Advertise on podcast: Homegrown: Your Backyard Garden Podcast

Want to keep your vegetable garden growing a little longer this fall? In this episode we'll talk about simple ways to extend the gardening season with frost blankets, row covers, low tunnels, cold frames and other methods of protecting your plants from chilly temperatures. We'll also talk about deciding which plants are worth protecting - and when it's okay to let the garden go and call it a season. Plus, I'll share some options for those green tomatoes still hanging on the vine when frost is on the way. Subscribe to HOMEGROWN so you won’t miss a new episode, every other Tuesday during the growing season. Companion Article/Transcript: Find more information about row covers, frost blankets, cold frames and other ways to extend your gardening season, along with the products and resources I recommend. How to Extend Your Vegetable Gardening Season Related articles: What to Do with Green Tomatoes in the Fall 6 East Steps for Fall Garden Clean-up FREE DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCE: How to Make Fruit Vinegar Subscribe and Review New episodes drop every other Tuesday during the gardening season - subscribe so you don’t miss a single one! Subscribe to my emails for even more gardening tips and seasonal ideas. If you’re enjoying HOMEGROWN: Your Backyard Garden Podcast, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen: Apple Podcasts or Spotify Enjoy the podcast? You can help support HOMEGROWN with a virtual cup of coffee. Your support is always optional and very much appreciated. Keep in Touch Website: https://oakhillhomestead.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/oakhillhomestead Instagram: https://instagram.com/oakhillhomestead Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/oakhh

What starts in the garden doesn’t always stay there. You might begin with one tomato plant or a packet of lettuce seeds, but growing your own food has a way of changing how you think and how you live. Gardening teaches you to plan ahead, solve problems, use what you have, preserve the harvest, and become more resourceful one skill at a time. In this episode I’m sharing how my own gardening journey led from growing tomatoes to preserving food, foraging wild plants, stocking the pantry, and learning to rely a little more on what I can grow and do for myself - and it might do the same for  you! Subscribe to HOMEGROWN so you won’t miss a new episode, every other Tuesday during the growing season. Companion Article/Transcript: https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2026/09/growing-a-garden-changes-you.html Related articles: Homesteading No Matter Where You LiveWhy I Hate Mowing the LawnHow to Freeze Corn on the CobFREE DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCE: How to Make Fruit Vinegar Subscribe and Review New episodes drop every other Tuesday during the gardening season - subscribe so you don’t miss a single one! Subscribe to my emails for even more gardening tips and seasonal ideas. If you’re enjoying HOMEGROWN: Your Backyard Garden Podcast, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen: Apple Podcasts or Spotify Enjoy the podcast? You can help support HOMEGROWN with a virtual cup of coffee. Your support is always optional and very much appreciated. Keep in Touch Website: https://oakhillhomestead.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/oakhillhomestead Instagram: https://instagram.com/oakhillhomestead Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/oakhh

If you've ever struggled to get carrot seeds to germinate, you're not alone. Carrots have frustrated me for years - until a simple garden experiment completely changed the way I grow them. In this episode we'll discuss planting tips for carrots, why fresh carrot seed makes such a difference, the carrot life cycle, why it's important to grow open-pollinated seeds if you want to save your own seeds, and one of my favorite ways to attract pollinators and beneficial insects to the garden. Companion article: https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2026/08/carrot-germination.html My favorite open-pollinated seed sources: Mary's Heirloom Seeds (affiliate link)Baker Creek Seeds Related episodes and articles: Survival seeds - Are They Necessary? - Episode #13 Heirloom vs Hybrid seeds  Listener's question: Saving Seeds From Hybrid Tomatoes - Bonus episode Subscribe and Review New episodes drop every other Tuesday during the gardening season - subscribe so you don’t miss a single one! Subscribe to my emails for even more gardening tips and seasonal ideas. If you’re enjoying HOMEGROWN: Your Backyard Garden Podcast, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen: Apple Podcasts or Spotify Enjoy the podcast? You can help support HOMEGROWN with a virtual cup of coffee. Your support is always optional and very much appreciated. Keep in Touch Website: https://oakhillhomestead.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/oakhillhomestead Instagram: https://instagram.com/oakhillhomestead Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/oakhh

