The Chelsea Chop: How to Prune for Longer Blooms and Healthier Plants - Ep. 252
In this short and snippy episode, we dig into a classic gardening technique known as the Chelsea Chop. Named after the iconic RHS Chelsea Flower Show, this late spring/early summer pruning method can help home gardeners promote bushier growth, delay blooms for season-long color, and support pollinators with flowering perennials in the garden.If you’re looking to add more beauty to your veggie garden and boost the productivity of your perennials, this episode is your green-thumb guide to giving those flowers a haircut.Today on Just Grow Something we're talking:What the Chelsea Chop is and why it's doneIdeal plants for the technique (Echinacea, Rudbeckia, Sedum, Phlox, and more)Different pruning strategies and how to choose the right oneThe timing of the chop based on your climate and plant maturityBenefits for both aesthetics and garden health (more airflow, fewer pests!)The Chelsea Chop is more than just a cut—it's a strategic move to shape your garden and support pollinators. Let's dig in!References and Resources:Save 20% on your new own-root rose plant atHeirloomRoses.com with code JUSTGROW https://heirloomroses.comRHS Chelsea Chop: https://www.rhs.org.uk/pruning/chelsea-chopBBC Gardener's World, How to Do the Chelsea Chop: https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/how-to-do-the-chelsea-chop/Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.comJust Grow Something Merch andDownloads: https://justgrowsomething.com/shopJust Grow Something Gardening Friends Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18YgHveF5P/Check out how you can become a patron on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JustGrowSomethingBonus content for supporters of the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomethingAmazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething
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18:08
Can Gardening Actually Save You Money? - Ep. 251
There’s a persistent myth floating around on social media that gardening is too expensive to be worth the effort when it comes to saving money on groceries. But what if I told you that with the right strategies, your backyard (or balcony!) garden could not only feed your family but actually save you money?Today on Just Grow Something, we’re busting the myth thatgrowing your own food can’t compete with grocery store prices. We’ll explore how your location, soil type, and choices in the garden can make a huge difference in your return on investment. From essential tools and inputs to skip-the-splurge items and savvy seed saving, we’re diving deep into the real numbers and practical tips that make gardening not just a hobby—but a financially smart one. Let’s dig in!In This Episode, You’ll Learn:Why some crops offer more bang for your buck than othersWhat you really need to spend money on in your garden—and what you don’tHow to track your gardening costs and harvest value to measure your savingsBudget-friendly strategies like starting from seed, making your own compost, and using free or recycled materialsHow to choose crops and garden methods based on your climate and soil type for maximum returnReferences and Resources:Save 20% on your new own-root rose plant atHeirloomRoses.com with code JUSTGROW https://heirloomroses.com Get 10% off and FREE shipping on my favorite raisedplanters at Planter Box Direct using code JUSTGROW10: https://planterboxdirect.com/?ref=593USDA Inflation Tracking – Retail Produce Prices: https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/fruit-and-vegetable-prices Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.comJust Grow Something Merch andDownloads: https://justgrowsomething.com/shopJust Grow Something Gardening Friends Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18YgHveF5P/Check out how you can become a patron on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JustGrowSomethingBonus content for supporters of the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomethingAmazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething
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43:15
Potatoes, Transplants, Insect Netting, and More: Garden Q&A for Episode 250
Welcome to the 250th episode of the Just Grow Something podcast! 🎉Whether you've been listening since the beginning or just found the show, thank you for being part of this growing community. In this special milestone episode, we're digging into listener-submitted questions on a variety of timely gardening topics.In this episode:When seedlings are ready to transplant (what to look for beyond just "true leaves")How to properly plant using the Three Sisters method and why timing is keyWhat to do with sprouted or soft seed potatoes and how to plant them successfullyHow to manage Colorado potato beetles while supporting beneficial insects like ladybugsWhen and how to use insect netting effectively in your garden (and how to keep it from blowing away!)Winter sowing tips for celeriac and strategies when you can’t start seeds indoorsOrganic pest control tips for pill bugs, armyworms, grubs, and moreThe role of beneficial nematodes in controlling Japanese beetles and other soil pestsThese are all real questions from you, my gardening friends, submitted via email, social media, and our Facebook community. If one person is wondering, chances are others are too! Let's dig in!References and Resources:Save 20% on your new David Austin rose plant atHeirloomRoses.com with code JUSTGROW https://heirloomroses.comHow to Prepare Seedlings for Transplant into the Garden - Ep. 243: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/how-to-prepare-seedlings-for-transplant-into-the-garden-ep-243Ep. 131 - The Basics of Winter Sowing: Seed Starting Outdoors: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/ep-131-the-basics-of-winter-sowing-seed-starting-outdoorsMy favorite insect netting: https://amzn.to/3Fems6kAnd the fabric staples: https://amzn.to/45jjzLTArbico Organics Neemaseek: https://www.arbico-organics.com/product/nemaseek-beneficial-nematodes-hb-heterorhabditis-bacteriophora/beneficial-nematodesMilky Spore: https://www.arbico-organics.com/product/milky-spore-granular-bacillus-popillae/organic-lawn-carePyganic: https://amzn.to/4dsx9inSpinosad: https://amzn.to/4mpkdhcJust Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.comJust Grow Something Merch andDownloads: https://justgrowsomething.com/shopJust Grow Something Gardening Friends Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18YgHveF5P/Check out how you can become a patron on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JustGrowSomethingBonus content for supporters of the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomethingAmazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomethingJust Grow Something is a participant in the AmazonServices LLC Associates Program. Anytime you click on one of those links and proceed to make a purchase, we may receive a small percentage of the purchase price in the form of a commission directly from Amazon.
