PlanterTomato Vegetable Gardening Podcast

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PlanterTomato Vegetable Gardening Blog

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The New Potato Chip Is Made From Kale (Podcast)

In this Podast, I provide a delicious alternative to potato chips.  Don't tell the kids, but they are also very healthy.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Wednesday, January 25, 2012:

PlanterTomato 1_25_2012 Kale Chips

Hardiness Zones Systems & Plant Selection (Podcast)

In this podcast, I cover three systems for determining which plants to grow in your area.

PlanterTomato 1_22_2012 Hardiness Zone Systems

My 2012 Garden Plan - What's In and What's Out (Podcast)

In this Podcast, I'll let you know what's going what's being added and dropped to my garden in 2012 and share my 2012 garden plan.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Sunday, January 15, 2011:

PlanterTomato 1_15_2012 My 2012 Garden Plan

Photo: Jimmy Nardello Pepper

Ten Interesting New Vegetable Varieties for 2012 (Podcast)

In this Podcast, I highlight some new varieties that caught my eye as I thumbed through the pages of the 2012 seed catalogs.  Some are new varieties, some are just new to me, and some are just plain wacky.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Wednesday, January 11, 2012:

 

PlanterTomato 1_11_2012 Ten New Vegetables for 2012

 

Best Vegetable Seed Companies (Podcast)

Over the course of the next several posts, I'll let you know what I believe is new or interesting in the 2012 seed catalogs and also share my 2012 garden plan with you. To get things rolling, I'm providing a list of twenty of my favorite seed companies from whom I've purchased over the years. 

PlanterTomato Podcast for Sunday, January 8, 2012:

PlanterTomato 1_8_2012 Best Vegetable Seed Catalogs

 

Yuzu: Citrus Fruit For Harvest in Winter (Podcast)

A citrus fruit that can be grown in temperate climates and harvested in Winter for holiday recipes.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Thursday, December 29, 2011:

PlanterTomato 12_29_11 Yuzu

 

Chicken Lovers Eggnog Recipe (Podcast)

This recipe for eggnog comes courtesy of House and Garden Magazine from the 1970's.  It's made better if you are able to include fresh eggs from your own chickens, so I call it Chicken Lovers Eggnog.

PlanterTomato_12_24_2011 Chicken Lovers Eggnog

Four Reasons Why You Can't Really Use Homegrown Ingredients to Make Beer (Podcast)

I've been experimenting with growing grain in my suburban backyard.  It's fun to think of growing grain and then converting it to beer. In this Podcast, I provide information about the ingredients in beer and the four reasons why growing your own ingredients isn't practical.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Sunday, December 18, 2011

PlanterTomato 12_18_2011 Growing Ingredients for Beer

 

Best Vegetables for Beginner Gardeners - The Top Ten (Podcast)

Beginner vegetable gardeners always ask what they should be growing.  In this Podcast, I provide guidance on the best choices for new gardeners.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Sunday, December 11, 2011:

PlanterTomato 12_11_11 Top Ten Vegetables for New Gardeners

 

Honey Bees In Winter (Podcast)

A few fun facts about how bees survive the Winter.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Sunday, December 4, 2011:

PlanterTomato 11_4_2011 Honey Bees In Winter

 

2011 Holiday Gift Guide for Gardeners (Podcast)

With Thanksgiving behind us, it's time to start thinking about Holiday gifts for friends and family.  Here is my list of holiday gifts for guy and gal gardeners:

PlanterTomato Podcast for Sunday, November 27, 2011:

PlanterTomato 11_27_2011 Holiday Gifts for Gardeners

For photos and web links to items mentioned in this Podcast, check out my website posting on Holiday Gifts.

