DiscoverHomegrown: Your Backyard Garden Podcast
Homegrown: Your Backyard Garden Podcast
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Homegrown: Your Backyard Garden Podcast

Author: Kathi Rodgers

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Grow a successful vegetable garden, no matter where you live.

25 Episodes
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Leave a comment here! Are you tired of tossing out wilted lettuce and moldy berries? In this episode I’m joined by Amy Cross of The Cross Legacy, the go-to expert on keeping produce fresh longer. We talk about how to wash and store everything from avocados to zucchini, how to stretch your garden harvest or your grocery budget, and easy ways to reduce food waste. Transcript: https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2025/09/how-to-keep-produce-fresh-longer-tips.html You'll find Amy at The Cross Leg...
Leave a comment here! Learn how to save seeds from your vegetable garden with this beginner-friendly guide. Discover the benefits of saving heirloom and open-pollinated seeds, how to avoid cross-pollination, and tips for proper seed storage. Whether you grow tomatoes, peppers, beans, or lettuce, this episode will teach you how to collect and preserve seeds for next season. Build a self-reliant garden and grow healthier, better-adapted vegetables year after year. Transcript/Related art...
Leave a comment here! Timing is everything when it comes to fall gardening; your plants need enough time to mature before the first frost of autumn. In this episode we'll figure out your average first frost date, the ideal time to plant, and what vegetables to grow in a fall garden. You'll learn how to protect tender seedlings from the heat and sun, plus how to extend your harvest with succession planting. Take advantage of autumn and grow a fall garden. Transcript/Related article: Wh...
Leave a comment here! Is your summer vegetable garden just barely hanging on? In this episode, I’m sharing ten practical strategies to help you grow a thriving garden, even when the heat is relentless and the pests move in. Uncover simple ways to water wisely, use shade to your advantage, and keep your plants healthy and productive all summer long. Transcript/Related post - Prefer to read instead? Secrets to a Thriving Summer Vegetable Garden https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2025/07/10-secret...
Leave a comment here! Squash bugs can ruin your squash harvest fast, but you can stop them without resorting to chemicals. In this episode, learn how to identify squash bug damage, how to begin prevention before you even plant your squash, and how to get rid of squash bugs organically. From resistant squash varieties and companion planting to organic pest control and prevention, you’ll get a full plan to protect your garden. Download your free printable “Companion plants for squash” here ( ...
Leave a comment here! You can grow more food without needing more space. In this episode, we’re exploring how vertical gardening can help you maximize your garden’s potential, even in a small area. From trellises to arches and cages, I’ll walk you through simple tools and techniques to grow crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, melons, and more - up instead of out. You’ll also discover why growing vertically isn’t just about saving space; there are some surprising benefits that can mak...
Leave a comment here! This week we're digging into the many benefits of growing flowers right alongside your vegetables. From controlling pests to attracting pollinators and improving soil health, flowers are more than just eye candy. Learn how to use flowers for companion planting, where to place trap crops for maximum pest protection, which flowers grow best with common vegetables - and which ones don't! Even if you’re gardening in containers, flowers can play a big role in your garden’s he...
Leave a comment here! You can grow fresh, homegrown food in just a few weeks! In this episode, you’ll discover some of the fastest-growing vegetables, plus when and how to harvest them. You’ll also learn about the quickest crops of all: sprouts and microgreens. Even if you’re short on time or space, you can grow food fast. Bonus: these quick-growing vegetables are perfect for beginners! What are the fastest-growing vegetables? How long before I can harvest looseleaf lettuce? How can I choose ...
Leave a comment here! Have you ever spotted a surprise seedling in your garden bed and wondered if it’s a weed or something worth keeping? In this episode we'll dive into the world of volunteer plants - those unexpected, self-sown seedlings that pop up on their own. You’ll learn where they come from, how to identify them, and whether to let them grow, move them to a better spot, or toss them in the compost. You'll find practical tips and fresh appreciation for the volunteer plants in yo...
Leave a comment here! Join host Kathi Rodgers and guest Amanda Freund as they share advice and tips for new gardeners, chat about farm life, and Amanda tells the story of the creation of CowPots, a sustainable alternative to peat and plastic seed-starting pots. Transcript/Related post Visit CowPots' website for more information: https://cowpots.com CowPots for home gardeners: https://cowpots.com/for-home-gardeners/ Keep in touch! Oak Hill Homestead website Facebook Instagram Pinterest ...
