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PODCAST

The Compost Pile | Gardening & Homesteading

David Pool - Homestead & Organic Gardening Enthusiast

The Compost Pile | Gardening & Homesteading explores all things gardening, homesteading, and organic gardening. Your Hosts, David Pool & Aaron Barnhill, will dive into pollinators, practical fundamentals, tips for success, and more. David Pool has over 20 years in the green industry and helps people daily solving all types of gardening, landscape, lawn, and homestead issues.Aaron Barnhill is a seasoned cook and resident "newer" gardener, bringing up all the questions that David is used to

leisure home & garden

All Episodes

13:48

October Gardening Isn’t Autopilot: What to Plant &...

The Compost Pile | Gardening & Homesteading ·

2026/10/07

October may finally bring cooler mornings to Southeast Texas, but that doesn’t mean the garden can go on autopilot.In this shorter episode of The Compost Pile, David heads into the demo garden to talk about what Zone 9 gardeners should be paying attention to right now. As temperatures change and rainfall becomes more frequent, our watering habits need to change too. Instead of watering just because it’s part of the routine, it’s time to check the soil, watch the plants, and respond to what the

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28:55

Before You Spray: How to Identify & Solve Garden...

The Compost Pile | Gardening & Homesteading ·

2026/09/29

When is it actually time to reach for a pesticide, herbicide, or fungicide in the garden?In this episode of The Compost Pile, David and Aaron take a closer look at Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and why treating a problem should rarely be your first step.We break down the process of identifying a problem, observing how serious it really is, looking for ways to change or manage the environment, and deciding when intervention is actually justified. We also discuss why two gardeners dealing with the

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30:54

Battery vs. Gas Lawn Tools: Which Makes Sense for...

The Compost Pile | Gardening & Homesteading ·

2026/09/22

Battery-powered lawn equipment has come a LONG way—but does that mean it’s time to give up your gas-powered tools?In this episode of The Compost Pile, David and Aaron take a practical look at battery vs. gas lawn equipment for homeowners, gardeners, and homesteaders. From string trimmers and leaf blowers to push mowers, hedge trimmers, chainsaws, and some surprisingly useful battery-powered tools, we discuss where electric equipment shines—and where gas power still makes a lot of sense.We dig into

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26:28

Native, Non-Native or Invasive? Choosing the Right...

The Compost Pile | Gardening & Homesteading ·

2026/09/15

Invasive plants are a hot topic—but what actually makes a plant invasive? And does being non-native automatically make a plant bad?In this episode of The Compost Pile, David and Aaron dig into the difference between native, non-native, aggressive, and truly invasive plants, especially from the perspective of gardeners and homeowners in Southeast Texas and the Gulf Coast.We talk about plants like Chinese tallow, Bradford pear, vitex, honeysuckle, torpedo grass, and more, along with some better

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48:52

What a Storm Reveals About Your Garden: Post-Storm...

The Compost Pile | Gardening & Homesteading ·

2026/09/08

A major storm doesn’t just damage your garden—it reveals it. After Tropical Storm Edouard brought strong winds and heavy rain to Southeast Texas, David walks through the garden to examine what severe weather can teach us about plant health, drainage, soil conditions, root strength, and overall garden resilience.In this solo episode of The Compost Pile, learn how to assess storm-damaged plants, safely support leaning vegetables and flowers, prune broken growth, manage saturated soil, and recognize

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29:38

What Your Lawn Can Teach You About Your Soil

The Compost Pile | Gardening & Homesteading ·

2026/09/01

You don’t have to be obsessed with having the perfect lawn to learn something from it.In this episode of The Compost Pile, David and Aaron look beyond traditional lawn care and talk about what the grass, weeds, dry spots, and problem areas around your yard can teach you about what’s happening underneath the surface.Why does one area dry out faster than another? What can certain weeds tell you about compaction or moisture? Why can a lawn struggle even when it’s being fertilized and watered? And what

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29:57

Fall Gardening in Zone 9: What to Plant, When to...

The Compost Pile | Gardening & Homesteading ·

2026/08/27

Fall gardening in Southeast Texas doesn’t start when the weather finally feels like fall. You have to start preparing while it’s still hot.In this episode of The Compost Pile, David and Aaron talk about making the transition from a stressed late-summer garden into a productive fall garden in Zone 9. We break down what you can start planting now, what should wait for cooler weather, and why following a planting calendar without paying attention to actual conditions can set your garden up for

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17:04

What Is a Food Forest? How to Build an Edible...

