This week, Jeff and Jonathan kick off their weekly conversation by exploring "forcing the bulb"—a technique that tricks bulbs into blooming early by mimicking the natural temperature cycles of fall, winter, and spring. They explore various strategies, ideal temperatures, and timing for this process. After the break, they examine fascinating plants …

Jeff revisits his disdain for poinsettias while introducing some great winter alternatives: holiday cacti. He breaks down various cacti for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter, highlighting how shortening days and cool nights trigger their growth. Jonathan adds that amaryllis are also superb holiday plants. After the break, the team discusses ways …

Jeff is back from his tour of Iceland, Scotland, and England—just in time for snow in Alaska! Speaking of snow, the guys discuss how it isn't necessarily bad for gardens. Known as "poor man's fertilizer," snow acts as an insulator, adds nitrogen to the soil, and releases nutrients slowly as it melts. This slow release is more beneficial than rain d…

This week, Jeff is traveling the world, spreading the message of the soil food web. Meanwhile, Jonathan chats with Evan (the show producer) about his gardening goals, including growing garlic. After the break, Evan interviews Jonathan about his gardening roots and his friendship with Jeff, exploring their long-standing commitment to soil food web g…

This week, Jeff and Jonathan are discussing fall lawn care. Should you rake your leaves or mulch them? This year, Jeff isn't doing anything as he'll be traveling. He'll make sure to report back next summer on how things worked out. After the break, the guys explore various indoor gardening methods for the winter months. You can grow a variety of pl…

This week, Jeff is teaming with science, sharing some exciting new studies about the effect of white noise on fungi. After the break, the guys discuss recent research on endosymbiosis—the biological relationship where one organism (the endosymbiont) lives inside another (the host). Jeff believes this science is the future of agriculture. Finally, t…

In this episode, Jeff and Jonathan talk about frost and how it affects gardening. They explain the difference between "hard frost" and "soft frost" (or "light frost"), and how these different types of frost impact plants. They also compare dew and frost, pointing out that dew can actually be good for gardens and lawns at certain times of the year. …

This week, Jeff and Jonathan are talking about mosquitoes, focusing on their surprising scarcity in Alaska. They explore the declining mosquito population in the region, attributing it to warming temperatures. The conversation then shifts to dragonflies, a common predator of mosquitoes and other small insects. It also happens to be one of Alaska’s …

Jeff recounts his favorite gardening column of all time, where he wrote about the intricate relationship between cluster flies and the soil food web. After the break, the guys debunk some common myths about planting bulbs in the fall. Additionally, they give some good planting tips. Finally, they answer a trio of listener questions, ranging from gr…

Last week the guys talked about applying organics to the garden to nurture the soil food web. This week, they talk about another contributor to healthy soil: Springtails! Springtails are very small insects that break down organics by ingesting bacteria and fungi. They can also jump about 2 feet. This means when they jump around, they carry bacteria…

As the weather transitions from summer to fall, it's time to consider how this change affects your garden. Jeff encourages listeners to apply organic matter to their gardens now to prepare for next year's crops. He also suggests that this is an ideal time to get your soil tested. However, he emphasizes the importance of using a reputable soil teste…

This week, Jeff and Jonathan are discussing healthy soil structure—particularly the role of worms. As the true engineers of the soil food web, worms bring organic matter from the surface down into the soil. This action creates burrows that hold air, water, and organic matter, forming the building blocks for a thriving organic soil structure. After …

As rain pelts Southcentral Alaska, mushrooms (and wood frogs) are popping up everywhere. Jeff and Jonathan point out that mushrooms in lawns or meadows are usually a positive sign, indicating thriving soil microbiology. In fact, fungal activity in your lawn is beneficial, as mushrooms are great decomposers in the food chain. After the break, the gu…

Record rainfall has hit Southcentral Alaska. However, as the guys discuss this week, gardens can still thrive despite the wet conditions. The team acknowledges that Alaskans are experts at gardening in wet soil. Jonathan points out that raised beds are excellent for rainy gardening, while Jeff mentions that containers are also effective. However, t…

This week, the guys discuss the fascinating world of hydrangeas. Jeff mentions that these vibrant flowers are the top-selling plant in garden centers across the U.S. because they are both gorgeous and easy to maintain. He notes that their popularity is due to their colorful appearance as well as their resilience and adaptability. Jonathan adds that…

This week, Jeff and Jonathan talk about all things lawns! But first, Jeff shares his thoughts on the benefits of going digital, including his weekly column at ADN. Next, they dive into lawn care. Jeff advocates for getting creative with mowing, especially with different designs. For example, you can switch things up every mow with new patterns like…

This week, the guys share plenty of tips on getting the most out of your garden, especially on how to harvest your plants and vegetables efficiently. In Alaska, things grow quickly, particularly cole crops like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage. Jeff emphasizes picking vegetables before they flower, while Jonathan suggests using a juicer to m…

