Food Garden Life Show: Helping You Harvest More from Your Edible Garden, Vegetable Garden, and Edible Landscaping
Want to grow your own food but need creative ideas so you can get the most from your space and your growing zone.
Steven Biggs: Horticulturist and edible landscaping expert. · Steven Biggs
Show overview
Food Garden Life Show: Helping You Harvest More from Your Edible Garden, Vegetable Garden, and Edible Landscaping has been publishing since 2019, and across the 7 years since has built a catalogue of 262 episodes, alongside 10 trailers or bonus episodes. That works out to roughly 160 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a fortnightly cadence, with the show now in its 9th season.
Episodes typically run thirty-five to sixty minutes — most land between 27 min and 44 min — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-CA-language Leisure show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 1 weeks ago, with 17 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2020, with 86 episodes published. Published by Steven Biggs.
From the publisher
Want to grow your own food but need creative ideas so you can get the most from your space and your growing zone? Our passion is the edible garden. We help people grow food on balconies, in backyards, and beyond—whether it’s edible landscaping, a vegetable garden, container gardens, or a home orchard. There are many ways to approach edible landscaping. Find out how to harvest enough fruit, vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers. Get top tips for exotic crops. And learn how to garden in a way that suits any situation. Host Steven Biggs was recognized by Garden Making magazine as one of the “green gang” making a difference in Canadian horticulture. His home-garden experiments span driveway straw-bale gardens, a rooftop kitchen garden, fruit plantings, and an edible-themed front yard. He's a horticulturist, award-winning broadcaster and author, and former horticulture instructor with George Brown and Durham Colleges in Ontario, Canada. Get started with one of our fan favourites. Season 6, Episode 10: Big Harvests from a Small Space with a Vertical Vegetable Garden.
Latest Episodes
View all 262 episodesHow to Grow Tomatoes in Cool & Coastal Climates (Without a Greenhouse)
Growing Hardy Pears in Cold Climates: What Actually Works
Designing a Vegetable Garden That Actually Works (Rows, Beds & Smart Layouts)
S9 Ep 13Perennial Vegetables: Edible Crops That Come Back Every Year (with Michalina Hunter)
In this episode, I chat with Michalina Hunter, founder of Cicada Seeds, about edible perennial crops.We explore:Ways to use perennial vegetables in a home-garden settingWhy perennial vegetables are a game-changer for sustainable gardening Top crops for home gardenersMichalina’s top recommendations for home gardenersAnd we also take a tangent to discuss an interesting tomato that Michalina introduced, the ‘Venus of Willendorf’ tomatoWhether you’re curious about food forests, edible perennials, or just want to try something new, tune in for practical advice from a seasoned grower. ---Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started. [Join the newsletter]
S9 Ep 12Grow More Food, Rethink Your Landscape, and Garden Smarter
Rising food costs have you looking at your food bill? This is a good year to grow more food at home. And in this episode, I have tips to help you hit the ground running this year.Find out about simple ways to add edible plants to the landscape, top crops for home gardens, how to grow more food in a small space, and edible hedges.In this episode, I share some of the ideas from my upcoming series of free online Earth Month gardening talks. These talks have been on my mind for a while—and this year feels like the right time.The earth month gardening talks are free. Please join me for one or all of them. Find out more about the free Earth Month series. ---Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started. [Join the newsletter]
S9 Ep 11Favourite Vegetable Varieties with Donna Balzer: Tried-and-True and Something New
In this episode, I continue my cross-Canada tour to hear about top veggie varieties.I’m joined by my former co-host, horticulturist, author, and longtime gardening educator Donna Balzer to talk all about her favourite vegetable varieties. Donna shares her long-time favourite varieties—the ones she grows year after year—as well as varieties that have recently impressed her. Donna and I wrote No Guff Vegetable Gardening together in 2011, and I’m a big fan of her approach to gardening. (If you’re looking for a copy of this Canadian classic, drop by Donna’s website.)Whether you're planning your garden or interested in hearing about interesting varieties, this conversation will give you ideas for your 2026 garden. ---Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started. [Join the newsletter]
