Have you ever wondered how you can practice sustainable gardening in a small urban space? In this episode we are joined by Chia-Ming, a Los Angeles-based food-focused landscape designer. Chia-Ming is here to share her journey of going from corporate finance to a flourishing urban homestead. Chia-Ming shares her expertise in blending culinary and floral beauty seamlessly, drawing from her upbringing cultivating rare Asian fruits and vegetables alongside her mother in Taiwan. Her passion for sustainable gardening led her to found Coastal Homestead in 2020, where she empowers gardening novices to become green-thumbed enthusiasts through innovative design and personalized mentorship. In this blossoming conversation, Chia-Ming discusses the challenges and joys of urban gardening, the importance of soil health, and the unique aspects of coastal gardening, including dealing with powdery mildew and implementing biocontrol methods. Join us as we delve into the complexities of disease management in plants, highlighting the need for vigilance and responsible gardening practices. Tune in to this episode as we explore the intricacies of growing food and flowers in small spaces, sharing valuable insights to inspire you to cultivate your own source of beauty and sustenance. Don't miss out on this engaging conversation that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the art of sustainable gardening. In This Episode You'll Hear About: 00:01:16 - Chia-Ming's Background in Cultivating Rare Asian Fruits and Vegetables 00:01:38 - Transition to Sustainable Living and Urban Gardening 00:01:59 - Passion for Growing Exotic and Hard-to-Find Edible Plants 00:02:10 - Discussion on the Science of Gardening and Soil Importance 00:02:38 - Chia-Ming's Urban Gardening Space and Challenges 00:08:07 - Importance of Soil Testing for Backyard Gardeners 00:10:18 - Chia-Ming's Urban Garden Setup 00:11:59 - Year-Round Growing Season and Challenges 00:12:36 - Appreciation for the Growing Process and Gardening Journey 00:14:02 - Chia-Ming's Diverse Garden Overview and Projects 00:33:10 - Biocontrol Strategies in Gardening for Pest and Disease Management 00:42:08 - Discussion on Disease Control in Dahlia Cultivation 00:48:56 - Considerations for Disease Management and Plant Health in Gardening Shownotes: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.com/2024/07/23/ep-30-coastal-homestead-small-urban-gardening/ Learn More About Chia-Ming and Coastal Homestead: * Website:https://www.coastalhomestead.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coastal_homestead * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@coastalhomestead Sign up for our newsletter: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.myflodesk.com/nlw4wua8s3 ***Rate, Review, & Follow The Backyard Bouquet*** If you enjoyed this episode, will you please consider leaving the podcast a review? Your review helps make the podcast more discoverable to others and allows me to continue creating more episodes. I'd love to know what you enjoyed most about the episode. New episodes every week to help keep your garden blooming!