The Beanstalk : A Podcast for Gardeners

Episode 59 – Peanuts – Peculiar, Productive, and Underground

Episode 59 – Peanuts – Peculiar, Productive, and Underground This week on The Beanstalk, we're digging into one of the strangest crops you can grow: peanuts! From their surprising underground fruiting habit to their connection with soil health and nitrogen fixation, peanuts are far more fascinating than most people realize. We'll talk varieties, growing tips, harvesting, seed saving, common challenges, and even make a batch of homemade peanut butter. Whether you've grown them before or are just learning how they actually develop, this episode is packed with practical advice and a few surprises along the way. 🌱🥜🌿

Episode 58 – Turnips – Humble, Hardy, and Helpful

Episode 58 – Turnips – Humble, Hardy, and Helpful Turnips might just be the most misunderstood vegetable in the garden, and in this episode of The Beanstalk, we're setting the record straight. 🌱 We'll explore sweet Japanese salad turnips, classic heirlooms, growing tips, common problems, and why this humble crop has been feeding people for thousands of years. Plus, we'll roast up some maple-glazed turnips and give those often-overlooked greens the attention they deserve. Whether you're already a turnip fan or a lifelong skeptic, this episode might just convince you to give them another chance. 🥕✨

Episode 57 – Fruit Trees – Patient, Productive, and Rewarding

Episode 57 – Fruit Trees – Patient, Productive, and Rewarding In this episode of The Beanstalk, we're heading into the orchard to explore the world of fruit trees. 🌳 From apples and pears to peaches, plums, and nectarines, we cover choosing varieties, planting, watering, pruning, and dealing with common challenges. I also share some thoughts from this unusually warm winter and how it had me paying closer attention to chill hours and the health of my own trees. Whether you're planting your first backyard fruit tree or already dreaming of a small orchard, this episode is packed with practical advice for the long haul. 🍎🍑🌱

Episode 56 – Bok Choi – Crisp, Quick, and Versatile

Episode 56 – Bok Choi – Crisp, Quick, and Versatile In this episode of The Beanstalk, we take a deep dive into bok choi, one of the fastest-growing and most underrated vegetables you can grow. 🌱 We cover planting, harvesting, common pests, companion planting, and why this cool-season brassica deserves a permanent spot in more gardens. We also cook up a simple garlic ginger stir-fried bok choi recipe and explore the fascinating history behind this ancient crop. Whether you're growing it for the first time or looking to improve your harvests, there's plenty to dig into in this episode. 🥬

Episode 55 – Tea Gardens – Calm, Useful, and Underrated

Episode 55 – Tea Gardens – Calm, Useful, and Underrated In this episode of The Beanstalk, we slow things down and explore the world of tea gardens. 🌱 From mint and chamomile to lemon balm and lavender, we talk about growing herbs specifically for teas, relaxation, and everyday comfort. We cover harvesting, drying, common issues, and even put together a calming homemade tea blend straight from the garden. It’s a quieter kind of gardening episode — but one that connects the garden to daily life in a really meaningful way.