The No-Till Flowers Podcast Jennie Love

Here's Part 2 of my chat with Margaret Parks of Evergreen Growers Supply, an Oregon-based supplier of beneficial insects and microorganisms.  If you haven't already, be sure to listen to Part 1 to get an introduction to using beneficial insects in your grow operation.  

Some important links to go along with this conversation: 
Evergreen Growers Supply
dmvbeneficials.com

Cucumber Beetle Trap
Japanese Beetle Trap
 
JOIN ME for a FIELD DAY AT MY FARM in Philadelphia THIS SEASON.  
Register for the April 14th Field Day here.  
 
If you liked this episode, you'll want to also listen to: 
Episode 21: The Magical BRIX Number That Stops Pests with Dr. Tom Dykstra
Episode 25: The Power of Pusle Watering with Emma Horswill of Earthenry Farm
Episode 29:  Nutrient Balancing in Living Soils with Bryant Mason, the Soil Doctor
 
Join the Regenerative Flower Farmers Network for more resources and Q&As with podcast guests.  
 
HAVE IDEAS AND FEEDBACK ABOUT THE PODCAST?  Share your opinions in this brief survey.  
As always, if you appreciate this podcast and all the education it provides, please take a moment out of your day to rate and write a review for it on Apple Podcasts or wherever you are listening to it. 

I’m joined in this episode by Margaret Parks of Evergreen Growers Supply, an Oregon-based supplier of beneficial insects and microorganisms.  We begin by discussing the big picture pieces of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as they relate to small scale flower farming.  Then we dive into spider mite control with three fantastic beneficial insects.  We also touch on banker and trap crops as well as the importance and fundamentals of scouting. 

Some important links to go along with this conversation: 
Evergreen Growers Supply
Margaret’s Critter Links

The mite predators Margaret mentions are: 
Amblyseius / Neoseiulus fallacis  (pronounced "fuh-LASS-iss")
Hypoaspis miles / Stratiolaelaps scimitis – (pronounced "stratio-LAY-laps")
Phytoseiulus persimilis – (pronounced "per-SIM-ih-liss")


Margaret offered a great pro tip during our conversation I thought I’d put here in the show notes so it’s easy to reference.  Add site:.edu after google search terms to find university and extension publications quickly without having to weed through all the companies sell stuff.  
Because Margaret had so much great info to share, I’ve split my conversation with her into two parts. Tune in again for Part 2 where we talk about a few more specific pests, like cucumber and Japanese bettles, as well as a natural product Evergreen Growers offers to combat gall.  
If you liked this episode, you may want to also listen to: 
Episode 8: Dahlia Pest Management with LeeAnn Huber of Coseytown Flowers

Episode 15: A Little Goes a Long Way in Regenerative Flower Farming KNF and JADAM with Tony
Gaetz of Bare Mountain Farm

Episode 21: The Magical BRIX Number That Stops Pests – An Exciting Conversation with Dr. Tom Dykstra
 
HAVE IDEAS AND FEEDBACK ABOUT THE PODCAST?  Share your opinions in this brief survey.  
As always, if you appreciate this podcast and all the education it provides, please take a moment out of your day to rate and write a review for it on Apple Podcasts or wherever you are listening to it. 
 

Margaret Parks of Evergreen Growers Supply

Host Jennie Love walks listeners through a clear and concise discussion of what natural farming is and how to begin making natural inputs like JADAM Microbial Solution (JMS).  If you've been intimidated by the host of natural inputs talked about in Korean Natural Farming (KNF) and JADAM, this is a great introduction that will demystify the process and get you started.  
Mentioned in the episode: 
Registration for the CREW virtual seminar to help you find and manage a great crew for the coming season.  
The JADAM book
The JADAM YouTube channel
The Regenerative Flower Farmers Network where you'll find the transcript for this show and several related articles to making natural inputs for your regenerative farm (you must be a member to access it)
If you enjoyed this show, you will also enjoy listening to these past episodes: 
Episdoe 17: Exploring the Science Behind Natural Farm Inputs with Nigel Palmer Episode 15: A Little Goes A Long Way In Regenerative Flower Farming: KNF and JADAM with Tony Gaetz of Bare Mountain Farm  
Please remember to rate and review this podcast!  Many thanks! 

