Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening

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Episode 300: The Questions You Keep Asking (and What the Research Actually Says) May 12, 2026

Show notes

We made it to 300 episodes! And to celebrate, I’m doing something a little different. I went looking for the questions home gardeners are asking most, the ones showing up in Reddit threads, Facebook groups, university extension Q&A lines, master gardener helplines, and my own DMs and emails, over and over and over again. Then I went to the research: university extensions, peer-reviewed horticulture studies, and land-grant university publications, to find the best science-backed answers available. The result is this episode, ten of the most common gardening questions, answered with evidence, nuance, and a little bit of real-world gardener perspective from someone who’s been doing it for over 20 years and with a degree in horticulture. Whether you’ve been listening since episode 1 or you just found me today, this one is for you.

Let’s dig in.

References

Watering

University of Maine Cooperative Extension — How Often Should I Water My Vegetable Garden?: https://extension.umaine.edu/gardening/2020/07/14/watering-a-vegetable-garden/
Utah State University Extension — Water Recommendations for Vegetables: https://extension.usu.edu/yardandgarden/research/water-recommendations-for-vegetables.pdf

Tomato Leaf Problems

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension — Common Tomato Plant Problems and How to Fix Them (May 2026) https://hpj.com/2026/05/06/common-tomato-plant-problems-and-how-to-fix-them/
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension — Why Are My Tomato Leaves Curling? https://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/2022/05/05/why-are-my-tomato-leaves-curling/
University of Maryland Extension — Key to Common Problems of Tomatoes https://extension.umd.edu/resource/key-common-problems-tomatoes

Blossom End Rot

University of Maryland Extension — Blossom End Rot on Vegetables https://extension.umd.edu/resource/blossom-end-rot-vegetables/
NC State Extension (Pender County) — Why Are My Squash Rotting? (2024) https://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/news/why-are-my-squash-rotting/

Soil Improvement

Oregon State University Extension — Improving Garden Soils With Organic Matter (EC 1561) https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/ec-1561-improving-garden-soils-organic-matter
Oregon State University Extension — How to Use Compost in Gardens and Landscapes (EM 9308) https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/em-9308-how-use-compost-gardens-landscapes
University of Maryland Extension — Soil to Fill Raised Beds https://extension.umd.edu/resource/soil-fill-raised-beds/

Fertilizing

Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension — Fertilizing the Vegetable Garden (revised March 2026) https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-323/426-323.html
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension — Fertilizing a Garden https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/library/gardening/fertilizing/

Pest Management

Utah State University Extension — Creating Sustainable Home Gardens: Organic Pest Management https://extension.usu.edu/utah4h/research/organic-pest-management
South Dakota State University Extension — Organic Pest Control Methods (2025) https://extension.sdstate.edu/organic-pest-control-methods

Crop Rotation

Illinois Extension — Sow, Grow, Rotate: How Crop Rotation Promotes Gardening Success (Jan 2024) https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2024-01-05-sow-grow-rotate-how-crop-rotation-promotes-gardening-success

Harvest Timing

Illinois Extension Good Growing — Harvesting Vegetables: When and How to Pick Your Vegetables for Best Quality (June 2024) https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2024-06-28-harvesting-vegetables-when-and-how-pick-your-vegetables-best-quality
Iowa State University Extension — Vegetable Harvest Guide https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/vegetable-planting-and-harvesting-times

Resources

Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.com

Gardening Courses: https://justgrowsomething.com/courses

Just Grow Something Merch and Downloads: https://justgrowsomething.com/shop

Just 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/JustGrowSomething

Feed my coffee habit: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething

Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething

Get 10% off and FREE shipping on my favorite raised planters at Planter Box Direct using code JUSTGROW10: https://planterboxdirect.com/?ref=593

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Topping Peppers: What does the science say, yay or nay? - Ep. 299 May 05, 2026

Show notes

The subject of whether you should top your pepper plants can bring on a pretty strong debate among gardeners. That’s because this is one of those topics where the answer genuinely is: it depends. And I mean that in a very specific, evidence-based way that comes down to two things: your climate and your pepper type.

