Humans Growing Stuff artwork

Humans Growing Stuff

39 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★ - 196 ratings

Gardening is about more than just roots and leaves, it’s about human connection, successes and failures, moments of mindfulness and growing some good. This is the most delightfully human podcast about plants you’ll ever listen to! Hosted by Mangesh Hattikudur and collaboration between iHeartMedia and you by your friends at Miracle-Gro “Humans Growing Stuff” is a show about growing and gardening for everyone. We’ll share sweetly inspiring stories, tips and tricks to nurture your plant addiction and just enough science to make you sound like an expert! So join us as we dig into “Humans Growing Stuff.”

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Episodes

Summer Bonus Episode: A Clever Plant Worthy of a Wall Mount

September 01, 2021 14:30 - 8 minutes - 7.7 MB

Ferns are not only some of the oldest plants on the planet, but they’re also some of the most interesting. The Staghorn Fern, named after its antler-like leaves, is no exception. In our final bonus episode of the summer, discover how it grows and works in colonies and its favorite kind of food.  For information on how to get your own garden growing this summer, check out the Miracle-Gro Website. Your friends at Miracle-Gro are collaboration partners with iHeart Radio for "Humans Growing Stu...

Summer Bonus Episode: Fermented Cabbage, Pickle Parades and More Favorite Facts about Pickles

August 25, 2021 08:00 - 8 minutes - 8.26 MB

As the summer begins to wind down, we’re thinking about our favorite way to keep and preserve the garden’s bounty: pickling! From fermentation methods that help your gut to Kool-Aid Pickle recipes, we’re sharing some of our favorite facts about pickling and pickles themselves. It may even inspire you to try a peanut butter and pickle sandwich in the process.  For information on how to get your own garden growing this summer, check out the Miracle-Gro Website. Your friends at Miracle-Gro are...

Summer Bonus Episode: The Plant that Never Dies

August 18, 2021 08:00 - 5 minutes - 5.47 MB

Plants are pretty amazing things, and each seems to have its own special talents and abilities. But what about a plant that brings itself back to life after years without water? This bonus episode, we’re sharing incredible facts about the resurrection fern, a plant that plays dead during drought and bounces back to life once it’s watered again.   For information on how to get your own garden growing this summer, check out the Miracle-Gro Website. Your friends at Miracle-Gro are collaboratio...

Summer Bonus Episode: Protecting your Garden Through Extreme Weather

August 11, 2021 08:00 - 7 minutes - 6.64 MB

We’ve seen a lot of extreme weather this summer, from high winds and flooding to record breaking heat and drought. In this bonus episode, Mangesh is giving you tips for protecting your plants and garden through the various types of weather phenomena you may experience wherever you live.  For information on how to get your own garden growing this summer, check out the Miracle-Gro Website. Your friends at Miracle-Gro are collaboration partners with iHeart Radio for "Humans Growing Stuff."  F...

Summer Bonus Episode: Gardens Everywhere!

August 04, 2021 08:00 - 6 minutes - 5.94 MB

What do potholes, abandoned train tunnels, ball gowns, and the depths of the ocean have in common? In this bonus episode, Mangesh explores some of the most interesting and unusual places people have grown vegetable gardens! That's right—no matter the space, planting the garden of your dreams is always possible! For information on how to get your own garden growing this summer, check out the Miracle-Gro Website. Your friends at Miracle-Gro are collaboration partners with iHeart Radio for "Hu...

Summer Bonus Episode: Finding Lavender and Sheep on Governors Island

July 28, 2021 08:00 - 8 minutes - 7.78 MB

We’re taking a summer field trip to Governors Island in New York City for this special bonus episode. We learn about the green ways the island is keeping the invasive plant species in check (with sheep!) and discover the incredible lavender fields growing different species of lavender.  For information on how to get your own garden growing this summer, check out the Miracle-Gro Website. Your friends at Miracle-Gro are collaboration partners with iHeart Radio for "Humans Growing Stuff."   F...

