Seeds & Weeds Podcast

In this special on-the-road episode of the Seeds & Weeds Podcast, we share conversations recorded live at the Homestead Festival in Tennessee. 
We explored the real-world challenges faced by beginning and aspiring homesteaders and then sat down with experienced experts to help answer those questions.
You'll hear practical advice from homesteading personalities including Ruth Ann Zimmerman, Kaylee Richardson, Patty Ward, and Susan Wiley as they tackle common concerns such as:
Where to start without becoming overwhelmed
Homesteading successfully on a small property
Sorting through conflicting advice from books, social media, and the internet
Building meaningful community and finding mentors
Setting realistic goals and growing skills one step at a time
Along the way, we also share updates from Small House Farm, including an incredible strawberry harvest, early-season tomatoes, summer foraging adventures, and a behind-the-scenes look at our rose-themed Summer Herb Box. 
Learn more about The Homestead Festival on their website: www.thehomesteadfestival.com
Watch Bevin's full presentation, How to Press Oils @ Home, from the Homestead Festival here: youtu.be/hV-mPQHjm_I?si=kUFA2GcICj-DdJle
Homesteading with the Zimmermans YouTube:  www.youtube.com/@Ruthannzimm
Kaylee Richardson's, The Honeystead: thehoneystead.com
Patty Ward's Sow Right Seeds: sowrightseeds.com
Susan Wiley's There Was a Garden: www.therewasagarden.com
Whether you're just beginning your homesteading journey or looking for encouragement to keep growing, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and inspiration from people who have been there before.
Follow Small House on FB and IG for more fun!
www.facebook.com/SmallHouseFarm
www.instagram.com/small_house_farm
Join our Patreon community for exclusive content and Seasonal Herb Boxes: www.patreon.com/smallhousefarm
Support for the Seeds and Weeds Podcast comes from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company. Baker Creek offers America’s largest selection of heirloom and open-pollinated seed varieties from around the world – and right here at home. For more than 25 years, saving, sharing, and celebrating heirloom seeds has been their mission and their passion. Find out more at rareseeds.com.
Support the show

We dig into the world of direct sow gardening and share our favorite tips for growing a thriving garden straight from seed. We talk about the benefits and challenges of direct sowing, our favorite cool and warm season crops, and practical techniques for timing, spacing, watering, and improving germination success. 
In this episode you will learn: 
What direct sowing is and why it’s great for beginner gardeners 
 The benefits and challenges of planting seeds directly in the garden 
 Which cool season crops are best for direct sowing 
 Which warm weather crops thrive when direct seeded 
 Why some plants dislike transplanting and grow better from seed outdoors 
 How soil temperature affects seed germination and plant success 
 Why frost dates are only a guideline — and what to pay attention to instead 
 Tips for timing your planting based on your own garden conditions 
 Proper seed planting depth and spacing techniques 
 Why thinning seedlings is important and how to use the sprouts 
 How to keep seed beds moist for better germination rates 
 Using mulch to conserve moisture and protect young seedlings 
 Easy beginner-friendly crops to start direct sowing with 
 Simple tricks for improving germination and garden success 
 Real-life gardening experiences from our spring season at Small House Farm
More gardening advice can be found in Bevin's books, Herbs in Every Season, Grow Great Vegetables, and Saving Our Seeds. Shop all books at https://www.smallhousefarm.com/product-category/books/
Shop Small House Heirloom and Organic Seed Collection at https://www.smallhousefarm.com/seed-collection/
Support for the Seeds and Weeds Podcast comes from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company. Baker Creek offers America’s largest selection of heirloom and open-pollinated seed varieties from around the world – and right here at home. For more than 25 years, saving, sharing, and celebrating heirloom seeds has been their mission and their passion. Find out more at rareseeds.com.
Support the show

It’s easy to “eat the rainbow” when you’re growing one right in your own backyard!
Author and gardener Sandra Mao is joining us to talk about her new book Vibrant Harvest.
Sandra started to grow fruit trees and other edibles when she moved to California. Because of the blessings of the weather and lack of freezing temperatures, she is able to grow most vegetables and fruits year-round - though her content is aimed at gardeners from all growing zones. She loves helping new gardeners start growing their own food by sharing her passion for growing colorful and productive varieties, offering unique tips and tricks, and teaching others how to use the harvest wisely.
Follow Sandra on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/sandra.urbangarden/
Buy your copy of Vibrant Harvest at https://amzn.to/4cCz5WD
✨ Join our Patreon community for exclusive content, seasonal herb boxes, and more! ​www.patreon.com/smallhousefarm
Support for the Seeds and Weeds Podcast comes from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company. Baker Creek offers America’s largest selection of heirloom and open-pollinated seed varieties from around the world – and right here at home. For more than 25 years, saving, sharing, and celebrating heirloom seeds has been their mission and their passion. Find out more at rareseeds.com.
Support the show

We’re digging into one of the most overlooked plants in our landscape, dandelion, specifically Taraxacum officinale. What most people see as a weed, we see as a powerhouse of flavor, nutrition, and medicine...and we’re excited to share why.
We walk you through how to properly identify dandelion (and avoid common lookalikes), when and how to harvest each part of the plant, and why timing makes all the difference. From there, we head into the kitchen, where we share simple, practical ways to use dandelion leaves, flowers, and roots—from fresh spring greens to infused vinegars and even homemade coffee alternatives.
Then we step into the apothecary, where dandelion really shines. We talk about how we use it to support digestion, nourish the body, and create everything from mineral-rich tonics to soothing herbal oils.
Along the way, we also reflect on the bigger picture—how a plant we’ve been taught to "despise" might actually be one of the most valuable allies growing right at our feet. So the next time you see a dandelion, don't reach for the shovel to remove it, reach for it with curiosity instead!
Enjoy dandelion inspired products by Small House:
https://seedsandweedspodcast.com/all-about-dandelions/
Learn more about infusing oils to make herbal salves:
https://youtu.be/Rdq-ccoiBdg?si=8WoggWT5-XB8rme_
Harvest and eat dandelion greens with our recipe:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JYJYLGCW04
Learn more about dandelion and other beneficial herbs with Bevin's book Herbs in Every Season:  https://www.smallhousefarm.com/product/herbs-in-every-season/
Explore our Plant of the Month series on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/smallhousefarm
✨ Join our Patreon community for exclusive content, seasonal herb boxes, and more! ​www.patreon.com/smallhousefarm
Support for the Seeds and Weeds Podcast comes from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company. Baker Creek offers America’s largest selection of heirloom and open-pollinated seed varieties from around the world – and right here at home. For more than 25 years, saving, sharing, and celebrating heirloom seeds has been their mission and their passion. Find out more at rareseeds.com.
Support the show

We sit down with horticulturist, garden designer, and author Frank Hyman to dig into his new book Ripe Tomato Revolution. With over 40 years of experience, Frank shares practical, no-nonsense techniques to help you grow more tomatoes with less work—whether you’re planting in rows, raised beds, or containers.
From smart seed-starting strategies to choosing the right supports (and why rebar might be your new best friend), this conversation is packed with actionable tips for gardeners of all levels. We also explore the rise of dwarf and micro-dwarf tomatoes—perfect for small spaces—and uncover a “revolutionary” approach to preventing blight by rethinking how we protect our plants from rain.
Along the way, we swap stories, challenge common gardening practices, and even talk peanut butter sandwiches (yes, really).
If you’ve ever struggled with tomato diseases, limited space, or just want a better harvest with less hassle, this episode is for you.
Tune in and start growing smarter this season 🌱
Connect with Frank https://www.instagram.com/mushroomswithoutdying/
Purchase Ripe Tomato Revolution via Bookshop : https://bookshop.org/beta-search?keywords=Frank+Hyman
or on Amazon https://amzn.to/4m7lbyF
Buy a copy of Craig LeHoullier's book Epic Tomatoes https://amzn.to/4m9l2eg
Shop for Dwarf Tomato Seeds at https://forgottenheirlooms.com/ 
✨ Join our Patreon community for exclusive content, seasonal herb boxes, and more! ​www.patreon.com/smallhousefarm

Support for the Seeds and Weeds Podcast comes from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company. Baker Creek offers America’s largest selection of heirloom and open-pollinated seed varieties from around the world – and right here at home. For more than 25 years, saving, sharing, and celebrating heirloom seeds has been their mission and their passion. Find out more at rareseeds.com.
Support the show