Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening

Karin Velez
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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.

  1. How to Plan a Raised Bed Garden - Ep 269

    5 DAYS AGO

    How to Plan a Raised Bed Garden - Ep 269

    For this final episode in our Raised Bed series, we’re talking about how to plan your raised bed garden. If you’ve never grown in a raised bed, there are some nuances to the planning and planting aspect, no matter what material you built the bed from. And if you’re already gardening in raised beds, but it turned into a jungle by July and a desert by August, this episode is also for you! So, today on Just Grow Something we’re mapping out a season-long plan. Learn how to plan a high-yield raised-bed vegetable garden - choose smart spacing for airflow and disease prevention, interplant and succession-plant for nonstop harvests, use mulch to save water and block weeds, and more!So, grab a pencil, a piece of graph paper and a coffee, my gardening friend, we are building a raised-bed garden plan. Let’s dig in! Don't forget you can save 20% and get FREE shipping on your new raised bed from PlanterBoxDirect.com when you use code JUSTGROW20 now through October 15th! Resources: Ep. 265: How Big Should a Raised Bed Be? Square-foot Chart free download: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/757286/166825529232590223/share For full show notes and transcript, visit https://justgrowsomething.com/episode/how-to-plan-a-raised-bed-garden-ep-269

    34 min
  2. Raised Bed Gardening with Gardener Scott - Ep. 268

    23 SEPT

    Raised Bed Gardening with Gardener Scott - Ep. 268

    All this month we've been talking about creating new raised beds, what materials to use, and how to fill them. So, I thought it would be fitting to have on an expert on the subject. Scott Wilson, otherwise known as Gardener Scott on YouTube, has been building and growing in raised beds for two decades and has taught others to do the same as both a Master Gardener and a garden educator. His new book, Gardener Scott's Guide to Raised Bed Gardening, is a step-by-step guide to planning, building and maintaining raised beds. So, today on Just Grow Something, Scott shares his extensive knowledge with us including creating your own soil mix, compost, cost-effective and creative ways to create new raised beds and more. Let's dig in! Get your new raised garden bed from PlanterBoxDirect.com using code JUSTGROW20 and save 20% and get free shipping, now through October 15th! Get Scott's Book here: https://amzn.to/3Kgxw4T Follow Scott on YouTube: Gardener Scott Get the full show notes and transcript at https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/raised-bed-gardening-with-gardener-scott-ep-268

    42 min
  3. Layer by Layer: How to Fill a New Raised Bed - Ep. 267

    16 SEPT

    Layer by Layer: How to Fill a New Raised Bed - Ep. 267

    This week we tackle one of the biggest questions in raisedbed gardening – how to fill it! It can be daunting, staring at this gaping box, trying to figure out how you’re going to fill 18” or even 36” of depth without going broke. So, today on Just Grow Something, we’re digging into the dirt – literally – on how to fill your new raised bed. We’ll cover the different materials you can use to get your garden bed off to it’s best start for your plant’s sake, but also for your wallet’s sake. And, we’ll talk about the materials you don’t want to use, even if it’s just to fill space in the bottom of a very deep bed, and the alternatives. By the end you’ll have a pretty good idea of where to start and where you’ll end up so your raised bed materials can settle in over the winter and become the beautiful loamy soil you’ll want to plant into in the spring. Let’s dig in!Save 20% and get free shipping on your new raised bed from PlanterBoxDirect.com by using code JUSTGROW20, now until October 15th! For full show notes and transcript head to https:/justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/layer-by-layer-how-to-fill-a-new-raised-bed-ep-267

    35 min
  4. Materials to Use for Building a New Raised Garden Bed - Ep. 266

    9 SEPT

    Materials to Use for Building a New Raised Garden Bed - Ep. 266

    Thinking about building raised garden beds but not sure what materials to use? Today on Just Grow Something we dig into all the options for raised bed construction, from wood, stone, and galvanized steel to creative choices like reclaimed materials, fabric grow bags, and more. We’ll talk about the pros and cons of each, including cost, durability, aesthetics, and safety concerns like chemical leaching or microplastics. You’ll also learn when (and if) you need a bottom layer to block weeds, stop burrowing critters, or protect your soil. Whether you’re a new gardener or looking to upgrade your existing setup, this episode gives you the science-backed insights you need to choose the right raised bed materials for your garden. Let’s dig in! Perfect for: raised bed gardening, beginner gardeners,vegetable gardening, sustainable gardening, DIY garden beds, pressure-treated wood safety, and backyard food growing. Save 20% and get Free Shipping on your new planter from PlanterBoxDirect.com! Use code JUSTGROW20 now through October 15th, 2025! References: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/soil-compost/pressure-treated-wood-raised-bed-construction-willamette-valley https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/raised-bed-gardens Full show notes can be found at https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/materials-to-use-for-building-a-new-raised-garden-bed-ep-266

