Greening Up My Act

Kat Cox & Tiffany Verbeck
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Home & Garden
  • Updated Weekly

For skeptics of products that claim to be sustainable, learn how to spot greenwashing in the wild. This sustainability podcast is hosted by two marketing pros —  Kat and Tiff — who reveal the sneaky tactics brands use so you can avoid getting tricked by green hooey.

  1. 6d ago

    Food Forests: How to Start One in Your Community

    This week, Kat and Tiffany break down food forests: layered plantings of native trees, shrubs, and perennials designed to feed themselves and you with minimal upkeep. Kat compares her high-maintenance childhood fruit trees in New Mexico to the prickly pear, pomegranate, and pecan trees thriving on autopilot in her Texas yard, then walks through a food forest for beginners roadmap: picking a site, "planting guilds" (D&D-party-style plant teams that support each other), and a San Antonio study showing what large-scale food forests could do for urban heat, flooding, and food access. They also get real about scale and cost. You don't need acreage to start — a tiny food forest can be just a few mutually-supportive plants in a corner of your yard, like Tiffany's nasturtium-and-bean slug decoy setup. And if you're eyeing your grass wondering if it's worth it, this episode makes the case to replace lawn with food forest plantings instead, plus covers how to do it as a food forest on a budget — growing from seed, planting in stages, and tapping grants or existing community coalitions rather than starting from scratch. What a food forest actually is (and how it differs from a regular garden or farm)The "guild" method for pairing plants that help each other thriveStanford-cited data on food forests' impact on heat, flooding, and food access in citiesRealistic tips for starting small, cheap, and lawn-freeSources Project Food Forest - https://projectfoodforest.org/what-is-a-food-forest/Permaculture Apprentice - https://permacultureapprentice.com/creating-a-food-forest-step-by-step-guide/Stanford Report - https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2023/05/food-forests-urban-farms-hold-promise-addressing-numerous-problemsCommunity Food Forests - https://communityfoodforests.com/resources/funding/Garden Therapy - https://gardentherapy.ca/urban-orchards/Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram: @greeningupmyact Facebook: Greening Up My Act Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com YouTube: Greening Up My Act

  2. Jul 7 ·  Bonus

    [Crossover] Is Dr. Bronner's Really Sustainable? With Outdoor Minimalist

    Welcome to our first ever collab episode! Dr. Bronner's has long been considered the gold standard of sustainable soap. It's a staple in outdoor kits, zero-waste homes, and camping gear lists thanks to its versatility, plant-based ingredients, and reputation for environmental responsibility.  But how much of that reputation actually holds up under closer scrutiny? In this collaborative episode with Meg Carney, the host of Outdoor Minimalist, we take a deep dive into one of the most recognizable sustainability brands on the market.  Sources Dr. Bronner's: https://www.drbronner.com/Dr. Bronner's, Leave No Trace Guide to Using Soap Outdoors: https://www.drbronner.com/pages/camping-with-dr-bronnersLeave No Trace Seven Principles: https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/Dirty Labs: https://dirtylabs.com/Camp Suds: https://www.rei.com/product/407166/campsuds-biodegradable-concentrated-soap-2-ozPatreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram: @greeningupmyact Facebook: Greening Up My Act Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com YouTube: Greening Up My Act

  3. Jul 2

    Edible Gardening: Are Perennial Vegetables Worth It?

    Vegetables you only have to plant once? Sounds like a dream come true. Except it's slightly more complicated than that. Join hosts Tiff and Kat as they take you on a perennial vegetable journey — covering the whole shebang, from good perennial vegetables for beginners to why growing Jerusalem artichokes may not be your next best move. Learn which are easy perennial vegetables to grow and which you can avoid like the plague. Sources Amy Manning: https://amymanning.substack.com/p/perennial-vegetables-mostly-dudsGrowVeg.com: https://www.growveg.com/guides/best-edibles-for-pollinator-gardens/ RuralSprout.com: https://www.ruralsprout.com/perennial-vegetables/ University of California: https://ucanr.edu/blog/napa-master-gardener-column/article/perennial-vegetables-and-herbs Nature.com scientific report: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-09737-1 PLoS One study: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7351156/#sec016 Martha Stewart’s blog: https://www.themarthablog.com/2023/04/planting-asparagus-at-my-farm.html Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram: @greeningupmyact Facebook: Greening Up My Act Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com YouTube: Greening Up My Act

  4. Jun 25

    Revisiting Vegetable Garden Costs: Year 1 vs. Year 10

    Is it cheaper to grow your own food over the long run? Most sources look at first-year costs, but hosts Kat and Tiff dive into vegetable garden costs over a span of a decade. Once you have your structures in place, what's your vegetable garden ROI typically look like? Join as they revisit this topic for a deeper dive into the reasons why — with the craziness of the world —you may want to actually consider becoming more self-sufficient.  Sources Blog of Gardening: https://www.bigblogofgardening.com/can-vegetable-garden-save-money-on-groceries/Farmers Almanac: https://www.almanac.com/how-save-vegetable-seedsBackyard Garden Lover: https://www.backyardgardenlover.com/9-vegetables-and-herbs-that-could-cut-your-grocery-bill-by-400-this-year/Food Forest Living: https://foodforestliving.com/31-ways-growing-vegetables-is-cheaper-than-buying-them/NPR: https://www.npr.org/2026/05/28/nx-s1-5836525/affordability-report-brookings-inflation-wagesPatreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram: @greeningupmyact Facebook: Greening Up My Act Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com YouTube: Greening Up My Act