Introducing: Fig Culture – How to Grow Figs in Cold Climates
bonusThis is a preview of a new show from Food Garden Life Media.Hosted by Steven Biggs, Fig Culture explores the world of growing figs in places where they’re not supposed to thrive.You’ll hear from fig experts in cold climates about the best varieties, learn how growers protect their trees through winter, meet passionate fig enthusiasts, and discover creative ways to use figs in the kitchen.In this first episode, we visit Vancouver Island—where figs are fully hardy, but a cool coastal climate makes ripening a challenge. Master fig grower Bob Duncan has trialled hundreds of varieties to find the ones that perform best in his conditions—and he’s found some outstanding picks.To hear more, search “Fig Culture” in your podcast app and follow the show. Episode 2 is waiting for you. ---Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started. [Join the newsletter]
S9 Ep 10The Wild & Free Garden: Rethinking Gardening, Community, and Creativity with Stephanie Rose
In this episode, I sit down with gardening expert and author Stephanie Rose to explore her new book, The Wild & Free Garden.Need inspiration for your next gardening task or project? Need to reconnect with nature? Have a listen. Yes, this chat is rooted in gardening. But it’s also a thoughtful look at human nature, current culture, and psychology. Stephanie shares a refreshing approach to gardening—one rooted in creativity, sustainability, and community connection. Instead of clicking “buy” for a next-day delivery, she encourages gardeners to tap into the sharing economy, repurpose materials, and collaborate with others to create beautiful, meaningful outdoor spaces. This episode is perfect for gardeners, sustainability enthusiasts, and anyone looking to reconnect with nature—and with others—through their outdoor space. ---Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started. [Join the newsletter]
S9 Ep 9Growing Fruit in Cold Climates: Hardy Trees, Fruiting Hedges & Home Orchards with Véronique Alexandre
Growing fruit in cold climates might seem daunting, especially if you have a small home garden. But with the right trees and a creative mindset, it’s surprisingly achievable.In this episode, we chat with Véronique Alexandre from Hardy Fruit Tree Nursery, a Canadian nursery specializing in fruit trees adapted to harsh northern winters.Want a hedge on your property? Forget the cedar hedge, Veronique will tell you about a flowering, fruiting hedge. She has many tips to help home gardeners succeed with fruit. We explore:Fruit trees, bushes, and cultivars for cold zonesGrowing a flowering and fruiting plum hedgeHow to fit fruit trees into small gardens and suburban yardsWhat you need to know about ordering and planting bare-root fruit treesA tough-as-nails apple that grows in zone 2 and even colderA new cold-hardy, tasty, and bred-in-Quebec cold-hardy apple that stores very well Whether you want a single apple tree, a productive backyard orchard, edible landscape, or a hedge that feeds your family, this episode will inspire you to start planting fruit—even in the coldest regions. If you’re looking for more on edible hedges, check out this edible hedge guide. ---Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started. [Join the newsletter]
S9 Ep 8Creating a Perpetual Food Garden That Sows & Grows Itself
What if some of your vegetable garden crops came back year after year — with less digging, less fuss, and a continuous harvest?In this episode, I’m joined by gardening expert Charlie Nardozzi, author of The Continuous Vegetable Garden, to explore how to design a self-sustaining food garden that produces continuously through the seasons.Charlie shares practical strategies for succession planting, perennial crops, fruit, gardening in shade, and no-dig gardening. We also talk about vertical gardening and how to keep tomato and pepper plants from one year to the next—so you can have an extra-early tomato and pepper harvest. If you’d like less maintenance and more of an ongoing harvest, this episode will inspire you to plant smarter — not harder.If you’re looking for more on crops you can grow in the shade, check out this guide to fruits and vegetables for shade. ---Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started. [Join the newsletter]
S9 Ep 7Growing Tomatoes Like a Pro with Frank Hyman (Insights from Ripe Tomato Revolution)
