Growing with Nature
34 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 27 ratingsDo you want to bring nature to your backyard, grow food, and help heal our living world? Join Daron Williams—restoration ecologist, permaculture enthusiast, and lifelong gardener—for concrete steps you can take at home to cultivate abundance for people, plants and wildlife. Tune in, grab a shovel, and make the living world around you come alive.
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Episodes
Goumi Berries - A Great Nitrogen Fixing Berry
February 23, 2022 06:00 - 11 minutes - 8.21 MBNitrogen-fixing plants can help your other plants grow. Plants like your fruit trees and berries. But there are some edible nitrogen-fixing shrubs. One of my favorites are goumi berries. These great berries not only provide food but will also fix nitrogen helping your other plants thrive. In this episode, we look at goumi berries and how to add them to your growing areas. Check out the show notes to learn more about goumi berries and get access to the resources mentioned in this episode. ...
Introducing Cascara—A Fantastic PNW Native Tree
January 05, 2022 06:00 - 11 minutes - 7.66 MBCascara is a fantastic Pacific Northwest native tree. Adaptable, great for wildlife, and not too big this is a great native tree to add to your property. In this episode, we dive into cascaras and how to grow them on your property. Plus we will look at some of the uses of these great trees. Check out the show notes to learn more about Cascara trees and get access to the resources mentioned in this episode. Support the show
Use Small Spreading Native Shrubs to Create a Dense Hedgerow
December 29, 2021 06:00 - 13 minutes - 9.59 MBMaking a dense hedgerow can be a challenge. But by planting small spreading native shrubs you can easily have a dense hedgerow. Native plants like Nootka rose and snowberries will quickly will in the gaps can make your hedgerow solid enough to keep even deer out. In this episode, we look at the role small spreading native shrubs can play in creating a dense hedgerow. We use 2 Pacific Northwest native plants as examples of how you can use this strategy. Check out the show notes to learn mor...
3 Tips to Salvage Native Plants for Your Property
December 15, 2021 06:00 - 17 minutes - 11.9 MBBuying native plants can be expensive but salvaging them is a great option when you don’t have a lot of money to spend on new plants. But doing it right without damaging the living world is important. Plus, you want to make sure your new plants survive. In this episode, we look at 3 tips for salvaging native plants for your property. Specifically, we look at how to salvage native plants by transplanting them and how to salvage native plants by collecting seeds, cuttings, or live stakes. Plu...
How to Get Started with Live Staking
December 08, 2021 06:00 - 12 minutes - 8.38 MBLive staking is one of the easiest ways to get a ton of new plants. But not all plants can be live-staked and there are some tricks to doing it successfully. In this episode, we look at how to get started with live staking including a list of Pacific Northwest native plants that can be live staked successfully. Check out the show notes to learn more about how to get started with live staking and get access to the resources mentioned in this episode. Support the show
How You Can Find Material for Mulch and Critter Homes
November 24, 2021 06:00 - 17 minutes - 12.4 MBFinding material for mulch and critter homes can be a barrier to getting started. But there are some simple and cheap ways to find woodchips, leaves, logs, and other materials. In this episode, we look at several ways you can find material for mulching and building critter homes without spending a ton of money. I’ve used all these methods at my place, and you can use them too. Check out the show notes to learn more about how to find material for mulch and critter homes and get access to th...
Messy is Beautiful – Why You Should Skip the Fall Cleanup
November 17, 2021 06:00 - 10 minutes - 7.05 MBLet’s skip the fall cleanup this year. Don’t rake up the leaves, don’t cut down the dead flower stalks, and leave the branches where they fall. While this might seem crazy you can skip the fall cleanup. Or at least do less. In this episode, we look at why messy is beautiful and why you should skip the fall cleanup. The result will be more abundance for people, plants, and wildlife. Check out the show notes to learn more about why messy is beautiful and why you should skip the fall cleanup...
The Most Important Reason to Plant Native Plants
November 10, 2021 06:00 - 18 minutes - 12.6 MBOften people skip native plants but when you do this you limit your land's ability to be abundant. But why? In this episode, we look at the most important reason to plant native plants. In short, it’s because native plants share a long evolutionary history with the other life that live around them. Native plants play a unique role in the environment due to their long evolutionary history with wildlife. Check out the show notes to learn more about native plants and their role in cultivatin...
