‘Teaming With Microbes’ podcast: The power of ramial wood chips in the garden

This week Jeff and Jonathan break down the garden science behind ramial chipped wood. They discuss its French roots, how it’s made, as well as the benefits it provides for soil, insects and animals.

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.

This week Jeff and Jonathan break down the garden science behind ramial chipped wood.  They discuss its French roots, how it’s made, as well as the benefits it provides for soil, insects and animals.

Later, the team discusses the complex underground web of life created by voles, as well as how to keep them out of your garden!

As always, Jeff and Jonathan wrap up the episode by answering some great listener questions.

Have a question? Ask Jeff and Jonathan 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 Jeff’s 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.


• • •

Listen to previous episodes:


Jeff Lowenfels

Jeff Lowenfels has written a weekly gardening column for the ADN for more than 45 years. His columns won the 2022 gold medal at the Garden Communicators International conference. He is the author of a series of books on organic gardening available at Amazon and elsewhere. He co-hosts the "Teaming With Microbes" podcast.

Jonathan White

Jonathan White is the co-host, with Jeff Lowenfels, of the "Teaming with Microbes" podcast. He's an Anchorage small business owner, gardener and former journalist.