Episodes
EP5: From Amaranth to Zinnias with Gretchen O'Neil
Farmer-florist Gretchen O'Neil dishes the dirt on growing cut flowers. Gretchen is the founder of Petals, Ink, a floral design studio, mobile flower truck, and women-run farm in Manor, Texas. She'll tell us about the highs and lows of the farming life -- extraordinary beauty and terrible uncertainty -- and explain how
working the land has helped this New England native find a sense of seasonality in balmy Central Texas. Of course, she'll also recommend a whole bunch of varieties you can plant from seed right now to get start your own cutting garden -- no greenhouse required!
For more info on Gretchen, visit Petalsinkfloral.com. Pick up Petals bouquets at the Texas Famers Market at Mueller (Sundays 10-2) and the Petals, Ink flower truck at the Tasty Spoon (Thursdays-Saturdays 4-7). Grassdale Farm's Instagram is amazing. Recommended reading: Flower Confidential by Amy Stewart and Floret Farm's Cut Flower Garden by Erin Benzakein.
EP4: Fungal Vision with Daniel Reyes
On this episode, we venture into the strange and mysterious kingdom of fungi. Join Leah as she sits down to talk mushrooms with mycologist Daniel Reyes, the founder of MycoAlliance, a science and education company that offers classes in mushroom propagation and conducts research at an off-the-grid laboratory in a nature preserve in east Austin. Daniel is a specialist in Mycoremediation, the practice of using fungi to clean up toxic pollution.
We’ll start with some basic fungi facts (What is a mushroom, exactly?) and learn how easy it is to grow delicious mushrooms in your garden — even in pots! Hear tales of mycological adventure in the Amazon rainforest, learn how mushroom cultivation can help provide disaster relief to earthquake-damaged areas in Mexico City, and get the scoop on the future of fungi!
Full show notes coming soon.
EP3: Myths and Misconceptions with Linda Lehmusvirta
On this episode, meet Linda Lehmusvirta, the producer of KLRU’s Central Texas Gardener. We'll find out what goes on behind the scenes of this long-running, award-winning public television show. Linda’s been producing CTG since the beginning, in the 1980s, when it began as a live call-in show. Viewership has now expanded beyond its namesake region, as CTG now airs weekly on PBS stations from Amarillo to Corpus Christi, and from Myrtle Beach to Tucson. Over the years, Linda has filmed hundreds of gardens, interviewed countless locals, and embarked on a personal garden education of trial and error. Hear about the history of CTG and the many myths and misconceptions Linda’s encountered along the way. Also: How to retain a sense of humor when foul weather, downed limbs, or busted pipes destroy your best-laid garden plans.
Full show notes coming soon.
EP2: Healing Spaces with Jenny Peterson
Garden therapy! Hear about the healing power of gardening with Jenny Peterson, author of The Cancer Survivor's Garden Companion (St. Lynn's Press, 2016). As a landscape designer, urban farmer, and breast-cancer survivor, Jenny has unique insight on the healingpotential of outdoor spaces. She explains how to find relief in the garden, whether you're experiencing illness, stress, grief, anxiety, or depression. For many reasons, working with plants can help us clear mental fog, process feelings, and gain perspective on the rhythms of life. Plus: baby goats.
Full show notes coming soon.
EP1: Gardening is Political with Colleen Dieter
Welcome to the first episode of Hothouse, a podcast about design, ecology, and the way we garden now. Join your host, Leah Churner, as she sits down with organic gardening aficionado Colleen Dieter of Red Wheelbarrow Landscape Consulting to talk about the joys of seed saving, cultivating a rich sense of place, and how “now, more than ever, gardening is a political act.”
Full show notes coming soon.
EP0: The Gloves Are Coming Off
Preview episode! Hothouse is a meeting of the minds for plant people and the horticulture-curious. Listen for long-form, wide-ranging conversations about the intersection of nature, culture, and politics.