Sam Benowitz of Raintree Nursery on Unusual Edible Plants

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Edible Dogwood - Just One of Many Unique Fruits Available at Raintree

Today we have Sam Benowitz founder of Raintree Nursery with us to discuss unique and unusual plants and trees from all over the world and the work Raintree does to rediscover lost plant varieties. I promise you that if sit down with a Raintree Catalog you will find plant varieties you can grow that you probably never even knew existed. You can request the Raintree Catalog at this link.

When I asked Sam the first question I was literally blown away at the commonalities between the mission of Raintree and The Survival Podcast community, it literally sounded at times that he was quoting from “The Revolution is You”.

It also turns out that Sam and I share a common Ukrainian heritage and that many of the plants Raintree sells originally come from the Ukraine where my family immigrated from around the turn of the 19th Century.

Join Us Today to Learn…

What makes growing food a revolutionary act
The mission of Raintree Nursery
The importance of knowledge about the needs of the plants you grow
Cross pollination requirements for various plants
Extending your season by staggering early, late and ever bearing varities
Primocane vs floricane berries

Some thoughts on unique plants for your back yard including
- Sea Buckthorn – (find this plant at Raintree)
- Goumi- (find this plant at Raintree)
- Gooseberry- (find this plant at Raintree)
- Kiwi- (find this plant at Raintree)
- Hazelnuts- (find this plant at Raintree)
- Edible Dogwoods -(find this plant at Raintree)
- Currents- (find this plant at Raintree)
- Mini Dwarf Apples- (find this plant at Raintree)
- May Pop and other Passion Flora- (find this plant at Raintree)

Ordering live plants at the right time of the year and shipping issues
Maximizing small properties with compact highly productive vines

Additional Resources for Today’s Show

Members Support Brigade
TSP Gear Shop
Join Our Forum
MURS Radio – (sponsor of the day)
Fortress Self Defense Consultants – (sponsor of the day)
The Raintree Nursery Website
Raintree on Facebook – (Please “like” their page if you use Facebook)
Ron Hood’s Survival.com Magazine

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

I know I am a couple weeks after the episode making this blog post, so I hope it won’t go unnoticed.

I live in NW Oregon, so I made the road trip up to RainTree Nursery last weekend. Between my sister & I, we dropped over $500 and had the bed of my truck full of all sorts of food producing plants.

I did business with RainTree last season as well, and one of the trees I purchased did not survive. According to their on-staff horticulturist, its root system failed. RainTree was gracious enough to replace it at no charge. Although I brought it along, they did not even want to look at the dead stick to verify my claim. It is a rare vendor these days who will take a customer at their word.

For fun, I picked up one of their Johnny Appleseed trees. They have starts that were taken from a genuine Johnny Appleseed tree. They are not known to be the best apples, but I’ll bet livestock won’t be picky. The apples are also known for making good hard cider.

On the subject of Cornelian Cherries… I have heard Jack talk about them on numerous shows. I made the decision to get one started, only to find out RainTree does not have any for sale this season. They are listed in the print catalog, but cannot be found on the website. I do wonder if Jack’s multiple mentions of Cornelian Cherries has resulted in a supply & demand situation?

As for Jack’s other recommendations… I did pick up some kiwi plants. It looks like they will take a good three seasons to get trained & established, so time will tell. And I picked up some raspberries….which will go into a hugelkultur bed in the next week.

Thanks Sam, for coming on show and for having such a cool nursery!

Comments

Episode-601- Sam Benowitz of Raintree Nursery on Unusual Edible Plants — 8 Comments

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Stephen on February 8, 2011 at 12:50 pm said:

Great show today! Although I did feel like breaking out my old black light posters and Pink Floyd albums for a while. LOL
shnizal on February 8, 2011 at 8:07 pm said:

Great podcast Jack and thanks for the wisdom Sam. Good to hear you back!!!
Scott on February 9, 2011 at 11:03 am said:

Fantastic show!! Keep having him back, he has tons of knowledge.
chris on February 9, 2011 at 4:33 pm said:

got me thinking about a sea buckthorn melomel and found this one
to bad rain tree does not ship to canada

http://www.celtnet.org.uk/recipes/brewing/printview.php?rid=sea-buckthorn-melomel-mead

well enjoy
The Snow Ant,
Ne-kah-ne-tah
Martin McFly on February 23, 2011 at 7:05 pm said:

I know I am a couple weeks after the episode making this blog post, so I hope it won’t go unnoticed.

I live in NW Oregon, so I made the road trip up to RainTree Nursery last weekend. Between my sister & I, we dropped over $500 and had the bed of my truck full of all sorts of food producing plants.

I did business with RainTree last season as well, and one of the trees I purchased did not survive. According to their on-staff horticulturist, its root system failed. RainTree was gracious enough to replace it at no charge. Although I brought it along, they did not even want to look at the dead stick to verify my claim. It is a rare vendor these days who will take a customer at their word.

For fun, I picked up one of their Johnny Appleseed trees. They have starts that were taken from a genuine Johnny Appleseed tree. They are not known to be the best apples, but I’ll bet livestock won’t be picky. The apples are also known for making good hard cider.

On the subject of Cornelian Cherries… I have heard Jack talk about them on numerous shows. I made the decision to get one started, only to find out RainTree does not have any for sale this season. They are listed in the print catalog, but cannot be found on the website. I do wonder if Jack’s multiple mentions of Cornelian Cherries has resulted in a supply & demand situation?

As for Jack’s other recommendations… I did pick up some kiwi plants. It looks like they will take a good three seasons to get trained & established, so time will tell. And I picked up some raspberries….which will go into a hugelkultur bed in the next week.

Thanks Sam, for coming on show and for having such a cool nursery!
Crystal on March 30, 2011 at 5:25 pm said:

Hey Jack –

Maybe you’ll get some new followers… Raintree has posted a link to this episode!

Spread the word!
Chris on April 23, 2011 at 12:53 pm said:

Just purchased a pair of Kiwi plants form Raintree. I love their delivery concept and that by the time it gets here, HOPEFULLY my last frost will have happened…. Thanks all!