I’ll be straight with you, I do not top my peppers. We are in a zone 6b in west central Missouri and our season is just short enough that for our large sweet peppers, by the time a topped plant recovered and loaded up with new fruit, I’d be in a race with the first frost, so I don’t love my odds of winning. And for our smaller peppers, both hot and sweet, they branch naturally. They’ve never needed my help getting bushy and they generally end up so loaded with fruit there’s no need for me to create new growing points.

But that does NOT mean topping is wrong. In fact, if your growing season is long enough and you are growing the right type of pepper, there is a solid, research-grounded argument for it and I want to make that argument fairly today.

Let's dig in!

References:

Illinois Extension (University of Illinois) — Frillman, N. (2021). “Pruning tomatoes and peppers for healthier plants and a stronger harvest.” Flowers, Fruits, and Frass Blog. https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/flowers-fruits-and-frass/2021-05-17-pruning-tomatoes-and-peppers-healthier-plants-and

Nebraska Extension — “Garden Peppers.” University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension Publications. https://extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/967/html/view

University of Minnesota Extension — Ask Extension response on topping pepper plants (2021). https://ask.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=740168

University of Minnesota Extension — Weisenhorn, J. Ask Extension response on topping for yield (2016). https://ask.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=333053

University of Maryland Extension — Home and Garden Information Center. Ask Extension response on topping chile plants (2024). https://ask.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=869966

University of Minnesota Extension — “Growing Peppers in Home Gardens.” https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-peppers-home-gardens

Peer-Reviewed Research:

Humadi, F. (1980). “Effects of plant growth retardants and mechanical topping on growth and yield of pimiento pepper (Capsicum annuum L.).” Dissertation, University of Tennessee. Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_graddiss/7869/

Buczkowska, H., & Najda, A. (2001). “Impact of plant topping on chemical composition of sweet pepper fruit.” Zeszyty Naukowe Akademii Techniczno-Rolniczej w Bydgoszczy. Rolnictwo, 46, 33–37.

Cao, D., Chabikwa, T., Barbier, F., Dun, E. A., Fichtner, F., Dong, L., Kerr, S. C., & Beveridge, C. A. (2023). “Auxin-independent effects of apical dominance induce changes in phytohormones correlated with bud outgrowth.” Plant Physiology, 192(2), 1420–1434. https://doi.org/10.1093/plphys/kiad034

Avent, A. R., & Armitage, A. M. (2015). “Effects of Paclobutrazol and Pinching on Ornamental Pepper.” HortScience / Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science. ResearchGate: DOI 10.21273/HORTSCI.

Hu, Q., Wei, Y., Gan, X., Zhang, O., Huangpu, J., Hu, B., & Wu, L. (2016). “Effects of pruning methods and harvest time on yield and benefit of pepper in greenhouse.” Jiangsu Agricultural Sciences, 44, 182–185.

Resources:

Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.com

Gardening Courses: https://justgrowsomething.com/courses

Just Grow Something Merch and Downloads: https://justgrowsomething.com/shop

Just 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/JustGrowSomething

Feed my coffee habit: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething

Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething

Get 10% off and FREE shipping on my favorite raised planters at Planter Box Direct using code JUSTGROW10: https://planterboxdirect.com/?ref=593

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Growing Tomatoes, Peppers, and Lettuce in Pots - Ep. 298 Apr 28, 2026

Show notes

Last week on the show we talked about the basic considerations for growing in containers, and that included how to evaluate whether a crop is a good candidate for growing in a pot.

This week we’re digging into the three crops I get asked about the most often when it comes to growing in containers: tomatoes, peppers, and lettuce. And while, technically, you can grow most anything in the right sized pot, these three are the ones folks tend to try first, so we’re going to get specific on them. And yes, each one of them can be very productive in a container.

Welcome back to Just Grow Something, I’m Karin Velez, a horticulturist and market farmer who has grown in containers in some way, shape, or form for probably 18 of the 20-plus years I’ve been gardening. I have grown in 6-inch pots all the way up to 100-gallon grow bags – yes, I said 100-gallon and, in all fairness, that’s more like a raised planter bed than a pot – but I’ve been really successful in most instances with just a few failures along the way and I want to teach you how to avoid those mistakes with these popular crops. Let’s dig in.

