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The Simple Garden Life

by Simple Garden Life

A program dedicated to keeping the art of gardening simple, fun, and always rewarding. Hosts Jim and Mary Competti have been writing, speaking and sharing their love of gardening for the last decade. Co-owners of the popular blog oldworldgardenfarms.com and co-authors of Growing Simple and Raised Row Gardening, they take an enthusiastic approach to giving solid, straightforward advice on growing everything from vegetables, to perennials, annuals and more! Each week, Jim and Mary take on a new gardening topic with gusto, taking the listener through the how and why's of gardening, along with advice on how to always keep it fun and enjoyable.

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Oct 12, 2026 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. How To Keep Your Hanging Baskets Blooming Big - All Summer Long!

    Want to know the best way to keep your hanging baskets healthy, strong – and most importantly – loaded with blooms all summer long this year? If there is one issue that seems to plague gardeners when it comes to their hanging baskets – it’s how to keep them healthy and blooming longer for more…

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  2. How To Fertilize Hostas - Keep Your Hostas Beautiful This Year!

    This week Jim & Mary are talking hostas - or more importantly - how and when to fertilize hostas to keep them beautiful all summer long! Unlike most perennials and annuals, hostas are almost always grown for their beautiful foliage. Although they do produce a long, slender stem of blooms in the...

  3. How To Supercharge Your Tomato Planting Hole – 4 Must Add Ingredients To Power Plants Early!

    Getting your tomato plants off to a great start is one of the biggest keys to growing a big harvest of juicy tomatoes in the summer – and there is no better way to jump start your crop than putting a big dose of power in your tomato planting hole with four simple but powerful ingredients! Tomato...

  4. How To Fill Your Raised Beds With The Right Soil Mix!

    When it comes to growing healthy, productive vegetables and flowers in raised beds – success all begins with filling your raised beds with the perfect mix of soil! The soil you put into your raised beds matters. To grow great plants it needs to be lightweight, full of nutrients – and also drain...

  5. The 3 Biggest Mistakes Gardeners Make Mulching Flowerbeds - And How To Avoid Them

    When it comes to maintaining healthy plants and weed-free flowerbeds, mulch is the answer. There is little doubt that it has tremendous benefits for the flowers growing in your flowerbeds – especially when it put down correctly. But let’s face it, the number one reason gardeners put down mulch is...

  6. The Best Way To Use Egg Shells To Power Plants & Recharge Your Soil!

    Are you using egg shells correctly in your garden and flowerbeds? Egg shells are one of the most commonly recommended organic ingredients for powering up garden soil and plants. And for good reason! Egg shells are rich in calcium, which happens to be a critical nutrient for strong plant cell…

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  7. The Best Way To Fertilize Daylilies In Early Spring – How To Get Bigger Blooms This Year!

    Jim & Mary discuss early spring daylily care - and how to best fertilize them for bigger blooms! The best time to fertilize daylilies is in early spring – and with one simple and easy application, you can set your daylilies up for bigger and better blooms than ever this year! Daylilies are one of...

  8. The Best Way To Support Tomatoes - DIY Tomato Supports!

    If you are looking for the best way to support your tomato plants this year without spending a fortune - today's episode covers how to create the perfect DIY solution that can hold the biggest of plants without worry! Tomato cages have been around for years, but they can be expensive. Not only...

  9. 4 Simple Secrets To Grow Cucumbers Like Crazy!

    In this season's first episode, Jim and Mary walk listeners through the four simple steps to planting and growing cucumbers. See how with just a few simple tips and tricks, you can grow your best crop of cucumbers ever!

  10. How To Best Feed Birds In Winter - Helping Birds Survive Winter!

    There is no harder time for birds than trying to survive in the harsh, bleak and cold conditions winter can bring - and there is no better way to help them through it than by feeding them on a regular basis! Winter is extremely tough on birds that do not migrate to warmer areas. Not only can it…

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  11. The Secret To Watering Poinsettias - How To Mist Poinsettias!

    Did you know that how you water your poinsettias during the holiday season is one of the biggest factors of all in determining just how long your plant will keep it’s gorgeous colorful leaves in place throughout the holiday season – and that misting your poinsettia regularly can play a huge role…

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  12. Drought Resistant Perennials - 6 Plants You Won't Have To Water!

