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Hogs and Hens Urban Farm

Category: Podcast Episodes

  • Episode 13: Permaculture and Homesteading in an Apartment or Dorm Room

    This post contains affiliate links. Choosing to make a purchase from these links will cost you nothing extra, but Hogs and Hens Urban Farm will make a small commission from purchases made by clicking these links. Please see our disclosure page HERE for more information.

    Welcome to the Urban Permaculture Podcast. We’re Heather and Bob and we’re your hosts for this weekly podcast focused on building a permaculture life in the city. The Urban Permaculture Podcast is a fun show featuring episodes dedicated to all of the topics you’ll love to learn about. From figuring out exactly what permaculture means, to learning how we’re able to produce so much food on a small scale farm, you’re sure to enjoy every episode.

    Listen and Subscribe On Your Favorite Podcast Player

    Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Amazon Music | Stitcher | Pocket Casts | Castbox | Anchor | RSS

    Grow Lights for Indoor Growing

  • Episode 12: Growing Bonus Mushrooms

    Episode 12: Growing Bonus Mushrooms

    We chose to start with Pearl Oyster Mushrooms and Pink Oyster Mushrooms. There are loads of options available, but this was the company that we had the most success with on our farm.

    This post contains affiliate links. Choosing to make a purchase from these links will cost you nothing extra, but Hogs and Hens Urban Farm will make a small commission from purchases made by clicking these links. Please see our disclosure page HERE for more information.

    Back to the Roots Mushroom Growing Kit: When you shop with Back to the Roots, you can save $10 off of a $30 purchase by using this link: http://backtotheroots.refr.cc/hogsandhensurbanfarm

    5 Gallon Bucket and Lid we use: https://www.lowes.com/pd/United-Solutions-5-Gallon-General-Bucket/1000462835

    Lid for 5 Gallon Buckets we use: https://www.lowes.com/pd/United-Solutions-12-5-in-Blue-Plastic-Bucket-lid/1002473248

  • Episode 11: Seed Starting Done Right

    In episode 11, Heather talks in detail about all the things you need to know when starting seeds indoors. From lighting to airflow, soil mixes, temperatures and more, Heather covers everything you need for success.

    Links below may contain affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase using the links below, we may receive a small compensation at no additional cost to you.

    Grow light with stand LINK HERE.

    Seedling trays with built in grow lights and humidity dome LINK HERE.

    Fans for use on plant stand LINK HERE.

    Coco Coir for planting LINK HERE.

  • Episode 10: Tools and Materials on a Dime

    Episode 10: Tools and Materials on a Dime

    The Urban Permaculture Podcast Logo
    Episode 10 is all about tools and building materials on a budget.

    In this episode of The Urban Permaculture Podcast, Bob talks about tools that are really helpful around the farm. He goes into detail about sourcing the different tools discussed and some of the things to look out for when buying used tools.

    Garage Sales

    Auctions/Estate Sales

    Pawn Shops** Be careful of pricing!

    Craigslist/Marketplace/Online Garage Sales

    Ask friends/barter

    Make your own

    Modify an existing tool

    Next up, Bob talks about finding materials on a budget. From sourcing pallets, to purchasing lumber at a reduced rate, Bob gives a nice list of options to explore as you begin to build things on your homestead.

    Pallets – Great to use but the wood is often splintered and/or treated so be careful of chemicals that can leach into your soil!

    Hardware Stores

    Farm Supply Stores

    Small Businesses

    Bix Box Stores

    Friends

    Other lumber options

    Old Fencing

    Demo/construction cleanup

    Barn teardowns

    Cull Carts/Off Cuts from your local lumber carrier

    Heather then discusses some of the projects around Hogs and Hens Urban Farm that have been completed using tools and materials sourced this way. She also talks about reducing waste streams and how this can help reduce methane production from landfills.

    Below are links to the tools Bob discussed:

    Dewalt Cordless Drill

    Dewalt Cordless Circular Saw

    Speed Square

    Tape Measure

    Mitre Saw

    Table Saw

    Nail Gun (Brad Nailer)

    Nail Gun (Finish Nailer)

  • Episode 8: Integrated Pest Management

    Episode 8: Integrated Pest Management

    Episode 8 of The Urban Permaculture Podcast takes listeners on a deep dive into the world of Integrated Pest Management. Learn about the 5 tiers of Integrated Pest Management, and pick up a few tips for practicing each method. For additional assistance with identifying or mitigating pests, reach out to your local extension office. Find information, programs and services that are offered from your local extension service HERE.

