LH 166: Simple tips and tricks to make backyard chicken keeping easier

On today's episode, we're going to be talking about chicken keeping hacks. A "hack" is a handy hint, or something that will help you do things faster or better. It usually involves reusing or re-purposing something that you already have on hand.

Sounds fun, right?

Host Theresa Loe brought on Lisa Steele from the popular blog Fresh Eggs Daily to share some of her favorite ways to "hack" chicken keeping so you can keep your flock healthy and happy - but with less work from you.

And in the show notes is a GREAT recipe Lisa shared for making your own homemade chicken scratch. Go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/166 to download the PDF for free.

You will learn:

• What the first step is when you want to keep backyard chickens
• Why adding herbs to the nesting boxes helps reduce the pests & smell
• What the benefits are of fermenting your feed
• The simple trick for increasing your chicken’s water consumption
• How to preserve eggs through winter
• The ninja trick for peeling FRESH eggs
• Can eggs be cooked on a grill
• How to track the age of your fresh eggs
• A great holiday gift idea using scratch & a Parmesan cheese lid
• And SO much more...

LH 165: Helping Your Pet Live Closer to Their Food

An all NEW episode on a topic we've never covered before!

We talk a lot on the podcast about living closer to our food and making sure we know what’s IN the food we eat and serve our families. Well on today’s episode, host Theresa Loe has a discussion with Lynn Felici-Gallant of Paul's Custom Pet Food about doing the same thing for our pets...even if it means sharing produce from our garden!

For optimal nutrition, it can be just as important for our pets to avoid processed foods too.  And unfortunately, most of what we typically feed them…is junk food.

Now, this topic can be controversial. But keep in mind that this is NOT about having the time or money to make our own pet food or buy custom food. 

This is about having a better understanding about pet food so that we can make the best choices we can that is within our capacity.

And in this episode you'll not only learn what produce from your garden is GOOD for your pets -- But you'll also learn how you can make some wholesome snacks that don't take any time at all.

You will learn:

•   A new way to look at what we are feeding our pets
•  Why slow food and locally-sourced can make a difference in pet health
•  The cancer story of one dog that shifted everything
•  What’s really in some of our store bought pet foods
•  Why some treats are worse than junk food
•  What natural treats are safe for dogs and which are not
•  Where to look for help with feeding your pet in a natural way
• And SO much more...

 In the show notes, you can down load a free recipe for homemade dog treats. Just go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/165 and you'll find lots of links to more information on this topic. 

You can also go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/fresh to get Theresa's Farm Fresh Resource guide for all her go to sources for living a farm fresh lifestyle.

LH 164: How To Make Delicious Fresh Cheese in Under an Hour

Note: Host Theresa Loe has a special free workshop this month. See the end of this post for more info!

There’s something warm and inviting about homemade cheese.

Perhaps it's the ancient connection to tradition with each batch we make. Or maybe it's the mysterious way it transforms ordinary milk (as if by magic) into something so delicious.

Homemade cheese tastes amazing.

And if you've never made cheese before...or if you have secretly wished you could craft your own batch with your own hands...Then you are in for a treat!

This week’s podcast is a beginner cheese-making lesson!

But not just any lesson. This episode is about making cheese from scratch in under an hour!

No more excuses about how you don't have time. Give this a try and you won't be sorry!

Host Theresa Loe interviews cheesemaker, entrepreneur and author Claudia Lucero of Urban Cheesecraft. And she gives you the whole scoop on the amazing practice of making cheese at home – from the milk you need to the simple steps of creating your very first recipe.

It’s all here

Gift yourself this experience because cheese-making is incredibly fun. 

You will learn:

• How it’s possible to make mozzarella, chevre and even burrata quickly
• Which type of milks you can use
• The possibilities of non-dairy cheese
• The difference between pasteurized and ultra-pasteurized
• The difference between pastured and pasteurized
• The simple steps to making your first cheese
• How to move on to other 1-hour cheeses
• Why you might want to use vegetarian rennet
• And SO much more...

In the show notes, you can download the recipe Claudia talks about and print it for easy use. Just go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/164 for the recipe and all the cheesemaking links mentioned in the episode.

Special note: Host Theresa Loe has a FREE live workshop on October 30, 2018 where she shares tips for living a more organic, farm-fresh lifestyle. You can chat with Theresa and learn simple (seasonal) ways to maximize the flavor and nutrition of your organic produce. Just go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/EVENT to learn more!

LH 163: Use the KonMari Method to Organize Your Homestead

Today's episode is an ENCORE episode.

What is that you ask?

An encore episode is an episode that has been previously published, but it was SO long ago, you may have missed it. This episode is packed with info you will LOVE.

This episode is all about using the KonMari Method for organizing your home or homestead.

It is an encore episode from a few years ago, but as you'll hear in the updated intro...host Theresa Loe is happy to report she is still using it despite how skeptical she was about the method initially. Even her sons are still using the KonMari method for folding their clothes!

Hopefully this episode it brings a little less clutter to your life as well.

You Will Learn:

• What the KonMari Method is and how to apply it to your homestead
• Why Theresa was skeptical of the method at first despite its immense popularity
• The basic principals of the method
• How this approach differs from typical organization methods and why it works so well
• The four key steps to follow to organize and transform all areas of your home
• And SO much more...

As always, you can get all the related links at www.LivingHomegrown.com/163 as well as a full transcript of the show.

This episode was brought to you by the Living Homegrown INSTITUTE where you get access to a whole library of masterclasses that will help you live a farm fresh lifestyle. You can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/FRESH to learn more.

LH 162: How to Grow More Food In the Space You Have

Today's episode is an ENCORE episode.

What is that you ask?

An encore episode is an episode that has been previously published, but it was SO long ago, you may have missed it. This particular episode is packed with useful information that you'll love.

Do you ever wish you had more garden space in which to grow food?

If you're like most gardeners, you'll find yourself thumbing through seed catalogs, bummed out that you can't plant all that you want to grow.

Or maybe you end up with WAY too much zucchini and NOT enough salad greens. Right?

On this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews Colin McCrate about using high yield farming tricks (but on a smaller backyard-size scale) to get more food in our backyard space!

You Will Learn:

• How just a little planning can make a huge difference
• What it means to plant in succession
• What is relay planting
• How to calculate exactly how much to grow
• How to double your crop storage time by harvesting correctly
• And SO much more...

 As always, you can get ALL the related links by going to www.LivingHomegrown.com/162 and you'll find a full transcript there as well.

This episode was brought to you by the Living Homegrown Institute which is a membership site to help you live farm fresh without the farm. To learn more about the Institute and Theresa's free farm fresh resource guide, go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/FRESH to learn more.

LH 161: Grow Landscape Plants that are Beautiful AND Delicious

As gardeners we grow tons of veggies and fruit, but there are many other landscape plants that are delicious as well as ornamental.

So let's think outside the box of planting our gardens in rows. In this episode, host Theresa Loe brings on author Mike Lascelle to discuss a unique mix of perennial plants that can beautify our gardens and fill our plates at the same time.

You CAN have your yard and eat it too.

You will learn:

•      Why clove currant is often overlooked as an edible
•      Why hops is a great conversation starter
•      What is a Yuzu tree and why you want one
•      Can you really eat a redbud
•      How to grow your own tea
•      What is the dry roasting process for green tea
•      How to make a linden cordial
•      And MUCH more…

 As always, you can get a full transcript of the show at www.LivingHomegrown.com/161 as well as links to related information. 

This episode was brought to you by Theresa's Living Homegrown Institute which is her membership site. You can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/courses for more information.

LH 160:  How to preserve protein-packed foods with gourmet flavors 

In this episode, host Theresa Loe talks with author Karen Solomon about turning your kitchen counter into a deli counter by preserving your own meat with dry curing, brine curing, smoking, and drying.

Karen is the author of "Cured Meat, Smoked Fish and Pickled Eggs" and she shares the secrets to success with each of these techniques and how you can enhance the flavors of what you preserve.

You’ll Learn:

• The ease of dry curing in your refrigerator
• How brine curing works for things like pastrami and ham
• If you can safely skip using nitrites and nitrates
• The difference between hot and cold smoking in preservation
• How to stay safe when curing meat
• Why you don’t need a dehydrator to dry meats
• The special safety recommendation when working with game meat
• A simple trick for keeping your dry meats dry in storage
• How to make ‘Sour Orange Beef Jerky’ for road trips
• And SO much more..

For the printable recipe Karen shares on the show, go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/160 and you can also get links to everything mentioned. There are also more episodes in the show notes related to curing and smoking. 

This episode was brought to you by Theresa Loe's Living Homegrown Membership where you have access to an entire roster of food and garden experts, a library of classes and a farm fresh community for support of an organic, farm-to-table lifestyle. Go to www.livinghomegrown.com/path to learn more.

LH 159: Using Science to Improve Flavor & Food Production

In this episode, host Theresa Loe brought back author Dr. Lee Reich to make us a better gardener…using science!

When we fully understand the reasons behind the gardening techniques, we are better equipped to handle any problems that come along. And in this discussion, you'll learn the real reasons behind why we need to do what we do. 

You will learn:

• How ethylene really works to ripen our tomatoes
• Why some fruits should never be picked early
• The 3 benefits of organic matter in our soil
• The real truth about drainage in flowerpots
• How to improve the flavor of certain fruits
•  The secret to keeping your seeds in long term storage
• And SO much more...

 As always, you can get all the links mentioned at www.LivingHomegrown.com/159 as well as a full transcript of the episode.

This podcast episode was brought to you by the Living Homegrown Institute - which is Theresa's membership site. Here you have access to an entire library of classes on everything from growing heirloom tomatoes, straw bale gardening and raising chickens to fermenting food, beverages, making yogurt and more. To learn more about all of Theresa's classes and membership, go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/courses to join the waitlist.

LH 158: Eating Local and Getting to Know Your Local Farmer

This week’s episode is about discovering INCREDIBLE flavors...locally.

Host Theresa Loe brought back organic, foodie-farmer Andrea Bemis of Tumbleweed Farm to discuss a national project she's spearheading that's all about exploring what it really means to eat local.

The premise is simple...

We may already be eating some locally-sourced fruits and veggies. But when we look at ALL the ingredients used to create our meals, there are probably many items we know nothing about.

Even Andrea (who is an organic farmer), didn't know the source of every ingredient in her pantry. So she decided to use herself and her farm team in an experiment. And it's opening up a whole new world for her.

And Andrea would love for all of us to join in this exploration of local flavor as well.

But don't worry...

This is not about being perfect or even feeling guilty about buying things from far away. The idea here is is be more AWARE of what we're putting on our table...even if it's only for a few weeks.

And by being more aware, we can be more intensional with our food choices going forward.

Andrea tells us about how her own surprising reality check when it came to food choices and how she is now discovering more amazing flavors right in her own area.

And you'll learn about the impact your own food choices has on the environment and food production going forward.

You will learn:

• Why Andrea's pantry opened the flood gates on this idea
• The three pillars of local food + what they mean
• Why this awareness leads to so many new, incredible flavors
• The top tips for eating local in your own backyard
• How you can have a more local lifestyle all year long
• Ideas for planning delicious meals with less waste
• How to watch + track Andrea and her farm team go ALL in on this idea
• How you can participate in your own Local Thirty Challenge
• And SO much more

As always, you can get links to more information in the show notes at www.LivingHomegrown.com/158 as well as a full transcript of the show.

This episode was brought to you by Theresa's membership site: The Living Homegrown Institute where you get access to an entire library of masterclass on everything from growing organic food to making your own cheese, yogurt and fermented vegetables. Go to www.Livinghomegrown.com/PATH to learn more.

LH 157: The Magic Of Vintage Books

Host Theresa Loe has been collecting vintage books since she was a kid. And on today's episode, she wants to share her tips and tricks for getting the best value from vintage garden books, cookbooks and even old canning books.

Vintage books are real treasures. And they're a great source of inspiration and ideas that you just can't find anywhere else.

On today's episode, you'll learn:

• Why you might want to collect vintage books
• What info can be used and NOT used from these books
• How to find older books with inspiring ideas
• Tips for proper care and storage
• Why you need to use and ENJOY the books you have
• Some of Theresa's favorite vintage authors
• And SO much more...

 As always, you get a full listing of notes and resources at www.LivingHomegrown.com as well as a full transcript of the episode. 

This episode was brought to you by Theresa's Living Homegrown Institute which is a membership site to help you live farm fresh without the farm. Inside the Institute, you have access to an entire library of masterclasses for everything from organic gardening and raising chickens to fermenting food and making cheese and yogurt at home. Go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/PATH for more information

156: Farm-Fresh Living Made Easier

Do you know how you feel when you get a new garden, or kitchen tool, and you love it so much you just have to tell everybody? That's what today's episode is ALL about!

I'm sharing my favorite things that make farm-fresh living easier.

This isn't one of those sponsored episodes where all the products I talk about were sent to me for free in exchange for an endorsement.

I would never do that.

Everything I'm sharing with you today was paid for with my own money, and I've used them for years. I just want to share them because some of these things you may not have heard of yet. And I really enjoy using them around my garden, in my kitchen, and at my farmstead.

I would love to hear about some of your favorite farm-fresh things. After you listen, tell me about them below in the comments, or over on my new Instagram account that's just for @LivingHomegrown.

You will learn:

• How to efficiently harvest while on a ladder
• Where to find unusual fruit trees
• The BEST garden marker for long lasting garden tags
• How to protect your arms from thorny brambles & roses
• How to keep butter safe and soft on the counter
• How to make fermenting easy
• Why I switched to glass reusable bottles
• How to turn your mason jar into a neat travel mug
• What to use to rinse your garden harvest fast & thoroughly
• And MUCH more...

 As always, you can get more information including a free PDF with ALL the links to the resources mentioned at: www.LivingHomegrown.com/156 as well as a full transcript of the episode.

This episode was brought to you by Theresa's membership site: The Living Homegrown Institute where you get access to an entire library of classes taught by experts in organic gardening, fermentation and farm-fresh living. Go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/courses for more info

Throwing A Party With Real Food

It's summertime and delicious flavor is EVERYWHERE right now.

There's yummy seasonal flavor at the farmer's market and it may even be in our own backyards (if we grow our own food).

What better way to enjoy that incredible flavor of in-season produce than by throwing a party with friends and family??

On today’s episode, host Theresa Loe brought back Ashley English to chat about simple seasonal eating - especially when we're throwing a party!

They chat about some fun and new ways to make throwing a party with organic food EASY and FUN.

This is NOT about you doing all the work and feeling overwhelmed. It’s about enjoying the people you invite over while you all enjoy the food.

Oh! And Ashley shares a recipe for making homemade plum liqueur.

Let's drink to that!

You will learn:

• How to throw a party without doing all the work
• What does it mean to “bump-up-against” a season
• Why a crafting element can take your event to a new level
• Simple themes that make decorating a snap
• How to bring nature to your table with crowd-sourced centerpieces
• How to make plum liqueur
• Tips for turning any season into a memorable party idea

 As always, you can get all the links mentioned and the free PDF printout of the Plum Liqueur recipe and the full transcript over at: www.LivingHomegrown.com/155 

This episode was brought to you by Theresa's Living Homegrown Institute where you have access to a whole library of classes to live a farm fresh lifestyle. You can learn more about the institute and all of Theresa's other classes over at: www.LivingHomegrown.com/courses

LH 154: Big flavor in a waste free kitchen

You asked for it, so host Theresa Loe brought back author Alana Chernila for another episode!

This time, they chat about getting the very best flavors from our produce and how to use left over scraps so that nothing from our garden goes to waste!

They also talk about caring for our wooden kitchen tools and Alana shares a recipe for making a special cream (wood butter) that will help our wooden spoons last for a lifetime.

You will learn:

• How to get the last bit of flavor from our produce
• The trick to making the very best soup stock
• Why strawberry hulls can be used in beverages
• How to reduce waste in the kitchen
• What is spoon butter
• Why caring for our kitchen tools can make all the difference
• What are the life lessons we can learn from cooking real food
• Tips for slowing down to savor the day
• And more…

As always, you can learn more, get ALL the links mentioned, and download a print out of the Wood Butter recipe at: www.LivingHomegrown.com and also get a full transcript of the episode. 

