Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening

Karin Velez
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  • HOME & GARDEN
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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. Spring-Planted Bulbs and Summer Blooms: A Guide to Growing and Storing Dahlias, Gladiolus, and More - Ep. 301

    3D AGO

    Spring-Planted Bulbs and Summer Blooms: A Guide to Growing and Storing Dahlias, Gladiolus, and More - Ep. 301

    A listener asked for a deep dive on dahlias and I’m delivering, from the ground up (pun intended). But we’re not stopping there. In this episode, I’m covering the full world of spring-planted bulbs: dahlias, gladiolus, cannas, calla lilies, and tuberous begonias. You’ll learn when and how to plant them, how to grow them for maximum blooms, how to cut them for the vase (because that’s half the fun), and, critically, how to handle end-of-season care based on where you live. If you’re in a warmer zone, some of these can stay in the ground. If you’re in a colder zone like me, we’re digging them up, curing them, storing them, and doing it all again in the spring. Let’s dig in! Quick-Reference: Zone-Based Overwintering Guide Zone 9-10+: Leave everything in the ground. Mulch lightly after frost. Let plants rest and re-emerge in spring. Zone 8: Cannas and callas can stay with heavy mulch. Dahlias and glads: consider digging, especially in colder parts of the zone. Zone 7: Mulching is a gamble. Reliable: dig dahlias and glads. Cannas may survive with very heavy mulch in milder Zone 7. Zone 6 and colder: Dig everything. Cure properly. Store in cool, dry, dark, frost-free conditions. Replant after soil warms to 60°F in spring. Bloom Timing and Vase Life at a Glance Dahlias — Bloom: midsummer to first hard frost | Vase life: 5–8 days | Zone to leave in ground: 9+ Gladiolus — Bloom: ~70–90 days after planting | Vase life: 7–10 days | Zone to leave in ground: 8+ (with mulch) Cannas — Bloom: midsummer to frost | Vase life: 4–7 days | Zone to leave in ground: 8+ (with mulch) Calla Lilies — Bloom: summer | Vase life: 10–14 days | Zone to leave in ground: 8–9+ depending on type Tuberous Begonias — Bloom: summer all season | Vase life: 3–5 days | Zone to leave in ground: 9+ References University of Minnesota Extension — Dahlias: From Garden to Vase. extension.umn.edu University of Missouri Extension — Growing Dahlias (G6600). extension.missouri.edu NC State Extension Gardener Toolbox — Dahlia pinnata. plants.ces.ncsu.edu Colorado State University Extension — Dahlias, Fact Sheet 7.418. extension.colostate.edu Iowa State University Extension — Gladiolus for the Home Garden (PM 874). extension.iastate.edu University of Florida IFAS Extension — Gladiolus Production. edis.ifas.ufl.edu University of Illinois Extension — Canna Lily in the Garden. web.extension.illinois.edu Michigan State University Extension — Digging and Storing Tender Bulbs. canr.msu.edu University of Vermont Extension — Storing Tender Bulbs Over Winter. uvm.edu USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023). planthardiness.ars.usda.gov Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.com Gardening Courses: https://justgrowsomething.com/courses Just Grow Something Merch and Downloads: https://justgrowsomething.com/shop Just Grow Something Gardening Friends Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18YgHveF5P/ Check out how you can become a patron on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JustGrowSomething Feed my coffee habit: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething Get 10% off and FREE shipping on my favorite raised planters at Planter Box Direct using code JUSTGROW10: https://planterboxdirect.com/?ref=593 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    52 min
  2. Episode 300: The Questions You Keep Asking (and What the Research Actually Says)

    MAY 12

    Episode 300: The Questions You Keep Asking (and What the Research Actually Says)

