Grow Your Own Food: Recent Episodes
Shanna Smith, Garden Writer
A podcast dedicated to helping beginner gardeners grow their own fresh fruits, vegetables and even grains—whether in a back yard or on a balcony. Get helpful growing tips, recipe inspiration and more. And for more information, including how-to articles and helpful photos and videos, visit beeandbasil.com. Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/growyourownfood/support
Yes, you can have two "gardens" every year! Anything that loved the cool temps in spring can be planted again in fall for a second harvest. But knowing when to plant them—and how to protect them—can be tricky. So I'm covering it all here! Need the sister post for product links? Here you go!
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Do you regularly eat popcorn as a meal? Do you prefer your popcorn stove-popped? Well why haven't you tried growing popcorn yet??? In this episode, I'm covering when and how to plant it, what to plant it with, how to care for, harvest and store it, PLUS how to pop it on the stove. (If you didn't already know.) Need the sister post? Here you go!
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When you've put a bunch of sweat and a little (or a lot) of money into a vegetable garden, the threat of a looming summer storm feels really scary. In this episode, I'm covering things you can do to prevent storm damage, things you can do to fix storm damage, and when you should refrain from trying to fix storm damage so you don't wind up making things worse! See the sister post for this ep for pics!
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Plants producing flowers but not a lot of fruit? You might need to be pollinating by hand! In this episode, we talk about why pollinators might be scarce where you are, which plants benefit from hand pollinating and how to do it. Need to see the pics in the sister post? Here it is!
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Growing corn this season? You'll want to be on the lookout for these guys. In this episode, I'm giving you the details on what corn leaf aphids are, why they're not so great, and four different (organic!) ways to control them. Need to see the sister post for product links or pics? Here you go!
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We're continuing the topic of how to grow elderberries with details on the most common pests to watch out for, diseases you can expect to deal with, and most important—toxicity. But don't be scared...I'll walk you through all of it. As always, check out the sister post for images and recipe ideas!
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Elderberry bushes grow quickly and make great privacy bushes, their blossoms smell amazing, and they produce tons of fruit by year 2. In what has turned out to be a two-part episode, I'm telling you just about everything you need to know about growing elderberries as part of an edible landscape! Need to see the sister post? Here it is!
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This time of year, cool-weather greens and herbs are throwing in the towel and trying to go to seed. In this episode, I'm covering why you should let them, plus—if you've never done it before—some of the easiest plants to collect seeds from for next year's crops! There's lots of pics in the sister post, so be sure to check it out!
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June is what I like to call "wait and see month." So it's the perfect time to take care of any garden chores you've been neglecting...or didn't know you should be doing. I'm covering what I feel like are the best seven chores to receive your attention in June. Need to refer to the sister post? Here it is!
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We grow a lot of our own food in our back yard, but you know what? We still belong to a local CSA. In this episode, I'm covering what you can get, who can benefit from it, how to find a CSA and more. If you need the sister post for this episode, here it is!
And here's the link to the USDA's CSA directory.
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If I had an arch-nemesis in my vegetable garden, it would be squash bugs. And if you're new to gardening and growing squash for the first time this year (any kind) or you've experienced the struggle, listen in and learn about what's worked (and not worked!) for me. Need to see the pics in the sister post? Here it is!
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I remember when I first started gardening, I questioned ALL THE TIME whether I should stake a plant or not. So in this episode, I'm telling you when the optimal time to stake a plant is, how to do it if it's not the best time so you don't hurt your plants, and finally, several plants I've found from my own experience that can benefit from staking, from time to time. Need to see the sister post? Here it is!
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Ugh...if you've got squash vine borers, you've got a serious problem on your hands. In this episode, I'll tell you what they are, how one can take down a whole squash plant by itself, and how to manage them organically. Also, there's lots of great pics in the sister post for this episode, so be sure to check it out!
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You can grow carrots through the entiiiiire growing season. Even into the winter! Here's everything you need to know about the planting process, plus questions about kinds of soil, pests and what to do with carrot tops all answered. Need to see the sister post? I got you.
