Podcasts about vegetable gardens

A continuous vegetable garden is about more than succession planting for a longer growing season and a greater harvest. As my returning guest Charlie Nardozzi explains, when a gardener applies certain techniques, a vegetable garden can resow itself continuously for a truly perpetual food garden. Podcast Links for Show Notes Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever - the 5 most important steps anyone can do to have a thriving garden or landscape. It's what I still do today, without exception to get incredible results, even in the most challenging conditions. Subscribe to the joegardener® email list to receive weekly updates about new podcast episodes, seasonal gardening tips, and online gardening course announcements. Check out The joegardener® Online Gardening Academy for our growing library of organic gardening courses. Follow joegardener® on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter, and subscribe to The joegardenerTV YouTube channel.

It's June, your tomatoes are climbing, your corn is waist-high, and the internet is full of fertilizing advice—most of it missing the most important variable: timing. In this episode, we dig into what your vegetables need right now at mid-season, why nitrogen timing is the thing most gardeners get wrong, how fruiting crops and leafy crops have completely different needs, and when fertilizing can actually hurt instead of help. We'll cover how to read your plants for deficiency signs, how to side-dress correctly, and why the most common mid-season mistake isn't under-fertilizing—it's fertilizing at the wrong time with the wrong form. Grounded in university extension research and my own experience farming through Missouri summers, this one will give you a clear, crop-by-crop picture of what to do right now. Let's dig in. Crop-by-Crop Quick Reference: Mid-Season Nitrogen Timing LEAFY CROPS (lettuce, kale, chard, spinach, collards, arugula, basil) When to side-dress: 3–4 weeks after transplanting or when 2–3 inches tall; repeat every 4–6 weeks for heavy-harvesting crops Goal: steady nitrogen supply throughout season Note: don't exceed recommended rates—excess nitrogen increases pest/disease vulnerability COLE CROPS (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower) When to side-dress: approximately 30 days after transplanting, during active vegetative growth Hold off once head formation begins TOMATOES When to side-dress: when first fruits are approximately one-third grown (golf ball size) DO NOT apply nitrogen at transplant or during early fruit set—drives vegetative growth at expense of fruit Second application: 2 weeks after first ripe fruit; third: 4 weeks later Rate: 0.5 lb actual nitrogen per 100 feet of row per application PEPPERS When to side-dress: early vegetative growth before fruit set Pull back after fruit is setting SWEET CORN When to side-dress: when plants are approximately one-third grown (knee-high) Apply alongside rows, not into the whorl of leaves May benefit from a second application before tasseling CUCUMBERS / SQUASH / MELONS When to side-dress: after vines are well-established and fruit is setting regularly Not during early flowering window For squash with blossom drop only: do not add nitrogen—address pollination instead BEANS / PEAS (inoculated) Mid-season nitrogen side-dressing generally not needed if seeds were inoculated Extra nitrogen causes excessive leaf growth and reduced pod set If not inoculated: apply light nitrogen early in vegetative growth only Side-Dressing How-To Move mulch aside before applying; replace afterward Keep granular fertilizer 4–6 inches from plant stems to prevent burn Work granular into top 1–2 inches of soil Water in after application—nitrogen moves into the root zone with moisture Organic options: blood meal or alfalfa pellets (work in lightly; slower to show results); fish emulsion (liquid, faster uptake, more frequent application needed) Signs of Nutrient Deficiency Nitrogen: yellowing starting on oldest, lowest leaves; stunted or stalled growth Phosphorus: stunted growth; reddish-purple tint in leaf tissue (often triggered by cold soil, not low soil P) Potassium: browning at leaf edges, starting with older leaves Note: many of these symptoms overlap with stress from crowding, insufficient sun, compaction, waterlogged roots, or nematode damage—rule those out first Common Myths Addressed Myth: More fertilizer = more production. The research is clear: overapplied nitrogen causes excess vegetative growth at the expense of fruit, increases pest and disease vulnerability, and leaches into groundwater without benefiting plants. Myth: If plants look off, they need fertilizer. Nutrient deficiency symptoms look almost identical to symptoms of watering problems, compaction, pH issues, root damage, and pest pressure. Identify the actual cause before applying anything. Myth: Tomatoes need nitrogen all season long. Timing matters. Nitrogen during the early fruit-set window drives vegetative growth and reduces yields. Wait until fruit is sizing up before side-dressing. Myth: Beans and peas are heavy feeders like corn. Inoculated legumes fix their own nitrogen from the air. Additional nitrogen pushes leaf growth at the expense of pods. Resources Get on my newsletter list: https://justgrowsomething.com (scroll to the bottom) Soil test kit: https://amzn.to/4vqYMk1 University Extension Publications University of Minnesota Extension – Quick Guide to Fertilizing Plants Oregon State University Extension – Feed Your Vegetable Garden Midseason to Boost Growth and Yields Oregon State University Extension – Vegetable Gardening in Oregon (EC 871) University of Maryland Extension – Fertilizing Vegetable Gardens University of Missouri Extension – Growing Home Garden Tomatoes (G6461) University of Missouri Extension – Vegetable Gardening (MG 5) – Table 1: Recommended Nitrogen Side-Dressings University of Missouri Extension IPM – Side-Dressing: Mid-Season Boost for Hungry Plants Virginia Tech Extension – Fertilizing the Vegetable Garden (426-323) Mississippi State University Extension – Fertilizing Vegetable Gardens University of Nevada, Reno Extension – Fertilizing Your Vegetable Garden   Connect Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.com Gardening Courses: https://justgrowsomething.com/courses Just Grow Something Merch and Downloads: https://justgrowsomething.com/shop Just Grow Something Gardening Friends Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18YgHveF5P/ Check out how you can become a patron on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JustGrowSomething Feed my coffee habit: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething Get 10% off and FREE shipping on my favorite raised planters at Planter Box Direct using code JUSTGROW10: https://planterboxdirect.com/?ref=593 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mulch is one of the highest-return investments you can make in your vegetable garden and yet most gardeners are using whatever happens to be available rather than whatever would actually work best for their situation. In this episode, we dig into the full lineup of organic mulches—straw, shredded leaves, wood chips, pine needles, grass clippings, and compost—as well as a shorter look at inorganic options like landscape fabric and black plastic. For each type, you'll learn how well it suppresses annual, perennial, and invasive weeds, how it handles moisture retention and heavy rainfall, how to apply it correctly, and what drawbacks to watch for in terms of