The guys are talking about all the rain happening in Southcentral Alaska recently, and Jonathan asks: Is too much rain bad for your garden? It turns out this is a nuanced question. For example, if your outdoor soil food web garden is healthy, rain shouldn't be too big of a deal. Just remember that too much water for indoor plants can be a bad thing…

This week, Jeff and Jonathan are dealing with the vast amounts of cottonwood seeds flying around Southcentral Alaska. Jonathan highlights how the seeds trigger allergies, while Jeff shares some science facts. For example, did you know a cottonwood tree can produce 1 to 2 million seeds per year? Additionally, parts of the cottonwood are edible, and …

This week, the guys are talking all about lilacs. In Alaska, there is a short window when lilacs are in full bloom (about 6 weeks), so it’s important to care for them properly to keep them healthy year after year. Fun fact: Jeff’s grandfather hybridized a lilac! After the break, Jeff shares the battery-powered tools he uses for gardening: Small cha…

Jonathan reveals his fondness for chickweed, while Jeff expresses his dislike for this rapidly growing weed. However, they both agree on chickweed's resilient nature and its ability to spread. Digging a bit deeper, Jeff introduces the plant's alternative names, such as mouse ears, starflower and satin weed. Some fascinating aspects of chickweed inc…

Jonathan is bummed out that the dandelions are turning white. However, Jeff reminds him that each flower has about 300 seeds (making it a powerful spreader). This kicks off a discussion about the hidden powers of dandelions. For example, did you know that you can make teas, wine and even tempura with them? Also, the dandelion taproot can burrow 15 …

In this week's episode, Jeff and Jonathan dive into strategies for planting and caring for different types of beans and peas. Jeff begins by discussing the history of sweet peas, emphasizing their delightful fragrance, vibrant colors, and easy cultivation. Next, they compare sweet and snap peas, with Jeff emphasizing the importance of pinching and …

This week, Jeff and Jonathan celebrate the bountiful dandelions flourishing in Southcentral Alaska, prompting an important question: where do they originate? They discuss how attitudes towards dandelions have evolved over the years and explore strategies to prevent their overgrowth. Next, they share tips on introducing native plants to your yard, g…

This week, Jeff and Jonathan dive into essential tips for early season lawn care. Fresh off a weekend of 26 hours of yard work, Jonathan shares his experience aerating his entire lawn and testing the soil. Jeff emphasizes the importance of giving your lawn a trim, even if you're planning to let it grow into a meadow. Did you know lawn mowers are si…

This week, the team eagerly digs into early season gardening. To start, Jeff discusses hardening off your plants in his Anchorage Daily News column. Jeff also offers a wealth of gardening advice, sharing his favorite hacks. These include ways to keep your fingernails clean when gardening, ensuring your hose can reach every garden corner, and labeli…

Jonathan needs assistance in regenerating a part of his lawn that was damaged last year. To aid him, the team brings in Anthony Nied, owner and operator of Flawn Seed Kits. This company focuses on creating lawns and meadows that require less maintenance. They discuss transitioning to a different type of lawn (not quite a meadow) that is low-growing…

This week, the team celebrates the upcoming gardening season in Alaska. However, this also means an increase in misinformation online, particularly about tomatoes! Jeff and Jonathan sift through the most misleading myths to set the record straight. After the break, the team continues the discussion from last week about hardening off plants, providi…

This week, the guys start the episode with a listener's question: When should you start working in the garden? In Southcentral 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 sno…

This week, Jeff and Jonathan received numerous questions about voles and the damage they cause. Did you know that voles take refuge between the snow and ground during winter? They even create intricate tunnels equipped with kitchens, sleeping areas, and more. However, they can cause significant damage to your lawn, although they usually leave the r…

This week, Jonathan is collecting birch water from his property, an early form of spring gardening as Jeff mentions. Later, they discuss how to prepare greenhouse soil to ensure it can support healthy plants. Jeff suggests adding things like fertilizer, compost, and warm water to the soil. Finally, they address listener questions about Korean Natur…

This week, Jeff and Jonathan continue their discussion about the flood of false information and click bait related to gardening and plant care. In contrast, they also explore some home remedies that can enhance your plants' health. After the break, they dig into a listener's question that combines their knowledge of coffee and the soil food web! To…

This week, Jeff and Jonathan discuss the inundation of gardening misinformation on the internet, particularly the widespread myth that soil should be sterilized. On the other hand, the best way to improve soil is by adding compost. Seeds naturally have everything they need to grow and protect themselves, which we can see in nature. Following the br…

This week, Jeff and Jonathan are enjoying the Alaskan spring sunshine. This means it's time to place those seedlings and plants on window sills - remember to rotate the pots! In the spirit of spring, it's an ideal time to purchase and plant seeds. They share tips on maximizing your seeds' potential, which begins with reading the instructions on the…

