The Maritime Gardening Podcast

Gardening is a learning process, but many of us choose to learn the hard way. Instead of devouring all the information that we can find from experienced gardeners BEFORE trying to garden, we do the opposite, and spend years spinning our wheels with trial and error. Eventually we find our way to studying to try …

In this episode, I talk to Keith Reid, author of the book: “Improving Your Soil”. We talk a little bit about his book, and why he wrote it – and then he answers a good smattering of soil-related viewer questions (as well as a couple of my own). Keith has been fascinated with soil from …

Farmer, permaculturalist, teacher, biologist, designer, author and speaker; Stefan Sobkowiak has presented more than 500 seminars and workshops to a whole range of public audiences. In addition to teaching at McGill University for 8 years, he worked as a biologist and designer in his landscape design practice for 20 years specializing in wildlife habitat designs. …

Canada’s Food Price Report 2020 is released jointly by Dalhousie University and the University of Guelph. The report speaks to predictions that were made using historical data sources, machine learning algorithms, and predictive analytics tools developed over many years (link below). In this episode I talk about rising food prices, and what you can do …

Another season of MPG has come to its end, and like last year, I thought I’d bring Dave Doggett, who was my co-host from seasons 1&2, back on the show for some laughs and to tell us about his plans to make lots of new episodes for his podcast (maritimeoutdoorsman.com) in 2020. I also talk …

There are three key things needed for success in a vegetable garden: sun, water and soil. All three are essential, but the third is arguably where the gardener’s efforts can have the greatest effect. In this podcast I discuss building the soil: how soil is a term that we use to refer to a very …

Jamie Simpson is a forester, lawyer, and writer with a passion for exploring our natural world. He is the author of Restoring the Acadian Forest: A Guide to Forest Stewardship for Woodlot Owners in Eastern Canada, and Journeys through Eastern Old-growth Forests, and his latest book is Eating Wild in Eastern Canada. In this episode …

Ever notice that the birds seem to know more than you when it comes to the natural world? That’s phenonolgy! Don’t worry – If you spend a lifetime learning – you just might know as much as a bird by the time you’re old enough to pass that knowledge on to the next generation! In …

This is not my first rant about the raised bed fad that seems to have made everyone go gaga in recent years, and I doubt it will be the last! If you’re considering building a new garden, or expanding your garden, and think that raised beds will be a panacea for all your gardening cares, …

In this episode we catch up with author, blogger, teacher, YouTuber and Master Gardener Robert Pavlis! We have a great conversation about things you don’t need to buy, and Robert also talks about his next book (coming late December 2019) that’s all about soil science. If you enjoyed this content, please share this content with …

Last week we had a wonderful guest in biologist and educator Stefan Sobkowiak. Stefan’s film, “The Permaculture Orchard: Beyond Organic”, offers an inspiring and informative look at his Permaculture Orchard in South West Quebec. In the film, Stefan shares his experience transforming a conventional apple orchard into an abundance of biodiversity that virtually takes care …

This week we have a wonderful guest in biologist and educator Stefan Sobkowiak. Stefan’s film, “The Permaculture Orchard: Beyond Organic”, offers an inspiring and informative look at his Permaculture Orchard in SW Quebec. In the film, Stefan shares his experience transforming a conventional apple orchard into an abundance of biodiversity that virtually takes care of …

After years of using wood-chips in the pathways between my garden beds, I switched over to sand pathways two months ago (mid-May 2019). In this podcast I try to answer every question that I have been asked since I made my first video about sand pathways. Have a watch, and let me know if you …

The garlic in my garden have sent up their garlic scapes, as I’m sure is the case with many gardens across the country and abroad, so I thought it would be a good idea to do a thorough episode talking about garlic with a garlic expert. Ron Goldy is a Vegetable Production Educator at Michigan …

Worms castings provide many benefits to soil quality, and this is great for your garden. A quick stroll through any garden center will reveal that they can be bought as a soil amendment for a range of prices – and they are all too high because you don’t need to buy them! Have a listen …

Companion planting is a very popular notion among gardeners. It’s exciting to think that the growing of two different plants in close proximity to one another will result in some form of overall net gain; but alas, there’s that sobering voice of science, enlightening us, while simultaneously ruining the party once again. So who better …

The prospect of an ecologically sustainable organic garden that is presented by the “no-till” or “permaculture” approach to gardening is attractive to gardeners for many reasons: there’s the low cost; the minimal work; the high quality produce; and, the peace of mind that you get from knowing that the way you are growing your food …

The increase of tick populations and the risk of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses is a growing concern for many gardeners and lovers of the outdoors. Since knowledge is always the best first step in dealing with any problem, I thought it would make sense to talk to a scientist about ticks, so in …

As an organic gardening enthusiast, I get a lot of questions from viewers and listeners about chemicals, poisons and toxins, so I thought I would do an episode on this topic, and luckily for us, Dr. Joe Schwarcz was kind enough to field all my questions! Have a listen as Dr. Joe educates us about …

The sunchoke (AKA “Jerusalem artichoke”, “sunroot”, “earth apple”, etc.) – despite it’s lack of an etymologically elegant, or even apropos name – is nonetheless a valuable addition to any garden. Easy to grow; tolerates lousy soil; drought resistant; pest resistant; maintenance free; delicious to eat; and economical to grow!!! My goodness what’s the downside? Well, …