Barbour Coat

 

Yummy Thanksgiving Side Dish - Roasted Root Vegetables (Podcast)

If you haven't decided what to put next to your Turkey this Thanksgiving, here's a side dish that is easy to prepare and delicious.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Wednesday, November 24, 2011:

PlanterTomato 11_24_2011 Roasted Root Vegetables

Awesome Pumpkin Pie from Galeux D'Eysines (Podcast)

Every Thanksgiving I make a pumpkin pie but my twist on the classic recipe is to substitute a winter squash grown in my garden for the pumpkin in the ingredient list.  In my opinion, a pie made with fresh winter squash leaves pie made with canned pumpkin in the dust.  Learn the recipe and more about the Galeux D'Eysines squash in this Podcast.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Sunday, November 20, 2011:

PlanterTomato 11_20_2011 Galeux DEysines Pumpkin Pie

How to Make Mead - Wine from Honey (Podcast)

Honey wine, known more properly as "mead," is probably the first alcoholic beverage created by humans, predating the now much more popular wine and beer.  While not commonly available as a commercially produced product, mead is very easy to make at home.  In this posting, I'll tell you a little bit about this ancient beverage and give you basic instructions on how to make it.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Sunday, November 13, 2011:

PlanterTomato 11_13_2011 How To Make Mead or Honey Wine

 

Beware of Store Bought Honey: Another Reason To Keep Bees (Podcast)

A recent article by Food Safety News suggests that honey purchased at most grocery and club stores may be adulterated or contaminated.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Wednesday, November 9, 2011:

PlanterTomato 11_6_2011 Dangerous Honey

 

Grinding Your Own Flint or Dent Corn (Podcast)

In this Podcast, I describe the steps you need to grind home grown flint or dent corn and how to calculate your yield in bushels per acre.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Sunday, November 6, 2011.

PlanterTomato 11_6_2011 Grinding Corn

 

How to Can Sweet Peppers (Podcast)

In this Podcast, I'll show you how to preserve sweet peppers.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Sunday, October 30, 2011:

PlanterTomato10_30_2011 Canning Sweet Peppers

 

Delicious Pasta Sauce: Secret Ingredients Revealed (Podcast)

An awesome pasta sauce that uses two secret ingredients to make the dish.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Wednesday, October 26, 2011:

 

PlanterTomato10_26_2011 Pasta Sauce Secret Ingredients

Getting Your Bee Hive Ready For Winter - A Checklist (Podcast)

In this Podcast, I provide a check list of things you need to do to prepare your hives for the cold months of Winter. 

PlanterTomato Podcast for Sunday, October 23, 2011:

 

PlanterTomato10_23_2011 Bees Winter Checklist

 

Photo: During my most recent inspection, I found that both hives have more than enough honey to get through our temperate Northern California Winters.

Minnesota Midget Cantaloupe (Podcast)

How to grow the Minnesota Midget

PlanterTomato Podcast for Tuesday, October 18, 2011

PlanterTomato_11_18_2011 Minnesota Midge

 

Growing Wheat In Your Home Garden (Podcast)

 In this Podcast, I tell you how to grow wheat in your home garden and provide information about an heirloom variety of that is reputed to be excellent for pasta and bread.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Sunday October 16, 2011:

PlanterTomato 10_16_2011 Frassinetto Wheat

How to Make A Fantastic Halloween Pumpkin (Podcast)

In this Podcast, I provide some ideas to get you thinking about Halloween and information on how to carve a great jack-o-lantern.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Sunday, October 9, 2011:

PlanterTomato_10_9_2011 Fantastic Halloween Pumpkins

 

Overwintering Onions & Garlic (Podcast)

Now is the time to get your onion and garlic sets.  Learn all about onions and garlic in this Podcast.

Overwintering Onions Garlic

 

Puntarelle & Italian Sausage Pasta (Podcast)

This is a quick gourmet pasta dish that is a nice change from traditional tomato or cream based pasta dishes.  It's made with Italian Sausage and Puntarelle (Italian Dandelion).

PlanterTomato Podcast for Thursday, September 14, 2011: 

PlanterTomato_9_14_2011 Puntarelle & Suasage Pasta

 

Top Ten Vegetables for Fall & Winter Harvests (Podcast)

You can grow and harvest plenty of fresh veggies during the fall and winter. Even in coldest parts of the country (zone 4), you can grow these veggies in the winter if you provide additional protection such as a double insulated cold frame, tunnel, or greenhouse. 