University Extension References

Penn State Extension — Container Vegetable Gardening: Four Keys to Success: https://extension.psu.edu/container-vegetable-gardening-four-keys-to-success

Penn State Extension — Growing Vegetables and Flowers in Containers: https://extension.psu.edu/growing-vegetables-and-flowers-in-containers

Oregon State University Extension — Grow Your Own Peppers (EC 1227): https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/ec-1227-grow-your-own-peppers

University of Missouri Extension — Container Gardens to Supply Your Salads: https://extension.missouri.edu/news/container-gardens-to-supply-your-salads

North Carolina A&T State University Cooperative Extension — Growing Fruiting Vegetables in Containers: Tomato, Pepper and Eggplant: https://www.ncat.edu/caes/cooperative-extension/covid-19/fruiting-vegetables.php

Resources:

Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.com

Gardening Courses: https://justgrowsomething.com/courses

Just Grow Something Merch and Downloads: https://justgrowsomething.com/shop

Just 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/JustGrowSomething

Feed my coffee habit: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething

Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething

Get 10% off and FREE shipping on my favorite raised planters at Planter Box Direct using code JUSTGROW10: https://planterboxdirect.com/?ref=593

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Container Gardening 101 - Ep. 297 Apr 21, 2026

Show notes

No yard? No tiller? No problem. If you've got a patio, a porch, a balcony, or even a sunny driveway, you can grow a real, productive vegetable garden in containers.

Today on Just Grow Something, we walk through the essentials of container gardening from the ground up: how to evaluate whether a crop is a good candidate for a pot, how to pick the right container size based on root system and mature plant size, what kind of soil to use (and what NOT to use), how to feed your plants organically, and the special considerations that make container growing a little different than growing in the ground — things like light, drainage, airflow, watering, and trellising.

Whether you're a total beginner or someone adding containers to an existing garden, you'll walk away knowing how to get your best start. Let’s dig in!

SHOW NOTES & RESOURCES

Resources
• Just Grow Something Garden Planning Workbook — https://justgrowsomething.com/shop
• Plan Like a Pro Course — https://justgrowsomething.thinkific.com
• Days to Maturity reference chart — https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/maturity
• The Cantry, Belton MO: https://thecantrypantry.com/?page_id=357
• Fabric Grow Bags: https://amzn.to/4vHDHSO
• Fish Emulsion: https://amzn.to/4sM7nvg
• Kelp Concentrate: https://amzn.to/4u0dcq7

Quick-Reference: Container Size by Crop

Small containers (2 gallons, 4–6 in. deep):
• Lettuce, spinach, arugula, salad greens, radishes, scallions, basil, cilantro, thyme, mint

Medium containers (3–5 gallons, 10–12 in. deep):
• Bush beans, Swiss chard, beets, short carrots, dwarf tomatoes, dwarf peppers, compact eggplant, kale, cabbage, larger herbs

Large containers (8–15+ gallons, 12–16+ in. deep):
• Standard tomatoes (determinate), peppers, eggplant, cucumbers, summer squash, broccoli, large herbs like rosemary

Extra-large containers (15–25+ gallons, 18–24 in. deep):
• Indeterminate tomatoes, winter squash, large sweet peppers, long-season superhot peppers, bush melons

Quick-Reference: Light Requirements
• Fruiting vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, cucumbers, squash): 6–8+ hours direct sun
• Root vegetables (carrots, beets, radishes): at least 6 hours
• Leafy greens (lettuce, spinach, chard, kale) and most herbs: at least 4 hours

Simple Organic Feeding Schedule
• At planting: Mix a balanced granular organic fertilizer (e.g., 4-6-4) into potting mix per label rate.
• Every 2 weeks during the growing season: Water with diluted fish emulsion or fish-and-kelp blend (follow label; skip the first 2–3 weeks after transplanting).
• When fruiting plants start to flower: Switch to a lower-nitrogen, higher-phosphorous and potassium feed (e.g., 3-4-6 tomato & vegetable formula).