Why Your Property Needs Snags – Plus Tips to Get Started with Snags
November 03, 2021 05:00 - 16 minutes - 11.1 MBDid you know your property needs snags? Often people don’t like keeping around dead trees—aka snags. But snags are critical to supporting all sorts of wildlife that you know and love. From owls to woodpeckers, and even native bees if you want to support wildlife snags are a great option. In this episode, we look at why your property needs snags and how to get started with them. Check out the show notes to learn more about snags and get access to the resources mentioned in this episode. S...
3 Pacific Northwest Native Plants for Easy Winter Harvests
October 27, 2021 05:00 - 12 minutes - 8.66 MBGrowing these 3 Pacific Northwest native plants can provide you easy harvests all winter long. There’s something special about going outside and getting greens for salads and for cooking even in the middle of winter. In this episode, we look at nodding onions, miner’s lettuce, and checkermallow plus some tips on expanding your winter garden beyond these 3 great native plants. Check out the show notes to learn more about these 3 Pacific Northwest native plants and get access to the resourc...
What are Micro-Climates and How to Get Started with Them
October 20, 2021 05:00 - 11 minutes - 8.06 MBDo you know what micro-climates you have on your property? Learning how to identify existing micro-climates and how to create new ones can help you cultivate abundance. In this episode, we look at what micro-climates are, how to identify them, and how to create new ones. Check out the show notes to learn more about micro-climates and get access to the resources mentioned in this episode. Support the show
How to Manage Wet Areas on Your Property
October 13, 2021 05:00 - 15 minutes - 10.7 MBManaging wet areas on your property can be a challenge. But these areas can also be very important for wildlife and building resilience in the face of climate change. And you can even grow food in them. In this episode, we look at strategies for managing wet areas on your property in a way that heals the living world and cultivates abundance for people, plants, and wildlife. Check out the show notes to learn more about how to manage wet areas and get access to the resources mentioned in th...
3 Ways You Can Cultivate Abundance This Fall
October 06, 2021 05:00 - 17 minutes - 12.4 MBWhat are you doing this fall to cultivate abundance? While the vegetable garden is slowing down and the days are getting shorter fall is a great time to take steps to ensure your land will be filled with abundance next spring. In this episode, we look at 3 ways you can cultivate abundance this fall. Check out the show notes to learn more about the 3 ways you can take this fall to get your land ready for spring and get access to the resources mentioned in this episode. Support the show
3 Reasons Why You Should Mulch Your Soil
September 29, 2021 05:00 - 11 minutes - 8.01 MBYour soil needs to be covered with mulch. Without it soil life will suffer, your plants won’t thrive, and the land will be less abundant. You should mulch your soil if you want to heal the living world. In this episode, we look at 3 reasons why you should mulch your soil. These 3 reasons are protecting soil life, retaining moisture, and preventing erosion. This way your plants and the living world around you can thrive. Check out the show notes to learn more about why you should mulch you...
How to Get Started with Critter Homes and Why You Should
September 22, 2021 05:00 - 18 minutes - 12.5 MBIf you want to support wildlife then you’ve got to give them a place to call home and take shelter. Critter homes are a great option and are simple to create. Plus, these simple structures can provide other benefits such as keeping the soil cool and moist around your plants. In this week’s episode, we dive into critter homes and look at how you can get started with them and why you should. Check out the show notes to learn more about critter homes and get access to the resources mentioned...
Why You Need to Keep Your Fall Leaves and What to do with Them
September 15, 2021 05:00 - 14 minutes - 9.68 MBWhen the leaves start to fall from the trees what do you do with them? If you’re like most people you rake them up and get rid of them. But if you want to cultivate abundance and heal the living world you need to keep your fall leaves. In this episode, we look at the benefits of keeping your fall leaves and what to do with them. From supporting wildlife to building soil keeping your fall leaves will help you heal the living world and cultivate abundance for people, plants, and wildlife. Ch...