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Frost damage is such a bummer. The best thing you can do? Be prepared to protect against it, and know which plants are worth trying to save...both of which I'm covering in today's episode. If you need to see the pictures in the sister post on Bee + Basil, here it is!
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If you're like me, and you love eggplant for about 2 months out of the year when it's in season, then why not learn how to grow your own? There are a few tricks to growing it from seed (covered here) and a few things to watch out for after transplanting (also covered). Plus, there are so many yummy things you probably never think to do with it! I talk about the usual recipes, but I'm throwing out some wild ideas, too. For pictures and links to recipes, see the sister post for this episode.
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It might sound a little nuts (haha, sorry), but you can absolutely grow peanuts yourself, at home, in your vegetable garden. That said, just like anything you grow for the first time, there are a few things to know about how peanuts grow, what they need and how to harvest them. I'm covering all of that in this episode. And if you need to see pictures of the process, you can find them in the sister post on my blog!
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If you, like me, sow a few too many seeds to get the number of plants you need in your garden layout, then you're stuck with extra seedlings every year. But they don't necessarily have to go in the compost! You can do some good things (and do some good in your community) with them! Have a listen to find out what they are. And here's the sister post for this episode if you need it!
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Spoiler alert: They're both! Find out why they're good in the garden and the one critical time during the growing year they can be a nuisance. Plus what to do to control them if they're working your nerves. Need to see the sister post? Here it is.
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I know, the idea of repotting your seedling babies is scary. But it doesn't have to be! In this episode, I'm covering why it's important (in case this is your first rodeo starting from seed), as well as when and how to repot your seedlings so you can feel more confident in the process going forward.
Also, here's the sister post for this episode.
And here's the Instagram video of me repotting basil seedlings if you'd like to see a reference!
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There are, it seems, a bajillion different herbs out there. So if you're limited on space, and you want to establish a culinary herb garden...which ones should you choose? These are my recommendations, not just for their wide-ranging variety of uses, but also for their ease in starting and growing for beginner to intermediate gardeners. Need to see the sister post? Here it is!
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Growing quinoa is a labor of love, my friends. Not because the plant itself is particularly hard to grow...more for what comes after. Still, though, I have some growing tips in this episode that you might want to listen to if you're thinking about growing it for the first time. Need to see the sister post? It's right here!
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Are you a brand new gardener? Or maybe you've got a few years under your belt, but you've always purchased your seedlings and now you're thinking about starting from seed? These are the most common fruits and vegetables home vegetable gardeners grow, and how easy—or difficult—they can be to grow from seed at home. Need to see the sister post? Here it is!
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Yes, it's still cold and gross out. But does that have to be your life? No! Not when you've got a whole bunch of seedlings started indoors to help you look forward to spring! Here are a bunch of vegetables you can start from seeds in February, with timing notes for folks in cooler zones! Need to see the sister post? Here you go!
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FIXED AUDIO! Thanks to a lovely listener, I got clued into the fact that this episode cut off about halfway through. Sorry for the hiccup!
Bone meal is one of my favorite organic soil amendments and a GREAT way to make sure I'm using up everything I can from the chickens and turkeys we're eating during the holiday season. In this episode, I'm going over the easy, step-by-step process I use for making your own bone meal at home. Need the sister post? Here it is!
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Love celery? Or wish you could grow it yourself so you can cut the two stalks you need for that one recipe, and the rest won't go to waste sitting in your refrigerator crisper drawer? You should grow it from seed! I've got all the tips and tricks you need to do it right here. If you need to see the sister post, I've got that, too.
And if you're interested in my online course about how to start your own seedlings, from seed, at home? You can preview the course for free here!
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Got some old seed? Not sure whether it's still any good? Let's test it with this step-by-step process for determining germination rate! You can find pictures of the process in the sister post here.
Also, here's a link to my online course on seed starting, hosted by Udemy!
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Sprouting things like alfalfa or mung beans, or growing microgreens like arugula or mustard is such a fantastic, easy way to get more nutrient-dense, fresh greens into your diet, especially in winter. They seriously go great on EVERYTHING. So in this episode, I'm walking you through exactly how to do it, with a few watchouts and pro-tips along the way. Here's the sister post for this seed-sprouty episode!
