Podcast

Homegrown: Your Backyard Garden Podcast

Hobbies, Home & Garden, Leisure

Grow a successful vegetable garden, no matter where you live.

Episodes
42
Releases
Every two weeks
Typical length
12 min
On air since
2023
Latest episode
1 month ago

Episodes

42 episodes, newest first

  1. How to Extend Your Gardening Season

    Season 3, Episode 41

    Show notes

    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

    8 min
  2. How Gardening Can Change Your Life

    Season 3, Episode 40

    Show notes

    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 Live
    • Why I Hate Mowing the Lawn
    • How to Freeze Corn on the Cob

    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

    8 min
  3. The Easiest Carrots I've Ever Grown

    Season 3, Episode 39

    Show notes

    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

    13 min
  4. Blossom End Rot: What Causes It and How to Stop It

    Season 3, Episode 38

    Show notes

    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:
    https://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

    9 min
  5. 30 Years of Growing Tomatoes: Lessons From My Garden

    Season 3, Episode 37

    Show notes

    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

    12 min
  6. When to Harvest Vegetables from Your Garden

    Season 3, Episode 36

    Show notes

    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

    13 min
  7. Tomato Hornworms: How to Spot Them and Save Your Plants

    Season 3, Episode 35

    Show notes

    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

    11 min
  8. Beyond Vegetables: Growing Fruit in Your Backyard

    Season 3, Episode 34

    Show notes

    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

    19 min
  9. How to Attract Pollinators to Your Garden, and Why It's Important

    Season 3, Episode 33

    Show notes

    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

    8 min
  10. How to Get Rid of Cabbage Worms Naturally

    Season 3, Episode 32

    Show notes

    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

    11 min
  11. Not All Plants Get Along: Companion Planting for Beginners

    Season 3, Episode 31

    Show notes

    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

    12 min
  12. 4 Beginner Gardening Mistakes: How to Avoid Them

    Season 3, Episode 30

    Show notes

    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

    9 min
  13. Why You Can’t Grow Big Onions (And How to Fix It)

    Season 3, Episode 29

    Show notes

    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

    16 min
  14. Listener Question: Saving Seeds From Hybrid Tomatoes (Sun Gold)

    Show notes

    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 true
    • Whether hybrid seeds can ever become stable or heirloom
    • Two practical solutions I personally use when I love a hybrid tomato and want consistent results year after year

    I 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 26
    • Produce storage tips - Episode 25

    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

    6 min
  15. Gardening on a Budget: How to Save Money While Growing Your Own Healthy Food

    Season 2, Episode 28

    Show notes

    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

    13 min
  16. 6 Simple Steps for Fall Garden Cleanup

    Season 2, Episode 27

    Show notes

    Let's walk through the essential fall garden cleanup chores, from clearing spent plants and mulching to caring for perennials and tools, so your garden is ready for a fresh start next spring. These six steps will help protect your soil, reduce pests, and prepare for a thriving spring garden.

    Transcript/Related blog post: https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2025/09/fall-garden-cleanup-guide.html

    The Down-to-Earth Guide to Composting: https://the-down-to-earth-guide.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

    10 min
  17. Overwintering Tomato Plants

    Season 2, Episode 26

    Show notes

    If you've ever wanted to skip the seed-starting chaos or hold onto a variety you love, this episode is for you. I’ve been overwintering tomato plants for over a decade - no greenhouse or grow lights required - and I’ll walk you through three simple methods that really work. You’ll hear the exact technique I use in my kitchen window, plus tips to keep your plants alive, healthy, and ready to thrive next spring. If you’ve never tried this before, it might just change the way you garden.

    Download your free printable “Tomato Tips” here (https://oakhillhomestead.myflodesk.com/i26cg0r2j2)

    Transcript/related article: https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2012/10/perennial-tomatoes.html

    Submit your gardening question here for our Q&A episode: https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/p/ask.html

    Disclaimer: Some modern tomato varieties may be protected by plant patents, which means you shouldn’t propagate them by cuttings or save their seeds without permission. Most heirlooms and many home garden hybrids aren’t patented, so they’re fine for personal use. When in doubt, check the seed packet or tag.

    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

    16 min
  18. How to Keep Produce Fresh Longer, with Amy Cross of The Cross Legacy

    Season 2, Episode 25

    Show notes

    Are you tired of tossing out wilted lettuce and moldy berries? In this episode I’m joined by Amy Cross of The Cross Legacy, the go-to expert on keeping produce fresh longer. We talk about how to wash and store everything from avocados to zucchini, how to stretch your garden harvest or your grocery budget, and easy ways to reduce food waste.

    Transcript: https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2025/09/how-to-keep-produce-fresh-longer-tips.html

    You'll find Amy at The Cross Legacy on Instagram, YouTube, and her website. Check out her Zero Waste Produce Guide here: https://thecrosslegacyshop.com/products/zero-waste-produce-guide

    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

    28 min
  19. How to Save Seeds from Your Vegetable Garden

    Season 2, Episode 24

    Show notes

    Learn how to save seeds from your vegetable garden with this beginner-friendly guide. Discover the benefits of saving heirloom and open-pollinated seeds, how to avoid cross-pollination, and tips for proper seed storage.

    Whether you grow tomatoes, peppers, beans, or lettuce, this episode will teach you how to collect and preserve seeds for next season. Build a self-reliant garden and grow healthier, better-adapted vegetables year after year.

    Transcript/Related article: Why You Should Save Seeds from Your Vegetable Garden - https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2025/08/save-seeds-from-your-garden.html

    Sign up to be notified of new episodes by email: https://oakhillhomestead.myflodesk.com/homegrown

    You might also enjoy: How to Store Your Leftover Seeds - https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2017/03/how-to-store-leftover-seeds.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

    13 min
  20. When to Plant Your Fall Garden

    Season 2, Episode 23

    Show notes

    Timing is everything when it comes to fall gardening; your plants need enough time to mature before the first frost of autumn. In this episode we'll figure out your average first frost date, the ideal time to plant, and what vegetables to grow in a fall garden. You'll learn how to protect tender seedlings from the heat and sun, plus how to extend your harvest with succession planting. Take advantage of autumn and grow a fall garden.

    Transcript/Related article: When to Plant a Fall Vegetable Garden - https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2018/07/plant-a-fall-garden.html

    Sign up to be notified of new episodes by email: https://oakhillhomestead.myflodesk.com/homegrown

    You might also enjoy: How to Grow Garlic - https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2023/09/how-to-grow-garlic-from-cloves.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

    11 min