You spot a dark, sunken patch on the bottom of a beautiful tomato - and immediately wonder what went wrong. Blossom end rot is frustrating, but the good news is that it isn't a disease, and it doesn't mean your whole crop is doomed. In this episode, we'll talk about what really causes blossom end rot, and how watering, weather, and growing conditions affect your tomato plants' ability to take up the calcium they need. You'll also learn what to do when blossom end rot appears and some simple ways to help prevent it from happening again. Don't worry - your tomato harvest can be saved! Companion article: https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2026/08/blossom-end-rot-in-tomatoes.html Visit the HOMEGROWN Podcast Page: OakHillHomestead.com/p/podcast Tomato Resources: https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/p/gardening.html#tomatoes Subscribe and Review New episodes drop every other Tuesday during the gardening season - subscribe so you don’t miss a single one! Subscribe to my emails for even more gardening tips and seasonal ideas. If you’re enjoying HOMEGROWN: Your Backyard Garden Podcast, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen: Apple Podcasts or Spotify Enjoy the podcast? You can help support HOMEGROWN with a virtual cup of coffee. Your support is always optional and very much appreciated. Keep in Touch Website: https://oakhillhomestead.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/oakhillhomestead Instagram: https://instagram.com/oakhillhomestead Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/oakhh

After 30 years of growing tomatoes, I've made just about every mistake there is to make. I've experimented with varieties, trellises, pruning methods, containers, raised beds, and just about everything in between. In this episode, I'm sharing the biggest lessons my tomato plants have taught me. We'll talk about finding what works in your garden, why experimenting is part of the process, and the simple practices I've settled on after three decades of trial and error. If you've ever wondered whether you're "doing it right," this episode is for you. Transcript/related article: https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2026/07/tomato-growing-tips.html Download your FREE Tomato Growing Guide here. Tomato growing articles on OakHillHomestead.com: https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/p/gardening.html#tomatoes Homegrown Garden Blueprint: https://homegrown-garden-blueprint.milotreecart.com/ Sign up for garden tips, seasonal ideas, and to be notified of new episodes by email:  https://oakhillhomestead.myflodesk.com/homegrown Subscribe and Review New episodes drop every other Tuesday during the gardening season - subscribe so you don’t miss a single one! Subscribe to my emails for even more gardening tips and seasonal ideas. If you’re enjoying HOMEGROWN: Your Backyard Garden Podcast, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen: Apple Podcasts or Spotify Enjoy the podcast? You can help support HOMEGROWN with a virtual cup of coffee. Your support is always optional and very much appreciated. Keep in Touch Website: https://oakhillhomestead.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/oakhillhomestead Instagram: https://instagram.com/oakhillhomestead Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/oakhh

The seed packet says your carrots should be ready in 70 days - but what if they're still tiny? Or your broccoli starts flowering before you harvest it? In this episode of HOMEGROWN, we're talking about how to know when your vegetables are truly ready to harvest. You'll learn why "days to maturity" are only a guideline and how to recognize the signs that common garden crops are ready to pick. Thanks for hanging out in the garden with me today! Transcript/related post: https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2026/07/when-to-harvest-vegetables.html Homegrown Garden Blueprint workbook - https://homegrown-garden-blueprint.milotreecart.com/ Subscribe and Review New episodes drop every other Tuesday during the gardening season - subscribe so you don’t miss a single one! Subscribe to my emails for even more gardening tips and seasonal ideas. If you’re enjoying HOMEGROWN: Your Backyard Garden Podcast, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen: Apple Podcasts or Spotify Enjoy the podcast? You can help support HOMEGROWN with a virtual cup of coffee. Your support is always optional and very much appreciated. Keep in Touch Website: https://oakhillhomestead.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/oakhillhomestead Instagram: https://instagram.com/oakhillhomestead Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/oakhh

Tomato hornworms are one of the most destructive pests in the vegetable garden. These giant green caterpillars can strip a tomato plant of leaves before you even realize they're there. Learn how to identify tomato hornworms and tobacco hornworms, recognize the signs of damage, protect your tomato plants using companion planting, beneficial insects, and other organic gardening methods. You'll also discover a surprising and fun way to find hidden hornworms. Download your FREE Tomato Growing Guide here. Related post/transcript:  https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2026/06/tomato-hornworm-control.html Blacklight flashlight (UV light): https://amzn.to/4xOnEnm  (affiliate link) Companion Planting episode #31 for more information on preventing insect pests: https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2026/05/beginners-guide-to-companion-planting.html If you’re ready to take your garden a step further, the Homegrown Garden Blueprint workbook will help you map out your entire garden with confidence, from what to plant to how it all fits together.  Sign up to be notified of new episodes by email:  https://oakhillhomestead.myflodesk.com/homegrown Subscribe and Review New episodes drop every other Tuesday during the gardening season - subscribe so you don’t miss a single one! Subscribe to my emails for even more gardening tips and seasonal ideas. If you’re enjoying HOMEGROWN: Your Backyard Garden Podcast, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen: Apple Podcasts or Spotify Enjoy the podcast? You can help support HOMEGROWN with a virtual cup of coffee. Your support is always optional and very much appreciated. Keep in Touch Website: https://oakhillhomestead.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/oakhillhomestead Instagram: https://instagram.com/oakhillhomestead Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/oakhh