Plant Nursery Rhymes and Games

July 21, 2021 08:00 - 9 minutes

In this bonus episode, Mangesh is beating the heat this summer with a field trip to a plant nursery as he searches for a new house plant. Listen and discover the plant diversity and expertise of local garden and plant centers. Plus, learn about the surprising polka dot plant Mangesh takes home.  For more information, check out the Miracle-Gro Website. Your friends at Miracle-Gro are collaboration partners with iHeart Radio for "Humans Growing Stuff."   Follow Humans Growing Stuff on Facebook,...

Summer Bonus Episode: Plant Nursery Rhymes and Games

July 21, 2021 08:00 - 9 minutes - 8.58 MB

In this bonus episode, Mangesh is beating the heat this summer with a field trip to a plant nursery as he searches for a new house plant. Listen and discover the plant diversity and expertise of local garden and plant centers. Plus, learn about the surprising polka dot plant Mangesh takes home.  For more information, check out the Miracle-Gro Website. Your friends at Miracle-Gro are collaboration partners with iHeart Radio for "Humans Growing Stuff."   Follow Humans Growing Stuff on Facebo...

Summer Bonus Episode: Composting with Tera Lewandowski and Cary Oshins

July 14, 2021 13:02 - 17 minutes - 16.4 MB

We’re using this summer as an opportunity to dig into composting. We’ve heard a lot about this soil-enriching organic matter over the past two seasons, but there’s still a lot to learn about the science of compost and how you can actually get started in your own backyard. In this bonus episode, Mango gets insights from compost experts Cary Oshins and Tera Lewandowski. Cary is the Associate Director of the US Composting Council and Tera is a Senior Scientist at The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company....

Summer Bonus Episode: Growing Food and Community with Jayne Henson

June 30, 2021 08:00 - 15 minutes - 14.5 MB

In this summer bonus episode, we’re celebrating Pride and speaking with Jayne Henson, founder of TransGenerational Farm in New York. Our host Mangesh Hattikudur learns about Jayne’s journey to starting her own farm and how she has made it her mission to create a safe space for the LGBTQ community in agriculture and grow produce through “responsible regenerative practices.” You can follow TransGenerational Farm on Instagram @transgenerationalfarm for more updates.  For more information on ga...

Summer Bonus Episode: Men and Their Plants with Scott Cain

June 30, 2021 08:00 - 10 minutes - 9.8 MB

As part of our summer bonus series, we’re sharing our interview with Scott Cain, founder of Boys with Plants. Host Mangesh Hattikudur spoke with Scott earlier this year and learned about how the popular Instagram account @Boyswithplants began and how the Plant Daddy movement has fostered an online community of men who love plants.  For more helpful tips on gardening and plant care, check out the Miracle-Gro Website. Your friends at Miracle-Gro are collaboration partners with iHeart Radio fo...

Learning Life Lessons from Plants

May 06, 2021 01:57 - 49 minutes - 45.4 MB

It’s our last episode of the season and we’re looking back at the many lessons plants have taught us about being better humans.  Join Mango as he talks to fitness guru and garden geek Mark Peacock about the resiliency of plants. We also call up designer, lifestyle influencer and CEO of The Little Market Lauren Conrad and talk about her gardening journey and the lessons she’s taught her kids in the garden.  For more helpful tips on gardening and to connect with other growers in your area, d...

Big Dreams and Tinier Plants

April 21, 2021 08:00 - 49 minutes - 44.9 MB

From micro toms (the world’s smallest tomato plant) to miniature orchids, tiny gardens and miniature plants are right up there on the trend list with tiny homes. LA Times predicts that mini plants and tiny trees will be one of the biggest gardening trends of 2021. And this isn’t surprising, because the internet loves miniatures.   Join Mangesh as he learns about why we love tiny plants so much from the person who wrote the book on them, Leslie F. Halleck (Certified Pro Horticulturist and au...

Gardens, Our Tiniest Farms

April 07, 2021 08:00 - 47 minutes - 44 MB

If you think about it - the garden is the little sibling to the farm. Smaller in scale and generally tended by fewer parents, the garden has much to learn from the farm, especially as farming evolves from long-standing generational farms and methodologies into newer and greener growing practices led by younger, first-generation farmers. Today, we're seeing more and more millennials pick up and move out of cities and onto their very own small farms with a sustainable vision of the future of a...