This episode was brought to you by Theresa's membership: The Living Homegrown Institute where you get access to a whole library of classes that help you live farm fresh without the farm. To learn more go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/PATH

LH 153: How to make real, old-fashioned pickles

Summer is here and homegrown cucumbers are ripening on the vine. Let’s make REAL pickles - The old fashioned kind!

What's a “real” pickle?

It’s where you use natural fermentation (and NO vinegar) to change a cucumber into a crisp, sour treat. They are delicious and nutritious!

Host Theresa Loe interviews Karen Diggs who is Theresa's chief fermentation instructor inside her Living Homegrown Institute

You will learn:

• Why fermented food is so good for you
• How to use common kitchen tools as your vessel
• Why fermentation is so safe
• Which type of salt is best
• The secret ingredient that will give you a crisp pickle
• How to store your finished pickles
• And MUCH more...

 As always, you can get a printable version of the recipe, special links for more fermentation information and a full transcript of the episode at: www.LivingHomegrown.com/153

This episode was brought to you by Theresa's monthly membership: The Living Homegrown Institute where you have access to a whole library of masterclasses teaching you how to live farm fresh without the farm.  Go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/PATH for more information.

152: Why Backyard Chickens Make Great Pets

Host Theresa Loe has been keeping chickens in her small Los Angeles backyard for about 10-11 years. Her family loves having chickens and her friends and neighbors enjoy the eggs.

Many people don't know just how easy it is to care for chickens! 

In today's episode, Theresa chats with author Melissa Caughey about all the considerations of starting your own flock, what you need for babies and adult chickens AND how it can be such a fun experience for children.

You will learn:

• What makes backyard chickens so great
• The first thing you need to check out before ever starting
• What's involved in the day-to-day care
• Which breeds are best for beginners
• Why you never go to the feed store to just "look" at chicks
• How to use the eggs of Bantam breeds
• What are the requirements for baby chick care
• And more...

As always, you can get all the links mentioned at www.LivingHomegrown.com/152 as well as a full transcript of the episode. 

This episode was brought to you by Theresa's Living Homegrown Institute which is her monthly membership site that gives you access to a whole library of masterclasses from food growing to cheese making. To learn more, go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/PATH to download her Farm Fresh Success Path PDF.

LH 151: A Peek Into A Farm Fresh Life

In this episode, host Theresa Loe has someone interview HER about her own farm fresh lifestyle. Guest interviewer, Bev Ross, digs deep to find out how Theresa juggles an urban homestead, the podcast, teaching courses,  her family and a restoration heirloom orchard project.

You will learn:

• What sparked Theresa's interest in the farm fresh lifestyle
• How she grows food on just 1/10th of an acre in Los Angeles
• What unusual veggies she has growing (sources in show notes)
• Why she's restoring an heirloom orchard in Northern California
• How she became a canning expert
• How she helps other "how-to" entrepreneurs grow their own businesses
• What it takes to put together a typical episode of this podcast
• Different ways we can make our days more productive
• And so much more...

As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/151 to get a links and resources of everything mentioned (including the unusual veggies). You'll also find a full transcript of the show.

This episode was brought to you by Theresa's Living Homegrown Institute - which is her membership site where you get full access to a whole library of masterclasses to help you live a farm fresh lifestyle without the farm. Go to LivingHomegrown.com/PATH for her free PDF Success Path.

LH 150: Getting The Best Flavor From Your Fresh Produce

Whether you're harvesting from an epic kitchen garden or supporting your local farmers' market, you want that fresh produce to SHINE when it hits the dinner table.

That's not always how it happens though, is it? Fresh vegetables can be tricky to properly cook. A less than stellar experience with a veggie can turn us and our family off of it completely.

Which is why host Theresa Loe brought on Alana Chernila to tell us about her latest cookbook that's all about how to prepare simple, perfect vegetables every time. It doesn't get much more "farm fresh" than that!

Plus, Alana shares a super simple (yet delicious) recipe with us. You can get a PDF print out of the recipe in the show notes. (see below)

You will learn:

• What 4 types of ingredients to boost flavor
• What is the most underappreciated veggie and why
• The best way to prepare cauliflower everyone will LOVE
• Why being courageous with ingredients can transform us as a cook
• How one bad experience can ruin a veggie
• Why roasting makes so many veggies taste magical
• How to make a Fresh Corn & Stone Fruit side dish
• And SO MUCH more...

As always, you can get more links, free resources and even a PDF recipe at www.LivingHomegrown.com/150 as well as a full transcript of the show.

This episode was brought to you by the Living Homegrown Institute, Theresa's monthly membership where you can learn how to live farm fresh without a farm. Go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/PATH for more info.

LH 149: How to Cook Real Food with Real Ingredients

This episode is not just about Southern cooking, its about cooking from scratch using the freshest of produce and herbs. (Just like those we grow in our gardens)

And it's about preparing real, whole food where you know and can pronounce all of the ingredients.

Host Theresa Loe brought on nutritionist and author Ashley English to share her food journey and why she made her way back to her Southern cooking roots.

She offers tips about everything from biscuits and bacon to fruit desserts and local eating.

Oh! And there's also a Bourbon Bacon Jam recipe that you will LOVE. YUM!

You will learn:

• Why you should use whole ingredients in your kitchen
• How regional ingredients sumac and sorghum are used
• What fats are part of a healthy diet
• How Southern food can be healthy, flavorful, and fun
• And so much more

To get a free PDF download of Ashley's Bourbon Bacon Jam Recipe, got to www.LivingHomegrown.com/149 and you'll also find links to more information (including Ashley's favorite Biscuit Recipe!). There is also other related episodes and full transcript of the show.

This episode was brought to you by Theresa's membership site: The Living Homegrown Institute where you have access to a whole library of masterclasses on everything from growing heirloom tomatoes to making cheese and fermenting veggies. To learn more, go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/PATH to get Theresa's Farm Fresh Success Path.

LH 148: Simple Ways To Prepare Food For An Emergency

Being prepared for emergencies is an important topic to cover because no matter where we live, we could face a weather event or community emergency that requires us to be on our own for a bit.

This is not about living in fear that at any moment there will be a zombie apocalypse. It's just about being ready for the unexpected...so that you DON'T have to worry.

Being prepared is so easy and so important.

In this episode, host Theresa Loe chats with preparation expert and author, Kathy Harrison, about how as gardeners and food preservers, we can plan ahead and be ready when these situations arise.

And here's the best part...They also chat about delicious ways to use and rotate out the food we store. You'll love it!

You will learn:

• What types of food can be stored long term
• How long it can be stored for
• How to create a simple plan for food storage
• Why you will want to rotate out that food
• How to cook up your storage in super delicious ways
• And much more

As always, you can get access to more episodes and info at www.LivingHomegrown.com/148 as well as a full transcript of the show.

This episode was brought to you by Theresa's membership: The Living Homegrown Institute where you have access to a whole library of masterclasses on skill building for food growing, artisan food crafts and more. Go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/PATH for more info.

LH 147: Saving Our Native Bees

With many of the foods we grow, bees are critcal. Without bees, we won't have much of a crop at all...or we have NO crop at all.

But when you hear about the importance of bees in the media or the struggle of bees in the news...all you hear about are the honeybees.

And yet...There are OTHER bees that may play an even more important role in our backyard food system. The native bee.

And they are struggling even more!

On this episode host Theresa Loe brings on author Paige Embry to dive into that struggle and what WE can do to help.

We love honeybees and Theresa has covered them on the podcast many times. So, they are part of this equation too!

But in this episode, you'll learn the plight of native bees and how our gardening efforts directly impact them as well.

You will learn:

• The difference between a native bee and the honey bee
• What makes native bees so essential to our garden
• Why are these bees struggling & why don't we hear more
• Why honey bees can't pollinate tomatoes
• What simple steps we can do to help
• What is the Great Sunflower Project
• And more...

As always, all the links and more free information INCLUDING SEVERAL OTHER BEEKEEPING EPISODES are in the show notes at www.LivingHomegrown.com/147 and you will find a full transcript there as well.

This episode was brought to you by Theresa Loe's Living Homegrown Institute. In her membership, you have access to a whole library of skill building masterclasses. Go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/PATH to learn more.

LH 146: Canning Q&A With Theresa Loe

We're coming up on canning season again, so it's time to freshen up our knowledge! Host Theresa Loe receives a lot of wonderful questions from listeners that they would like to see covered on the podcast...especially about preserving the harvest.  So in this episode, she dives into some canning Q & A using questions submitted by listeners. 

You will learn:

• What food preservation method is best for your priorities
• Why preparing jam in large quantities is tricky
• How to save that batch of overcooked jam
• What's the shelf life of preserved jams
• How to tell when it's time to throw away canned jam
• And so much more..

As always, you can receive lots more free information and links at www.LivingHomegrown.com/146 as well as a full PDF transcript of the show. 

This episode was brought to you by Theresa's membership site: The Living Homegrown Institute where you have access to a whole library of Masterclasses on growing food and building your artisan skills in things like fermenting and cheesemaking. Visit www.LivingHomegrown.com/PATH for more information.

LH 145: Update on Beginning Homesteader Bev Ross

There’s SO much to learn when you are just starting out in homesteading. But the fun is in the journey of learning new homesteading skills as you go!

In today’s episode, host Theresa Loe brings back Bev Ross who was the guest on Episode 122: Lessons From A Beginner Homesteader.  Theresa wanted to catch up with Bev and have her share her newest adventure: Raising Baby Goats! (They are adorable)

Honestly, Bev isn't a beginner anymore. She has learned so much and grown so much in the last 10 months since her homesteading journey started.  

In this episode, Bev shares what’s happening in that journey and what’s up next.

You will learn:

•      Why you might want goats some day
•      What is REALLY involved with raising baby goats
•      Why naming your farm animals can be so fun
•      How these goats will co-exist with a chicken flock
•      The ups and downs of homesteading
•      The lessons in everyday moments on a working homestead
•      How you can plant more perennial food sources
•      What’s next for the homestead

As always, you can learn more and get all the links mentioned by going to the show notes for this episode at: www.LivingHomegrown.com/145 and you will also find a full transcript there.

This episode was brought to you by Theresa Loe's membership site: The Living Homegrown Institute where you get monthly masterclasses on how to live farm fresh without the farm. For more information, go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/courses 

LH 144: Cooking Through The Seasons with Foodie-Farmer Andrea Bemis

This week’s episode is a fun chat between host Theresa Loe and foodie-farmer Andrea Bemis.

If you don’t know Andrea, she is the brains behind the Dishing Up the Dirt Blog and the author of the book by the same name. Andrea is all about sharing the authentic journey of being an organic farmer who also happens to be a foodie.

In this episode, she shares the good, the bad, and the delicious meals in between!

You will learn:

• What it’s really like to be a small-scale organic farmer
• What it means to eat seasonally
• Why beets are Andrea’s “spirit vegetable”
• How to make “Beet Butter” and how to use it
• The benefits of a buyer-farmer relationship
• Advice for anyone considering the farming life
• And so much more

As always, you can get more information and free links in the show notes at: www.LivingHomegrown.com/144 as well as a full (printable) transcript of the episode. 

This episode was brought to you by Theresa Loe's membership site: The Living Homegrown Institute where you get monthly lessons teaching you how to live farm fresh without having a farm. To learn more, go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/courses 

LH 143: Everything you want to know about chicken eggs - From color to preservation, safety and more

It doesn’t matter if you raise your own backyard chickens or if you’re a consumer of organic, farm-fresh eggs – there is always more to learn about eggs!

In this episode, host Theresa Loe brings on author Jennifer Sartell to discuss everything we might want to know about chicken eggs. From the colors we can have, to the best practices in egg storage...we get into it all!

You will learn:

• Which breeds lay the most colorful eggs
• What we are probably getting if buy an “Araucana” chick
• Why Easter Eggers are a fun choice
• Does ear-lobe color really determine egg color
• How to test an egg for freshness without cracking it open
• How to preserve eggs when you have too many
• Should we wash our eggs or not
• Will we die if we leave our eggs on the counter
• And so much more…

 As always, links to everything mentioned is included in the show notes for today's episode. Just go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/143 for more info including a full downloadable transcript of the show.

This episode was brought to you by Theresa's Living Homegrown Institute - which is her farm fresh membership. If you'd like to learn more about how to live a farm fresh lifestyle no matter how small your garden space, go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/PATH to get her free PDF download of your farm fresh success path.

142: Small Scale Farming on Just 5 Acres or Less

Listen, we all have to eat. Right?

And if you’re into consuming organic, sustainable food, you either have to grow it yourself or find reliable sources from people with the same values that you have.

Chances are…you’ll find those values in your local, small-scale farmer!

In today’s episode, host Theresa Loe interviews Josh Volk who is a small-scale farmer, farming consultant and an author. He wrote a book featuring 15 small-scale farmers from across the country. It showcases how they were making it in the compact farm world and it's fascinating.

So if you’ve ever thought about becoming a farmer, you’ll love this episode.

But...even you DON'T want to be a farmer, you'll love this episode. And that's because it really shows us how important the small organic farm is within our food system and how we need to support their efforts with our purchases.

You will learn:

• Is it possible to start a farm as a “side gig” (part time)
• What is bio-intensive food production
• Are there advantages to farming in a small way
• What are the 3 pillars of sustainability a farmer needs to follow
• How is “success” as a farmer defined
• What trait do most organic farmers share
• How a “sampler share” CSA fits smaller families and smaller farms

 As always, you can get more links and info on this topic at: www.LivingHomegrown.com/142 and you will also find a full transcript of the show there.

This episode was brought to you by Theresa's membership - The Living Homegrown Institute where you learn how to live farm fresh without the farm through monthly masterclasses and community. To learn more, go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/courses 

LH 141: How to draw in beneficials and pollinators with flowers

There are huge rewards when you grow your vegetables and flowers in one space of your garden.

In this episode, host Theresa Loe brings on flower farmer Lisa Ziegler to explore exactly how we can use companioning planting to draw in beneficial insects, pollinators and so much more.

You will learn:

•      Which flowers will help your tomatoes and why
•      How your planting space determines sunflower height
•      The difference between cool and warm season annuals
•      How to prevent overwhelm when growing veggies
•      Why native bees are so awesome for veggies
•      A different way to do CSA farm memberships
•      Lisa’s favorite sunflower for cut flower bouquets

As always, you can get all the links mentioned in the episode at www.LivingHomegrown.com/141 and you will also find a full transcript of the show and more articles and podcasts for Living Farm Fresh Without The Farm.

This podcast episode was brought to you by Theresa Loe's membership program - The Living Homegrown Institute where you learn the skills for a living farm-fresh lifestyle. Go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/PATH to get the free PDF outlining how to have success on your own farm fresh journey.

LH 140: Maximizing Flavor in Our Veggie Recipes

As seasonal eaters, foodies and even as gardeners, we understand the nuances of locally-sourced cucumbers, fresh picked herbs and heirloom tomatoes.

It doesn’t matter if we grow these foods ourselves or not.

We understand their value and we want to deliver the very best of their flavors to our dinner table.

Well, what better way to learn how to bring out the best flavors in seasonal produce than by talking to someone who is known for their delicious plant-based cooking?

And if that someone is also a gardener?  Well, then we are in for a TREAT!

Such is the case with this week’s podcast episode.

Host Theresa Loe invited on Laura Wright of "The First Mess" Blog to share her chef secrets to delicious vegan and vegetarian meals.

You do NOT need to be vegan or vegetarian to use these chef tricks. 

All that matters is that we learn new and exciting ways to showcase the wonderful flavors of our garden. And you’ll get that from this interview!

You will learn:

• Where the name The First Mess comes from
• Why we needn’t worry about protein in good vegan meals
• What are “Flavor Savers”
• Do we have to buy weird ingredients to eat plant-based foods
• Which sweeteners work best
• Which ingredients make the best egg substitutes
• What makes whole spelt flour so special
• A great way to use up chard from the garden

As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/140 to get all the links mentioned AND a free, printable PDF of Laura's Chard Soup recipe and links to more podcast episodes on growing cool veggies.

This episode was brought to you by Theresa's membership site: Living Homegrown Institute where you learn to live a farm fresh lifestyle without having a farm.