    24 min
  5. How Big Should a Raised Bed Be? - Ep. 265

    2 SEPT

    How Big Should a Raised Bed Be? - Ep. 265

    If you are considering adding your first raised bed or yourfiftieth to your garden for next season, now is the time to be doing it. A new raised planter is going to have to be filled and that material is going to have to break down a bit before it can be planted in order to make the nutrients available to your plants. This is NOT something we want to put together at the last minute in the spring just before we start planting. For the entire month of September, I am taking you step-by-step through starting a new raised bed, from deciding the dimensions and layout, what materials to use to build it, what to fill it with and how, all the way to successfully planting those beds with your first crop in the spring.So, today on Just Grow Something, we’re starting with the basics: how to decide what size and depth your raised bed should be and how it can fit into the overall layout and design of your garden. You just might find they are so versatile, you will eliminate your in-ground beds in favor of an entire yard of raised beds, whimsical planters, and neat little walkways. Let’s dig in! NEW! For a limited time, save 20% AND get FREE shipping on my favorite planters from PlanterBoxDirect.com. Just use code JUSTGROW20 before October 15th, 2025! For full show notes, visit https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/how-big-should-a-raised-bed-be-ep-265

    32 min
  6. What to Fix, Tweak, or Stop Doing in Your Garden Late Summer - Ep. 264

    26 AUG

    What to Fix, Tweak, or Stop Doing in Your Garden Late Summer - Ep. 264

    It's late August, the time of year when the garden can be just as likely to flourish as it is to fizzle out. I know all too well the rollercoaster of emotions we gardeners feel at this point in the season: you're hot, tired, maybe a little bit over it, and those early-season mistakes are showing their faces. But don’t give up! Today on Just Grow Something we dig into the common issues that crop up during these steamy late-summer days, like overwatering, overcrowding, plant pairings gone wrong, and, of course, the power of keeping a garden journal. You’ll get practical advice on fixing, tweaking, and even letting go of certain garden habits so you can set yourself up for a better harvest now and an even more successful season next year. Let’s dig in!Now's the time to save 20% and order your new rose from HeirloomRoses.com! Use code JUSTGROW to save! For complete show notes, visit https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/what-to-fix-tweak-or-stop-doing-in-your-garden-late-summer-ep-264

    23 min
  7. From Hobby to Heirloom: Growing Healthier Roses for Every Garden with Heirloom Roses

    19 AUG

    From Hobby to Heirloom: Growing Healthier Roses for Every Garden with Heirloom Roses

    This week we’re on a blooming adventure into the world of roses. Okay, that was cheesy, but if you’ve ever struggled with roses or thought they were too fussy for your garden, this episode is for you. Joined by Robin Jennings from Heirloom Roses, I explore the super interesting history of thisfamily-owned company, from its humble beginnings as a backyard hobby to becoming the only U.S. nursery licensed to propagate the renowned David Austin roses. We talk about why growing roses on their own roots makessuch a difference in their hardiness, health, and longevity, and how modern breeders are creating varieties that thrive in a wide range of climates. Robin shares practical advice on choosing the perfect rose for your garden and demystifiesrose care, pruning, and fertilizing so you can be as successful as I have been this year. Whether you’re new to roses or a seasoned grower, thisepisode is packed with inspiration, practical know-how, and all the encouragement you need to start (or expand) your own rose collection. Let’s dig in! Save 20% on your new own-root rose plant at Heirloom Roses with code JUSTGROW https://heirloomroses.com Find the full show notes at https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/from-hobby-to-heirloom-growing-healthier-roses-for-every-garden-with-heirloom-roses

    27 min
  8. Summer Tomato Problems - Ep. 262

    12 AUG

    Summer Tomato Problems - Ep. 262

    Is your summer tomato crop struggling with strange spots, brown mushy bottoms, or mysteriously vanishing leaves? You’re not alone! Mid-season brings a whole host of challenges for tomato gardeners, but with a little know-how, you can keep your plants thriving through to fall. Today on Just Grow Something, I dig deep into the four biggest summer tomato problems: blossom end rot, tomato hornworms, nutrient imbalances, and common leaf diseases like Septoria and early blight. Learn how fluctuating moisture leads to blossom end rot (hint: it’s not just about calcium!), practical mulching and watering tips for every growing setup, including containers, raised beds, and in-ground gardens, and why choosing the right fertilizer at the right time can make all the difference. I share a trick for spotting hornworms at night, how often to feed tomatoes in pots vs. beds, the signs and treatment of tomato leaf diseases, and the most effective organic control methods (from copper sprays to simple sanitation practices). I also share how to manage disease outbreaks, when to prune, and why fall tomato harvests are totally worth the effort. Whether you’re a first-time tomato grower or a seasoned gardener facing a tough summer, this episode is packed with easy, practical solutions to keep your plants producing. Let’s dig in! Save 20% on your new own-root rose plant at Heirloom Roses with code JUSTGROW at https://heirloomroses.com Full show notes available at https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/summer-tomato-problems-ep-262

    25 min
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About

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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