    Looking for a few low-maintenance, drought resistant perennials to add big interest and color to your landscape – all without the worry of having to constantly water? One of the most difficult and time consuming chores for a gardener to perform is having to continually water their plants....

  13. How To Fertilize Hanging Baskets - Keep Your Baskets Blooming Big All Summer!

    See how to fertilize your hanging baslets like a pro! Jim and Mary walk listeners through how to fertilize their baskets low and slow - and how it can help keep flowering baskets blooming big all summer long! There is little doubt about it - how, when and what you use to fertilize your hanging...

  14. How To Stop Carpenter Bees - And The Damage They Cause!

    Jim and Mary walk listeners through how to stop carpenter bees from damaging the wood around their home, without having to kill of these important pollinators. When it comes to stopping carpenter bees and the damage they cause to the wood surfaces around your exterior of your home, one thing is…

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  15. How To Jump Start Your Tomato Plants - Get Your Tomatoes Growing Fast!

    Want to give your young tomato plants a jump start and get them growing fast? Jim and Mary walk listeners through how to power up tomato plants after they have been planted to get them growing strong, healthy and faster than ever! As garden season gets into full swing, many gardeners are planting...

  16. How To Recharge And Reuse Old Potting Soil

    Jim and Mary walk listeners through how to recycle, recharge and reuse old potting soil. Potting soil can be one of the biggest annual expenses of all for those who like to plant flowers and vegetables in pots, containers and hanging baskets. In fact, quite often, it can cost a gardener more for...

  17. The Best Spring Garden Seed Crops To Plant Early – Get Growing Now!

    Listen in as Jim and Mary walk you through getting your garden growing early in the season with seed crops! From sugar snap peas, to spinach, radishes and more, they cover some of the best crops that can handle cooler season temperatures with ease. Don't wait for late spring and summer to plant,...

  18. How To Divide Perennials In The Spring

    Jim and Mary talk about dividing perennials in the spring, and how to transplant them into your flowerbeds to help add more color and stop weeds in the process! One of the easiest, best and least expensive ways to fill your flowerbeds with life and color is to divide the perennials you already…

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  19. How To Make The Best Homemade Potting Soil Around - Without Peat Moss!

    In today's episode, Jim and Mary walk listeners through the simple steps for how to create their own powerful and amazing potting soil - without the need for peat moss! Using just 5 natural ingredients, they have been making this potting soil on their farm for the last 10+ years - and with…

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  20. Cutting Back & Dividing Ornamental Grasses In The Spring

    Jim & Mary take listeners through the process of ornamental grass care, inlcuding when to cut them back and how to divide and transplant overgrown grasses. There is no better time to cut back and divide ornamental grasses than in late winter and early spring. Not only can it keep your grasses...

  21. How To Control & Repel Ticks Safely - In Your Backyard & More!

    Looking for a few simple and safe methods to control and repel ticks in your backyard this spring, summer and fall? Jim and Mary take you through 3 natural methods to control the tick population in your yard, and highlight a few simple and natural methods to help deter them from finding you no...

  22. How To Recharge Your Raised Bed Soil - Keep Your Raised Beds Healthy!

    Jim and Mary discuss how to keep the soil in your raised beds healthy and strong, including the best ways to recharge and re-energize the soil to grow bigger and better plants! Raised beds are one of the easiest and most effective ways to grow vegetables, flowers and herbs - especially for those...

  23. How To Prune Tomatoes - And Why Its So Important! Episode 210

    Jim and Mary talk about how to prune tomato plants - and why it's so important for their success! See how to prune your plants to allow air and light in, and why it helps keep your plants disease and pest free.

  24. How To Fertilize Tomato Plants For Big Success! Episode 209

    Jim and Mary discuss how to best fertilize your tomato plants, including when to fertilize, how often, and a few of the best types of fertilizer to use on your plants. Tomato plants are heavy feeders from the soil and can benefit greatly from perfectly timed nutrient boosts. See how to power up...

  25. The Amazing Benefits Of Growing Marigolds In Your Garden & Flowerbeds

    Jim and Mary discuss the benefits of planting marigolds in your garden, flowerbeds and landscape. Listen in and see how marigolds can bring important pollinators to your yard, as well as keep pests such as aphids, hornworms and nematodes at bay. See how to grow better by planting the mighty...