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

    1h 7m
  3. Topping Peppers: What does the science say, yay or nay? - Ep. 299

    MAY 5

    Topping Peppers: What does the science say, yay or nay? - Ep. 299

    The subject of whether you should top your pepper plants can bring on a pretty strong debate among gardeners. That’s because this is one of those topics where the answer genuinely is: it depends. And I mean that in a very specific, evidence-based way that comes down to two things: your climate and your pepper type. I’ll be straight with you, I do not top my peppers. We are in a zone 6b in west central Missouri and our season is just short enough that for our large sweet peppers, by the time a topped plant recovered and loaded up with new fruit, I’d be in a race with the first frost, so I don’t love my odds of winning. And for our smaller peppers, both hot and sweet, they branch naturally. They’ve never needed my help getting bushy and they generally end up so loaded with fruit there’s no need for me to create new growing points. But that does NOT mean topping is wrong. In fact, if your growing season is long enough and you are growing the right type of pepper, there is a solid, research-grounded argument for it and I want to make that argument fairly today. Let's dig in! References: Illinois Extension (University of Illinois) — Frillman, N. (2021). “Pruning tomatoes and peppers for healthier plants and a stronger harvest.” Flowers, Fruits, and Frass Blog. https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/flowers-fruits-and-frass/2021-05-17-pruning-tomatoes-and-peppers-healthier-plants-and Nebraska Extension — “Garden Peppers.” University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension Publications. https://extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/967/html/view University of Minnesota Extension — Ask Extension response on topping pepper plants (2021). https://ask.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=740168 University of Minnesota Extension — Weisenhorn, J. Ask Extension response on topping for yield (2016). https://ask.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=333053 University of Maryland Extension — Home and Garden Information Center. Ask Extension response on topping chile plants (2024). https://ask.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=869966 University of Minnesota Extension — “Growing Peppers in Home Gardens.” https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-peppers-home-gardens Peer-Reviewed Research: Humadi, F. (1980). “Effects of plant growth retardants and mechanical topping on growth and yield of pimiento pepper (Capsicum annuum L.).” Dissertation, University of Tennessee. Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_graddiss/7869/ Buczkowska, H., & Najda, A. (2001). “Impact of plant topping on chemical composition of sweet pepper fruit.” Zeszyty Naukowe Akademii Techniczno-Rolniczej w Bydgoszczy. Rolnictwo, 46, 33–37. Cao, D., Chabikwa, T., Barbier, F., Dun, E. A., Fichtner, F., Dong, L., Kerr, S. C., & Beveridge, C. A. (2023). “Auxin-independent effects of apical dominance induce changes in phytohormones correlated with bud outgrowth.” Plant Physiology, 192(2), 1420–1434. https://doi.org/10.1093/plphys/kiad034 Avent, A. R., & Armitage, A. M. (2015). “Effects of Paclobutrazol and Pinching on Ornamental Pepper.” HortScience / Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science. ResearchGate: DOI 10.21273/HORTSCI. Hu, Q., Wei, Y., Gan, X., Zhang, O., Huangpu, J., Hu, B., & Wu, L. (2016). “Effects of pruning methods and harvest time on yield and benefit of pepper in greenhouse.” Jiangsu Agricultural Sciences, 44, 182–185. Resources: Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.com Gardening Courses: https://justgrowsomething.com/courses Just Grow Something Merch and Downloads: https://justgrowsomething.com/shop Just Grow Something Gardening Friends Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18YgHveF5P/ Check out how you can become a patron on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JustGrowSomething Feed my coffee habit: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething Get 10% off and FREE shipping on my favorite raised planters at Planter Box Direct using code JUSTGROW10: https://planterboxdirect.com/?ref=593 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    28 min
  4. Growing Tomatoes, Peppers, and Lettuce in Pots - Ep. 298

