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Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening
Karin Velez
300 episodes
22 hours ago
Grow a better vegetable garden, whether you're a seasoned gardener or have never grown a thing in your life. Karin helps home gardeners learn to grow their own food using evidence-based techniques and research. She talks all about specific plants, pests, diseases, soil and plant health, mulch, garden planning, and more. It's not just the "how" but also the "why" that makes us better. The goal? For everyone to know how to grow their own food no matter what sized space they have or their experience level. Tune in each week to plan, learn, and grow with your friend in the garden, Karin Velez.
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Home & Garden
Leisure
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All content for Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening is the property of Karin Velez and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Grow a better vegetable garden, whether you're a seasoned gardener or have never grown a thing in your life. Karin helps home gardeners learn to grow their own food using evidence-based techniques and research. She talks all about specific plants, pests, diseases, soil and plant health, mulch, garden planning, and more. It's not just the "how" but also the "why" that makes us better. The goal? For everyone to know how to grow their own food no matter what sized space they have or their experience level. Tune in each week to plan, learn, and grow with your friend in the garden, Karin Velez.
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Home & Garden
Leisure
Episodes (20/300)
Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening
Is Homegrown Produce More Nutritious? How Your Soil Makes the Difference - Ep. 260

In this eye-opening episode, I unpack the shocking truth about nutrient loss in modern fruits and vegetables. A 2023 review found that today’s produce contains significantly fewer vitamins and minerals than in decades past. Some nutrients have dropped by up to 80% since the 1950s!

We explore how industrial agriculture, depleted soils, and synthetic fertilizers have impacted our food and, more importantly, how we as home gardeners can grow more nutrient-rich produce by focusing on soil health. Soil nerds, unite!

I talk about the essential role of soil microbes and organic matter in our soil in creating nutritious food (and how synthetic fertilizers can’t compete), how composting, mulching, and no-till gardening can restore soil health, and give you actionable tips for increasing nutrient density in your own garden. If you care about what goes into your food and on your family’s plate, this is a must-listen. Let’s dig in!


Save 20% on your new own-root rose plant at Heirloom Roses with code JUSTGROW https://heirloomroses.com


Referenced episodes:

Ep. 18 - Garden Talk Tuesday: Plant Nutrients and Why You Need to Know Them

Focal Point Friday: Plant Nutrient Basics

Compost Episodes


Find the full show notes at https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/is-homegrown-produce-more-nutritious-how-your-soil-makes-the-difference-ep-260

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1 week ago
25 minutes 21 seconds

Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening
How to Extend Your Gardening Season with Successful Fall Crops - Ep. 259

This week I share how to take your fall garden from conceptto cultivation. Learn when to plant, what to grow, and how to extend your harvest well into winter. Discover why fall gardening is more than just practical - it's backed by science and perfect for nutrient-dense, flavorful produce with fewer pests!

What You’ll Learn:

  • The science behind why fall gardens are nutritionally and logistically smart
  • Best timing strategies based on frost dates and daylight reduction
  • Fall-friendly crops and succession planting strategies
  • Tips for season extension using row covers and container gardening
  • How to improve soil health and prep beds for fall success


Let’s dig in!

Save20% on your new own-root rose plant at Heirloom Roses with code JUSTGROW at https://heirloomroses.comReady to plan your fall garden? Join the free Fall GardenChallenge now: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/fall

Resources:

Fall Garden Seed Starting Secrets - Ep. 257: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/fall-garden-seed-starting-secrets-ep-257

Find your frost dates: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/frostdates


Find the full show notes at https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/how-to-extend-your-gardening-season-with-successful-fall-crops-ep- 259


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2 weeks ago
32 minutes 44 seconds

Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening
5 Quick Crops to Fill Summer Garden Gaps - Ep. 258

This week we dig into the strategy of mid-to-late summersuccession planting—how to make the most of garden space left vacant by spring crop failures or early harvests. I share five heat-loving, fast-maturing crops you can direct sow now to squeeze in one last summer harvest before fall. Learn how to keep your beds productive, beat pest cycles, and maximize soil health, all without needing indoor seed starts.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Why filling summer garden gaps matters
  • Key traits of good late-summer crops
  • My top five heat-loving, fast-growing picks

Let’s dig in!

