Homegrown: Your Backyard Garden Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

A listener recently asked a great question about saving seeds from hybrid tomatoes - specifically from the SunGold variety - and what happens when you save and replant those seeds over time. 

In this short, practical mini-episode, I explain:

• Why hybrid tomato seeds usually don’t grow true
• Whether hybrid seeds can ever become stable or heirloom
• Two practical solutions I personally use when I love a hybrid tomato and want consistent results year after year

I also share a quick bonus tip on storing cherry tomatoes so they last weeks longer.

🎧 The podcast is currently on winter break and will return with new episodes in April. Be sure to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the new season. Click here to subscribe to my email list. https://oakhillhomestead.myflodesk.com/homegrown 

Links mentioned in this episode:

• How to overwinter tomato plants - Episode 26
• Produce storage tips - Episode 25

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New episodes drop every other Tuesday - subscribe so you don’t miss a single one!

If you’re enjoying HOMEGROWN: Your Backyard Garden Podcast, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen:
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Website: https://oakhillhomestead.com
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Gardening doesn't have to be expensive. In this episode we share easy, frugal gardening ideas for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike. From saving money on seeds and soil to reusing containers and more, you’ll discover how to garden on a budget and still grow a thriving harvest. These resourceful tips will help you save money, reduce waste, and enjoy the process of growing your own healthy, organic food.

Related post: Gardening on a Budget: Frugal Gardening Tips to Save Money - https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2025/10/gardening-on-a-budget.html

Volunteer Plants - see Episode #17

Shop my favorite garden tools

Seed Library Network

Down-to-Earth Guide to Composting 

Sign up to be notified of new episodes by email:  https://oakhillhomestead.myflodesk.com/homegrown

Subscribe and Review
New episodes drop every other Tuesday - subscribe so you don’t miss a single one!

If you’re enjoying HOMEGROWN: Your Backyard Garden Podcast, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen:
Apple Podcasts
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Website: https://oakhillhomestead.com
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This week we're digging into the many benefits of growing flowers right alongside your vegetables. From controlling pests to attracting pollinators and improving soil health, flowers are more than just eye candy.

Learn how to use flowers for companion planting, where to place trap crops for maximum pest protection, which flowers grow best with common vegetables - and which ones don't!

Even if you’re gardening in containers, flowers can play a big role in your garden’s health and beauty. Let’s bring your garden to life, one flower and vegetable at a time.

Transcript/Related article: Why You Should Grow Flowers in Your Vegetable Garden   - https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2025/05/flowers-in-vegetable-garden.html

Sign up to be notified of new episodes by email:  https://oakhillhomestead.myflodesk.com/homegrown

You might also enjoy:  Volunteer Plants: How to Use Them Wisely 

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Subscribe and Review
New episodes drop every other Tuesday - subscribe so you don’t miss a single one!

If you’re enjoying HOMEGROWN: Your Backyard Garden Podcast, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen:
Apple Podcasts
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Website: https://oakhillhomestead.com
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You can grow fresh, homegrown food in just a few weeks! In this episode, you’ll discover some of the fastest-growing vegetables, plus when and how to harvest them. You’ll also learn about the quickest crops of all: sprouts and microgreens. Even if you’re short on time or space, you can grow food fast. Bonus: these quick-growing vegetables are perfect for beginners!

What are the fastest-growing vegetables? How long before I can harvest looseleaf lettuce? How can I choose fast-growing varieties? Find out in this episode.

Download the list of fast-growing vegetables here.
( https://oakhillhomestead.myflodesk.com/xwnw03s6vc )

Related post:
Fast Growing Vegetables: Grow Food in as Little as 4 Weeks

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Oak Hill Homestead, the blog
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Subscribe and Review
New episodes drop every other Tuesday - subscribe so you don’t miss a single one!

If you’re enjoying HOMEGROWN: Your Backyard Garden Podcast, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify

Keep in Touch
Website: https://oakhillhomestead.com
Facebook: https://facebook.com/oakhillhomestead
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Have you ever spotted a surprise seedling in your garden bed and wondered if it’s a weed or something worth keeping? In this episode we'll dive into the world of volunteer plants - those unexpected, self-sown seedlings that pop up on their own. You’ll learn where they come from, how to identify them, and whether to let them grow, move them to a better spot, or toss them in the compost. 

You'll find practical tips and fresh appreciation for the volunteer plants in your vegetable garden. You might be growing more food than you think! 

Transcript/Related Post: Free Food in Your Garden: Make the Most of Volunteer Plants - https://bit.ly/VolunteerPlants

You might also enjoy How to Root Tomato Cuttings 
Check out our Grow Guides for various vegetables and fruit.

Keep in touch!
Oak Hill Homestead
Facebook
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Subscribe and Review
New episodes drop every other Tuesday - subscribe so you don’t miss a single one!

