How to Start a Compost Pile - Ep. 242

How to Start a Compost Pile - Ep. 242

Author: Karin Velez March 25, 2025 Duration: 34:43
Save 20% on the already discounted subscription price of both the Magic Mind Mental Performance and Sleep shots at https://magicmind.com/GROWMAR and use code GROWMAR at checkout.According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American produces about 4.9 pounds (2.2 kg) of garbage per day. That’s almost 1800 lbs. per year, or 816kg. And over 56% of this garbage is food, yard waste, paper or paperboard. That means over 1,000 lbs. of the municipal waste produced in the U.S. could be composted, per person. Much of our annual garden cleanup involves yard waste and now would be the perfect time to start a compost pile combining that yard waste with scraps from our kitchen and paper from our offices and cardboard from all those packages we have delivered to our doors.Today on Just Grow Something we’re going to talk about starting a compost pile or re-starting it if you’ve made an attempt before and maybe weren’t as successful as you’d hoped. Composting can be done in lots of ways in lots of spaces, so we’re going to cover the basics of what you need to know regardless of where and how you accomplish it, give you a few options for composting systems, large and small, and the do’s and don’ts of what goes into our composting systems and what we should avoid. Let’s dig in!References and Resources:Simple Compost Solutions for Every Garden Space - Ep. 218 Indoor and Small-Space Composting: 5 Effective Methods University of Florida Extension: Composting GuideComposting Dairy ProductsTurning Compost by TemperatureComposting to Kill Weed SeedsEPA: Composting at HomeGet 10% and FREE shipping on my favorite raised planters at Planter Box Direct using code JUSTGROW10: https://planterboxdirect.com/?ref=593Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.comJust Grow Something Merch and Downloads: https://justgrowsomething.com/shopJust Grow Something Gardening Friends Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/508637300354140/Check out how you can become a patron on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JustGrowSomethingBonus content for supporters of the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomethingAmazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething

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: 100

Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening
Podcast Episodes
Companion Planting Myths and Tips - Ep. 246 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:58
If you’ve been gardening for any amount of time, you’ve likely come across companion planting charts—maybe you’ve seen advice like “plant basil with tomatoes” or “marigolds repel all pests.” But how much of this is actua…
Be Prepared for Garden Pests – Ep. 245 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:30
Today, we’re diving into a topic that sneaks up on every gardener at some point—pests. Whether they’re crawling, flying, or trotting in on four legs, pests can quickly turn a thriving garden into a frustrated gardener’s…
Easiest Crops for Beginners - Ep. 244 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:22
One thing I am often asked by beginning gardeners is, “what is the easiest thing for me to grow?” Some of us just dive right in to gardening headfirst, attempting to grow whatever our favorite veggies are, regardless of…
How to Prepare Seedlings for Transplant into the Garden - Ep. 243 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:26
I will never forget the first time I successfully started my own transplants from seed indoors and they actually looked healthy and strong. I was so excited to get those tomato plants out into my garden and lovingly tran…
Gardening by Nature’s Signs: Old Wisdom Backed by Science - Ep. 241 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:19
Many traditional "old-wives' tales" and "farmer's wisdom" about planting and gardening are actually based on phenology, the study of seasonal changes in plants and animals in relation to climate and weather.Many traditio…
Spring-Planted Bulbs and Garden Perennials - Ep. 240 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:09
Save 20% on your Magic Mind subscription! https://magicmind.com/GROWSOMETHING20 with code GROWSOMETHING20One of my goals this year for the garden is to focus a little bit more on the aesthetics of the garden, rather than…
Kitchen Garden Living with Bailey Van Tassel - Ep. 239 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:57
At the beginning of the year, I asked you think about why you garden. Whether it’s a hobby, our family’s main source of food, or anything in between, I maintain that understanding why you garden is really important to pl…
When and How to Pot Up Transplants - Ep. 238 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:43
Last chance for the special Magic Mind offer for themonth of February where you can save 40% off your subscription: https://magicmind.com/GROWSOMETHING40 Knowing when and how to pot up your seedlings can make all the…
Successful Indoor Seed Starting - Ep. 237 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:33
Success with starting seeds indoors comes down to a handful of factors: your materials and technique, soil temperature, air temperature, light, and air flow. How we approach each of these will determine how successful ou…