January 18th, 2022: Mushroom Cultivation with Kate Roelke

This episode on: Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Libsyn

In this episode we start our short tangent into the world of Fungi. We start off by talking with Kate Roelke, a lab mycologist (formerly) at North Spore. She will tell us all about the life cycle of mushrooms along with lots information about various cultivation techniques and some specifics about a few different species. If you want to get in touch with Kate you can find her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/kateroelke/ In the episode Kate recommends the book Organic Mushroom Farming and Mycoremediation by Trad Cotter. If you want to use hydrated agricultural lime for cold pasteurizing mushroom substrates, try using just over 1/3 cup of lime per 5 gallons water. If you want to participate in North Spore’s Research Partners program, click here.

December 31st, 2021: 2021 Growing Season Wrap-up

This episode on: Apple, Spotify, Libsyn, Stitcher

In this episode of Propaganda By The Seed, we take a look back on the 2021 growing season on our homesteads. We talk about new plants & crops we grew this year, surprises, and what we learned growing in this year of collapsing empire, global pandemics and climate weirdness.

Check out these neat folks on instagram: Mallory O’Donnell // Alexis Nikole

Aaron is about to release his 2022 Seed Catalogue in the first week in January, pick up seeds at edgewood-nursery.com

October 11th, 2021: Seed Saving

In this episode Aaron goes into all the basics of seed saving.  We cover the different kinds of plants and how they make seeds, how to collect, when to collect, and how to deal with dry and wet seeds.  We also give an overview of different methods for processing seeds once collected, how to store them, and why its important to do such things in an alienated and collapsing world. 

This episode has three video companions which you can find below or peep ‘em on our instagram... @propagandabytheseed

Produced by Chris Bergman from Listening House Media.

Extra resources PDF

Open Source Seed Cleaner Plans

This episode was adapted from a workshop Aaron presents sometimes, you can also check out the companion slideshow

August 18th, 2021: Kiwis with Jesse Stevens

This episode on: Stitcher, Apple, Spotify, Libsyn

In this episode we talk with Jesse Stevens of Sy's Trees about all things hardy Kiwi (Actinidia arguta and A. kolomikta). We cover the ins and outs of propagating, cultivating and enjoying these vigorous and hardy vines. We also touch on a few other unusual crops Jesse is cultivating in his diverse orchard in Sweden, Maine.

If you would like to get in touch with Jesse to purchase plants or propagation materials you can email him at systrees*at*gmail.com

Jesse checking on containers of cuttings rooting on top of a thermophilic compost pile, the heat provided by the pile helps the dormant cuttings grow roots before the leaf buds open.

Jesse in the middle of a zone 4 in ground fig planting ready for spring. The pieces of granite counter top help to create a hot microclimate for figs to ripen in.

May 28th, 2021: Figs w/ Miekal And of Beyond Vineyard

Potted Figs at Edgewood Nursery

This episode on: Stitcher, Spotify, Apple

In this episode we talk to Miekal and of Beyond Vineyard talking about figs, and provide a basic tutorial on how to grow them and propagate them. We also talk about his work breeding Siberian C Peach. This conversation also gets into his back story as an anarchist visual artist, performer, writer, publisher, and now permaculturist and winemaker. For more information on Miekal’s work or to buy some plants from him visit Beyond vineyard.

April 30th, 2021: Paw Paws with Partisan Gardens

This episode on: Stitcher, Spotify, Apple

This episode is a collaboration with our friends at the Partisan Gardens Podcast. It's a little different style, with more voices and more production, we think you will like it! Our conversation is all about the Paw Paw (Asimina triloba), the largest native fruit on this continent! These amazing members of the Annonaceae family taste like a cross between a Mango and a Banana, but with a flavor all their own. As usual we talk about the botany, history, culture and cuisine of the plant. If you enjoy this episode be sure to check out more episodes of Partisan Gardens.

March 18th, 2021: Hazelnuts w/ Andrew Fiori

This episode in Stitcher - This episode in Spotify - This episode in Apple Podcast

In this episode of Propaganda By The Seed we speak with hazelnut & native plant breeder, Andrew Fiori of Campo Di Fiori. Andrew goes in depth on how to propagate, breed, care for and co-exist with Hazelnuts. Andrew talks about his ideas about human/plant relationships, his work designing native landscapes and developing food systems.

Youtube video for making biochar in a wood stove.

February 17th, 2021: Eastern Woodlands Rematriation W/ Alivia Moore and Kessi Kimball

This episode on: Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify

In this episode of Propaganda By The Seed we talk with Alivia Moore and Kessi Kimbal about their work with the Eastern Woodlands Rematriation Collective. The collective works across several tribal communities to support food / medicine sovereignty and to facilitate land access and the return of #landback to Indigenous people. We are really impressed with the work these folks are doing and hope to continue the conversation in future episodes.

