How do you build a better carrot for organic farms and gardens, and how do you grow one for the best results? I discussed those topics with longtime carrot breeder Dr. Phil Simon, who shared a fascinating little carrot history,… Read More ›
Archives
Laura Parker on Seed Shopping – A Way to Garden with Margaret Roach – January 25, 2021
It will come as no surprise to regular listeners that I’m mad about small farm-based companies that sell seed grown without chemicals and with a regional focus. Seed matched to a particular set of conditions for best results. Today’s guest… Read More ›
Leslie Halleck on Seed Starting Lights – A Way to Garden with Margaret Roach – January 18, 2020
I’m on my third generation of seed-starting lights, a journey that began back in the day when shop lights with so-called cool-white and warm-white fluorescent tubes combined were all we gardeners knew. Eventually I moved up to newer, high-output fluorescents,… Read More ›
Nate Kleinman on Seed Shopping – A Way to Garden with Margaret Roach – January 11, 2021
Parsley that was bred not for its leaves, but as a root crop. Or a winter squash with vivid green flesh, instead of orange. And perennial onions called potato onions that multiply. These are just a few of the wonders… Read More ›
Niki Jabbour on Cold Frames – A Way to Garden with Margaret Roach – January 4, 2021
A neighbor with a new cold frame emailed me the other day, seeing colder weather finally in the forecast and wanting to know how to extend his season even longer inside the unit. Well, serendipitously, later that day I went… Read More ›
Ken Druse on Desert Island Trees – A Way to Garden with Margaret Roach – December 28, 2020
They’re the garden’s biggest residents, relative space-hogs who also dictate a lot of what goes on with the patterns of light and shade. I’m talking about trees. Today, Ken Druse and I are going to name some names of favorites,… Read More ›
Duncan Himmelman on Native Groundcovers – A Way to Garden with Margaret Roach – December 21, 2020
I’ve spoken recently on the show about my personal war on certain groundcovers I planted years ago that have turned out to be hideous thugs. Many other gardeners I hear from have likewise come to lament their overly cooperative, spreading… Read More ›
Kate Spring on Microgreens – A Way to Garden with Margaret Roach – December 14, 2020
A “New York Times” column I did recently happily put me back in touch with organic farmer Kate Spring, who in our past conversations has always taught me how to think smarter about when to start seeds—like how to time… Read More ›
Chris Smith on Collard Greens – A Way to Garden with Margaret Roach – December 7, 2020
Heirloom tomatoes and pumpkins you’ve heard of, but why shouldn’t heirloom collards get just as much love—and space in our gardens? Tell the truth: Have you ever even grown collards, whether an old-time variety or otherwise? You should, and to… Read More ›
Ali Stafford on Baking Books – A Way to Garden with Margaret Roach – November 30, 2020
Yes, apparently more people gardened in 2020 than ever. And even before the holiday season was upon us, as it suddenly is, everyone was baking more than ever in this oddball year, too—and it seems publishing baking cookbooks at a… Read More ›