Plant Daddies, Miracle-Bros and the Seeds of Modern Masculinity

March 24, 2021 08:00 - 37 minutes - 34.8 MB

Who says gardening and tending to the flowers is a gendered activity? From house plants to flowers, the plant daddies and Miracle-Bros are infusing their personality into growing culture and redefining what masculinity means.  In this episode, Mango reconnects with friend of the pod Michael “Mr. Plant Geek” Perry as they talk about living your truth among the plants. New York drag queen Missleidy The Plant Lady stops by and reads men based on their plant preferences. We’ll also hear from me...

Garden to Table. . . and Cocktail Shaker

March 10, 2021 09:00 - 34 minutes - 32 MB

Farm-to-table restaurants have been some of our favorites dining establishments. These days, we’re doing less and less dining out, but we’re coming up with exciting new ways to use the harvest from our own gardens and finding new ways to keep the human connection through sharing food alive with garden cooking and cocktail mixing. In this episode, renowned Atlanta mixologist, Keyatta Mincey Parker tells Mango about the origins of her Sip of Paradise community garden for bartenders and how to ...

Forget the Groundhog. . . I'm ready for Spring

February 24, 2021 09:00 - 30 minutes - 27.6 MB

Early spring is an important time of year; it’s when we begin to slowly shake off the chill of winter and see our first few signs of early green life. But how can we be absolutely sure when it's safe to start planting for Spring? Is there an official start date that all growers know about? And after a long and cold winter, where do we even start? Our friend Jade, The Black Plant Chick (host of "Black Plant Chick Pod"), returns to share the top plant care habits to adopt this spring. Mangesh ...

Humans Growing Stuff is Back!

February 17, 2021 09:00 - 2 minutes - 2.13 MB

Mango and the team are back with a brand new season of growing stuff. Join us this spring for new episodes, new interviews and new experiences as we grow and learn together. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Getting Fiddle Leaf Fit

November 11, 2020 09:00 - 39 minutes - 36.1 MB

Have you ever come in from the yard after planting and pruning actually felt sore? It’s as if you went to a high intensity workout class, but you were actually just turning the compost. You’re not alone! Gardening does a body good. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, gardening qualifies as actual exercise and just 30-45 mins tending to the plants in your backyard can burn up to 300 calories. Gardening can be the gateway to fitness and in this episode, host Mangesh Ha...

Growing Plants and Growing Muscles

November 11, 2020 09:00 - 41 minutes

Have you ever come in from the yard after planting and pruning actually felt sore? It’s as if you went to a high intensity workout class, but you were actually just turning the compost. You’re not alone! Gardening does a body good. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, gardening qualifies as actual exercise and just 30-45 mins tending to the plants in your backyard can burn up to 300 calories. Gardening can be the gateway to fitness and in this episode, host Mangesh Hat...

The Backyard Ecosystem

November 04, 2020 09:00 - 48 minutes

There’s a whole world in your backyard with multiple layers and symbiotic relationships. While we may take on the role of watering, pruning and planting, there are creatures and plants that have their own responsibilities and roles to play that are seen and unseen. Together they create an entire infrastructure and network. And while some are more helpful than others, ultimately it all works together to create a green oasis brimming with life. Host Mangesh Hattikudur dives into the delicate ba...

The Backyard Ecosystem featuring Jim Gaffigan

November 04, 2020 09:00 - 48 minutes

There’s a whole world in your backyard with multiple layers and symbiotic relationships. While we may take on the role of watering, pruning and planting, there are creatures and plants that have their own responsibilities and roles to play that are seen and unseen. Together they create an entire infrastructure and network. And while some are more helpful than others, ultimately it all works together to create a green oasis brimming with life. Host Mangesh Hattikudur dives into the delicate ba...

The Living Universe in Your Backyard - featuring Jim Gaffigan

November 04, 2020 09:00 - 46 minutes

There’s a whole world in your backyard with multiple layers and symbiotic relationships. While we may take on the role of watering, pruning and planting, there are creatures and plants that have their own responsibilities and roles to play that are seen and unseen. Together they create an entire infrastructure and network. And while some are more helpful than others, ultimately it all works together to create a green oasis brimming with life. Host Mangesh Hattikudur dives into the delicate ba...