pests, availability, and cost. The bottom line: any mulch is better than bare soil. But the right mulch for your garden depends on your weed pressure, your climate, your crops, and your situation—and by the end of this episode, you'll know exactly how to make that call. Let's dig in! Mulch Quick Reference Best for annual weed suppression: Straw, wood chips, black plastic Best for moisture retention: Wood chips, straw, compost Best for slopes and heavy rain areas: Pine needles, wood chips Best for soil building: Compost, shredded leaves Best free options: Shredded leaves, grass clippings (herbicide-free), arborist chips Best for soil warming: Black plastic Avoid in vegetable gardens long-term: Landscape fabric References: Warnall School of Forestry and Natural Resources - Black Walnut Allelopathy: Tree Chemical Warfare: openscholar.uga.edu/record/22964/files/Walnut Allelopathy 11-10.pdf Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville - Evaluation of Allelopathic Potential of Wood Chips for Weed Suppression in Horticultural Production Systems: ashs.org/hort/hort/published/rest/pdf-watermark/v1/journals/hortsci/40/3/article-p711.pdf/watermark-pdf/ University of Minnesota Extension — Mulching in the Home Garden: extension.umn.edu Penn State Extension — Mulches for the Home Landscape: extension.psu.edu NC State Extension Gardener Handbook — Mulching chapter: content.ces.ncsu.edu University of Illinois Extension — Wood Chip Mulch: Landscape Boon or Bane: extension.illinois.edu Cornell Cooperative Extension — Grass Clippings as Mulch: gardening.cornell.edu University of Tennessee Extension — Using Leaves as Mulch and Compost: extension.tennessee.edu Iowa State University Extension — Plastic Mulch in the Vegetable Garden: yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu Michigan State University Extension — Landscape Fabric: Is It Really Worth It: canr.msu.edu ChipDrop (free arborist chips): getchipdrop.com Resources: Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.com Gardening Courses: https://justgrowsomething.com/courses Just Grow Something Merch and Downloads: https://justgrowsomething.com/shop Just Grow Something Gardening Friends Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18YgHveF5P/ Check out how you can become a patron on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JustGrowSomething Feed my coffee habit: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething Get 10% off and FREE shipping on my favorite raised planters at Planter Box Direct using code JUSTGROW10: https://planterboxdirect.com/?ref=593 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We made it to 300 episodes! And to celebrate, I'm doing something a little different. I went looking for the questions home gardeners are asking most, the ones showing up in Reddit threads, Facebook groups, university extension Q&A lines, master gardener helplines, and my own DMs and emails, over and over and over again. Then I went to the research: university extensions, peer-reviewed horticulture studies, and land-grant university publications, to find the best science-backed answers available. The result is this episode, ten of the most common gardening questions, answered with evidence, nuance, and a little bit of real-world gardener perspective from someone who's been doing it for over 20 years and with a degree in horticulture. Whether you've been listening since episode 1 or you just found me today, this one is for you. Let's dig in. References Watering University of Maine Cooperative Extension — How Often Should I Water My Vegetable Garden?: https://extension.umaine.edu/gardening/2020/07/14/watering-a-vegetable-garden/ Utah State University Extension — Water Recommendations for Vegetables: https://extension.usu.edu/yardandgarden/research/water-recommendations-for-vegetables.pdf Tomato Leaf Problems Texas A&M AgriLife Extension — Common Tomato Plant Problems and How to Fix Them (May 2026) https://hpj.com/2026/05/06/common-tomato-plant-problems-and-how-to-fix-them/ Texas A&M AgriLife Extension — Why Are My Tomato Leaves Curling? https://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/2022/05/05/why-are-my-tomato-leaves-curling/ University of Maryland Extension — Key to Common Problems of Tomatoes https://extension.umd.edu/resource/key-common-problems-tomatoes Blossom End Rot University of Maryland Extension — Blossom End Rot on Vegetables https://extension.umd.edu/resource/blossom-end-rot-vegetables/ NC State Extension (Pender County) — Why Are My Squash Rotting? (2024) https://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/news/why-are-my-squash-rotting/ Soil Improvement Oregon State University Extension — Improving Garden Soils With Organic Matter (EC 1561) https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/ec-1561-improving-garden-soils-organic-matter Oregon State University Extension — How to Use Compost in Gardens and Landscapes (EM 9308) https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/em-9308-how-use-compost-gardens-landscapes University of Maryland Extension — Soil to Fill Raised Beds https://extension.umd.edu/resource/soil-fill-raised-beds/ Fertilizing Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension — Fertilizing the Vegetable Garden (revised March 2026) https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-323/426-323.html Texas A&M AgriLife Extension — Fertilizing a Garden https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/library/gardening/fertilizing/ Pest Management Utah State University Extension — Creating Sustainable Home Gardens: Organic Pest Management https://extension.usu.edu/utah4h/research/organic-pest-management South Dakota State University Extension — Organic Pest Control Methods (2025) https://extension.sdstate.edu/organic-pest-control-methods Crop Rotation Illinois Extension — Sow, Grow, Rotate: How Crop Rotation Promotes Gardening Success (Jan 2024) https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2024-01-05-sow-grow-rotate-how-crop-rotation-promotes-gardening-success Harvest Timing Illinois Extension Good Growing — Harvesting Vegetables: When and How to Pick Your Vegetables for Best Quality (June 2024) https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2024-06-28-harvesting-vegetables-when-and-how-pick-your-vegetables-best-quality Iowa State University Extension — Vegetable Harvest Guide https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/vegetable-planting-and-harvesting-times Resources Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.com Gardening Courses: https://justgrowsomething.com/courses Just Grow Something Merch and Downloads: https://justgrowsomething.com/shop Just Grow Something Gardening Friends Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18YgHveF5P/ Check out how you can become a patron on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JustGrowSomething Feed my coffee habit: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething Get 10% off and FREE shipping on my favorite raised planters at Planter Box Direct using code JUSTGROW10: https://planterboxdirect.com/?ref=593 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Discover why organic liquid compost is revolutionizing plant nutrition and soil health. From rapid nutrient absorption to environmental benefits, learn practical tips for applying this sustainable solution in your garden or farm. Read more at https://gsplantfoods.com/collections/lawn-care/products/root-ruckus GS Plant Foods City: Lake Mary Address: 4300 West Lake Mary Boulevard Website: https://gsplantfoods.com/

