How to Clone Your Best Plants from the Garden (and Why) - Ep. 273

How to Clone Your Best Plants from the Garden (and Why) - Ep. 273

Author: Karin Velez October 28, 2025 Duration: 45:07
Whether you live in a climate that allows for a veery long growing season or you’re like me and need to cram as much growing into a shorter season as possible, cloning is a shortcut to making the most of our best plants. In some cases it even makes sense to overwinter some of those plants so next season starts off weeks ahead of schedule.So, today on Just Grow Something, we’re talking about the importance of cloning plants as a strategic shortcut to enhance gardening productivity. I’ll explain the key differences between cloning and seed saving, and the various methods of cloning, including water propagation and the use of rooting hormones, and the layering method. We’ll also talk about how to overwinter plants effectively and which ones are worth the effort, troubleshooting common issues, and the best practices for maintaining plant health during the winter months. Let’s dig in!Key Takeaways:Cloning allows gardeners to replicate successful plants for the next season.Seed saving can lead to genetic reshuffling, while cloning preserves the exact traits of a plant.Water propagation is an easy method for cloning many herbaceous plants.Rooting hormones can significantly improve the success rate of cloning woody plants.Layering is a method that allows plants to root while still attached to the parent plant.Overwintering can help maintain productive plants for early spring planting.Different plants require different care when overwintering, including light and temperature adjustmentsResources:Download my free cloning guide at https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/clone

Ever find yourself staring at a seed packet or a struggling tomato plant, wondering what it really needs to thrive? Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening digs into those questions, moving beyond folklore and guesswork. Host Karin Velez believes that understanding the science behind gardening-the "why" as much as the "how"-empowers you to become a more confident and successful grower. Each episode feels like a conversation with a knowledgeable friend, one who sifts through research and practical experience to offer clear, actionable advice. You’ll hear detailed discussions on everything from soil health and specific plant varieties to managing pests and planning your garden layout effectively. This podcast is designed for anyone with a patch of dirt or a few containers, whether you’ve been cultivating for decades or are just planting your first herb. Karin’s approach demystifies the process of growing your own food, making it accessible and deeply rewarding. The ultimate aim is simple but profound: to equip you with the reliable knowledge needed to harvest something delicious from your own space, season after season. Tune in for a grounded, thoughtful take on home gardening that celebrates both the triumphs and the learning moments inherent in getting your hands dirty.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening
Podcast Episodes
Cover Crops in the Home Garden - Ep. 318 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:22
In this episode, we get into why cover crops work in both in-ground beds and raised planters, which ones perform best when you sow them in fall, and which ones are worth a spot in your rotation come spring. Then we'll co…
Choosing a Garlic Variety Based on the Science - Ep. 316 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:10
In this episode, I'm breaking down the real difference between hardneck and softneck garlic: the cold-exposure requirement called vernalization that actually decides which type will bulb properly in your garden, how clov…
Why I Trust University Extension - Ep. 312 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:34
If you've listened to this show for any length of time, you've heard me point to University Extension again and again as my go-to source. But I've never actually explained why. In this episode, we're pulling back the cur…
The Mid-Season Soil Check - Ep. 310 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:40
Your garden is at its busiest in July, and so is the wear and tear on your soil. In this episode we get past the fertilizer conversation and into whether your soil is still functioning at all.
Battling Blossom End Rot the Right Way - Ep. 309 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:35
Today on Just Grow Something we're covering what blossom end rot really is at the cellular level, the conditions that trigger it in your garden, why the most popular home remedies for it are built on a total misunderstan…