    APR 28

    Growing Tomatoes, Peppers, and Lettuce in Pots - Ep. 298

    Last week on the show we talked about the basic considerations for growing in containers, and that included how to evaluate whether a crop is a good candidate for growing in a pot. This week we’re digging into the three crops I get asked about the most often when it comes to growing in containers: tomatoes, peppers, and lettuce. And while, technically, you can grow most anything in the right sized pot, these three are the ones folks tend to try first, so we’re going to get specific on them. And yes, each one of them can be very productive in a container. Welcome back to Just Grow Something, I’m Karin Velez, a horticulturist and market farmer who has grown in containers in some way, shape, or form for probably 18 of the 20-plus years I’ve been gardening. I have grown in 6-inch pots all the way up to 100-gallon grow bags – yes, I said 100-gallon and, in all fairness, that’s more like a raised planter bed than a pot – but I’ve been really successful in most instances with just a few failures along the way and I want to teach you how to avoid those mistakes with these popular crops. Let’s dig in. University Extension References Penn State Extension — Container Vegetable Gardening: Four Keys to Success: https://extension.psu.edu/container-vegetable-gardening-four-keys-to-success Penn State Extension — Growing Vegetables and Flowers in Containers: https://extension.psu.edu/growing-vegetables-and-flowers-in-containers Oregon State University Extension — Grow Your Own Peppers (EC 1227): https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/ec-1227-grow-your-own-peppers University of Missouri Extension — Container Gardens to Supply Your Salads: https://extension.missouri.edu/news/container-gardens-to-supply-your-salads North Carolina A&T State University Cooperative Extension — Growing Fruiting Vegetables in Containers: Tomato, Pepper and Eggplant: https://www.ncat.edu/caes/cooperative-extension/covid-19/fruiting-vegetables.php Resources: Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.com Gardening Courses: https://justgrowsomething.com/courses Just Grow Something Merch and Downloads: https://justgrowsomething.com/shop Just Grow Something Gardening Friends Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18YgHveF5P/ Check out how you can become a patron on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JustGrowSomething Feed my coffee habit: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething Get 10% off and FREE shipping on my favorite raised planters at Planter Box Direct using code JUSTGROW10: https://planterboxdirect.com/?ref=593 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    26 min
  5. Container Gardening 101 - Ep. 297

    APR 21

    Container Gardening 101 - Ep. 297

    No yard? No tiller? No problem. If you've got a patio, a porch, a balcony, or even a sunny driveway, you can grow a real, productive vegetable garden in containers. Today on Just Grow Something, we walk through the essentials of container gardening from the ground up: how to evaluate whether a crop is a good candidate for a pot, how to pick the right container size based on root system and mature plant size, what kind of soil to use (and what NOT to use), how to feed your plants organically, and the special considerations that make container growing a little different than growing in the ground — things like light, drainage, airflow, watering, and trellising. Whether you're a total beginner or someone adding containers to an existing garden, you'll walk away knowing how to get your best start. Let’s dig in! SHOW NOTES & RESOURCES Resources • Just Grow Something Garden Planning Workbook — https://justgrowsomething.com/shop • Plan Like a Pro Course — https://justgrowsomething.thinkific.com • Days to Maturity reference chart — https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/maturity • The Cantry, Belton MO: https://thecantrypantry.com/?page_id=357 • Fabric Grow Bags: https://amzn.to/4vHDHSO • Fish Emulsion: https://amzn.to/4sM7nvg • Kelp Concentrate: https://amzn.to/4u0dcq7 Quick-Reference: Container Size by Crop Small containers (2 gallons, 4–6 in. deep): • Lettuce, spinach, arugula, salad greens, radishes, scallions, basil, cilantro, thyme, mint Medium containers (3–5 gallons, 10–12 in. deep): • Bush beans, Swiss chard, beets, short carrots, dwarf tomatoes, dwarf peppers, compact eggplant, kale, cabbage, larger herbs Large containers (8–15+ gallons, 12–16+ in. deep): • Standard tomatoes (determinate), peppers, eggplant, cucumbers, summer squash, broccoli, large herbs like rosemary Extra-large containers (15–25+ gallons, 18–24 in. deep): • Indeterminate tomatoes, winter squash, large sweet peppers, long-season superhot peppers, bush melons Quick-Reference: Light Requirements • Fruiting vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, cucumbers, squash): 6–8+ hours direct sun • Root vegetables (carrots, beets, radishes): at least 6 hours • Leafy greens (lettuce, spinach, chard, kale) and most herbs: at least 4 hours Simple Organic Feeding Schedule • At planting: Mix a balanced granular organic fertilizer (e.g., 4-6-4) into potting mix per label rate. • Every 2 weeks during the growing season: Water with diluted fish emulsion or fish-and-kelp blend (follow label; skip the first 2–3 weeks after transplanting). • When fruiting plants start to flower: Switch to a lower-nitrogen, higher-phosphorous and potassium feed (e.g., 3-4-6 tomato & vegetable formula). University Extension References  https://extension.umd.edu/resource/types-containers-growing-vegetables University of Maryland Extension — Types of Containers for Growing Vegetables https://extension.umd.edu/resource/maintaining-container-grown-vegetables University of Maryland Extension — Maintaining Container Grown Vegetables https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/growing-vegetables-containers/ University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension — Growing Vegetables in Containers (XHT1278) https://extension.psu.edu/container-vegetable-gardening-four-keys-to-success Penn State Extension — Container Vegetable Gardening: Four Keys to Success https://extension.psu.edu/growing-vegetables-and-flowers-in-containers Penn State Extension — Growing Vegetables and Flowers in Containers https://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/container-gardening-grow-vegetables-even-without-yard-space Oregon State University Extension — Container Gardening: Grow Vegetables Even Without Yard Space Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.com Gardening Courses: https://justgrowsomething.com/courses Just Grow Something Merch and Downloads: https://justgrowsomething.com/shop Just Grow Something Gardening Friends Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18YgHveF5P/ Check out how you can become a patron on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JustGrowSomething Feed my coffee habit: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething Get 10% off and FREE shipping on my favorite raised planters at Planter Box Direct using code JUSTGROW10: https://planterboxdirect.com/?ref=593 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    41 min
  6. Succession Planting 101: How to Keep Your Garden Producing from Spring Through Frost - Ep. 296

