Teaming With Microbes

This week, Jeff and Jonathan kick off their weekly conversation by exploring "forcing the bulb"—a technique that tricks bulbs into blooming early by mimicking the natural temperature cycles of fall, winter, and spring. They explore various strategies, ideal temperatures, and timing for this process.After the break, they examine fascinating plants like the corpse flower, which uses thermogenesis to boost its pollination chances.Finally, the team discusses effective and safe ways to use ice melt in colder climates.All this and more on this episode of "Teaming with Microbes."**********************************************Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.comPlant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!Thanks to our sponsors:Big Foot MicrobesNumber 2 Organics made in partnership with Malibu CompostDown To Earth All Natural Fertilizers The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.  Special thanks to the Anchorage Daily News  for hosting the show!

Jeff revisits his disdain for poinsettias while introducing some great winter alternatives: holiday cacti. He breaks down various cacti for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter, highlighting how shortening days and cool nights trigger their growth. Jonathan adds that amaryllis are also superb holiday plants.After the break, the team discusses ways to care for a lawn in winter, particularly in places that don't get much snow but experience prolonged deep frosts.Finally, they address a listener question about the benefits of growing regionally adapted seeds.All this and more on this episode of "Teaming with Microbes."**********************************************Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.comPlant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!Thanks to our sponsors:Big Foot MicrobesNumber 2 Organics made in partnership with Malibu CompostDown To Earth All Natural Fertilizers The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.  Special thanks to the Anchorage Daily News for hosting the show!

Jeff is back from his tour of Iceland, Scotland, and England—just in time for snow in Alaska! Speaking of snow, the guys discuss how it isn't necessarily bad for gardens. Known as "poor man's fertilizer," snow acts as an insulator, adds nitrogen to the soil, and releases nutrients slowly as it melts. This slow release is more beneficial than rain due to reduced runoff.After the break, the guys discuss some popular holiday plants, including the ever-famous poinsettia.Finally, the team answers a listener question about protecting shrubs from heavy snowfall.All this and more on this episode of "Teaming with Microbes."**********************************************Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.comPlant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!Thanks to our sponsors:Big Foot MicrobesNumber 2 Organics made in partnership with Malibu CompostDown To Earth All Natural Fertilizers The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.  Special thanks to the Anchorage Daily News for hosting the show!

This week, Jeff is traveling the world, spreading the message of the soil food web. Meanwhile, Jonathan chats with Evan (the show producer) about his gardening goals, including growing garlic.After the break, Evan interviews Jonathan about his gardening roots and his friendship with Jeff, exploring their long-standing commitment to soil food web gardening.Finally, they address listener questions about compost.All this and more on this episode of "Teaming with Microbes."**********************************************Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.comPlant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!Thanks to our sponsors:Big Foot MicrobesNumber 2 Organics made in partnership with Malibu CompostDown To Earth All Natural Fertilizers The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.  Special thanks to the Anchorage Daily News for hosting the show!

This week, Jeff and Jonathan are discussing fall lawn care. Should you rake your leaves or mulch them? This year, Jeff isn't doing anything as he'll be traveling. He'll make sure to report back next summer on how things worked out.After the break, the guys explore various indoor gardening methods for the winter months. You can grow a variety of plants and vegetables, including lettuce, sprouts, and even mushrooms. Jeff adds that with a little creativity, you could even grow potatoes indoors.Finally, they answer a listener's question about which annual seeds to plant this fall for spring growth.All this and more on this episode of Teaming with Microbes!**********************************************Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.comPlant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!Thanks to our sponsors:Big Foot MicrobesNumber 2 Organics made in partnership with Malibu CompostDown To Earth All Natural Fertilizers The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.  Special thanks to the Anchorage Daily News for hosting the show!

This week, Jeff is teaming with science, sharing some exciting new studies about the effect of white noise on fungi.After the break, the guys discuss recent research on endosymbiosis—the biological relationship where one organism (the endosymbiont) lives inside another (the host). Jeff believes this science is the future of agriculture.Finally, they talk about ways to prepare and care for poinsettias before the holiday season.All this and more on this episode of Teaming with Microbes!**********************************************Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.comPlant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!Thanks to our sponsors:Big Foot MicrobesNumber 2 Organics made in partnership with Malibu CompostDown To Earth All Natural Fertilizers The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.  Special thanks to the Anchorage Daily News for hosting the show!

In this episode, Jeff and Jonathan talk about frost and how it affects gardening. They explain the difference between "hard frost" and "soft frost" (or "light frost"), and how these different types of frost impact plants. They also compare dew and frost, pointing out that dew can actually be good for gardens and lawns at certain times of the year.After a short break, the guys discuss the pros and cons of worms in the garden. Jeff mentions a specific type called the "jumping worm," which can cause problems for plants and trees by removing the layer of dead leaves and other organic matter on the ground.To wrap up, they answer some questions from listeners about mycorrhizal fungi and the right mix for compost. All this and more on this episode of Teaming with Microbes!**********************************************Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.comPlant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!Thanks to our sponsors:Big Foot MicrobesNumber 2 Organics made in partnership with Malibu CompostDown To Earth All Natural Fertilizers The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.  Special thanks to the Anchorage Daily News for hosting the show!

This week, Jeff and Jonathan are talking about mosquitoes, focusing on their surprising scarcity in Alaska. They explore the declining mosquito population in the region, attributing it to warming temperatures. The conversation then shifts to dragonflies, a common predator of mosquitoes and other small insects. It also happens to be one of Alaska’s state insects!After a break, the discussion moves to techniques for hardening off plants in spring or fall.They conclude with an informative exploration of garlic cultivation, covering various types of garlic suitable for planting and share tips on how to help it flourish in the garden.All this and more on this episode of Teaming with Microbes!**********************************************Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.comPlant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!Thanks to our sponsors:Big Foot MicrobesNumber 2 Organics made in partnership with Malibu CompostDown To Earth All Natural Fertilizers The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.  Special thanks to the Anchorage Daily News for hosting the show!

Jeff recounts his favorite gardening column of all time, where he wrote about the intricate relationship between cluster flies and the soil food web.  After the break, the guys debunk some common myths about planting bulbs in the fall.  Additionally, they give some good planting tips.Finally, they answer a trio of listener questions, ranging from growing garlic to pet waste in compost.All this and more on this episode of Teaming with Microbes!**********************************************Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.comPlant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!Thanks to our sponsors:Big Foot MicrobesNumber 2 Organics made in partnership with Malibu CompostDown To Earth All Natural Fertilizers The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.  Special thanks to the Anchorage Daily News for hosting the show!

Last week the guys talked about applying organics to the garden to nurture the soil food web.  This week, they talk about another contributor to healthy soil: Springtails!Springtails are very small insects that break down organics by ingesting bacteria and fungi.  They can also jump about 2 feet.  This means when they jump around, they carry bacteria and fungal spores with them - which helps spread around the good stuff to the soil and gardens. After the break, the team dives into more discussions about things you can do to prepare your gardens for the fall / winter transition.  This includes collecting brown and green piles for your compost, putting down organics, and staking and labeling your perennials.Finally, they answer a listener’s question about planting micro-clover in the fall.All this and more on this episode of Teaming with Microbes!**********************************************Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.comPlant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!Thanks to our sponsors:Big Foot MicrobesNumber 2 Organics made in partnership with Malibu CompostDown To Earth All Natural Fertilizers The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.  Special thanks to the Anchorage Daily News for hosting the show!