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Just about anyone can do something to help pollinators! Whether you've got a veggie garden, a flower garden, or a container garden on your balcony, here are the flowers, plants and features that can help give bees, butterflies, wasps and beetles a very important leg up as they continue to experience habitat loss. Need to see the sister post for this episode? Here you go!
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Scared of the bees buzzing around your garden? Don't be! They're actually a lot like us. In this episode, I'm sharing some fun facts about bees that you may not know, which may also make you a liiiiiiittle more comfortable with them. Hopefully. :) Need to see the sister post? Here it is!
Wanna sign up for my online course on how to start your own seedlings at home, from seed? Here's a link to the course on Udemy!
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Just like every year I've had this podcast, I'm wrapping up 2020 with a list of big lessons I've learned. Have a listen and hopefully you'll learn something too! It might even help you plan your garden for 2021. ;) And here's the sister post!
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This is a topic I'm so passionate about, and a lot of why I started growing my own food! So even though it's a departure from the usual "how to grow" advice I talk about, I hope you'll give this episode a listen. Here's the sister post with all the links and resources I mention in this episode!
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So many new gardeners struggle with herbs when winter comes knocking. Which ones can be left out? Which ones should come in? What should you do for them, wherever they end up? This post will answer all those questions and several more. Need the sister post? Here you go!
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Say you planted a variety of seed for the first time this past year, and the results were a little...underwhelming. Should you try them again? I've got some questions that might help you decide. And a tip for what to do with them if you decide not to! Here's the sister post for this episode, if you need it!
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Saving seeds is such a great way to cut down on costs when you're trying to grow your own food for the purpose of saving money. These are the tips I've learned over time that help me succeed each year. Need to see the sister post? It's right here on my blog, Bee+Basil.
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Whether it's for someone else or for someone to get us, we all need holiday gift ideas starting about now. So just like last year, I've put together a list of incredibly practical—and most very affordable—gift ideas for your favorite gardener in your life (including you). Need the links to products I'm recommending? You can find them here in the sister post to this episode on Bee + Basil!
And here's the link to my new online seed starting course, if you're interested!
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When stored well, a lot of garlic can last for up to a year at room temperature. Buuut sometimes even despite our best efforts, it starts to go mushy or sprouty. So I put together a list of all the different ways I store my garlic—not just to make the most of my harvest, but also to make things easier on myself in the kitchen. See the sister post on the blog for product recommendations!
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I know, chores—womp, womp. But these are the ones you absolutely should do to make sure next year's garden gets off to a good, healthy start! And you might get off easy if some don't apply to you. :) Here's the sister post to this episode if you need it. And be sure to check out the latest seasonal recipes on the blog!
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You know worms live in dirt. But do you know about the awesome stuff they do for your plants? And how their presence generally hints at a healthy garden? Then listen in to this episode! Need to see the sister post? Here you go!
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How long can you store them at room temperature? How cold can they stand? How much humidity do they need? I'm answering all these questions in more in this episode to help you keep your root veggies as fresh as possible for as long as possible. Need to reference the sister post for this episode? You can see it on Bee + Basil!
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Are you on the apple cider vinegar train? If so, then you should learn how to make your own. Not just because you'll know exactly what's in it and it can save you money, but because it's so dang easy! Need to see pictures or ask a question? See the sister post for this episode on my website, Bee + Basil!
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Last episode, we talked through the materials and pest control options you have when building a raised bed garden. In this episode, I'm covering all the planning tips I have—from budget to bed sizes to layout and more! Need to see pictures of the raised bed garden we built? Check out the sister post for this episode!
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Are you thinking about building a raised bed garden? There's a LOT to think about! In this episode, I'm covering the three most common materials chosen to construct raised bed gardens, their pros and cons, and their possibilities for pest control integration. Find pictures of our DIY raised bed garden we built in the sister post for this episode!
