Know Thy Weeds: 5 Plant Families Sabotaging Your Garden - Ep. 255

Know Thy Weeds: 5 Plant Families Sabotaging Your Garden - Ep. 255

Author: Karin Velez June 24, 2025 Duration: 36:25
This week we dive deep into the world of garden weeds and how some seemingly harmless plants can actually be Trojan horses harboring pests and diseases. Learn how to identify five major plant families by their flowers, leaves, and growth habits — and why removing these weeds early can protect your precious crops.Today on Just Grow Something You'll Learn:The role of alternate hosts in pest and disease cyclesHow to identify Brassicaceae, Solanaceae, Asteraceae, Polygonaceae, and Amaranthaceae weedsWhy flower structure is the key to early identificationTips for weed removal and garden protectionThis episode is ad-free in support of Loveland Acres Farm. Please consider donating at lovelandacresfarm.org to support Scarlett's vital community work.Visit our sponsor HeirloomRoses.com and save 20% on your order using code JUSTGROW.

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
Layer by Layer: How to Fill a New Raised Bed - Ep. 267 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:58
This week we tackle one of the biggest questions in raisedbed gardening – how to fill it! It can be daunting, staring at this gaping box, trying to figure out how you’re going to fill 18” or even 36” of depth without goi…
Materials to Use for Building a New Raised Garden Bed - Ep. 266 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:03
Thinking about building raised garden beds but not sure what materials to use? Today on Just Grow Something we dig into all the options for raised bed construction, from wood, stone, and galvanized steel to creative choi…
How Big Should a Raised Bed Be? - Ep. 265 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:15
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…
Summer Tomato Problems - Ep. 262 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:51
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 to Tackle Mid-Summer Fungal Diseases - Ep. 261 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:18
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.To…
5 Quick Crops to Fill Summer Garden Gaps - Ep. 258 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:07
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 ca…