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

Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening

#Gardening #Lifestyle #Karin Velez

1:40:41

Episode Notes [00:00] The Power of Vulnerability [01:57] Meet Ashley Kirsner [03:55] The Impact of Active Listening [05:02] A Transformative Call [06:25] The Magic of Open-Ended Questions [13:28] The Role of Basic Needs in Emotional Well-being [17:10] The Birth of Skip the Small Talk [25:18] The First Skip the Small Talk Event [28:39] The Evolution of Skip the Small Talk [32:56] Online Events During COVID-19 [34:58] Work At An Anxiety Lab [38:08] The Importance of Positive Questions [42:40] The Power of Repeated Questions [45:33] Attending a Skip the Small Talk Event [46:14] The Speed Dating Format [47:21] Encouraging Anxious Participants [48:45] The Power of Sharing Deeply [49:32] Consistent Findings on Vulnerability [50:13] Understanding Oversharing [51:11] Structure and Time Management [52:18] Facilitators and Norms [53:12] Contact Information Norms [55:06] Intentional Iteration and Safety [56:37] The Role of Participants [59:01] Financial Accessibility and Investment [01:00:43] Balancing Accessibility and Compensation [01:01:49] Compensating Facilitators [01:04:39] Physiological Benefits of Deep Conversations [01:07:00] Research on Loneliness and Connection [01:09:02] The Impact of Loneliness on Health [01:10:41] The Role of Sleep in Connection [01:13:42] The Importance of Group Interactions [01:15:10] The Power of Intentional Conversations [01:20:26] Learning from Gathering Experts [01:23:19] Right Now Question & Following Curiosity [01:30:18] Where You Can Find Skip The Small Talk [01:35:45] Takeaway Thoughts & Questions Resources Mentioned Skip The Small Talk Chris Voss Finding Good with Brian Fretwell Dr. Nicholas Epley DBT - Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Brene Brown How We Gather by Priya Parker Power of Ritual by Casper ter Kuile How We Gather by Dr. Angie Thurston - Harvard Divinity School Death of Rasputin Harvard Graduate School of Education Harvard Wharton Business School MIT GE Aviation Act Blue Beauty Pill Producer Ben Ford Questions Asked When did you first understand the power of questions? How would this possibly work? What are we doing here? How could this possibly be effective? What is it that asking questions actually does for us? In this deep end of the pool, for what you experience as a suicide hotline counselor, what does that look like? How did that impact you? Were there questions that you found most impactful on that end? Are you feeling suicidal right now? Do you have a weapon? Do you have a plan? Do you have any objects to complete that plan with you right now? Are you comfortable being in a different room from it while we're having this conversation? When's the last time you slept? When's the last time you ate? Can we get some food in you? Can we take a walk? Do they know anything you're experiencing right now? If the roles were reversed and it were your partner or your cousin or your parent who were going through something like this, would you want them to tell you about it? Do you think they wanna know if you're going through a tough time? What if we had a space where we were all on the same page? Can you take a moment to go home and be a little more vulnerable with your roommate, partner, family, or neighbors? Can you take that skill with you into the rest of your life? How are you doing right now? How did you decide to do your first skip-the-small-talk event? When's the next one gonna be? Is this even possible? How do you have people switch partners in a way that makes sense online? How do we do this? What do you got for us? How do we do this for like hundreds of people? Can you talk about that story of where you pulled the questions from, and why you chose the different questions that you did? Where do you live? What do you like about where you live? What's the worst thing you've ever experienced? When's the last time you cried? When's the last time you experienced awe? What's something you're proud of that you don't normally get to share with people or that might not be on a resume? Specifically asking what are pieces of yourself that you don't normally get to share? What is a favorite ice cream? What was something that this organization has done right to help you? What do you think it is about the structure that allows for that to happen? What other elements are at play here? Finances would be a barrier, can you help me out? Do you wanna do it for free? Due to your position in society, does it make you more or less likely to go to prison? How can we do subtle things so that you don't have to necessarily out yourself as having an invisible disability, but still get your needs met? How can we make people with marginalized identities feel comfortable opening up? How do we make those spaces feel safer? What is your right now question? What makes an experience awesome? What makes storytelling awesome? Why was this moment so powerful? Why do we dim the lights a little at dinner parties What little things can you do to trick your physiology to be more immersed in an experience? Does doing a new novel activity with someone, trick your brain into being more excited about hanging out with someone? How can you make these memories more tactile? What does the tablecloth feel like? What do the napkins feel like? Can you just do five more of these? Can we do this throughout the year? What assumptions are you making about how much others want to know about your inner world, and how might testing those assumptions change your relationships? How might your community benefit from structured opportunities to practice deeper connection, and what role could you play in creating those spaces? If you treated meaningful conversation as essential to your health, as sleep or exercise, how would that change your daily priorities and choices? Are your questions designed to extract information or to create conditions where others can share the best parts of themselves?…