Save 20% on your new own-root rose plant at Heirloom Roseswith code JUSTGROW https://heirloomroses.com

For full show notes visit https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episodes/5-quick-crops-to-fill-summer-garden-gaps-ep-258

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3 weeks ago
30 minutes 40 seconds

Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening
Fall Garden Seed Starting Secrets - Ep. 257

Fall might still feel far off, but if you want a successful fall harvest, now is the time to start those seeds indoors. Today on Just Grow Something, I walk you through the step-by-step timing strategy for indoor seed starting specifically for fall gardening.

Learn how to:

  • Calculate back from your first fall frost date to find yoursowing and transplanting windows
  • Adjust days to maturity using the “fall buffer” method
  • Choose the best crops to start indoors based on your zone and daylight hours
  • Utilize strategies for short-season gardeners and season extenders

From understanding the Persephone period to selectingshort-season varieties, this episode equips you with the tools to master indoor seed starting for the fall garden. Let’s dig in!

Fall Buffer Chart:

Planting Window Before Frost: Days to Maturity Adjustment

> 11 weeks: +10% buffer

8–10 week: +20% buffer

5–7 weeks: +40% buffer

3–4 week: +70% buffer

 

Links:

Save 20% on your new own-root rose plant at Heirloom Roses with code JUSTGROW https://heirloomroses.com

Seed to Sprout Course: https://www.justgrowsomething.com/indoor-seed-starting

Resources:

Plant Growth Factors: Temperature

Sowing Planting Calculation | UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

Fall Vegetable Gardening | UGA Cooperative Extension


Find the full show notes at https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/fall-garden-seed-starting-secrets-ep-257

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4 weeks ago
35 minutes 50 seconds

Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening
How to Harvest, Cure, and Store Garlic and Onions - Ep. 256

Your summer garlic and onion harvest are ready, now what? You spent a lot of time and energy getting this crop to maturity, let’s not waste that effort by allowing them to go soft before we get to use them.


Today on Just Grow Something, I give expert tips for harvesting, curing, and storing garlic and onions to keep them fresh through next spring. Learn how to recognize when your crops are ready, the best techniques for drying and storing, and how to avoid spoilage. Plus, I share alternative preservation methods like freezing and dehydrating. Whether you're new to gardening or a seasoned grower, this episode will help you get the most from your harvest.

What You’ll Learn:

  • When and how to harvest garlic and onions
  • Ideal curing conditions and duration
  • How to store for short- and long-term freshness
  • Alternative storage techniques (oil, freezing, dehydration)
  • The best types for long-term storage


Let’s dig in!

Save 20% on your new own-root rose plant at Heirloom Roses with code JUSTGROW https://heirloomroses.com


References and Resources:

Garlic episodes: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/search/garlic

Onion episodes: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/search/onion

Loveland Acres Farm: lovelandacresfarm.org

Get 10% off and FREE shipping on my favoriteraised planters at Planter Box Direct using code JUSTGROW10: https://planterboxdirect.com/?ref=593

Find the show notes at:

https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/how-to-harvest-cure-and-store-garlic-and-onions-ep-256

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1 month ago
35 minutes 59 seconds

Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening
Know Thy Weeds: 5 Plant Families Sabotaging Your Garden - Ep. 255

This week we dive deep into the world of garden weeds and how some seemingly harmless plants can actually be Trojan horses harboring pests and diseases. Learn how to identify five major plant families by their flowers, leaves, and growth habits — and why removing these weeds early can protect your precious crops.

Today on Just Grow Something You'll Learn:

  • The role of alternate hosts in pest and disease cycles
  • How to identify Brassicaceae, Solanaceae, Asteraceae, Polygonaceae, and Amaranthaceae weeds
  • Why flower structure is the key to early identification
  • Tips for weed removal and garden protection


This episode is ad-free in support of Loveland Acres Farm. Please consider donating at lovelandacresfarm.org to support Scarlett's vital community work.


Visit our sponsor HeirloomRoses.com and save 20% on your order using code JUSTGROW.

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1 month ago
36 minutes 25 seconds

Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening
Spring Interplanting Strategies: What Worked, What Flopped, and Why - Ep. 254

From experimenting with peas shading lettuces to using mint as a living mulch for kale and cucumbers, this week on Just Grow Something I share the successes, tweaks, and surprises of my spring growing season. If you’re looking to maximize yield, minimize weeds, and experiment with companion planting, this episode is packed with all the things. And these can all be repeated for fall! Let's dig in!