  26. How To Harden Off Vegetable & Flower Plants - Episode 207

    Jim and Mary cover the topic of hardening off vegetable and flower transplants in the spring. Hardening off tender young plants is seedlings is vital getting them off to a healthy strong start outdoors. Learn how to harden off your plants safely, and why it is so important for a great garden season.

  27. Growing Vegetables In Straw Bales - How To Grow Vegetables Anywhere

    See how easy growing vegetables in straw bales can be! Jim and Mary take you through the steps of setting up a straw bale planter, all while covering how to set your bales up for success with a simple approach that makes it easy and uncomplicated to grow.

  28. How To Grow Strawberries - The Simple Secrets To A Great Harvest!

    Jim and Mary walk listeners through the process of planting, growing and maintaining a strawberry crop. From June bearing to everbearing varieties, strawberries are a great perennial crop to plant to enjoy for years of fresh berries!

  29. How To Collect & Use Rain Water - And Why It's Better For Your Plants!

    See the best methods for collecting and using rain water for your garden, flowerbeds & landscape - and why it's one of the best ways to water your plants! Using rain water for your landscape is not only a great way to conserve on your city, well or community water supplies, it also has huge...

  30. How To Use Compost In Your Garden & Flowerbeds! 5 Great Uses For Compost

    Jim and Mary discuss the 5 best ways to use compost in your garden and flowerbeds. Compost is the key to adding healthy nutrients to your soil naturally. It’s full of life and teeming with beneficial bacteria and organisms. All of which work to rejuvenate and re-energize tired soil and help keep…

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  31. How To Plant & Grow Asparagus - The Simple Steps To Delicious Asparagus!

    Jim and Mary take a look at how to plant and maintain a perennial crop of asparagus. Asparagus can grow and produce for 20 years or more, but the key to success is planting it right from the start! See where to locate your crop, select the right varieties, how to prepare the soil, and when and…

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  32. How To Use Coffee Grounds & Egg Shells In Your Garden - And Why To Start Saving Them Now!

    Jim and Mary are back for Season 2 of the Simple Garden Life Podcast. Listen as they talk about the benefits of saving egg shells and coffee grounds in the winter, and how to use them to power your soil and plants this spring and summer!

  33. Dividing Perennials In The Fall - Fall Flowerbed Maintenance

    Jim and Mary take a look at dividing perennials in the fall, including when and how to divide, and why it is so important for keeping your flowerbeds healthy and weed free.

  34. How To Plant A Cover Crop

    Jim and Mary take you through the process of how to plant a fall cover crop in your garden, and why it is so important. Cover crops not only protect your garden's soil through winter, they also help keep weeds at bay, all while recharging your garden's soil.

  35. How And Why To Deadhead Your Annuals & Perennial Flowers

    A look at how to deadhead flowers to keep both your annuals and perennials strong and vibrant. Jim and Mary talk about the age-old practice of deadheading flowers.

  36. How To Fertilize Your Vegetable Garden For Success - Simple Secrets That Work

    Jim and Mary discuss when and how to fertilize a garden to get the most from your crops. See when you should start to power up young transplants and seedlings, and what the best fertilizers for vegetable crops are.

  37. Succession Planting - Getting The Most From Your Garden Space

    Jim and Mary discuss succession planting in the garden, and how to get the most from your space with multiple plantings.

  38. How To Create Gorgeous Container Plants From Perennials - For Free!

    Jim and Mary discuss how to create gorgeous container plants by using perennial plants instead of annuals. Learn how to create beautiful potted plants year after year without spending a dime!

  39. 8 Simple Garden Tools Every Gardener Should Own For A Better Garden - Episode 115

    Jim and Mary discuss 8 simple but effective garden tools that should be in every gardener's tool shed. These 8 tools are not only inexpensive, they can also help you to a stronger, healthier garden - and a happier you!

  40. The Best Heirloom Tomatoes To Grow For Eating, Canning & More! - Episode 114

    Jim and Mary discuss their favorite heirloom tomatoes to grow in the garden. From fresh eating, to making sauce, pasta, juice and more - listen in to find out which tomato varieties are best to grow, and why.