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33:23
Good Bug or Garden Pest? How to Identify Insects in Your Vegetable Garden – Ep. 249
Are all bugs in your garden bad news? Not at all! In fact,some insects are your best allies when it comes to pest control and plant health.Today on Just Grow Something, we’re talking about howto tell the difference between beneficial insects and destructive garden pests—even if you’re not an entomologist. Learn how to identify common bugs based on their behavior, body features, and habitat, and discoverwhich insects you want to attract to your garden and which ones to manage quickly.Whether you’re a new gardener confused about who’s chewing on your cabbage, or a seasoned grower wanting to attract more natural predators to your space, this episode has practical tips for observing, identifying, andunderstanding the insects in your garden.In This Episode, You'll Learn:The role of beneficial insects in natural pest control and pollinationHow to visually identify insects based on body shape, wing type, behavior, and feeding habitsExamples of common garden pests like aphids, squash bugs, and hornwormsIdentification tips for good bugs like ladybugs, parasitic wasps, lacewings, and hoverfliesWhy local resources like university Extension services and conservation departments are your best tool for regional pest and beneficial IDHow to build a garden that attracts and supports beneficial insectsWhy not all creepy crawlies need to be squished—some are silently helping your garden thrive!Let's dig in!References and Resources:Save 20% on your new own-root rose plant at HeirloomRoses.com with code JUSTGROW https://heirloomroses.comGet 10% off and FREE shipping on my favorite raised planters at Planter Box Direct using code JUSTGROW10: https://planterboxdirect.com/?ref=593BugGuide.net – Community-supported insect ID toolEpisode 24 - Aphids! https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/ep-24-garden-talk-tuesday-aphidsJust Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.comJust Grow Something Merch andDownloads: https://justgrowsomething.com/shopJust Grow Something Gardening Friends Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18YgHveF5P/Check out how you can become a patron on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JustGrowSomethingBonus content for supporters of the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomethingAmazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething
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39:50
How to Grow Tomatoes - Ep 248
It’s been a while since we’ve done a full crop specific episode and I think this is the perfect time of year to talk tomatoes. We are getting about 500 tomato plants in the ground over the next week so they are on my mind!So, today on Just Grow Something we’ll walk through the full tomato-growing process—from choosing varieties and starting seeds indoors to troubleshooting common problems and harvesting for peak flavor.You’ll learn how to choose the right variety for your space, when and how to plant for success, how to deal with pests before they ruin your harvest, and what to do when things don’t go quite as planned (looking at you, blossom-end rot). Let's dig in!References and Resources:Save 20% on your new own-root rose plant or find your next favorite perennial at HeirloomRoses.com with code JUSTGROW https://heirloomroses.comhttp://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/l/lycopersicon-esculentum=tomato.phphttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10050865/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12424325/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168945212001483Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.comJust Grow Something Merch and Downloads: https://justgrowsomething.com/shopJust Grow Something Gardening Friends Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/508637300354140/Check out how you can become a patron on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JustGrowSomethingBonus content for supporters of the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomethingAmazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething
About Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening
Grow a better vegetable garden, whether you're a seasoned gardener or have never grown a thing in your life. Karin helps home gardeners learn to grow their own food using evidence-based techniques and research. She talks all about specific plants, pests, diseases, soil and plant health, mulch, garden planning, and more. It's not just the "how" but also the "why" that makes us better. The goal? For everyone to know how to grow their own food no matter what sized space they have or their experience level.
Tune in each week to plan, learn, and grow with your friend in the garden, Karin Velez.
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