Leave a comment here! Timing is everything when it comes to transplanting tomatoes in your garden! In this episode, we're digging into how to transplant tomatoes the right way so they'll thrive in their new home. You'll learn when to transplant tomatoes outside, the best time of day to transplant tomatoes, and how deep to transplant tomatoes for strong, healthy plants. We’ll also talk about how to prevent and manage transplant shock in tomatoes. Give your tomatoes the best start possibl...
Leave a comment here! If you're growing tomatoes in your backyard vegetable garden, you'll probably have green tomatoes left on your plants at the end of the season. If you're wondering what you can do with those green tomatoes, you'll appreciate these suggestions to ripen your green tomatoes before the first fall frost, and to get the most out of your harvest. Can you make your green tomatoes turn red? Can you save your tomato plants from frost? What can you do with green tomatoes? You'll f...
Leave a comment here! Should you invest in a survival seed kit? These pre-packaged seeds are meant to be stored away long-term until you have to start growing your own food after an emergency or world-wide crisis. Here's why a survival seed kit might be a good option, but perhaps not your best option. I'll tell you why, and what to do instead - even if you already have a package of survival seeds stashed away for an uncertain future, which really isn't a bad idea! Transcript/Related Post: ...
Leave a comment here! In this episode, we explore nine summer vegetables that thrive in hot weather. Learn essential tips and suggestions for growing these heat-loving vegetables in your backyard garden. Plus, discover the secrets to maximizing your harvest from your garden this summer. Let's dig in! Transcript/Related Post: 9 Warm-Weather Vegetables for your Summer Garden https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2023/05/9-warm-weather-vegetables-to-grow.html Related Links: How to Transplant Toma...
Leave a comment here! Discover the benefits of composting for your vegetable garden, and the advantages of composting at home. Composting your yard waste and kitchen garbage is the best way to improve your garden. Here are four reasons you should be composting, in honor of Learn About Composting Day. RELATED POST: 4 Reasons You Should Be Composting https://bit.ly/compostreasons The natural antidepressant in dirt is mycobacterium vaccae. Purchase my ebook The Down-to-Earth Guide to Co...
Leave a comment here! Nine out of 10 gardeners grow tomatoes, making it the most popular garden vegetable to grow. And there are more than 10,000 varieties of tomatoes to choose from. Let’s explore the differences - heirlooms vs hybrid varieties, determinate vs indeterminate growing habits, and the six different sizes and shapes of tomatoes. Which one is best for you? It depends on what you want to do with your tomatoes - whether you want to add them to a salad, top a burger or sandwich, ma...
Leave a comment here! Discover seven easy-to-grow cool-season plants ideal for your backyard garden. From vibrant greens to flavorful root vegetables plus a delicious fruit, you'll learn about these easy-to-grow spring vegetables and why it's important that you know how to grow your own food. Transcript/related post: 7 Easy Cool-Season Vegetables to Plant Grow Guides Sweet and Sour Beet recipeEpisode 3: How to Plant Garlic Keep in touch! Oak Hill Homestead, the blog Facebook Instagra...
Leave a comment here! Potatoes are a great way to make ends meet, and you can save even more money by growing them in containers. There are a few things you need to pay attention to though, and we'll discuss them in this episode. Let's dig in! Transcript/related post: How to Plant Potatoes in Containers Keep in touch! Oak Hill Homestead, the blog Facebook Instagram Pinterest Subscribe and Review New episodes drop every other Tuesday - subscribe so you don’t miss a single one! If you’re en...
Leave a comment here! What will you grow in your backyard vegetable garden? Choosing what to grow in a garden can be overwhelming with all the choices that are available. These tips will walk you through the steps of how to choose the vegetables and fruits to plant in your backyard garden. You'll find suggested vegetable varieties for small gardens in Episodes #3 and #5. Transcript/related post: 7 Tips to Choose What to Plant in a Vegetable Garden Related Links: Dirty Dozen listFind your g...
Leave a comment here! Every inch of soil counts in a backyard garden, and raised garden beds can be a game-changer, an efficient solution with many benefits. From soil improvement to better use of your garden space, learn about the advantages of raised garden beds, and about some of the disadvantages too. Let’s dig in! Transcript/related post: The Advantages of Raised Garden Beds Get your free set of printable plans and materials list to build your own raised garden bed. Keep in touch! Oak...
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