What We Cover:

  • How to use “high, low, fast, slow” principles in garden planning
  • The pros and cons of using mint as a living mulch
  • Pairings that worked: Beets & kale, Collards and mint
  • What didn't work, maybe?: Kohlrabi & beets
  • How my vegetable persona is... okra?!


References and Resources:

Save 20% on your new own-root rose plant at Heirloom Roses with code JUSTGROW https://heirloomroses.comGet 10% off and FREE shipping on my favorite raisedplanters at Planter Box Direct using code JUSTGROW10: https://planterboxdirect.com/?ref=593


Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.com

Just Grow Something Merch andDownloads: 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

Bonus content for supporters of the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething

Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething

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1 month ago
46 minutes 21 seconds

Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening
Pest Patrol: Mosquitoes and Ticks in the Garden - Ep. 253

Summer gardening should be about sunshine and fresh veggies, not swatting and scratching. So, this week on Just Grow Something we dig into the science and strategy behind controlling two of the most irritating garden pests that go after the gardeners, not our plants: ticks and mosquitoes. Learn which ones are in your region, understand the risks they carry, and implement practical, research-backed solutions to protect yourself and your family while in the garden.

From landscape tweaks to personal protection hacks and a game-changing DIY mosquito trap, this episode has everything you need to enjoy your garden bite-free.

We cover:

  • Common tick species by region and associated diseases
  • Mosquito types and their disease vectors
  • Natural vs. chemical repellent options
  • Landscaping tips to deter pests
  • How to build a “Bucket of Doom” mosquito trap

Let's dig in!

References and Resources:


Save 20% on your new own-root rose plant atHeirloomRoses.com with code JUSTGROW https://heirloomroses.com

https://homegrownnationalpark.org/mosquito-bucket-challenge/


https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alpha-gal-syndrome/in-depth/tick-species/art-20546861?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://extension.psu.edu/using-insect-and-tick-repellents-safely

https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/summer_safety_part_3_mosquitoes_and_ticks

https://cals.cornell.edu/integrated-pest-management/outreach-education/whats-bugging-you/ticks/managing-ticks-landscape

https://hawxpestcontrol.com/how-to-treat-standing-water-to-prevent-mosquitoes-in-your-yard

https://extension.sdstate.edu/how-avoid-being-dinner-preventing-tick-and-mosquito-bites

https://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/PicaridinGen.html

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-deet-bad-for-you-and-your-kids

https://ticksafety.com/about-ticks/seed-ticks-tick-bombs/


Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.com

Just Grow Something Merch andDownloads: 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

Bonus content for supporters of the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething

Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething

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1 month ago
42 minutes 40 seconds

Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening
The Chelsea Chop: How to Prune for Longer Blooms and Healthier Plants - Ep. 252

In this short and snippy episode, we dig into a classic gardening technique known as the Chelsea Chop. Named after the iconic RHS Chelsea Flower Show, this late spring/early summer pruning method can help home gardeners promote bushier growth, delay blooms for season-long color, and support pollinators with flowering perennials in the garden.

If you’re looking to add more beauty to your veggie garden and boost the productivity of your perennials, this episode is your green-thumb guide to giving those flowers a haircut.

Today on Just Grow Something we're talking:

  • What the Chelsea Chop is and why it's done
  • Ideal plants for the technique (Echinacea, Rudbeckia, Sedum, Phlox, and more)
  • Different pruning strategies and how to choose the right one
  • The timing of the chop based on your climate and plant maturity
  • Benefits for both aesthetics and garden health (more airflow, fewer pests!)


The Chelsea Chop is more than just a cut—it's a strategic move to shape your garden and support pollinators. Let's dig in!


References and Resources:

Save 20% on your new own-root rose plant atHeirloomRoses.com with code JUSTGROW https://heirloomroses.com


RHS Chelsea Chop: https://www.rhs.org.uk/pruning/chelsea-chop

BBC Gardener's World, How to Do the Chelsea Chop: https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/how-to-do-the-chelsea-chop/


Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.com

Just Grow Something Merch andDownloads: 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

Bonus content for supporters of the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomethingAmazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething


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2 months ago
18 minutes 8 seconds

Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening
Can Gardening Actually Save You Money? - Ep. 251

There’s a persistent myth floating around on social media that gardening is too expensive to be worth the effort when it comes to saving money on groceries. But what if I told you that with the right strategies, your backyard (or balcony!) garden could not only feed your family but actually save you money?