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It's that time of year! Learn about the signs to look for that tell you your sunflowers are ready for harvesting, plus how to harvest, dry and even how to roast your sunflower seeds. Need pictures? I got you. Here's a link to the sister post for this podcast episode!
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Did you know that certain seeds actually benefit from fermentation before drying and storing? It's true! In this episode, I cover which seeds you should be fermenting, why you want to do it, and the super easy "how" to do it. Need to see the sister post for this episode? Here it is!
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If you're new to owning an apple tree, and you're not sure when to pick those apples you've been eyeballing all season, I've got answers! Listen in for several tips to judge the ripeness of apples before harvesting, and as always, be sure to see the sister post for this episode on my blog, Bee + Basil.
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There are lots of uses for tea tree oil. But did you know you can use it in the garden to treat fungal and bacterial infections, too? And even use it to treat some pest infestations? It's true! If you need it, here's the sister post to this episode, plus a link to my DIY bug spray recipe that incorporates tea tree oil.
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Does opening a jar of tomato sauce that smells like summer—even though it's the dead of winter—sound amazing? Then you should learn how to can! Don't be intimidated...water-bath canning is a great way to get started, and it requires very few supplies. In this episode, I talk through the supplies—which ones are 100% necessary and which ones you can do without (because I've done it)—as well as the do's and do not's of the canning process. Need pictures, product links or just a reference for later? See the sister post for this episode at beeandbasil.com.
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These little buggers are the worrrrrrst. But I've got a natural way to treat them! You can find links to the scientific studies talking about why it works here in the sister post for this episode. And you can find the recipe for the all-natural, essential oil bug spray here!
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For such a simple food, you'd never suspect that harvesting and storing potatoes could be so tricky. In this episode, I'm breaking down the two main types of potatoes, the signs they're ready to harvest, some common misconceptions and curing and storage info. Here's the sister post to this episode on Bee + Basil if you need it!
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Not sure when to get that garlic out of the ground? That's understandable—there's a lot of conflicting advice out there. But after several garlic harvests and lots of research, I've got the two big clues you should look for that tell you when the time is right. I'm also giving some tips for harvesting. I'm also sharing a fun video on how to braid your garlic in the sister post for this episode!
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Your garden is not your living room, where you place your furniture and leave it there for all of eternity. After spring crops are done, most of us can make use of that space one more time before the growing season is up! Here are the basics, and how to do it so you don't exhaust your soil. See the sister post for this episode to see how my garden layout changes over the growing months!
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Did you plant an apple tree this year? Or are you thinking about planting one? Maybe you inherited an apple tree when you moved into your current home, like I did? However you ended up with your apple tree, I'm excited for you! And I'm here with all the tips for taking care of it. These are all the things I do each year for my own apple tree. If you need to see the sister post for this episode on my blog, it's right here!
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There's nothing worse than hitting June, watching all your lovely fruit or vegetable plants thrive, and then you come out to find them covered in a swarm of destructive Japanese Beetles. If you're a new gardener, you likely have no idea what these guys are or how to deal! So I'm covering everything about Japanese Beetles in this episode. Need to see my blog post about how to use a Japanese Beetle trap? Click here!
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Hilling is a critical part of growing potatoes. In this episode, I'll explain why and how to do it, as well as some incorrect information I used to have on my blog about why you should do it! Need the sister post for this episode? Here it is!
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It's June, and that means the tomatoes have officially started to go bonkers. Which makes you wonder...should you prune them? If so, how? Don't worry, I've got the answer to both of those questions in this episode! Need to see pictures or product links? Here's the sister post!
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Green beans, black beans, lima beans...grow all the beans! From where and how to plant them in your garden to what they need as they grow and how to harvest. Find the sister post for this episode here!
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If you can't live without tea, and you like exploring the health benefits of different herbs, this episode is for you! These are my favorite herbs to grow in my garden that I make herbal infusions with to help soothe stomach aches, headaches, nerves, bloating...all kinds of stuff. See the sister post on my blog here!
