The Grow Guid‪e‬ The Grow Guide

In honour of Black History Month, this week's episode of The Grow Guide is focused on black culture. We're honoured to have Colah B. Tawkin, host and founder of the podcast, Black in the Garden, join us to shed some light on why biodiversity in media is just as important as it is in nature (interview begins at 00:18:30). Colah challenges us to think outside of the white narrative gardening media often presents. We discuss her background as a gardener,  the lack of representation and diversity in gardening, and some of the amazing guests she's had on her podcast. In a very fun round of Rapid Fire, Colah recommends her favourite black-owned gardening brands, influencers and podcasts. See all Colah's recommendations and resources mentioned throughout the show linked below.
Colah's Recommendations:
The Read Podcast 
The New Jim Crow book
Civil Rights Leader Fanny Lou Hamer
The Plant Kiki - Colah's Other Podcast
Plant Expert: Derek, The Chocolate Botanist
Instagram Follows: Christopher @plantkween  and Niyya @thebloomjourney
Hemp Farmer: Green Heffa Farms, Farmer Cee
Black-Owned Seed Company: Seed Mail Seed Co
BIPOC-Hosted Gardening Podcast: The Plant Nook and Black Plant Chick 
Support Black in the Garden on Patreon
Maggie's Fav Thing: Seedling Heat Mat 
Dave's Fav Thing: Poppy Seeds
Visit our new website!
 

Maggie and Dave catch up this week while surviving the Polar Vortex of 2021 with temperatures in Manitoba dropping to -45°C! Despite the frigid temps, things feel warm and cozy on the pod. Maggie shares about the lesson her dieffenbachia (dumbcane plant) has taught her after happily living in water for the past three years. Dave's favorite thing is something he's looking forward to growing this Spring, Gai Lan Broccoli. A listener question about the basics of seed starting sparks a conversation about soil selection, seeding and planting out dates. And in this week's segment of Plant Science Minute (or two!), Dave covers the process of apaical dominance and why pruning your plants supports new growth. Then, American author and horticulturalist, Jessica Walliser joins the pod (interview begins at 00:24:30) to break down the science behind companion planting. Jessica shares some of the research found while writing her new book, Plant Partners: Science-Based Companion Planting Strategies for the Vegetable Garden.
Find Jessica's book anywhere books are sold, contact your local book store to purchase a copy.
Learn more about our guest, Jessica Walliser
The Farmer's Almanac Find Your Zone App (Maggie references during Question of the Week).
Dieffenbachia Plant Care 101 YouTube video by Planterina.
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Hello, hello, hello - welcome back to The Grow Guide! In this episode, Maggie and Dave cover all things seeds, starting with a new segment called Plant Science Minute that digs into the science of seed germination. Then Dave walks us through what's going on with seed suppliers in 2021 and why it might be tricky for you to get your hands on the seeds you want. We cover why there's such a large demand and small supply, alternative ways to secure seeds, and what is "hot" this year that you should order right away.
Resources Mentioned in this Episode:
Epic Gardening's Ginger YouTube Videos Seed to Fork's Guide to Ginger in the North Urban Farm and Kitchen Ginger Growing Guide Urban Farm and Kitchen Tumeric Guide Hudson Valley Seeds Art Packs Richters Herbs Connect with The Grow Guide:
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Support the podcast on Patreon!
 

We're celebrating our 100th episode in the only way we know how, talking about plants! Thank you for all the support over the years, we're so proud of what The Grow Guide has become and ready to bring you more great content in 2021. We kick off today's episode with a walk down memory lane, remembering some of our fav moments (episodes discussed linked below). Maggie and Dave then share their fav things before getting into a review of Niki Jabbour's newest book, Growing Under Cover; Techniques for a more productive, weather-resistant, pest-free vegetable garden. In the second half of the show, listeners Katie, Xander and Vanessa join the pod, sharing about their unique grow zones, upcoming gardening plans, and some of their own gardening advice. Cheers to another 100 episodes!
Past Episodes We Talk About:
Episode 5: Special Guest - Kids! Episode 51: Garlic Episode 78: 5 Gardening Projects for You to Start Now in February Episode 85: Starting Hardy Perennials from Seed, with Kelly Leask Episode 90: Maximizing Your Garden Space with Luay from Urban Farm and Kitchen Composting Organizations Xander Discusses:
Red Hook Community Urban Farm Big Reuse Giveaway:
To enter: Follow us in our Facebook community group or on Instagram. For a bonus entry: Leave us a review on iTunes or Spotify. Social:
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Happy Holidays, Grow Guiders (this episode was pre-recorded prior to Christmas)! Maggie and Dave catch up before the Christmas break to chat about their fav things - Maggie shares about caring for Poinsettias long-term and Dave shares about a gothic-style houseplant. Then they're joined by a returning guest, Jane Perrone who tells us all about the houseplant trends and craze that happened in 2020. Jane shares her suggestions on how to source houseplants sustainably and responsibly, and also lets us in on who "sets the trends" for the top houseplants each year, including what she predicts will be the big must-have plants for 2021. 
Listen to our last episode with Jane Perrone
Learn more about Jane Perrone
Listen back to our 2017 Holiday episode!
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Editor's Note: This week's episode has audio issue due to remote recording, we apologize in advance.
Maggie and Dave are joined by a returning guest this week, Zach Loeks. Zach, as always, is full of knowledge and shares his unique perspective on biodiversity. He covers finding opportunity in everyday landscapes and reconsidering how we organize our garden spaces. Zach reminds us that an edible ecosystem builds potential.
Learn more about Zach here.
Buy Zach's newest book The Edible Ecosystem Solution!
Maggie's Fav Thing: Sage Garden 2020 Seed Clearance
Canadian Seed Providers to Support!
Dave's Fav Thing: Juniper Ridge Wild Harvested Incense