Episode 139: How to make delicious bread with one simple recipe

You’re busy. And you probably long for more delicious, wholesome food…made at home.

But you just don’t have the time to make things like homemade bread on a regular basis.

Good news!

Author Alexandra Stafford has the perfect bread recipe for people like us. It comes together in under 5 minutes, rises quickly and it bakes in a jiffy.

So simple, yet SO delicious!

The best part is…This one bread recipe can be turned into everything from focaccia and pizza to hamburger buns and even…dessert!

Host Theresa Loe has been baking her way through Ali’s book for the last few weeks and she LOVE'S IT.  She had to have Ali on the show to share her secrets.

You will learn:

• How this closely guarded family recipe remained a secret for so long
• The simple ingredients & steps to making the bread
• The best tips for using the bread in other ways
• How to get the right water temperature every, single time
• The unusual vessel Ali recommends for baking & why
• Ali’s favorite recipe for using up slices of bread
•  Tips for making fresh and dried bread crumbs
• How best to store bread crumbs for later use
• And so much more

As always, you can get more information, links and resources at www.LivingHomegrown.com/139 as well as a full transcript of the episode. 

This episode was brought to you by Theresa Loe's Living Homegrown Institute - her membership site. If you want to see where you are on your own farm-fresh path, check out her free PDF at: www.LivingHomegrown.com/PATH for more info. 

#138: Busting Myths About Backyard Chicken Care

It doesn’t matter if you’re new to keeping backyard chickens or you’re a seasoned veteran – there’s always more to learn!

With each change in the weather, comes a whole new set of considerations about their care.

And dealing with extreme cold, extreme heat or even molting can make us worry about them…a lot!

To help us get a handle on seasonal care of adult chickens, host Theresa Loe brought on Kathy Shea Mormino – better known as The Chicken Chick®.  She gives it to us straight when it comes to what’s essential in backyard chicken care and what she believes we should absolutely NOT be doing at all.

Her recommendations might surprise you!

You will learn:

• How to know if your coop is too cold or too hot
• If you should ever heat your coop in winter
• The best ways to add ventilation
• The best way to break a broody hen
• The truth about food-grade diatomaceous earth
• The truth about adding vinegar to the chicken waterer
• Tips for helping your chickens through their molt
• And more...

As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/138 to get more resources, links to other chicken related episodes and a full transcript of the show in PDF format. 
This podcast episode was brought to you by Theresa Loe's membership site, Living Homegrown Institute.

The basics of worm composting (Vermicomposting)

If you’re a gardener, you totally “get” that compost is awesome. But you may not have jumped on the DIY compost bandwagon because you either don’t have the space or you worry it’s too complicated to do well.

Fear not!

Vermicomposting may be the answer for you.

Also known as “worm composting”, it’s one of the easiest ways to compost kitchen scraps in a small space. And to be honest…the little worms feel more like pets than worms.

Yeah…sounds weird..but it's true!

But ask anyone with a worm bin and they'll probably admit that they develop a fondness for those little wigglers that they never expected.

On this week’s podcast, host Theresa Loe brought on author Michelle Balz to chat about everything vermiculture – which is the process of using worms to create compost.

You will learn:

•      How composting benefits your garden & the earth
•      Where you can set up a worm bin (hint: Inside your home is ok!)
•      Why it won’t smell if you do it right
•      Which worm is best and where to get them
•      The step-by-step directions for setting up a bin
•      How to care for and feed your worm bin
•      What NOT to feed your worms
•      And more…

As always you can get more links and free resources at www.LivingHomegrown.com/137 including a full transcript of the show. 
This week's episode is brought to you by Theresa Loe's membership, the Living Homegrown Institute.

Using Design Principles for Our Smaller Veggie Gardens

Just because we have an edible garden does NOT mean it can’t be beautiful. In fact, it should be even MORE beautiful than the average backyard.

In this episode, host Theresa Loe brought on garden designer Susan Morrison to talk about some simple design principles we can use to make our backyard space more usable and beautiful at the same time...even our veggie garden space!

You will learn:

•      The biggest mistake most homeowners make these days
•      Why we may not want a lawn if we have kids
•      Create ways to make the backyard usable
•      The 3 W’s of a good design philosophy
•      The best 2 vegetables for dramatic color in a garden
•      How to use containers to bring the design together
•      And so much more

As always, you can get all the links mentioned and information about Susan's new book at www.LivingHomegrown.com/136 as well as a full transcript in PDF form. 

How one homesteader balances family life with raising farm animals and bees.

There's so much processing done to the food in our grocery stores today that much of that food is unrecognizable. And that processed food has certainly lost most (if not all) of it's nutritional value.

Homesteading is one way to take back control of the food that we eat. When we grow our own food, we know EXACTLY what's on our plate and where it came from.

This week, host Theresa Loe invited Kristina Urquhart, author of The Suburban Chicken, to talk about raising a young family on a homestead. They dive into the challenges of producing your own food, raising meat rabbits, and everything you could want to know about beekeeping.

Kristina shares the story of how she and her husband struggled at first to get a financial foothold on their dream, and how dedication, hard work, and some creativity made that dream a reality.

You will learn:

• Why it’s so important for our kids to know where their food comes from
• Which meat rabbit is good as a full service animal
• Where should you start if you’re interested in keeping bees
• Which books are best for beginning bee keepers
• Why sometimes homesteading doesn’t always go as planned
• What can keep you motivated to keep going
• And there's some bloopers at the very, very end...LOL

As always, you can get more free information and all the links mentioned at www.LivingHomegrown.com/135 and you get a full PDF transcript as well.

This episode is brought to you by the Living Homegrown Institute - Theresa's online membership for living farm fresh without the farm.

Enjoy!

Learn how mead is made (in a sustainable way) with local honey and fruit

Mead is an old-fashioned drink that's been around for centuries. If you aren't familiar with mead, it's an alcoholic beverage made from fermenting honey and it can be DELICIOUS.

Host Theresa Loe invited Nick Lorenz of Nectar Creek Brewery on to talk about the art of crafting mead.

This drink is experiencing a resurgence thanks to companies like Nectar Creek. But they're doing WAY more than just producing a tasty beverage. They use locally sourced honey and educate their taproom guests about the importance of honey and bees.

We can all say 'Cheers' to that!

You will learn:

• Why supporting the local farmer can support the bees and visa versa
• The science and process of making mead
• What fermentation science is and how it relates to sustainable agriculture
• Why it's important to these brothers that their mead be farm to table
• Which yeast gives the best results
• How a mead is flavored and the nuances of those flavors

As always, you can learn more and get all the links at www.LivingHomegrown.com/134 including a full transcript of the episode.

Why Grow THIS, When You Can Grow THAT

Who wouldn't want to grow something like purple sugar magnolia peas, cape gooseberries, cucamelons, or dragon's egg? These unusual and heirloom varieties of vegetables add an element of fun in the garden and flavor to the table. Plus, they make our veggie gardens more magical...especially if we have kiddos.

So let's change what we grow this year and dive into the HUGE variety of tasty, exotic looking vegetables that honestly take very little effort.

Host Theresa Loe invited Niki Jabbour, author of Veggie Garden Remix, to share her tips on getting experimental with our vegetable varieties this year.

You will learn:

• Why amaranth beautifies your garden while expanding your flavors
• Which undervalued plant tastes like pineapple with a hint of vanilla
• Why French gold, dragon's tongue and red swan beans are all "must haves"
• How Sugar Magnolia has a purple pod, green peas and tastes amazing
• When to pick a loofah gourd and how to cook it (yes, they're edible!)
• How hand-pollinating will guarantee a more bountiful harvest
• Which varieties are so beautiful, they are Instagram worthy

As always, you can get all the links mentioned and more free resources at www.LivingHomegrown.com/133 including Theresa's Favorite Seed Sources PDF, a full transcript and Theresa's handy guide for garden/food experts looking to create online courses. 

LH 132: Behind the Scenes of the Elliot Homestead

This episode focuses on what it's really like running a homestead - from raising dairy cows, laying hens, meat chickens, hogs, sheep, turkeys, and growing produce in a large organic garden.

Host Theresa Loe invited Shaye Elliott, author of Welcome to the Farm and blogger for The Elliott Homestead, to talk about running a super active homestead that's full of animals, food gardens, four active children, and how she manages to make it all run and operate at the same time.

Shaye shares how ordinary, everyday moments can be magical and THAT'S what life is all about.

You will learn:

•      How this popular blogger balances home and family
•      The possibility of a new Food Network series on REAL FOOD
•      Why having a diary cow was so important to her family
•      What is raw milk
•      All the ways to use the extra milk from a dairy cow
•      How to make “Junket” and why you’d want to
•      Why a popcorn maker can make the best coffee EVER

As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/132 for the free recipe for Shaye's Junket (PDF Download), all the links mentioned, the Farm Fresh Success path and a full transcript of the episode.

LH 131: Farming The Rooftops of New York City

This podcast focuses a lot on working with the space you have to grow your garden. Whether that's a backyard, a farmstead, or simply container gardening - where there is a will there is a way to a farm fresh lifestyle.

This episode is about a very creative and inspiring use of space - right in the middle of New York City (and it's not Central Park).

Host Theresa Loe invited Anastasia Plakias to talk about an actual farm that is acres large on top of buildings in New York City. She shares how this project is changing the way city folk think about agriculture and organic farming in a way that no one was expecting.

You will learn:

•      Why build a farm on top of NYC Buildings
•      How this farm produces over 50K pounds of veggies/year
•      The challenges of building a 2 acre farm over the city
•      The motivations behind the mission
•      What turned out to be their biggest win in all this
•      How they added rooftop chickens and bees to the project
•      What they hope the community gains from their efforts

As always, you can find more links and info at www.LivingHomegrown.com/131 including a full transcript of the show.

Creative Ways to Use Your Garden for Health and Wellbeing

Explore how to get 'more bang for your buck' (in terms of health benefits) when it comes to your backyard gardens.

Host Theresa Loe brings on author Shawna Coronado to share her tips on the most nutritious foods we can grow and the best ways to use our gardens for wellness.

You will learn:

• Which homegrown foods pack the biggest nutritional punch
• What are the best homegrown "fast foods"
• The best shade tolerant veggies
• Shawna's secret recipe for making top-notch potting soil
• Why moving more in the garden is so important
• Ways to de-stress with sensory plants

As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/130 for related links and a full transcript of the episode.

How to Better Understand Your Backyard Chickens

If we understand the behaviors and mannerisms of any of our pets, we can have a better relationship with them.

And so it is with chickens! Everything they do (and say) has meaning.

In this week’s episode, I invite author Melissa Caughey to teach us a thing or two about chickens and their personalities.

You will learn:

• That chickens are smarter than we realize
• How they communicate without sounds
• The main factor that determines pecking order
• The role of the sentinel in your flock
• Why your hens all cackle at once
• The sound they make as greeting
• Why chickens might growl and why
• And other interesting facts about our feathered friends

As always, you can visit www.LivingHomegrown.com/129 for relate links and a full transcript of the episode.

Fearless Brewing to Get Awesome Hard Cider Flavors

Have you wanted to learn the art of making hard cider but found most of the books were overly complicated for a beginning home brewer?

Well, here's your chance to learn the basics without all the overwhelm! Host Theresa Loe brings on Emma Christensen - the author of the new book Modern Cider.

Emma is well known in the foodie world for breaking down artisanal recipes into simple step-by-step DIY projects that are totally doable…and delicious. In her new book, Emma teaches people how to make cider from every angle. She covers using store bought juice or home pressed apples and she gives flavorful options that make your cider BETTER than the commercial brews.

In this episode, Emma shares how to make basic Hard Cider 101.

You'll see that it’s super easy, very forgiving, and you don’t need a lot of equipment to get started!

You will learn:

• Is hard cider making safe
• What exactly is happening when we “brew” apple juice
• Why there are 3 different types of apples needed for hard cider
• What to do if we don’t have apples of our own
• What happens if you use pasteurized vs raw apple juice
• The basic equipment we should buy
• Which yeast gives the best results
• How to flavor your ciders with spices, oak or fruits
• The steps involved in brewing at home

As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/128 for more info, all the links mentioned AND a full PDF of the hard cider recipe discussed in the episode.
Enjoy!

How To Have a Breakthrough Farm-Fresh Year

It's that time of year for reflection and goal setting. To help you with your own projections for the upcoming year, host Theresa Loe shares the parameters or tips that have given her the best results in her own goal setting and helped her skyrocket her own achievements the last few years. 

As you listen, remember this...

It doesn't matter if you're a goal-setting type or not. And that's because these tips are NOT really about reaching every single goal.

They're about seeking a life that is richer and more fulfilling.

The cool thing is...they only require small shifts. But those small shifts can have a big impact on your year ahead.

You will learn:

• How to define a breakthrough year
• Why it's sometimes okay NOT to reach your goals
• The mental shift that can make all the difference in goal setting
• The truth about your time
• Why mentors or experts are important
• Where gratitude fits in
• How to handle yourself when you mess up

As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/127 for more links and a full transcript of the episode.

Enjoy!

How to make sourdough bread using heirloom grains - And make an Onion Jam Recipe to spread on that fresh baked bread!

This is an important episode and I could not be more excited to share it. Here’s why…

When we take the time to do things like make our own breads or ferment our own yogurt, we are not only creating incredible flavors – we are also connecting with our food.

But…When we take that connection a step further by investigating where the base ingredients for that food comes from…then, we are participating in the story of our food.

That deep dive is what this week’s episode is all about.

I brought on Sarah Owens, a James Beard Award-winning author, baker, and organic gardener. We look at the art of making sourdough starter from the seed in the field to the delicious steaming bread loaf coming out of the oven.

We look at the whole story and the importance of good ingredients when it comes to our health and that of our planet.

But hey - we didn’t even scratch the surface of this big topic! And I’m sure this episode will leave you wanting to hear more. But fear not – I plan on having Sarah back soon.

In the meantime, you’ll learn all about sourdough starter, heirloom grains, and even onion jam.  OH MY!

You will learn:

• Why conventionally grown wheat is actually pretty scary
• What is it about sourdough that’s so good for gut-health
• Why heirloom, stone-milled flours are better for us
• How should you store stone-milled flour for best results
• What exactly is a subscription-based artisan microbakery
• The difference between yeast-water sourdough and traditional sourdough
• How foraged ingredients can be nutrient-rich
• What makes onion jam so darn addictive

As always, you can get more resources, a FREE PDF recipe from the book and links at www.LivingHomegrown.com/126 and you can get a full transcript of the episode.

How to successfully grow food in containers or any small space

If you don’t have a lot of outdoor space, growing food can be frustrating.

Being limited to a patio, porch, or only a precious few feet of space can make you think that you'll never have homegrown food right outside your backdoor.

Container growing can fix that!

But planted containers can also be extremely beneficial to those of us who already DO have a garden.

How so?

Well, by growing in containers you instantly have a moveable garden!  You can create lovely edible planters and strategically place them around your garden or patio to make a statement and draw in beneficial insects.

So the bottom line is that you CAN successfully grow veggies and fruit in teeny, tiny spaces. And you CAN do it in containers.

But what can make or break your success is being very intentional with your choices and how you set yourself up in the beginning.

That’s why I’m so excited to bring you this week’s guest.

Jessica Walliser has been on the podcast before. And she has a brand new book on container gardening.

But this book was unlike any container gardening book I had reviewed before. This book was more than an instruction manual on how to plant up a container.

It really sets the reader up for success by covering what happens AFTER you plant.

And the best part is that the information is just as valuable for people planting a small space in the ground as well.

You will learn:

• The 3 pillars of successful container growing
• How to be smart in your veggie choices
• Why pollinator pots are crucial in urban areas
• Favorite high producing dwarf edibles
• What is the thriller, filler, and spiller concept
• The biggest mistake people make with containers
• The best way to save $ when container gardening

As always, you can get all the links mentioned and more information at www.LivingHomegrown.com/125 as well as a full transcript of the episode.

What if want to grow veggies, but you really don’t have much soil in your backyard to begin with? (It's mostly cement or pavement)

Or maybe your backyard soil is hard to work with and you want a short cut to growing without waiting years to build up the soil.

Or maybe you want a higher yield of food from a raised bed than you can get by just growing in the ground.