  41. How To Keep Your Hanging Baskets Gorgeous From Spring Til Fall! Episode 113

    Jim and Mary discuss their best secrets to keep your hanging baskets looking great from spring until fall. From selecting the right plants, to proper watering and fertilizing, see how to have the best hanging baskets on the block!

  42. How To Grow Vegetables In 5 Gallon Buckets - Episode 112

    Jim and Mary discuss growing vegetable in 5 gallon buckets, and how easy it is to grow nearly any type of vegetables you can dream of in containers. See their top tips and hints for growing in 5 gallon buckets - and how to make it look beautiful too!

  43. How To Keep Flowerbeds Weed-Free! - Episode 111

    Jim and Mary take a look at the secrets behind keeping your flowerbeds weed free, and how to do it without working hours every day at it!

  44. How To Plant Your Garden For Success - 7 Big Planting Day Secrets! 110

    Jim and Mary cover how to get your vegetable garden off to the best start possible with 7 key planting day secrets! How you plant on planting day can have a big impact on your garden's success.

  45. How To Grow An Amazing Crop Of Cucumbers - Episode 109

    Jim and Mary discuss their top tips for how to grow your best crop of cucumbers. Whether growing in a garden, in raised beds, or containers, see how to get the most from your cucumber plants

  46. How To Make And Use Compost Tea, The Ultimate Fertilizer! - Episode 108

    Jim and Mary discuss how to make compost tea, and its many uses in the vegetable garden, flower beds, and for fertilizing hanging baskets, container plants, herbs and more. Compost tea is easy to make, 100 % organic, and best of all free!

  47. How To Create A Raised Row Garden With Ease - Episode 107

    Jim and Mary cover how to create a Raised Row Garden this spring, and how to maintain it year round! The Raised Row garden method continues to grow bigger every year, and it’s easy to see why. It makes gardening fun, all with a simple, low-maintenance and entirely organic approach. Even better…

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  48. How To Use Worm Castings To Power Your Vegetables & Flowers - Episode 106

    Worm castings are quite simply one of the most powerful, incredible, plant-energizing & soil fertilizing ingredients you can use. And, they are 100% organic! Learn how to use worm castings to power all of your flower and vegetable plants to new heights this year!

  49. Eliminating Weeds From Your Garden, The Secrets To Success! - Episode 105

    Weeds can turn a gorgeous garden into an eyesore in just a few weeks. In addition, they can also choke the life out of your plants, competing for the same vital resources (water, nutrients, light and oxygen) that your vegetable plants do. Learn how to stop weeds in your garden for good as Jim and...

  50. How To Make Great Compost For A Great Garden - Episode 104

    Jim and Mary take a look at the secrets to creating and maintaining a great compost pile. Compost is an amazing organic powerhouse of nutrients. Nutrients that help to keep soil loose, workable, and most importantly, completely energized. When it comes to growing healthy plants, compost is a...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

A program dedicated to keeping the art of gardening simple, fun, and always rewarding. Hosts Jim and Mary Competti have been writing, speaking and sharing their love of gardening for the last decade. Co-owners of the popular blog oldworldgardenfarms.com and co-authors of Growing Simple and Raised Row Gardening, they take an enthusiastic approach to giving solid, straightforward advice on growing everything from vegetables, to perennials, annuals and more! Each week, Jim and Mary take on a new gardening topic with gusto, taking the listener through the how and why's of gardening, along with advice on how to always keep it fun and enjoyable.

HOSTED BY

Simple Garden Life

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The Simple Garden Life have?

The Simple Garden Life currently has 53 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is The Simple Garden Life about?

A program dedicated to keeping the art of gardening simple, fun, and always rewarding. Hosts Jim and Mary Competti have been writing, speaking and sharing their love of gardening for the last decade. Co-owners of the popular blog oldworldgardenfarms.com and co-authors of Growing Simple and Raised...

How often does The Simple Garden Life release new episodes?

The Simple Garden Life has 53 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to The Simple Garden Life?

You can listen to The Simple Garden Life on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts The Simple Garden Life?

The Simple Garden Life is created and hosted by Simple Garden Life.
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