    APR 14

    Succession Planting 101: How to Keep Your Garden Producing from Spring Through Frost - Ep. 296

    Empty beds mean missed harvests. But with the right plan, they're completely avoidable. Today on Just Grow Something I'm walking you through succession planting and relay planting, the strategies that keep your garden productive not just across space, but across time. Whether you're dealing with a four-month growing season or gardening in year-round heat, there's a succession approach that works for your climate. I break down the three types of succession crops, explain how to build a planting calendar that eliminates gaps, and get into relay planting, where you plant your next crop into your current one before it's even finished so there's never a moment of wasted ground. I've also included a full dos and don'ts list, because a few key mistakes can turn a great succession plan into a depleted bed and a missed season. In this episode: The four types of succession planting and when to use each one Rapid, mid-range, and long-season crops and how to succession plant each category Why cucumbers, zucchini, and squash practically require succession planting (and exactly how I do it) Relay planting: how it works, why it's different from interplanting, and some of my favorite pairs Succession strategies by climate: short season, mid-range, and long hot season A full dos and don'ts list, including the disease rotation mistake most gardeners don't see coming This episode pairs with last week's episode on interplanting — together, they give you a complete system for filling every bed, every season. Episode References Episode 43: Succession Planting, Relay Planting, and Interplanting Episode 204: Top Crops to Plant in Succession Throughout the Summer Episode 295 (previous): Interplanting Done Right — High, Low, Fast, Slow Resources Days to Maturity reference chart — justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/maturity Just Grow Something Garden Planning Workbook — justgrowsomething.com/shop Plan Like a Pro Course — justgrowsomething.thinkific.com Succession Crop Quick Reference Rapid Succession (plant every 2–3 weeks): Lettuce, spinach, arugula, radishes, cilantro, green onions, baby bok choy Mid-Range Succession (plant every 3–4 weeks): Bush beans, cucumbers, summer squash/zucchini, determinate tomatoes, sweet corn Split Succession (spring + fall, something else in between): Carrots, beets, broccoli, snap beans (in hot climates), cucumbers & squash (in hot climates) Great Relay Planting Pairs: Spring lettuce → tomatoes → fall lettuce Garlic/onions → peppers Bok choy → summer squash Carrots → sweet corn → carrots Peas → beans or cucumbers Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.com Gardening Courses: https://justgrowsomething.com/courses Just Grow Something Merch and Downloads: https://justgrowsomething.com/shop Just Grow Something Gardening Friends Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18YgHveF5P/ Check out how you can become a patron on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JustGrowSomething Feed my coffee habit: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething Get 10% off and FREE shipping on my favorite raised planters at Planter Box Direct using code JUSTGROW10: https://planterboxdirect.com/?ref=593 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    37 min
  7. Interplanting Done Right: The High, Low, Fast, Slow Method for Bigger Harvests - Ep. 295

    APR 7

    Interplanting Done Right: The High, Low, Fast, Slow Method for Bigger Harvests - Ep. 295