3 Lessons Learned from a Hot Dry Summer – The 2021 Drought
September 08, 2021 05:00 - 19 minutes - 13.6 MBDue to climate change the 2021 drought hit hard in the Pacific Northwest. And these impacts of climate change aren’t only being felt here. But there are lessons you can learn from these extremes that will help you adapt to these impacts. In this episode, we look at 3 lessons learned from this hot dry summer and what can be done to deal with these impacts in the future. Check out the show notes to learn more about the 3 lessons learned from the 2021 drought and get access to the resources m...
Native Lupines Fix Nitrogen and Support Wildlife – Let’s Grow Them
September 01, 2021 05:00 - 16 minutes - 11.1 MBNative lupines fix nitrogen and support wildlife. These amazing plants are far superior to the ornamental lupines sold in box stores. In this episode, we look at the native lupines of western Washington and why you should grow them. And with over 200 species of lupines found in North and South America and Northern Africa and the Mediterranean, there could easily be native lupines where you live too. Check out the show notes to learn more about native lupines and get access to the resource...
Why You Should Grow Miner’s Lettuce
August 25, 2021 05:00 - 12 minutes - 8.42 MBDo you have a shady area that you’re unsure what to plant? Using these shady areas for food growing can be a challenge. But miner’s lettuce happens to love growing in the shade. And it tastes good. In this episode, we look at why you should grow miner’s lettuce. Check out the show notes to learn more about miner’s lettuce and get access to the resources mentioned in this episode. Support the show
Why Your Garden Needs Logs and Rock Piles
August 18, 2021 05:00 - 15 minutes - 10.8 MBDid you know your garden needs logs and rock piles? While these aren’t normally a part of a vegetable garden they actually have a critical role to play in helping your garden thrive. In this episode, we look at why your garden needs logs and rock piles. From supporting beneficial predators to creating micro-climates logs and rocks are a critical part of creating an abundant landscape. Check out the show notes to learn more about why your garden needs logs and rock piles and get access to ...
Let’s Design a Fruit Tree Guild
August 11, 2021 05:00 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MBDesigning a fruit tree guild doesn’t have to be a challenge. While it’s easy to get lost in the details there are some simple strategies you can follow to make your fruit tree guilds. In this episode, we will design a fruit tree guild together using simple strategies that anyone can use. Check out the show notes to learn more about how to design a fruit tree guild and get access to the resources mentioned in this episode. Support the show
Why You Need Plant-Eating Insects in Your Garden
August 04, 2021 05:00 - 15 minutes - 10.7 MBYour garden needs plant-eating insects. While it’s common for gardeners to feel like they’ve got to fight insects, the opposite is true. In this episode, we look at the role plant-eating insects play in the garden and how you can bring them into balance instead of fighting them. All while getting abundant harvests for your family and your community. Check out the show notes to learn more about why your garden needs plant-eating insects and get access to the resources mentioned in this epis...
Let’s Explore a Food Forest – Plus 3 Tips to Get Started
July 28, 2021 05:00 - 21 minutes - 14.5 MBHave you ever wondered what a food forest is? How do you grow food in a forest? In this episode, we explore the layers of a food forest, the plants growing in each layer, and how it all comes together to cultivate abundance for people, plants, and wildlife. Plus we cover 3 tips to help you start your food forest. Let’s explore a food forest. Check out the show notes to learn more about … and get access to the resources mentioned in this episode. Support the show
What is the Soil Food Web and Why it Matters
July 21, 2021 05:00 - 14 minutes - 10 MBIf you want your plants to thrive then you need a healthy soil food web. In this episode, we look at the soil food web—from worms to nematodes, to bacteria, fungi and so much more. The soil food web is the foundation that supports a thriving and abundant environment. And you need a healthy soil food web if you want to cultivate abundance for people, plants, and wildlife. Check out the show notes to learn more about the soil food web and why it matters and get access to the resources menti...