(Yep - you really can get a higher yield if you do it right.)

Listen…raised bed gardening is not a magic pill. But it certainly can take care of ton of issues that hold people back from gardening.

And I want to make sure you are armed with all the pros and cons so you can tell if it's right for you.

This week, I brought on Tara Nolan to share some innovative ideas for creating raised beds.

She has tips and hints that can really make the whole process super easy.  You see, she literally wrote the book on the topic. And I just love the way she always thinks outside the planter box…so to speak. :-)

You will learn:

• How raised beds can help you overcome bad soil
• About a recent study proving raised beds will increase your yields (This one surprised me!)
• Why you DON’T need power tools to have success
• The many benefits in controlling weeds, pest and more
• Creative examples of building material you can use
• Why you need to be so cautious with recycled wood
• How to reduce the cost of filling the beds with good soil
• Innovative ways to make raised beds from upcycled objects

As always, you can get all the links mentioned and more tips in the show notes at www.LivingHomegrown.com/124 and you can get a free, printable transcript of the episode. 

The best organic gardening practices for building our soils

Our soil is the foundation for everything we do out in the garden. And having an understanding of how it works is hugely important.

If we are better stewards of our soil, we will have healthier plants, fewer pest problems, and a happier earth.

In today’s episode, host Theresa Loe brings on Mark Highland, who is also known as the Organic Mechanic. Mark knows a lot about soil and organic gardening because he runs the company with the same name: Organic Mechanics Soil.

Learn how our soil works and how we should care for it an organic way.

You will learn:

• Why “big picture” thinking is key to all organic gardening
• The difference between conventional and organic fertilizers
• Why deer are more attracted to synthetically fertilized plants
• Why organic matter makes for healthier plants
• The key practices that make all the difference in soil building
• Why you should avoid the tiller at all costs
• Why we need to wait after a storm before weeding
• What makes bugs attack conventionally grown plants more than organically grown

As always, you can get all the information mentioned in this episode at www.LivingHomegrown.com/123 including a full PDF transcript of the episode.

What it’s like to jump into homesteading for the very first time?

When we’re interested in learning a new skill, the first step is to research and read about it. But the real learning comes when we roll up our sleeves and start doing that thing that we’re interested in.

Nothing beats the insights and knowledge that come from actually stepping out from behind the research and actually giving it a try.

My guest this week understands that well.

Bev Ross is a long-time listener of this podcast and for years she dreamed of living a homesteading life.

Well earlier this year, she and her family decided to stop dreaming about homesteading and dropped everything to start doing it.

They sold their home, moved across the country and dove head first into growing food, raising chickens and living closer to their food.

But they tried to be smart about it.

They didn’t quit their full time jobs.  They aren’t trying to farm. They tried not to bite off too much at once.

In other words, they’re easing into this lifestyle one step at a time and we chat about what ups and downs she’s experienced so far.

You will learn:

• Why it’s important to do your research on zoning laws before you start
• Some of the challenges you can face
• The benefits to your children when homesteading
• Why record keeping is so key
• Tips for journaling on the fly
• The biggest lessons learned so far
• How this lifestyle is not about pass or fail

As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/122 to get a full transcript of the episode and all the links mentioned in the show.

Even if you don’t live in the United States and are not celebrating Thanksgiving this month, you probably will have some holiday get togethers over the next few weeks.  And these ideas can be used for ANY holiday party.

In this episode, I share some of my tips for meshing Thanksgiving traditions with that natural world outside.

Because to me, fall parties are about celebrating the season as well as food and family.

You will learn:

• How to make gratitude a BIG part of the day
• Tips for getting children involved in the decorating
• Which plants make great fall decorations
• How to add botanicals to your place settings
• A simple way to make herbs part of your cocktails
• How to create a decoration that doubles as a guest gift
• Why is cranberry balsamic sauce so amazing
• And I’ll share my ginger pumpkin cheesecake recipe

As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/121 for links and the to download the recipes mentioned. We also have a full transcript for to download for free. 

How to make natural household cleaners that ROCK!

The holidays are coming and chances are you're going to be cleaning your house a little bit more than usual.

Don’t reach for the chemical laden products you find at the store!

Living a more organic lifestyle means eliminating chemicals whenever we can.

And a great place to do that is with the products we spray all over our house such as the things we use to scrub down the countertops, clean the bathrooms or even make our laundry smell fresh.

In today’s episode, host Theresa Loe brought on the owner of the popular blog Brown Thumb Mama. Pam Farley believes in making things herself for less money than the store bought versions. From cleaners to air fresheners, she is always on the lookout for all natural alternatives to what we find in the stores.

Pam shares her insights and recipes for making cleaning products using simple ingredients we probably already have in our homes.

You will learn:

• Why typical household cleaners do NOT have to list all the ingredients
• Which kitchen supplies we already have that will do the job
• The difference between pure essential oils and fragrance oils
• The difference between food grade and therapeutic grade oils
• How to make an All Purpose Cleaner
• How to create an Air Freshener Spray
• Tips for making our laundry smell awesome

In the show notes for this episode, you can download a printable PDF of all of the recipes mentioned. Just go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/120 and you will also find a full transcript of the show and more links/resources to get you started.

Have you ever dreamed of starting your own gardening or farming business?

It can sound romantic and whimsical, can’t it?

But what's really involved in running a seasonal business around growing things? How do you manage the season or even your day around harvesting and delivering plant material?

This week, I share an episode I actually recorded for some of my students. You see, I have a secret podcast called Seedy Conversations® where I give the back story on businesses, homesteaders and bloggers.  We dive into what makes them tick.

Well, this episode is from those archives. I interviewed Erin Benzakein who has been on the Living Homegrown Podcast before (Episode #95). But this time, Erin pulls back the curtain and gives a snapshot of what life is like as a small organic farmer in the state of Washington.

Erin is the top floral farmer-florist in the country and she spills the beans on what it really means to run a small family farm.

And the good news is that Erin finds her business to be rewarding and inspiring each and every day. I think you will love her story! 

You'll learn:

• About a typical day in the life of a farmer-florist
• What is the best gear to wear in the field
• Which crops to grow for market
• The magical time for taking garden photos
• The 1 morning practice that sets you up for success in your day
• Top advice for anyone considering becoming a farmer

You can get more information about Erin, her farm and all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes at www.LivingHomegrown.com/119 as well as a full transcript of the show.

How to use your garden to make holiday gifts

Thinking of making any handmade gifts for the holidays this year?

It’s only October, but this is the perfect time to get started!

By starting now, you can create thoughtful gifts before the craziness of the holidays overwhelm you.

Host Theresa Loe interviews Stephanie Rose of Garden Therapy about garden crafts that make perfect holiday gifts. They discuss several projects (from season salt to homemade soap) that you can make quickly, easily, and with very little cost.

You will learn:

• How Herbal Finishing Salt makes an impressive, low-cost gift
• How to fast-track soap making with natural melt and pour ingredients
• The type of cupcake molds to use for Lavender-Oatmeal Soap
• Why mason jars are perfect for homemade candles
• The trick to pressing herbs into the sides of your glass jar candles
• And more…

As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/118 to get links to all the recipes, instructions and a full transcript of the episode.

How to Make Color Dyes With Your Garden Plants

The plants in our backyards can have multiple uses beyond food.

That’s what this week’s podcast is all about…using our garden plants for something different: Making Natural Dye

Now, you may be wondering what the heck you would dye with your plants. Well, we’ve got you covered.

Host Theresa Loe brought on fiber and dye expert Chris McLaughlin to talk about all the things we can color using natural dyes. They walk through the terminology and the techniques.

It’s super mad-scientisty. Ha!

You will learn:

• What is a fugitive color (No, it’s not a criminal)
• How do you use a modifier
• What is a mordant
• Can we use common household ingredients to change colors
• Which plants work best
• Step-by-step how to dye a silk scarf using flowers

As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/117 to get links to everything mentioned and get a full transcript of the episode.

Did you know you should NOT do a fall garden clean up?

It sounds counter-intuitive, right? Plants have died back or gone dormant and winter’s coming. So, why wouldn’t we want to clear out the debris and tidy up?

Well if you’re an organic gardener, fall clean up is the last thing you should do because all the beneficial insects are overwintering in that debris. From native bees to ladybugs, the fall garden provides shelter and more.

In today’s episode, host Theresa Loe interviews author Jessica Walliser to give us the whole scoop on why traditional fall clean up is a thing of the past and what we should be doing instead.

Jessica also answers a listener question about trap cropping!

You will learn:

• Why our fall garden is so important for butterflies & other critters
• What you should do instead of clean up
• How to handle plants going to seed
• Why this actually makes your life easier
• What is trap cropping and is it really effective
• The simple trick to finding university garden research online

As always you can get more links and free info at www.LivingHomegrown.com/116 as well as a full transcript of the episode. 

Sometimes, you might want to make small batch preserves such as enticing pickles, chutneys, jams, or other condiments and NOT "can" them. Perhaps you just have a few extra tomatoes or cucumbers and you need a tasty way to use them up. Or maybe you have an event where you just need a jar or two of preserves to include on the table -- But you don't want to break out the canner.

Well, the book featured in today's episode would be the answer in those situations. It's called: Savory Sweet: Simple Preserves From A Northern Kitchen and host Theresa Loe interviews one of the authors (Beth Dooley) about why she and co-author Mette Nielsen wrote a preserving book without any "canning" in it. 

You'll learn: 

• About the freedoms that come from not canning
• How the book was specifically designed for food gardeners
• Why small batches allow for more experimentation
• The challenges of creating a cookbook that works for everyone
• How to make a Sweet Pickled Winter Squash

And you can download a free PDF version of the Pickled Squash recipe that is perfect for the Thanksgiving table. Go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/115 to get the PDF, more links for info and a full transcript of the episode.

I thought it would be fun to share some behind-the-scenes info on how a garden television show is put together and some of the garden and food stories we’ll be sharing in the coming months on our PBS show, Growing A Greener World.

To do that, I brought on the host and Exec Producer of the show Joe Lamp’l. Growing A Greener World was his vision. He dreamed it and put together the team who creates it. 

He’s the guy we laugh with at the end of an exhausting day and same guy we give the evil-eye to when he decides he wants to redo a scene “just one more time.” Ha!

You see…Producing a television show is NOT easy. There are long hours and lots of travel.

But I think you’ll get a kick out of hearing why we still love to do what we do...despite the hard work.

In this episode, you'll learn: 

• How this gardening series was created
• How watching the show can have a ripple effect for the planet
• Which episodes will move you the most
• Why bats will be making a TV debut next year
• What TV celebrity will be featured next season
• And more
  
  

As always, you can get a full transcript at www.LivingHomegrown.com/114 as well as all the links mentioned in the show.

You know when you pick up a cookbook and the recipes make your mouth water?

That’s when you know you have winner on your hands.

And such was the case with the preserving book featured in this week’s podcast.

I brought on author Emily Paster who has been on the podcast before (Episode 54). This time, she shares insights into creating flavorful preserves that are steeped in tradition.

Her latest book is called The Joys of Jewish Preserving.

Now I’m not Jewish, but I can’t wait to dive into some of these recipes because they are so innovative.

There are preserves using rose petals, wine,  and honey. And the recipes shift between jams, conserves and syrups and fermented and/or quick pickles.

There is something for everyone.

This book is meant to open the eyes of both new and experienced canners and explore modern combinations of fruit and spice.

You'll learn:

• Why canners should look outside regular cookbooks for canning ideas
• The exact steps to making Cinnamon Salt-Preserved Lemons
• How to make delicious fruit syrups with ease
• The many uses for fruit syrups including desserts and beverages
• How Emily transitioned traditional recipes into modern preserves
• Where she got inspiration for new flavor combinations
• Different ways to use a lemon-walnut jam
• Some of the stories behind the creations in the book

No, we are not talking about fairy gardens this week. We are discussing garden design on a teeny-tiny scale. It still involves design principals, plant choices and yes...maintenance...but with a fork instead of a rake. It can be a fun way to create the garden of your dreams without having to move the tree in your backyard. Sure you can turn a tiny garden into a fairy garden if you want to - but that something different. On today's episode, host Theresa Loe brings on Janit Calvo - a small gardening expert. They discuss Why miniature gardens are so popular, The therapeutic reasons you might want one, What makes them "real", How to create them yourself and get the scale just right, Why pathways are so important, The trick to laying teeny brick or stone, How these landscapes are perfect for people who can't get outside and Tips for creating them. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/112 for a full transcript of the show and all the links mentioned. 

In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews community gardening expert LaManda Joy about the incredible work she does in Chicago with Community Gardens. You will not only be inspired by her story and her work, but you will also learn: How an old Victory Garden photo sparked an entire garden movement in Chicago, How LaManda grows new gardeners and generates community, What is the "Grow To Give" project, What you should look for in a community garden in your area, Why community gardens are the best places to learn, How to find a community garden and the importance of NOT being a perfect gardener. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/111 to learn more, get all the links mentioned in the episode and download a PDF of the full transcript of the episode.

Have you ever stepped away from your garden in the summer time, only to discover an edible (like carrots, celery, cilantro or basil) bolted and went to flower before you used it?  Ugh!  Once it goes to flower, it's on it's way OUT.  But fear not…You can still enjoy something extra from that plant – the flowers.  In this week’s podcast, host Theresa Loe shares her favorite tips and tricks for homegrown flower arranging. And you can use these tips for some of those edibles in your garden that have bolted and gone to seed. We're talking about carrots, celery, fennel, cilantro...anything with a bloom. You’ll be amazed at the stunning arrangements you can create with very little effort.  And you can use these tips to create daily arrangements throughout the entire growing season.

 You'll Learn: 

• The pro secret to fixing wilted flowers (It’s not what you think)
• Why woody stems sometimes need a hammer
• The recipe for making your own floral preservative
• Tips for best color and shape of your arrangements
• The secret for getting your stems to stand tall
• The step-by-step instructions to the perfect bouquet

As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/110 for more tips, resources, a free PDF Flower Arranging Tip Sheet and the transcript.

In this week's episode, host Theresa Loe interviews Kirsten Shockey about her new book: Fiery Ferments. But don't let the name fool you!  Not all the recipes are super hot! This book teaches you how to make fermented foods that just have a little kick OR that will knock your socks off. YOU can get to choose and control the amount of heat as you make the recipes. It's a fascinating discussion about flavor and how to take your ferments to a whole new level. It doesn't matter if you are a complete beginner or an advanced fermenter - there is lots to discover on this one! You learn: How fermented condiments can really expand your pantry, Why fermentation is such a safe thing to do, What you can use that adds spice WITHOUT the heat, Which pepper really opens you up to other flavors, Why fermented foods are more nutritious than raw, How to ferment using standard kitchen equipment (nothing to buy), Which salts are the best to use, What is pepper mash and how can we make it and use it, Why pepper mash is an excellent way to use up the extra peppers in your garden, And so much more!  As always, you can get more links and resources at: www.LivingHomegrown.com/109 including a PDF download of the complete fermented pepper mash recipe and the full transcript of the episode. And if you want more behind-the-scenes, bonus content or even extra bloopers - check out www.LivingHomegrown.com/sponsor to learn more about becoming a listener-sponsor of the podcast. It's a great way to get a deeper connection with the content.

We all go through ups and downs in our lives and those things can actually impact our garden. Usually a traumatic experience changes us as people. But you know what? It can change the gardener within us as well. And that can mean we need to completely pivot our garden style or even location. In this episode, host Theresa Loe brings on garden designer Rebecca Sweet who happens to have one of the most beloved private gardens near the San Francisco area. People have been touring and admiring her garden for many, many years. Rebecca shares inspiring and insightful tips for when we may feel the need for a massive change in our own gardening lives. It’s a very touching interview! You'll learn: How any life change can make you see your garden differently, What to take when you move, Design tips for a brand new garden, How to make the experience a happy transition, Why care sheets for the new owners can save your garden's future, How to send off your old garden with a treasure hunt. As always, you can get more resources at www.LivingHomegrown.com/108 as well as a full transcript of the episode.