The Living Universe in Your Backyard - featuring Jim Gaffigan

November 04, 2020 09:00 - 46 minutes - 42.7 MB

There’s a whole world in your backyard with multiple layers and symbiotic relationships. While we may take on the role of watering, pruning and planting, there are creatures and plants that have their own responsibilities and roles to play that are seen and unseen. Together they create an entire infrastructure and network. And while some are more helpful than others, ultimately it all works together to create a green oasis brimming with life. Host Mangesh Hattikudur dives into the delicate b...

Can Growing Food Grow Freedom?

October 28, 2020 23:16 - 39 minutes

In the age of free two-day shipping and groceries on demand, it may still be shocking to know that many low-income residents of cities still suffer from a scarcity of affordable or quality fresh food. These are food deserts, and they still exist in thralling metropolises like New York City and Atlanta. Host Mangesh Hattikudur speaks to growers and organizations who are growing for good. These are community members and outsiders who introduce sustainable gardening solutions to help communities...

The Green Solution to Food Apartheid

October 28, 2020 23:16 - 38 minutes - 34.9 MB

In the age of free two-day shipping and groceries on demand, it may still be shocking to know that many low-income residents of cities still suffer from a scarcity of affordable or quality fresh food. These are food deserts, and they still exist in thralling metropolises like New York City and Atlanta. Host Mangesh Hattikudur speaks to growers and organizations who are growing for good. These are community members and outsiders who introduce sustainable gardening solutions to help communitie...

Giving Thanks and Giving Shine

October 21, 2020 08:00 - 39 minutes

Gardening has an incredibly diverse history rooted in indigenous cultures. Host Mangesh Hattikudur speaks with growers of color and together they shed light on the multicultural community and origins of modern gardening. In this episode, Mango calls up multi-dimensional artist, activist, grower and Program Director of Soul Fire Farm, Naima Penniman to learn about the the afro-indigenous history behind growing practices in America. Mango also talks with Black Girls with Gardens' Jasmine Jeffer...

Deep Roots and Representation for BIPOC in Gardening

October 21, 2020 08:00 - 37 minutes - 34.4 MB

Gardening has an incredibly diverse history rooted in indigenous cultures. Host Mangesh Hattikudur speaks with growers of color and together they shed light on the multicultural community and origins of modern gardening. In this episode, Mango calls up multi-dimensional artist, activist, grower and Program Director of Soul Fire Farm, Naima Penniman to learn about the the afro-indigenous history behind growing practices in America. Mango also talks with Black Girls with Gardens' Jasmine Jeffe...

Deep Roots and Representation for BIOPC in Gardening

October 21, 2020 08:00 - 39 minutes

Gardening has an incredibly diverse history rooted in indigenous cultures. Host Mangesh Hattikudur speaks with growers of color and together they shed light on the multicultural community and origins of modern gardening. In this episode, Mango calls up multi-dimensional artist, activist, grower and Program Director of Soul Fire Farm, Naima Penniman to learn about the the afro-indigenous history behind growing practices in America. Mango also talks with Black Girls with Gardens' Jasmine Jeffer...

Families growing roots, plant roots

October 14, 2020 08:00 - 31 minutes

Did you know that planting seeds can help the youngest members of your family develop their fine motor skills? Gardening also unites the family behind a shared purpose, to see something grow. With the help of our special guest Shelly Casto form Highland Youth Garden in Columbus, Ohio, host Mangesh Hattikudur discovers the lessons and skills parents and kids can learn together by turning gardening into a family hobby. Mango also sends out his kiddos and his producer Molly on special assignment...

Bringing Families into the Garden

October 14, 2020 08:00 - 29 minutes - 27 MB

Did you know that planting seeds can help the youngest members of your family develop their fine motor skills? Gardening also unites the family behind a shared purpose, to see something grow. With the help of our special guest Shelly Casto form Highland Youth Garden in Columbus, Ohio, host Mangesh Hattikudur discovers the lessons and skills parents and kids can learn together by turning gardening into a family hobby. Mango also sends out his kiddos and his producer Molly on special assignmen...

