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August 5, 2025 47 mins

Are you looking at your basket filled with zucchini (and cucumbers) that you’ve harvested this summer? You might also be wondering what you can do with them because there’s only so much roasted zucchini and pickled cucumber one person can take. You’re in the perfect place, because in this episode, I invited one of my favorite plant people, Kaleb Wyse of Wyse Guide. Kaleb’s a modern homesteader, gardener, storyteller, and now a New York Times bestselling cookbook author!

He joined us to chat about all the ways to actually enjoy your zucchini harvests aside from your typical zoodles! These four recipes are from Kaleb’s book There’s Always Room at the Table, and they’re flavorful, comforting, and super doable. Time to cook!


In this episode, we learn:

  • [03:50] Meet Kaleb Wyse from Wyse Guide
  • [05:44] What type of gardener is Kaleb?
  • [06:18] Zone 5B growing conditions
  • [09:02] How can you find boundaries in your gardening practice?
  • [10:16] Kaleb's #1 advice for new gardeners
  • [12:21] My Floridian challenges!
  • [15:21] Revive your garden's late-season growth with Espoma Organic’s high-quality products!
  • [16:20] Kaleb’s gardening philosophy and childhood stories
  • [19:48] Zucchini growing tips: when and how to plant
  • [21:45] Eating zucchini flowers (stuffed with goat cheese)
  • [22:27] Growing zucchini on the ground vs. trellising?
  • [24:05] The inspiration behind his cookbook, ‘There’s Always Room at the Table’?
  • [26:55] What is Kaleb’s favorite zucchini recipe?
  • [28:31] How to prevent zucchini from going mushy
  • [29:36] More zucchini recipes!
  • [32:42] Using dill flower heads for pickling
  • [33:53] Quick pickle vs. normal pickle
  • [35:09] Zucchini dip as a sandwich spread
  • [36:16] Zucchini fritters recipe
  • [38:37] Does Kaleb grow his own garlic? 
  • [39:42] Fermenting garlic and honey for health and flavor
  • [40:56] Zucchini loaf cake recipe
  • [44:27] Where to follow Kaleb and get his cookbook


Mentioned in our conversation:


For Kaleb's easy yet delicious zucchini recipes,

check out the full show notes and blog here!


Follow Kaleb:

Website

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

Facebook

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Thank you to our episode sponsor:

Espoma Organic

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront


Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoy


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