Today on Just Grow Something, we’re busting the myth thatgrowing your own food can’t compete with grocery store prices. We’ll explore how your location, soil type, and choices in the garden can make a huge difference in your return on investment. From essential tools and inputs to skip-the-splurge items and savvy seed saving, we’re diving deep into the real numbers and practical tips that make gardening not just a hobby—but a financially smart one. Let’s dig in!

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

  • Why some crops offer more bang for your buck than others
  • What you really need to spend money on in your garden—and what you don’t
  • How to track your gardening costs and harvest value to measure your savings
  • Budget-friendly strategies like starting from seed, making your own compost, and using free or recycled materials
  • How to choose crops and garden methods based on your climate and soil type for maximum return


References and Resources:

Save 20% on your new own-root rose plant atHeirloomRoses.com with code JUSTGROW https://heirloomroses.com

 

Get 10% off and FREE shipping on my favorite raisedplanters at Planter Box Direct using code JUSTGROW10: https://planterboxdirect.com/?ref=593

USDA Inflation Tracking – Retail Produce Prices: https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/fruit-and-vegetable-prices

 

Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.com

Just Grow Something Merch andDownloads: 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

Bonus content for supporters of the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething

Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething

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2 months ago
43 minutes 15 seconds

Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening
Potatoes, Transplants, Insect Netting, and More: Garden Q&A for Episode 250

Welcome to the 250th episode of the Just Grow Something podcast! 🎉
Whether you've been listening since the beginning or just found the show, thank you for being part of this growing community. In this special milestone episode, we're digging into listener-submitted questions on a variety of timely gardening topics.

In this episode:

  • When seedlings are ready to transplant (what to look for beyond just "true leaves")

  • How to properly plant using the Three Sisters method and why timing is key

  • What to do with sprouted or soft seed potatoes and how to plant them successfully

  • How to manage Colorado potato beetles while supporting beneficial insects like ladybugs

  • When and how to use insect netting effectively in your garden (and how to keep it from blowing away!)

  • Winter sowing tips for celeriac and strategies when you can’t start seeds indoors

  • Organic pest control tips for pill bugs, armyworms, grubs, and more

  • The role of beneficial nematodes in controlling Japanese beetles and other soil pests

These are all real questions from you, my gardening friends, submitted via email, social media, and our Facebook community. If one person is wondering, chances are others are too! Let's dig in!

References and Resources:

Save 20% on your new David Austin rose plant atHeirloomRoses.com with code JUSTGROW https://heirloomroses.com

How to Prepare Seedlings for Transplant into the Garden - Ep. 243: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/how-to-prepare-seedlings-for-transplant-into-the-garden-ep-243

Ep. 131 - The Basics of Winter Sowing: Seed Starting Outdoors: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/ep-131-the-basics-of-winter-sowing-seed-starting-outdoors

My favorite insect netting: https://amzn.to/3Fems6k

And the fabric staples: https://amzn.to/45jjzLT

Arbico Organics Neemaseek: https://www.arbico-organics.com/product/nemaseek-beneficial-nematodes-hb-heterorhabditis-bacteriophora/beneficial-nematodes

Milky Spore: https://www.arbico-organics.com/product/milky-spore-granular-bacillus-popillae/organic-lawn-care

Pyganic: https://amzn.to/4dsx9in

Spinosad: https://amzn.to/4mpkdhc

Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.com

Just Grow Something Merch andDownloads: 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

Bonus content for supporters of the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething

Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething


Just Grow Something is a participant in the AmazonServices LLC Associates Program. Anytime you click on one of those links and proceed to make a purchase, we may receive a small percentage of the purchase price in the form of a commission directly from Amazon.


