Kickstarting Your Soil with Elizabeth Stell

Kickstarting Your Soil with Elizabeth Stell

Author: Susan Poizner, OrchardPeople.com August 29, 2017 Duration: 53:30

Elizabeth Stell, author of Secrets to Great Soil, talks about how to care for your soil so that your fruit trees and other plants will thrive.

ABOUT
Orchard People, formerly known as the Urban Forestry Radio Show from germination in January 2016 until December 2023, has grown over the years, thanks to the collective knowledge and collaboration of the monthly guest experts, organizations, and community from around the world.


The host of the Orchard People radio show and podcast is Susan Poizner of the fruit tree care education website www.orchardpeople.com.  


HOW TO TUNE IN TO OUR PODCAST

The show airs on the last Tuesday of every month on RealityRadio101 at 1:00 PM ET! 
While it’s no longer live, you can still watch or listen anytime—and catch the recorded podcast anytime afterward.


Video Podcast: Watch the recorded episode anytime on our YouTube Podcast Playlist.

Audio Podcast: Download the podcast and listen on your favorite app after it airs.


NEWSLETTER

Do you want to learn to grow fruit trees successfully, organically and beyond?
Sign up for OrchardPeople.com's FREE monthly newsletter at https://orchardpeople.com/sign-up/

BOOKS

Susan is the author of four books on fruit tree care.
Learn more here: https://learn.orchardpeople.com/books


COURSES

Susan is also the creator of five-star rated premium online fruit tree care education at: https://learn.orchardpeople.com


ARTICLES
For more information on this topic, click on the links below: 

How to Prune Fruit Trees:

https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-prune-and-train-fruit-trees/

Fruit Tree Pests and Diseases:

https://orchardpeople.com/protecting-fruit-trees-from-pests-and-diseases/

How to Feed Fruit Trees:

https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-feed-fruit-trees/

The Best Fruit Trees to Grow:

https://orchardpeople.com/best-fruit-trees-to-grow/

How to Graft Fruit Trees:

https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-graft-fruit-trees/


These show notes may contain affiliate links to products. We may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no cost to you. Thanks for your support!

  • (00:00) - Introduction to the Urban Forestry Radio Show
  • (01:05) - Weather and Its Impact on Orchards
  • (02:12) - Interview with Gaye Trombley of Avalon Organic Orchards
  • (03:05) - Secrets to Great Soil with Liz Stell
  • (13:04) - Listener Questions and Soil Tips
  • (24:49) - Trench Composting and Other Composting Methods
  • (26:42) - Trench Composting Techniques
  • (27:57) - Balancing Compost Materials
  • (28:44) - Variations in Composting Methods
  • (30:39) - Dealing with Urban Wildlife
  • (31:39) - Choosing Soil for Roses
  • (34:08) - Cover Crops Explained
  • (39:48) - Managing Tree Roots in Raised Beds
  • (41:46) - Using Chlorinated Water for Trees
  • (45:02) - Microorganisms in Soil
  • (49:45) - Conclusion and Farewell

Imagine stepping into your own backyard and picking a perfect, sun-warmed apple from a tree you nurtured yourself. That tangible connection to the land and the deep satisfaction of growing your own food is at the heart of Orchard People. Hosted by fruit tree care educator Susan Poizner, this podcast digs into the practical and often surprising world of cultivating fruit trees, whether you have a few pots on a balcony or several acres to explore. Each episode feels like a thoughtful conversation with a knowledgeable friend, as Susan and her guests unpack the nuances of pruning for better harvests, managing pests without harsh chemicals, and understanding the life beneath our feet through soil health. You’ll hear from specialists on topics like grafting heirloom varieties, designing resilient food forests, and integrating permaculture principles into any space. It’s more than just tips and tricks; it’s about building confidence and community around sustainable growing. Tune in to this garden-focused podcast for grounded advice that helps both new and experienced growers foster healthier trees and more abundant yields, season after season.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 123

Orchard People
Podcast Episodes
Evaluate Your Soil Before Planting Fruit Trees with Ariel Agenbroad [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:59
Learn how to evaluate your soil before planting fruit trees with Ariel Agenbroad, Area extension educator in community food systems and small farms at the University of Idaho Extension, Boise, Idaho, on this episode of t…
Best Fruit Trees To Grow with James Kaechele [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:31
Learn how to choose the right fruit trees for real communities in real climates with James Kaechele, an ISA Certified Master Arborist and Program Arborist at the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation (FTPF). FTPF is a nonprofit…
Soil Microscopy for Healthy Fruit Trees with Matt Powers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:52
How do you know if your soil is truly thriving?Soil microscopy can give you the answer by actually seeing who's living in your soil.Learn how to identify who's there, encourage the good guys, and build a living soil that…
Fruit Tree Garden Design with Colleen Dieter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:13
Learn how to design a fruit tree garden that fits your local climate and landscape with Colleen Dieter.Colleen is an ISA Certified Arborist, a landscape consultant and owner of Red Wheelbarrow Landscape, the founder of C…
Growing Fruit Trees Naturally with Lindsay Engers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:58
Learn how to grow fruit trees naturally by leveraging historical knowledge and organic, regenerative, and ecological practices with Lindsay Engers. Lindsay is a horticulturist, lecturer, and founder/owner of Chiltern Her…
Companion Planting Fruit Trees with Ryan Blosser [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:56
Learn how to choose the best companion plants for your fruit trees, build simple and effective guilds, and avoid common mistakes.Permaculture educator, co-founder of the Shenandoah Permaculture Institute, and co-author o…