See the online classes: Landscaping with Fruit, Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot.---Designing a vegetable garden can feel simple—until you try to make everything fit. Rows or raised beds? What goes where? And how do you plan it so it still makes sense in July?In this episode, I sit down with Natalie Bogwalker and Chloe Lieberman, authors of The New Natural Food Garden, to talk through practical, thoughtful ways to design a productive vegetable garden.We cover the decisions that matter most—layout, crop choice, and how to make a plan that you'll actually follow through on.In this episode:Rows vs. beds: what works, and why Choosing crops for your space, climate, and habits How to place crops so they grow well (and don't get in each other's way) Making a garden plan you'll stick with A look at no-till methods and how they fit into garden design This is a conversation about making your garden simpler, more productive, and more doable—not more complicated.Find out more about the book and about their online gardening programs on their website.  ---There's a whole world inside figs. I explore it in my Fig Culture podcast—varieties, recipes, collectors, and the stories behind them. 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] 

If you're a gardener, thinking about getting your soil in shape probably means thinking about compost. But composting can be a mysterious process. What can go into the pile? How do you balance carbon and nitrogen? And how do you do it in a city? Compost expert Cassandra Marketos joins Host Ira Flatow to break down the basics of what she calls “purposeful decomposition,” and give practical tips for the backyard composter. Read an excerpt from Marketos' new book, “Compost after Reading.” Guest:  Cassandra Marketos is the author of “Compost After Reading: A Practical Manifesto for Purposeful Decomposition.” Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at sciencefriday.com. Subscribe to this podcast. Plus, to stay updated on all things science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters.

Selecting disease-resistant cultivars is an essential tool for avoiding the use of pesticides in the vegetable garden.  Plant pathologist Nicole Gauthier of the University of Kentucky explains how to identify cultivars appropriate to your region and your garden, and why "tolerance" may serve you as well as "resistance."

It's officially spring, which means gardening season is just around the corner.  In this episode, Don and John discuss how to get ahead of weeds before the growing season begins, from early planning to smart prevention strategies.