What are Purple Tree Collards and How to Get Started
July 14, 2021 05:00 - 12 minutes - 8.42 MBPurple tree collards are an amazing perennial vegetable. They taste great and a single plant can provide an abundance of harvests all year round. Tree collards can easily replace other collard greens and kale in your meals. In this episode, we dive into purple tree collards and how to get started with them. Check out the show notes to learn more about these amazing perennial vegetables and get access to the resources mentioned in this episode. Support the show
7 Strategies to Deal with Drought Today and in the Future
July 07, 2021 05:00 - 27 minutes - 19.2 MBHow do you deal with drought? Often people just resort to watering more—but this can worsen the impact of the drought on the environment around them. But what do you do to avoid this? In this episode, we look at 7 strategies for dealing with drought today and in the future. Check out the show notes to learn more about how to deal with drought and get access to the resources mentioned in this episode. Support the show
How to Control Garden Pests with Predators
June 30, 2021 05:00 - 19 minutes - 13.5 MBAre you having issues with garden pests? The best way to deal with them is with predators. From slugs to aphids to even small rodents you can attract the predators of these common pests to keep them in balance. In this episode, we look at some simple steps you can take to attract predators and keep garden pests in balance. Check out the show notes to learn more about attracting birds to your property and get access to the resources mentioned in this episode. Support the show
Why You Should Plant a Hedgerow (Plus 7 Tips to Get Started)
June 23, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 17.7 MBWhy should you plant a hedgerow? Hedgerows provide so many benefits—from privacy to habitat for wildlife and even food for you, your family, and your community. In this episode, we look at the benefits Hedgerows bring to any property and I share 5 tips to help you get started. Check out the show notes to learn more about attracting birds to your property and get access to the resources mentioned in this episode. Support the show
Here’s How You Can Attract Birds
June 16, 2021 05:00 - 17 minutes - 11.9 MBDo you want to attract birds to your property? Birds need 3 things to be happy – food, cover, and water. But a feeder isn’t enough to provide them the food they need. In this episode, we look at how planting native plants are the best way to provide food for birds and how you can provide them with cover and water. Check out the show notes to learn more about attracting birds to your property and get access to the resources mentioned in this episode. Support the show
Dealing with Compacted Soil without Digging
June 09, 2021 05:00 - 15 minutes - 10.9 MBDealing with compacted soil? Instead of digging a better way is to work with nature. With some simple steps, you can save your back and work with nature to break up compacted soil. In this episode, we cover simple steps you can take to deal with compacted soil without digging by working with nature. Check out the show notes to learn more about dealing with compacted soil and get access to the resources mentioned in this episode. Support the show
What are Perennial Vegetables and How to Get Started
June 02, 2021 07:00 - 21 minutes - 14.8 MBPerennial vegetables are vegetables you plant once and get harvests for years to come. Here’s how to get started with them. Description: Imagine planting your vegetables once and getting harvests for years to come. Sound too good to be true? Not when you plant perennial vegetables. These are vegetables that come back year after year without having to be replanted. In this episode, we dive into perennial vegetables and how you can get started with them. Check out the show notes to learn mo...
Getting Started with Native Vegetables
June 02, 2021 07:00 - 29 minutes - 20.4 MBDid you know you can grow native vegetables right in your backyard and garden? These great vegetables can provide year-round harvests with much less care than traditional vegetables. In this episode, we dive into native vegetables and how you can get started with them. Check out the show notes to learn more about native vegetables and get access to the resources mentioned in this episode. Support the show
How to Cultivate Abundance for People, Plants and Wildlife
June 02, 2021 07:00 - 38 minutes - 26.8 MBIn this episode, we’re going to dive into 5 pathways to abundance—abundance for people, plants, and wildlife. We picked these 5 pathways to help you get started towards creating a landscape that is filled with abundance. And to help you heal the living world around you. Because working with nature isn’t always easy—it can be hard to know where to start. But these 5 pathways give you a place to start your journey towards abundance for people, plants, and wildlife. Check out the show notes t...
Growing with Nature - Trailer
May 21, 2021 04:00 - 2 minutes - 1.48 MBDo you want to bring nature to your backyard, grow food, and help heal our living world? Join Daron Williams—restoration ecologist, permaculture enthusiast, and lifelong gardener—for concrete steps you can take at home to cultivate abundance for people, plants and wildlife. This podcast is a hands-on journey through regenerative soil building, permaculture, restoration ecology and more. We’ll learn how to plant fruit trees, berries, and perennial vegetables to get abundant, low-maintenan...