You can support the work of Eastern Woodlands Rematriation Collective at https://whyhunger.org/ewrematriation/
If you have access to land to share, or return, please contact Alivia at Livmoore16@gmail.com

Episode image copied from https://native-land.ca, check out their interactive map of Indigenous territories, languages and treaties.

January 20th, 2021: Seaberries with Ben Falk

If you appreciate our work, support this podcast on patreon and rate it in the I-tunes store.

In this episode of Propaganda By The Seed we talk with Ben Falk, author of The Resilient Homestead on Chelsea Green. This discussion is mostly about seaberries(Hippophae rhamnoides) a nitrogen fixing plant that has 10 times more vitamin c than oranges and a range of other somewhat unique nutritional benefits. We also discuss how to grow them, breed them, and some uses for them. Ben also talks about different greenhouse practices he employs, beekeeping, rice and black walnuts.

Now that this podcast has it’s own feed it’s especially helpful if you subscribe, rate and review where ever you listen to podcasts, this helps bump the podcast up in the algorithm so other people can see it.

November 25, 2020 : Propagating Trees & Perennial Vegetables From Seed

In the season finale of Propaganda By The Seed, we look back on our first year of doing the podcast and what we’ve learned from it. We spend the bulk of the podcast detailing late fall activities that can be done to grow trees and perennial vegetables from seed. Aaron lays out multiple methods for growing nut trees, stone fruit trees (peach, cherry, etc.), and perennial vegetables from seed. Starting a backyard forest garden or large scale planting can be very expensive and learning the methods of growing from seed is a fun and cheap way to save thousands of dollars. We talk about where to get these plants, how to store and stratify then, and how to fertilize them, take care of them and transplant them.

Thanks for listening to Season One of Propaganda By The Seed. If you’ve enjoyed this podcast we’d love to hear from you, pop us an email at edgewoodlandscapes (at) yahoo or sole (at) soleone.org .

If you want to support us financially you can pick up some plants from Edgewood Nursery or subscribe to our Patreon

September 25th, 2020: Eating Acorns w/ Lisa Willey

This episode on Spotify - This episode on Apple Podcasts

In this episode we met up  at Edgewood Nursery with Lisa Willey to conduct an in person podcast on foraging and eating acorns.  Lisa is an environmental scientist, educator and makes incredible foods using foraged ingredients.  We’ll go over everything you need to know to harvest, collect, process and cook with acorns.  Lisa discusses her technique for making (vegan) acorn cheeses, as well as (sourdough) breads, crackers, pancakes, muffins, etc.  We also talk a bit about the history of humans eating acorns, some random foraging anecdotes, and an all around wholesome & informative talk on one of North America’s most plentiful and ignored food sources.

Follow Lisa on Instagram

Acorn processing method and photos

August 27th, 2020: Farming From Gambia to Maine w/ Ousman Ndure

This episode on Apple Podcasts - This episode on Spotify

In this episode of Solecast we chat with Ousman Ndure.  Ousman is a farmer from Gambia who immigrated to Westbrook, ME.  We talk about his life in Gambia, and how he managed an independent market farm.   He goes in depth about growing cashews, peanuts, rice, millet,  mangos, cassava, and other interesting greens like sour sour(Roselle Hibiscus) and the techniques he used to dig wells in the dry season.  Ousman is currently farming a plot at the Hurricane Valley Land Trust.  This is a wide ranging conversation that covers a ton of ground. 

July 23rd: Rooftop Gardens w/ Mike Spade

This episode on Apple Podcasts - This Episode on Spotify

In this episode of Propaganda By The Seed we talk with rooftop gardener & permaculturist  Mike Spade of the Plant The Seed Project.  We talk about Mike’s work in NY and Denver designing green roofs.  Mike talk about the differences between growing with rooftop gardens in various climates and the crops that work well.  We also get into some of the logistics to consider when building a rooftop garden and the challenges that one might encounter when growing food on rooftops, from hail to heat to rain and the soil’s ability to hold water.

June 11, 2020 Mulberries w/ Eliza Greenman & Taylor Malone

This episode on Apple Podcasts - This episode on Spotify

In this episode of Propaganda By The Seed we talk with Eliza Greenman & Taylor Malone of the North American Fruit Explorers. We talk about Mulberries, their history , how to propagate them and the work they’ve done to uncover rare cultivars such as the Hicks Everbearing Mulberry. Mulberry leaves are surprisingly high in protein and an 8 year old tree can produce up to a quart of berries a day, making them one of the most prolific fruit bearers around. This episode covers a lot of ground, from the usage of mulberries in silvopasture (in conjunction with pigs or goats) to some of the more interesting things people do with them around the world. If you like this episode, you’ll probably like Eliza and Taylor’s Podcast, keep a eye on their facebook page to see when that comes out.