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2 months ago
33 minutes 23 seconds

Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening
Good Bug or Garden Pest? How to Identify Insects in Your Vegetable Garden – Ep. 249

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 pollination
  • How to visually identify insects based on body shape, wing type, behavior, and feeding habits
  • Examples of common garden pests like aphids, squash bugs, and hornworms
  • Identification tips for good bugs like ladybugs, parasitic wasps, lacewings, and hoverflies
  • Why local resources like university Extension services and conservation departments are your best tool for regional pest and beneficial ID
  • How to build a garden that attracts and supports beneficial insects
  • Why 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.com


Get 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 tool

Episode 24 - Aphids! https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/ep-24-garden-talk-tuesday-aphids


Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.com

Just Grow Something Merch andDownloads: 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

Bonus content for supporters of the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething

Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething

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2 months ago
39 minutes 50 seconds

Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening
How to Grow Tomatoes - Ep 248

It’s been a while since we’ve done a full crop specific episode and I think this is the perfect time of year to talk tomatoes. We are getting about 500 tomato plants in the ground over the next week so they are on my mind!

So, today on Just Grow Something we’ll walk through the full tomato-growing process—from choosing varieties and starting seeds indoors to troubleshooting common problems and harvesting for peak flavor.

You’ll learn how to choose the right variety for your space, when and how to plant for success, how to deal with pests before they ruin your harvest, and what to do when things don’t go quite as planned (looking at you, blossom-end rot). Let's dig in!

References and Resources:

Save 20% on your new own-root rose plant or find your next favorite perennial at HeirloomRoses.com with code JUSTGROW https://heirloomroses.com

http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/l/lycopersicon-esculentum=tomato.php

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10050865/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12424325/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168945212001483


Just Grow Something: ⁠https://justgrowsomething.com⁠

Just Grow Something Merch and Downloads: ⁠https://justgrowsomething.com/shop⁠

Just Grow Something Gardening Friends Facebook Group: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/508637300354140/⁠

Check out how you can become a patron on Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/JustGrowSomething⁠

Bonus content for supporters of the Podcast: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething⁠

Amazon storefront: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething

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3 months ago
55 minutes 59 seconds

Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening
Smarter Planting for Bigger Harvests: Interplanting Strategies - Ep. 247

I promised this week we’d go into the actual techniques of interplanting. One of the main methods I use in my own garden, in helping my clients in their gardens, and what I teach in my Plan Like a Pro course is “high, low, fast, slow.” This little mantra is a great way to combine the plants in your garden to make the most use of all of your space without impeding on the growth of any of the plants.


When done successfully, not only are you taking advantage of mixing the species up to help with pest pressure, but you’re also providing better diversity in the garden in terms of your soil and getting more out of the same garden space. When done incorrectly, though, we can choke out our plants, cause disease issues, invite pests in because we have weak plants and, ultimately reduce our yield.


Today on Just Grow Something, I’m taking you through how to judiciously combine plant families in your garden beds so you can make the most of the space you have while also benefitting your plants and the soil they’re in. I will give you specific examples of how this is working out in my gardens right now so maybe you can be inspired to do the same in your own garden. Let’s dig in!

EPISODE REFERENCES AND RESOURCES: 

Save 20% on your new own-root rose plant or find yournext favorite perennial at Heirloom Roses.com with code JUSTGROW https://heirloomroses.com
Just Grow Something Garden Planning Workbook: https://www.justgrowsomething.com/shop/p/just-grow-something-garden-planning-workbook

Plan Like a Pro Course: https://justgrowsomething.thinkific.com/courses/plan-like-a-pro


Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.com

Just Grow Something Merch andDownloads: 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

Bonus content for supporters of the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomethingAmazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething

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3 months ago
59 minutes 49 seconds

Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening
Companion Planting Myths and Tips - Ep. 246

If you’ve been gardening for any amount of time, you’ve likely come across companion planting charts—maybe you’ve seen advice like “plant basil with tomatoes” or “marigolds repel all pests.” But how much of this is actually true?

Companion planting can mean a lot of things, depending on what our goal is. We can either be going for pest repelling properties, keeping weeds down, soil health benefits, or just enhancing flavors or saving space.

Today on Just Grow Something, we’re sorting fact from fiction. Some companion planting practices do have solid science behind them. But many claims are more anecdotal than evidence-based—and in some cases, well-intended pairings might even backfire. I’m looking at you marigolds. Let's dig in!


