Best Perennial Crops Podcasts (2025)

1
Glenn Noma, Innovator 24:20

3h ago24:20

24:20

Innovation is a cornerstone of successful farming, and no one knows that more than grower Glenn Noma. After a long, successful career with the large California vegetable farm, Tanimura & Antle, he has a creative new endeavor in the Salinas Valley – hydroponic strawberries. Growing them in this unusual way provides many benefits, including providing…

1
Good Bug or Garden Pest? How to Identify Insects in Your Vegetable Garden – Ep. 249 39:50

17h ago39:50

39:50

Are all bugs in your garden bad news? Not at all! In fact,some insects are your best allies when it comes to pest control and plant health. Today on Just Grow Something, we’re talking about howto tell the difference between beneficial insects and destructive garden pests—even if you’re not an entomologist. Learn how to identify common bugs based on…

1
Corn with Neftalí Duran 55:33

2d ago55:33

55:33

This week on Propaganda By the Seed I’m talking to Neftalí Duran about Corn / Maize. Our conversation covers Corn culture past and present as well as some of the excellent projects Neftalí has been working on. You can follow his instagram at @neftaliduran_, as well as Proyecto Rosenda at @proyectorosenda and I-Collective at @i_collective_ If you wa…

1
Audio Files: Poinsettia Production—When Negatives Can Be a Positive 6:58

7d ago6:58

6:58

POINSETTIA PRODUCTION: WHEN NEGATIVES CAN BE A POSITIVE FROM THE MAY 2025 ISSUE OF GROWERTALKS MAGAZINE WRITTEN BY JAMES DOUKAS NARRATED BY BILL CALKINS EXCERPT: A mastery, or at least a proficiency, in many growth strategies allow for a grower to select the correct “tool” from their “toolbox” no matter the situation that arises in the fall to achi…

1
Pam Lewison is Fighting for Farmers 31:53

7d ago31:53

31:53

American farmers continue to set productivity records, although they face many impediments to success. Pam Lewison in Washington State knows those struggles personally, and she’s working to keep agriculture vital and viable. Lewison is research director at the Washington Policy Center’s Center for Agriculture. Her mission includes making sure their…

1
How to Grow Tomatoes - Ep 248 55:59

8d ago55:59

55:59

It’s been a while since we’ve done a full crop specific episode and I think this is the perfect time of year to talk tomatoes. We are getting about 500 tomato plants in the ground over the next week so they are on my mind! So, today on Just Grow Something we’ll walk through the full tomato-growing process—from choosing varieties and starting seeds …

1
Effective Nutrition Powers This Thriving Avocado Ranch 23:35

14d ago23:35

23:35

California avocados are a quintessential high value crop. They are beloved by consumers and a big part of Cinco de Mayo celebrations, with 80 million pounds of fruit sold. Grower Jason Cole in Santa Paula, California, said quality and sizing are vital for success, and he spends great care in the nutrition he uses to achieve that. “We run a lot of h…

1
Audio Files: How Much Does a Greenhouse REALLY Cost? 9:54

15d ago9:54

9:54

HOW MUCH DOES A GREENHOUSE PROJECT REALLY COST? FROM THE APRIL 2025 ISSUE OF GROWERTALKS MAGAZINE WRITTEN BY CHRIS BEYTES NARRATED BY BILL CALKINS EXCERPT: Anyone who’s completed a greenhouse project knows that a lot more goes into it than you might think. But how much, exactly, as a percentage of the total cost? We asked three experts—Paul Golden …

1
Smarter Planting for Bigger Harvests: Interplanting Strategies - Ep. 247 59:49

15d ago59:49

59:49

I promised this week we’d go into the actual techniques of interplanting. One of the main methods I use in my own garden, in helping my clients in their gardens, and what I teach in my Plan Like a Pro course is “high, low, fast, slow.” This little mantra is a great way to combine the plants in your garden to make the most use of all of your space w…

