Welcome to our weekly podcast with longtime Anchorage Daily News garden writer and author Jeff Lowenfels and co-host Jonathan White. It’s a companion to Jeff’s weekly ADN gardening columns and his popular series of books.
This week, the guys start the episode with a listener’s question: When should you start working in the garden? In Southcetnral Alaska, Jeff notes that gardening begins when birch leaves are the size of a squirrel’s ear. That said, It’s crucial to exercise patience because your lawn and garden need sufficient time to dry out after winter’s heavy snowfall.
Later, they discuss the advantages of ramial wood and the necessity of allowing your soil to warm up consistently for your intended germination.
Finally, the team explores the idea of hardening off your plants. They emphasize its importance in ensuring plants acclimate properly to sunlight and wind.
Have a question? Ask Jeff and Jonathan at teamingwithmicrobes@me.com
Sponsored by Number 2 Organics, Big Foot Microbes and Down to Earth Fertilizers
Hosts: Jeff Lowenfels and Jonathan White. Produced by Evan Phillips.
This podcast is a collaboration between the hosts and Anchorage Daily News.
Feedback: teamingwithmicrobes@me.com
Read Lowenfels’ weekly columns on gardening and growing at ADN.com.
Read Jeff’s books: “Teaming with Microbes: The Organic Gardener’s Guide to the Soil Food Web,” “Teaming with Nutrients: The Organic Gardener’s Guide to Optimizing Plant Nutrition,” “Teaming with Fungi: The Organic Grower’s Guide to Mycorrhizae,” among others.