Spring has arrived and it's the best time to start your summer vegetable garden. Kevin shares his tips to successfully start your dream garden including prepping the soil, starting seeds and how to use his new favorite garden tool, the broadfork.Follow along with Kevin and learn how to start your seeds with this YouTube video: Starting Seeds with KevinUse this planting calendar so you plant the right thing at the right time: Vegetable Planting CalendarGreen Acres Garden PodcastGreen Acres Nursery & SupplyGreen Acres Garden Podcast GroupIn the greater Sacramento area? Learn how to make your yard Summer Strong and discover water-saving rebates at BeWaterSmart.info.

What to know if you are preparing to plant a vegetable garden. How to protect your plants from critters. Maple Fest is coming to the arboretum. Are buds growing on lilac bushes already? The best plants for a rain garden. Is it too late to prune an apple tree? What is the best way to get rid of used potting soil? How to grow oak trees from acorns. Is it too late for tulips? Learn more from Master Gardener Teresa Rooney at extension.umn.edu.

Send a textDee and Carol are back to talk about impatiens, quick wins in the vegetable garden, a new book on cut flowers and several other topics, planned and unplanned.For more information, check out our Substack newsletterTo watch this episode on YouTube, click here. If you are interested in Dee's new garden hose, here's the affiliate link.Flowers:  National Garden Bureau has declared it to be the Year of the Impatien.  On the Bookshelf:  The Beginner's Cut Flower Garden: Grow, Nourish, and Create Bliss Year-Round, by Elizabeth Brown with photos by Lindsay Fairchild (Amazon Link).  Dirt:  Burp Your House. Garden to Visit: Tucson Botanical Gardens Rabbit Holes: Bertha Damon, a Lost Lady of Garden Writing.  The series of books about Mrs. Pollifax, CIA spy!  Baba Marta Day, celebrated on March 1 in Bulgaria. Also  Marce Catlett: The Force of a Story by Wendell Berry? (Amazon Link)(Check out our affiliate links here. Book links are also affiliate links.)As always, we appreciate all of you for listening to the podcast!Support the showOn Instagram: Carol: Indygardener, Dee: RedDirtRamblings, Our podcast: TheGardenangelists.On Facebook: The Gardenangelists' Garden Club.On YouTube.

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 the 5,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang who stay on top of home food-growing ideas with our weekly e-mail. We're making the world a better place one garden at a time!Grab the free e-book: Small-Space Food-Gardening Hacks.Find out more about the Canada Gardener's Journal: It's a gardening journal, gardening log, and garden planner—with an all-Canadian sources list.

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 the 5,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang who stay on top of home food-growing ideas with our weekly e-mail. We're making the world a better place one garden at a time!Grab the free e-book: Small-Space Food-Gardening Hacks.Find out more about the Canada Gardener's Journal: It's a gardening journal, gardening log, and garden planner—with an all-Canadian sources list.

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 the 5,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang who stay on top of home food-growing ideas with our weekly e-mail. We're making the world a better place one garden at a time!Grab the free e-book: Small-Space Food-Gardening Hacks.Find out more about the Canada Gardener's Journal: It's a gardening journal, gardening log, and garden planner—with an all-Canadian sources list.

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 the 5,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang who stay on top of home food-growing ideas with our weekly e-mail. We're making the world a better place one garden at a time!Grab the free e-book: Small-Space Food-Gardening Hacks.Find out more about the Canada Gardener's Journal: It's a gardening journal, gardening log, and garden planner—with an all-Canadian sources list.

Unlock the secrets to a low-maintenance, high-yield garden. Gardening expert and author Charlie Nardozzi shares how his book The Continuous Vegetable Garden helps growers maximize harvests while reducing time and effort. From perennial vegetables and self-seeding crops to succession planting, overwintering, and season extension, this episode delivers practical, approachable techniques to help gardeners enjoy fresh food from early spring through late fall—no matter their garden size or experience level.Learn more about Charlie and order his book: https://www.gardeningwithcharlie.com/Sign up for Charlie's gardening webinar:https://www.gardeningwithcharlie.com/webinars/the-continuous-vegetable-garden-webinar/Order The Continuous Vegetable Garden from Amazon:https://amzn.to/4qj15SGLearn more about the plants in your yard and garden! Join our Patreon community to discover our Plant of the Month and learn how to work with herbs in the kitchen, garden, and apothecary! https://www.patreon.com/c/smallhousefarm Support for the Seeds and Weeds Podcast comes from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company. Baker Creek offers America's largest selection of heirloom and open-pollinated seed varieties from around the world – and right here at home. For more than 25 years, saving, sharing, and celebrating heirloom seeds has been their mission and their passion. Find out more at rareseeds.com.Support the show

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 the 5,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang who stay on top of home food-growing ideas with our weekly e-mail. We're making the world a better place one garden at a time!Grab the free e-book: Small-Space Food-Gardening Hacks.Find out more about the Canada Gardener's Journal: It's a gardening journal, gardening log, and garden planner—with an all-Canadian sources list.

