Cold snaps happen fast in Zone 9a, and your garden needs a game plan. In this episode of The Compost Pile: Breaking Down How to Grow in Zone 9a, hosts David Pool and Aaron Barnhill sit down with our friend and local plant enthusiast Tom Wright for a relaxed but info-packed conversation about protecting your plants when temperatures drop.

We break down simple, practical steps every gardener or homeowner can take to prepare for frost or a hard freeze, including:

- How to properly cover plants (and what not to use)

- Why watering before a freeze matters

- How to create simple habitats to attract them

- The safe, effective use of lights and heat sources

- Choosing which plants to prioritize

- Tom’s real-life process for protecting his own plant collection

… and plenty of Zone 9a–specific tips you can use right away.

Whether you’re tending raised beds, container gardens, ornamentals, or fruit trees, this episode will help you stay ahead of cold weather and keep your plants thriving all winter long.

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In this episode of The Compost Pile we are breaking down the basics of Fertilizer.

Learn why organic options like compost, fish emulsion, and seaweed extracts build long-term soil health, while synthetic fertilizers give a quick boost but can leave your soil hungry later.

. We will explore different elements including:

• organic vs. synthetic
• slow-release vs quick release
• pH
• How fertilizer works with soil and microbes

Whether you’re growing veggies, fruit trees, or flower beds, this episode will help you make smarter, more sustainable choices for your garden.

Episode 1: The Organic Gardening Fundamental Series: Understanding the Basics of Healthy Soil

Welcome to The Compost Pile: Breaking Down How to Grow in Zone 9a! In this first episode, we’re laying the foundation for every successful garden—literally—by talking all about soil.

We’ll dig into: What soil is really made of (and why “dirt” isn’t the same thing)

• How to build the ideal soil mix for raised beds
• The role of microbes—like fungi and bacteria—in creating living, healthy soil
• Why soil pH matters and how to keep it balanced
• How heat and humidity affect your soil here in Zone 9a

Whether you’re starting your first raised bed or improving an existing garden, this episode will help you understand what’s happening beneath the surface—and how to keep your soil alive, balanced, and thriving all year long.

Hosted by: Aaron Barnhill & David Pool

Zone 9a | Southeast Texas Gardening

Subscribe for weekly episodes on soil, compost, fertilizers, watering, and everything in between.

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We are launching our new channel to give you to scoop on all things gardening, homesteading, and more. We will be breaking down information to help you be more successful in the garden. Your hosts, David & Aaron will be starting out with a fundamentals series to help form the foundation for success.