Potatoes, Transplants, Insect Netting, and More: Garden Q&A for Episode 250

Potatoes, Transplants, Insect Netting, and More: Garden Q&A for Episode 250

Author: Karin Velez May 20, 2025 Duration: 35:05
Welcome to the 250th episode of the Just Grow Something podcast! 🎉Whether you've been listening since the beginning or just found the show, thank you for being part of this growing community. In this special milestone episode, we're digging into listener-submitted questions on a variety of timely gardening topics.In this episode:When seedlings are ready to transplant (what to look for beyond just "true leaves")How to properly plant using the Three Sisters method and why timing is keyWhat to do with sprouted or soft seed potatoes and how to plant them successfullyHow to manage Colorado potato beetles while supporting beneficial insects like ladybugsWhen and how to use insect netting effectively in your garden (and how to keep it from blowing away!)Winter sowing tips for celeriac and strategies when you can’t start seeds indoorsOrganic pest control tips for pill bugs, armyworms, grubs, and moreThe role of beneficial nematodes in controlling Japanese beetles and other soil pestsThese are all real questions from you, my gardening friends, submitted via email, social media, and our Facebook community. If one person is wondering, chances are others are too! Let's dig in!References and Resources:Save 20% on your new David Austin rose plant atHeirloomRoses.com with code JUSTGROW https://heirloomroses.comHow to Prepare Seedlings for Transplant into the Garden - Ep. 243: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/how-to-prepare-seedlings-for-transplant-into-the-garden-ep-243Ep. 131 - The Basics of Winter Sowing: Seed Starting Outdoors: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/ep-131-the-basics-of-winter-sowing-seed-starting-outdoorsMy favorite insect netting: https://amzn.to/3Fems6kAnd the fabric staples: https://amzn.to/45jjzLTArbico Organics Neemaseek: https://www.arbico-organics.com/product/nemaseek-beneficial-nematodes-hb-heterorhabditis-bacteriophora/beneficial-nematodesMilky Spore: https://www.arbico-organics.com/product/milky-spore-granular-bacillus-popillae/organic-lawn-carePyganic: https://amzn.to/4dsx9inSpinosad: https://amzn.to/4mpkdhcJust Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.comJust Grow Something Merch andDownloads: https://justgrowsomething.com/shopJust Grow Something Gardening Friends Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18YgHveF5P/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/justgrowsomethingJust Grow Something is a participant in the AmazonServices LLC Associates Program. Anytime you click on one of those links and proceed to make a purchase, we may receive a small percentage of the purchase price in the form of a commission directly from Amazon.

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…
What to Fix, Tweak, or Stop Doing in Your Garden Late Summer - Ep. 264 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:25
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, ti…
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…