Organic Gardening For Beginners: Tips To Plan And Grow Your Own Productive Garden

It's planting time! Finally, the month of the last spring frosts is here and we're able to plant out so many things. Tomatoes, peppers, squash, zinnia, sunflower, and so many more summer crops can make their way tot the garden. 📩 Questions? Email me at jessica@homegrownfoodandflowers.com Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps new gardeners find the show 💚 💻 Website and Blog: Homegrown Food and Flowers 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homegrownfoodandflowers/

You've got a flat of plants, a garden almost ready to plant out, and no time to get it done. Sound familiar? This episode will give you seven tips to help you get your garden in the ground with a minimum of fuss and no time wasted on tasks that don't move the needle the way you want it to go. -Which seedlings you should buy at this point in the season for earlier harvest -Why getting a trellis in at planting will save you time later on -My favorite way to spread mulch quickly -and a few other tips learned along the way. Happy gardening! 📩 Questions? Email me at jessica@homegrownfoodandflowers.com Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps new gardeners find the show 💚 💻 Website and Blog: Homegrown Food and Flowers 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homegrownfoodandflowers/

If you're still wondering what to plant, this episode lays it all out for you. Short and snappy instructions tell you how to lay out a single 4x8 raised bed with the right combination and location of your plants so they all thrive and you get months of harvests of fresh veggies, flowers, and herbs. If you want a more detailed seasonal guide, snag a copy of my Garden Layout Templates that provide a visual guide to bring you from season to season without a bare spot in the garden or your kitchen. Purchases help support the show and your garden. Win-win! Happy gardening! 📩 Questions? Email me at jessica@homegrownfoodandflowers.com Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps new gardeners find the show 💚 💻 Website and Blog: Homegrown Food and Flowers 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homegrownfoodandflowers/

Here is an amazing list of resources during the peak learning time of the season. Plants are going in, seeds are getting started, and these channels will help you learn so much, from composting to self sufficiency to growing flowers in soil blocks. Huw Richards Charles Dowding Shifting Roots No-Till Growers: I misspoke here and said No Till Farmer, so make sure to search for himm as “No-Till Growers” Epic Gardening Growing In The Garden Regenerative Gardening with Blossom and Branch Farm Self Sufficient Me Check them out because I guarantee you'll find at least one new channel to add to your rotation! 📩 Questions? Email me at jessica@homegrownfoodandflowers.com Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps new gardeners find the show 💚 💻 Website and Blog: Homegrown Food and Flowers 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homegrownfoodandflowers/

📩 Questions? Email me at jessica@homegrownfoodandflowers.com Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps new gardeners find the show 💚 💻 Website and Blog: Homegrown Food and Flowers 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homegrownfoodandflowers/

Soil, fertilizers, compost, and more can all be so confusing when getting your garden started. This episode breaks it down in a very simplified manner that will help you know the next step you need to take to get your garden ready for the season. I mention a ton of resources, including: My seed starting recipe: 4 parts coco coir (or peat moss) 1 part compost, worm castings, or a mix .5 part vermiculite (sometimes more depending on the weather. In warmer weather, I add more because it holds moisture) .5 part perlite Sprinkle of azomite according to package application instructions Mix everything well and moisten before sowing seeds in the mix JADAM with Huw Richards YouTube video In-Bed Worm Composting with Angela from Growing In The Garden Soil Amending Simplified by Jesse Frost of No-Till Growers, an awesome soil scientist and farmer 📩 Questions? Email me at jessica@homegrownfoodandflowers.com Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps new gardeners find the show 💚 💻 Website and Blog: Homegrown Food and Flowers 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homegrownfoodandflowers/

Don't let your seedlings go into shock or die after you spent all that time growing them! In today's episode you'll learn about: What is hardening off? How do I harden off my seedlings? What's the best time of day to transplant Ways to protect seedlings: row covers, low tunnels Beginner mistakes Grab your seed starting checklist here with a full hardening off schedule: Seed Starting Checklist Then get your Garden Layout Templates to plan out what/where/how many of everything you'll grow this year! 📩 Questions? Email me at jessica@homegrownfoodandflowers.com Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps new gardeners find the show 💚 💻 Website and Blog: Homegrown Food and Flowers 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homegrownfoodandflowers/