Ever get to the end of the growing season and realize your tomato patch didn’t live up to the expectations you had when you planted it in the spring?In this episode we chat with tomato expert Frank Hyman, author of the brand-new book Ripe Tomato Revolution. He shares his top tips to get lots of healthy, homegrown tomatoes—with less work. Frank has over four decades of hands-on experience, as both a farmer and a gardener. He shares a super practical way for home gardeners to prevent disease, along with his easy-to-make, easy-to-use homemade tomato cages. Whether you’re a first-time tomato grower or a seasoned gardener, get ideas to improve your tomato harvest from Frank’s down-to-earth tips and techniques.Hear about: Simple DIYs: tomato cages, and Frank’s “tomato house” concept to prevent diseaseCreating conditions for tomatoes to thrive Mulching like a proWays to support tomato plantsDifferent types of tomato plantsFrank’s personal stories from years on an organic tomato farm Perfect for: urban gardeners, backyard growers, sustainable farmers, and tomato lovers of all levels.Listen now and let’s grow the best tomatoes you’ve ever tasted!If you’re looking for more on staking and supporting tomatoes, check out this great post. ---Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started. [Join the newsletter]
S9 Ep 6Prairie Plot & Lots of Tomatoes: A Manitoba Gardener’s Top Varieties and Growing Tips
Today we continue our cross-Canada tour, chatting with food gardeners, and sharing crop and variety ideas to help you as you plan your 2026 garden.We head to Manitoba, just outside of Winnipeg, to chat with Brent Poole, an avid backyard veggie gardener who has been at it for over 45 years. Along with his own big suburban yard, Brent has a big garden across the street. He loves to experiment with new techniques and new varieties, something he attributes to his background in biology. Brent writes for and is on the board of The Prairie Garden, an annual publication that’s all about gardening on the Canadian prairies. If you garden in a cold climate—or want to make the most of a short growing season—this episode is packed with practical ideas. ---Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started. [Join the newsletter]
S9 Ep 5Lawns into Lunch: Growing in Front Yards with City Street Farms (and top crops!)
We continue our cross-Canada tour, chatting with inspiring gardeners to hear about favourite varieties and top crops. Today we head to Regina, Saskatchewan, to chat with Candace Benson, who runs City Street Farms. Candace tells us about how she turns grass into gardens in a city that has a lot of single-family homes—and a lot of front lawns. She shares the story of her business, talks about her process to transform a lawn into a garden, and then talks about favourite veg and flower varieties. You can find Candace online, at citystreetfarms.ca ---Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started. [Join the newsletter]
S9 Ep 4A Journal, a Garden, and a Mother’s Love
Today we’re joined by Helen Battersby, who talks about a gardening book that began as a coping tool. Helen tells us about Margaret Bennet-Alder, who turned to gardening during a difficult family chapter. Inspired by the homemade booklets her son used to manage appointments and medication while rebuilding his life, Margaret began tracking her garden the same way—seasonal tasks, plant sources, and hard-earned gardening lessons. The book, the Toronto Gardener’s Journal, was a shared project with her son. They started with 50 copies. Margaret and her son, and, later, sisters Helen and Sarah Battersby, grew the book into a nationally loved resource, with over 20,000 journals sold across Canada. This is a story about gardens—but also about resilience, care, and the healing power of gardening. ---Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started. [Join the newsletter]
S9 Ep 3Can’t Choose What to Grow? Favourite Veg Varieties with Niki Jabbour
We continue our cross-Canada tour, chatting with inspiring gardeners to find out favourite varieties and top crops. Today we chat with Niki Jabbour, a CBC radio gardening expert, one of the creators behind the gardening website savvygardening.com, and the award-winning author of The Year Round Vegetable Gardener, Groundbreaking Food Gardens: 73 Plans That Will Change the Way You Grow Your Garden, Veggie Garden Remix: 224 New Plants to Shake Up Your Garden and Add Variety, Flavor, and Fun, and Growing Under Cover: Techniques for a More Productive, Weather-Resistant, Pest-Free Vegetable Garden.Niki shares some of her long-time favourite veg varieties, more recent additions to her favourites list, and some varieties with a Canadian pedigree. (Spoiler alert: including one that’s listed in the Slow Fook Ark of Taste.) ---Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started. [Join the newsletter]
