Growing Joy with Plants - Wellness Rooted in Nature, Houseplants, Gardening and Plant Care

Maria Failla- Happy Plant Lady and Author of Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness
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Looking for free, natural ways to decrease stress and increase joy and calm in your life? The answer might be simpler than you think: houseplants, gardening and nature. On Growing Joy with Plants, learn alongside Happy Plant Lady, Maria Failla to care for plants, engage with nature, and use them to manage your overwhelm, anxiety and experience happiness and calm you thought was only available on vacation.Plant care is self care. Come grow some joy with us. Follow along on socials @growingjoywithmaria

  1. 22H AGO

    Monarch Butterflies, Growing Milkweed, And The Power Of Plant People

    Why are monarch butterflies so special? If you follow me on Instagram, you already know my answer. The monarch butterfly has completely taken over my heart. I literally dressed up as one for Halloween this year, and I have zero regrets! Ever since my husband and I moved to Florida, I started planting milkweed just to watch them hatch in my own yard. And wow. Seeing their life cycle happen right in front of me made me think deeply about gardening. It also made me realize I had a lot to learn. So I called up my favorite wildlife nerd, David Mizejewski, and we spent a whole podcast episode just geeking out about monarch butterflies together! Let's dive in!   In this episode, we learn: [03:57] Meet David Mizejewski, a naturalist, NWF, and a fellow monarch nerd! [04:36] Why monarch butterflies hold a special emotional place for me [06:06] What are the benefits of monarchs? [08:49] Are monarchs really disappearing? [10:53] Why the endangered/threatened designation is so confusing [12:52] What would a "threatened" listing actually do for monarchs? [15:28] Manukora [17:13] How microplastics affect the environment [18:25] Why are monarchs disappearing? [19:20] The monarch lifecycle [22:19] Why monarchs are specialists [29:48] How gardeners can actually help monarch butterflies [31:33] Native milkweed varieties worth knowing [35:12] How to source pesticide-free native plants [36:45] What are neonicotinoids? [37:37] Which milkweed to avoid (aka the tropical milkweed problem) [42:39] How to visually identify tropical milkweed [45:05] Why you shouldn’t hand-rear monarchs! [48:25] How the monarch migration actually works [52:03] What to do instead of hand-rearing! [53:43] Why parasitic wasps killing caterpillars is natural [57:46] Where to find native plants by zip code [59:46] How to certify your monarch garden with NWF [01:01:19] My plans for my new home, my HOA, and my neighborhood kids! [01:02:35] NWF's "cues of care" strategy [01:04:37] Where to find David and all NWF resources   Mentioned in our conversation: National Wildlife Federation Native Plants Finder Garden for Wildlife Native Plant Finder by Zip Code Certified Wildlife Habitat   If you want to help the monarch population, check out the full show notes and blog for David's expert advice!   Follow David: WebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookTikTokLinkedIn   Thank you to our episode sponsor: Manukora Go to manukora.com/bloom to get up to 31% off the starter kit that includes their 850+ Manukora honey jar, 5 honey travel sticks, a wooden spoon, and a guidebook, PLUS $25 worth of free gifts!    Follow Maria and Growing Joy: Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle) Support Growing Joy with Maria by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon! Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria Subscribe to the Growing Joy YouTube channel! /growingjoywithmaria Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 8m

  2. 5D AGO ·  BONUS

    Herbalism 101: Grow, Harvest, and Use Medicinal Herbs: Best of Growing Joy Replay