Seed starting is in full swing, and I've been getting a bunch of questions about the process. So this episode will share the answers I've been giving and help you in your own seed starting efforts. Questions include: Why aren't your seeds covered? Why don't you cover your seed trays? What's damping off? What are leggy seedlings? If the soil is too cold, will my seeds rot or sprout once it warms up? How many seeds per hole or cell? What if you plant too many seeds? Get all the answers, and hear which seed companies I regularly shop from. Each one has a specialty that makes them my go-to, from medicinal herbs to a wide choice of flower varieties. Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds Pinetree Garden Seeds True Leaf Market Swallowtail Seeds Uprising Seeds 📩 Questions? Email me at jessica@homegrownfoodandflowers.com Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps new gardeners find the show 💚 💻 Website and Blog: Homegrown Food and Flowers 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homegrownfoodandflowers/

It's March! In the gardening world, that's a big signal to get started with sowing indoors and out. In this episode I'll have several lists for you, including veggies, flowers, and herbs to start indoors or direct sow, quick ways to get new garden beds up and running before prime planting time, and a few tips to help you have your garden plan ready for the season. I mention a few resources in this episode, which you can find here: Garden Layout Templates by yours truly. Check out a bird's eye view of planning out your whole year, plus get sample layouts for five different gardens. The Self-Sufficiency Garden by Huw Richards Cattle Panel Greenhouse Build by Mount Liberty Designs 📩 Questions? Email me at jessica@homegrownfoodandflowers.com Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps new gardeners find the show 💚 💻 Website and Blog: Homegrown Food and Flowers 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homegrownfoodandflowers/

Spring is such a busy time of year that even knowing where to start can seem overwhelming. This episode breaks down how to avoid that overwhelm and instead learn how to take full advantage of your space and season, starting this spring. Use methods like succession planting, relay planting, transitioning beds, and overwintering to always have something growing in the garden, whether it's cold-hardy spring veggies or heat-loving summer flowers. Companion planting will help you squeeze in even more crops by sharing space, such as growing tomatoes up the pea trellis as summer rolls in, or planting lettuce in the spot you just pulled a carrot out of. To help you out with your planning and layouts, I created a set of Garden Layout Templates that can help you get a birds-eye view of your space and growing season. With templates for single beds, multiple beds, and container or border gardens, you'll find a cheat sheet that works for your space. Combine your Layout Templates with the free Garden Planning Toolkit and you have what you need for a full garden year. Grab your Garden Layout Templates and follow along with this episode to get a clear plan for your season! 📩 Questions? Email me at jessica@homegrownfoodandflowers.com Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps new gardeners find the show 💚 💻 Website and Blog: Homegrown Food and Flowers 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homegrownfoodandflowers/

📩 Questions? Email me at jessica@homegrownfoodandflowers.com Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps new gardeners find the show 💚 💻 Website and Blog: Homegrown Food and Flowers 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homegrownfoodandflowers/

Figuring out how to get your garden started is the next step once you know what you want to grow. But how exactly do you do that? Today, I’m breaking down the difference between direct sowing and indoor seed starting so you can choose the right method for you. Plus, I have a list of crops you should consider for each method to have the best chance of success. Don't forget to download your Garden Planning Toolkit and use the sowing calendar to find your dates as well as which method I recommend for all your crops: Garden Planning Toolkit Happy gardening! 📩 Questions? Email me at jessica@homegrownfoodandflowers.com Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps new gardeners find the show 💚 💻 Website and Blog: Homegrown Food and Flowers 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homegrownfoodandflowers/

It's February in the garden, and that opens up the possibility for SO MANY things to do, from starting a whole slew of seeds to attending local workshops to visiting fruit tree nurseries. You won't be bored this month, and after this episode, you'll have a to-do list (and seed starting list!) a mile long. Grab your free Garden Planning Toolkit to lock in seed starting dates with a frost date calendar. Happy gardening! 📩 Questions? Email me at jessica@homegrownfoodandflowers.com Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps new gardeners find the show 💚 💻 Website and Blog: Homegrown Food and Flowers 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homegrownfoodandflowers/

