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

It's planting time! Finally, the month of the last spring frosts is here and we're able to plant out so many things. 
Tomatoes, peppers, squash, zinnia, sunflower, and so many more summer crops can make their way tot the garden. 

📩 Questions? Email me at jessica@homegrownfoodandflowers.com

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You've got a flat of plants, a garden almost ready to plant out, and no time to get it done. Sound familiar? This episode will give you seven tips to help you get your garden in the ground with a minimum of fuss and no time wasted on tasks that don't move the needle the way you want it to go. 
-Which seedlings you should buy at this point in the season for earlier harvest
-Why getting a trellis in at planting will...

If you're still wondering what to plant, this episode lays it all out for you. Short and snappy instructions tell you how to lay out a single 4x8 raised bed with the right combination and location of your plants so they all thrive and you get months of harvests of fresh veggies, flowers, and herbs.

If you want a more detailed seasonal guide, snag a copy of my Garden Layout Templates that provide a visual guide to bri...

Here is an amazing list of resources during the peak learning time of the season. Plants are going in, seeds are getting started, and these channels will help you learn so much, from composting to self sufficiency to growing flowers in soil blocks.

Huw Richards

Charles Dowding

Shifting Roots

No-Till Growers: I misspoke here and said No Till Farmer, so make sure to search for himm as “No-Till Growers”

Epic Gardening

Growing In ...

Soil, fertilizers, compost, and more can all be so confusing when getting your garden started. This episode breaks it down in a very simplified manner that will help you know the next step you need to take to get your garden ready for the season.

I mention a ton of resources, including:
My seed starting recipe:
4 parts coco coir (or peat moss)
1 part compost, worm castings, or a mix
.5 part vermiculite (so...

Don't let your seedlings go into shock or die after you spent all that time growing them! In today's episode you'll learn about:

What is hardening off?

How do I harden off my seedlings?

What's the best time of day to transplant

Ways to protect seedlings: row covers, low tunnels

Beginner mistakes

Grab your seed starting checklist here with a full hardening off schedule:
Seed Starting Checklist

Th...

Seed starting is in full swing, and I've been getting a bunch of questions about the process. So this episode will share the answers I've been giving and help you in your own seed starting efforts.

Questions include:
Why aren't your seeds covered?
Why don't you cover your seed trays?
What's damping off?
What are leggy seedlings?
If the soil is too cold, will my seeds rot or spr...

It's March! In the gardening world, that's a big signal to get started with sowing indoors and out.

In this episode I'll have several lists for you, including veggies, flowers, and herbs to start indoors or direct sow, quick ways to get new garden beds up and running before prime planting time, and a few tips to help you have your garden plan ready for the season.

I mention a few resources in this...

Spring is such a busy time of year that even knowing where to start can seem overwhelming. This episode breaks down how to avoid that overwhelm and instead learn how to take full advantage of your space and season, starting this spring.

Use methods like succession planting, relay planting, transitioning beds, and overwintering to always have something growing in the garden, whether it's cold-hardy spring veggies or h...

Figuring out how to get your garden started is the next step once you know what you want to grow.

But how exactly do you do that? Today, I’m breaking down the difference between direct sowing and indoor seed starting so you can choose the right method for you.

Plus, I have a list of crops you should consider for each method to have the best chance of success.

Don't forget to download your Garden P...

It's February in the garden, and that opens up the possibility for SO MANY things to do, from starting a whole slew of seeds to attending local workshops to visiting fruit tree nurseries.

You won't be bored this month, and after this episode, you'll have a to-do list (and seed starting list!) a mile long.

Grab your free Garden Planning Toolkit to lock in seed starting dates with a frost date calen...

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 ...

It's all about learning from past gardening mistakes this week! I've committed many common rookie mistakes over my years of gardening, and I want to share some of the easy-to-avoid ones with you this week to help you have an easier season!

Here are couple of past episodes I'm mention this week:
012: Best (Free!) Organic Mulches For The Home Garden
011: How to Create A Garden Maintenance Schedule You ...

Unlock the secrets to a thriving organic garden with my deep dive into planning and preparation strategies that go beyond the norm. 

1. Establish Your Garden Priorities:
   - Discover the art of maximizing your gardening season, making the most of limited space, and creating a tranquil haven where productivity takes a back seat to the simple joys of gardening.

2. Companion Planting and Mulch:
   - I'm...

What better way to start the garden season than a reminder of three gardening truths that can help you avoid overwhelm, analysis paralysis, and disappointment if things don't go to plan?

Embracing these truths has not only simplified my gardening routine but has also amplified the joy I derive from nurturing my garden. As a long time gardener, a mom, and a busy small business owner, these gardening truths have helped ...

Happy New Year in the garden! Get ready for garden planning, seed sowing, and making (or shrinking) garden beds this year.

Epsiode 038 will cover:
- Tailored guidance for both warm and cold climate gardeners on transitioning their gardens from winter to spring.
- Introduction of winter sowing, a low-cost, low-effort seed-starting method suitable for many plant varieties.
- Insightful garden planning tips, inc...

Listen in as I take a moment during the festive season to share heartfelt reflections on a year of transformation, both in my personal life and in my garden. 

Having uprooted from the familiar climate of Southern California to the distinct growing conditions of Western Oregon, I'm learning to grow in a new climate, new soil, and maximize our new property. 

I also give thanks for an amazing start to this podca...