    Did you know your “regular” herb garden can double as a medicinal herb garden, and that the mint you grab for mojitos can actually calm your nerves and your digestion? I used to think herbalism meant mysterious tincture bottles and complicated formulas… until I started turning the basil, mint, and lemon balm I grow into simple herbal teas I actually drink every night. In this Best of Growing Joy episode, I’m revisiting a conversation with Juliet from the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine, botanist, herbalist, and author of The Healing Garden. If you’re a gardener, tea lover, or herbalism beginner who wants to learn how to grow and use medicinal herbs you already have, this episode is for you! You’ll learn which common herbs (like mint, basil, rosemary, lemon balm, and calendula) are most powerful to start with, how to harvest and dry them for tea, and why plant energetics (matching herbs to your unique body) matters more than any trendy supplement. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to make your own herbal tea from garden herbs instead of reaching for another tea bag.   In this episode, we learn: [04:58] What led Juliet Blankenspoor to become interested in herbalism [08:52] What makes plants medicinal, and have they been proven by doctors? [11:51] Energetics of plants and how to complement their energies with people's [15:49] How do you determine your own energy constitution? [16:45] Who is Wim Hoff and what are the possible benefits of cold showers? [19:16] What's the best way to get started with this completely new field of medicinal benefits? [22:22] Where to get the best seeds for your spring garden [23:38] The right choice for safe indoor and outdoor gardening products [27:03] What are the properties of Mint? [28:30] Some of the commonly used herbs that we might not be aware of [30:01] What tonic means in the context of herbal medicine [32:36] What are the medicinal properties of chives? [33:58] How we can prepare tea from fresh and dried herbs [38:16] Is there any medicinal value to the mint stem? [39:43] What other herbs can you grow to make your own tea? [44:13] Your next favorite kitchen appliance! [47:19] What are some of the most versatile medicinal plants Juliet recommends exploring that aren't found in a traditional culinary garden? [48:19] What plants should you add to your culinary garden for medical benefits? [52:38] Juliet Blankespoor’s favorite herbs that you can add to your cooking recipes [57:39] What can you learn from the book ‘The Healing Garden: Cultivating and Handcrafting Herbal Remedies'?   Mentioned in our conversation: The Healing Garden: Cultivating and Handcrafting Herbal Remedies, book by Juliet Blankespoor Tea strainers Wim Hof Method FREE 2-week trial to the Garden Party!   Curious what else your herb garden might be hiding? Check out the full show notes and blog for beginner-friendly herbalism tips and recipes!   Follow Juliet Website Instagram Facebook Healing Garden Gateway, Juliet's personal website     Follow Maria and Growing Joy: Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here! Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle) Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon! Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    57 min

  3. APR 28

    Gardening Tips for Seniors: How to Adapt Your Garden as You Age Gracefully

    I’ve always wanted to make gardening a lifelong hobby because I plan to have dirt under my nails well into my 80s or 90s, but I never really thought through HOW to make that happen. Because as much as we love our plants, gardening as you age is not about doing the same thing forever. I see it with my mom who’s an incredible gardener. She has that true plant parent energy, but even she has to change how she gardens. So what if the secret to longevity is just learning how to garden differently? To help me with that topic is Rhonda Fleming Hayes. She’s the author of Garden for Life and has been gardening across more climates, zones, and life changes than most of us can imagine. And in this episode, she teaches us gardening tips for seniors and how to adapt your garden as you age so gardening stays joyful!   In this episode, we learn: [02:56] Meet Rhonda Fleming Hayes, author of Garden for Life! [03:25] What do we call “senior gardeners” without promoting ageism? [04:21] Why 55 is the turning point for when/how much you garden! [05:56] How has Rhonda's gardening experience been? [08:09] How Rhonda’s relationship with her garden has changed as she’s gotten older [09:42] What are the mistakes senior gardeners make? [12:04] Gardening as something that should change with you! [13:03] Why continuing to garden matters as you age [15:09] Concrete Botany by Joey Santore [16:14] My summer with Melody + how companionable garden buddies help each other! [18:49] How to evaluate your garden for safety/accessibility? [21:00] Tools that make gardening sustainable over time [23:06] How to start gardening over again when moving to a new space [25:59] Why you need to create "way stations" to sit and enjoy your garden [27:52] How to overcome the “ego blow” of hiring professional garden help [31:01] What does Rhonda's own Minnesota garden look like? [33:40] What getting help actually looks like in practice [34:39] Inspiring real-life gardener stories from her book, Garden for Life [36:27] Where to find Rhonda and her book online   Mentioned in our conversation: Rhonda’s books: Garden for Life: Strategies for Easier, Greener, More Joyful Gardening as We Age Pollinator Friendly Gardening: Gardening for Bees, Butterflies, and Other Pollinators   For Rhonda's complete senior gardening tips check out the full show notes and blog here!   Follow Rhonda: InstagramBlueSky The Garden Buzz Facebook The Garden Buzz X   Thank you to our episode sponsor: Quarto: Concrete Botany by Joey Santore Grab Concrete Botany at quarto.com and wherever books are sold.   Follow Maria and Growing Joy: Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle) Support Growing Joy with Maria by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon! Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria Subscribe to the Growing Joy YouTube channel! /growingjoywithmaria Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    41 min