1
Informational Resources 21:08

17d ago21:08

21:08

In this shorts episode I offer some of my favorite informational resources, from vague concepts to specific books to the exceptionally obvious. Many are linked in the show notes. At the end I try out a new style of Q&A, will it work? Only time will tell. State level organic associations: MOFGA in Maine or NOFA in other northeast states Clubs: NAFEX…

1
Forcing Your Perennials to Wake Up ft. Chris Fifo 14:22

20d ago14:22

14:22

Forcing perennials out of winter dormancy and into bloom for spring and summer sales isn’t a new concept for most growers, but growth in the perennial market has inspired a lot of folks to add perennials to their mix and there’s been plenty of research done to update protocols for breaking dormancy. Because of this, Tech On Demand host Bill Calkins…

1
Better Defending Your Crops from Stress 24:51

21d ago24:51

24:51

Growers can be poised for abundant crops, only to see their production take a major hit due to a stress event like a heatwave or cold spell. Abiotic stress can be detrimental to any crop. A weakened plant can also be more susceptible to biotic stresses like pests and disease. Redox Corporate Agronomist John Kelly said stress losses can be lessened …

1
All About Princettia with Suntory Flowers’ Lorentina McKoy 41:02

22d ago41:02

41:02

For this installment, Lorentina McKoy, the North American sales and product rep for Suntory Flowers, joins host Bill Calkins to talk about Princettia—the unique poinsettia assortment from Suntory that looks different than traditional holiday poinsettias because it’s bred to be different. This opens up some unique uses and retail specs and also requ…

1
Companion Planting Myths and Tips - Ep. 246 40:18

22d ago40:18

40:18

If you’ve been gardening for any amount of time, you’ve likely come across companion planting charts—maybe you’ve seen advice like “plant basil with tomatoes” or “marigolds repel all pests.” But how much of this is actually true? Companion planting can mean a lot of things, depending on what our goal is. We can either be going for pest repelling pr…

1
Pioneering Grower Amy Bruch 22:12

28d ago22:12

22:12

Sustainable growing methods are garnering more attention and application in agriculture. Increased emphasis in Washington, D.C. on healthy eating could spur even more growth. Amy Bruch of Cyclone Farms in Nebraska is helping interested growers shift from conventional to organic farming. Named Organic Farmer of the Year by a leading trade organizati…

1
Broad Mites (and Lewis Mites) with Dr. Raymond Cloyd 28:46

30d ago28:46

28:46

One of the greenhouse pests growers have been dealing with more and more recently is broad mite. This specific mite pest is extremely challenging to diagnose and treat and can wreak havoc on a very wide range of crops across multiple seasons. Host Bill Calkins is joined by well-respected professor and extension specialist in horticultural entomolog…

1
Be Prepared for Garden Pests – Ep. 245 40:18

30d ago40:18

40:18

Today, we’re diving into a topic that sneaks up on every gardener at some point—pests. Whether they’re crawling, flying, or trotting in on four legs, pests can quickly turn a thriving garden into a frustrated gardener’s nightmare.But here’s the good news: you don’t have to reach for synthetic pesticides to protect your plants. Today on Just Grow So…

1
Tree Crops Cross Pollination with Live Like the World is Dying 1:11:45

1M ago1:11:45

1:11:45

This week we have another awesome cross pollination with Live Like the World is Dying, our comrades in the Channel Zero podcast network. This time we’re talking tree crops. Many of the trees we talk about in this episode have had their own episode on Propaganda By the Seed, so if you want more info look back in this feed or check out these links. B…

1
2025 California Spring Trials Debrief ft. Chris Beytes & Jen Zurko 53:54

1M ago53:54

53:54

Host Bill Calkins welcomed GrowerTalks’ editor in chief Chris Beytes and editor Jennifer Zurko to the podcast to share thoughts on the event—the plants, the trends, the fish tacos—and the overall impact spring trials has on the professional horticulture industry. When Chris, Jen and Bill return from Spring Trials each year, folks in the industry al…

1
Securing Success in the Sunshine State 10:57

1M ago10:57

10:57

Vernon Jones saw firsthand the power of Redox TurfRx® technology as a superintendent before his current position as an agronomist and account consultant for Plant Health Solutions. As superintendent of The Polo Club in Boca Raton, Florida, he saw amazing results from a trial program on a struggling fairway. He expanded his use of TurfRx® products a…

1
Easiest Crops for Beginners - Ep. 244 39:10

1M ago39:10

39:10

One thing I am often asked by beginning gardeners is, “what is the easiest thing for me to grow?” Some of us just dive right in to gardening headfirst, attempting to grow whatever our favorite veggies are, regardless of how easy or difficult it is. Or without even considering that one might be more difficult than others. That was me and ignorance i…

1
New Technology will aid Farmers and the Environment 23:26

1M ago23:26

23:26

Fifth-generation grower Brandon Hunnicutt is passionate about making a positive impact well beyond his farm in Giltner, Nebraska. Hunnicutt is involved in leadership of many organizations, as he tries to best understand new technology and how he and other growers can improve in areas like synthetic nitrogen use, which has caused concern over impact…

1
How to Prepare Seedlings for Transplant into the Garden - Ep. 243 21:59

1M ago21:59

21:59

I will never forget the first time I successfully started my own transplants from seed indoors and they actually looked healthy and strong. I was so excited to get those tomato plants out into my garden and lovingly transferred them from their little pots out into the garden, got them all watered in, and was so excited about the money I had just sa…

1
Richardson Farms: Legacy, Innovation, and Great Food 19:47

2M ago19:47

19:47

When near the nation’s capital, Richardson Farms is a must stop for many. This family owned and operated farm in White Marsh, Maryland is well known for its fantastic produce and amazing meals in their market. The foundation of the business remains several hundred acres of vegetables, and Redox Bio-Nutrients is a big part of their quality harvests.…

1
How to Start a Compost Pile - Ep. 242 33:01

2M ago33:01

33:01

Save 20% on the already discounted subscription price of both the Magic Mind Mental Performance and Sleep shots at https://magicmind.com/GROWMAR and use code GROWMAR at checkout. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American produces about 4.9 pounds (2.2 kg) of garbage per day. That’s almost 1800 lbs. per year, or 816kg. A…

1
North Dakota Soil Reclamation 8:26

2M ago8:26

8:26

Restoring our environment is as major focal point throughout the country, with billions of dollars spent each year. Soil reclamation projects are on the rise, including promising work being done in North Dakota with the help of Cody Hatzenbuhler of Pan Ag. These projects involve restoring soil health in areas where degradation has occurred from num…

1
Gardening by Nature’s Signs: Old Wisdom Backed by Science - Ep. 241 21:37

2M ago21:37

21:37

Many traditional "old-wives' tales" and "farmer's wisdom" about planting and gardening are actually based on phenology, the study of seasonal changes in plants and animals in relation to climate and weather. Many traditional planting rules are based on biological indicators—when certain plants leaf out or bloom, or when specific animals become acti…

1
Integrated Pest Management & Resistance Management ft. Corteva’s Broch Martindale 1:02:24

2M ago1:02:24

1:02:24

Just in time for warmer, spring temps and the insect pests that seem to come along, Tech On Demand host Bill Calkins caught up with Broch Martindale, the national nursery and strategic account manager at Corteva. The discussion centers on pest management in greenhouses and nurseries but because Broch is a phenomenal educator and “coach” there are p…

1
Everyday Carry Garden Tools 11:46

2M ago11:46

11:46

In this episode of Propaganda By the Seed Shorts I’ll tell you about my favorite garden tools and answer a question about apple and pear rootstocks. If you want to support this podcast, you can tell a friend to check it out, subscribe/rate/review on your favorite podcast platforms and/or join the Patreon. You can also submit questions or listener a…

1
The Next Ag Revolution 37:48

2M ago37:48

37:48

Agriculture has changed a lot over the generations. From the Industrial and Green Revolution to the use of digital technology, farming continues to evolve to stay competitive and meet customer needs. The next revolution in agriculture may well involve farming for health –sophisticated inputs that have more profound impacts on plant yield and qualit…

1
Finishing Top-Quality Vegetative Petunia Crops 34:48

2M ago34:48

34:48

Recently retired Ball Technical Services Manager Dr. Will Healy joins host Bill Calkins to talk finished vegetative petunia production as part of the Tech On Demand series covering crop culture for key annuals and perennials AND this one is the final installment of our finished petunia miniseries—joining “common” seed-raised petunias and the Wave f…

1
Finishing WAVE Petunias with Dr. Will Healy 34:11

2M ago34:11

34:11

Retired Ball technical manager Dr. Will Healy joins host Bill Calkins to share protocols for finishing Wave petunias as part of the Tech On Demand series covering crop culture for key annuals and perennials. From media selection and nutrition to water, light and temperature, finishing crops requires careful attention to avoid losses and send high q…

1
Spring-Planted Bulbs and Garden Perennials - Ep. 240 35:17

2M ago35:17

35:17

Save 20% on your Magic Mind subscription! https://magicmind.com/GROWSOMETHING20 with code GROWSOMETHING20 One of my goals this year for the garden is to focus a little bit more on the aesthetics of the garden, rather than just the functionality of it. I really feel like I can get more enjoyment from the gardens if I enjoy how they look and enjoy sp…

1
Finishing “Common” Seed Petunias with Dr. Will Healy 33:01

2M ago33:01

33:01

Retired Ball technical manager Dr. Will Healy joins host Bill Calkins to share protocols for finishing more common types of seed-raised (multiflora and grandiflora) petunias as part of the Tech On Demand series covering crop culture for key annuals and perennials. From media selection and nutrition to water, light and temperature, finishing crops r…

1
Helping Arizona Desert Agriculture Thrive 38:26

2M ago38:26

38:26

Robert Masson had an unusual path to Yuma, Arizona, and growers in the desert southwest are glad he made it. After time in the U.S. Navy, as a researcher for a Midwest popcorn company and soybean breeding technician in North Carolina, Masson has been an agricultural extension agent for the University of Arizona in Yuma since 2019. Masson works in s…

1
Get That Flower Feeling! (A Roundtable Discussion) 17:38

2M ago17:38

17:38

Members of the Marketing Committee of That Flower Feeling join GUEST HOST Joan Mazat (Business Manager—Cut Flowers at Ball Seed Company) to share why this movement is so important to the cut flower industry. Join a dynamic group for an equally dynamic discussion about how and why industry leaders are actively working to motivate more consumers to v…

1
Mile High Commodity Classic 14:34

2M ago14:34

14:34

The Commodity Classic is one of the final shows in a very busy winter meeting season for growers. This year’s activities in Denver once again attracted thousands of growers and industry officials, with hundreds of exhibitors and many educational sessions. The kickoff session featured a packed house to watch Redox CEO Darin Moon outline how growers …

1
Kitchen Garden Living with Bailey Van Tassel - Ep. 239 36:15

2M ago36:15

36:15

At the beginning of the year, I asked you think about why you garden. Whether it’s a hobby, our family’s main source of food, or anything in between, I maintain that understanding why you garden is really important to planning the garden and defining a budget. But, what about the garden being more than just a source of food, exercise, or a connecti…

1
Trees with Edible Leaves with Eric Toensmeier 1:12:07

2M ago1:12:07

1:12:07

In this episode I talk with perennial crops researcher and author Eric Toensmeier about trees with edible leaves. You might not think of tree leaves being suitable as human food, but many of them are quite tasty and their seasonality and nutritional content complement both annual and perennial vegetables. We cover several species, the maintenance t…

1
A Biological Approach to Spring IPM ft. Koppert’s Heidi Doering 41:02

2M ago41:02

41:02

This Tech On Demand podcast episode is all about spring pest control, integrated pest management and implementing biocontrol strategies that work. Host Bill Calkins is joined by Heidi Doering, the National Ornamental Team Lead and Technical IPM Consultant for the Midwest Region with Koppert. Koppert is a global market leader specializing in biologi…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Perennial Crops Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide