If you are considering adding your first raised bed or yourfiftieth to your garden for next season, now is the time to be doing it. A new raised planter is going to have to be filled and that material is going to have to break down a bit before it can be planted in order to make the nutrients available to your plants. This is NOT something we want to put together at the last minute in the spring just before we start planting.

For the entire month of September, I am taking you step-by-step through starting a new raised bed, from deciding the dimensions and layout, what materials to use to build it, what to fill it with and how, all the way to successfully planting those beds with your first crop in the spring.So, today on Just Grow Something, we’re starting with the basics: how to decide what size and depth your raised bed should be and how it can fit into the overall layout and design of your garden. You just might find they are so versatile, you will eliminate your in-ground beds in favor of an entire yard of raised beds, whimsical planters, and neat little walkways. Let’s dig in!

NEW! For a limited time, save 20% AND get FREE shipping on my favorite planters from PlanterBoxDirect.com. Just use code JUSTGROW20 before October 15th, 2025!

For full show notes, visit https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/how-big-should-a-raised-bed-be-ep-265

It's late August, the time of year when the garden can be just as likely to flourish as it is to fizzle out. I know all too well the rollercoaster of emotions we gardeners feel at this point in the season: you're hot, tired, maybe a little bit over it, and those early-season mistakes are showing their faces. But don’t give up!

Today on Just Grow Something we dig into the common issues that crop up during these steamy late-summer days, like overwatering, overcrowding, plant pairings gone wrong, and, of course, the power of keeping a garden journal. You’ll get practical advice on fixing, tweaking, and even letting go of certain garden habits so you can set yourself up for a better harvest now and an even more successful season next year. Let’s dig in!Now's the time to save 20% and order your new rose from HeirloomRoses.com! Use code JUSTGROW to save!

For complete show notes, visit https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/what-to-fix-tweak-or-stop-doing-in-your-garden-late-summer-ep-264

This week we’re on a blooming adventure into the world of roses. Okay, that was cheesy, but if you’ve ever struggled with roses or thought they were too fussy for your garden, this episode is for you. Joined by Robin Jennings from Heirloom Roses, I explore the super interesting history of thisfamily-owned company, from its humble beginnings as a backyard hobby to becoming the only U.S. nursery licensed to propagate the renowned David Austin roses.

We talk about why growing roses on their own roots makessuch a difference in their hardiness, health, and longevity, and how modern breeders are creating varieties that thrive in a wide range of climates. Robin shares practical advice on choosing the perfect rose for your garden and demystifiesrose care, pruning, and fertilizing so you can be as successful as I have been this year.

Whether you’re new to roses or a seasoned grower, thisepisode is packed with inspiration, practical know-how, and all the encouragement you need to start (or expand) your own rose collection. Let’s dig in!

Save 20% on your new own-root rose plant at Heirloom Roses with code JUSTGROW https://heirloomroses.com

Find the full show notes at https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/from-hobby-to-heirloom-growing-healthier-roses-for-every-garden-with-heirloom-roses

Is your summer tomato crop struggling with strange spots, brown mushy bottoms, or mysteriously vanishing leaves? You’re not alone! Mid-season brings a whole host of challenges for tomato gardeners, but with a little know-how, you can keep your plants thriving through to fall.

Today on Just Grow Something, I dig deep into the four biggest summer tomato problems: blossom end rot, tomato hornworms, nutrient imbalances, and common leaf diseases like Septoria and early blight. Learn how fluctuating moisture leads to blossom end rot (hint: it’s not just about calcium!), practical mulching and watering tips for every growing setup, including containers, raised beds, and in-ground gardens, and why choosing the right fertilizer at the right time can make all the difference.

I share a trick for spotting hornworms at night, how often to feed tomatoes in pots vs. beds, the signs and treatment of tomato leaf diseases, and the most effective organic control methods (from copper sprays to simple sanitation practices). I also share how to manage disease outbreaks, when to prune, and why fall tomato harvests are totally worth the effort.

