On this Garden Talk Tuesday episode, we are talking all about broccoli. This is the first in many episodes to come where we dig deep into one particular crop and discover its origin, what conditions it grows best in, common pests and diseases, harvest tips, and more. Let's dig in!

Resources used in this episode:

https://www.herbazest.com/herbs/broccoli

http://www.stuartxchange.org/Broccoli

https://www.almanac.com/plant/broccoli#

https://firstsaturdaylime.com/

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/white-rust-disease.htm#:~:text=The%20secret%20to%20how%20to,the%20disease%20the%20following%20spring.

https://www.apsnet.org/edcenter/disandpath/oomycete/introduction/Pages/IntroOomycetes.aspx#:~:text=The%20oomycetes%2C%20also%20known%20as,foliar%20blights%20and%20downy%20mildews

It's our first "Can You Dig It" episode! Karin has a couple interesting gardening news stories to share and answers gardening questions from listeners about frost protection, growing tomatoes in containers, and the difference between part sun and part shade.

This Garden Talk Tuesday we talk strategies for weed prevention, control, and removal. A pound of cure is worth an ounce of prevention is certainly true in the garden. Weeds can take up much of our time and resources if not properly managed. This episode, we'll focus on how to keep those weeds from becoming a problem in your garden.

There's still time to send in your questions for our first "Can You Dig It" episode. Click the link below to leave a voice message, or head to the website, justgrowsomethingpodcast.com, and use the contact form. I'd love to hear from you!

This Focal Point Friday we’re looking at garden trends for this year, both for the veggie gardener and the flower gardener or home landscaper. 2020 and pandemic life saw crazy upticks in the number of people working from home, strong home sales that seem to be continuing, and a renewed interest in gardening, for both food and aesthetics. And as COVID restrictions continue, there are trends popping up for 2021 that are reflecting this continued modified lifestyle. So, whether your goal is to hunker down in your own beautiful, plant-filled retreat or to maybe sell your home while the market is hot, understanding what garden trends are on the horizon for this year will help you plan and purchase better and improve your gardening skills. So, let’s dig in to what garden trends we’re seeing for 2021.

The Practical Permaculture book mentioned in this episode can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/Practical-Permaculture-Landscapes-Community-Whole/dp/1604694432

This Garden Talk Tuesday we define what a growing zone is, according to the USDA Hardiness Zone map, and talk about what items you should keep on hand to help protect your tender garden seedlings from and unexpected frost.

Don’t forget to send me your gardening questions for our first “Can You Dig It?” episode coming up the first Friday of the month. Send me an email, or go to the contact page at justgrowsomethingpodcast.com, or click the link below to send me a voice message with your questions. If I use your question in the episode, you’ll be entered into the drawing for a free Clyde’s Garden Planner!

Links to items mentioned in this episode:

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/

Old Farmer’s Almanac Frost Date calculator

https://www.almanac.com/gardening/frostdates#

Let's dig into the science behind why gardening is good for you. There are nutritional benefits, for sure, of growing your own food. But, what about the non-nutritional benefits? Join Karin as she "geeks out" just a little bit about the science behind all the reasons why gardening is good for us, both physically and mentally, through all stages of our life.

And, don't forget to send us your gardening questions for our first "Can You Dig It?" episode to be entered for a chance to win a free Clyde's Garden Planner. Send your questions to [email protected], submit the contact form at http://www.justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/, or click the link below to leave a voice message.

Studies and articles referenced in this episode:

Beneficial effects of plant-associated microbes on indoor microbiomes and human health

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2014.00015/full

Gardening is beneficial for health: A meta-analysis

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2016.11.007

How gardening can help build healthier, happier kids

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/on-parenting/how-gardening-can-help-build-healthier-happier-kids/2017/07/17/d9047164-6599-11e7-8eb5-cbccc2e7bfbf_story.html

Back to Basics: Health and Wellness Benefits of Gardening in Older Adults

https://doi.org/10.1080/01924788.2015.1089709

American Horticultural Therapy Association

https://www.ahta.org/

19 Organizations Honoring Veterans

https://foodtank.com/news/2019/11/19-organizations-honoring-veterans/

This episode we talk about plant nomenclature, define different terms surrounding types of seeds and plants, and dig a little bit into starting your own transplants versus purchasing started plants.

The MU Extension guide mentioned in this episode can be found here: https://extension.missouri.edu/g6201

The discount code for the Black Rifle Coffee Club can be found here:http://www.justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/coffee/

How can you do things a little differently in your garden? Today we'll talk about the numerous ways you can experiment with planting dates, varieties, and techniques in the garden once you've got a couple of seasons under your belt.

Have a question or some feedback? Send us an email to [email protected]. We may use your question on a future Q&A episode!

So, last week our hypothetical gardener figured out what they want to grow in their dream garden. But how much space will they need? What type of garden do they have room for? This episode we'll talk about in-ground gardening versus alternative methods and what things you need to consider for both.

Links to things mentioned in this episode:

Missouri University Extension Planting Calendar, for spacing requirements for each type of veggie - https://extension.missouri.edu/g6201

How to determine your soil texture - https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/soil-texture-analysis-the-jar-test/

How to condition a straw bale for gardening - https://preparednessmama.com/how-to-condition-straw-bales/f

20 Creative Ways to Upcycle Pallets in your Garden - https://themicrogardener.com/20-creative-ways-to-upcycle-pallets-in-your-garden/

Why is food that we grow ourselves more nutritious? How can we preserve the nutrients in our food if we can't grow it ourselves? In this Focal Point Friday episode, Karin talks about the importance of eating closer to the source.