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This episode is PACKED with all my favorite flowers for growing in or around vegetable gardens. They're my faves because they repel pests, attract beneficial bugs, make great cut flowers or have beneficial properties in herbal preparations. Need to reference the sister post for pictures or spellings of different types of flowers? You can find it here!
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I never realized how tricky it was to grow peppers...until I tried to grow them myself! Here are 9 tips for growing peppers—based on 9 mistakes I've made while trying to learn how to grow the best peppers possible. Need to see images or product links? See the sister post for this episode here!
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How many kinds of strawberries are there? Should you fertilize and when? Do you have to grow them in the ground? What is this crazy long vine thing my strawberry plant sent out?? All those questions and many more are answered in this episode. Need to see pictures from the sister post? Here it is!
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You guys, this is everything I know about growing corn in a home garden. And it's A LOT—it's about 5 minutes longer than my usual episodes! But I hope it helps you when it comes to growing sweet corn in your own garden this year. Need to see the sister post for this episode? Here it is!
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You've got a small garden, or you only have room for a small garden—including containers! What plants are going to give you the most produce for the space you have available? And what plants just aren't worth it? That's what I'm covering in this episode. Click here for this episode's sister post on my blog, Bee + Basil!
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New hobbies mean new tools! But we're all feeling pretty budget-conscious these days, so if you're just getting into gardening, here are what I view as the absolute must-have (and one must-must-have) gardening tools. Nothing more. You can find the links to the products I recommend in this episode in the sister post on my blog!
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Did you know sweet potatoes aren't related to regular potatoes at all? They're actually a tropical vine, so they grow very differently. In this episode, I'll tell you exactly what you need to do to grow your own sweet potato slips at home—and if you want, you can even use an organic sweet potato from the grocery store to do it! Need to see pictures? Here's the sister post for this episode.
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Why should you give vertical growing a try? A few really good reasons that I'm going into here, along with which plants you should try it with and what trellises work best for different plants. See the sister post for this episode here!
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Let's get real—some amount of transplant shock is going to happen to your vegetable seedlings, no matter how careful you are. But you can definitely reduce the severity of shock your seedlings experience by following these guidelines! Need to see the sister post for this episode? Here it is!
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Okay, okay. Everyone gardens a little different, I'm a huge fan of saying that. But I really feel like planting your potatoes this way is the right way to do it for two BIG reasons—it produces more tubers that are healthy and edible, and it means less pest issues. For pictures, see the sister post for this episode on the Bee and Basil blog!
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Imagine your seedlings like little pre-teens that up until now, did nothing but play video games and eat peanut butter sandwiches brought to them on a silver tray. How do you think they'd fare if you sent them into the real world without at least a little experience of what it's like out there? Not good, right? Exactly! So we have to toughen those seedlings up. That's what this episode is all about. And if you lose track of the days and hours, here's the sister post for this episode!
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If you've never tried growing potatoes before, you have to give it a shot at least once. It's so fun and easy! Plus it's inexpensive—you can sprout your own seed potatoes from organic potatoes at the grocery store. In this episode, I'll tell you how!
Here's the sister post on my blog, where you can find additional resources and related posts!
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I love broccoli. But I didn't always love growing it, because it's kind of a pain in the butt at first! These are all tips I had to learn on-the-fly while growing it over the years. If you're trying it the first time, or this is your second (or third) rodeo and you're hoping for better results, this episode is a must listen! For pictures and product recommendations, visit this episode's page on my website!
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Planning to start your first garden this year, but not sure where to start? These are the tips that I've found super helpful over time! Visit this episode's sister post for product links and pictures.
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Think it's super expensive to start a seedling nursery at home? Think again, friends! I'm here to tell you that you can do it for less than $75. Yep, for the price of 10-12 seedlings from the garden center, you can grow hundreds of vegetable seedlings yourself...FOR YEARS. How? Listen up, and I'll tell you! Get product links and pictures in the sister post for this episode here.
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If you've never grown onions, or you've only grown them from sets, you might not realize it's onion seed starting season! In this episode, I talk about the difference between onion seeds and onion sets, and why I think onion seeds are the better way to go. Plus, my tips for getting them off to a great start! See the post for this episode on the Bee + Basil website.
