🎧 What We Sow with Jennifer Jewell
Calling all gardeners and plant enthusiasts! Join us on the latest episode of Foodie Pharmacology as we delve into the fascinating world of cultivating your place and exploring the magic of seeds!
Seeds are essential to the rhythm of life. This week on the show, we discuss seeds and how gardening can open up deeper connections to nature, our foods, and sense of place. Our guest is Jennifer Jewell, gardener, creator, and host of the public radio program and podcast “Cultivating Place: Conversations on Natural History and the Human Impulse to Garden”. Jennifer is the author of three books: The Earth in Her Hands, 75 Extraordinary Women Working in the World of Plants (Timber Press, 2020); Under Western Skies, Visionary Gardens from the Rockies to the Pacific (Timber Press, 2021); and What We Sow, on the Personal, Ecological & Cultural Significance of Seeds (Timber Press, 2023). Learn more about her work at her website, Cultivating Place.
This conversation with Jennifer Jewell offers inspiration and encouragement to embrace the magic of seeds and the transformative power of gardening. Through her book, "What We Sow," Jennifer invites us to uncover the personal, ecological, and cultural significance of seeds in our lives. So, whether you have a small balcony garden or a sprawling backyard, remember that every seed holds immense potential and has the capacity to connect us with nature in ways that are nurturing, meaningful, and truly magical. Happy gardening and stay tuned for more inspiring episodes of Foodie Pharmacology, the Science Podcast for the Food Curious.
Special book giveaway! Jennifer is donating three copies of What We Sow to Foodie Pharmacology fans! To enter the giveaway, visit Foodie Pharmacology on Instagram and follow the instructions on this week’s post!
Access the interview highlights of this Foodie Pharmacology episode at the bottom of this post. This special feature is available to paid subscribers of the Nature’s Pharmacy newsletter.
About Jennifer
Jennifer is a gardener, creator and host of public radio program and podcast Cultivating Place: Conversations on Natural History and the Human Impulse to garden. She is author of The Earth in Her Hands, 75 Extraordinary Women Working in the World of Plants; Under Western Skies, Visionary Gardens from the Rockies to the Pacific; and What We Sow, on the Personal, Ecological & Cultural Significance of Seeds (2023).
Jennifer’s greatest passion is elevating the way we think and talk about gardening, the empowerment of gardeners, and the possibility inherent in the intersection between places, environments, cultures, individuals, and the gardens that bring them together beautifully—for the better of all the lives on this generous planet.
Listen to the interview
Listen to the podcast on any of your favorite podcast streaming services. Subscribe to Foodie Pharmacology to access new episodes weekly! If you enjoy this and other episodes, let me know! Give is a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts so others can find it and enjoy!
Watch the video
Available exclusively on the Teach Ethnobotany YouTube Channel, you can catch the full video version of this episode and others! Enjoy!
Yours in health, Dr. Quave
Here are the interview highlights, available to Nature’s Pharmacy paid subscribers:
Seasonality and the Profound Impact of Seeds
Seasonality is a concept that not only affects our environment but also our mood and the way we engage with the world. Jennifer highlights the interplay between seasonality and seed choices, emphasizing how our decisions can shape our connection with nature and the environment.
Jennifer's Motivation to Write "What We Sow"
To understand the motivation behind Jennifer's book, she shares her personal connection to gardening and her realization that, despite her lifelong dedication to gardening, there was still much to learn about seeds. The moment of panic during the 2020 lockdown, when seed availability became uncertain, sparked Jennifer's curiosity and drove her to embark on a multi-year journey to explore the significance of seeds from various perspectives such as environment, economy, and social structure.
Delving into the Details of Seed Production
Dr. Quave raises an intriguing question about the production of seeds and how they end up in our local hardware shops. Jennifer illuminates the diverse methods employed in seed production, ranging from traditional biological processes to more controlled laboratory methods. She explains how plants bear seeds through the fascinating process of fertilization and dispersal. Additionally, Jennifer sheds light on the complex journey of seeds from production facilities to packaging and distribution centers.
Saving and Conserving Seeds
One aspect that fascinates many novice gardeners is the ability to save and conserve seeds. Jennifer delves into the practicality of saving seeds and shares that while it is possible for certain crops like tomatoes, zinnias, and lettuce, not all plants are suitable. She explains that the ability to save seeds and see successful germination depends on factors such as genetics, cross-pollination, and hybrid varieties.
Embracing Seasonality in Garden Planning
Jennifer offers valuable insights into the importance of embracing seasonality in gardening plans. She emphasizes the need to pay attention to the guidance of experienced gardeners in the local community, who successfully grow throughout the year. Jennifer advises seeking inspiration from individuals who have already mastered the art of growing plants during different seasons, tailoring their guidance to suit one's own time and space constraints.
Bringing Back the Value of Gardening
In wrapping up the conversation, Jennifer emphasizes the importance of elevating the way we think and talk about gardening. She suggests reclaiming gardening as an essential element of our cultural literacy, on par with art, music, literature, and food. By reframing gardening as a meaningful activity that offers both personal fulfillment and cultural value, we can prioritize the time and effort needed to create and nurture our own green spaces.