Is Homegrown Produce More Nutritious? How Your Soil Makes the Difference - Ep. 260

Is Homegrown Produce More Nutritious? How Your Soil Makes the Difference - Ep. 260

Author: Karin Velez July 29, 2025 Duration: 26:33
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.comReferenced episodes:Ep. 18 - Garden Talk Tuesday: Plant Nutrients and Why You Need to Know ThemFocal Point Friday: Plant Nutrient BasicsCompost EpisodesFind the full show notes at https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/is-homegrown-produce-more-nutritious-how-your-soil-makes-the-difference-ep-260

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
Ten Most Versatile Herbs for Fresh and Dried Use - Ep. 227 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:17
I didn’t grow up learning how to cook. When I say I had no idea how to season my food as a young adult, I mean NO idea. I didn’t even use salt and pepper. It took me years to not just learn how to cook from a practical a…
Top 5 Perennial Herbs by USDA Hardiness Zone - Ep. 226 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:27
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Three Ways to Grow Nutritious Greens Indoors - Ep. 224 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:33
It is November, which means we are firmly seated in fall and many of us have seen the total demise of our gardens. In fact, some of us have had several weeks since we saw anything green out there and it’s kind of depress…
How to Amend the Soil in Fall for a Better Garden in Spring - Ep. 222 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:06
Adding the right soil amendments in the fall is a great way to set up your garden for success in the spring. By incorporating amendments now, you give them time to break down and integrate into the soil, providing nutrie…
Garlic Planting Tips by Climate - Ep. 221 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:48
Last week we talked onions, this week it’s another allium, garlic. The timing on planting onions in the fall is just about the same as when we plant our garlic for overwintering and garlic spends just about as much time…
Planting Onions in Fall for a Summer Harvest - Ep. 220 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:14
This is the episode so many of you have asked for and now is the perfect time because, in most locations, this is the time to be planting onion sets or seedlings to overwinter and harvest the next summer. Successfully gr…
How to Dry and Store Cut Flowers - Ep. 219 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:53
The fruits and veggies coming from our gardens are not the only things we can dry and store in the off-season. Think about the vibrant colors from the flowers in our yards and containers. We can absolutely preserve that…
Simple Compost Solutions for Every Garden Space - Ep. 218 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:32
As we start to wind down the summer gardening season it’s a great time to be adding compost to your beds to help give the soil a boost. Letting the compost break down over the winter gives it adequate time to become acti…