If you’re enjoying HOMEGROWN: Your Backyard Garden Podcast, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify

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Website: https://oakhillhomestead.com
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Join host Kathi Rodgers and guest Amanda Freund as they share advice and tips for new gardeners, chat about farm life, and Amanda tells the story of the creation of CowPots, a sustainable alternative to peat and plastic seed-starting pots.

Transcript/Related post
Visit CowPots' website for more information: https://cowpots.com
CowPots for home gardeners: https://cowpots.com/for-home-gardeners/

Keep in touch!
Oak Hill Homestead website
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Subscribe and Review
New episodes drop every other Tuesday - subscribe so you don’t miss a single one!

If you’re enjoying HOMEGROWN: Your Backyard Garden Podcast, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify

Keep in Touch
Website: https://oakhillhomestead.com
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Timing is everything when it comes to transplanting tomatoes in your garden! In this episode, we're digging into how to transplant tomatoes the right way so they'll thrive in their new home. 

You'll learn when to transplant tomatoes outside, the best time of day to transplant tomatoes, and how deep to transplant tomatoes for strong, healthy plants. We’ll also talk about how to prevent and manage transplant shock in tomatoes. Give your tomatoes the best start possible!

Get your free Tomato Tips cheatsheet -  https://bit.ly/tomatocheatsheet - so you can grow incredible tomatoes!

Transcript/Related Post:
How to Transplant Tomato Plants - https://bit.ly/transplanttomatoplants

Keep in touch!
Oak Hill Homestead, the blog
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Subscribe and Review
New episodes drop every other Tuesday - subscribe so you don’t miss a single one!

If you’re enjoying HOMEGROWN: Your Backyard Garden Podcast, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen:
Apple Podcasts
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Keep in Touch
Website: https://oakhillhomestead.com
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If you're growing tomatoes in your backyard vegetable garden, you'll probably have green tomatoes left on your plants at the end of the season. If you're wondering what you can do with those green tomatoes, you'll appreciate these suggestions to ripen your green tomatoes before the first fall frost, and to get the most out of your harvest.

Can you make your green tomatoes turn red? Can you save your tomato plants from frost? What can you do with green tomatoes? You'll find out in this episode.

Click here for your free Tomato Tips cheatsheet
https://bit.ly/tomatocheatsheet so you can grow incredible tomatoes!

Transcript/Related Post:
What to Do With Green Tomatoes in the Fall - https://bit.ly/usegreentomatoes

Keep in touch!
Oak Hill Homestead, the blog
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Subscribe and Review
New episodes drop every other Tuesday - subscribe so you don’t miss a single one!

If you’re enjoying HOMEGROWN: Your Backyard Garden Podcast, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen:
Apple Podcasts
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Keep in Touch
Website: https://oakhillhomestead.com
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Should you invest in a survival seed kit? These pre-packaged seeds are meant to be stored away long-term until you have to start growing your own food after an emergency or world-wide crisis.

Here's why a survival seed kit might be a good option, but perhaps not your best option. I'll tell you why, and what to do instead - even if you already have a package of survival seeds stashed away for an uncertain future, which really isn't a bad idea!

Transcript/Related Post: Survival Seeds -  https://bit.ly/DoYouNeedSurvivalSeeds
Check out the Grow Guides on the website for various vegetables and fruit.
Episode #10 discusses hybrid vs heirloom tomato varieties
Blog Post -  Hybrid vs Heirloom Tomato Seeds
Blog Post - Why You Should Plant Heirloom Seeds

Keep in touch!
Oak Hill Homestead, the blog
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Subscribe and Review
New episodes drop every other Tuesday - subscribe so you don’t miss a single one!

If you’re enjoying HOMEGROWN: Your Backyard Garden Podcast, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify

Keep in Touch
Website: https://oakhillhomestead.com
Facebook: https://facebook.com/oakhillhomestead
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Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/oakhh

In this episode, we explore nine summer vegetables that thrive in hot weather. Learn essential tips and suggestions for growing these heat-loving vegetables in your backyard garden. Plus, discover the secrets to maximizing your harvest from your garden this summer. Let's dig in!


Transcript/Related Post:
9 Warm-Weather Vegetables for your Summer Garden
https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2023/05/9-warm-weather-vegetables-to-grow.html


Related Links:
How to Transplant Tomato Plants
How to Grow Sweet Potatoes in Containers
Grow Your Own Sweet Potato Slips


Keep in touch!
Oak Hill Homestead, the blog
Facebook
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Pinterest

Subscribe and Review
New episodes drop every other Tuesday - subscribe so you don’t miss a single one!

If you’re enjoying HOMEGROWN: Your Backyard Garden Podcast, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify

Keep in Touch
Website: https://oakhillhomestead.com
Facebook: https://facebook.com/oakhillhomestead
Instagram: https://instagram.com/oakhillhomestead
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/oakhh