Whether you’re a first-time tomato grower or a seasoned gardener facing a tough summer, this episode is packed with easy, practical solutions to keep your plants producing. Let’s dig in!

Save 20% on your new own-root rose plant at Heirloom Roses with code JUSTGROW at https://heirloomroses.com

Full show notes available at https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/summer-tomato-problems-ep-262

Have you noticed a white, powdery coating on your cucumbers or yellow-spotted leaves on your tomatoes? Mid-summer fungal diseases like powdery mildew, blight, and leaf spots can devastate your garden if left unchecked.

Today on Just Grow Something, I break down commonsummer fungal diseases and why they appear in wet, humid conditions, organic treatment methods, including milk sprays and baking soda, store-bought organic fungicides like copper and sulfur sprays, prevention strategies, and how to rotate treatments to prevent fungal resistance.

Whether you’re dealing with relentless rain or high humidity, this episode arms you with practical, organic solutions to protect your garden and maximize harvests. Let’s dig in!

Save 20% on your new own-root rose plant at Heirloom Roses with code JUSTGROW at https://heirloomroses.com

Find full show notes at https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/how-to-tackle-mid-summer-fungal-diseases-ep- 261

In this eye-opening episode, I unpack the shocking truth about nutrient loss in modern fruits and vegetables. A 2023 review found that today’s produce contains significantly fewer vitamins and minerals than in decades past. Some nutrients have dropped by up to 80% since the 1950s!

We explore how industrial agriculture, depleted soils, and synthetic fertilizers have impacted our food and, more importantly, how we as home gardeners can grow more nutrient-rich produce by focusing on soil health. Soil nerds, unite!

I talk about the essential role of soil microbes and organic matter in our soil in creating nutritious food (and how synthetic fertilizers can’t compete), how composting, mulching, and no-till gardening can restore soil health, and give you actionable tips for increasing nutrient density in your own garden. If you care about what goes into your food and on your family’s plate, this is a must-listen. Let’s dig in!

Save 20% on your new own-root rose plant at Heirloom Roses with code JUSTGROW https://heirloomroses.com

Referenced episodes:

Ep. 18 - Garden Talk Tuesday: Plant Nutrients and Why You Need to Know Them

Focal Point Friday: Plant Nutrient Basics

Compost Episodes

Find the full show notes at https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/is-homegrown-produce-more-nutritious-how-your-soil-makes-the-difference-ep-260

This week I share how to take your fall garden from conceptto cultivation. Learn when to plant, what to grow, and how to extend your harvest well into winter. Discover why fall gardening is more than just practical - it's backed by science and perfect for nutrient-dense, flavorful produce with fewer pests!

What You’ll Learn:

• The science behind why fall gardens are nutritionally and logistically smart

• Best timing strategies based on frost dates and daylight reduction

• Fall-friendly crops and succession planting strategies

• Tips for season extension using row covers and container gardening

• How to improve soil health and prep beds for fall success

Let’s dig in!

Save20% on your new own-root rose plant at Heirloom Roses with code JUSTGROW at https://heirloomroses.comReady to plan your fall garden? Join the free Fall GardenChallenge now: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/fall

Resources:

Fall Garden Seed Starting Secrets - Ep. 257: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/fall-garden-seed-starting-secrets-ep-257

Find your frost dates: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/frostdates

Find the full show notes at https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/how-to-extend-your-gardening-season-with-successful-fall-crops-ep- 259

This week we dig into the strategy of mid-to-late summersuccession planting—how to make the most of garden space left vacant by spring crop failures or early harvests. I share five heat-loving, fast-maturing crops you can direct sow now to squeeze in one last summer harvest before fall. Learn how to keep your beds productive, beat pest cycles, and maximize soil health, all without needing indoor seed starts.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why filling summer garden gaps matters
• Key traits of good late-summer crops
• My top five heat-loving, fast-growing picks

Let’s dig in!

Save 20% on your new own-root rose plant at Heirloom Roseswith code JUSTGROW https://heirloomroses.com

For full show notes visit https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episodes/5-quick-crops-to-fill-summer-garden-gaps-ep-258