Just Grow It: The Podcast

For a garden to thrive, it needs a combination of vital nutrients. The quantity of nutrients the plants require to thrive determine which category they fall into; Macronutrients, Secondary, and micronutrients. Macronutrients are needed in the most significant amounts, and they are also the nutrients notated on the front of the package. The secondary nutrients are vital but required in smaller quan...

I love the concept of being able to choose in life.  When it comes to gardening, you have to make many choices.  Which seeds should I plant, do  I need to extend the garden, and where should I buy my soil?  Depending on your needs, the answer changes.  Since we know that soil is the lifeblood of a garden, let's talk about where to purchase it from? Check out this episode of JUST GROW IT, where we...

This no-dig method is my favorite way of creating a new inground bed. It minimizes the amount of physical work done to make new beds. What's better than not having backaches from digging up the grass? It is a straightforward process that will aid in creating some great gardening spaces. This no-dig method also helps minimize weed and grass growth. Check out this episode of JUST GROW IT, where we d...

There is nothing more practical than an inground bed.  You don't need any extra tools to create it; Just a shovel, some time, and a desire.  If I had the choice, I would put them everywhere.  These are my favorite types of beds. I don't know why but they just are.  Maybe it is because I feel a deeper connection to the land when using these beds.  Or perhaps it's because they transport my mind back...

When you enter a gardening store or nursery for the first time, it can be overwhelming.  All the different soil varieties you see in front of you could confuse you, especially if you are a new gardener.  Making sure to pick the right soil type for your gardening application can help make or break your gardening season. There are pros and cons to each of the soil types. Check out this episode of JU...

Seeds are powerful and impressive. They are packed with enough nutrients to start life and thrive. To get seeds to germinate, they need to go through a process known as stratification.  Stratification is the condition you expose seeds to germinate.  There are different types of stratifications; Warm, cold, dry, or moist. Check out this episode of JUST GROW IT, where we discuss stratification and c...

"Don't forget to drink water and get sunlight. You're basically a houseplant with more complicated emotions. The similarities and plants are endless.  Just like humans need certain macronutrients, plants are no different.  While the essential nutrients required by plants and humans differ, the concept is still the same.  These macronutrients provide plants with more than 75% of the necessary nutri...

Have you ever heard of the term black gold? Well, that is how experienced farmers and gardeners refer to compost. Compost is the by-product of composting which is a naturally occurring cycle of decomposition.  Done correctly, you can have a microbial and nutrient-rich product.  But, done incorrectly, you could end up with a smelly anaerobic pile that is more of a home to pests than a working pile....

During the fall, we are given a gift.  This gift is leaves.  Rather than throw these leaves away, I will provide you with a few different ways to use them productively in the garden.  Check out this episode of JUST GROW IT, where we discuss how to productively use leaves in the garden.

We all know the benefits of compost, but a specific type of compost is magical.  This type of compost is called leaf mold.  Leaf mold is soil that consists of decayed leaves.  A fungal-rich soil amendment that can do wonders for your garden.  When added to your garden, leaf mold acts as compost, mulch, and a soil amendment.   Check out this episode of JUST GROW IT, where we discuss the benefits of...

Soil amendments and fertilizers are two different things. One is meant to improve soil characteristics while one delivers specific macro and micronutrients. Unfortunately, people often confuse fertilizers and amendments. Check out this episode of JUST GROW IT, where we discuss the difference between fertilizer and amendments.

Fall is here, so that means it is time to start your fall crops.  Wait, you thought gardening was only a spring and summertime thing? Where I live, you have a better chance for success with a fall garden instead of a spring garden.  Some pests that plague the garden in the spring, destroying your crops, are preparing to shut it down for the remainder of the year.   Check out this episode of JUST G...

I don’t care what anyone says when it comes to gardening, success or failure rests on, or better yet, in your soil.  Soil is the blood of the garden. All of the interactions between the various organisms, hyphae, fungi, bacteria, and the invertebrates in the garden make up the soil food web. With more microorganisms in a teaspoon, there are people on the planet; it is easy to see why.  The soil fo...

Mulching is one of the purest and most beneficial practices you can use in a garden.  It has the power to change the health of the soil over one season by protecting the ground, providing a protective layer of material on top of the soil.  Leaving soil exposed to the elements can cause erosion of topsoil and promote weed growth.  For some reason, people only seem to associate mulching with the aes...

When you first get into gardening, you need to understand that not everything will not grow everywhere!  Despite how much you may want to grow something, most times, it is not happening.  That is because plants originated in different world areas and were then brought to America or other countries.  To assist farmers and gardeners, the USDA recorded high and low temperatures for different areas in...

The idea of interplanting may be the best-kept secret of gardening. This gardening technique can help increase your yields, get a head start on an upcoming season, and decrease the amount of time spent weeding.  Are you already practicing this technique, just unaware?   Check out this episode of JUST GROW IT

Do you want to have consistent, predictable harvests?  Well as predictable as possible, because we all know nature has a mind of its own.  To achieve this goal, you have to understand the concept of succession panting.  Learn more about succession planting and the benefits in this episode.

As a beginner gardener, the term frost dates are something you will hear or see often.  Every seed catalog or website you come across will have these two terms First Frost date and last frost date. These terms are essential for gardeners.  Misinterpret or neglect this information, and you risk reduced or decreased harvest, stunted growth, or even worse, killing your plants.

There are many health benefits associated with gardening, and the actual produce you get from the plants is only one.   In this episode of JUST GROW IT, we talk about five health benefits you get from gardening.

Only have limited space but still want to garden?  Well, then container gardening is a perfect option for you.  It allows you to turn anywhere into a thriving garden.  But you cannot simply throw soil in a pot and expect to be successful.  No, no, no, that is a recipe for failure.  But don’t worry. This short episode will discuss five tips that can help get your container gardening experience off...

Edible flowers and fantastic food go together.  I was unaware of that until I met Bee, an edible flower enthusiast.  Introduced to gardening when young, Bee just knew that flowers and food meshed well.  Bee’s love for edible flowers has taken her all across the map, from Thailand to Mexico and even Canada, where she owned a bakery.  Want to learn more?  Check out this episode of JUST GROW IT   In...

How do I know whether to seed my garden or grow/purchase my transplants from a nursery?  Well, that depends on what you are growing and what season it is.  Each method has its benefits and drawbacks. Check out this episode of JUST GROW IT to learn when to use which method.

One of the most critical factors that can make or break a garden is access to water.  A newly planted garden cannot grow or thrive without water.  Did you know that there was a proper way to water a garden?  I mean, you could just grab a hose and begin making it rain on the plants, but this could lead to problems down the road.  Following these tips will help increase the productivity of your gard...