Let's talk about simple ways to grow fruit right alongside your vegetables - no fruit trees required! From strawberries in containers, to melons, berries, kiwi and some unusual curiosities too, you'll discover how fruit can fit into gardens of almost any size. No matter how large or small your backyard garden might be - even containers on a patio - adding fruit to your garden can increase your harvest and make your space even more productive. Join me as we explore practical ideas for growing fresh, homegrown fruit right where you're already growing your vegetables. Related post/transcript: https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2026/06/grow-fruit-in-your-vegetable-garden.html.html Kiwiberry botanical name: Actinidia arguta Homegrown Garden Blueprint: https://homegrown-garden-blueprint.milotreecart.com/ Seed source for berry seeds, melons, cucamelons and more: Mary's Heirloom Seeds Sign up to be notified of new episodes by email:  https://oakhillhomestead.myflodesk.com/homegrown Subscribe and Review New episodes drop every other Tuesday during the gardening season - subscribe so you don’t miss a single one! Subscribe to my emails for even more gardening tips and seasonal ideas. If you’re enjoying HOMEGROWN: Your Backyard Garden Podcast, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen: Apple Podcasts or Spotify Enjoy the podcast? You can help support HOMEGROWN with a virtual cup of coffee. Your support is always optional and very much appreciated. Keep in Touch Website: https://oakhillhomestead.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/oakhillhomestead Instagram: https://instagram.com/oakhillhomestead Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/oakhh

Want more tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and melons from your backyard garden? Pollinators may be the missing piece: they help your vegetables produce bigger, better harvests. In this episode, we’re talking about how pollination works, which pollinators are helping in your garden, and simple ways to attract more bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects naturally. Small changes can make a surprisingly big difference. Grab your free Pollinator-Friendly Plants guide - a handy reference chart of plants that will compliment your vegetable garden and attract pollinators.  Transcript/Related blog post: https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2026/06/why-your-garden-needs-bees.html Homegrown Garden Blueprint workbook - https://homegrown-garden-blueprint.milotreecart.com/ Subscribe and Review New episodes drop every other Tuesday during the gardening season - subscribe so you don’t miss a single one! Subscribe to my emails for even more gardening tips and seasonal ideas. If you’re enjoying HOMEGROWN: Your Backyard Garden Podcast, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen: Apple Podcasts or Spotify Enjoy the podcast? You can help support HOMEGROWN with a virtual cup of coffee. Your support is always optional and very much appreciated. Keep in Touch Website: https://oakhillhomestead.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/oakhillhomestead Instagram: https://instagram.com/oakhillhomestead Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/oakhh

Cabbage worms can turn healthy plants into a mess almost overnight, but you don’t have to let them take over your garden.  In this episode, I’ll walk you through what they are, how they get there, and the simple, effective ways to stop them before the damage gets out of hand. We’ll talk about prevention, and organic solutions.  If you grow cabbage, broccoli, kale, or other brassicas, this is one problem you can get ahead of. Related post/transcript: https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2018/05/fighting-cabbage-worms.html How to Grow Cabbage in Your Backyard Garden: https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2019/03/how-to-grow-cabbage.html Homegrown Garden Blueprint: https://homegrown-garden-blueprint.milotreecart.com/ Sign up to be notified of new episodes by email:  https://oakhillhomestead.myflodesk.com/homegrown Subscribe and Review New episodes drop every other Tuesday during the gardening season - subscribe so you don’t miss a single one! Subscribe to my emails for even more gardening tips and seasonal ideas. If you’re enjoying HOMEGROWN: Your Backyard Garden Podcast, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen: Apple Podcasts or Spotify Enjoy the podcast? You can help support HOMEGROWN with a virtual cup of coffee. Your support is always optional and very much appreciated. Keep in Touch Website: https://oakhillhomestead.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/oakhillhomestead Instagram: https://instagram.com/oakhillhomestead Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/oakhh

Not all plants get along in the garden, while others actually help each other grow better. Let's walk through the basics of companion planting - you’ll learn what it is, why it works, and a few easy combinations you can try in your own garden, along with a few to avoid. Transcript: https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2026/05/companion-planting-explained.html And if you’re ready to take it a step further, the Homegrown Garden Blueprint workbook will help you map out your entire garden with confidence, from what to plant to where it all fits together.  If you’d like an easy way to try companion planting, my free Mini Salad Garden printable shares simple plant combinations you can grow together - https://oakhillhomestead.myflodesk.com/jzof20c210  Subscribe and Review New episodes drop every other Tuesday during the gardening season - subscribe so you don’t miss a single one! Subscribe to my emails for even more gardening tips and seasonal ideas. If you’re enjoying HOMEGROWN: Your Backyard Garden Podcast, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen: Apple Podcasts or Spotify Enjoy the podcast? You can help support HOMEGROWN with a virtual cup of coffee. Your support is always optional and very much appreciated. Keep in Touch Website: https://oakhillhomestead.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/oakhillhomestead Instagram: https://instagram.com/oakhillhomestead Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/oakhh

