Gardening for Wellness & Joy: White Strawberries

Samantha Penman
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  • Home & Garden

Based on your recent episodes, here is a polished podcast description that accurately highlights your exact mix of practical skills, guest experts, and holistic topics: Welcome to White Strawberries, where gardening, permaculture, and sustainable living nourish body, mind, and planet. I’m Sam—a gardener, mum, educator, and self-confessed "lazy gardener" who loves working efficiently for maximum, delicious returns. Each week, we explore practical ways to grow nutrient-dense food, foster resilience, and cultivate vibrant flowers for pure joy. From building food forests, living mulches, and fruit guilds to mastering plant propagation, composting, and soil health—we take the guess work out of the garden. We dive into real-world growing: growing mushrooms, raising backyard poultry and livestock safely, fermenting, seed soaking, and managing garden extremes like storms and summer heat. Because when you design with nature and build biodiversity, everything thrives. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced grower, join me each week to simplify your garden and maximize your yield! 🌱 Get in Touch & Connect: Interview Inquiries & Guest Pitching: hello@whitestrawberriespodcast.comInstagram: @whitestrawberriespodcastFacebook: White Strawberries Podcast

  1. 4d ago

    How to Grow a Food Forest without buying plants | Levi Brinsdon-Hall

    Ask a Question or Leave a Comment There are some funny reels at the moment about not showing the one you love how much you spend on plants! But it doesn't have to be like that.  In this episode, I talk with regenerative grower and educator Levi Brinsdon-Hall about the power of seeds, propagation and food forests. We explore why growing from seed is such an important skill for gardeners, how a tiny seed can become the beginning of abundance, and why creating a diverse ecosystem is about so much more than simply growing food for ourselves. Levi shares his approach to starting a food forest, the importance of observation, and how working with plants over time teaches us about our own landscapes. In this episode we talk about: 🌱 Why learning to grow from seed gives you independence as a gardener  🌱 The difference between buying plants and learning propagation  🌱 How seeds create abundance and resilience  🌱 Why flowers and “non-food” plants are essential in a healthy ecosystem  🌱 Starting a food forest from year zero  🌱 Using observation to understand what your land needs  🌱 Building soil health through diversity and living plants You can find Levi all over socials! Including -LinkedIn -Instagram  To follow Levi resourcing 1000 young growers and their schools and families with free resource packs, visit deliciousrevolution.nz. Levi recommends looking at the history of your land's use. If you're in Auckland, NZ, this is where you find that.  Run until the 18th of August 2026 Join Grounded – Friends and Family Soft Launch starts August 27 💚🌿 Free Fig Cuttings It costs me $27 to send you three different types, postage, packaging and stripe. But given they're $2 each at the supermarket... I 100% think 3 fig trees are worth it. It's either that, or the prunings are getting composted. I DO. NOT. need more figs 😂 (Say that 100x over Sam) Ask a Question – Submit a gardening question for a future episode. About Sam – Learn more about the host of White Strawberries. Support the Podcast – Buy Sam a Cuppa to help keep new episodes coming.

    How to Grow a Food Forest without buying plants | Levi Brinsdon-Hall

  2. Aug 11

    How do we Protect our Chickens from H5N1 bird flu | With Sez the Vet

    Ask a Question or Leave a Comment Bird flu has arrived in New Zealand, and if you keep backyard chickens, ducks or other poultry, you may be wondering what this actually means for your flock. In this episode of White Strawberries, we talk about H5N1 bird flu and what backyard poultry keepers need to know. We look at how this strain differs from the bird flu you may have heard about previously, what symptoms to watch for in chickens, ducks and wild birds, and why biosecurity matters even if your birds normally free-range. We get practical about protecting your flock: keeping wild birds and rodents away from feed, preventing access to potentially contaminated water and droppings, and why simply putting up bird netting may not be enough. We also talk about what to do if you need to temporarily confine free-range chickens, whether chickens can survive H5N1, when veterinary care is important, and what happens if birds have been exposed. This isn't about panic or pretending we can eliminate every risk. It's about understanding the risks and giving your flock the best chance possible. 🌱 What You'll Discover What makes H5N1 different from previous bird flu concernsSigns and symptoms of bird flu in chickens, ducks and wild birdsPractical ways to reduce exposure to wild birds and rodentsWhy contaminated water and droppings can be a concernHow to protect free-range chickensWhether chickens can survive H5N1When veterinary care may be neededWhat happens to exposed chickensPractical biosecurity steps for backyard poultry keepersOther Episodes with Sez the Vet on chickens can be found HERE. Run until the 18th of August 2026 Join Grounded – Friends and Family Soft Launch starts August 27 💚🌿 Free Fig Cuttings It costs me $27 to send you three different types, postage, packaging and stripe. But given they're $2 each at the supermarket... I 100% think 3 fig trees are worth it. It's either that, or the prunings are getting composted. I DO. NOT. need more figs 😂 (Say that 100x over Sam) Ask a Question – Submit a gardening question for a future episode. About Sam – Learn more about the host of White Strawberries. Support the Podcast – Buy Sam a Cuppa to help keep new episodes coming.