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 the 5,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang who stay on top of home food-growing ideas with our weekly e-mail. We're making the world a better place one garden at a time!Grab the free e-book: Small-Space Food-Gardening Hacks.Find out more about the Canada Gardener's Journal: It's a gardening journal, gardening log, and garden planner—with an all-Canadian sources list.

Hey Neighbor! Tonight, we're sharing what we would do differently if we were starting a garden for the first time. This episode is all about simplifying, growing with intention, and creating a garden that fits your real life. We talk about why starting smaller often leads to better success, building garden beds before buying seeds, and focusing on crops you actually cook and eat. We also cover why skipping fussy crops early on helps build confidence and more. You'll learn some tips and tricks on how to manage your garden for success. Success is not measured by how much you harvest but by enjoying the process and wanting to do it again next season.FREE GARDEN PLANNING RESOURCES - https://shorturl.at/sjKw0CHECK OUT WHAT'S NEW AT HOSS! https://shorturl.at/kD0vWHave you joined the Hoss Gardening Club? – the EASY way to garden! A Monthly subscription box delivered right to you with everything you need! Get Dirty! Join the club here: https://shorturl.at/S4bDuWEBSITE - https://growhoss.com/EMAIL NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP - https://bit.ly/3CXsBAlJOIN OUR ROW BY ROW COMMUNITY:https://www.facebook.com/groups/rowbyrowFOLLOW US:Facebook - https://facebook.com/hosstools​Instagram - https://instagram.com/growhossTikTok- https://tiktok.com/@gardeningwithhossPinterest- https:/pinterest.com/growhoss#hosstools​#vegetablegarden​#hoss#getdirty#hosstoolsseeds#growyourownfood#growhoss#hosstools#howtostartseeds#gardening

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 the 5,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang who stay on top of home food-growing ideas with our weekly e-mail. We're making the world a better place one garden at a time!Grab the free e-book: Small-Space Food-Gardening Hacks.Find out more about the Canada Gardener's Journal: It's a gardening journal, gardening log, and garden planner—with an all-Canadian sources list.

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 the 5,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang who stay on top of home food-growing ideas with our weekly e-mail. We're making the world a better place one garden at a time!Grab the free e-book: Small-Space Food-Gardening Hacks.Find out more about the Canada Gardener's Journal: It's a gardening journal, gardening log, and garden planner—with an all-Canadian sources list.

Teaching from Sunday AM service by Pastor Jeff Miles

Leave a comment here!A listener recently asked a great question about saving seeds from hybrid tomatoes - specifically from the SunGold variety - and what happens when you save and replant those seeds over time. In this short, practical mini-episode, I explain:Why hybrid tomato seeds usually don't grow trueWhether hybrid seeds can ever become stable or heirloomTwo practical solutions I personally use when I love a hybrid tomato and want consistent results year after yearI also share a quick bonus tip on storing cherry tomatoes so they last weeks longer.

If you've ever stared at a seed catalog in January and thought, “I want all of it,” and then somehow ended up with a garden that felt chaotic by mid-summer, today's episode is for you.Because most “garden planning” advice starts with the fun part—varieties, colors, wish lists—and then we wonder why the plan falls apart when real life shows up.So today on Just Grow Something, we're going to flip the order.I'm going to give you four questions that can lead you to an actual usable plan. These questions help you decide what to grow, where it goes, when it happens, and how to keep the plan realistic for the space and time you actually have.And the best part is you can use these four questions whether you garden in a single planter, a few raised beds, or a bigger in-ground plot.Let's dig in!References and Resources:My Plan Like A Pro Course is Open for Registration: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/proHow to Plan Your Raised Bed Garden, Ep. 269: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/how-to-plan-a-raised-bed-garden-ep-269Seven Steps to Planning Your Entire Garden Year - Ep. 234: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/7-steps-to-planning-your-entire-garden-year-ep-234Virginia Cooperative Extension (2025). “Planning the Vegetable Garden.” VCE Publications: https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-312/426-312.htmlWashington State University Extension (2015). “Crop Rotation in Home Gardens” (PDF): https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/2070/2015/08/Crop-Rotation-in-Home-Gardens.pdfPenn State Extension (2023). “Keeping a Garden Journal.”: https://extension.psu.edu/keeping-a-garden-journal/Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.comJust Grow Something Merch and Downloads: https://justgrowsomething.com/shopJust Grow Something Gardening Friends Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18YgHveF5P/ Check out how you can become a patron on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JustGrowSomethingBonus content for supporters of the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomethingAmazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething

Send us a textDee and Carol talk about flowers and veggies with 'viridis' as the species name, plus a book on houseplant propagation, and more.For all the details, check out our newsletterTo watch this episode on YouTube: click hereInsect of the Week: Paper WaspsFlowers:Ephedra viridis - Morman Tea Helleborus viridis - Green HelleboreAsclepias viridis - Green Milkweed Crataegus viridis - Green HawthornAcer palmatum ‘Viridis.'Vegetables:Collard Greens - Brassica oleracea var. viridis Callaloo - Amaranthus viridisCucumber Viridis F1 On the Bookshelf:The Ultimate Guide to Houseplant Propagation: Step-by-step techniques for making more houseplants… for free! By Lindsay Sisti from @alltheplantbabies on Instagram (Amazon Link)Dirt:Why do ginkgo trees lose their leaves all at once? On InstagramRabbit Holes:Dee: Where does rose oil come from? An article, an Instagram link, and an article about how it's used!Carol: The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Volume 3 by Beth Brower, and The Killer Question by Janice Hallett. Check out our affiliate links here.Support the showOn Instagram: Carol: Indygardener, Dee: RedDirtRamblings, Our podcast: TheGardenangelists.On Facebook: The Gardenangelists' Garden Club.On YouTube.