about a year ago 33:23

MP3•Episode home

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 key
What to do with sprouted or soft seed potatoes and how to plant them successfully
How to manage Colorado potato beetles while supporting beneficial insects like ladybugs
When 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 indoors
Organic pest control tips for pill bugs, armyworms, grubs, and more
The role of beneficial nematodes in controlling Japanese beetles and other soil pests

These 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.com

How to Prepare Seedlings for Transplant into the Garden - Ep. 243: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/how-to-prepare-seedlings-for-transplant-into-the-garden-ep-243

Ep. 131 - The Basics of Winter Sowing: Seed Starting Outdoors: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/ep-131-the-basics-of-winter-sowing-seed-starting-outdoors

My favorite insect netting: https://amzn.to/3Fems6k

And the fabric staples: https://amzn.to/45jjzLT

Arbico Organics Neemaseek: https://www.arbico-organics.com/product/nemaseek-beneficial-nematodes-hb-heterorhabditis-bacteriophora/beneficial-nematodes

Milky Spore: https://www.arbico-organics.com/product/milky-spore-granular-bacillus-popillae/organic-lawn-care

Pyganic: https://amzn.to/4dsx9in

Spinosad: https://amzn.to/4mpkdhc

Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.com

Just Grow Something Merch andDownloads: 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

Bonus content for supporters of the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething

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

Just 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.

300 episodes

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

Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

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 key
What to do with sprouted or soft seed potatoes and how to plant them successfully
How to manage Colorado potato beetles while supporting beneficial insects like ladybugs
When 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 indoors
Organic pest control tips for pill bugs, armyworms, grubs, and more
The role of beneficial nematodes in controlling Japanese beetles and other soil pests

These 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.com

How to Prepare Seedlings for Transplant into the Garden - Ep. 243: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/how-to-prepare-seedlings-for-transplant-into-the-garden-ep-243

Ep. 131 - The Basics of Winter Sowing: Seed Starting Outdoors: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/ep-131-the-basics-of-winter-sowing-seed-starting-outdoors

My favorite insect netting: https://amzn.to/3Fems6k

And the fabric staples: https://amzn.to/45jjzLT

Arbico Organics Neemaseek: https://www.arbico-organics.com/product/nemaseek-beneficial-nematodes-hb-heterorhabditis-bacteriophora/beneficial-nematodes

Milky Spore: https://www.arbico-organics.com/product/milky-spore-granular-bacillus-popillae/organic-lawn-care

Pyganic: https://amzn.to/4dsx9in

Spinosad: https://amzn.to/4mpkdhc

Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.com

Just Grow Something Merch andDownloads: 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

Bonus content for supporters of the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething

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

300 episodes

#Gardening #Lifestyle #Karin Velez

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5 weeks ago35:50

35:50

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8 weeks ago46:21

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1
Pest Patrol: Mosquitoes and Ticks in the Garden - Ep. 253 42:40