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Is this the first year you're looking to tackle starting your own seedlings from seed, at home? Or maybe you tried it for the first time a while back, and it was a mess. This is the method I use every year to keep all the information I need straight, and make sure my seedlings are getting planted outside right on time. See this post on Bee + Basil for the frost/weeks to grow chart I mention in the episode!
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One of my favorite parts of gardening and growing my own food is starting my own seedlings from seed. But for such a natural process, there are a LOT of things that can go wrong! Mostly because it's us humans trying to simulate nature. Here are the biggest mistakes people make when seed starting, and how you can get it right!
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We all know how to shop. But when it comes to seed shopping...do we know what to look for? And how to make sure we're not overbuying?
Looking for more information? Find lots more growing advice when you visit the sister post for this episode on my blog!
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In late 2018, we decided to embark on a big challenge—to only cook with what we could grow at home for a WHOLE YEAR. And since this podcast is about growing your own food, I'm starting the new season off by sharing what it was like to be dedicated to that on a grand scale!
Want to see pictures or get product links? Visit the sister post on my blog for this episode.
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The fails. The wins. The very near misses with slugs. I'm covering my biggest gardening lessons from 2019. Use them to help you get ahead in the 2020 growing season!
Need pictures or product links? Visit this episode's sister post on the blog!
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Laying out your garden can kind of feel a little bit like putting together a puzzle. Which plants should go where? Should you put plants from the same family together? I've got several great tips that will help you put next year's garden in order.
Want more growing advice? See this episode's sister post on my blog!
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Want to save money gardening? Make sure you take good care of the few tools you must have in order to do all the digging, shoveling, pruning and watering! Is it the sexiest topic? Heck no! But it's still an important one for new and beginning gardeners. And I'm covering it—and how to go about it—in this episode.
Find pictures and more details in this episode's sister post on the Bee+Basil blog.
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It's not just decorative—mulch is super important for the success of any garden! In this episode, I'm going over why that is, along with the top 5 types of garden mulch, their pros and cons, and finally, how to apply it.
Need pictures or product links? Visit the sister post on my blog for this episode!
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Not everyone has the luxury of trucking in loads of perfect garden soil. Sometimes when it comes to garden soil, you gotta work with what you've been given. These soil amendments are great solutions for addressing the four big soil issues—aeration, water retention, acidity and nutrient value. Not only that, but I'll tell you when it's best to apply them!
There's LOTS of details in this episode, so if you need more info or product links, here's a link to the sister post on my website!
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Into the idea of reducing your carbon footprint? Or just into waste reduction in general? Then you're going to love these creative ways to get the most out of your produce, whether it's homegrown or store-bought!
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There's so much more to soil than its pH level! In fact, there's a whole world of minerals, nutrients and little creatures lurking below the surface. Want to get a handle on everything you can't see with your eyeballs? Then you should get your soil tested.
See pictures and more details on the soil testing process in this episode's sister post.
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How important is nitrogen to plants? Extremely. That means you're better of knowing as much as possible about how they use it, how they get it naturally, and how you can get it to them when nature's supply runs low. I'm covering all that in today's ever-so-slightly congested episode!
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It's October, which means it's time to plant garlic! In this episode, I'm covering where to get your seed garlic, why it's best to plant it in fall, and how to plant it. Get excited!
See pictures and more details in the sister post to this episode.
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It's fall, which means it's time for those sweet potatoes to come out of the ground. But when, exactly? And then what do you do with them after? Welp, you should definitely cure them. Here's how!
See pictures and get recipe ideas when you visit this episode's sister post on my website!
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You've been watching it grow all summer. But when should you harvest your winter squash? And how? I'm answering both those questions, as well as giving some storage tips in this episode.
Find pictures and get product links in the sister post to this episode on my blog.
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There are lots of ways to preserve fresh herbs, and drying is definitely a favorite. BUT...there are also several ways to dry fresh basil. So I conducted an experiment! A blind taste test, which helped me deduce which method of drying fresh basil netted the best smelling and tasting dried basil.
