White Strawberries: Gardening for Wellness & Joy

Samantha Penman
  • 0.0 (0)
  • HOGAR Y JARDÍN

Welcome to White Strawberries, where gardening, permaculture, and sustainable living nourish body, and spirit and the planet. I’m Sam—a gardener, mum and podcaster. Each episode explores how growing and eating nutrient-dense,  foods—from polyphenol-rich plants to adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha—supports vitality and a joyful, vibrant life. I cover garden design, soil health, mushrooms, animal integration, and seasonal growing insights. I am a self confessed lazy gardener, who aims to do things efficently with max returns.  🌱 Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, I hope you'll join me each week.  🌱 Let's connect on Instagram: @whitestrawberriespodcast 📘 Join the conversation on Facebook: White Strawberries Podcast

  1. HACE 2 DÍAS

    Annuals Beyond the Supermarket: What to Grow Instead | Sparking Joy

    Leave a comment! Supermarkets love annual crops — but only a very narrow version of them. In this Sparking Joy episode of White Strawberries, I explore annual vegetables and fruits you’ll almost never see on supermarket shelves — not because they’re inferior!! We talk about why supermarket produce is bred for transport, uniformity, and shelf life — and what gets lost along the way: flavour, phytonutrients, biodiversity, and joy. From purple tomatoes and unusual potatoes to heirloom beans, peas, and self-seeding “weeds,” this episode celebrates annual plants that thrive in real gardens, not industrial systems. 🌱 What You’ll Discover Why supermarkets sell such limited annual varietiesAnnual plants that thrive outside industrial systemsNitrogen-fixing crops that feed both you and the soilCommunity-loved annuals you won’t find on shelvesHow joy, flavour, and wellness are deeply connected🔗 References & Resources Mentioned Koanga Institute (Heirloom & Heritage Seeds – NZ) Cooking Beans — Susan Young 🎧 Previous White Strawberries Episodes You Might Enjoy: What to Grow When: Timing Your Veges Right | Mastering the Garden   Nitrogen 101: Transforms Your Garden | Mastering the Garden   Wine Cap Mushrooms in Orchards | With Sarah Williams   🎧 Connect with me.

    23 min

  2. 24/12/2025

    More Perennials, Less Hustle: Gardening Beyond the Supermarket | Sparking Joy

    Leave a comment! Next summer, I’m choosing a quieter, more generous way of gardening — more perennials, less hustle. In this Sparking Joy episode of White Strawberries, I reflect on why perennial plants suit real life so much better than annual-heavy gardens, especially when you’re a parent, a busy human, or simply someone who wants joy without burnout. We explore what makes a plant perennial, why supermarkets shape such a narrow food system, and how home gardeners have the freedom to grow softer, stranger, more seasonal, and more nutritious plants. From globe artichokes and asparagus to berries, figs, kawakawa, and heritage fruit, this episode celebrates the plants that keep giving — even when we step away. I also share how I’m planning my own perennial spaces using soil clues, microclimates, wind, drainage, and community wisdom, plus a community-sourced list of favourite edible perennials that rarely appear in supermarkets — and why that’s exactly the point. 🌱 Gardening for wellness, curiosity, and joy — not perfection. 🌿 What You’ll Discover Why perennials thrive when life gets busyThe hidden ways supermarkets shape what we eatWhy flavour, diversity, and resilience matter more than shelf lifeHow to plan perennial placement using soil, wind, shade, and drainageWhy heirloom and heritage plants outperform supermarket varietiesFavourite edible perennials shared by the communityHow perennials can support and protect annual garden beds🔗 References & Resources Mentioned Koanga Institute (Heirloom Seeds – NZ) Koanga Institute – Living Seed Bank Previous White Strawberries Episodes that may be your next step: Perennial Vegetables for Harvesting Over Winter | Sparking Joy  Mediterranean Guild Gardening: Figs, Grapes, Olives & Companions | Mastering the GardenElderberries: Grow & Use Them Year-Round | Sparking Joy Growing Tropicals in a Cold Climate | With Steve Fawcett 🪴 Community-Favourite Edible Perennials List: Apricot, banana passionfruit, blackberries, blackcurrants, blueberries, boysenberries, cape gooseberries, cherries, currants (red/white/black), elderberries, feijoas, figs (fruit + leaves), grapes (fruit + leaves), guava berries, huckleberries, josta berries, lemons and citrus varieties, loquats*, sorrel, mango, medlar, mulberries, paw paw (mountain & American), passionfruit (yellow, banana, vanilla), pepino, plumcot, peachcot, quince, raspberries, tamarillo, watercress, alpine strawberries (red & white), yacón, Jerusalem artichoke. 🎧 Connect with me.