9 weeks ago42:40

42:40

Summer gardening should be about sunshine and fresh veggies, not swatting and scratching. So, this week on Just Grow Something we dig into the science and strategy behind controlling two of the most irritating garden pests that go after the gardeners, not our plants: ticks and mosquitoes. Learn which ones are in your region, understand the risks they carry, and implement practical, research-backed solutions to protect yourself and your family while in the garden. From landscape tweaks to personal protection hacks and a game-changing DIY mosquito trap, this episode has everything you need to enjoy your garden bite-free. We cover: Common tick species by region and associated diseases Mosquito types and their disease vectors Natural vs. chemical repellent options Landscaping tips to deter pests How to build a “Bucket of Doom” mosquito trap Let's dig in! References and Resources: Save 20% on your new own-root rose plant atHeirloomRoses.com with code JUSTGROW https://heirloomroses.com https://homegrownnationalpark.org/mosquito-bucket-challenge/ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alpha-gal-syndrome/in-depth/tick-species/art-20546861?utm_source=chatgpt.com https://extension.psu.edu/using-insect-and-tick-repellents-safely https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/summer_safety_part_3_mosquitoes_and_ticks https://cals.cornell.edu/integrated-pest-management/outreach-education/whats-bugging-you/ticks/managing-ticks-landscape https://hawxpestcontrol.com/how-to-treat-standing-water-to-prevent-mosquitoes-in-your-yard https://extension.sdstate.edu/how-avoid-being-dinner-preventing-tick-and-mosquito-bites https://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/PicaridinGen.html https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-deet-bad-for-you-and-your-kids https://ticksafety.com/about-ticks/seed-ticks-tick-bombs/ Just Grow Something : https://justgrowsomething.com Just Grow Something Merch andDownloads : 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 Bonus content for supporters of the Podcast : https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething Amazon storefront : https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething…

1
The Chelsea Chop: How to Prune for Longer Blooms and Healthier Plants - Ep. 252 18:08

10 weeks ago18:08

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In this short and snippy episode, we dig into a classic gardening technique known as the Chelsea Chop. Named after the iconic RHS Chelsea Flower Show, this late spring/early summer pruning method can help home gardeners promote bushier growth, delay blooms for season-long color, and support pollinators with flowering perennials in the garden. If you’re looking to add more beauty to your veggie garden and boost the productivity of your perennials, this episode is your green-thumb guide to giving those flowers a haircut. Today on Just Grow Something we're talking: What the Chelsea Chop is and why it's done Ideal plants for the technique (Echinacea, Rudbeckia, Sedum, Phlox, and more) Different pruning strategies and how to choose the right one The timing of the chop based on your climate and plant maturity Benefits for both aesthetics and garden health (more airflow, fewer pests!) The Chelsea Chop is more than just a cut—it's a strategic move to shape your garden and support pollinators. Let's dig in! References and Resources: Save 20% on your new own-root rose plant atHeirloomRoses.com with code JUSTGROW https://heirloomroses.com RHS Chelsea Chop: https://www.rhs.org.uk/pruning/chelsea-chop BBC Gardener's World, How to Do the Chelsea Chop: https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/how-to-do-the-chelsea-chop/ Just Grow Something : https://justgrowsomething.com Just Grow Something Merch andDownloads : 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 Bonus content for supporters of the Podcast : https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething Amazon storefront : https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething…

1
Can Gardening Actually Save You Money? - Ep. 251 43:15

11 weeks ago43:15

43:15

There’s a persistent myth floating around on social media that gardening is too expensive to be worth the effort when it comes to saving money on groceries. But what if I told you that with the right strategies, your backyard (or balcony!) garden could not only feed your family but actually save you money? Today on Just Grow Something, we’re busting the myth thatgrowing your own food can’t compete with grocery store prices. We’ll explore how your location, soil type, and choices in the garden can make a huge difference in your return on investment. From essential tools and inputs to skip-the-splurge items and savvy seed saving, we’re diving deep into the real numbers and practical tips that make gardening not just a hobby—but a financially smart one. Let’s dig in! In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why some crops offer more bang for your buck than others What you really need to spend money on in your garden—and what you don’t How to track your gardening costs and harvest value to measure your savings Budget-friendly strategies like starting from seed, making your own compost, and using free or recycled materials How to choose crops and garden methods based on your climate and soil type for maximum return References and Resources: Save 20% on your new own-root rose plant atHeirloomRoses.com with code JUSTGROW https://heirloomroses.com Get 10% off and FREE shipping on my favorite raisedplanters at Planter Box Direct using code JUSTGROW10 : https://planterboxdirect.com/?ref=593 USDA Inflation Tracking – Retail Produce Prices : https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/fruit-and-vegetable-prices Just Grow Something : https://justgrowsomething.com Just Grow Something Merch andDownloads : 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 Bonus content for supporters of the Podcast : https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething Amazon storefront : https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething…

