Podcasts by Grow Your Own Food

When and What to Plant in a Fall Garden from 2021-07-28T13:00

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...

How to Grow Popcorn from 2021-07-21T13:00

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...

Dealing with Storm Damage from 2021-07-14T13:00

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 d...

How to Perform Hand Pollination from 2021-07-07T13:00

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...

Controlling Corn Leaf Aphids from 2021-06-30T13:00

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 ...

How to Grow Elderberries (Part 2) from 2021-06-23T13:00

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 sca...

How to Grow Elderberries (Part 1) from 2021-06-16T13:00

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...

Letting Greens and Herbs Go to Seed from 2021-06-09T13:00

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—so...

7 June Garden Chores from 2021-06-02T13:00

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...

Why You Should Join a CSA (Even if You Grow Your Own Food) from 2021-05-26T13:00

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 ...

Secrets to Controlling Squash Bugs from 2021-05-19T13:00

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 stru...

Common Sense for Using Stakes in the Garden from 2021-05-12T13:00

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 ...

Dealing with Squash Vine Borers from 2021-05-05T13:00

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...

Planting Carrots and Carrot FAQs from 2021-04-28T13:00

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 wha...

Protecting + Assessing Frost Damage in Seedlings from 2021-04-21T13:00

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 yo...

Eggplant Growing Tips (+ Recipe Ideas!) from 2021-04-14T13:00

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 ...

Growing Peanuts (You can do it!) from 2021-04-07T13:00

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 ...

Ideas for Extra Seedlings from 2021-03-31T13:00

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 ...

Pillbugs, Roly Pollies, Sowbugs: Friend or foe in the garden? from 2021-03-24T13:00

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 ...

Why, When and HOW to Repot Your Seedlings! from 2021-03-17T13:00

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...

What to Plant in a Culinary Herb Garden and Why from 2021-03-10T14:00

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 recommend...

Quinoa Growing Tips from 2021-03-03T14:00

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...

Buy or Grow?: Which seedlings are easiest for new gardeners to start from 2021-02-24T14:00

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 com...

Veggies You Can Start in February from 2021-02-17T14:00

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...

Make Your Own Bone Meal! from 2021-02-12T15:04:02

**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...

Growing Celery from Seed from 2021-02-10T14:00

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...

Testing Seed for Germination Rate from 2021-02-03T14:00

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 Listen

Sprouting Seeds & Microgreens for Eating from 2021-01-27T14:00

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 w...

5 Ways to Create a Pollinator Oasis from 2021-01-20T14:00

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...

All About Bees! from 2021-01-13T14:00

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 l...

10 Lessons from My 2020 Garden from 2020-12-16T14:00

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...

7 Benefits to Eating Seasonally and Locally from 2020-12-09T14:00

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...

All About Overwintering Herbs (Indoors and Outdoors) from 2020-11-25T14:00

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 ans...

Should You Plant Those Seeds Again? from 2020-11-18T14:00

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....

6 Tips for Seed Saving from 2020-11-11T14:00

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 eac...

Ho-Ho-Holiday Gardening Gift Guide from 2020-11-04T14:00

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 ...

6 Ways to Store Your Garlic Harvest from 2020-10-28T13:00

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 ...

Must-Do Fall Garden Chores! from 2020-10-21T13:00

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 ap...

Why Worms = A Healthy Garden from 2020-10-14T13:00

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! Listen

Storing Root Vegetables for Winter from 2020-10-07T13:00

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 veg...

How to Make Apple Cider Vinegar with Apple Scraps from 2020-09-30T13:00

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...

Building a Raised Bed Garden - Part 2 from 2020-09-23T13:00

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 s...

Building a Raised Bed Garden - Part 1 from 2020-09-16T13:00

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 pro...

When and How to Harvest Sunflower Seeds + Roasting! from 2020-09-09T13:00

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 pictur...

Seed Fermentation: Which seeds, why and how to do it from 2020-09-02T13:00

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...

When to Pick Apples from 2020-08-26T13:00

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 appl...

Using Tea Tree Oil in the Garden from 2020-08-19T13:00

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! ...

An Intro to Water-Bath Canning from 2020-08-12T13:00

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 gre...

Treating and Preventing Oak Mite Bites from 2020-07-29T13:00

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 Listen

All About Harvesting Potatoes: What types, when, how and even how to cure! from 2020-07-22T13:00

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...

When and How to Harvest Garlic from 2020-07-15T13:00

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 ...

Basics of Succession Planting: Make use of your space all season long! from 2020-07-08T13:00

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 befor...

How to Care for an Apple Tree from 2020-07-01T13:00

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...