    What if you could get more food from the exact same garden space, without expanding a single bed? That's the promise of interplanting, and today on Just Grow Something I break down exactly how to do it right. Building on the "high, low, fast, slow" mantra I use in my own garden and teach in my Plan Like a Pro course, I walk you through the framework that makes interplanting work and the common mistakes that turn it into overcrowding. I cover what to consider before you ever put two plants together (mature size, water needs, nutrient timing, and allelopathy), then get practical with six beginner-friendly pairings that are low-risk and high-reward, plus advanced combinations and experiments for experienced gardeners ready to push further. I've also put together a clear list of dos and don'ts to keep on hand when you're planning your beds. In this episode: What interplanting, intercropping, and companion planting actually mean The "high, low, fast, slow" framework and how to apply it to any bed What to know about your plants before pairing them (and what can go wrong if you don't) Six beginner pairings: tomatoes + basil, lettuce + tomatoes, radishes + carrots, peas + spinach, garlic + peppers, cucumbers + lettuce Advanced ideas: trap cropping, stacked seasonal beds, the Three Sisters and beyond A full dos and don'ts list for interplanting success Let's dig in! Episode References Episode 180: Interplanting to Maximize Your Harvest: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/interplanting-to-maximize-your-harvest-ep-180 Episode 247: Smarter Planting for Bigger Harvests – Interplanting Strategies: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/smarter-planting-for-bigger-harvests-interplanting-strategies-ep-247 254 – Spring Interplanting Strategies: What Worked, What Flopped, and Why: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/spring-interplanting-strategies-what-worked-what-flopped-and-why-ep-254 Resources "Gardening with the Moon Around the World" by Vergers du Monde: https://amzn.to/4cuSmcj Companion Planting Chart download: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/companion Days to Maturity reference chart: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/maturity Just Grow Something Garden Planning Workbook: https://justgrowsomething.com/shop/p/just-grow-something-garden-planning-workbook Plan Like a Pro Course: https://justgrowsomething.thinkific.com Quick-Reference: Beginner Pairings Tomatoes + Basil — HIGH/SLOW + LOW/MED Lettuce + Tomatoes — LOW/FAST + HIGH/SLOW Radishes + Carrots — FAST + SLOW Peas + Spinach — HIGH/FAST + LOW/SLOW Garlic/Onions + Peppers — timing/space efficiency Cucumbers on trellis + Lettuce beneath — HIGH/SLOW + LOW/FAST Next week: succession planting — the strategy that keeps your beds productive across time, not just space. Get 10% off 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 Gardening Courses: https://justgrowsomething.com/courses Just Grow Something Merch and Downloads: https://justgrowsomething.com/shop Just Grow Something Gardening Friends Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18YgHveF5P/ Check out how you can become a patron on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JustGrowSomething Feed my coffee habit: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    42 min
  8. Your Greenhouse Operating Manual - Ep. 294

    MAR 31

    Your Greenhouse Operating Manual - Ep. 294

    Get my greenhouse selection guide to help you choose which protected growing structure is right for you: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/greenhouse A protected growing structure isn’t “set it and forget it” but a microclimate you manage. In this final episode of our greenhouse mini-series, you’ll get a practical operating manual for cold frames, low tunnels, caterpillar tunnels, high tunnels, and home greenhouses. We’ll cover ventilation, heating and cooling strategies, watering and irrigation basics, container vs raised-bed vs in-ground considerations, pollination management, and an evidence-based approach to pest and disease control. We’ll also tackle a topic many gardeners miss until something goes wrong: soil health under cover, including salt buildup, nutrient imbalances, and why protected soils often need a different fertility strategy than open-field beds. Let’s dig in! Resources: The thermometer/hygrometer I use to monitor my greenhouse and other garden structures: https://amzn.to/4th56Ja NRCS (USDA) — Controlling the High Tunnel Environment: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/Controlling-High-Tunnel-Environment.pdf Oklahoma State University Extension — The Hobby Greenhouse: https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/the-hobby-greenhouse-2 Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.com Gardening Courses: https://justgrowsomething.com/courses Just Grow Something Merch and Downloads: https://justgrowsomething.com/shop Just Grow Something Gardening Friends Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18YgHveF5P/ Check out how you can become a patron on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JustGrowSomething Feed my coffee habit: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    41 min
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4.9
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74 Ratings

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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