    31 min

  3. 16/12/2025

    Poo Power: Gentle Fertilisers for Better Soil | Sparking Joy

    Leave a comment! Discover the gentle power of manure in your garden! In this episode, Sam dives into ruminant manure, vermicompost tea, and worm juice, showing how these natural fertilizers can improve soil health, boost nutrient uptake, and make your plants thrive. Learn practical tips for safe application, the science behind soil-building benefits, and how to make the most of your compost and worm farm. 🌱 What You’ll Discover: Why ruminant manure (cow, sheep, alpaca) is safe and weed-freeHow mixed manures and vermicompost improve soil and fruit qualityPractical tips for liquid feeds, soil drenching, and foliar spraysThe difference between vermicompost tea and worm juiceTools and tricks to track plant health and nutrient density📚 References & Episodes: Help! My Garden Isn’t Thriving – Episode 24 Composting! Hot or Not? – Episode 9 2022 Plants journal study on kiwi fruit and manure⏱ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Welcome 01:15 Listener Feedback & Corrections 03:10 Understanding Ruminant Manure 07:25 Research on Manure & Soil Health 13:50 Practical Tips for Using Manure 18:45 Vermicompost Tea vs Worm Juice 23:30 Applying Manure Safely 28:15 Final Thoughts & Listener Engagement 🎧 Connect with me.

    13 min
  4. Pesticides Uncovered: How to Eat Safer | With Alison White

    10/12/2025

    Pesticides Uncovered: How to Eat Safer | With Alison White

    Leave a comment! Guest: Alison White, Co-convenor of the Safe Food Campaign In this episode, I sit down with Alison White, the woman behind New Zealand’s version of the Dirty Dozen list — a ranking of the most pesticide-contaminated foods available on our shelves. Alison has a Master’s in Public Health, is a lifetime member of the Soil & Health Association, and co-convenes the Safe Food Campaign. Together, we unpack: How the Dirty Dozen is created and what makes NZ’s version uniqueWhy grapes, celery, and strawberries consistently top the listThe worrying truth about glyphosate (RoundUp) and how little NZ actually tests for itHow pesticide regulation gets tangled in industry influencePractical ways to reduce your exposure — from vinegar rinses to growing your own produceThis conversation will leave you thinking differently about what’s on your plate — and why home-grown food might just be one of the most powerful forms of resistance.   Link for Further Reading: The Dirty Dozen – latest update via Soil & HealthOOOOBY (organic box service)Harraway’s Organic Oats collectionPesticides in New Zealand ChildrenSafe Food Campaign NZ – FacebookSafe Food Campaign Chlorpyrifos Petition SummaryDr. Libby Blog🎧 Connect with me.

    40 min

  5. 03/12/2025

    The Secret to Thriving Roses | Spark Joy

    Leave a comment! 🌹 Welcome to White Strawberries, your go-to podcast for effortless, joyful, and sustainable gardening. In this episode, I dive into why my roses are thriving without sprays, how biodiversity supports healthy plants, and how to make your own rosewater and tea from fragrant blooms. What you’ll discover in this episode: Common rose pests and how nature balances them.How planting a diverse garden supports predatory insects like ladybugs and praying mantises.Companion plants that naturally protect and enhance roses.Choosing the right rose variety: Wild, Heirloom, and Modern Roses.How to make rosewater and a simple rose tea at home.The nutritional and skin benefits of roses grown in organic, biodiverse gardens.Research & References: Flower diversity increases aphid predation on tomatoesEffect of companion planting on pest suppressionA 2018 study:  extracts from Rosa damascena  Rose‑petal extracts have antioxidant and anti‑hyaluronidase activity — meaning they can neutralise free radicals   📸 Follow me for images, videos, and behind-the-scenes gardening tips: Instagram: @whitestrawberriespodcastFacebook: White Strawberries Podcast🎧 Connect with me.