Japanese Beetles: Why and how to control them in your yard and garden from 2020-06-24T13:00

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'...

Hilling Potatoes: What it does (and what it doesn't do!) from 2020-06-17T13:00

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! Listen

Let's Prune Those Tomato Plants! from 2020-06-10T13:00

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 questi...

A Complete Guide to Growing Beans from 2020-06-03T13:00

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. Listen

What to Plant in a Tea Herb Garden from 2020-05-27T13:00

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 infusio...

Favorite Flowers for Vegetable Gardens from 2020-05-20T13:00

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...

Every Pepper Growing Mistake I've Made from 2020-05-13T13:00

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 be...

Growing Strawberries...Everything I Know! from 2020-05-06T13:00

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 quest...

10 Tips for Growing Sweet Corn from 2020-04-29T13:00

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...

The Best Vegetables for a Small Garden...and the Worst from 2020-04-22T13:00

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 jus...

Must-Have Tools for New Gardeners from 2020-04-15T13:00

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-...

Growing Sweet Potato Slips from 2020-04-08T13:00

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...

Growing Up: Plants to grow vertically, and which trellis to choose from 2020-04-01T13:00

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. ...

Tips for Avoiding Transplant Shock from 2020-03-25T13:00

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 e...

How to Plant Potatoes the RIGHT Way from 2020-03-18T13:00

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 m...

Why and How to Harden Off Seedlings from 2020-03-11T13:00

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 i...

Sprout Your Own Seed Potatoes! from 2020-03-04T14:00

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 a...

Broccoli Growing Tips I Learned the Hard Way from 2020-02-26T14:00

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 tr...

Beginner's Guide to Planning This Year's Garden from 2020-02-19T14:00

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! Listen

How to Start a Seedling Nursery on the CHEAP from 2020-02-12T14:00

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 ga...

Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Onions! from 2020-02-05T14:00

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 oni...

How to Schedule Your Seed Starting from 2020-01-29T14:00

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...

Top 10 Seed Starting Mistakes from 2020-01-22T14:00

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 ...

Seed Catalog Shopping Tips from 2020-01-15T14:00

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 gr...

What I Learned from a Year of Growing Our Own Food from 2020-01-08T14:00

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 s...

Top 10 Things I Learned in the Garden This Year from 2019-12-18T14:00

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 prod...

Garden Layout Tips for Beginners from 2019-12-11T14:00

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 tip...

The Totally Detailed Way to Take Care of Garden Tools from 2019-12-04T17:23:30

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 i...

What's the Best Kind of Mulch for a Veggie Garden? from 2019-11-27T14:00

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...

The What, Why and When of Soil Amendments from 2019-11-20T14:00

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 solut...

Giving Food a Second Life to Reduce Food Waste from 2019-11-13T14:00

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 homegrow...

I'd Test That (Soil, That Is) from 2019-11-06T14:00

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...

N is for Nitrogen from 2019-10-30T13:00

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 natu...

Plant All The Garlic from 2019-10-23T13:00

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!

Listen

Let's Harvest Those Sweet Potatoes! from 2019-10-16T13:00

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...

The When and How of Winter Squash from 2019-10-09T13:00

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.

...

The Best Way to Dry Fresh Basil [Blind Taste Test] from 2019-10-02T13:00

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...

Storing Tomatoes in 8 different ways from 2019-09-25T13:00

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 ...

My Biggest Gardening Fails...So Far from 2019-09-18T13:00

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...

What Type of Garden Should You Grow? from 2019-09-11T13:00

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...

Companion Planting Basics from 2019-09-04T13:00

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...

Why and How to Prune Herbs from 2019-08-28T13:00

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 o...

Composting Without a Pile from 2019-08-21T13:00

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 ...

Shedding Some Light on Sun Levels from 2019-08-14T13:00

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!

Listen

Heirlooms and Hybrids: What's the difference? from 2019-08-07T17:00

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 epi...

Rainwater Rules from 2019-07-31T17:00

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 pre...

Holy Tomato...Growing Advice from 2019-07-24T17:00

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 t...

Feed Your Food from 2019-07-17T17:00

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 ...

What the Heck Is Soil pH? from 2019-07-10T17:00

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 so...

Talking Dirty...What Kind of Soil Do You Have? from 2019-07-03T17:00

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. Listen

What to Look for When Buying Seedlings from 2019-06-27T01:00

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...

Plant Science Basics for Total Beginners from 2019-06-20T01:00

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 yoursel...

Intro to the Grow Your Own Food Podcast from 2019-06-13T01:30:35

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 epis...