  4. APR 23 ·  BONUS

    Mushroom Cultivation 101: The Mushroom Miniseries: Best of Growing Joy Replay

    Did you know mushrooms aren’t actually plants, but a completely different kingdom that plays a huge role in soil health, plant health, and the success of your indoor and outdoor garden? This is the third episode in our Mushroom Mini Series, and this week we’re having a high-level conversation all about what mushrooms are, how fungi and mycelium work, and why they matter so much for plant parents and anyone interested in holistic plant care. Louis from North Spore joins me and my husband Billy for a really fun conversation about the underground “wood wide web,” how mushrooms support your garden ecosystem, and why understanding fungi can completely change the way you think about gardening, mushrooms in soil, and growing mushrooms at home. I hope this conversation helps you better understand the hidden life in your soil and inspires you to look at mushrooms, plant care, and your garden in a whole new way.   In this episode, we learn: [05:42] What is it like being a mushroom farmer? [06:40] Multiple harvests from the grow kits through proper moisture management [08:51] Debunking magic mushroom misconceptions [2:44] Billy and Maria’s positive experiences with Lion's mane mushroom [14:34] How do you grow mushrooms indoors? [14:44] #1 Spray & Grow Kits (The perfect beginner species!) [18:02] #2 Fruiting Blocks [19:17] Where can you get premium quality growlights? [21:05] Where can you find delightful wind chimes that make for a perfect gift choice? [22:23] #3 Martha Tents (aka North Spore’s Boom Room) [25:36] How do you avoid mold with a Martha tent? [28:18] What's the ideal humidity level on the humidistat for the fruiting blocks? [30:39] What comprises a fruiting block and what goes into making it? [32:17] How do you distinguish spawns versus spores? [37:13] How do you pasteurize something? [37:58] What would be three great beginner mushrooms to start in a grow tent? [40:09] Economics of mushroom cultivation [42:26] Can a Martha tent enable a wider range of mushroom growth compared to a mono tub? [43:21] #3 Mono tub [50:22] What are the two substrates of Nameko mushrooms? [54:23] Who is North Spore?   Mentioned in our conversation: How to Make a Martha Tent Mushroom Fruiting Chamber ‘BoomRoom’ Automated Mushroom Martha Tent Grow Kit How to Make a Monotub: The Complete Monotub Tek Guide Using a Spray & Grow Kit Fruiting Block Kits Spray & Grow Kits Monotub Kits Monotub Set Up & Grow Guide How to Grow Mushrooms in Buckets & Containers   Feeling a little more mushroom curious after this episode? Check out the full show notes and blog for fungi basics and growing tips!   Follow North Spore Louis' LinkedIn Website Instagram YouTube Facebook TikTok     Follow Maria and Growing Joy: Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here! Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle) Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon! Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    57 min