Starting a vegetable garden is exciting, but many new gardeners unknowingly make a few simple mistakes that can affect how well their plants grow. In this episode, I’m sharing 4 beginner gardening mistakes and how to avoid them so your garden can grow healthier and more productive this season. If you're just getting started and would like help planning your garden, take a look at The Homegrown Garden Blueprint, my step-by-step workbook designed to help you avoid common mistakes and grow with confidence. Transcript/Related blog post: https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2026/04/beginner-gardening-mistakes-how-to-avoid-them.html    Homegrown Garden Blueprint:  https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/p/homegrown-garden-blueprint.html Subscribe and Review New episodes drop every other Tuesday during the gardening season - subscribe so you don’t miss a single one! Subscribe to my emails for even more gardening tips and seasonal ideas. If you’re enjoying HOMEGROWN: Your Backyard Garden Podcast, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen: Apple Podcasts or Spotify Enjoy the podcast? You can help support HOMEGROWN with a virtual cup of coffee. Your support is always optional and very much appreciated. Keep in Touch Website: https://oakhillhomestead.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/oakhillhomestead Instagram: https://instagram.com/oakhillhomestead Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/oakhh

Can’t seem to grow big onions? In this episode, I walk you through the most common mistakes like choosing the wrong onion type, planting too late and more - and how to fix them. Learn the simple steps that lead to larger bulbs and a better harvest.  Transcript/Related blog post: https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2026/03/grow-big-onions.html  How to harvest, cure and store onions: https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2018/06/harvest-and-store-onions.html I recommend Dixondale Onion Farms if you're looking for onion plants. Subscribe and Review New episodes drop every other Tuesday during the gardening season - subscribe so you don’t miss a single one! Subscribe to my emails for even more gardening tips and seasonal ideas. If you’re enjoying HOMEGROWN: Your Backyard Garden Podcast, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen: Apple Podcasts or Spotify Enjoy the podcast? You can help support HOMEGROWN with a virtual cup of coffee. Your support is always optional and very much appreciated. Keep in Touch Website: https://oakhillhomestead.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/oakhillhomestead Instagram: https://instagram.com/oakhillhomestead Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/oakhh

A listener recently asked a great question about saving seeds from hybrid tomatoes - specifically from the SunGold variety - and what happens when you save and replant those seeds over time.  In this short, practical mini-episode, I explain: Why hybrid tomato seeds usually don’t grow trueWhether hybrid seeds can ever become stable or heirloomTwo practical solutions I personally use when I love a hybrid tomato and want consistent results year after yearI also share a quick bonus tip on storing cherry tomatoes so they last weeks longer. 🎧 The podcast is currently on winter break and will return with new episodes in April. Be sure to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the new season. Click here to subscribe to my email list. https://oakhillhomestead.myflodesk.com/homegrown  Links mentioned in this episode: How to overwinter tomato plants - Episode 26Produce storage tips - Episode 25Subscribe and Review New episodes drop every other Tuesday during the gardening season - subscribe so you don’t miss a single one! Subscribe to my emails for even more gardening tips and seasonal ideas. If you’re enjoying HOMEGROWN: Your Backyard Garden Podcast, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen: Apple Podcasts or Spotify Enjoy the podcast? You can help support HOMEGROWN with a virtual cup of coffee. Your support is always optional and very much appreciated. Keep in Touch Website: https://oakhillhomestead.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/oakhillhomestead Instagram: https://instagram.com/oakhillhomestead Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/oakhh

Gardening doesn't have to be expensive. In this episode we share easy, frugal gardening ideas for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike. From saving money on seeds and soil to reusing containers and more, you’ll discover how to garden on a budget and still grow a thriving harvest. These resourceful tips will help you save money, reduce waste, and enjoy the process of growing your own healthy, organic food. Related post: Gardening on a Budget: Frugal Gardening Tips to Save Money - https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2025/10/gardening-on-a-budget.html Volunteer Plants - see Episode #17 Shop my favorite garden tools Seed Library Network Down-to-Earth Guide to Composting  Sign up to be notified of new episodes by email:  https://oakhillhomestead.myflodesk.com/homegrown Subscribe and Review New episodes drop every other Tuesday during the gardening season - subscribe so you don’t miss a single one! Subscribe to my emails for even more gardening tips and seasonal ideas. If you’re enjoying HOMEGROWN: Your Backyard Garden Podcast, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen: Apple Podcasts or Spotify Enjoy the podcast? You can help support HOMEGROWN with a virtual cup of coffee. Your support is always optional and very much appreciated. Keep in Touch Website: https://oakhillhomestead.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/oakhillhomestead Instagram: https://instagram.com/oakhillhomestead Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/oakhh