Leave a comment here!Gardening doesn't have to be expensive. In this episode we share easy, frugal gardening ideas for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike. From saving money on seeds and soil to reusing containers and more, you'll discover how to garden on a budget and still grow a thriving harvest. These resourceful tips will help you save money, reduce waste, and enjoy the process of growing your own healthy, organic food.Related post: Gardening on a Budget: Frugal Gardening Tips to Save Money - https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2025/10/gardening-on-a-budget.htmlVolunteer Plants - see Episode #17Shop my favorite garden toolsSeed Library NetworkDown-to-Earth Guide to Composting Sign up to be notified of new episodes by email:  https://oakhillhomestead.myflodesk.com/homegrownSubscribe and ReviewNew episodes drop every other Tuesday - subscribe so you don't miss a single one! If you're enjoying HOMEGROWN: Your Backyard Garden Podcast, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen:Apple PodcastsSpotifyKeep in TouchWebsite: https://oakhillhomestead.comFacebook: https://facebook.com/oakhillhomesteadInstagram: https://instagram.com/oakhillhomesteadPinterest: https://pinterest.com/oakhh

A bedtime routine is important for your plants too! We talking fall clean up with our horticulture expert.

Leave a comment here!Let's walk through the essential fall garden cleanup chores, from clearing spent plants and mulching to caring for perennials and tools, so your garden is ready for a fresh start next spring. These six steps will help protect your soil, reduce pests, and prepare for a thriving spring garden. Transcript/Related blog post: https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2025/09/fall-garden-cleanup-guide.htmlThe Down-to-Earth Guide to Composting: https://the-down-to-earth-guide.milotreecart.com/Subscribe and ReviewNew episodes drop every other Tuesday - subscribe so you don't miss a single one! If you're enjoying HOMEGROWN: Your Backyard Garden Podcast, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen:Apple PodcastsSpotifyKeep in TouchWebsite: https://oakhillhomestead.comFacebook: https://facebook.com/oakhillhomesteadInstagram: https://instagram.com/oakhillhomesteadPinterest: https://pinterest.com/oakhh

Hydroponic gardening has been around for quite some time and is really effective when done correctly. You can speed up the growing cycle and supercharge your plants to produce more when compared to traditional methods. As with overclocking a computer it just takes a little more effort to get the best results.

Leave a comment here!Are you tired of tossing out wilted lettuce and moldy berries? In this episode I'm joined by Amy Cross of The Cross Legacy, the go-to expert on keeping produce fresh longer. We talk about how to wash and store everything from avocados to zucchini, how to stretch your garden harvest or your grocery budget, and easy ways to reduce food waste.Transcript: https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2025/09/how-to-keep-produce-fresh-longer-tips.htmlYou'll find Amy at The Cross Legacy on Instagram, YouTube, and her website. Check out her Zero Waste Produce Guide here: https://thecrosslegacyshop.com/products/zero-waste-produce-guideSign up to be notified of new episodes by email:  https://oakhillhomestead.myflodesk.com/homegrownSubscribe and ReviewNew episodes drop every other Tuesday - subscribe so you don't miss a single one! If you're enjoying HOMEGROWN: Your Backyard Garden Podcast, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen:Apple PodcastsSpotifyKeep in TouchWebsite: https://oakhillhomestead.comFacebook: https://facebook.com/oakhillhomesteadInstagram: https://instagram.com/oakhillhomesteadPinterest: https://pinterest.com/oakhh

Leave a comment here!Learn how to save seeds from your vegetable garden with this beginner-friendly guide. Discover the benefits of saving heirloom and open-pollinated seeds, how to avoid cross-pollination, and tips for proper seed storage. Whether you grow tomatoes, peppers, beans, or lettuce, this episode will teach you how to collect and preserve seeds for next season. Build a self-reliant garden and grow healthier, better-adapted vegetables year after year.Transcript/Related article: Why You Should Save Seeds from Your Vegetable Garden - https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2025/08/save-seeds-from-your-garden.htmlSign up to be notified of new episodes by email:  https://oakhillhomestead.myflodesk.com/homegrownYou might also enjoy:  How to Store Your Leftover Seeds - https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2017/03/how-to-store-leftover-seeds.htmlSubscribe and ReviewNew episodes drop every other Tuesday - subscribe so you don't miss a single one! If you're enjoying HOMEGROWN: Your Backyard Garden Podcast, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen:Apple PodcastsSpotifyKeep in TouchWebsite: https://oakhillhomestead.comFacebook: https://facebook.com/oakhillhomesteadInstagram: https://instagram.com/oakhillhomesteadPinterest: https://pinterest.com/oakhh

The show OPEN... veggies... guns and drugs... and the Hulk!

