The Northern Grower
The Northern Gardener is a podcast host by Erin Colborn, an avid gardener, homesteader and professional educator. Her focus is on gardening in northern climates, things like season extension, hardy crops and greenhouse technologies etc. Living in zone 3, Northern Canada gives her ample opportunity to experiment with the ideas and suggestions discussed in this podcast. Erin also enjoys discussing slow living, sustainable living, plant lore and magic of plants as well as homesteading topics. She also is a founding member of a vegetable seed company based in Northern Canada. Thanks for taking the time to listen to the show, we hope you liked what you heard!
Episodes
55 episodes
Choosing to Homestead for Joy
There seems to be so much division and fear out there and one day after a day spent in too much sun, I processed my thoughts about why I choose to homestead and garden. I choose to find joy in homesteading and purpose in a positive mindset. In ...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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24:25
Starting a Garden on a budget, money saving tips and tricks
If you are trying to save money when it comes to gardening or starting your garden with a limited budget I share some money saving ideas and tips in this episode. These are some of the little ways we have managed to save money when it comes to ...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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29:16
Introduction to Moon Gardening or Lunar Phase Gardening
With the rise and resurgence of gardening, growing and folk traditions I explore the ancient practice of moon gardening. In this episode I provide an introduction to lunar phase gardening as well as some old folklore practices on bringing the p...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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16:39
Apothecary Gardening
In this episode Erin shares about one of her favorite subjects-apothecary gardening. Apothecary gardening and growing home and herbal remedies is going through a revival, in part thanks to a combination of the modern homesteading and self suffi...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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26:33
Cold Climate Growing: What Seeds I'm Starting in January and February
As a cold climate grower, growing in zones 3-4 I have to start some of my seeds early. One method is to start sowing seeds indoors, ready for transplant later. In this episode I share what seeds to start in January and February if you are a col...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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22:41
Fall/Mabon/Autumn Traditions and Practices
In this episode I briefly move away from gardening to discuss practices and traditions that we observe here on the homestead to recognize the harvest season. From a Mabon altar to harvest feasts and activities this lifestyle episode can hopeful...
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Season 2
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Episode 50
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23:52
Modern Homesteading: The Value of Learning Traditional Skills
Whether you are trying to practice homesteading, slow living, find more sustainability in your life or simply feeling overwhelmed with all the gardening and preserving of food. This episode can hopefully serve as a motivator and reminder that w...
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Season 2
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Episode 49
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39:22
Beginners Guide to Growing Garlic
**Apologies, please note the sound quality is not great with this episode, turns out my microphone was acting up, sound quality should resume as normal with all other episodes*With garlic planting season underway, this episode covers th...
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Season 2
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Episode 48
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29:51
Growing Blueberries and Preserving
In this episode I discuss growing blueberries and ways to save them. Next week's episode will be all about garlic-an indepth take on growing garlic in zone 3If you would like to reach out/comment email thenortherngrowerpodc...
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Season 2
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Episode 47
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27:41
All About Sunflowers-Growing and Lore
In this episode Erin discusses the story and growing tips for Sunflowers. Next week will be all about blueberries, how to grow and preserve them!Important Links:Purchasing Sunflowers-Giant Varieities=-
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Season 2
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Episode 46
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23:50
Goji Berry: History and Growing Tips
In this episode I discuss the story and history of the Goji Berry and tips for gardening if you want to try growing this yourself! Next episode will be Sunflowers. Links for purchasing goji berry seeds:
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Season 2
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Episode 44
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18:09
Modern Homesteading: Homesteading Tips to Save Money
For wannabe or modern homesteader, homesteading can seem out of reach or intimidating. It looks like one will have to invest lots of money to build their dream homestead. However in this episode Erin discusses how adopting a homesteading mindse...
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28:03
The Haskap, history, growing tips and a tiny bit of lore.
Thank you for bearing with me whilst I continue to figure out my intro situation! In this episode I tell you all about the wonderful Haskap berry, some history, some useful stuff to know for growing and why any gardener within zone...
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Season 2
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Episode 43
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14:18
Gardening with small children: ideas and tips to help you get through!
In this episode I discuss my experiences, thoughts and tips for gardening with a young family. We really started increasing garden production at the same time as when our newborn arrived and it was...chaotic to say the least. We survived ...
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Season 2
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Episode 42
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31:37
How to be a Modern Homesteader: Book Recommendations
In this episode, Erin discusses her favourite essential books for anyone wanting to begin their gardening or homesteading journey. She shares books that are not only "how to" guides but also some of her favourite reads that remind her why she b...
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Season 2
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Episode 41
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36:58
How to Be a Modern Homesteader- What is homesteading?
In the next few episodes in The Northern Grower I'll be analyzing the world of modern homesteading! What does it mean to homestead in modern society? What does the act of homesteading look like in today's world? In this episode and the ne...
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Season 2
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Episode 40
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37:38
A Look at Gardening Zones
If you are a gardener then you've probably heard about zones and if you are new, then you probably know that zones are sort of important. However how many of us know what the zones actually measure? In this episode I take a brief dive into Gard...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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15:45
Favourite Annuals for Colder Climates
In this episode, Erin discusses her favourite annual varieties that she grows in her zone 3 garden. These varieties are well suited to cooler climates and can give you some ideas and inspiration to try in your own backyard or homestead!...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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19:47
Perennials and My Recommendations
In this episode, Erin discusses her favourite perennial plants to grow for colder climate gardeners and the benefits of perennials. If you are starting perennials from seed, now is a really good time to start. ...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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35:05
Our Seed Starting Calendar
In the new season of The Northern Grower, Erin gives an overview of when/how and what seeds she is starting this year month by month in her zone 3 homestead garden.
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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24:02
Listener Questions and Answers
In this bonus episode our host Erin joins us to answer all your cold climate gardening questions. Thanks as always and good luck this season!
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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29:09
Seed Saving Series: Part 3
In this episode, Erin concludes the seed saving series, wrapping up with seed saving techniques from dry fruited plants. Special Discount for listeners of the Northern Grower Podcast is available at greenwitchseed.ca simply...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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13:06
Seed Saving Series: Part 2
As part of her seed saving series, Erin discusses saving seeds from fleshy fruited plants such as tomatoes, watermelons and squashes.
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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12:40