In this episode, you learn how to make wildcrafted cocktails with foraged ingredients. You learn about homemade syrups, bitters, infusions and garnishes from garden-fresh plants. Host Theresa Loe brings on foraging expert and author Ellen Zachos to give us the full scoop. You learn: All the different ways to use garden ingredients for cocktails, The basics of a good cocktail, How long infusions last on the shelf, Which plants make the best flavorings, How to forage safely, How to create the "Santa Fe Sundowner" Cocktail. As always, you can go to: www.LivingHomegrown.com/107 for more information, resource links, full transcript and a PDF of the lavender-infused cocktail recipe on the show. And if you would like bonus content only available to our crowd-sourced sponsors (including an after-the-show interview with Ellen), then go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/sponsor for more information.

If you are looking to eat local and in-season during the winter months, then you should be preserving some of the harvest now. The harvest can come from the farmer's market or your own backyard. Of course, you can break out the canning jars and put food up that way. But there are other methods that are super easy and preserve a lot of food at once. Today, host Theresa Loe brings on author Barbara Pleasant to chat about two such methods and whole lot more.  In this episode you learn: Which produce is best for cold and dry storage, Different ways that you can save foods in a dormant state, What it means to "cure" a pumpkin, The best pumpkin to grow for flesh and seed, How to prevent powdery mildew with a common kitchen ingredient, Which tomatoes are best for drying, Should you Steam veggies before drying, and How to store foods after dehydrating. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/106 for the show notes, transcripts and links to more information. 

Chances are your garden and farmer’s market are bursting with summer flavors. It’s time to save those flavors so that you can enjoy them later...Which means, it's canning season!! In today’s episode, host Theresa Loe answers several listener canning questions so that you can stay on track with your summer preserves. You learn: If you can use coconut sugar in canning, Which pectin product is preservative free, Some common jar mistakes, Detective skills for determining why a jar breaks, The difference between citric acid and ascorbic acid, When should you be concerned about bubbles, Why wax sealing was eliminated from canning many years ago and more. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/105 to get all the links and free transcription of the show.

Did you know that here in America the Monarch butterfly is in serious trouble?  It has had a 90% decline in it's population in the last 20 years. In this episode, you learn all about this beloved butterfly, the surprising reasons for its decline and what we as gardeners can do to help. Host Theresa Loe interviews author Kylee Baumle about this fascinating butterfly. You learn: Exactly why the Monarch is on the decline, The most important plant we need in our garden, The unusual migration of 3,000 miles the Monarch makes every year, How to create a Monarch Waystation, What is tagging and how we can do it, How we can become citizen scientists in our own backyard. As always, you can get more info and resources at www.LivingHomegrown.com/104 as well as a full transcript of the episode.

It doesn't matter if you are looking for something new to add to your current garden or if you are a beginner, looking to get started in fruit growing - Today's episode will inspire you with new flavors. Host Theresa Loe interviews author Dr. Lee Reich about growing some of the less common fruits. He gives tips on everything from pawpaws to juneberries. You learn: How Lee uses his backyard as his fruit laboratory, Which kiwi is hardy (even in New York), The benefits of growing juneberries, What is a lingonberry, Why you should never grow a lot of pawpaws, How Asian pears ripen differently than European pears, Which American Persimmons have the best flavor and so much more.  As always, you can visit www.LivingHomegrown.com for more free information, resources and a full transcript of the episode.

The challenges and benefits of moving a garden. If you decide to move to a new location (new home, new climate, etc.), what would you do with your current garden? Would you take plants with you?  Would you leave it all behind? And how would you go about starting over? What sort of things should you consider when moving to a new growing zone, new soil conditions and new challenges? In today's episode, host Theresa Loe interviews horticulture expert and garden coach, Robin Haglund. Although Robin regularly helps clients with these types of decisions, she recently moved her own garden from the city to the country in Washington state. She shares with Theresa her challenges, decision making process and the big wins along the way. You learn: What should you consider when assessing a new piece of land, Should you ever use landscape fabric, How to handle masses of weeds, What to consider when moving a garden, How to change your mindset around wildlife, How to raise chickens among country predators and more. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/102 for a full transcript and links to everything mentioned as well as more free information on living farm fresh. 

In this week's episode, host Theresa Loe answers some listener's gardening questions. You learn: How long your garden seeds really last, What is the best way to test seed viability, Should you feed your vegetables or not, What are the benefits of fish emulsion, Can backyard gardeners do cover cropping, What insect makes those round holes on rose leaves...and should you be worried or not, Which herbs do best in containers, Can you grow coffee, allspice or pineapple at home. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/101 to get the full transcript and links to all the resources mentioned in the episode.  Enjoy!

We are halfway through the year. Have you reached the goals you set at the beginning of the year?  Or did you even get around to setting any? It's okay if you blew that all off. If you still want to hit a few milestones before 2017 is over, June is a great time to regroup and start over. If you have farm fresh goals centered around your home, food or garden, you can take business strategies and adjust them to reach those goals. In this episode, host Theresa Loe walks you through how to pick, set and achieve the goals you have sitting on the sidelines...Those things you want to achieve before you hit the end of the year. They can be goals around food, diet, your garden/home or personal goals. It works for them all.  She shares tips for getting those goals off the ground so that you can check them off your "to do" list before the end of the year. You learn: The exact steps to reach the goals you want, How each goal will require a payment from you (but that can be a good thing), The best time frame for working on goals, How to set up your motivations so you stay on track, How SMART goals can help, The secret to preventing procrastination, Why reverse engineering works. As always you can get the full transcript of the episode at www.Livinghomegrown.com along with other information.

Learn what it REALLY means to make the leap from the city to farm life. In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews Amy Boyd as she shares her story as a brand new lavender farmer. She and her husband are building their dream of farming Hillside Lavender in PA. You learn: How they planned for the transition but then had to make the leap, Exactly what they are creating and the need to de-stress these days, The driving force that keeps them going when things go wrong, How their adorable goats greet their customers and help provide soap, cheese and milk, Which lavenders they planted and why, How they have been handling setbacks and roadblocks, The most valuable lessons so far. As always, you can learn more at www.LivingHomegrown.com/99 where you can download Amy's lessons learned so far and get links and a full transcript of the episode.

Learn exactly how a garden book is born - from concept to book store shelves. We all have beloved garden books that inspire and inform us. But have you ever thought about exactly what goes into creating it?  A lot more than you think!  Garden books have the extra burden of being seasonal. And that can make things like photography super tricky. 
In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews garden book editor Julie Chai about exactly what went into the creation of one of the top garden books of 2017: Floret Farm's Cut Flower Garden. Author Erin Benzakein was featured on episode 95 (where she shared how the book can help us grow better backyard flowers organically). But this week, we hear about how a book like that is born. It is a massive project and yet, the resulting book is both beautiful and is having a huge impact in the gardening world. You learn: What goes into creating a top garden book, The first thing you should do if you want to be an author, The secret to writing within the seasons, How many people does it really take to produce a book, The first step in garden research, The "angle" on flowers that most people wouldn't think about. As always, you can get more information at www.LivingHomegrown.com/98 where you will also find a full transcript of the episode. 

If you have wanted to grow your own blueberries but thought it was too hard, this is the episode for you. Yes, blueberries have specific requirements. BUT...if you know the tricks, it is easy to have success! In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews Lee Reich - a well-respected author and authority in fruit growing. Lee knows a thing or two about blueberries. In fact, his PhD is in blueberries! In this episode you learn: How growing blueberries is easier than you think, The pros and cons of each type of plant, The exact formula to adjust your soil pH, The secret to creating the best soil, How to best prevent birds from eating your harvest, How to prune each type of blueberry plant, The trick for knowing when your blueberries have the best flavor...and no...it has nothing to do with color! As always, you can get more information at www.LivingHomegrown.com/97 including links and a full transcript of the episode. 

This week's podcast is a group podcast where host Theresa Loe brought on 5 different guest experts in the areas of Organic farming, Foraging, Fermenting, Wellness and Cheesemaking. Each of the experts answered the same question about living farm fresh. But they all had VERY different insights on how to live more organically and flavorfully. In this episode you learn: A simple trick for meal planning, How to find new organic flavors in your own backyard, Where to source inexpensive organic produce, How to get over the fear of fermentation, Simple steps to reduce stress and why we sometimes need to embrace failure when we try new food crafts. As always, you can get more information and all the links at www.LivingHomegrown.com/96 as well as a full transcript of the show. In addition there is a free PDF download in the show notes with a summary of all the tips. 

Learn from the top organic flower farmer-florist in the country. In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews farmer-florist Erin Benzakein of Floret Farm. Erin is well known in the organic flower world because she grows massive amounts of flowers in a relatively small space in the state of Washington while using organic practices AND she creates stunning bouquets that include edibles, vines and other farm-fresh ingredients. Her reputation earned her the Martha Stewart American Made Award for Floral and Event Design. And she has been featured in countless magazines and bridal websites. In this episode, Erin shares how we can grow and enjoy organic flowers in numerous ways ourselves. You learn: Why supporting local flowers is SO important for us and the earth, How Erin transitioned from city life to flower farmer life, The big impact you can have from a small handful of sweet peas, The counter-intuitive technique for reviving wiling cut flowers, The best pro tips for getting long vase life, Just how little space is necessary for growing, How the home gardener can get started, How to prevent wind-blow garden plants in less than 5 minutes, and so much more. As always, you can get al the related links mentioned in the episode in the show notes at: www.LivingHomegrown.com/95 as well as a full transcript AND a free PDF of all Erin's pro tips on getting a long vase life from cut flowers. Be sure to visit the website for more information and links to more articles on growing and enjoying organic flowers.

Learn how the simple mason bee can be incredibly powerful in our backyard gardens and in helping farmers around the world. These gentle creatures are much lower maintenance than a honeybee and yet, they can do just as much if not more to pollinate our food. In fact, they can boost our backyard food growing yields with just a few bees. In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews Dave Hunter of Crown Bees to shed some light on this important topic. You learn: Why these gentle bees are so valuable to us, The differences between honeybees and mason bees, The mason bee's secret to massive pollination, Why it's important to ID what makes holes in your garden plants, How mason bees can be like zucchini (LOL), How we can participate in a citizen science project to help bees and farmers around the world, and the easy way you can raise and share these bees with friends. As always, you can get a ton of more information at www.LivingHomegrown.com/94 as well as a full transcript of the episode. 

What? We can eat the hostas??  Yep, you can - If they are grown organically, of course. In this week's episode, host Theresa Loe interviews author and foraging expert, Ellen Zachos on the subject of foraging our own backyards. Learn exactly which common garden plants are edible AND learn how to prepare those foods after you harvest. You will learn: Important safety tips when it comes to foraging, Why starting in the backyard is a good idea, Which common plants are safe (and delicious) to eat, The one plant people are shocked to learn is edible, Why eating daylilies makes you a better gardener, Which tuber flavor changes dramatically with each species, The surprising plant with 4 edible parts, Which evergreens are safe to eat and how to do it. IMPORTANT: Always be absolutely certain of a plant's identity before consuming. Many toxic/poisonous plants look similar to the safe varieties. You must be careful and not assume everything is safe until you have it properly identified. As always, you can get all the links mentioned by going to www.LivingHomegrown.com/93 as well as a full transcript of the episode. 

This episode is a Q & A session featuring several listener questions and answered by host Theresa Loe. You learn: If sterilizing is necessary when bottling up homemade liqueur, The biggest worry when infusing alcohol, Which "proof" is best when making liqueur infusions, The trick to getting a clear vinegar, Is it possible to reuse the fruit of one food project for another, How does homemade Greek yogurt work and Do you need a yogurt maker or not. All that and more - Plus you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/92 for a full transcript and all the links and resources mentioned in the episode.

Learn how to enjoy all sorts of garden harvests including fruits, veggies, flowers, seeds, pods and roots. If it has a harvest, there is a way to utilize it!  In this week's episode, host Theresa Loe interviews garden designer and author Stefani Bittner about her new book Harvest. Stefani co-wrote the book with Aletha Harampolis and together they create a book that is filled with gorgeous images, delicious recipes and tons of tips for adding a harvest to your life. You learn: How to create a useful and beautiful garden, Food safety in urban gardens, How to use all parts of the plants, A recipe for making a shrub (no - not the garden shrub! The drink!), How to garden through the seasons, How easy it is to add productive plants to your landscape. PLUS...You can enter to win a free copy of Harvest simply by going to the show notes and leaving a comment!  Two winners will be chosen - so leave your comment by March 16, 2017. Also, in the show notes there is a PDF download of Stefani's special quince paste recipe. She was nice enough to share!  Just go to: www.LivingHomegrown.com/91 and the recipe and a full transcript will be waiting for you. And don't forget to leave a comment!!  Tell Theresa what productive plant you are ready to grow next!  Your comment automatically enters you to win a free copy of the book directly from the publisher. Enjoy the episode. 

This episode is all about flavor enhancers. It doesn't matter if you grow your own herbs or buy them fresh at the farmer's market, nothing beats the fresh taste of herbs in your cooking. But sometimes, you can't have fresh herbs at your fingertips. The good news is that there ARE ways to preserve those flavors for later so that when you find yourself in a pinch - those flavors are at the ready!  Host Theresa Loe has covered preserving herbs in different ways on other podcast episodes (which are listed in the show notes). And today, she covers two more methods that you can use: Herb Salts and Herb Butters. You learn: How to preserve herb flavor in salt, The best salts to use and why, Her favorite herbs to use, Two herbs you should NOT use, Why citrus is the perfect "secret ingredient", A method for freezing herbs that is very versatile, and How to take advantage of those flavors. As always, you can get more free information, links and a full transcript at www.LivingHomegrown.com/90 as well as a free downloadable recipe sheet with the recipes of the day.

Learn what permaculture is and how to apply it to your own backyard to create more sustainable and eco-friendly garden. In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews garden author Jessi Bloom. Jessi is an ecological landscape designer and the author of one of the top permaculture books in the country. You learn: Exactly what permaculture is, Why it is important, How to put it into practice this coming season, Why garden size doesn't matter when apply the principles, What the systems are and how they work, And how permaculture is about a lot more than gardening. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/89 for more information, links mentioned in the show and a full PDF download of the transcript.

This episode is about taking a natural approach to pest control and avoiding sprays and pesticides...even organic ones. You see, many people think that switching to organic gardening methods just means changing from synthetic sprays to more natural/organic ones. But the truth is that if you have a more balanced ecosystem in your garden, you don't need sprays AT ALL.  And that is what we cover in this podcast. 

Host Theresa Loe brings on author and organic gardening expert, Jessica Walliser to share how we as organic gardeners can shift our mindset when it comes to bugs. You learn: About the ecosystem of your own backyard and how to balance it, Making the shift from sprays to no-sprays, Do plants have immune systems, Can a plant send out a distress call, How to change your mindset about bugs, How to attract the "good bugs", What is a beetle bump and why in the world would we want one in our backyard and much more. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/88 to get all the links mentioned in the episode, more free information and a full PDF transcript of the show. 

In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews author Shawna Coronado about simple organic gardening tips that we can do to save money and time. The tips range from practical time-savers to clever ways to reuse and repurpose items for gardening. You learn: How to use empty wine bottles in the garden, Why rotisserie chicken can lead to greenhouse growing, A shortcut to saving tomato seeds, How to grow edibles from kitchen scraps, The secret to sprouting potatoes, The magic of manure tea and How to reuse cooking water. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/87 to get all the links mentioned and full transcript to the episode.

This week's episode is the story of one man's journey of discovering his true calling in garden design while helping families along the way. Host Theresa Loe interviews Doug Scott - the owner of the landscape design firm, Redeem Your Ground. Doug helps families connect through the nature in their own backyards. You learn: Why sometimes school and business aren't the only measure of success, How to following your passion can lead to following your dreams, Life lessons that come from raising chickens, What nature deficit disorder is, How redeeming your ground leads to other redemptions, and three steps to getting started in your own backyard space. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/86 to get all the related links and a free PDF download of the transcript. 

In this week's episode we talk about small livestock for those of us with have super small spaces. We've covered backyard chickens and ducks on previous episodes. So it was time to discuss raising backyard rabbits for their nutrient-rich manure or their fiber (hair for spinning). And yes, some people raise rabbits for meat. But that's not what we go into here. Instead, host Theresa Loe interviews author and farmer Chris McLaughlin about what it means to raise backyard rabbits. They discuss raising one cute little family pet for composting their manure, to what is involved with raising them to sell their "wool".  You learn: The different shelter requirements for rabbits, Combining rabbits with vermicomposting, The benefits of rabbit manure, The difference between wool, mohair and fiber, How to properly groom and care for fiber rabbits, Where to go to learn about speciality breeds and more. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/85 to learn more, get related links and download the free PDF transcript of the show.