University Extension References

https://extension.umd.edu/resource/types-containers-growing-vegetables
University of Maryland Extension — Types of Containers for Growing Vegetables

https://extension.umd.edu/resource/maintaining-container-grown-vegetables
University of Maryland Extension — Maintaining Container Grown Vegetables

https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/growing-vegetables-containers/
University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension — Growing Vegetables in Containers (XHT1278)

https://extension.psu.edu/container-vegetable-gardening-four-keys-to-success
Penn State Extension — Container Vegetable Gardening: Four Keys to Success

https://extension.psu.edu/growing-vegetables-and-flowers-in-containers
Penn State Extension — Growing Vegetables and Flowers in Containers

https://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/container-gardening-grow-vegetables-even-without-yard-space
Oregon State University Extension — Container Gardening: Grow Vegetables Even Without Yard Space

Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.com
Gardening Courses: https://justgrowsomething.com/courses
Just Grow Something Merch and Downloads: https://justgrowsomething.com/shop
Just 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/JustGrowSomething
Feed my coffee habit: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething
Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething
Get 10% off and FREE shipping on my favorite raised planters at Planter Box Direct using code JUSTGROW10: https://planterboxdirect.com/?ref=593

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Succession Planting 101: How to Keep Your Garden Producing from Spring Through Frost - Ep. 296 Apr 14, 2026

Show notes

Empty beds mean missed harvests. But with the right plan, they're completely avoidable. Today on Just Grow Something I'm walking you through succession planting and relay planting, the strategies that keep your garden productive not just across space, but across time.

Whether you're dealing with a four-month growing season or gardening in year-round heat, there's a succession approach that works for your climate. I break down the three types of succession crops, explain how to build a planting calendar that eliminates gaps, and get into relay planting, where you plant your next crop into your current one before it's even finished so there's never a moment of wasted ground.

I've also included a full dos and don'ts list, because a few key mistakes can turn a great succession plan into a depleted bed and a missed season.

In this episode:

The four types of succession planting and when to use each one
Rapid, mid-range, and long-season crops and how to succession plant each category
Why cucumbers, zucchini, and squash practically require succession planting (and exactly how I do it)
Relay planting: how it works, why it's different from interplanting, and some of my favorite pairs
Succession strategies by climate: short season, mid-range, and long hot season
A full dos and don'ts list, including the disease rotation mistake most gardeners don't see coming

This episode pairs with last week's episode on interplanting — together, they give you a complete system for filling every bed, every season.

Episode References

Episode 43: Succession Planting, Relay Planting, and Interplanting
Episode 204: Top Crops to Plant in Succession Throughout the Summer
Episode 295 (previous): Interplanting Done Right — High, Low, Fast, Slow

Resources

Days to Maturity reference chart — justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/maturity
Just Grow Something Garden Planning Workbook — justgrowsomething.com/shop
Plan Like a Pro Course — justgrowsomething.thinkific.com

Succession Crop Quick Reference

Rapid Succession (plant every 2–3 weeks):

Lettuce, spinach, arugula, radishes, cilantro, green onions, baby bok choy

Mid-Range Succession (plant every 3–4 weeks):

Bush beans, cucumbers, summer squash/zucchini, determinate tomatoes, sweet corn

Split Succession (spring + fall, something else in between):

Carrots, beets, broccoli, snap beans (in hot climates), cucumbers & squash (in hot climates)

Great Relay Planting Pairs:

Spring lettuce → tomatoes → fall lettuce
Garlic/onions → peppers
Bok choy → summer squash
Carrots → sweet corn → carrots
Peas → beans or cucumbers

Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.com

Gardening Courses: https://justgrowsomething.com/courses

Just Grow Something Merch and Downloads: https://justgrowsomething.com/shop

Just 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/JustGrowSomething

Feed my coffee habit: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething

Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething

Get 10% off and FREE shipping on my favorite raised planters at Planter Box Direct using code JUSTGROW10: https://planterboxdirect.com/?ref=593

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Interplanting Done Right: The High, Low, Fast, Slow Method for Bigger Harvests - Ep. 295 Apr 07, 2026

Show notes

What if you could get more food from the exact same garden space, without expanding a single bed? That's the promise of interplanting, and today on Just Grow Something I break down exactly how to do it right.