Small Plants in the Big City

October 07, 2020 08:00 - 28 minutes - 26.2 MB

Host Mangesh Hattikudur talks with friends and experts about how to build a vibrant and gorgeous garden in the least likely place: in the middle of a bustling city. With special guests, Ursula Chanse and Kadeesha Williams of the New York Botanical Garden’s Bronx Green-Up Program, Mangesh learns about the magic and majesty of urban community gardens. Instagram’s Plant Anna Plant tells us how she makes space for plants in her apartments. Discover all of the common and unconventional ways these...

Bright Lights, Big Snake Plant

October 07, 2020 08:00 - 30 minutes

Host Mangesh Hattikudur talks with friends and experts about how to build a vibrant and gorgeous garden in the least likely place: in the middle of a bustling city. With special guests, Ursula Chanse and Kadeesha Williams of the New York Botanical Garden’s Bronx Green-Up Program, Mangesh learns about the magic and majesty of urban community gardens. Instagram’s Plant Anna Plant tells us how she makes space for plants in her apartments. Discover all of the common and unconventional ways these ...

Legends of the Fall Garden featuring Chef Vivian Howard

September 30, 2020 08:00 - 31 minutes

Fall is officially upon us which means pumpkins, pumpkin pie, pumpkin spiced lattes and gardening. Host Mangesh Hattikudur talks with friends and experts about how to transition our gardening from summer to fall. What do we bring indoors? What herbs and vegetables can we still plant outdoors? With help from our friends the Black Plant Chick (@BlackPlantChick) and James Beard Award-Winning Chef Vivian Howard (@TheChefAndTheF), we'll explore the answers to these questions and discover best prac...

Gardening Doesn't Stop When Summer is Over - featuring Chef Vivian Howard

September 30, 2020 08:00 - 29 minutes - 27.2 MB

Fall is officially upon us which means pumpkins, pumpkin pie, pumpkin spiced lattes and gardening. Host Mangesh Hattikudur talks with friends and experts about how to transition our gardening from summer to fall. What do we bring indoors? What herbs and vegetables can we still plant outdoors? With help from our friends the Black Plant Chick (@BlackPlantChick) and James Beard Award-Winning Chef Vivian Howard (@TheChefAndTheF), we'll explore the answers to these questions and discover best pra...

Legends of the Fall Garden

September 30, 2020 08:00 - 31 minutes

Fall is officially upon us which means pumpkins, pumpkin pie, pumpkin spiced lattes and gardening. Host Mangesh Hattikudur talks with friends and experts about how to transition our gardening from summer to fall. What do we bring indoors? What herbs and vegetables can we still plant outdoors? We’ll explore the answers to these questions and more and discover best practices and recipes for the excess harvest from our summer planting.   For more helpful tips on digging in the dirt this fall, c...

The Mental Health Benefits of Plants

September 23, 2020 08:00 - 26 minutes - 24.6 MB

Did you know that gardening is actually good for your mental health? In this episode, host Mangesh (Mango) Hattikudur begins his gardening journey. With the help of special guests Baratunde Thurston (How to Citizen) and Mr. Plant Geek Michael Perry (The Plant Based Pod), Mango discovers just how much he can gain from growing his green thumb. For more helpful tips and insight on jump starting your gardening, check out the Miracle-Gro website and find advice on things like the Top 10 Gardenin...

Plants are the New Therapists

September 23, 2020 08:00 - 28 minutes

Did you know that gardening is actually good for your mental health? In this episode, host Mangesh (Mango) Hattikudur begins his gardening journey. With the help of special guests Baratunde Thurston (How to Citizen) and Mr. Plant Geek Michael Perry (The Plant Based Pod), Mango discovers just how much he can gain from growing his green thumb. For more helpful tips and insight on jump starting your gardening, check out the Miracle-Gro website and find advice on things like the Top 10 Gardening ...

Welcome to “Humans Growing Stuff”

September 09, 2020 22:21 - 3 minutes - 3.62 MB

Did you know that more than half of Americans are heading outside and tending to gardens? We are in a golden age of growing, but there’s more to gardening than plants and dirt. That’s why your friends at Miracle-Gro and iHeartRadio are partnering up to bring you “Humans Growing stuff;” a new series that’s just as much about humans as it is about growing stuff. Each week, along with our host Mangesh “Mango” Hattikudur, we’ll bring you inspiring stories, helpful hints, fascinating facts and th...

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