Welcome back to this episode where I dive into the world of gardening with a seasonal twist. I'm Jessica, and in this episode, we cap off our January garden planning series with some golden nuggets of wisdom to take you from planning to planting. If you're a newbie or a seasoned pro, this episode is your trusty guide to syncing your garden with the seasons. We kick things off by deciphering frost dates and growing seasons. I'll show you how to use these dates to create a planting calendar that aligns with your local climate. Remember, 'planted is better than perfect,' so don't stress about hitting every date precisely. And if you've missed our previous chats, episodes 39 to 41 are there for a quick catch-up, plus a handy downloadable calendar to keep things smooth. Next, we'll dive into how frost dates inform when to plant your seeds. You'll get practical advice on starting warm-season veggies like tomatoes indoors and why cold-hardy plants like snap peas can go straight into the garden earlier. The goal is to craft a planting schedule that leads to a full garden all season. Then, we ease into simple gardening strategies. I encourage starting with a few plants after the frost date using local seedlings. This way, you avoid overwhelming yourself with too many details. I also touch on adapting garden plans, like when I moved mid-season, and share some tips on extending your growing season with methods like low tunnels and row covers. Happy gardening! find your frost dates: Dave's Garden frost dates Farmer's Almanac frost dates Here's a great article I wrote that gives you a solid example of planting within your frost dates with cosmos flowers. 📩 Questions? Email me at jessica@homegrownfoodandflowers.com Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps new gardeners find the show 💚 💻 Website and Blog: Homegrown Food and Flowers 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homegrownfoodandflowers/

It's all about learning from past gardening mistakes this week! I've committed many common rookie mistakes over my years of gardening, and I want to share some of the easy-to-avoid ones with you this week to help you have an easier season! Here are couple of past episodes I'm mention this week: 012: Best (Free!) Organic Mulches For The Home Garden 011: How to Create A Garden Maintenance Schedule You Can Stick To And the YouTube channel Regenerative Gardening I mention when talking about the value in experimenting in the garden. Don't forget to download your Garden Planning Toolkit and start plotting out your sowing dates: Garden Planning Toolkit 📩 Questions? Email me at jessica@homegrownfoodandflowers.com Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps new gardeners find the show 💚 💻 Website and Blog: Homegrown Food and Flowers 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homegrownfoodandflowers/

Unlock the secrets to a thriving organic garden with my deep dive into planning and preparation strategies that go beyond the norm. 1. Establish Your Garden Priorities: - Discover the art of maximizing your gardening season, making the most of limited space, and creating a tranquil haven where productivity takes a back seat to the simple joys of gardening. 2. Companion Planting and Mulch: - I'm back to talking about the magic of companion planting! Mulching is another essential gardening practice. Learn why these two methods are the secret sauce for my garden, inspired by the natural diversity found in ecosystems. 3. Be Flexible and Open-Minded: - Understand the importance of flexibility in gardening. From unexpected frost to curious kids and rainy springs, I discuss how to adapt and pivot when challenges throw your plans off track. 4. Mastering Seed Starting: - Delve into the world of seed starting and unlock a realm of possibilities. Learn how starting your seeds can deepen your understanding of your garden, introduce you to new varieties, and extend your growing season. 5. Use What You Grow: - Beyond just growing, discover the joy of using what you grow. From cooking and canning to crafting medicinals and creating stunning bouquets, find ways to make your garden an integral part of your daily life. Check out the show notes for a curated checklist and calendar to help you implement these strategies in your garden. Don't miss this episode if you're ready to take your gardening to the next level! Don't forget to download your Garden Planning Toolkit and start marking down your sowing dates: Garden Planning Toolkit 📩 Questions? Email me at jessica@homegrownfoodandflowers.com Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps new gardeners find the show 💚 💻 Website and Blog: Homegrown Food and Flowers 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homegrownfoodandflowers/

