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

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 [email protected]
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/

Gardening can easily turn into an expensive hobby, but it doesn’t have to! In this episode, I'll share practical tips and essential strategies to help you cultivate a healthy and productive garden while keeping your budget intact.
Thrifty Gardening Basics:
Explore cost-effective methods like reusing containers and opting for basic watering techniques.
Essential Budget-Friendly Tools:
Discover must-have tools that make gardening easier without burning a hole in your pocket.
Smart Seed Strategies:
Learn the art of buying seeds strategically and making them last longer.
What You Don’t Need:
Identify items that might seem essential but are actually optional when gardening on a budget.
Budget-Friendly Alternatives:
Explore cost-effective sources and substitutes for mulch, twine, plant labels, and more.
Gardening is not reserved for those with deep pockets. By adopting a thrifty approach, you can transform your garden into a beautiful, bountiful space without overspending. Remember, it’s all about making smart choices and utilizing resources creatively.
Happy gardening!
Things I mention:
Jim Kovaleski's no water garden : YouTube channel
Free mulch ideas: Episode 012: Best (Free!) Organic Mulches For The Home Garden
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds: free shipping over $10
Pinetree Garden Seeds: smaller packets for a lower price

📩 Questions? Email me at [email protected]
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/

Another month, another checklist! Though considering we're heading into the shorter and colder winter months, the checklist isn't all that long this month.
In this episode, we'll chat about some of the chores you can tackle, including taking care of your garden tools, mulching anything that you haven't yet covered, and
Plus, if you're just itching to get your hands dirty and missing the growing season feels already, I've got three fantastic options for you:
1. Plant spring flower bulbs like tulips, crocus, and daffodils. I'll even mention how to layer them in a pot if you're into container gardening.
2. Get some garlic, shallots, and onion sets into the ground.
3. Try sowing a flat of microgreens to keep getting fresh greens all winter.
Next, take a moment to reflect on this year's garden layout. Were your gardens overcrowded? Did some plants overshade others? Did plants succumb to certain diseases in a particular spot? Did you lack pollinators?
Adjust your garden layout for next year by thinking about anything you want to maintain or change.
Remember, it's never too early to start planning for next year!
If you're considering giving your garden layout a makeover or want to attract more pollinators, check out the Companion Planting Toolkit. You'll find templates to help you redesign your beds and come up with some exciting combos for next year.
This Saturday, 11/11/23, I'm releasing a bonus episode in honor of Veteran's Day. My husband just retired from 20 years in the US Marine Corps, and I'll be sharing how gardening has been my anchor as a military spouse.
So, if you're in a similar situation or a service member yourself, I want to thank you for your service and invite you to have a listen this weekend. Maybe it'll inspire you to start a garden, even if you're moving around duty stations. 🌱
Happy gardening! 🌼
Resources mentioned:
Companion Planting Toolkit : free!
Layering/lasagna flower bulb planting reference
Garden Planning Simplified printable planner

📩 Questions? Email me at [email protected]
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/

Are you tired of saying goodbye to your garden as the winter season approaches? Do you wish you could enjoy fresh produce from your backyard year-round? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then this episode post is for you!
Season Extension: Demystifying the Concept

Season extension is a simple concept that every gardener can employ, regardless of their experience level. It involves creating microclimates in your garden that can retain heat, thereby granting your plants a few extra weeks of growth even when the temperature drops.
The two easiest ways to get starting with this are row covers and low tunnels, and don't worry, they are not as intimidating as they sound.
Row covers are made from spun-bonded plastic, which creates a warm microclimate beneath them. Low tunnels, on the other hand, are built using PVC pipes that are covered with plastic. Both will create a warm environment for your plants to thrive in even as the temperatures drop outside.
Both these methods are simple to set up and budget-friendly, making them perfect for every gardener out there.
Constructing Seasonal Garden Coverings

Constructing row covers and low tunnels for season extension requires basic materials such as PVC pipes, plastic coverings, sandbags, and clips. To set up the PVC pipes, you can either push them directly into the ground on both sides of your bed or use rebar to create a more sturdy structure.
Once the framework is in place, simply drape your material over it and secure the ends using sandbags or clips.
One of the critical aspects of maintaining these microclimates is ensuring proper humidity control. Since these coverings increase humidity, you need to keep an eye out for potential pest activity and fungal growth. A simple trick I've found effective is creating a homemade trap with oil, tuna juice, and soy sauce to deal with pests like earwigs and slugs.
Keep in mind that the temperature within these covered areas can rise quickly on warm days, so open them periodically to prevent your plants from overheating. For this, just roll up the sides or open both ends so air can flow through on the cross breeze.
Mastering the art of season extension might seem daunting at first, but the benefits it offers are well worth the effort. Remember, it's all about trial and error. Don't be disheartened if things don't go as planned the first time around. Keep experimenting, learning, and most importantly, keep growing!
Here's the recipe and instructions for the bait trap I mentioned. Be ready to catch a ton of bugs! Slug and earwig bait traps
Here's a great article discussing row covers from the University of Maryland's extension office:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/row-covers

📩 Questions? Email me at [email protected]
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/

Even though a shady garden space isn't ideal for all gardeners, there are still a ton of options when choosing what to plant. Plus, with the tips in this episode, you might be able to adapt to your shady situation that you have in the past.

📩 Questions? Email me at [email protected]
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/