Guest Bryant Mason of Soil Doctor Consulting in Colorado joins host Jennie Love in a lively conversation about nutrient balancing and soil testing, including key nutrients for better flower production and stem quality.  Follow Bryant on Instagram @soil_doctor.  
Bryant has developed an easy online tool to help you directly to interpret your soil tests and choose natural amendments accordingly.  Click here to learn more.  
Covered in this episode are:
The Different Forms of Nitrogen Calcium Phosphorous  Magnesium Soil pH Soil Paste Test and Soil Testing in General Tissue Testing Water Management Testing Natural Inputs for Nutrient Levels Resources mentioned in this episode are: 
Biomin Cal-Boro (calcium boron feed) Infiltration Ring Chart for Mode of Nutrient Uptake in the Root Zone Logan  Labs Past episodes for further listening include:
Episdoe 25: The Power of Pulse Watering with Emma Horswill
Episode 17: Natural Inputs with Nigel Palmer
Episode 15: Korean Natural Farming and JADAM in Flower Farming with Tony Gaetz of Bare Mountain Farm
Episode 4: Soils Testing 101 with Ellen Polishuk 
 
HAVE IDEAS AND FEEDBACK ABOUT THE PODCAST?  Share your opinions in this brief survey.  
As always, if you appreciate this podcast and all the education it provides, please take a moment out of your day to rate and write a review for it on Apple Podcasts or wherever you are listening to it. 

It’s seed starting time!  I’d venture to say this is what we growers are live for!  Watching seedlings grow in the depths of winter is the best mood lifter.  Those of you in the Southern Hemisphere are likely gearing up for your late summer sowings for cool annuals too.  So it seemed like a great time to do a deeper dive into seed sowing with my old friend and seed starting pro, Lisa Mason Zeigler from the Gardener’s Workshop. 
Lisa literally wrote the book, called Cool Flowers, on starting seeds for early spring crops. She’s been flower farming for 25 years and runs a seed supply house.  She’s also the host of the Field & Garden podcast, which you should check out if you haven’t already. 
In this episode,  Lisa and I talk all about seeds.  Everything from seed storage tips to creating a living soil with natural inputs to even a bit about sowing by the biodynamic calendar.
 
If you’d like to get my written out Regenerative Seed Starting Mix Recipe, join the Regenerative Flower Farmers Network (RFFN) to download that today. 
 
Lots of links to share with this episode:
The New Organic Grower by Eliot Coleman
Seed Germination Theory and Practice by Dr. Norman Deno (free download)
Biodynamic Calendar (make sure to set your specific location for accurate days)
A study about the importance of the first few days of a seedling’s life and how they develop
Maxicrop (kelp product)
WCA (calcium input)
LAB (video on how to make it)
A study on worm castings enhancing germination
A study on worm castings improving disease resistance
TED talk on how bacteria “talk” with autoinducers
 
Past episodes mentioned in this conversation for further listening include:
Episode 21: BRIX with Dr. Tom Dykstra
Episode 15: Korean Natural Farming and JADAM in Flower Farming with Tony Gaetz of Bare Mountain Farm
Episode 16: Biodynamics with Erika and Ken from Teton Full Circle Farm
Episode 23: Bokashi and Worm Farming with Matt Arthur
 
HAVE IDEAS AND FEEDBACK ABOUT THE PODCAST?  Share your opinions in this brief survey.  
As always, if you appreciate this podcast and all the education it provides, please take a moment out of your day to rate and write a review for it on Apple Podcasts or wherever you are listening to it. 

Guest Laura Beth Resnick of Butterbee Farm in Maryland joins host Jennie Love again to discuss building and rebuilding a successful farm business over the past decade. 
Covered in this episode are:
- Finding land to farm
- Pros and cons of renting versus buying farm land
- Funding sources for land and infrastructure
- Making infrastructure decisions
- Bringing goats to a flower farm
- Finding peach of mind and courage in the face of big change and wintertime
Mentioned in this episode are: 
The Regenerative Flower Farmers Network
Jennie's upcoming virtual farming cohort where she'll coach a small group of flower farmers throgh the spring. 
Laura Beth's previous episode here on No-Till Flowers.
Laura Beth's online class about building a farm, including more details about funding. 
A past episode on farmer burnout and mental well-being with Amelia Ihlo.
The "goat moat" fig guy, Three Fold Farm in Mechanicsburg PA (they have an earth battery green house too). 
Farm Service Agency (FSA) for farm loans
Please take a moment to rate and review this podcast wherever you are listening.  
Find No-Till Flowers on Instagram @notillflowers