What better way to start the garden season than a reminder of three gardening truths that can help you avoid overwhelm, analysis paralysis, and disappointment if things don't go to plan? Embracing these truths has not only simplified my gardening routine but has also amplified the joy I derive from nurturing my garden. As a long time gardener, a mom, and a busy small business owner, these gardening truths have helped me keep perspective. Listen in and see if they help you start this season with confidence. Ready to start planning your garden now? Snag the new Garden Planning Toolkit and get your sowing schedule sorted, set up your seasonal checklists, and use the monthly calendar pages as a companion to the popular monthly to-do episodes. 📩 Questions? Email me at jessica@homegrownfoodandflowers.com Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps new gardeners find the show 💚 💻 Website and Blog: Homegrown Food and Flowers 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homegrownfoodandflowers/

Happy New Year in the garden! Get ready for garden planning, seed sowing, and making (or shrinking) garden beds this year. Epsiode 038 will cover: - Tailored guidance for both warm and cold climate gardeners on transitioning their gardens from winter to spring. - Introduction of winter sowing, a low-cost, low-effort seed-starting method suitable for many plant varieties. - Insightful garden planning tips, including the assessment of last season's outcomes and considerations for expanding or downsizing garden space. - Emphasis on preparation and observation, highlighting the benefits of cover crops, raised beds, and noting environmental factors in the garden. - A spotlight on native plants and their benefits, encouraging gardeners to explore local plant sales for affordable, well-adapted options. - My personal plans and anticipation for the gardening activities January brings! It's time to grow again! Here are some great videos on how to start winter sowing: Veggies in zone 6 Sowing in zone 7 The tote method I'll most likely use 📩 Questions? Email me at jessica@homegrownfoodandflowers.com Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps new gardeners find the show 💚 💻 Website and Blog: Homegrown Food and Flowers 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homegrownfoodandflowers/

Listen in as I take a moment during the festive season to share heartfelt reflections on a year of transformation, both in my personal life and in my garden. Having uprooted from the familiar climate of Southern California to the distinct growing conditions of Western Oregon, I'm learning to grow in a new climate, new soil, and maximize our new property. I also give thanks for an amazing start to this podcast as I look back at the growth of the show since its launch in May, the inspiring feedback from my listeners, and what I plan for next year. As we gear up for another year of gardening adventures, I'm thrilled to lay out the plans for 2024. I'll be sharing my aspirations to expand our food production, add more flowers to support pollinators, and foster community connections through the farmers' market. Wishing everyone a joyous holiday season, let's cherish these moments with our loved ones and look forward to the growth and opportunities the new year brings. 📩 Questions? Email me at jessica@homegrownfoodandflowers.com Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps new gardeners find the show 💚 💻 Website and Blog: Homegrown Food and Flowers 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homegrownfoodandflowers/

Whether you live in a city apartment with only a small balcony or have a tiny backyard, there's no reason why you can't start an organic garden. In the latest episode of Organic Gardening for Beginners, I share some new strategies, experiences, and practical tips for maximizing you garden in small spaces. Small Space Organic Gardening Small spaces can easily limit our garden dreams, but it doesn't have to be this way. One of my main tips in this episode is going vertical when you're short on space. This approach maximizes space by utilizing trellises, arbors, hanging baskets, and stackable towers. Even unconventional or upcycled materials like rain gutters can be used to create a vertical garden or container space. Another key tip for maximizing a small gardening space is the concept of companion planting. This technique allows you to get more from your garden by planting crops that benefit each other. For example, you can plant tomatoes with basil, which is said to enhance the flavor of the tomatoes and will fill out your pots completely as the plants share space. Upcycle and Use Unusual Containers I've used shoe organizers, old wheelbarrow basins, and I even have rain gutters on my list as potential containers in a small space garden. You don't have to stick to pots and planters to find room for your plants! Stick to Dwarf and Compact Varieties You can avoid sprawling plants by growing compact or dwarf varieties of flowers and veggies like cucumber, nasturtium, sweet peas, zucchini, and even tomatoes. Compact varieties will free up a little more space for your plants and give you room to try new things. Tune in to this latest podcast episode and get all the deets and demos for your own small-space garden. Happy gardening! 📩 Questions? Email me at jessica@homegrownfoodandflowers.com Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps new gardeners find the show 💚 💻 Website and Blog: Homegrown Food and Flowers 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homegrownfoodandflowers/