Erin Goss of Poynter Landscape joins host Scott Jagow to answer your gardening questions.

Plants not cooperating with you this season? Let me share a little secret with you. It may not be the soil, the sun, or even the seeds' fault! It might all just come down to your bed being too shallow. In this video I'll give you my best tips about how deep your raised bed should be depending on what you want to grow. Follow along with my simple formula to make planting way easier without sabotaging your harvest! IN THIS VIDEO:

As we enter the high summer season, you might be looking at your vegetables and wondering if they're coming along as well they should.  In this episode, Don and John (and special guest Casey) take stock of midsummer vegetables and give you some tips on seeing them through to success.

Are you trying to decide between putting in raised beds or going with an in-ground garden? In this episode, I'll help you compare things like cost and time to set up, productivity, and how much you'll actually enjoy working in your garden space.   This is more than just a pro/con list. I want to help you make the best decision for YOU, your budget, style, space, and schedule. Stick around till the end because the best option is not the same for everybody!   No matter which way you lean, we've got supplies to help you get started in the Gardenary Shop. If you want to order any of our Gardenary trellises, raised beds, or tools, use code PODCAST for 10% off your purchase in the Gardenary Shop (or follow this link: https://shop.gardenary.com/discount/PODCAST).   IN THIS EPISODE:  ➝ Shop Kitchen Garden Revival: https://gardenary.samcart.com/products/kitchen-garden-revival ➝ Shop my cedar raised beds: https://shop.gardenary.com/collections/raised-gardens/products/cedar-garden-kit ➝ Visit the Gardenary Shop: https://shop.gardenary.com/discount/PODCAST   Follow Gardenary Here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gardenaryco/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gardenaryco Find a Garden Coach Business in Your Area: https://www.gardenary.com/businesses  

In this episode, Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener, describes common issues encountered in vegetable gardens. Learn how to handle a lack of fruit set in plants like cucumbers and gourds, and blossom end rot in tomatoes. Listen to Mountain Gardener on Cast11: https://cast11.com/mountain-gardener-with-ken-lain-gardening-podcast/Follow Cast11 on Facebook: https://Facebook.com/CAST11AZFollow Cast11 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cast11_podcast_network/

Are you thinking of growing a potted olive tree? Or maybe you already have one…but you're still waiting for olives. Olive trees are tough as nails. They can take more cold than many people realize. And they're really beautiful, too. Put these all together, and you have a great potted plant for a cold-climate garden.In my new book, Grow Olives Where You Think You Can't, I tell you everything you need to know to successfully grow an olive tree in a pot! ***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 the 5,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang who stay on top of home food-growing ideas with our weekly e-mail. We're making the world a better place one garden at a time!- Grab the free e-books: Small-Space Food-Gardening Hacks and Growing Figs in Cold Climates.- And say hi—we love to hear what you think!

How to Grow Figs. Live online class. June 23, 2025. Find out more.***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 the 5,000+ gardeners in The Food Garden Gang who stay on top of home food-growing ideas with our weekly e-mail. We're making the world a better place one garden at a time!- Grab the free e-books: Small-Space Food-Gardening Hacks and Growing Figs in Cold Climates.- And say hi—we love to hear what you think!

Our gardening experts give us tips ahead of the summer growing season.

If you're still growing all your tomato plants inside those flimsy tomato cages from the hardware store, this is your sign to level up. In this episode, I'm giving you 3 MUCH better options to support your vining tomatoes, including the option I'm convinced is the only way to go if you want to maximize productivity in your garden. Then, I'll show you exactly how to set up your space so that you'll get tons of fruit all season long.   Prepare to be SHOCKED at just how many tomatoes you get off of one trellis when you grow them my way. NOTE: We're talking about indeterminate, aka vining, tomatoes. Tomato cages are fine for determinate, or bush, tomatoes.   IN THIS EPISODE:

Flowers add so many benefits to your vegetable garden. They attract beneficial insects like pest predators and pollinators to keep your garden problems small and your harvests as BIG as possible. They increase plant diversity. They can improve your soil health. Some flowers even repel certain pests. AND they add so much beauty to your space, which makes you want to spend even more time there.   In this episdoe, I'll share with you my favorite must-grow flowers to grow in the vegetable garden.  