First everyone wanted backyard chickens. Now backyard ducks are gaining in popularity - and rightly so. Their eggs are incredible. And in many ways, they can be easier than backyard chickens. In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews author and poultry expert, Lisa Steele of Fresh Eggs Daily. And they discuss all the benefits of raising ducks in your backyard. You learn: The benefits ducks can offer your garden, How they compare to backyard chickens, Are they fed differently than chickens, What do you need to provide so they are happy and healthy, What's the deal with having all your "ducks in a row", Do ducks have a sense of humor, Can ducks and chickens live together, Where should you go to get the more unusual breeds and so much more!  As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/84 to get all the links mentioned in this episode as well as the full transcript and a free PDF Tip Sheet on How to Raise Ducks.

This episode is a little different!  Host Theresa Loe brings on eight different garden authors and experts to all answer the same question: "What do you know NOW, that you wish you knew THEN?"  In other words, if they could go back in time...What important piece of garden advice would they tell their younger, gardener-self?  This episode is packed with nuggets of gardening wisdom because each expert gave completely different answers.   You learn: Each expert's top piece of gardening advice, What type of mindset you should have when you garden, When you should ask for help and when should you "wing it" and so much more!  As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/83 for more information including: a free PDF download of all the garden tips (plus a few extras), a full transcript of the episode and links to all the garden experts previous podcast episodes. And there is a lot more free information on living homegrown and farm fresh on the website. Enjoy!

It doesn't matter if you use your backyard space for growing food, flowers, succulents or something else - there are many, many healing benefits you can get from that space. And you don't have to be sick or injured to reap those benefits. You only need to be mindful of them. In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews garden designer and author Jenny Peterson about the many healing qualities of our gardens and how we can better tap into those benefits. You learn: The different benefits available to mind, body and spirit, Simple tips for better using our garden space, How exercise goes beyond cardio, What it means to be grounded, Simple ways to connect to nature, What are garden rituals, The daily practice that reaps the biggest rewards and more. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/82 to learn more about healing gardens, Jenny's books and to get a full transcript of the episode. 

This podcast is about living closer to our food through preserving, artisan food crafts, small-space food growing and sustainable living. Making food from scratch can be a big part of that. And so can traditional, old-fashioned holiday recipes!  This week's episode is all about making traditional steamed puddings. Listen...we are NOT talking about fruitcake here. Nope. We are talking about melt-in-your mouth cakes that are rich and delicious. Host Theresa Loe gives you the low-down on what these desserts are and how you can make them with or without a steam pudding mold. You learn: Exactly what steamed puddings are and are not, Where to find molds, What to do if you don't have a pudding mold, The secret to never messing up the steam part, and she shares her family recipes for Persimmon Steamed Pudding and Mocha-Chocolate Steamed Pudding. It's a delicious episode. As always, you can visit www.LivingHomegrown.com/81 for more information, printable recipes and a full transcript of the show. 

Just because there is snow on the ground does not mean you have to stop growing food. In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews winter gardening expert Niki Jabbour on how we can extend the season no matter where we live. And even if you don't think you want to grow food during the winter months, you can learn how to extend the season which will help you start your spring garden a few weeks earlier. In this episode, you learn: Why a winter garden is easier than a summer garden, Five super easy methods for extending the season, The materials you can use to cover crops, How to make a cloche from recycled materials, The best crops to grow during the winter months, How to judge timing for sowing winter crops and more. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/80 to get a full PDF transcript of the show as well as more information on growing food organically...even through winter. 

This week’s podcast comes at the beginning of December and for many of us, that means the hustle and bustle of the holiday time is upon us. Suddenly our to-do lists double in size, we find ourselves running around to shop, and we are trying to cram in extra things like holiday cards and cleaning for guests and parties. It can become easy to lose ourselves to the stress and forget what the holidays are supposed to be about. This episode is a little different in that host Theresa Loe shares her story of how a simple birthday practice blossomed into a month long practice for her family. And how doing this over the last few years has transformed her family and greatly reduced the stress. And she shares how one day the tables were turned on her and she found herself on the receiving end when she needed it most. In this episode you learn: The story of the birthday practice, How this blossomed into a month long ritual, The transformation it had on her kids, The notes she uses and the power of carrying it forward, Why you don't need money to do this, Tips, ideas and examples of how you can do this yourself or with your kids AND there is a free PDF download to go along with this episode in the show notes. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/79 for more information including a FREE PDF of kindness cards that can be used a prompts for your own month of kindness.

Learn how to create lush, living centerpieces for your table or your home. In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews San Francisco plant and floral designer extraordinaire Baylor Chapman about creating a garden on a micro-scale...for inside your home. Even if you have no garden space outside or your current garden is asleep for winter, you can have greenery inside to stay connected to nature. A tabletop landscape is easy and inexpensive to do. You learn: The benefits of indoor greenery, how tablescapes follow basic landscape principles, The elbow rule of centerpieces, What is Kokedoma, How to build a mini-meadow on a table, Why your guests can take part of your design home, Different ideas for other seasons of naturescapes. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/78 for related links, a full PDF transcript and other information about this episode. 

Learn about three indoor garden activities for kids and adults alike that can keep you connected to nature through the winter months. These projects can add greenery to your home and are fascinating to watch. We all know that being outside in nature is good for kids. But winter can mean less outdoor playtime. If you want to nurture your kids to appreciate the environment and perhaps grow up to be gardeners themselves, keeping them engaged is key. But you don't need kids to do these projects! Adults can get just as much enjoyment out of them. In this episode, host Theresa Loe walks you through forcing bulbs, sprouting wheatgrass and sprouting mushrooms on your kitchen table. You learn: Why a connection to nature is so important for kids today, All the materials needed for each project, Which bulbs are easiest to force and why, The trick to getting wheatgrass to sprout quickly, How to know that your wheat is ready to "mow", Why adding dinosaurs to your project can take it to the next level, How a mushroom growing kit works, Safety training for kids when growing mushrooms. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/77 for all the related links and a full PDF transcript of the episode. 

Although this podcast focuses on living farm fresh without a farm, many of the listeners DO want a farm or are already farmers themselves. Well, this episode is about one couple who decided they wanted to be farmers. And they wanted to farm their suburban backyard...as a business. Host Theresa Loe interviews new organic farmer, Emily Aarons. Although they are just starting out, Emily is able to share their successes so far as well as 5 important lessons learned. You learn: What made Emily and Andrew decide to be farmers, What sort of regulations were needed, What it means to be certified organic - even in a backyard, The truth about commercial egg labeling, How Emily juggles being a new mom and farmer at the same time, The 5 most important lessons they have learned so far. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/76 for more information, the full show notes, related links and a free PDF of the transcript. 

Learn the simple steps to creating the edible garden of your dreams - beautiful AND delicious. In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews edible landscape designer/author Stefani Bittner about how listeners can transform their garden into an epic food garden. You learn: The simple steps to getting started, The #1 thing you MUST do to ensure food safety, Why you shouldn't plant next to an old fence post, Why swapping out can make all the difference, Which edibles make great screens, Why you shouldn't eat the edibles between stepping stones, Fun edibles that are also stunning in the landscape, What to consider when planting in the front yard and more. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/75 for a full transcript and links to much more information. 

Learn to make countertop yogurt with NO special equipment. Enjoy this encore presentation. Next week, we are back to brand new episodes. Also - Listen to the beginning of this episode to learn about a brand new FREE webinar happening on November 3, 2016. It's geared for brand new canners wanting to get over their fear of learning to can. In the encore episode, you learn: The advantages of homemade yogurt, How the whole process works, Why you don't need any special equipment, How to make it without heating the milk, Which milks work best, All the different types of yogurt you can make. As always, you can get all the links AND a printable yogurt making guide for free at: www.LivingHomegrown.com/74 and you can also find a full transcript of the episode.

Although there's some new info in this episode, the main topic is an encore presentation from one of host Theresa Loe's more popular episodes. It's packed with practical and important info on canning safety. Why include an encore? As Theresa announces in this episode, there's some new exciting projects in the works around Living Homegrown and the team needed a little time to focus on those projects. But don't worry, there are some cool interview episodes coming up that you will love. Theresa also announces a NEW, FREE live canning training coming up in November. In this episode, you learn: The most important canning jar ring safety practice, Why photographs of canned goods are so misleading, The optimal time to remove canning rings, Three key reasons these safety practices are important, The storage mistake that can waste your canning efforts and more. As always, you can go to www.livinghomegrown.com/73 to get more information and download the full transcript. You can also register for Theresa's new free canning training coming up in November.

Learn to make delicious fresh cheese in under an hour! In this week's episode, host Theresa Loe interviews cheesemaker/entrepreneur/author Claudia Lucero who shares tips for making fresh cheese at home. Claudia is the founder of UrbanCheesecraft where you can buy DIY cheese kits for everything from Mozzarella to Paneer and more. She is also the author of the book: One Hour Cheese. In this episode, Claudia walks the listeners through all the steps of making their first batch of cheese and gives the low down on how easy it is to enjoy this rewarding hobby. You learn: Which type of milks you can use, If it's possible to make non-dairy cheese, The difference between pasteurized and ultra-pasteurized, What is rennet and why might you want to use vegetarian rennet, How to move on to make Mozzarella, Ricotta, Paneer and more. As always you can go to the show notes at www.LivingHomegrown.com/72 for a full transcript of the show. PLUS - as an added bonus, you can download a printable PDF of Claudia's easy cheese recipe - Formage Facile. And you can go to the show notes to get a limited time 20% discount on all of Claudia's DIY cheese kits.

Have you ever thought that your existing garden looked a little drab? It doesn't matter if you are using edibles in your landscape or not, after a few years things can get out of balance. And you may find that your garden is just not looking as good as it used to. Learn how to refresh that garden using cool (yet simple) garden design tricks.  In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews Northern California garden designer Rebecca Sweet on how we can revamp our garden space. Easy tips for figuring out what's wrong and how to fix it. You learn: Why our garden may have lost its luster, The most important step in garden redesign, What does it really mean to "edit", What is an echo and why is it important, When is the best time of year to refresh, and How can we create optical illusions. As usual, you can learn more at www.LivingHomegrown.com/71 where you will also find a full transcript of the episode. 

In this week's episode, host Theresa Loe answers a listener question about the safety of "canned" cake. You may have seen these recipes on the internet where it calls for baking cake-like breads in a canning jar (like pumpkin bread or zucchini bread) and then placing on a lid to create a vacuum seal. A listener wrote in asking if it was okay to do this. Well...although a lot of people used to do this, today it's not considered safe. And Theresa dives deep into the research conducted on this exact practice, what the research showed, and the reasons you should not "can" cake yourself. You learn: Why canners argue about this type of recipe, Why you still might find it in some canning books, The science behind the researched data, How the oven doesn't kill everything you think it does, How commercial companies can get away with it, What is recommended you do instead. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/70 for a full transcript of the episode and any related links mentioned in the episode. 

This episode is for anyone wanting to start food gardening for the very first time. Host Theresa Loe interviews garden blogger/author Dee Nash of Red Dirt Ramblings about how to start a food garden if you have never ever picked up a trowel before. And they focus on starting in containers because it is an easy way to dive in without getting overwhelmed with a larger space. You learn: The basic tools you need to garden, The types and sizes of containers you should start with, How to assess a garden space, What to look for in commercial potting soil, How to read a fertilizer label, Why organic is best, How to make a salad bowl garden. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/69 to get related links and a full transcript of the episode.

Learn all about how to compost in your own backyard. In this week's episode, host Theresa Loe interviews Joe Lamp'l - the host and creator of the television series Growing A Greener World on PBS. Theresa is Joe's Co-Executive producer and they have been working together for over 7 years on the TV gardening series. But in this episode, Theresa brings Joe on the podcast to give the full scoop on how to compost. You learn: The benefits of composting, How it works, Do you really need a composter, What about those weird brown to green ratios, How can we speed up the process and What do we do with the compost we make. Joe also gives the full story of how the PBS show came about and where the garden series is headed (a big change is coming in season 8)! They spend the first 10 minutes diving deep into behind-the-scenes of the garden TV series and then spill the beans on how EASY it is to compost. As always, you can get the full transcript, related links that are mentioned in the episode and a FREE PDF Composting Cheat Sheet to get you started on your own composting adventure. Just go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/68 and everything you need will be right there. 

Infusing can be a fun way to make really delicious, yet simple gifts. If you start now, you will have plenty of time to finish before the holiday rush. In this episode, host Theresa Loe shares: How to make Homemade Vanilla Extract, Spiced Rum and Grand Marnier. You also learn: Some simple tips for packaging, Why you can use bulk vanilla, What to add to your homemade extract to keep the flavor strong and more. As always, there is more information in the show notes at www.LivingHomegrown.com/67 including a free PDF for a Cranberry Liqueur Recipe, lots of resources for jars and bulk ingredients as well as a full PDF transcript of the episode.

Learn how easy it is to harness the relaxation qualities of herbs. We all lead really busy lives and we deserve some down time. Why not use ingredients from the garden to revive ourselves? In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews garden designer and author Sue Goetz about using herbs to create a spa experience. Sue wrote "The Herb Lover's Spa Book" and they discuss: How to create small relaxation spaces inside and outside, Why we should touch our plants, What heat does to herbs, How to harness the value of the natural essential oils, Steaming with herbs, Which herbs promote relaxation, What is tub tea, Can we or should we use real tea in our bath water, and more. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/66 to get a full transcript of the episode and links to related information. There is also a free PDF download in the show notes which includes recipes for bathtub sachets and lists of herbs to use for steaming. 

Dehydrating food is one of the easiest forms of food preservation. It's simple and safe. You can dehydrate everything from herbs, fruit and veggies to meat. In this episode, host Theresa Loe walks you through the basics of dehydrating for long term storage. You learn: What dehydrating is and how it works, The advantages of dehydration, Is botulism an issue, How dehydrated food tastes different from fresh, What equipment is needed to do the job well, How to dry apples, Do you really need to treat them and how to rehydrate some of the foods you dry. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/65 to get more information, resources and a full transcript of this episode.

We all have too many things on our To-Do list, don't we?  And when trying to fit in gardening, canning, homesteading, family, work and other activities...Well, it can be a bit overwhelming. In this episode, host Theresa Loe talks about creating the proper mindset to keep our energy and motivation going while getting a better handle on all the things we think we need to accomplish. This is not a usual topic for this podcast. But after several listener requests, Theresa shares an overview on how she gets so much done. Hopefully there will be a few tips that can help you reduce your own stress and overwhelm with your own To-Do list so that you can be more productive. You learn: Why decluttering gives you better focus on what matters most, How to discover your own personality temperament and why that can help you on projects, How to side step the things that drain you, Why and how you need to recharge, How to schedule like the CEO of your homestead, What is a pile up zone and why you need one. Theresa created a free worksheet to walk you through the 7 steps and it includes additional resources if you want to dig deeper. You can download the free PDF worksheet and get the other links mentioned at www.LivingHomegrown.com/64 as well as a full transcript of the episode. Let's kick overwhelm to the curb!

Learn to make lotions, bath products and more on this episode. Host Theresa Loe interviews Blogger/Author Stephanie Rose from Garden Therapy. You learn: How to make After Sun Lotion, DIY Bath Bombs, How to infuse oils three different ways, The difference between essential oils and fragrance oils, The trick to making Easter Egg Bath Bombs and more. Go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/63 to get more free recipes and a downloadable Lip Balm Recipe as well as the full transcript for the show. You will also find resources for all the ingredients for the recipes in the show notes. 