Building on the "high, low, fast, slow" mantra I use in my own garden and teach in my Plan Like a Pro course, I walk you through the framework that makes interplanting work and the common mistakes that turn it into overcrowding. I cover what to consider before you ever put two plants together (mature size, water needs, nutrient timing, and allelopathy), then get practical with six beginner-friendly pairings that are low-risk and high-reward, plus advanced combinations and experiments for experienced gardeners ready to push further.

I've also put together a clear list of dos and don'ts to keep on hand when you're planning your beds.

In this episode:

What interplanting, intercropping, and companion planting actually mean
The "high, low, fast, slow" framework and how to apply it to any bed
What to know about your plants before pairing them (and what can go wrong if you don't)
Six beginner pairings: tomatoes + basil, lettuce + tomatoes, radishes + carrots, peas + spinach, garlic + peppers, cucumbers + lettuce
Advanced ideas: trap cropping, stacked seasonal beds, the Three Sisters and beyond
A full dos and don'ts list for interplanting success

Let's dig in!

Episode References

Episode 180: Interplanting to Maximize Your Harvest: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/interplanting-to-maximize-your-harvest-ep-180
Episode 247: Smarter Planting for Bigger Harvests – Interplanting Strategies: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/smarter-planting-for-bigger-harvests-interplanting-strategies-ep-247
254 – Spring Interplanting Strategies: What Worked, What Flopped, and Why: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/spring-interplanting-strategies-what-worked-what-flopped-and-why-ep-254

Resources

"Gardening with the Moon Around the World" by Vergers du Monde: https://amzn.to/4cuSmcj
Companion Planting Chart download: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/companion
Days to Maturity reference chart: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/maturity
Just Grow Something Garden Planning Workbook: https://justgrowsomething.com/shop/p/just-grow-something-garden-planning-workbook
Plan Like a Pro Course: https://justgrowsomething.thinkific.com

Quick-Reference: Beginner Pairings

Tomatoes + Basil — HIGH/SLOW + LOW/MED
Lettuce + Tomatoes — LOW/FAST + HIGH/SLOW
Radishes + Carrots — FAST + SLOW
Peas + Spinach — HIGH/FAST + LOW/SLOW
Garlic/Onions + Peppers — timing/space efficiency
Cucumbers on trellis + Lettuce beneath — HIGH/SLOW + LOW/FAST

Next week: succession planting — the strategy that keeps your beds productive across time, not just space.

Get 10% off and FREE shipping on my favorite raised planters at Planter Box Direct using code JUSTGROW10: https://planterboxdirect.com/?ref=593

Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.com

Gardening Courses: https://justgrowsomething.com/courses

Just Grow Something Merch and Downloads: https://justgrowsomething.com/shop

Just 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/JustGrowSomething

Feed my coffee habit: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething

Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Your Greenhouse Operating Manual - Ep. 294 Mar 31, 2026

Show notes

Get my greenhouse selection guide to help you choose which protected growing structure is right for you: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/greenhouse

A protected growing structure isn’t “set it and forget it” but a microclimate you manage. In this final episode of our greenhouse mini-series, you’ll get a practical operating manual for cold frames, low tunnels, caterpillar tunnels, high tunnels, and home greenhouses.

We’ll cover ventilation, heating and cooling strategies, watering and irrigation basics, container vs raised-bed vs in-ground considerations, pollination management, and an evidence-based approach to pest and disease control.

We’ll also tackle a topic many gardeners miss until something goes wrong: soil health under cover, including salt buildup, nutrient imbalances, and why protected soils often need a different fertility strategy than open-field beds.

Let’s dig in!