    How do we Protect our Chickens from H5N1 bird flu | With Sez the Vet

  3. Aug 2

    Welcome to White Strawberries Podcast

    Ask a Question or Leave a Comment What if your garden could give you more time, more health, and more connection — instead of becoming another job? Welcome to White Strawberries: Gardening for Wellness and Joy. This podcast explores how growing food, flowers, and gardens can support a healthier, more connected life. Join Sam as she shares what’s working in her own garden and conversations with growers, authors, and gardeners who are creating more resilient, nature-connected ways of living. Whether you want to grow your own food, create a flower-filled space, grow herbs, or simply reconnect with nature, you’re in the right place. A garden should support your life — not take it over. May your garden be abundant and your strawberries white. Join Grounded – Friends and Family Soft Launch starts August 27 💚🌿 Free Fig Cuttings It costs me $27 to send you three different types, postage, packaging and stripe. But given they're $2 each at the supermarket... I 100% think 3 fig trees are worth it. It's either that, or the prunings are getting composted. I DO. NOT. need more figs 😂 (Say that 100x over Sam) Ask a Question – Submit a gardening question for a future episode. About Sam – Learn more about the host of White Strawberries. Support the Podcast – Buy Sam a Cuppa to help keep new episodes coming.

  4. Jul 28

    How to Grow and Harvest Asparagus

    Ask a Question or Leave a Comment Asparagus is one of the most boujee perennial crops to put into your S&P 500—(perennial garden investment portfolio) but getting it right starts long before the first harvest. In this episode of White Strawberries, I walk you through everything you need to know about planting asparagus crowns, preparing the perfect soil, and creating a bed that will produce for decades- and also not doing any of things and giving a go anyway... 👌  I also share how I'm establishing asparagus in my own food forest. Whether you're planting your very first crowns or adding asparagus to an established garden, this episode will help you create a productive patch that keeps rewarding you year after year. 🌱 What You'll Discover  Why most gardeners choose crowns instead of growing from seed  How to prepare an asparagus bed that lasts for decades  The soil conditions asparagus loves  Traditional trench planting versus modern no-dig methods  When to harvest—and when to leave your plants alone  How many asparagus plants you need to feed your family  🔗 Resources Mentioned  Grounded Waitlist  🎧 Previous White Strawberries Episodes Mentioned  Animal Manure in the GardenRun until the 18th of August 2026 Join Grounded – Friends and Family Soft Launch starts August 27 💚🌿 Free Fig Cuttings It costs me $27 to send you three different types, postage, packaging and stripe. But given they're $2 each at the supermarket... I 100% think 3 fig trees are worth it. It's either that, or the prunings are getting composted. I DO. NOT. need more figs 😂 (Say that 100x over Sam) Ask a Question – Submit a gardening question for a future episode. About Sam – Learn more about the host of White Strawberries. Support the Podcast – Buy Sam a Cuppa to help keep new episodes coming.