  5. APR 21

    Spring Bulb and Summer Bulb Planting Tutorial with Jenny Rose Carey

    Did you know that your bulb garden doesn't have to be high-maintenance? One of my earliest memories is my mom planting what felt like endless tulip bulbs—500 of them, in fact. She was a young mom with three kids, no spare time, and definitely not a person who could fuss over plants every day, but somehow, she always had color! Bulbs showed up for her, and she did not have to slave over her garden to get them. That’s why I know it is possible to create a low‑maintenance garden with bulbs. So I invited Jenny Rose Carey on the show to walk us through it. She gardens on a 4.5‑acre property called Northview, filled with thousands of bulbs that bloom from late winter through fall. She’s a horticulturist, a biologist, a teacher at heart, and the author of The Essential Guide to Bulbs. She shares how bulbs actually work, which ones are worth planting, and how to plant them so they don’t rot or disappear after one season! Let's begin!   In this episode, we learn: [04:04] Meet Jenny Rose Carey [07:05] What’s the history behind her 4-acre garden called Northview? [09:57] What a full season of bulbs actually looks like at Northview [11:30] What counts as a bulb? (Are dahlias bulbs?) [12:43] How the bulb cycle works [14:25] Designing a wedding garden with dahlias, raised beds, and containers full of flowers! [15:44] Manukora Honey [17:30] How to understand the seasonal lifecycle & dormancy of bulbs (spring bulb vs summer bulb) [22:12] How bulbs can create a lower-maintenance garden [23:37] What are the best summer bulbs? [26:55] Summer bulbs Jenny loves most for flowers and cutting gardens! [29:48] Bulb planting 101 [33:20] How do you know which way is up when planting a bulb? [34:32] Why some bulbs seem to “fail” the first year [37:16] The drainage rule to avoid bulb rot [39:28] In-ground vs. containers for bulbs [41:42] How lasagna planting works for bulbs [44:39] The best places in your garden to plant bulbs [45:52] What are Jenny’s favorite fragrant bulbs for summer? [48:03] The biggest mistakes people make when planting bulbs [49:15] How to use store-bought bulbs for instant gratification [50:28] Where to find Jenny, her book The Essential Guide to Bulbs, and her garden at Northview!   Mentioned in our conversation: Growing Joy 150: Bulb Basics with Jenks Farmer The Essential Guide to Bulbs by Jenny Rose Carey Northview Gardens   For Jenny's complete bulb tutorial, check out the full show notes and blog here!   Follow Jenny: WebsiteNorthview GardenInstagramFacebookYouTubeX   Thank you to our episode sponsor: Manukora Go to manukora.com/bloom to get up to 31% off the starter kit that includes their 850+ Manukora honey jar, 5 honey travel sticks, a wooden spoon, and a guidebook, PLUS $25 worth of free gifts!   Follow Maria and Growing Joy: Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle) Support Growing Joy with Maria by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon! Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria Subscribe to the Growing Joy YouTube channel! /growingjoywithmaria Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    55 min

  6. APR 16 ·  BONUS

    How to Grow Functional Mushrooms in Your Garden: The Mushroom Miniseries: Best of Growing Joy Replay