References and Resources:

Save 20% on your new own-root rose plant at HeirloomRoses.com with code JUSTGROW https://heirloomroses.com

Companion Planting: Fact or Fiction?: https://growappalachia.berea.edu/2019/04/01/companion-planting-fact-or-fiction/

Companion Planting & Botanical Pesticides: Concepts & Resources: https://attra.ncat.org/publication/companion-planting-resources/#4

Companion Planting | West Virginia University: https://extension.wvu.edu/lawn-gardening-pests/gardening/garden-management/companion-planting


Phytoremediation episode: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/focal-point-friday-are-sunflowers-good-or-bad-for-the-garden

IPM episode: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/integrated-pest-management-in-the-home-garden-ep-228


How to Find and Support the Show:

Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.com

Just Grow Something Merch andDownloads: 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

Bonus content for supporters of the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething

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3 months ago
40 minutes 18 seconds

Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening
Be Prepared for Garden Pests – Ep. 245

Today, we’re diving into a topic that sneaks up on every gardener at some point—pests. Whether they’re crawling, flying, or trotting in on four legs, pests can quickly turn a thriving garden into a frustrated gardener’s nightmare.But here’s the good news: you don’t have to reach for synthetic pesticides to protect your plants.

Today on Just Grow Something we’re talking all about preparing your garden before the pests show up—using methods that keep your crops safe while still protecting pollinators and beneficial insects. We’ll cover physical barriers, companion planting, organic sprays, soil health, and even a few tips for keeping the bunnies and deer at bay.Let’s dig in!

References and Resources:

Save 20% on your new own-root rose plant at Heirloom Roses.com with code JUSTGROW https://heirloomroses.com

The influence of host and non‐host companion plants on the behaviour of pest insects in field crops

Pest management tools:

insect netting: https://amzn.to/3XXMxN3

hardware cloth: https://amzn.to/4idDfUo

gopher baskets: https://amzn.to/3YwFiM6

insecticidal soap: https://amzn.to/3Gl50wU

neem oil: https://amzn.to/4jczBeS

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Spinosad: https://amzn.to/4cxt1Nh

DE: https://amzn.to/3RgXGEU

First Saturday Lime: https://amzn.to/4j4iWtP


Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.com

Just Grow Something Merch andDownloads: 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

Bonus content for supporters of the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething

Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething

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3 months ago
40 minutes 18 seconds

Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening
Easiest Crops for Beginners - Ep. 244

One thing I am often asked by beginning gardeners is, “what is the easiest thing for me to grow?” Some of us just dive right in to gardening headfirst, attempting to grow whatever our favorite veggies are, regardless of how easy or difficult it is. Or without even considering that one might be more difficult than others. That was me and ignorance is definitely bliss until you are unsuccessful, and then it’s just frustrating.So, today on Just Grow Something I’m going to cover some of the easiest things for a brand-new gardener to grow, whether it’s in garden beds, raised planters or pots. We’ll take about which growing zones they are appropriate for, what type of light requirements they have, and any specific requirements they prefer like temperature or how they germinate. Just because they’re easy doesn’t mean they won’t appreciate a little attention to their preferences and that will only make them easier for you to get them to maturity. This is a great episode to share with a new gardening friend! Let’s dig in!

References and Resources:


Save 20% on your new own-root rose plant at Heirloom Roses.com with code JUSTGROW https://heirloomroses.com

Episode 240: Spring Planted Bulbs and Garden Perennials

Ep. 79 - Planning a Children's Garden


Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.com

Just Grow Something Merch andDownloads: 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

Bonus content for supporters of the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething

Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething

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3 months ago
39 minutes 10 seconds

Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening
How to Prepare Seedlings for Transplant into the Garden - Ep. 243

I will never forget the first time I successfully started my own transplants from seed indoors and they actually looked healthy and strong. I was so excited to get those tomato plants out into my garden and lovingly transferred them from their little pots out into the garden, got them all watered in, and was so excited about the money I had just saved by doing it myself instead of going to the garden center.

Three days later those plants were flopped over flat on the ground, looking like they had seen a hard frost over night even though I knew they hadn’t. Those plants took weeks to bounce back and started producing way later than they should have. That very next year I did it again, only this time it was cabbage and the plants got completely sun bleached and they never bounced back at all. They dropped most of their leaves and just didn’t grow.

In both cases, I had failed to give the plants adequate time to acclimate to their surroundings, moving them way too quickly from the indoor seed-starting setup with its perfect lighting, perfect temperatures, and protection from the elements right out into the full sun, gusting winds and wild temperature swings typical for our gardens here in the spring.That process of acclimating our plants to the outside world is called hardening off and nobody had every told me anything about this. It seems obvious if we think about it in terms of anything else in our world. If we live somewhere warm and travel someplace cold, our bodies need to time to acclimate to our new surroundings or need adequate protection to help with the transition. If we need it, our little plants need it, too.

