Grow Your Own Food

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—can be tricky. So I'm covering it all here! Need the sister post for product links? Here you go!

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 plant it with, how to care for, harvest and store it, PLUS how to pop it on the stove. (If you didn't already know.) Need the sister post? Here you go!

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 do to prevent storm damage, things you can do to fix storm damage, and when you should refrain from trying to fix storm damage so you don't wind up making things worse! See the sister post for this ep for pics!

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 hand pollinating and how to do it. Need to see the pics in the sister post? Here it is!

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 (organic!) ways to control them. Need to see the sister post for product links or pics? Here you go!

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 scared...I'll walk you through all of it. As always, check out the sister post for images and recipe ideas!

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 you just about everything you need to know about growing elderberries as part of an edible landscape! Need to see the sister post? Here it is!

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—some of the easiest plants to collect seeds from for next year's crops! There's lots of pics in the sister post, so be sure to check it out!

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 like are the best seven chores to receive your attention in June. Need to refer to the sister post? Here it is!

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 more. If you need the sister post for this episode, here it is!

And here's the link to the USDA's CSA directory.

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 struggle, listen in and learn about what's worked (and not worked!) for me. Need to see the pics in the sister post? Here it is!

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 do it if it's not the best time so you don't hurt your plants, and finally, several plants I've found from my own experience that can benefit from staking, from time to time. Need to see the sister post? Here it is!

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 manage them organically. Also, there's lots of great pics in the sister post for this episode, so be sure to check it out!

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 what to do with carrot tops all answered. Need to see the sister post? I got you.

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 you need to see the pictures in the sister post on Bee + Basil, here it is!

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 here) and a few things to watch out for after transplanting (also covered). Plus, there are so many yummy things you probably never think to do with it! I talk about the usual recipes, but I'm throwing out some wild ideas, too. For pictures and links to recipes, see the sister post for this episode.

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 a few things to know about how peanuts grow, what they need and how to harvest them. I'm covering all of that in this episode. And if you need to see pictures of the process, you can find them in the sister post on my blog!

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 the compost! You can do some good things (and do some good in your community) with them! Have a listen to find out what they are. And here's the sister post for this episode if you need it!

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 your nerves. Need to see the sister post? Here it is.

Also, here's the sister post for this episode.

And here's the Instagram video of me repotting basil seedlings if you'd like to see a reference!

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 recommendations, not just for their wide-ranging variety of uses, but also for their ease in starting and growing for beginner to intermediate gardeners. Need to see the sister post? Here it is!

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 you might want to listen to if you're thinking about growing it for the first time. Need to see the sister post? It's right here!

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 common fruits and vegetables home vegetable gardeners grow, and how easy—or difficult—they can be to grow from seed at home. Need to see the sister post? Here it is!

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 vegetables you can start from seeds in February, with timing notes for folks in cooler zones! Need to see the sister post? Here you go!

Bone meal is one of my favorite organic soil amendments and a GREAT way to make sure I'm using up everything I can from the chickens and turkeys we're eating during the holiday season. In this episode, I'm going over the easy, step-by-step process I use for making your own bone meal at home. Need the sister post? Here it is!

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 grow it from seed! I've got all the tips and tricks you need to do it right here. If you need to see the sister post, I've got that, too.

And if you're interested in my online course about how to start your own seedlings, from seed, at home? You can preview the course for free here!

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 sister post here.

Also, here's a link to my online course on seed starting, hosted by Udemy!

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 winter. They seriously go great on EVERYTHING. So in this episode, I'm walking you through exactly how to do it, with a few watchouts and pro-tips along the way. Here's the sister post for this seed-sprouty episode!

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 can help give bees, butterflies, wasps and beetles a very important leg up as they continue to experience habitat loss. Need to see the sister post for this episode? Here you go!

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 liiiiiiittle more comfortable with them. Hopefully. :) Need to see the sister post? Here it is!

Wanna sign up for my online course on how to start your own seedlings at home, from seed? Here's a link to the course on Udemy!

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 garden for 2021. ;) And here's the sister post!

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 episode a listen. Here's the sister post with all the links and resources I mention in this episode!

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 answer all those questions and several more. Need the sister post? Here you go!

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. And a tip for what to do with them if you decide not to! Here's the sister post for this episode, if you need it!

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 each year. Need to see the sister post? It's right here on my blog, Bee+Basil.

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 affordable—gift ideas for your favorite gardener in your life (including you). Need the links to products I'm recommending? You can find them here in the sister post to this episode on Bee + Basil!

And here's the link to my new online seed starting course, if you're interested!

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 the different ways I store my garlic—not just to make the most of my harvest, but also to make things easier on myself in the kitchen. See the sister post on the blog for product recommendations!

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 apply to you. :) Here's the sister post to this episode if you need it. And be sure to check out the latest seasonal recipes on the blog!

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! Need to see the sister post? Here you go!

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 veggies as fresh as possible for as long as possible. Need to reference the sister post for this episode? You can see it on Bee + Basil!

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 easy! Need to see pictures or ask a question? See the sister post for this episode on my website, Bee + Basil!

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 sizes to layout and more! Need to see pictures of the raised bed garden we built? Check out the sister post for this episode!

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 pros and cons, and their possibilities for pest control integration. Find pictures of our DIY raised bed garden we built in the sister post for this episode!

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 pictures? I got you. Here's a link to the sister post for this podcast episode!

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 the super easy "how" to do it. Need to see the sister post for this episode? Here it is!

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 apples before harvesting, and as always, be sure to see the sister post for this episode on my blog, Bee + Basil.

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! If you need it, here's the sister post to this episode, plus a link to my DIY bug spray recipe that incorporates tea tree oil.

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 great way to get started, and it requires very few supplies. In this episode, I talk through the supplies—which ones are 100% necessary and which ones you can do without (because I've done it)—as well as the do's and do not's of the canning process. Need pictures, product links or just a reference for later? See the sister post for this episode at beeandbasil.com.

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 here in the sister post for this episode. And you can find the recipe for the all-natural, essential oil bug spray here!

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 harvest, some common misconceptions and curing and storage info. Here's the sister post to this episode on Bee + Basil if you need it!