Fresh herbs are great in the kitchen, but they can also be used to add beauty and fragrance to your home. Learn how to reap the benefits of these wonderful plants with tips for getting the most flavor and fragrance from them. You can grow fresh herbs yourself or buy them at the farmer's market. But once home...what can you do with them. Host Theresa Loe shares tips on using herbs. You learn: Tips for growing herbs, How to judge the freshness when you buy herbs, How to keep them fresh, The substitution formula for fresh vs. dried, Which herbs are best for flavor, Which are best for fragrance, A simple trick for freshening a room with mint, Tips for scenting your linens and Why her teen son's shoes smell like lavender. LOL  As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/62 for links and resources mentioned in this episode. There is also a FREE bonus PDF of Theresa's Herb Plant Resource Guide. It has a full listing of all herbs mentioned (with botanical names) and a list of mail order sources for all the unusual herbs.

Learn how to harness the flavor of this versatile herb. In this episode, host Theresa Loe shares the benefits of growing, harvesting and using lavender in the kitchen - both in your cooking and in your preserves. You learn: Which lavender has the best flavor, The basics of growing and harvesting lavender flowers, How to make lavender salt, A simple recipe of lavender sugar, How to make lavender honey, The important concerns of flavoring honey and how to do it safely, Two simple ways to add lavender flavors to your preserves and much more. Plus Theresa has a PDF tip sheet for how to use lavender in your canning projects that you can download for free. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/61 to get more links, information, the PDF tip sheet and the full transcript of the show.

There is a lot of confusion about two very different commercial products used in canning. This episode helps clears that up. Host Theresa Loe explains the difference between Clear Jel® vs. Sure Jell® and how you can "put up" pie filling now to enjoy later when the fruit season is over. You learn: What Clear Jel is and how it is used, How Sure Jell is used in canning, Where you can find both of these products, Do you even REALLY need them or can you work without them, and tips for making pie filling. Go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/60 to get all the related links, a PDF of an Apple Pie Filling recipe and a full transcript of the episode.

Keeping your own bees may sound thrilling and romantic -- But actually, there is A LOT to this important hobby. If you ever thought about being a beekeeper OR if you would just like to learn more about the importance of bees and the people who keep them - then this episode is for you. Host Theresa Loe interviews experienced beekeeper Karla Delong of Mountain Feed and Farm Supply. Karla shares all the good, the bad and the exciting things that a beginning beekeeper should know and consider before diving in. You learn: The importance of bees and how backyard beekeepers are making a difference, Why local bees are superior (no matter where "local" is for you), Is it possible to be an "organic" beekeeper, The 4 areas of care in beekeeping, The special qualities every beekeeper should possess (or strive for), Is it really okay to keep bees in the city, Can bees be kept on a balcony, Why wine corks are so important for us to have in our gardens and so much more! As always, you can get all the links mentioned and more at www.LivingHomegrown.com/59 as well as a full transcript of this episode.

You know exactly what's in your food when you make it yourself. Nothing could be more true than when you make your own bacon! In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews Joel MacCharles and Dana Harrison - the authors of the new preserving book Batch. This episode is part two of a two part interview. Part one (Episode #57) focused on the book and different ways to preserve lemons. This week's episode focused on using salt and smoke to flavor and preserve a whole variety of different products. FIRST...Theresa dives into bacon labeling and how that organic bacon you are eating might STILL have nitrites even though it says "no nitrites added other than...".  Important label info to know and understand if your goal is to eliminate nitrites from your diet. Then in this episode you learn: Why "no added nitrites" on bacon labels in the United States can be misleading, How chili salt is great for people who don't like heat, Why pink curing salt is NOT the same as pink Himalayan salt, Step-by-step instructions for making bacon at home (it is pretty easy and delicious), The difference between hot and cold smoke methods, How to turn your BBQ into an inexpensive smoker, How to make inexpensive dog treats for your dog using smoke. And MORE!  As always, you can get all the links mentioned by going to www.LivingHomegrown.com/58 and you can get a full PDF transcript of the episode. 

Learn how to make salt-cured lemons, lemon zest salt and authentic Limoncello made the old fashioned way. In this week's episode, host Theresa Loe interviews Joel MacCharles and Dana Harrison - the couple behind the very successful blog, Well Preserved and the co-authors of: BATCH - Tips and Techniques for a Well Preserved Kitchen. You learn: Why batching different preservation techniques together makes sense, How to make and use salt-cured lemons, How a simple trick with lemon zest can be the gateway to other salted preserves, The "real" way to make Limoncello without steeping, What the heck is Bourbon-cello and why has no one every told us of this before??? This episode is Part One of a two-part episode (next week covers salt and smoke preserving). As always, you can get all related links and information at www.LivingHomegrown.com/57 including a full transcript of the episode. 

Do you long for more produce from your tiny garden? Do you find yourself with too much zucchini but not enough cabbage? Ever wish you had a better system for growing just the right amount of food? Learn to grow more food no matter how big or small your garden space. In this week's episode, host Theresa Loe interviews Colin McCrate of Seattle Urban Farm Company and one of the authors of: High Yield Vegetable Growing - a new book that shows you how to take your food growing to a whole new level using scaled down farming tips and techniques. In this episode you learn: How just a little planning can make a HUGE difference in your food production, What it means to plant in succession, What is "relay planting", How to calculate exactly how much you need to grow, How to double your crop storage time by harvesting correctly and more. As always, you can get all the links and resources mentioned at: www.LivingHomegrown.com/56 as well as a full PDF transcript of the episode.

Learn how to use smart garden design to get more enjoyment out of your food garden. These tips work for ALL gardens, not just food gardens. But many times when we grow food, we think more about harvesting the tomatoes than we do about good garden design. Right??  Well by adding just a few simple elements to our backyard, we can draw in more wildlife, more pollinators and WAY more enjoyment from our backyard space. In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews author and landscape designer Susan Morrison. They discuss simple ways we can set up our garden to benefit both the gardener AND the wildlife around us. It's all about slowing down to enjoy and appreciate the nature around us. As always, you can visit www.LivingHomegrown.com/55 to get more tips and links as well as a full transcript of the episode.

Ever end up with too much of a good thing?  Too many jars of jam or two many pickles? Every canner has! Well in this episode, you learn how to take those extra preserves and trade them to diversify your panty and your friendships. You see, food swaps are a popular and fun way to meet other artisan food crafters, explore new flavors and make friends at the same time. In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews Emily Paster - the author of "Food Swap: Specialty Recipes for Bartering, Sharing and Giving". You learn: What a food swap is and how it works, Surprising advantages of trading homemade goods, Food swap etiquette, How to avoid legal issues, What is quince paste and how to use it, How to find a food swap in your area or start your own. As always, there are links and resources at www.LivingHomegrown.com/54 as well as a full transcript of the episode.

In this episode you learn the secrets to successfully preserving your garden produce using your freezer. This method is fast and easy if you know the tricks. Host Theresa Loe shares: Which containers work best and why, What is flash freezing and why you should use it on berries, How to disable the enzymes that soften frozen vegetables, Why headspace is so important when freezing in glass containers, What makes tomatoes so easy for freezing, The trick to freezing zucchini quickly. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/53 for the show notes which contain related links and a full transcript of the episode.

Get your canning jar questions answered. In this episode, host Theresa Loe answers 4 listener questions about canning jars. You learn: Why you should include a jar ring when you give away preserves as gifts, What to do with those one use canning lids, How to prevent accidental reuse of used lids, Different options for storing uneaten preserves in the refrigerator, Why we check the rims of jars before each canning session, Tips for storing jars so they stay organized and chip free. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/52 for the show notes which include related links and full transcript of the podcast. 

Stop trying to have the perfect garden and give yourself permission to enjoy the gardening process! In this episode, host Theresa Loe goes over 3 gardening reality checks to help you put your gardening expectations into perspective. And then she dives into 5 simple tips for stopping garden overwhelm in it's tracks before we hit peak harvest time. You learn: The biggest mistake newbie gardeners make, Her secret weapon for fighting weeds organically, A simple trick for keeping track of garden records, The daily practice that will serve you in more ways than you expect. It's all about taking the pressure off ourselves so that we get more out of our gardens than an aching back. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/51 to see the show notes, related links and download the full transcript of the episode. 

Making homemade vinegar is an easy ferment you can try at home. There are two ways to do it and both are covered in this episode. Host Theresa Loe interviews Karla DeLong from Mountain Feed and Farm Supply on the step-by-step methods for creating a vinegar on your countertop. You learn: How to make a vinegar both with a "mother" and without, Why leftover fruit scraps can truly have a second life through fermentation, What is a SCOBY and how does it work, Why setting your brew out at room temperature is totally safe, Why testing for pH is so helpful (and how to do it). For all the links mentioned go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/50 and you will also find a full transcript of the episode.

Learn the science behind the flavor of dried herbs and which herbs are best for drying (and which are not). In this episode, host Theresa Loe shares tips for how to dry herbs that you either harvest yourself or buy at the farmer's market. You learn: The few herbs that are not worth drying (from a culinary standpoint), Why some herbs taste better than others, The science behind essential oils and flavor, The step-by-step instructions for drying herbs. As always, you can get the full transcript at www.LivingHomegrown.com/49 as well as links for more information.

This week's episode answers some listener questions and covers some important canning safety and how to feel confident you are canning correctly. Host Theresa Loe also shares a trick for removing stubborn sticky residue left by old jar labels. You will learn: What causes botulism to throw a party in a canning jar, Why you should NOT water bath can green beans unless they are pickled, A nifty trick for easily removing stubborn canning jar labels that are baked on like cement. As always, you can get more information at www.LivingHomegrown.com/48 including a full transcript and information on the online canning academy. 

Learn the top rookie canning mistakes and how to overcome them. Host Theresa Loe removes some of the road blocks that can cause canners to fail by spelling out some of the common mistakes canners make. But don't feel bad if you've made some of these same mistakes yourself because even advanced canners make them too! In this episode you learn: The most common ways people cover up rather than showcase seasonal flavor, How to best accessorize that flavor, One short cut you should never take, Which salt is best for pickle making, The top tip for pantry storage and so much more. As always, you can go to the show notes to download additional information and the full transcript at www.LivingHomegrown.com/47 as well as get links for more information. Theresa's Canning Academy® is opening its doors in just 2 weeks so be sure to get on the list at www.LivingHomegrown.com/courses to get more information.

Learn what canning myths may be holding you back from reaching your true canning potential. You learn the truth about expense, time and difficulty when canning. Plus you learn: How a good canner is like a master chef - capturing the flavor and suspending it in time, The most compelling reason to can food, and About making jam in 20 minutes with out pectin or even a canner! Host Theresa Loe is opening the doors to her Canning Academy® soon for the spring session. Be sure to sign up to be notified because she only opens the doors a few times each year. The spring session gets you ready in time for summer canning. As always, you can get the show notes, links and the full transcript at www.LivingHomegrown.com/46 and get the PDF recipe for Spiced Blueberry Refrigerator Jam. You can learn more about the Canning Academy at: www.LivingHomegrown.com/Courses 

Learn how canning is much more than preserving a bountiful harvest. In this episode, host Theresa Loe talks about three of the benefits of canning food and how you can reap these benefits even if you do not have a garden. You will learn the many ways canning ties into sustainability, why grocery store produce is not that flavorful (and where to get flavor instead), the secrets behind grocery store tomatoes, and how artisan preserves can tie you directly to a food's story. As always, you can get the full transcript at www.LivingHomegrown.com/45 as well as links to more information. You can also sign up to be notified when Theresa's Canning Academy opens its doors in a few weeks!

Learn the key traits or mindsets needed to be a successful canner - and NO, it is NOT about being perfect or having fancy equipment. In this episode, host Theresa Loe gives you 5 key characteristics you need to bring to the table in order to capture seasonal flavor at its peak. Its not hard. In fact, its all about going with the flow and letting Mother Nature do the work for you. You learn: How to be adventurous while still being safe, The role of lemon and how to harness it, Which additives to bump up and which to avoid and more. As always, you can visit www.LivingHomegrown.com/44 to get all the links mentioned, information on the Canning Academy and a full transcript of the episode.

You don't need a lot of land to grow your own food. In this week's episode, host Theresa Loe interviews Julie Chai - former senior editor at Sunset Magazine all about getting started with edible plants in containers. You learn: What you can and cannot grow in containers, Why you don't want to use your garden soil, Key tips for bountiful crops, How to judge when to water, And tricks for making your own tomato cages. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/43 for a full transcript and links to all the things mentioned in the episode.

Learn how to create a show-stopping garden with just a few simple tricks. In this episode, host Theresa Loe shows you step-by-step how to create an edible garden that is bold, beautiful AND productive. You learn: The three keys to thinking differently about your edibles, How to have edibles in your front yard without the neighbors complaining, Three simple ways to create drama in the landscape, Her secret weapon for creating a garden that is productive and beautiful, The one part that can be tricky to manage...but you can. Foodscape your garden and reap the delicious rewards! As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/42 for the full transcript, related links and the free bonus for this episode is: A PDF Seed Guide featuring compact, but high yielding vegetables.

"It's like 'Slow Food', but with flowers."  Learn how making more sustainable flower choices can truly  impact the environment AND our lives. In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews Debra Prinzing about the Field-to-Vase Slow Flowers movement that is gaining momentum here in America. And about how we as consumers can change our thinking this Valentine's Day (and every day) by seeking out more local, sustainable flower purchases. This episode is packed with practical tips and the show notes list every link mentioned. It's a wealth of information to help you on your sustainable living journey. Visit www.LivingHomegrown.com/41 for related links, a PDF transcript and a listing of handy hints for buying flowers.

This simple syrup is just this side of heaven. Learn how easy it is to make and how versatile it is in the kitchen. It can be used in cocktails, to sweeten tea and lemonade, as a topping for desert and as a glaze on chicken. In this episode, you also learn why you can water bath can rhubarb syrup even though rhubarb is a vegetable. And if you don't want to can it, that's okay too. Host Theresa Loe tells you how to freeze it or store it in the refrigerator. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/40 to get the PDF recipe, a full transcript and links to more information.

New to fermenting food? Learn how to troubleshoot the ferment, what's safe and what's not. Plus learn how to make a simple cranberry/apple ferment (step-by-step) and cultured cocktails along the way! In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews Karen Diggs of Kraut Source and they discuss the benefits of fermented food, is botulism an issue, the exact measurements to make a safe brine, common things that can go wrong and what you should do about them, tips for using the brine after the ferment AND how to make a delicious cultured cocktail. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/39 for all the links mentioned, a full transcript AND a free Fermentation 101 Resource Guide to get you started on your way to making fermented foods yourself. 

Learn how easy it is to make cultured butter at home. You just combine a few simple ingredients (cream with either yogurt or buttermilk), let it culture on the countertop, whip it up and rinse off the buttermilk. Seriously...it is that easy. But the flavor? Beyond amazing. Interested in giving it a go? Host Theresa Loe tells you how. As always, you can get more information at www.LivingHomegrown.com/38 including a printable recipe and the transcript of the episode.

Ready to tackle 2016? Learn a step-by-step method for setting realistic and attainable goals for yourself, your home/garden and your farm-fresh lifestyle. In this episode, host Theresa Loe shares some tips for making those goals a reality. Be sure to check out the show notes at www.LivingHomegrown.com/37 where you will find a downloadable "Goal Setting Worksheet", the full transcript of the episode and several free resources for setting goals. 

Learn the secrets to creating a delicious orange marmalade without the prep time overwhelm.  And learn how to get the perfect texture and gel every, single time. In this week's episode, host Theresa Loe tells you: How to make marmalade in stages, The reason you must use organic fruit, A trick for getting the peel to be the perfect texture, Which ingredient prevents further cooking of the peel, Top equipment recommendations to make the process easier, A tip for getting the proper suspension in the jar and more. As always, you can get the complete recipe as a PDF download at www.LivingHomegrown.com/36  as well as the full transcript and more information on living farm fresh without the farm™.

Need some last minute homemade gifts that are inexpensive and still awesome? Host Theresa Loe has you covered. In this episode you learn about two quick and easy gifts that you can make up to have on hand for emergency giving. And if you don't end up giving them away, they are GREAT for yourself all year long. She covers the complete how-to on creating a DIY home fragrance kit and bath salts. Aside from learning how to make these two gifts, you also learn: The differences between fragrance oils/craft oils and essential oils, How she uses marbles as a fragrance safety feature, And why you should save the pine needles off your Christmas tree. As always, the full transcript and links for more information is available at www.LivingHomegrown.com as well as two printable PDFs with instructions.

