New Year’s gardening resolutions

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 indicators that signal when it's safe to plant outdoors (and indoors). In Alaska, the size of birch tree leaves serves as a reliable clue! Jeff also emphasizes that now is an ideal time to complete springtime tasks, such as cleaning up after your dog, shoveling snow around greenhouse entrances, and more.

Finally, they answer a listener's question on composting.

Find all this and more on Teaming With Microbes!

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Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.com

Plant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!

Thanks to our sponsors:

• Big Foot Microbes
• Number 2 Organics made in partnership with Malibu Compost
• Down To Earth All Natural Fertilizers 

The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.  

Special thanks to the Anchorage Daily News for hosting the show!

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, investigating why and how some plants can emit a mesmerizing glow.

Lastly, as we shift into the longer, warmer spring days, the team shares essential tips and reminders to maintain your plants' health and growth during this season. Hint: Don’t forget to roll your seeds in mycorrhizal fungi.

All that and more on this episode of Teaming with Microbes!

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Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.com

Plant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!

Thanks to our sponsors:

• Big Foot Microbes
• Number 2 Organics made in partnership with Malibu Compost
• Down To Earth All Natural Fertilizers 

The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.  

Special thanks to the Anchorage Daily News for hosting the show!

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 a recent study in Alaska where scientists have observed a change in the diet of some arctic animals, particularly smaller ones like voles.

Don't miss all this and more in this week's episode of Teaming with Microbes!

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Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.com

Plant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!

Thanks to our sponsors:

• Big Foot Microbes
• Number 2 Organics made in partnership with Malibu Compost
• Down To Earth All Natural Fertilizers 

The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.  

Special thanks to the 

Anchorage Daily News

 for hosting the show!

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 should focus on rhizophagy, which provides nitrogen to plants without the need for nodules.

Later, the duo addresses some interesting listener questions in detail.

Listen to this episode of Teaming With Microbes for all of this and more!

**********************************************

Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.com

Plant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!

Thanks to our sponsors:

• Big Foot Microbes
• Number 2 Organics made in partnership with Malibu Compost
• Down To Earth All Natural Fertilizers 

The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.  

Special thanks to the 

Anchorage Daily News

 for hosting the show!

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 Microbes for all that and more!

**********************************************

Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.com

Plant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!

Thanks to our sponsors:

• Big Foot Microbes
• Number 2 Organics made in partnership with Malibu Compost
• Down To Earth All Natural Fertilizers 

The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.  

Special thanks to the Anchorage Daily News for hosting the show!

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 celebrating the almost 2 hour increase in daylight over the course of January. This means that now is a great time to prune winter geraniums, and prepare them for the summer growing season.

All that and more in this episode of Teaming With Microbes!

**********************************************

Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.com

Plant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!

Thanks to our sponsors:

• Big Foot Microbes
• Number 2 Organics made in partnership with Malibu Compost
• Down To Earth All Natural Fertilizers 

The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.  

Special thanks to the 

Anchorage Daily News

 for hosting the show!

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 kinds of manure for organic gardening (including some that aren’t good)!

All that and more in this episode of Teaming with Microbes!

**********************************************

Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.com

Plant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!

Thanks to our sponsors:

• Big Foot Microbes
• Number 2 Organics made in partnership with Malibu Compost
• Down To Earth All Natural Fertilizers 

The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.  

Special thanks to the 

Anchorage Daily News

 for hosting the show!

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 delve into the problem of plastic pollution in food and soil and discuss some ways soil food web gardeners can mitigate plastics in their gardens (and lives).

Finally, the team looks at a new search engine called ecosia.org that uses ad revenue to plant trees!

All that and more in this episode of Teaming with Microbes!

**********************************************

Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.com

Plant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!

Thanks to our sponsors:

• Big Foot Microbes
• Number 2 Organics made in partnership with Malibu Compost
• Down To Earth All Natural Fertilizers 

The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.  

Special thanks to the 

Anchorage Daily News

 for hosting the show!

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 rototilling 
• No bare soil 
• Feed the microbes
• Share the food from your gardens
• Read the Teaming with Microbes series!

All that and more in this week’s episode of Teaming With Microbes!

**********************************************

Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.com

Plant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!

Thanks to our sponsors:

• Big Foot Microbes
• Number 2 Organics made in partnership with Malibu Compost
• Down To Earth All Natural Fertilizers 

The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.  

Special thanks to the Anchorage Daily News for hosting the show!

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 chatting about amanita muscaria folklore (that distinct red mushroom with white spots), and why it is considered the “Christmas Mushroom”.

Finally, the duo wraps up with a listener question about compost.

All that and more in this week’s episode of Teaming With Microbes!

**********************************************

Have a question? Let us know at teamingwithmicrobes@me.com

Plant a row for the hungry/Read Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients and Teaming With Fungi!

Thanks to our sponsors:

• Big Foot Microbes
• Number 2 Organics made in partnership with Malibu Compost
• Down To Earth All Natural Fertilizers 

The Teaming with Microbes Podcast is edited and produced with original music by Pod Peak.  

Special thanks to the 

Anchorage Daily News

 for hosting the show!