Welcome to our weekly podcast with longtime Anchorage Daily News garden writer and author Jeff Lowenfels and co-host Jonathan White. Think of it as a companion to Jeff’s weekly columns and his popular series of books. Each week, Jeff and Jonathan dive deep into organic gardening and the soil food web, breaking down science, providing expert gardening advice and busting some long-held myths about how to help your garden grow.
This week, Jeff and Jonathan discuss how to care for your plants during unseasonably cool weather. They emphasize the importance of observing your plants to identify any issues such as pests, the need for reemay cloth, aphid infestations (where ladybugs might not be effective), and dealing with delphinium and current defoliator (different control techniques required for fly larvae and caterpillars).
They also talk about the abundance of dandelions, chickweed and clover, which can serve as cover crops and provide nutrients once they die. Finally, they encourage a change in attitude towards weeds, particularly dandelions and Bishop’s weed.
Have a question? Let Jeff and Jonathan know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.com
Sponsored by Number 2 Organics, Big Foot Microbes, and Down to Earth Fertilizers
Hosts: Jeff Lowenfels and Jonathan White. Produced by Evan Phillips.
This podcast is a collaboration between the hosts and Anchorage Daily News.
Feedback: teamingwithmicrobes@me.com
Read Lowenfels’ weekly columns on gardening and growing at ADN.com.
Read his books: “Teaming with Microbes: The Organic Gardener’s Guide to the Soil Food Web,” “Teaming with Nutrients: The Organic Gardener’s Guide to Optimizing Plant Nutrition,” “Teaming with Fungi: The Organic Grower’s Guide to Mycorrhizae,” among others.