    The Pyramid of Integrated Pest Management

    Beneficial Insects Discussed:

    Lacewings, Parasitic Wasps, Lady Bugs (Lady Birds for those in the UK), Parasitic Mites, Hover Flies

    Insect repelling plants discussed:

    Citronella, Petunia, Lavender, Rosemary, Basil, Lemongrass, Mint, Nasturtium, Marigold

    Learn more about why you should add nasturtium to your garden plans HERE!

  • Episode 6: Growing Year Round

    Episode 6: Growing Year Round

    Episode 6 focuses on growing food year round. Learn how Heather and Bob are able to eat produce they grow year round even throughout winter!

    Hogs and Hens Urban Farm is an Ohio farm located in a zone 6A USDA hardiness zone. Times and dates mentioned in this episode are for that zone. Please check your hardiness zone HERE and adjust dates accordingly.

    For information on Canning as a preservation method click HERE.

    The food dehydrator that we love can be found HERE. Another great option that is less expensive is THIS dehydrator.

    Herb drying rack can be found HERE.

    Mushroom Kits that we love are available HERE and this link includes a discount of $10 off a purchase of $30 or more!

    THIS is the Food Saver Vacuum Sealer that we love! We have tried others and this is by far the best we have tried!

    THESE are the meal prep containers mentioned in the episode.

    You can find the reusable plastic lids for canning jars HERE. Remember these are NOT used for canning.

  • Episode 5: Lori The Herb Chick

    Episode 5: Lori The Herb Chick

    On Episode 5, Heather is joined by special guest Lori Osterloh-Hagaman from The Herb Chick LLC. The Herb Chick LLC is a small business focused on helping clients set up their own path to natural health; handcrafts low impact bath & body items; educates on alternative and wholistic topics; and is an advocate for the health and wellbeing of all. 

    Tickets to HERBALCON can be purchased HERE.

    Find Lori the Herb Chick on Facebook

    Lori Osterloh-Hagaman aka Lori The Herb Chick
  • Episode 4: Saving Money in the Garden

    Episode 4: Saving Money in the Garden

    If you are wanting to get started growing your own food, this is the episode for you! Heather covers a variety of methods that can be used to save money in the garden. From recycling and upcycling items in your home, to making your own compost, Heather discusses tons of ways to save you tons of money!

  • Episode 3: The Importance of Healthy Soil

    Episode 3: The Importance of Healthy Soil

    In Episode 3 of The Urban Permaculture Podcast, Heather discusses the reasons why soil is one of the most important parts of growing successfully in a garden. Tune in to Spotify to hear about this important topic.

    If you are wanting to test your own soil, HERE is a kit that will give you all of the recommendations for how to improve your soil health! Soil improvement is key for gardeners wanting to maximize harvests!

  • Episode 2: What is Permaculture?

    Episode 2: What is Permaculture?

    Episode 2 of The Urban Permaculture Podcast focuses directly on permaculture. Learn the differences between planting an annual vegetable garden and growing a food forest. Listen along as Heather discusses the ways Hogs and Hens Urban Farm incorporates both to maximize harvests! Check this episode out on Spotify.

  • Episode 1: Introduction to Hogs and Hens Urban Farm

    Episode 1: Introduction to Hogs and Hens Urban Farm

    Welcome to our very firsts episode of The Urban Permaculture Podcast! You can find The Urban Permaculture Podcast on all major podcasting platforms such as Spotify. To listen on Spotify click HERE.

    In this episode, Heather talks about all of the things we are currently doing and currently have planned for Hogs and Hens Urban Farm.

    Currently, Hogs and Hens Urban Farm raises a huge variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs. In addition to that, we currently have a worm farm set up to make our own organic compost through vermicomposting. We are adding a flock of laying hens to our farm in the spring of 2023, as well as expanding to include an apiary where we will be raising honey bees. In addition to these, we have a small ornamental pond on the property with a variety of comets living inside it to help prevent mosquito breeding.

    We recently purchased two vacant lots that are connected to our current property and we are beginning our very own permaculture food forest on that property that will include fruit and nut trees, expand our berry patches, and have large areas of perennial edible plants. We will also be adding a pond to this property at a later date.

    Hogs and Hens uses integrated pest management practices in addition to employing a no till method of gardening. Everything you find on our farm is organically grown, and we create our own compost to use to amend our soil.