1
Potatoes, Transplants, Insect Netting, and More: Garden Q&A for Episode 250 33:23

12 weeks ago33:23

33:23

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 key What to do with sprouted or soft seed potatoes and how to plant them successfully How to manage Colorado potato beetles while supporting beneficial insects like ladybugs When 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 indoors Organic pest control tips for pill bugs, armyworms, grubs, and more The role of beneficial nematodes in controlling Japanese beetles and other soil pests These 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.com How to Prepare Seedlings for Transplant into the Garden - Ep. 243 : https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/how-to-prepare-seedlings-for-transplant-into-the-garden-ep-243 Ep. 131 - The Basics of Winter Sowing: Seed Starting Outdoors : https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/ep-131-the-basics-of-winter-sowing-seed-starting-outdoors My favorite insect netting : https://amzn.to/3Fems6k And the fabric staples : https://amzn.to/45jjzLT Arbico Organics Neemaseek : https://www.arbico-organics.com/product/nemaseek-beneficial-nematodes-hb-heterorhabditis-bacteriophora/beneficial-nematodes Milky Spore : https://www.arbico-organics.com/product/milky-spore-granular-bacillus-popillae/organic-lawn-care Pyganic : https://amzn.to/4dsx9in Spinosad : https://amzn.to/4mpkdhc Just Grow Something : https://justgrowsomething.com Just Grow Something Merch andDownloads : 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 Bonus content for supporters of the Podcast : https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething Amazon storefront : https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething Just 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 .…

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Good Bug or Garden Pest? How to Identify Insects in Your Vegetable Garden – Ep. 249 39:50

13 weeks ago39:50

39:50

Are all bugs in your garden bad news? Not at all! In fact,some insects are your best allies when it comes to pest control and plant health. Today on Just Grow Something , we’re talking about howto tell the difference between beneficial insects and destructive garden pests —even if you’re not an entomologist. Learn how to identify common bugs based on their behavior, body features, and habitat, and discoverwhich insects you want to attract to your garden and which ones to manage quickly. Whether you’re a new gardener confused about who’s chewing on your cabbage, or a seasoned grower wanting to attract more natural predators to your space, this episode has practical tips for observing, identifying, andunderstanding the insects in your garden. In This Episode, You'll Learn: The role of beneficial insects in natural pest control and pollination How to visually identify insects based on body shape, wing type, behavior, and feeding habits Examples of common garden pests like aphids, squash bugs, and hornworms Identification tips for good bugs like ladybugs, parasitic wasps, lacewings, and hoverflies Why local resources like university Extension services and conservation departments are your best tool for regional pest and beneficial ID How to build a garden that attracts and supports beneficial insects Why not all creepy crawlies need to be squished—some are silently helping your garden thrive! Let's dig in! References and Resources: Save 20% on your new own-root rose plant at HeirloomRoses.com with code JUSTGROW https://heirloomroses.com Get 10% off and FREE shipping on my favorite raised planters at Planter Box Direct using code JUSTGROW10 : https://planterboxdirect.com/?ref=593 BugGuide.net – Community-supported insect ID tool Episode 24 - Aphids! https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/ep-24-garden-talk-tuesday-aphids Just Grow Something : https://justgrowsomething.com Just Grow Something Merch andDownloads : 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 Bonus content for supporters of the Podcast : https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething Amazon storefront : https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething…

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How to Grow Tomatoes - Ep 248 55:59

14 weeks ago55:59