Send us a textDee and Carol are gardening through the alphabet, and today focused on the letter I.For more info and links, subscribe to and read our free newsletter.A few links: American Iris SocietySchreiner's Iris Gardens documentary on YouTube.Plant Partners: Science-Based Companion Planting Strategies for the Vegetable Garden by Jessica Walliser. (Amazon link)On the Bookshelf:    The Kindest Garden: A Practical Guide to Regenerative Gardening by Marian Boswall and Jason Ingram. (Amazon link)Dirt: A children's book: A Rose Named Peace: How Francis Meilland Created a Flower of Hope for a World at War  by Barbara Carroll Roberts (Author) and Bagram Ibatoulline (Illustrator) (Amazon link)Our Affiliates (Linking to them to make a purchase earns us a small commission):Botanical InterestsFarmers DefenseEtsyTerritorial SeedsTrue Leaf Market Eden BrosNature Hills Nursery  Book and Amazon links are also affiliate links.Email us anytime at TheGardenangelists@gmail.com  Our newsletter is on SubstackFor more info on Carol  visit her website.  Visit her blog May Dreams Gardens. For more info on Dee, visit her website.  Visit her blog Red Dirt Ramblings.Watch this episode on YouTubeSupport the showOn Instagram: Carol: Indygardener, Dee: RedDirtRamblings, Our podcast: TheGardenangelists.On Facebook: The Gardenangelists' Garden Club.On YouTube.

Are all bugs in your garden bad news? Not at all! In fact,some insects are your best allies when it comes to pest control and plant health.Today on Just Grow Something, we're talking about howto tell the difference between beneficial insects and destructive garden pests—even if you're not an entomologist. Learn how to identify common bugs based on their behavior, body features, and habitat, and discoverwhich insects you want to attract to your garden and which ones to manage quickly.Whether you're a new gardener confused about who's chewing on your cabbage, or a seasoned grower wanting to attract more natural predators to your space, this episode has practical tips for observing, identifying, andunderstanding the insects in your garden.In This Episode, You'll Learn:The role of beneficial insects in natural pest control and pollinationHow to visually identify insects based on body shape, wing type, behavior, and feeding habitsExamples of common garden pests like aphids, squash bugs, and hornwormsIdentification tips for good bugs like ladybugs, parasitic wasps, lacewings, and hoverfliesWhy local resources like university Extension services and conservation departments are your best tool for regional pest and beneficial IDHow to build a garden that attracts and supports beneficial insectsWhy not all creepy crawlies need to be squished—some are silently helping your garden thrive!Let's dig in!References and Resources:Save 20% on your new own-root rose plant at HeirloomRoses.com with code JUSTGROW https://heirloomroses.comGet 10% off and FREE shipping on my favorite raised planters at Planter Box Direct using code JUSTGROW10: https://planterboxdirect.com/?ref=593BugGuide.net – Community-supported insect ID toolEpisode 24 - Aphids! https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/ep-24-garden-talk-tuesday-aphidsJust Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.comJust Grow Something Merch andDownloads: https://justgrowsomething.com/shopJust Grow Something Gardening Friends Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18YgHveF5P/Check out how you can become a patron on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JustGrowSomethingBonus content for supporters of the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomethingAmazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething

Although sometimes thin skinned, cucumbers have only rarely lost their cool factor over the millennia. In this classic episode, Anney and Lauren dig into the history and science behind this popular summer addition to everything from salads to sour beers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us a textDee and Carol continue gardening through the alphabet with the letter G.For more info, check out our weekly newsletter. It's free!Links:Supertunia® Honey™ - Petunia hybrid | Proven WinnersDee's blog posts on pelargoniums: here and here. Geum triflorum, prairie smoke The Garlic Companion by Kristin Graves (Amazon link)On the bookshelf: Plants with Superpowers by David Domoney (Amazon link)Dirt: Italian terra-cotta and Vietnamese potsTo see Carol chat live with Noel Kingsbury on his Thursday Garden Chat on May 1st, at 1:00 pm Eastern, go to the Garden Masterclass Events pageOur Affiliates (Linking to them to make a purchase earns us a small commission):Botanical InterestsFarmers DefenseEtsyTerritorial SeedsTrue Leaf Market Eden BrosNature Hills Nursery  Book and Amazon links are also affiliate links.Email us anytime at TheGardenangelists@gmail.com  Our newsletter is on SubstackFor more info on Carol  visit her website.  Visit her blog May Dreams Gardens. For more info on Dee, visit her website.  Visit her blog Red Dirt Ramblings.Watch this episode on YouTubeSupport the showOn Instagram: Carol: Indygardener, Dee: RedDirtRamblings, Our podcast: TheGardenangelists.On Facebook: The Gardenangelists' Garden Club.On YouTube.

Ready to join the self-sustainability revolution? Today we have Maria Rodale from the legendary Rodale organic gardening family to talk to us about starting your first vegetable garden and a whole lot more! Check out her substack at substack.com. Find her latest book, The Love Alphabet Book, written by her alias Mrs. Peanuckle, at your local bookstores. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Access the BIRD HUGGER Newsletter here: www.birdhuggerpodcast.com. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

You do NOT need a green thumb to have success in the garden. You just need to know what a plant NEEDS! In this episode, I'm bringing it back to the basics and teaching you the 5 things any plant needs to grow. By the end of this episode, you'll feel like you have a green thumb because you'll know exactly how to care for any plant you want to grow.   IN THIS EPISODE: