Willowrise Gardens Podcast

Dec 01 2023 11 ep.
Willowrise Gardens Podcast artwork

Nature is the master gardener. Let’s learn from her. Hi, I’m Chas Hathaway. Welcome to the Willowrise Gardens Podcast, where we explore the incredible world of plants. This program is a supplement to our weekly Forest Gardening course, also found at Willowrisegardens.com, which teaches how to create a forest garden using permaculture design principles. In this podcast, we discuss various species of plants, and their usefulness as food and medicine, as well as their uses in utility and the arts. Let’s get started.

  Science  Leisure
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Global Weather and Local Climate

Dec 01 2023 15 mins  
The Global Weather Scene The Earth’s climate system is a complex and dynamic entity, influenced by an array of factors ranging from solar radiation to the unique topographical features of our planet. At the very heart of this system lies the concept of energy balance. The sun, as the primary energy source, drives weather patterns […]

Storytime: The Winter Garden

Nov 29 2023 19 mins  
A Tale of Renewal This is a fictional story as told by our prolific GPT assistant stringer, Henry Hawthorne. With Henry, we at Willowrise Gardens would like to wish all of you a lovely, prolific Christmas season. The Solitary Guardian In the frost-kissed quietude of my garden, where the snow lay like a pristine blanket […]

Winter Gardening in the Food Forest

Nov 29 2023 3 mins  
Winter in the food forest – it’s not just a time for cozy fires and hot cocoa, but also for some delightful garden adventures! Here’s a fresh post for Willowrise Gardens, all about what you can do and grow in your food forest during these chilly months. Winter Wonders in Your Food Forest: Staying Green […]

Food Plants: Why Perennial?

Nov 28 2023 2 mins  
Welcome back, Willowrise Gardeners! Today, let’s dive into the heart of our gardens: perennial plants. Why are they so important? Well, they’re like the dependable friends in our lives – always there, year after year. But in the world of food forestry, their value goes much deeper. Perennials, unlike their annual counterparts, don’t need to […]

Expanding Your Garden’s Horizons: Top Books on Wild Food Plants

Nov 27 2023 2 mins  
Welcome back, Willowrise Gardeners! As you know, here at Willowrise Gardens, we’re all about growing food plants of all kinds – from the traditional to the wonderfully wild. While our primary focus is on cultivation, understanding wild food plants can open up a world of possibilities for your garden. Today, let’s dive into some fantastic […]

Navigating the Wilds of the Internet: Top Sites for Learning About Edible Wild Foods

Nov 25 2023 2 mins  
Greetings, Willowrise Gardeners! Today we’re continuing our series on helping you decide what plants to consider for your food forest. One of these sources is wild food plants. But don’t let this scare you! You don’t need to be a rugged wilderness explorer to enjoy the bounties of wild foods. With the right knowledge, you […]

Finding Your Garden’s Match: Choosing Edible Plants That Thrive in Your Area

Nov 24 2023 2 mins  
Hello, Willowrise Gardeners! This week, we’re focusing on a crucial aspect of gardening: ensuring the edible plants you’re excited about can thrive in your specific environment. Let’s dive into a simple, yet effective way to determine if a certain species is a good fit for your garden. Understanding Your Garden’s Climate Step 1: Know Your […]

Craving Cranberries? Try These 5 Fantastic Food Forest Substitutes!

Nov 23 2023 2 mins  
Ah, cranberries! Their tangy zing is a staple in sauces and jellies, especially around the holiday table. But what if I told you that your very own food forest could provide some amazing substitutes? That’s right, fellow permaculturists, let’s explore five fabulous plants that can jazz up your culinary creations, cranberry-style! 1. American Cranberry-Bush Viburnum […]

Ostrich (Fiddlehead) Fern

May 02 2020 24 mins  
These hardy, dynamic, shade-loving beauties have a lot to offer the forest garden.

Serviceberry (Saskatoon)

Apr 21 2020 32 mins  
Amelanchier alnifolia The serviceberry, or saskatoon, juneberry, alder-leaf shadbush, or chuckley pear is another must-have if you’re a forest gardener. It’s cherry/almond/blueberry flavor and incredible soil/cold hardiness, as well as it’s size, shape, and usefulness make it one of the queens of the forest garden.