This week, the guys continue their discussion on preparing for the summer gardening season. In places like Alaska, bear activity can be quite prevalent, even in cities such as Anchorage! Jeff and Jonathan share some of their personal encounters with bears. The takeaway from these stories is the importance of cleaning out last season's bird feeders,…

This week, Jeff and Jonathan continue their discussion on springtime preparation for the gardening season. One excellent way to prepare is by starting your own hanging basket. Now is the perfect time to buy 4-inch starter plants suitable for hanging baskets, such as Fuchsias, Pelargoniums, Tuberous Begonias, and Lobelias. After the break, they expl…

This week, Jeff and Jonathan are celebrating the longer spring days in Alaska. However, the warming sun has them thinking about the impacts of global warming. They kick off this week's episode by discussing recent scientific studies, which warn that global warming could threaten the survival of dung beetles. Next, they explore various natural indic…

In this week's episode of Teaming with Microbes, Jeff and Jonathan examine the influx of gardening clickbait articles in our online and print media. They dissect the reasons behind this trend and share their insights on navigating through the clutter. Moving away from the digital sphere, they dive into the scientific realm of bioluminescence, inves…

We're talking more about microbes this week! Have you ever wondered why certain foods and drinks taste the way they do? The answer is microbes! This week, Jeff and Jonathan examine new studies that explore how microbes influence the taste of tea. Later, they discuss the vital role of microbial diversity in cheese production. Lastly, they delve into…

This week, Jeff and Jonathan explore the relationship between sounds and plants. Did you know that plants grow towards the sound of water? Next, Jeff disagrees with a recent article he read (article), where scientists are studying rhizobia bacteria that form nitrogen-fixing nodules to enhance plant fertilization. However, Jeff believes that they sh…

This week, Jeff and Jonathan interview Ted Hammers, co-owner of Alaska Wild Harvest. They tap into the biology of Birch trees, discussing the process of making Alaska birch syrup, its different phases, and its various use cases. Later in the episode, they also discuss the benefits of birch water and chaga. Tune in to this episode of Teaming With Mi…

As Anchorage, Alaska is experiencing a record snowfall, there is some good news: The snow is storing a significant amount of nitrogen, which is sometimes referred to as "poor man's fertilizer" (12 lbs of nitrogen per acre). That said, be sure to remove the snow from the greenhouse and shed to prevent them from collapsing. Jeff and Jonathan are also…

This week, Jeff and Jonathan rekindle last week’s discussion about microplastics in the environment. But this time, they dive into a new scientific article that states there is more microplastics in the air than in the soil. Next, the team explores microbial fuel cells. That is, batteries that run off bacteria! Finally, the guys talk about the best…

The days are finally getting longer in Alaska, and Jeff and Jonathan are getting excited for gardening in 2024! This week, the guys start off by discussing the differences between ectomycorrhizal fungi (which are found more near the equator) and endomycorrhizal fungi (which thrive near the north and south pole areas). After the break, the guys delv…

This week Jeff and Jonathan wrap up 2023 by encouraging folks to make sure and recycle their Christmas trees. Next, the team brings in 2024 by discussing some New Year’s gardening resolutions. These include: Stop using artificial nutrients Use (and make) more compost Grow something from seed Roll seeds in mycorrhizal fungi Test your soil Stop rotot…

Biochar is a black carbon compound produced through pyrolysis, enhancing soil fertility and plant growth in gardening. This week Jeff and Jonathan discuss some scientific studies about biochar, how some Alaska Native tribes have historically incorporated it into their gardens, as well as some pros and cons to using it. Next, the team has some fun c…

This week Jeff and Jonathan discuss more scientific studies. First, they consider how fungi and bacteria impact water freezing. These “ice nucleators” are what cause ice crystals to form into snow and hail. Next, the team discusses plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). These superheroes of the soil are nitrogen fixing bacteria that include p…

This week Jeff and Jonathan discuss a new scientific study that looks into how adding mycorrhizal fungai to certain types of farmland can increase the yield by more than 40 percent! Later, the team discusses how redwood trees reproduce, highlighting the fact that scientists have found buds that extend back 1,000 years. Finally, Jeff shares how a ce…

This week Jeff and Jonathan discuss the use of coffee grounds in the garden, as well as gardening in general. Apart from being one of the best drinks on the planet, coffee (or coffee grounds) can work wonders in your compost or mulch. Later on, the team debunks some common myths about coffee in the garden, such as its acidity or its alleged ability…

This week Jeff and Jonathan break down the garden science behind ramial chipped wood. They discuss its French roots, how it’s made, as well as the benefits it provides for soil, insects and animals. Later, the team discusses the complex underground web of life created by voles, as well as how to keep them out of your garden! As always, Jeff and Jon…