S9 Ep 2Lavender got Smoked by Cold? Plant Choices for the Prairies with Dave Hanson
We continue our cross-Canada tour of inspiring gardeners to find out favourite varieties and top crops.Today we chat with Dave Hanson, co-host of The Grow Guide podcast, and owner of Sage Garden Greenhouses in Winnipeg, Manitoba.Dave shares some of his favourite veg varieties. He also talks about top herbs, one of his specialties.Lavender get smoked in a harsh winter? Dave has a suggestion. And if you just can’t get enough cucs, hear what he does. ---Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started. [Join the newsletter]
S9 Ep 1A Tomato that Sets Fruit When its Cold? Vegetable Varieties for a Cool Climate, with Linda Gilkeson
Leafy greens always seem to bolt too quickly? Can’t figure out why your broccoli isn’t forming heads? Choosing vegetable varieties suited to your climate helps avoid these sorts of frustrations.In this episode, we get variety recommendations from gardening expert and entomologist Linda Gilkeson. Having spent much of her career on programs to reduce pesticide use, Linda is also an avid organic gardener who can garden year-round in her coastal climate.Her books include Backyard Bounty: The Complete Guide to Year-Round Organic Gardening in the Pacific Northwest and West Coast Gardening: Natural Insect, Weed and Disease Control.Linda gardens on Salt Spring Island, one of the Gulf Islands off the coast of British Columbia. She describes her growing conditions as coastal Pacific Northwest. Her variety recommendations are for these conditions.But even if you’re not in the Pacific Northwest, I suggest you tune in. You’ll hear about tomato varieties that produce when it’s too cold for most others to set fruit. Did you know there are three broad groups of broccoli? And get Linda’s vegetable gardening words of wisdom.Click here to see Linda’s list of top vegetable varieties.Find Linda online at lindagilkeson.caIf you’re looking for sources and tips about ordering vegetable seed, check out the post about where to get vegetable seed. ---Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started. [Join the newsletter]
S8 Ep 5Long, Skinny Garden? Hear How We Tweak This Space
Not sure what to do with a long, skinny, straight-edged garden beside a driveway, patio, or building?In this episode, we take a long, slender ornamental garden and reimagine the space with edible plants.The garden we’re thinking about is actually a little sliver of the Joan of Arc Garden in Quebec City. But these same ideas work well in in many home-garden situations.We talk about:Crop ideas (kales, Thai basil, borage, shiso, and fern-leaf parsley)Groupings vs. individual plantsUrns for adding height an interest in this skinny spacePlants that last into the fall vs. plants that fade with fall weatherIf you’re looking for more on edible flowers like borage, check out this article about edible flowers. ---Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started. [Join the newsletter]
S8 Ep 4Want to Switch Out Your Annuals? Try These Herbs Instead
Do you have a garden where you use traditional annuals, but you want to switch it up for something edible?Herbs are one option.In this episode, we look at a space that has a tidy, slightly formal feel.We replace the tightly clipped shrubs with edible alternatives.And then we change out the annuals for herbs.If you’re looking for more on using edible plants instead of traditional bedding plants, check out this post. ---Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started. [Join the newsletter]
S8 Ep 3Hear How We Tweak a Public Space to Keep the Aesthetic but Add Edibles
Wondering about adding edible plants to an existing gardening without spoiling the aesthetic?With the right plant choice, along with an understanding of how the space is used, you can add edible plants without spoiling the looks.In this episode, we take a public space and reimagine it with edibles.It’s a big space, with lots of lawn. We talk about plant choice for this shady spot, and about plant placement that doesn’t interfere with how this space is used. We include: Edibles as bedding plants Using height to make a focal point Edibles for colour Edible perennials Fruit for shadeIf you’re looking for more on crops for shade, check out this post. ---Join 6,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang and get practical weekly tips to grow more food at home—free. It’s the best way to get started. [Join the newsletter]