May 28, 2020 Breeding Perennial Kale w/ Chris Homanics

This episode on Spotify - This episode on Apple Podcasts

Today on Propaganda by the Seed we chat with Chris Homanics.  Chris is an freelance plant breeder /organizer   based out of the Pacific Northwest.  This conversation is mostly about Chris’ Homesteader's Kaleidoscopic Perennial Kale Grex; how he created it, some methods for adapting it and many of the other possibilities for breeding Brassica Oleracea. 

We also talk about bamboo, Sea Kale some recent history of the perennial veggie movement and his work with the Agrarian Sharing Network. 

May 14, 2020 Yam on the Food Forest Network & Indian Bayou Food Forest

This episode on Apple Podcasts - This episode on Spotify

In this episode of Propaganda by the Seed we talk with Sweet Potato from The Food Forest Network. The Food Forest Network is a loose network of people sharing resources and developing food autonomy programs utilizing food forestry. Sweet Potato, AKA Yam currently resides at the Indian Bayou Food Forest, which was built in the direct path of the Line 6 pipeline to halt its construction. We talk about growing in the bayou, and geeked out on the extreme differences about its climate. Yam talks about their favorite food and polycultures to grow, such as Moringa, Banana Trees, Figs, Okra, and much more. Highly informative and fun conversation.

May 7, 2020 Ground Nuts, Decolonizing Food & Controlled Burns w Zach Elfers

This episode on Apple Podcasts - This episode on Spotify

In this episode of Propaganda By The Seed we talk with Zach Elfers, mostly about ground nut (apios americana), a north american native root crop and legume that has 3 times the protein content of potatoes.  Zach talks about the long history of indigenous use of ground nut as a staple crop in so called North America.  We also discuss how to cultivate them, where they are found, and its uses.   Zach also goes in depth about controlled burns, their usage by indigenous peoples and some applications for them to maintain land and build soil fertility.  For more information on Zach visit the nomad seed project and to learn more about the history of ground nuts check out this piece Zach wrote in 2019.  

To purchase Groundnut tubers from Edgewood Nursery click HERE

To get 10% off your Edgewood Nursery order visit edgwood-nursery.com and enter Solecast at check out and/or support The Solecast on patreon.  

April 23: Good Time To Plant a Garden II "Soil, Water, Sun"

This episode on Apple Podcasts - This episode on Spotify

This episode of propaganda by the Seed is a follow up to “It's a Good Time To Plant a Garden."  

In this episode we cover:  

Seed starting / hardening off of plants 

Good crops for low light / urban environments 

Growing in containers / small spaces 

Pest control Creating/maintaining healthy soil

Many of these topics are attempts to answer listeners questions, if you would like to see more episodes like this please let us know and submit questions for future episodes by emailing Tim and/or Aaron.

April 2, 2020: The Cooperative Farming Commission w/ Joseph Lofthouse

This episode on Apple Podcasts - This episode on Spotify

In today’s episode of Propaganda By The Seed we chat with Joseph Lofthouse about the Cooperative Gardens Commission (formerly Coronavirus Victory Gardens Commission).  We talk about how to get involved with the Cooperative Gardens Commission and what they’re doing to link experienced farmers, up with new growers and people with access to land to build up local food production.   Joseph is also a plant breeder who creates one-of-a-kind seeds he sells through the Experimental Farming Network.  We talk about his approach to creating landrace crops and the importance of saving seeds.  

For more info on the cooperative Gardens Commission go to: https://www.CoopGardens.org

You can support Joseph's work by buying his seeds at https://store.experimentalfarmnetwork.org/collections/lofthouse

Music: "Like Weeds" by His Hero Is Gone

March 26, 2020: "Its a Good Time To Plant a Garden"

This episode on Apple Podcasts - This episode on Spotify

In today’s episode of Propaganda By The Seed we wanted to do a basic gardening episode to get people growing in these dark times.  Considering that this year is already full of uncertainty and chaos learning to grow food can only be a positive thing.  In this episode we talk about the basics of starting plants from seed, preparing a bed using sheet mulching,getting the plants in the ground, using compost to produce healthy plants and obtaining the things you need to get the whole project off the ground.   We also talk about using cold frames and low tunnels for season extension and discuss some of our favorite perennial plants to grow.  There is lots of information for new growers and experienced growers  To follow this episode up, if people have questions we’ll be hosting a live Q&A on jitsi on Monday, March 30th 2020, 7PM EST here. or you can call in at +1.512.402.2718 by using the PIN: 1841 3907 91. Jitsi works without much effort in most browsers. Smartphones need a simple app, which you will be prompted to download if you click the join link. If you want to call in from a international voice phone click here for call in info.

In this episode we mention the planting specifications from the Fedco Catalogue, you can view it here or check out the interactive version of the vegetable seed chart here.  

To support this project you can pick up seeds, trees and plants from Edgewood Nursery or support sole on patreon.  

Music: His Hero is Gone : "Like Weeds"