So, today on Just Grow Something we’re walking step-by-step through how to transition your plants into the garden, whether you started them yourself or you bought them somewhere else. Will it always end in disaster if you don’t do this, no, not always. But the number of times it has ended in disaster for me has me checking myself every time I think I don’t have the patience to wait a week before putting my plant babies in the ground. Let’s dig in.

References and Resources:

Save 20% on your new own-root rose plant at HeirloomRoses.com with code JUSTGROW


Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.com

Just Grow Something Merch andDownloads: 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

Bonus content for supporters of the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething

Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething


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4 months ago
21 minutes 59 seconds

Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening
How to Start a Compost Pile - Ep. 242

Save 20% on the already discounted subscription price of both the Magic Mind Mental Performance and Sleep shots at https://magicmind.com/GROWMAR and use code GROWMAR at checkout.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American produces about 4.9 pounds (2.2 kg) of garbage per day. That’s almost 1800 lbs. per year, or 816kg. And over 56% of this garbage is food, yard waste, paper or paperboard. That means over 1,000 lbs. of the municipal waste produced in the U.S. could be composted, per person.

Much of our annual garden cleanup involves yard waste and now would be the perfect time to start a compost pile combining that yard waste with scraps from our kitchen and paper from our offices and cardboard from all those packages we have delivered to our doors.

Today on Just Grow Something we’re going to talk about starting a compost pile or re-starting it if you’ve made an attempt before and maybe weren’t as successful as you’d hoped. Composting can be done in lots of ways in lots of spaces, so we’re going to cover the basics of what you need to know regardless of where and how you accomplish it, give you a few options for composting systems, large and small, and the do’s and don’ts of what goes into our composting systems and what we should avoid. Let’s dig in!

References and Resources:

Simple Compost Solutions for Every Garden Space - Ep. 218

Indoor and Small-Space Composting: 5 Effective Methods

University of Florida Extension: Composting Guide

Composting Dairy Products

Turning Compost by Temperature

Composting to Kill Weed Seeds

EPA: Composting at Home


Get 10% and FREE shipping on my favorite raised planters at Planter Box Direct using code JUSTGROW10: https://planterboxdirect.com/?ref=593

Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.com

Just Grow Something Merch and Downloads: https://justgrowsomething.com/shop

Just Grow Something Gardening Friends Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/508637300354140/

Check out how you can become a patron on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JustGrowSomething

Bonus content for supporters of the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething

Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething

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4 months ago
33 minutes 1 second

Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening
Gardening by Nature’s Signs: Old Wisdom Backed by Science - Ep. 241

Many traditional "old-wives' tales" and "farmer's wisdom" about planting and gardening are actually based on phenology, the study of seasonal changes in plants and animals in relation to climate and weather.

Many traditional planting rules are based on biological indicators—when certain plants leaf out or bloom, or when specific animals become active. These signals reflect cumulative temperature trends and help predict when conditions are right for planting, pruning, or harvesting.

Today on Just Grow Something we’ll do a breakdown of common gardening wisdoms across different regions, why they work, and how they can help gardeners time their planting based on natural cues. We’ll even check out some of these wisdoms from a few regions outside the U.S., namely Australia, New Zealand, and the U.K., to see how they compare. Let’s dig in!

References and Resources:

Get 10% and FREE shipping on my favorite raised plantersat Planter Box Direct using code JUSTGROW10: https://planterboxdirect.com/?ref=593

Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.com

Just Grow Something Merch andDownloads: https://justgrowsomething.com/shop

Just Grow Something Gardening Friends Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/508637300354140/

Check out how you can become a patron on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JustGrowSomething

Bonus content for supporters of the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething

Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething

Show more...
4 months ago
21 minutes 37 seconds

Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening
Grow a better vegetable garden, whether you're a seasoned gardener or have never grown a thing in your life. Karin helps home gardeners learn to grow their own food using evidence-based techniques and research. She talks all about specific plants, pests, diseases, soil and plant health, mulch, garden planning, and more. It's not just the "how" but also the "why" that makes us better. The goal? For everyone to know how to grow their own food no matter what sized space they have or their experience level. Tune in each week to plan, learn, and grow with your friend in the garden, Karin Velez.