    Did you know that you can actually grow edible gourmet mushrooms in your garden right alongside your tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, herbs, and veggies? You can! And by doing that, you can improve your soil health, support your garden ecosystem, and add another delicious crop to harvest and enjoy throughout the growing season. This is the second episode in our Mushroom Mini Series. Last week, we re-released our episode on growing mushrooms indoors, and this week, we’re talking all about how to grow mushrooms outdoors in your garden. Louis from North Spore joins me and my husband Billy for such a fun conversation about growing mushrooms outdoors right alongside your vegetables, herbs, and even cut flowers. We talk about beginner-friendly ways to start growing edible mushrooms at home without a fancy setup required! If you’re a plant lover, gardener, or curious plant parent, this episode will open your mind to just how easy and rewarding mushroom gardening can be. I can’t wait to see what kinds of mushrooms you grow, how you cook them up, and how they support both your garden and your health.   In this episode, we learn: [05:35] Benefits of Lion's Mane mushroom supplements for improved focus and energy [09:15] Why should you grow mushrooms in your garden? [10:45] Specific vocabulary in mushroom cultivation [12:43] Is mushroom DNA diverse or uniform across different areas? [15:30] Why you can't simply grow any mushrooms in soil alone [17:15] Are mushrooms annuals or perennials? [20:14] Where can you find full spectrum plant lights to bring the beauty of outdoors inside this April? [22:16] Where can you find a healthy meal delivery program? [24:52] What protections exist for preventing other mushroom species from colonizing a bed of ripe food and confusing the farmer? [26:29] Can you harvest mushrooms immediately after inoculating your garden beds? [27:35] What mushrooms are best for beginners to grow in the garden? [29:30] Do you need a lot of space to grow a good harvest? [30:29] Do worms compete or work with mycorrhizal? [32:25] What materials do you need for growing mushrooms in your garden? [34:44] Where can you find a wind chime that would make the perfect gift these holidays? [36:21] How can you grow mushrooms in your mulch? [41:04] Does a denser, ground-level plant provide better shade for the mushrooms?? [44:00] Is there a general rule for spacing the insertion points when inoculating a bale of hay? [44:49] How do mycorrhizal networks and mold coexist in nature, particularly in damp and dark environments? [48:09] How to create a mushroom container for small gardening spaces [52:49] What are the required maintenance tasks for growing mushrooms during the season? [57:03] What is the difference between cutting and pulling mushrooms during harvesting? [58:23] Best beginner mushroom varieties that are resilient to temperature and humidity changes [59:40] Different mushrooms that you can grow in different garden zones or different climates [01:00:56] What is the process of inoculating logs for growing mushrooms? [01:03:48] What's the purpose of wax capping your mushrooms? [01:05:29] Can mushroom inoculation be done before or after the frost date? [01:10:12] Where can you find mushroom spawns and learn more about mushroom growing?   Mentioned in our conversation: North Spore ‘Spray & Grow' Mushroom Growing Kits Pink Oyster ‘Spray & Grow’ Mushroom Growing Kit YouTube video North Spore Test garden in Portland, Maine Lion’s Mane tincture How to Grow Mushrooms in Buckets & Containers Which Species of Log is Best? How to Make Outdoor Mushroom Beds How to Grow Mushrooms on Logs, Totems & Stumps Mushroom Spores vs. Spawn: What is the Difference? YouTube video How to Grow Mushrooms on Logs | Complete Inoculation Walkthrough!   Are you officially tempted to start a mushroom bed now? Check out the full show notes and blog for mushroom-growing tips and everything we mentioned in this episode!   Follow North Spore Louis' LinkedIn Website Instagram YouTube Facebook TikTok     Follow Maria and Growing Joy: Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here! Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle) Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon! Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 3m

  7. APR 14

    Permaculture for Plant Parents: The Simple Gardening Method That Gives Back

    My goal this year is to find more ease and joy in my garden! I love my plants, but I don’t want my yard to feel like another job. And when I realized that was a theme that was gonna keep coming up, I knew I needed to do an episode on permaculture. So I invited my plant friend, Brandy Hall. She’s a permaculture designer and has helped me see it as a simple, practical way to garden. She calls herself a garden editor for homeowners, which means she helps people like us turn regular lawns into regenerative spaces that get better over time.   In this episode, we learn: [02:45] Meet Brandy Hall of Shades of Green Permaculture! [03:23] How did she become the permaculture expert that she is today? [04:38] What pesticide exposure did to her family and why it changed everything [08:24] How travel, farm life, and construction work pulled Brandy into this career [10:51] Permaculture vs regenerative gardening vs rewilding vs ecological landscaping [12:50] Is permaculture growing your own food? [14:44] What are the three pillars of a regenerative landscape? [14:55] Pillar #1 Restore water cycle [15:11] Pillar #2 Soil fertility [15:46] Espoma Organic [17:22] Pillar #3 Building plant communities [18:00] Applying permaculture to real neighborhoods [21:19] How modern development broke the natural water cycle [23:42] What permaculture does differently with water [26:22] The biggest water management mistakes homeowners make [27:23] How to work with your downspouts and rain gardens to manage water [28:19] Why the soil is your best water storage system [30:19] How much water actually falls on your roof [31:55] What does a permaculture site consultation actually look like? [33:23] How to “read” your own space [34:47] How to choose plants for permaculture [36:02] Native vs non‑native plants [37:39] How to make a permaculture garden look aesthetic (even in an HOA) [40:00] How Brandy designs beautiful & productive beds [41:10] Where to start if you're new to permaculture [42:53] Brandy's online course, The Regenerative Backyard Blueprint [44:10] Where to find Brandy, her book, and her resources   Mentioned in our conversation: The Complete Guide to Home Permaculture by Brandy Hall The Cut Flower Handbook: Select, Plant, Grow, and Harvest Gorgeous Blooms by Lisa Ziegler   For Brandy's recommended permaculture habits, check out the full show notes and blog here!   Follow Brandy:WebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTube   Thank you to our episode sponsor: Espoma Organic Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.   Follow Maria and Growing Joy: Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle) Support Growing Joy with Maria by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon! Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria Subscribe to the Growing Joy YouTube channel! /growingjoywithmaria Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    47 min

  8. APR 9 ·  BONUS

    How to Grow Mushrooms Indoors: The Mushroom Miniseries: Best of Growing Joy Replay

    What if your next houseplant could double in size overnight and end up on your dinner plate? Today we’re talking about how to grow mushrooms indoors and why it might be one of the most fun, beginner-friendly ways to grow edible mushrooms at home. A couple of years ago, I recorded a Mushroom Miniseries with my husband and mushroom expert Louis from North Spore, and we talked about everything from growing mushrooms indoors to outdoor cultivation and harvesting your own mushrooms at home. This episode is all about growing mushrooms indoors, including beginner-friendly options like mushroom grow kits, easy edible varieties like oyster mushrooms and lion’s mane, and what you actually need to get started. It’s weird, it’s fascinating, it’s surprisingly easy, and if you’re a plant parent who’s ever wanted your hobby to become dinner, this one’s for you. I’m so excited to bring this episode back as part of our Best of Growing Joy series, and I think you’re going to love it.   In this episode, we learn: [00:56] This episode’s special guest! [02:02] Billy and I started exploring mushrooms after watching ‘Fantastic Fungi’ [05:57] An overview of our four-part mushroom miniseries! [07:57] Who is Louis Giller and why is he so crazy about mushrooms? [11:31] Mushroom appreciation! [12:36] How we started this passion project [16:42] What is the difference between mushrooms and fungi? [19:00] Are you looking for a product that improves plant growth while reducing water usage? [20:40] Where can you get high-quality potato seeds this summer? [22:50] What differentiates fungi from flora? [25:21] What is the main purpose of mushrooms? [27:08] Let’s explore the Wood Wide Web! [30:54] What determines the fungus' fruiting body structure? [35:38] Do potting mixes and composts with mycorrhizae help plants absorb water and nutrients faster, and how does this work? [37:05] What are the little yellow mushrooms growing in your houseplant soils? [39:36] What are adaptogenic mushrooms? [40:40] Chaga and Reishi mushrooms: their anti-inflammatory benefits and unknown mechanisms [43:43] Why mushroom have high-end protein content [48:56] Ready to prioritize your health by investing in your sleep with the comfiest bedsheets [51:07] Are the Cordyceps from The Last of Us TV show real? [53:21] Louis’ best mushroom-related books for beginners! [57:37] What are the mushrooms that Loius regularly consumes? [59:31] What are some affordable ways to grow mushrooms at home?   Mentioned in our conversation: Champs Trade Shows Paul Stamets’s film Fantastic Fungi Pizza ai Funghi Giuliana Furci FunDiS HBO TV Series The Last of Us Netflix TV Series How to Change Your Mind Tero Isokauppila’s book Healing Mushrooms Tero Isokauppila’s book Healing Adaptogens David L. Spahr’s book Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms of New England and Eastern Canada  Merlin Sheldrake’ book Entangled Life Four Sigmatic   What mushroom would you want to grow first? Check out the full show notes and blog for grow kits, mushroom-growing tips, and everything we mentioned in this episode!   Follow North Spore Louis' LinkedIn Website Instagram YouTube Facebook TikTok Pinterest     Follow Maria and Growing Joy: Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here! Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle) Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon! Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    51 min
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About

Looking for free, natural ways to decrease stress and increase joy and calm in your life? The answer might be simpler than you think: houseplants, gardening and nature. On Growing Joy with Plants, learn alongside Happy Plant Lady, Maria Failla to care for plants, engage with nature, and use them to manage your overwhelm, anxiety and experience happiness and calm you thought was only available on vacation.Plant care is self care. Come grow some joy with us. Follow along on socials @growingjoywithmaria

Information

  • Creator
    Maria Failla- Happy Plant Lady and Author of Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    407
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2017 Bloom and Grow, LLC

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