    How to Grow and Harvest Asparagus

  5. Jul 21

    How to Create a Living Mulch | With Kath Irvine

    Ask a Question or Leave a Comment What if the best mulch isn't something you buy or wheel around the garden—but something that's already growing? In this conversation with Kath Irvine, author of The Edible Backyard, we explore the science and practical application of living mulch. Instead of constantly importing straw, compost, or woodchips, Kath explains how diverse, living plants can protect the soil, feed soil biology, reduce weeds, build resilience, and ultimately create a healthier garden with less work. We discuss why diversity matters, how plant roots feed soil microbes, why chopping plants can be better than pulling them out, and how to introduce living mulch into both vegetable gardens and orchards. We also tackle some of the difficult realities of gardening—including invasive weeds, compost overuse, and when there may not be a perfect solution. If you're aiming for a low-input, high-output garden that works more like nature, this episode will challenge many of the gardening "rules" we've been taught. 🌱 What You'll Discover  What living mulch is and how it differs from traditional mulch  Why plant diversity creates healthier, more resilient soil  How living roots feed soil biology through photosynthesis  Practical ways to introduce living mulch into vegetable gardens  Creating productive orchards with perennial companion plants  Why "chop and drop" often beats pulling weeds  The surprising downside of using too much compost  Choosing and saving seeds for diverse living mulch mixes  Managing difficult weeds without becoming overwhelmed  Why observation may be the most important gardening skill of all 📚 References & Resources Mentioned The Edible Backyard — Kath Irvine Homegrown Fruit — Kath Irvine Kath Irvine's website Referenced  Dr Christine Jones' work on soil biology and plant diversity  The Jena Experiment (Germany) — biodiversity and ecosystem resilience 🎧 Previous White Strawberries Episodes You Might Enjoy Mulch and Ground Covers | Mastering the Garden   Companion Planting: Figs, Grapes, Olives & Companions | Mastering the Garden   Run until the 18th of August 2026 Join Grounded – Friends and Family Soft Launch starts August 27 💚🌿 Free Fig Cuttings It costs me $27 to send you three different types, postage, packaging and stripe. But given they're $2 each at the supermarket... I 100% think 3 fig trees are worth it. It's either that, or the prunings are getting composted. I DO. NOT. need more figs 😂 (Say that 100x over Sam) Ask a Question – Submit a gardening question for a future episode. About Sam – Learn more about the host of White Strawberries. Support the Podcast – Buy Sam a Cuppa to help keep new episodes coming.

    How to Create a Living Mulch | With Kath Irvine

  6. Jul 14

    How to Grow a Food Forest in a Temperate Climate | With Jo Duff

    Ask a Question or Leave a Comment What does it take to transform a bare paddock into a thriving food forest? In this episode of White Strawberries, I’m joined by Jo Duff, co-founder of Kahikatea Farm, who shares the lessons she has learned after more than 20 years developing a three-acre food forest in Aotearoa New Zealand. Jo and her family started with bare land — no water, driveway, or buildings — and slowly designed a productive ecosystem using permaculture principles, observation, and experimentation.  We discuss passive irrigation using swales, designing for dry climates, growing plants suited to your conditions, and why Jo would plant more densely if she was starting again. 🌱 What You’ll Discover  How a bare paddock became a three-acre food forest  Why observation should come before planting  How swales can capture rainfall and support tree growth  The importance of planting for function: biomass, fertility, food, medicine and habitat  Why food forests are about creating a place to live, not just growing food  Lessons Jo would apply if she started again Jo also shares some of the plants that have worked well in her Hawke’s Bay climate, including comfrey, prickly pear, tree lucerne, globe artichokes and other multifunctional plants. 🔗 Resources Mentioned Kahikatea Farm – Food Forest Nursery, Plants & Education Kahikatea Farm plants mentioned in this episode: Peaches Dwarf Peach Prickly Pear (Opuntia / Nopales) Thornless Prickly Pear Comfrey (biomass plant) Russian Comfrey Lemon Sorrel Globe Artichoke (biomass plant) Cardoon (biomass plant) Willows (woody biomass) Examples include Willow ‘Hiwinui’ and Willow ‘Tangoio’ Tree Lucerne / Tagasaste (biomass and nitrogen fixer) Alder (nitrogen-fixing tree) Chinese Alder Yuccas Buttercup Bush / Senna Eucalyptus (support species / biomass) Explore all Kahikatea Farm plants Certified Organic Nursery – edible, useful and food forest plants Join Kahikatea Farm for some onsite education.  Run until the 18th of August 2026 Join Grounded – Friends and Family Soft Launch starts August 27 💚🌿 Free Fig Cuttings It costs me $27 to send you three different types, postage, packaging and stripe. But given they're $2 each at the supermarket... I 100% think 3 fig trees are worth it. It's either that, or the prunings are getting composted. I DO. NOT. need more figs 😂 (Say that 100x over Sam) Ask a Question – Submit a gardening question for a future episode. About Sam – Learn more about the host of White Strawberries. Support the Podcast – Buy Sam a Cuppa to help keep new episodes coming.