    25 min
  6. Feed Us with Trees: Nuts and the Future of Food | With Elspeth Hay

    25/11/2025

    Feed Us with Trees: Nuts and the Future of Food | With Elspeth Hay

    Leave a comment! Could the future of food be rooted in trees, not annual grains?  In this episode of White Strawberries, I’m joined by journalist and NPR reporter Elspeth Hay, author of the  hopeful manifesto Feed Us with Trees: Nuts and Future of Food. Her work uncovers a surprising truth: for thousands of years, humans relied on perennial nut trees—oaks, chestnuts, hazelnuts—as our main sources of flour, oils, and everyday staple foods.  At a time when the majority of the world’s calories come from monocropped annual grains, Elspeth invites us to imagine a different path: one where our landscapes are abundant, resilient, biodiverse, and shaped by the long memory of trees. We explore:  🌰 The ancient human relationship with nut trees  🌰 Why forest gardens and perennial food systems nourished entire cultures  🌰 The industrial narratives that pushed us into annual agriculture  🌰 Insights from Indigenous knowledge-keepers, agroforestry, and nut growers  🌰 The approachable, personal journey behind writing Feed Us with Trees Whether you’re a gardener, permaculture practitioner, homesteader, or someone rethinking how we grow food, this conversation will expand your imagination and reconnect you with the ancient wisdom of tree-based agriculture. If you’ve ever dreamed of growing food forests, diversifying your diet, or stepping away from nutrient-poor annual beds — this episode is for you. 💚🌿Sam ✨ Let’s connect: Instagram: @whitestrawberriespodcast FB Community: White Strawberries Podcast 🎧 Connect with me.

    33 min
  7. Basics of Genetic Engineering | With GE Honesty

    19/11/2025

    Basics of Genetic Engineering | With GE Honesty

    Leave a comment! I’m not usually a political person, but sometimes a little adulting is needed. And I think it’s important that everyday Kiwis actually know what’s happening in our food system. In this episode, I sit down with Callum from GE Honesty to unpack the basics of genetic engineering, gene editing, and what these proposed changes, that are currently with parliament, could mean for New Zealand farmers, gardeners, and the nutrient density of our food. Whether you’re new to the GE conversation, a home gardener wanting to understand how this might affect seeds and soil, or simply a curious Kiwi trying to keep up with the headlines — this episode is for you. And if you’re overseas, I’d genuinely love to hear how GE crops and policies have impacted your country too. 🌱 Topics we cover: – What genetic engineering actually is (in normal-people language) – How GE changes could impact NZ gardens, farms, and ecosystems – Why transparency around GE laws matters for all New Zealanders – What we can do if we don't want GE seeds in New Zealand This is an episode close to my heart, and I’m grateful to have you here for it. 💚🌿Sam ✨ Let’s connect: Instagram: @whitestrawberriespodcast FB Community: White Strawberries Podcast Learn More:  Seeds of Deception by Jeffrey Smith: A book that exposes perceived dangers of genetically engineered foods, as explained in this YouTube video.GE Honesty website: www.gehonesty.nzThe bill proposed in Parliament: https://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2024/0110/latest/whole.htmlOMG GMO trailer: this YouTube video.NZ media article: “Gene technology changes: What you need to know” Focus on Tikanga Māori.NZ plant & food research: “Nutrient density research – Phase 1 report released”  🎧 Connect with me.

    31 min

  8. 12/11/2025

    Sunflowers: 6 Reasons to Grow them | Sparking Joy

    Leave a comment! 🌻 How cool are sunflowers? In this Sparking Joy episode of White Strawberries, we explore everything there is to love about sunflowers — their ancient history, mythological roots, and the many ways they bring life (and light!) to your garden. From Greek mythology’s Helios and the sunflower nymph, to modern uses like phytoremediation — where sunflowers help clean toxins from the soil after disasters like Chernobyl and Fukushima — these plants are true multitaskers. We also dive into how to:  🌻 Use sunflowers as living garden structures for beans, peas, and pumpkins 🐝 Support pollinators and boost biodiversity 🌿 Choose heirloom, non-F1 sunflower seeds for saving and replanting 🥗 Enjoy the nutritional power of sunflower seeds — packed with healthy fats, protein, and minerals 🐔 Feed your chickens homegrown, nutrient-rich seeds for a sustainable flock Whether you’re a permaculture grower, a seed saver, or just love bee-friendly blooms, this episode will inspire you to plant a few giants of your own. 🌻 Sunflower suppliers mentioned: Koanga Institute Kings Seeds Also- thank you Elena, a listener, for sending this link through. They do free soil testing in Aotearoa: Soil Safe. 📸 Let’s connect on Instagram: @whitestrawberriespodcast 📘 Join the convo on Facebook: White Strawberries Podcast 🎧 Connect with me.

    19 min
Ver todo (33)

Acerca de

Welcome to White Strawberries, where gardening, permaculture, and sustainable living nourish body, and spirit and the planet. I’m Sam—a gardener, mum and podcaster. Each episode explores how growing and eating nutrient-dense,  foods—from polyphenol-rich plants to adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha—supports vitality and a joyful, vibrant life. I cover garden design, soil health, mushrooms, animal integration, and seasonal growing insights. I am a self confessed lazy gardener, who aims to do things efficently with max returns.  🌱 Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, I hope you'll join me each week.  🌱 Let's connect on Instagram: @whitestrawberriespodcast 📘 Join the conversation on Facebook: White Strawberries Podcast

Información

También te podría interesar