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Those tomatoes are going to just keep coming until the first frost knocks 'em down. If you're all tomatoed out, but you don't want them to go to waste, I'm explaining several storage methods in this episode!
Find pictures, product links and more in this episode's sister post on my blog, Bee+Basil.
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Gardening is always a little win some, lose some. But this episode is 100% "lose some." Why? Because I'm hoping you'll learn from my mistakes! Which will make me feel a whoooole lot better about them.
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If you're wondering what type of garden you should start with, or what one you want to level up to, you need to listen to this episode! I'm breaking down the four main types of gardens, and what they're like in terms of cost and effort.
Find more tips and growing advice when you visit the sister post for this episode.
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Would you believe me if I said some plants do better when planted next to others? Or that you can naturally control certain pests with special plant combos? You can! In this episode, I'm talking about the basics of companion planting, plus giving you some easy, 2-plant companion planting ideas to try in your next garden layout.
Get a downloadable guide to companions for the most commonly grown garden vegetables in this episode's sister post.
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A lot of new gardeners don't realize that unlike fruit and vegetable plants, herbs benefit so much from early and regular pruning. But how come? And how do you do it? I'm going to explain both of those things in this episode!
See pictures and get product links in the sister post to this episode on my site, Bee+Basil.
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You don't have to have a yard to grow your own food—so why should you have to have a yard to compost? In this episode, I'm sharing two ways I've used to compost on a small scale. So if you want to start composting and you don't have a yard, or you do have a yard, but you're not allowed to have an open-air compost pile, this episode is for you!
Get links to my recommended products from this episode on my site, plus tons more growing advice.
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You buy some seeds or a seedling and it says "full sun." Or "partial shade." Uh, okay...how partial is "partial," exactly? You're about to find out in this episode!
See the sister post for this episode on my website—where you can find tons more growing advice!
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If you keep coming across the words "heirloom" and "hybrid" in your seed catalog or seedling shopping, and you keep making a mental note to look up the difference, but haven't had time, this episode is for you!
Need more info? See the sister post for this episode on my website.
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Have you ever noticed that your plants respond differently to rain than they do to water from the garden hose, and wondered why? I'm explaining that in today's episode...and why I think it's pretty cool.
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Tomatoes are THE most popular homegrown vegetable. (We'll get into the vegetable vs. fruit debate later.) And while they can be easy to sprout, they sometimes need a little help to grow. So in this episode, I'm telling you all my tomato growing secrets.
Find pictures, product links and more in the sister post on my blog, Bee+Basil.
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Did you start a garden a year or two ago, only to watch its productivity decline ever since? It could be because you're not feeding your soil! In this episode, I'll break down the three times a year you should be fertilizing your plants, as well as what you should be feeding them with.
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A lot of new vegetable gardeners overlook soil pH—a critical part of keeping your plants happy and healthy. In this episode, you'll get a basic explanation of soil pH, learn what impacts your soil pH, and how you can change it.
Find pictures and product links to the things discussed in this episode in the sister post on my blog!
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If you want to get the most out of your garden, you need to understand what kind of soil you have. So I'm covering the 3 main types of soil, plus what to add to yours if it's less than ideal.
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Lots of gardeners choose to buy seedlings rather than growing from seed. So if you're just starting out growing your own food, there's no shame in doing the same! But you'll need to know what to look for—how to tell the difference between a healthy seedling and one that might give you problems down the road. This episode will help you feel confident when you head out to the garden center to pick up those seedlings!
Need pictures or more info? See the sister post on my blog, Bee+Basil.
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You know that plants have roots, stems and leaves. But...do you know how they work? If not, have a listen! Because just like knowing more about how your body works can help you take care of yourself, knowing how plants work can help you successfully meet their needs when learning to grow your own food.
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Welcome to episode 1 of the Grow Your Own Food podcast! If you've ever thought about growing your own food, or you just started vegetable gardening, you're in the right place. In this first episode, I talk about my gardening experience and explain why it's totally okay if you're a complete beginner, as well as reasons you might want to try growing your own food.
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