    How to Grow a Food Forest in a Temperate Climate | With Jo Duff

  7. Apr 29

    Hey! You missed an episode Sam! Behind the Podcast

    Ask a Question or Leave a Comment Sam missed an episode! Why? Taking time to pause, reflect, and reset is just as important in life as it is in the garden 🌱 In this personal episode of White Strawberries, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes look at the podcast after nearly a year of consistent episodes. From humble beginnings (yes… five downloads and my mum falling asleep 😅) to growing a global audience, this episode dives into what’s working, what’s been surprisingly hard, and what’s coming next. With the lead-up to Matariki, I’m stepping into a seasonal reset — reflecting on the past six months and intentionally designing the next phase of this podcast, my courses, and how I support you. If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to build something from scratch — or you’re on your own journey of growth — this one’s for you. 🌱 What You’ll Discover  What I’ve learned after 45 podcast episodes  Real podcast growth stats The hidden complexity of email lists, websites, and automation  Why I’m taking a month off and what I’m resetting  The vision behind my Grounded gardening course  I've reduced my grocery bill while eating high-quality food  Why growing your own food is becoming more important than ever  How you can shape future episodes through Q&A and voice messages 🔗 References & Resources Mentioned  Grounded Course (coming soon)  White Strawberries Podcast Website (in progress) 🎧 Previous White Strawberries Episodes You Might Enjoy Run until the 18th of August 2026 Join Grounded – Friends and Family Soft Launch starts August 27 💚🌿 Free Fig Cuttings It costs me $27 to send you three different types, postage, packaging and stripe. But given they're $2 each at the supermarket... I 100% think 3 fig trees are worth it. It's either that, or the prunings are getting composted. I DO. NOT. need more figs 😂 (Say that 100x over Sam) Ask a Question – Submit a gardening question for a future episode. About Sam – Learn more about the host of White Strawberries. Support the Podcast – Buy Sam a Cuppa to help keep new episodes coming.

  8. Apr 16

    Stop Guessing in the Garden: Simple Tests for Smarter Observation and Planting

    Ask a Question or Leave a Comment 🌱 Before you plant another single tree, there’s one step that can save you years of frustration: observation. In this Mastering the Garden episode of White Strawberries, I walk you through how to understand your land before you grow — from mapping shade and wind to testing soil, water movement, and frost patterns. Using real examples (including why my mum’s feijoas fruit weeks before mine just 12 minutes away), we explore how small environmental differences shape what thrives — and what struggles. This episode is your practical guide to working with your land instead of against it, using simple, often free tests to build a resilient, abundant garden. 🌿 If you’ve ever felt like you don’t have a “green thumb,” this might be the missing piece. 🌱 What You’ll Discover  How to map shade across seasons and use it to your advantage  What wind patterns reveal about plant placement and disease risk  How frost moves through your land — and how to work with it  Simple ways to observe water flow, drainage, and waterlogging Easy at-home soil tests (including structure and moisture checks)  How weeds can give clues about your soil conditions  Why climate zones (like USDA) are helpful — but limited  🔗 References & Resources Mentioned  Permaculture Research Soil Test Handbook — by Chris Trump & collaborators  iNaturalist (plant identification app)  Seek by iNaturalist (child-friendly version)  🎧 Previous White Strawberries Episodes Referred to  How I Saved My Garden from Summer Storms, Flooding and Wind (Episode 37). Look it up on your platform 🤗Run until the 18th of August 2026 Join Grounded – Friends and Family Soft Launch starts August 27 💚🌿 Free Fig Cuttings It costs me $27 to send you three different types, postage, packaging and stripe. But given they're $2 each at the supermarket... I 100% think 3 fig trees are worth it. It's either that, or the prunings are getting composted. I DO. NOT. need more figs 😂 (Say that 100x over Sam) Ask a Question – Submit a gardening question for a future episode. About Sam – Learn more about the host of White Strawberries. Support the Podcast – Buy Sam a Cuppa to help keep new episodes coming.

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About

Based on your recent episodes, here is a polished podcast description that accurately highlights your exact mix of practical skills, guest experts, and holistic topics: Welcome to White Strawberries, where gardening, permaculture, and sustainable living nourish body, mind, and planet. I’m Sam—a gardener, mum, educator, and self-confessed "lazy gardener" who loves working efficiently for maximum, delicious returns. Each week, we explore practical ways to grow nutrient-dense food, foster resilience, and cultivate vibrant flowers for pure joy. From building food forests, living mulches, and fruit guilds to mastering plant propagation, composting, and soil health—we take the guess work out of the garden. We dive into real-world growing: growing mushrooms, raising backyard poultry and livestock safely, fermenting, seed soaking, and managing garden extremes like storms and summer heat. Because when you design with nature and build biodiversity, everything thrives. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced grower, join me each week to simplify your garden and maximize your yield! 🌱 Get in Touch & Connect: Interview Inquiries & Guest Pitching: hello@whitestrawberriespodcast.comInstagram: @whitestrawberriespodcastFacebook: White Strawberries Podcast

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