066: Make Your Garden More Resilient: 9 Ways to Save Money, Grow More Food, and Build Soil

If you're a gardener in 2025, you know that resilience is key. Whether you're facing droughts, pests, or rising costs, a resilient garden can make all the difference in keeping your harvests healthy and plentiful.In this episode, I'll share 9 practical tips you can implement this year to make your garden more resilient. These tips are easy to apply and will help you build a garden that can withstand whatever comes its way."📩 Questions? Email me at [email protected] leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps new gardeners find the show 💚

Ready to get your April garden on track? In this episode, I’m walking you through exactly what to focus on in your garden this month—whether you’re just thawing out or already planting spring crops.In this episode, you’ll learn:How to quickly build last-minute bedsWhat to sow and what to transplant now (and what you should give more time)Early season pest control methodsMulching and fertilizer tips for overwintered crops and early transplantsWhat I'm working on this month in zone 8 Oregon📩 Questions? Email me at [email protected] leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps new gardeners find the show 💚

Buying seedlings can save you time in the garden—but only if you choose wisely! The biggest mistake beginners make? Grabbing the biggest plant on the shelf without checking for hidden red flags. In this episode, I’ll break down where to shop, how to spot a healthy seedling, and which ones not to buy so you get the best value for your money.In This Episode:🌱 Best places to buy seedlings – Why local nurseries and farmer’s markets often beat big box stores 👀 What a healthy seedling looks like – Color, shape, roots, and why flowers aren’t a good sign 🚨 Red flags to avoid – Leggy plants, root-bound seedlings, pests, and more ⏳ What to do before planting – Hardening off, pest checks, and watering tips for stress-free transplantsBefore you grab the first tomato plant you see, tune in to make sure you’re bringing home the best seedlings for your garden!📩 Questions? Email me at [email protected] leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps new gardeners find the show 💚

Want to grow a productive food garden without spending a fortune on nursery plants? Starting your own seedlings in bulk is one of the best ways to save money, maximize space, and ensure a steady harvest all season long. In this episode, I’ll walk you through my streamlined seed-starting system, from supplies to scheduling, so you can grow strong, healthy plants—without the frustration.In This Episode, You'll Learn:🌱 The Basics of Seed Starting – What you need (and don’t need) for a successful setup: lights, soil mix, and trays💰 Why Growing from Seed Saves You Money – How to grow hundreds of plants for the cost of a few nursery seedlings🛠️ My Favorite Seed-Starting Supplies – Why I use soil blocks or Bootstrap Farmer/Epic Gardening trays (and why I skip 6-packs)🌿 A Simple Soil Mix Recipe – DIY your own for healthier, cheaper seedlings☀️ The Hardening Off Plan – Getting your seedlings ready for the garden without shockLinks Mentioned: Bootstrap Farmer 6-packsSoil BlockerCoco Loco Seed Starting Mix (but it's SO much cheaper to make your own mix, see below:)Seed Starting Mix:4 parts coco coir (or peat moss)1 part compost, worm castings, or a mix.5 part vermiculite (sometimes more depending on the weather. In warmer weather, I add more because it holds moisture).5 part perliteSprinkle of azomite according to package application instructions📩 Questions? Email me at [email protected] leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps new gardeners find the show 💚

Choosing between direct sowing seeds and transplanting seedlings can impact how well your plants grow and how quickly you get a harvest. Each method has its benefits, and knowing when to use them can make a big difference in your garden’s success.In this episode:The pros and cons of direct sowing vs. transplantingBest crops for each methodTiming, soil conditions, and other key factors to considerHow to combine both methods for a productive, resilient gardenDon't forget to check out the Garden Planning Toolkit in the show notes for seed starting and transplanting calendars!📩 Questions? Email me at [email protected] leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps new gardeners find the show 💚

Starting your first garden? Every season brings new challenges and surprises! In this episode, I’ll walk you through the five phases of the gardening year—what to expect, common mistakes, and how to set yourself up for success. Whether you're in the dreamy planning stage, dealing with summer overwhelm, or wondering if it’s too late to plant, this episode will help you navigate the seasons with confidence.In This Episode, You'll Learn:The 5 phases of the gardening year and what to expect in eachHow to avoid beginner mistakes and keep your garden on trackWhen to start seeds, transplant, and harvest for the best resultsHow to handle setbacks like plant failures, pests, and unpredictable weatherThe best time to plan ahead so you're ready for next year👉 Looking for month-by-month gardening guidance? The Garden Planning Toolkit is your go-to resource for staying organized all year long. With seasonal checklists, planting schedules, and more, it’s everything you need to make your gardening easier and stress-free. Get yours today!📩 Questions? Email me at [email protected] leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps new gardeners find the show 💚

Let's look at six smart ways to decide what to grow in 2025—whether you’re looking to save money, maximize calories, or stock your pantry. From the crops you use daily to the most expensive produce at the store, this guide will help you grow what truly matters.In this episode, I'll cover:How to choose crops based on what you actually eatThe most calorie-dense foods to grow for self-sufficiencyHigh-cost produce that’s worth growing at homeWhich fruits and vegetables are on the Dirty Dozen listEasy-to-grow crops for beginners or small spacesThe best foods for canning, preserving, and storageTune in and start planning your most productive garden yet! 🌱✨📩 Questions? Email me at [email protected] leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps new gardeners find the show 💚

Get ready for spring with the return of Organic Gardening For Beginners! After a break away from the show, I'm back with tons of ideas, results, and new experiments to share with you all. My hope has always been to inspire you to get in the garden. Maybe this episode will be the one to get you there! 📩 Questions? Email me at [email protected] leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps new gardeners find the show 💚

June is a key month for both planting and prepping your garden for the season ahead! In this episode, we cover:✅ Last-Chance Summer Crops – Get those tomatoes, peppers, beans, cucumbers, and squash in the ground before it’s too late! ✅ Direct Seeding Tips – Fast-growing flowers, root crops, and herbs you can still plant now. ✅ Succession Planting for Greens – Keep the harvest going with broccoli rabe and Napa cabbage. ✅ Carrot Germination Hack – A simple trick to keep seeds moist and improve sprouting. ✅ Biennials & Perennials to Start Now – Why June is the perfect time to plant hollyhocks, lupins, and black-eyed Susans for next year’s blooms. ✅ Flower & Herb Must-Haves – Pollinator-friendly, edible, and medicinal varieties to grow this summer.🌱 Whether you're catching up or planning ahead, this episode will help you maximize your June garden! Tune in now.📩 Questions? Email me at [email protected] leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps new gardeners find the show 💚

We're diving into the world of companion planting and how you can boost your garden’s health and productivity by pairing plants that thrive together. Whether you have a small garden or are working with containers, these tips will help you make the most of your space!✅ 10 Companion Planting Combinations – Pairings like tomatoes and basil, peppers and zinnias, that will enhance your garden. ✅ Boosting Plant Health – How certain plants can naturally repel pests and support each other’s growth. ✅ Companion Planting in Containers – Tips for creating thriving mini ecosystems in small spaces. ✅ Maximizing Space & Resources – How strategic pairings can save you time and effort while improving yield.🌱 If you're looking to get the most out of your garden with minimal space, this episode is packed with easy-to-implement companion planting strategies! Tune in now!📩 Questions? Email me at [email protected] leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps new gardeners find the show 💚