Resources:

The thermometer/hygrometer I use to monitor my greenhouse and other garden structures: https://amzn.to/4th56Ja

NRCS (USDA) — Controlling the High Tunnel Environment: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/Controlling-High-Tunnel-Environment.pdf

Oklahoma State University Extension — The Hobby Greenhouse: https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/the-hobby-greenhouse-2

Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.com

Gardening Courses: https://justgrowsomething.com/courses

Just Grow Something Merch and Downloads: https://justgrowsomething.com/shop

Just 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/JustGrowSomething

Feed my coffee habit: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething

Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Greenhouse Tradeoffs: Heat, Humidity, Pests, and Practicality - Ep. 293 Mar 24, 2026

Show notes

Get my free guide to choosing which protected gardening structure you should choose - https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/greenhouse

Protected growing structures like greenhouses can be game-changers - earlier harvests, fewer rain-splashed diseases, better crop quality, and more reliable timing. But they also create a new microclimate with new rules: overheating, humidity spikes, irrigation demands, shifting pest pressure, and sometimes pollination problems.

Today on Just Grow Something, we break down what problems protected culture solves, what it tends to make harder, and how to predict those tradeoffs before you invest. You’ll learn the core principals of tunnels and greenhouses, like temperature, humidity, airflow, and water, plus what changes when you grow in containers, raised beds, or in-ground under cover.

Let’s dig in!

Resources:

High Tunnels and Other Season Extension Techniques - SARE: https://www.sare.org/resources/high-tunnels-and-other-season-extension-techniques/

NRCS (USDA) — Controlling the High Tunnel Environment: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/Controlling-High-Tunnel-Environment.pdf

Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.com

Gardening Courses: https://justgrowsomething.com/courses

Just Grow Something Merch and Downloads: https://justgrowsomething.com/shop

Just 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/JustGrowSomething

Feed my coffee habit: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething

Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How to Pick the Right Greenhouse, Tunnel, or Cold Frame - Ep. 292 Mar 17, 2026

Show notes

Download my Protected Growing Quick Guide to help you make the decision on what type of structure would work best in your garden: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/greenhouse

Thinking about a greenhouse but not sure if you really need one? There are some beautiful and expensive options out there, but greenhouses aren’t the only option for extending the season your garden.

Today on Just Grow Something, we map out the full spectrum of protected growing structures for home gardeners: from cold frames and covered shelving to low tunnels, caterpillar tunnels, hoop houses/high tunnels, and home greenhouses. You’ll learn what each option is best for, how to match a structure to your goals, space, budget, and maintenance tolerance, and which “hidden factors” make or break success, like site selection, orientation, wind exposure, and snow load. By the end, you’ll have a clear decision framework so you can choose a protected structure that fits your garden and your life, not just your Pinterest board.

Resources:

Cornell High Tunnels: Structures - https://blogs.cornell.edu/hightunnels/structures/

Penn State Extension: Season Extenders - https://extension.psu.edu/season-extenders-and-growing-fall-vegetables

Oklahoma State University Extension: The Hobby Greenhouse: https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/the-hobby-greenhouse-2.html

Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.com

Gardening Courses: https://justgrowsomething.com/courses

Just Grow Something Merch and Downloads: https://justgrowsomething.com/shop

Just 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/JustGrowSomething

Feed my coffee habit: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething

Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hardening Off Homegrown AND Storebought Seedlings - Ep. 291 Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

Hardening off is the difference between sturdy transplants that take off fast and seedlings that stall, scorch, or collapse after planting.

Today on Just Grow Something, you’ll learn what to do indoors before hardening off, a simple step-by-step hardening-off schedule (including temperature guidelines, shade vs. sun, wind protection, and watering adjustments), and what to watch for when you transplant.

We’ll also cover the “mystery variable” of purchased seedlings and how to treat garden-center starts if you’re not sure they’ve been acclimated.

Then, in the second half, we’ll talk about how the process changes when you’re using a greenhouse, cold frame, or high tunnel and why protected structures can help without eliminating the need to transition plants carefully.

Let’s dig in!

Resources:

University of Maryland Extension — Hardening Off Vegetable Seedlings for the Home Garden: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/hardening-vegetable-seedlings-home-garden/

NC State Extension Gardener Handbook — Season Extenders and Greenhouses: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/extension-gardener-handbook/appendix-e-season-extenders-and-greenhouses

Iowa State University Extension — All about Cold Frames: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/yard-and-garden-all-about-cold-frames

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