  5. Jun 18

    Mulch: How to Keep a Pollinator Garden Alive

    Sounds boring; isn't. Wondering how to grow a native garden? You might be surprised at the importance of a seemingly mundane addition: mulch. Hosts Tiff and Kat cover all things mulch this week — and it's way more interesting than even they expected. What they cover: 3 main ways mulch helps your gardenWhat is organic mulch? And the typesWhere to find free organic mulchWhy to avoid dyed mulch like the plagueWhat is living mulch?Listen in if you're ready to stop asking yourself, 'Why is my pollinator garden dying?' every year.  Sources Evolution of Hardwood Mulch article: https://www.ruppertlandscape.com/evolution-hardwood-mulch/Mulch as a Drylands Strategy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1cgx33E3LM University of Michigan leaf mulch study: https://archive.lib.msu.edu/tic/mitgc/article/199866b.pdf University of California Cooperative Extension water retention and mulch study: https://ucanr.edu/media/305486Plants journal: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10975533/ University of California pamphlet: https://ucanr.edu/sites/default/files/2026-02/UCANR%20Mulches%20for%20Landscapes%20by%20Downer%20and%20Faber.pdf Gardening Know How on eco-friendly mulch: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/mulch/best-eco-friendly-mulch Growing a Greener World on mulch certification: https://www.growingagreenerworld.com/is-your-mulch-safe-heres-how-to-find-out/ Mulch and Soil Council guide: https://mulchandsoilcouncil.org/pdf/Education/2013_Mulch_Selection_Guidev3.pdf Edge of the Woods Nursery on living mulch: https://edgeofthewoodsnursery.com/living-mulch-part-one-an-ecological-alternative-to-wood-mulch Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram: @greeningupmyact Facebook: Greening Up My Act Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com YouTube: Greening Up My Act

  6. Jun 11

    DIY Deer Spray: A Putrid (But Eco-Friendly) Solution?

    If you're wondering just how god awful (but useful!) DIY deer spray is, listen in as hosts Kat and Tiff discuss the pros and cons of making it yourself. Learn why critters constantly munching on your plants does not have to be your reality. What they discuss: DIY deer spray recipes (both smelly and less smelly options) and ethical bunny deterrentsTiffany's horrid experience making DIY deer spray when she was youngerStore-bought deer sprays and whether or not they workGet ready to stop deer and bunnies in their tracks. Sources Reddit (of course!) https://www.reddit.com/r/NativePlantGardening/comments/14f7b11/how_do_you_prevent_or_reduce_deer_from_destroying/Savvy Gardening - https://savvygardening.com/deer-proof-gardens/The Deer Guys - https://www.thedeerguys.com/blog-posts/what-is-the-best-homemade-deer-repellentLiquidFence - https://www.liquidfence.com/Farmer’s Almanac - https://www.almanac.com/5-natural-homemade-deer-repellents-actually-workPatreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram: @greeningupmyact Facebook: Greening Up My Act Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com YouTube: Greening Up My Act

  7. Jun 4

    Container Gardens: Support Wildlife Even Without Space

    Hosts Tiff and Kat share practical tips for incorporating native plants into small spaces like balconies and container gardens, and why it's so essential to start today. They explore native plant options and creative ways to contribute to local ecosystems, all while sharing personal stories and resources. They talk about: The ecological impact of habitat loss, the "windshield phenomenon," and the vital role of native plants in conservationPractical tips for container gardening: choosing containers, soil, plant selection, and seasonal careStrategies for advocating for native plants in public spaces, schools, and your broader communityCosts and money-saving tips on planting and container optionsGet ready to learn all about small space gardening, so you can contribute no matter how little space you have. Sources National Wildlife Federation: https://www.nwf.org/Native-Plant-Habitats/Plant-Native/Small-Space-Wildlife-Gardening/Container-Gardening Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife With Native Plants, Douglas W. Tallamy: https://amzn.to/4uAiLML (affiliate link)Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windshield_phenomenon Their GUMA episode on bee hotels and native bees: https://www.greeningupmyact.com/1849707/episodes/14888630-are-bee-hotels-worth-the-space-in-your-gardenHome Depot for pricingPatreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram: @greeningupmyact Facebook: Greening Up My Act Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com YouTube: Greening Up My Act

  8. May 14

    [Replay] Can I Replace My Lawn with Clover?

    In case you missed it the first time, take a listen to one of Tiff and Kat's favorite episodes during the break. They're back with season 10, all about getting your hands dirty outside, on June 4. Clover lawns are all the rage — but should they be? Hosts Tiff and Kat answer: What eco-friendly claims do folks make about clover yards? Are they true?Why is Reddit so uncomfy?What are the disadvantages of clover lawns?Explore how to spot greenwashing in the world of clover lawns with your two favorite marketing writers in this upbeat sustainability podcast. Sources Martha Stewart: https://www.marthastewart.com/8322420/clover-lawns Gardenia Creative Gardens: https://www.gardenia.net/guide/native-plant-alternatives-to-trifolium-repens Podcast: Backyard Ecology episode on clover: https://www.backyardecology.net/clovers-native-clover-conservation-clover-yards-and-more/ Reddit - No Lawns subreddit specifically covering Clover: https://www.reddit.com/r/NoLawns/wiki/meta/clover/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=1#wiki_clover_controversy The Spruce: https://www.thespruce.com/all-about-clover-lawns-6362145Bob Vila: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/clover-lawn/ Wild Ones garden designs: https://nativegardendesigns.wildones.org/designs/  Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram: @greeningupmyact Facebook: Greening Up My Act Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com YouTube: Greening Up My Act

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About

For skeptics of products that claim to be sustainable, learn how to spot greenwashing in the wild. This sustainability podcast is hosted by two marketing pros —  Kat and Tiff — who reveal the sneaky tactics brands use so you can avoid getting tricked by green hooey.

Information

  • Creator
    Kat Cox & Tiffany Verbeck
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    127
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Greening Up My Act
  • Show Website
    Greening Up My Act

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