PlanterTomato Podcast for Sunday, September 11, 2011:

PlanterTomato_9_11_2011 Top 10 Vegetables for Fall & Winter

 

Awesome Apples: Cox's Orange Pippin (Podcast)

In this Podcast, I report success growing Cox's Orange Pippin apples and provide some tips on how to protect your dwarf fruit trees from squirrels.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Wednesday, September 6, 2011: 

PlanterTomato 9_6_2011 Awesome Apples

 

How to Can Tomatoes (Podcast)

In this posting, I'll show you how to can tomatoes using both the hot water bath method and with a pressure canner.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Monday, September 5, 2011:

How to Can Tomatoes

 

Farming with Dynamite (Podcast)

So many uses of dynamite in farming that Dupont put out a brochure. Credit where credit is due... I saw this pamphlet posted on Root Simple gardening blog and couldn't resist sharing a laugh with you.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Saturday, September 3, 2o11:

PlanterTomato 9_3_2011 Farming with Dynamite

How to Make The Best French Fries & The Right Potatoes To Do So (Podcast)

In this Podcast, I'll explain which types of potatoes make the best french fries and explain how to cook them.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Sunday, August 21, 2011:

PlanterTomato 8_21_2011 French Fries

Putting Away Shelling Beans for Winter (Podcast)

Growing, Harvesting & Storing Soldier Beans.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Wednesday, August 17, 2011.

 

PlanterTomato 8_17_2011 Growing Shelling Beans

 

How To Can Green Beans (Podcast)

In this Podcast, I explain how to use a pressure canner to preserve green beans.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Sunday, August 14, 2011:

 

PlanterTomato 8_14_2011 Canning Green Beans

 

Camomile Ornamental & Edible At the Same Time (Podcast)

If you like chamomile tea, you'll like it better when its made with fresh chamomile flowers.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Saturday, August 13, 2011:

PlanterTomato 8_13_2011 Camomile Tea

Photo: German Chamomile 

 

A Bad Year For Tomatoes (Podcast)

Weather, aphids and wilt have made this year a bad one for tomatoes.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Wednesday, August 10, 2011:

 

PlanterTomato 8_10_2011 A Bad Year For Tomatoes

 

Flint Corn & Grain Mills Used To Grind Corn, Wheat & Other Grains (Podcast)

In this podcast, I'll let you know a little about your options to grind flint corn and other grains into flour.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Sunday August 7, 2011:

PlanterTomato 8_7_2011 Grain Mills

Stupice: Early Seaon Tomato Review (Podcast)

Last week, we got our first tomato of the season.  A new variety for me this year, Stupice (pronounced stew-peach-ka) is an early season, heirloom, variety from Czechoslovakia.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Monday, July 11, 2011:

PlanterTomato_7_11_2011 Stupice Tomato Review

Oatmeal from Groats (Podcast)

In April, I posted about my experience growing hulless oats.  I planted oats in a small area of my suburban garden to see if I could successfully overwinter them and also to get a feel for the process of growing grain in a backyard garden.  In this Podcast, I describe the process of harvesting, threshing and winnowing the grain.  I also share some a tip about how to cook it.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Monday, July 4, 2011:

PlanterTomato 7_4_2011 Harvesting Oats

Not All Corn Is Sweet Corn (Podcast)

Every year I grow sweet corn in my garden.  However, this year, I'm also growing a variety of corn that is not meant to be eaten fresh and is not sweet at all.  In this posting, I'll discuss different types of corn that can be grown in the home garden.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Sunday, June 19, 2011:

 

PlanterTomato6_19_2011 Flint Corn

 

Growing Sugarcane in the Backyard (Podcast)

In this post, I hatch another crazy gardening idea to grow sugarcane in my backyard.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Sunday, June 12, 2011:

PlanterTomato6_12_2011 Growing Sugarcane

Great Outdoor Gifts for Father's Day 2011

If you're looking for gift ideas for your backyard loving dad, you've come to the right place.  Here are my picks for 2011.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Sunday Evening, June 5, 2011:

PlanterTomato6_5_2011 Father's Day Gifts 2011

How to Harvest, Store And Pickle Garlic (Podcast)

In this posting, I'll describe when to harvest garlic and the easiest, and perhaps the best, way to store it.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Sunday, June 5, 2011:

PlanterTomato6_5_2011 Garlic

Ultra_Breeze: A Better Bee Suit (Podcast)

In this posting, I review the unique Ultra-Breeze Bee suit.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Monday, May 30, 2011:

PlanterTomato 5_30_11 Ultra-Breeze

Ducks or Chickens: Which Have Better Eggs (Podcast)

In this Podcast, I explain the differences between duck and chicken eggs and make recommendations for those considering adding both types of poultry to their backyard farms.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Sunday, May 22, 2011:

PlanterTomato5_22_11 Duck Eggs

Artichokes: How To Grow Them And Two Recipes (Podcast)

In this Podcast I'll give you information on how to grow artichokes and provide you with a recipe I learned in Rome.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Sunday, May 15, 2011:

PlanterTomato_5_15_2011 Artichokes

Apples In Bloom: Tips for New Fruit Tree Growers (Podcast)

Over the last few weeks, the apple trees I purchased in January, 2010 began blooming.  I'm a newbie when it comes fruit trees and made a number of mistakes.  In this posting, I'll let you know the mistakes to avoid, guidelines on growing apples and tips on how to select apple and other fruit trees for your garden.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Sunday, May 8, 2011:

PlanterTomato5_8_11 Apples 3

Oats on the Way: An Experiment Growing Grain In Suburbia (Podcast)

In the fall of last year, I planted a small amount of oats as an experiment to see if I could overwinter them.  As the days have gotten longer, the oats are now shooting up.  In this Podcast, I'll let you know a little bit about timing a grain harvest.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Wednesday, April 27, 2011:

PlanterTomato_4_27_11 Oats In Suburbia

Native Plants For Pollinators By Zip Code (Podcast)

My wife came across the Pollinator Partnership web site and I'd like to pass it forward to PlanterTomato readers.  The Partnership's mission is to promote conservation and to promote the health of pollinators that are critical to food and ecosystems.  The partnership has an on-line tool that uses your zip code to generate a list of native plants are good for pollinators (bees, bats, beetles and other critters)

PlanterTomato Podcast for Sunday April 24, 2011: 

PlanterTomato4_24_11 Pollinators

 

Great Gardening Gifts For Mother's Day 2011 (Podcast)

This year, Mother's Day falls on Sunday May 8th.  With the holiday just around the corner, I thought I'd provide a list of gift ideas for your special gardener.  Here are my top ten Mother's Day Gift ideas.  They range in price from $10-$200.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Saturday, April 23, 2011:

PlanterTomato3_23_11 Mothers Day Gifts

 

Ten Steps To Installing Bees In Your Beehive (Podcast)

In my last posting, I described what you get when you purchase a "package" of bees.  In this posting, I'll tell you had to get your new hive up and running.

PlanterTomato podcast for Wednesday, April 20, 2011:

PlanterTomato4_20_2011 Bee Hive 10 Steps

Here's a link to the Penn State University Video on Installing A Beehive

How To Install Bees In A Beehive Part I (Podcast)

Once the almond crop is pollinated in Northern California, commercial bee suppliers break up the hives and sell bees in "packages" to anyone interested in starting a new colony.  This generally happens in early to mid-April.  Last week, I picked up two bee packages and created two new hives.  In this first in a series of two postings, I'll explain what you get when you order a package of bees.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Sunday, April 17, 2011:

PlanterTomato4_17_2011 Install Bee Hive Pt. I

New Grafted Tomatoes Promise Increased Harvests (Podcast)

Last weekend I attended the San Francisco Garden Show and saw a vendor selling grafted tomatoes.  In this posting, I'll describe this new type of tomato and its proposed benefits.

PlanterTomato Podcast for Sunday, April 10, 2011:

PlanterTomato4_11_11 Grafted Tomatoes