Discover the secrets to getting more flavor from your garden. In this week's podcast, host Theresa Loe interviews author Willi Galloway (Cook, Grow Eat) on some of the more unusual ways we can get top-notch flavor from homegrown food. You will learn: Two unusual ways to use fresh (green) coriander seeds (one may surprise you), Which vegetable is more like a teenager than a delicate green, The best sources for buying seeds, Why locally-sourced seeds will give you more bank for your buck and top tips for some of the more unusual vegetables to grow. As always, you can get the full transcript and links at www.LivingHomegrown.com/34 including a special FREE PDF listing all the plants and seed sources mentioned in the episode.

Learn to make homemade liqueur in half the time with twice the flavor. In as little as 7-10 days you can have delicious fruit liqueur that is perfect for gift giving. In this episode, host Theresa Loe shares: The 3 secrets behind an accelerated method, The best spirits to use as your base, Which fruit works for making fast liqueur, The step-by-step method for quick liqueurs, Packaging tips for your homemade gifts, How long liqueurs last on the pantry shelf. As always, you can get a full transcript of this episode at www.LivingHomegrown.com/33 as well as two PDF handouts: One for the liqueur recipe and one for making a liqueur martini. Or visit www.LivingHomegrown.com for more information on Living Farm Fresh Without The Farm™.

Learn the secrets to having both a productive garden AND a flock of chickens at the same time. In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews author and award-winning landscape designer Jessi Bloom about her popular book: Free Range Chicken Gardens - How to create a beautiful, chicken-friendly yard. You learn: Some of the surprising benefits of having chickens (and we don't mean the eggs), How many chickens is "just right" for you, How to design your garden so everyone is happy, What you should know about chicken manure before you use it and MUCH more. As always, you can get more information at www.LivingHomegrown.com/32 where you will also find a full PDF transcript of the podcast and the PBS episode featuring Jessi on Growing A Greener World TV.

Learn the important things to check every time you pull a home-canned jar off the pantry shelf. It is a very important habit to have. In this episode you learn: The difference between spoilage and botulism, What you should never do with a suspicious jar, Seven signs that your canned goods have spoiled, What we now know about mold that our grandparents didn't know, Best practices when storing your canned goods. As aways, you can visit www.LivingHomegrown.com/31 for a PDF of the transcript, show notes and links for more information on canning and canning safety.

Learn some important canning lessons and tricks with this simple (yet delicious) cranberry sauce recipe. It is perfect for Thanksgiving Day (for yourself or as a hostess gift) and even BETTER as a spread on turkey sandwiches the day after. It is a small-batch recipe so there is not a lot of mess or fuss. It's the perfect beginner canning recipe. But you can always skip the canning part and just store it in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks. In this episode, host Theresa Loe shares: Her favorite ingredients for bumping up the cranberry flavor to a gourmet level, Three strategies for handling a foamy jam or cranberry sauce, Why you never need pectin to get the gel, The exact step-by-step instructions for this small-batch recipe. As always, you can visit www.LivingHomegrown.com/30 for the full transcript, a printable PDF of the recipe and more tips and information on canning.

Nothing beats the flavor of homemade applesauce on a cold winter day. NOW is the time to create and preserve that flavor for later. In this episode, host Theresa Loe shows you the EASY way to make homemade applesauce when she answers a listener question on preserving large batches of apples. But the beauty is that you can make and can up any amount of apples you have using a slow cooker (crockpot). In this episode you learn: Two ways to preserve/process large amounts of apples, How to make applesauce the easy way (overnight), The role of sugar in canning applesauce, Two ways to preserve applesauce for later, Color changes and spice recommendations. As always, you can go to the show notes at: www.livinghomegrown.com/29 for the links mentioned, a PDF of the recipe and the downloadable transcript of the episode.

Learn to create a wild fermentation starter called a "Ginger Bug" and start brewing your own homemade Ginger Ale. Home brewed sodas are super easy and allow you to control exactly what is in them. In this episode you will learn: The benefits of homemade soda, How to make a ginger bug with only 3 simple ingredients, Which organic sugar is best for this project, The exact steps for brewing your own ginger ale (also known as ginger beer), How to create a fermentation rhythm, AND some bonus tips for fermentation success. You can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/28 for a PDF of the transcript, a full printable recipe and resources for more soda making info. 

Every canner has to make their own decision about what they feel comfortable doing when it comes to safety. But in the case of pumpkin butter or pumpkin puree, many feel it is odd that it's considered unsafe to put it up in a jar. In this podcast episode, host Theresa Loe explains not only the data that is used to determine the USDA guidelines, but she also explains why pumpkin is handled a little different than you would expect. Surprisingly, you have to look at it from a gardener's perspective. You will learn: The backstory on why the recommendations changed many years back, The 3 characteristics that are causing the safety issue, How commercial companies get around it, The fastest and easiest way to preserve pumpkin at home. As always, you can visit www.LivingHomegrown.com/27 to get all the links mentioned as well as a full PDF transcript of this episode. 

The Hands-On Home book was just released a few days ago and features DIY cooking and home keeping projects for a more productive home. Host Theresa Loe got a sneak peak at this book and she brings on author/blogger Erica Strauss to share what this book is all about AND ways to better utilize the food that we grow or buy locally.  In this episode you learn: Professional chef tips for saving flavor and money, Why you should get creative with food scraps, How just a little kitchen prep can save you at dinner time, How you can win a FREE copy of Erica's book for yourself. As always, you can visit www.LivingHomegrown.com/26 for all the links mentioned, a PDF of the transcript, and information on the Canning Academy (Theresa's online canning course). 

You've got questions and Theresa has your answers. In this episode, Theresa answers a few questions from a listener about quick pickles. You learn: What you should do if you run short on brine, The most important ingredients for safety in quick pickles, Which ingredients you can change or leave out, What happens if the cucumbers are NOT covered in brine, If natural sea salt may be substituted for pickling or Kosher salt in refrigerator pickles. As always, there is lots more info (including a pickle making video) and the full PDF transcript of this episode at LivingHomegrown.com/25 - So be sure to check out the website!

Discover the wonders of flavored vinegars using seasonal produce and herbs. They are super easy to make, packed with flavor and make great gifts come holiday time. In this episode, host Theresa Loe shares: The basic formula for making flavored vinegar that always works, Some sample flavor combos that pack a punch, The 3 best vinegars to use as your base (pros/cons of each), Which vinegar you should never use, The exact steps needed to make your first batch of flavored vinegar, How best to store them for longevity and flavor. As always, you can get a full PDF transcript of the entire episode at www.LivingHomegrown.com/24 and you will also find links to everything mentioned in the episode. 

Learn all about Weck® Jars in this episode including: What they are, What it means to NOT be USDA approved, The 4 components that make them work, The basics of how they are used, How to test seals and open jars, The benefits and drawbacks compared to standard jars in the United States. Be sure to visit www.LivingHomegrown.com/23 to get the full transcript as well as related links for more information. 

Learn what the fuss is about with the organizational method of KonMari and how you can apply the principles of the hugely popular book: "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up" by Marie Kondo to your homestead organization. It is NOT just for organizng your sock drawer. Using this method (even in small portions of your homelife), can help streamline all of your homesteading efforts. But you need to decide if this method is for you. So, tune in to learn: What the KonMari Method is and how it works, Why host Theresa Loe was initially skeptical, How she is now using it to work more efficiently, How you can apply it to your basic homestead organization. Visit www.LivingHomegrown.com/22 to get all the links mentioned in the show notes or to download the full transcript of the episode.

Discover how easy it is to help support the bees while also improving your own backyard food production. In this episode, Theresa Loe interviews garden expert Robin Haglund of Garden Mentors® to discuss: Why bees are so important to our everyday lives, What makes bumblebees best suited to pollinate our tomatoes, What flower we should always plant near our tomatoes if we want a good crop, Why cleaning up the garden can be a BAD thing, The top 5 tips for supporting bees in our backyard and...How it might be possible to have bee hives in your yard WITHOUT being the beekeeper. Be sure to visit LivingHomegrown.com/21 for links, bee-related videos and to download the full transcript of this episode.

Learn how to make pickles THE EASY WAY - in the refrigerator! These pickles are fast, delicious and you never have to break out the canner. In this episode you learn:  The 3 main types of pickles,  What to do with large and small harvests of cucumbers,  Why refrigerator pickles are so great for newbies,  Three advantages of refrigerator pickles, Theresa's top 10 tips for getting a good pickle, A walkthrough of a simple bread n' butter recipe.  For more information (including links) be sure to visit: www.LivingHomegrown.com/20 and download the full transcript.

Learn all about how to use a steam juicer for canning. In this episode, Theresa gives you the whole scoop on: What a steam juicer is, How it works, The 5 key advantages of using one, Why it is NOT just for large batches of produce, Why Theresa uses marbles when canning, The differences between steam juicing and mechanical juicing, The nutritional differences between different methods and Where you can find steam juicers for purchase. As always, you will find show notes at LivingHomegrown.com/19 which includes photos, links and a full downloadable transcript of the episode. You can also sign up for Theresa's weekly newsletter and for information on her online canning classes on the website. Come on over and join in on the preservation conversation!

How to make wine salt: Learn all about this delicious season salt which combines a wine reduction with salt and herbs. It is simple to make and adds a punch of flavor to any savory dish. Once made, it lasts up to 6 months on your pantry shelf.  

In this episode you learn: What foods pair well with this seasoning, The key to getting good flavor, Two ways Theresa bumps up that flavor, The exact recipe and a walk through of how to make it yourself.  If you would like to see a quick (2 min) video on how it's done, go to the show notes for this episode at: www.LivingHomegrown.com/18 and you can also get the full recipe in text form to print for later.  

For more information on Living Farm Fresh Without The Farm (Preserving, Small-Space Food Growing & Living Sustainably) and Theresa's online Canning Academy, be sure to visit the website: LivingHomegrown.com

Learn tips for getting the most from your canning efforts.  
Have you ever made a canning recipe and ended up with way MORE or way LESS than you were supposed to? In this episode, Theresa explains why that happens and offers tips for how you can always get the most from your hard work when canning. She covers: Is it you or the recipe?, The two main reasons for yield discrepancies, Different units of measure, and more...   
As always, you can learn more over at LivingHomegrown.com/17 where there are free resources to help you live farm fresh without the farm.

Feeling overwhelmed with all there is to learn with canning, growing food or general homesteading skills? Well, this podcast episode guides you on where to start to build confidence and keep it fun.  You will learn: Three feelings that hold people back, The place to start no matter where you are in terms of skill level now, Why all the support and help you need is waiting for you.  For all the links mentioned, plus more information on homesteading, canning, and raising chickens, go to LivingHomegrown.com/16 AND you will also find a full downloadable transcript of the episode.

Learn about what it takes to become a beginning backyard beekeeper and some behind-the-scenes stories of filming a bee episode for a TV show on PBS. Theresa interviews her TV producing partner - TV host and executive producer, Joe Lamp'l (who also happens to be a beginning beekeeper). Theresa & Joe discuss filming "A Year in The Life of a Beginning Beekeeper", a TV episode they produced for PBS.   
You will learn: The "why" behind Growing A Greener World the TV series, The importance of bees, Where you can go to learn the basics of beekeeping, What to expect your first year, Can bees be ordered through the mail?, Some of the basics of this exciting hobby.
Even if you never want to have bees of your own, you will learn a lot about these amazing creatures and why we should support them in our gardens. For a full transcript of this episode and links to more beekeeping information, visit www.LivingHomegrown.com/15 and as always...be sure to listen past the closing music for the bloopers!

In this episode, you tour an 1892 farmstead in Northern California that is being restored to its former glory. Learn about the flavors of the 65 heirloom fruit trees on the property, the challenges and benefits of growing older trees and learn tips for getting the very best fruit production and flavor from trees in your own backyard.

This episode covers just a few of the must-know canning practices to keep yourself safe. Learn: Why photographs of canning jars are often so misleading, The optimal time to remove jar rings, 3 key reasons jar ring recommendations are important, The storage mistake that can waste your canning efforts and more.  Visit www.LivingHomegrown.com/13 for more information and free resources for canning and preserving.

In this episode, you learn how to go about picking the best backyard chickens for YOUR situation.  

You learn: The key questions to ask yourself before making decisions, The breeds best suited for children and small spaces, If it is okay to mix your flock, The exact breeds I personally have, Where to buy those chickens once you decide what you want.  

As always, you can visit LivingHomegrown.com/12 for a lot more information over on the website including a chicken breed selector tool, recommended books AND the full transcript of this episode. 

In this episode, host Theresa Loe answers a listener question about water bath canning and safety. 

You learn: Which foods are safe for water bath canning, Why certain pH rules eliminate the fear of botulism, Why today's tomatoes are different from our Grandmother's era, The critical must-follow step for canning tomatoes, All about water levels in the canner, The key reasons for elevating the jars...AND the science behind some of the canning techniques. 

You can get related links and a full transcript of this episode in the show notes over at: www.LivingHomegrown.com/11 plus you will find other free canning information.

We all lead very busy lives. And that can make it difficult to carve out time for canning and preserving. This can be especially hard when the entire harvest ripens at once!

In this podcast episode, Theresa offers tips for making the most of your canning time. Discover how to reduce overwhelm and more fully enjoy the process with these simple techniques.

You learn about the common mistake that can cost you 20% of your time, the chef tip that is the key to your efficiency, the most overlooked part of preparing, and how to break up your canning into stages.

Learn more, get related links and the full transcript of the episode in the show notes for this episode at: LivingHomegrown.com/10

Learn how easy it is to start a culinary herb garden and how to preserve those herbs once you grow them.

Learn:

The key growing elements you need for success,

Which herb changes flavor based on temperature,

How to get lemon flavor without lemon bitterness,

Which herbs are worthless when dried,

Theresa's four go-to freezing methods for herbs (including herb concentrate). 

For the full transcript and show notes with links, go to LivingHomegrown.com/09

This episode is all about how to keep backyard chickens in the city.

It covers: The top things to consider BEFORE getting chickens, How to check your city ordinances, Having a "rooster plan", Keeping the neighbors happy, How egg production works, The minimum number of chickens you should keep and MORE.

For full show notes and transcript, visit LivingHomegrown.com/08

Learn about the different types of pickles you can make and the pros and cons of each. Delicious sample recipes of each type of pickle are in the show notes for this episode. Just go to: www.LivingHomgrown.com/07 for recipes and links to more information on pickles.

Learn the basics of fermenting food and how to get started.

In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews Karen Diggs - the founder of Kraut Source. She shares how to ferment in small batches using an ordinary mason jar.

You learn how lacto-fermentation works, the health benefits, which salts to use and the steps to a simple beginner recipe.

In this Q & A episode, Theresa Loe answers a listener question on pickling salt. Learn what it is, how to use it, if you can make substitutions in pickling recipes and where to buy it.

Host Theresa Loe interviews author Andrea Bellamy (Small Space Vegetable Gardens) as they talk about everything from the secrets of beet greens, carrot tops and radish pods to legal and illegal places to grow food. Then Andrea tells the story of her wheat growing project from seed to flour to homemade pizza.

More info on how to do it yourself is on the website: www.LivingHomegrown.com/04

Lots of tips on food growing included - plus a Giveaway of the book!

This episode is all about growing food when you have little to no garden space and thinking outside the garden plot. But the tips and ideas here will inspire anyone (no matter where you grow) to take food growing to the next level. 

In this episode, two listeners get their jam questions answered. 

Theresa shares info on:

• How to use frozen fruit in jam making
• Tips for freezing fruit in canning jars (BPA Free)
• Tricks for using up leftover jam
• Jam Salad Dressing (ea. jam makes it unique)
• Jam Spritzers
• And more...

Learn all about making yogurt at home, how to get different flavors and textures and how to make it without any special equipment.

Learn why should we consider canning and DIY food crafting, how we are tied to the story of our food and what we can do to bump up flavor.

Get the whole scoop on what this podcast series is about. In this episode you will learn: how you can live farm fresh without the farm, why grocery stores limit your flavorful food choices and what you can do about it, what topics and experts will be featured in this series, how you can get your canning and small-space homesteading questions answered and the background and training of host Theresa Loe.