The Compost Pile | Gardening & Homesteading ·

2026/08/18

What if your landscape could look good, support wildlife, improve your soil, and put food on the table?In this episode of The Compost Pile, David and Aaron break down the concept of a food forest and how you can use the principles behind one in an average home landscape.A food forest is designed to mimic the way plants grow together in nature by creating layers of trees, shrubs, herbs, vegetables, groundcovers, and other useful plants. Instead of filling a landscape with plants chosen only for

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24:34

How to Prepare Your Garden & Homestead for Drought:...

The Compost Pile | Gardening & Homesteading ·

2026/08/11

What happens when the rain stops and the summer heat takes over? In this episode of The Compost Pile, David and Aaron break down how drought affects your garden, lawn, soil, livestock, wildlife, and the entire homestead—and what you can do now to prepare.Here in Southeast Texas and Zone 9a, summer weather can change quickly. We can go from weeks of heavy rainfall to hot, dry conditions seemingly overnight. That makes drought preparation and smart water management an important part of gardening and

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27:06

Don't Leave Your Garden Bare! Cover Crops & Soil...

The Compost Pile | Gardening & Homesteading ·

2026/08/04

After the summer garden winds down, many gardeners pull their plants and leave their garden beds bare—but that could be one of the biggest mistakes you make all year.In this episode of The Compost Pile, David and Aaron discuss cover crops, mulching, and why protecting your soil between growing seasons leads to healthier plants, fewer weeds, better moisture retention, and improved soil biology. Whether you're planting a second round of tomatoes and peppers, preparing a fall vegetable garden, or

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24:16

Water Security for Your Homestead: Rainwater, Soil...

The Compost Pile | Gardening & Homesteading ·

2026/07/28

Water is one of the most valuable resources on any homestead or garden, but most people don't think about it until there's a problem. In this episode of The Compost Pile, we explore water security, why it matters, and how understanding water can make your garden, homestead, and property more resilient.Whether you're gardening in Zone 9, raising backyard chickens, growing vegetables, or simply looking to become more self-sufficient, this episode will help you think differently about water management,

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22:03

The Hidden Effects of Rain on Your Garden

The Compost Pile | Gardening & Homesteading ·

2026/07/21

Rain is one of the most important resources for every garden—but is rain always a good thing? In this episode of The Compost Pile, we explore the benefits and drawbacks of rainfall and explain how heavy rain impacts your soil, plants, vegetables, lawns, pollinators, pests, and overall garden health. Learn why rainwater is better than municipal water, how rainfall improves root growth and activates the soil food web, and why too much rain can lead to root rot, nutrient leaching, soil compaction,

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29:11

Stop Fighting Your Garden: Here's What to Do Next

The Compost Pile | Gardening & Homesteading ·

2026/07/14

Is your garden looking tired, stressed, or downright apocalyptic in the middle of summer? In this episode of The Compost Pile, David and Aaron discuss one of the hardest lessons for gardeners to learn: knowing when it's time to let go of declining crops and start planning for what's next. We cover how to identify when tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs, and other spring vegetables have reached the end of their productive season, why holding on too long can limit your garden's success, and how Southeast

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29:14

The Best Fruit Trees for Beginners in Zone 9:...

The Compost Pile | Gardening & Homesteading ·

2026/07/14

Want to grow your own fruit but not sure where to start? In this episode of The Compost Pile, we break down the best fruit trees, berries, and citrus varieties for Southeast Texas and other Zone 9a gardens.Whether you're building a backyard orchard, growing food on a suburban lot, or trying to maximize production in a small space, understanding chill hours, pollination requirements, tree size, and variety selection can make the difference between harvesting fruit and growing an expensive ornamental

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18:44

July Is Halftime: Why Your Best Gardening Season Is...

The Compost Pile | Gardening & Homesteading ·

2026/06/30

Many gardeners look at their beds in July and assume the season is winding down, but in Southeast Texas, some of the best gardening opportunities are still ahead. In this episode of The Compost Pile, David discusses common midsummer gardening mistakes, why July is more like halftime than the finish line, and how to start preparing now for a productive fall garden.Learn which plants are worth keeping, what warm-season crops can be planted for a second harvest, when to begin planning for fall

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33:15

Succession Planting 101: How to Harvest More and...

The Compost Pile | Gardening & Homesteading ·

2026/06/23

Most gardeners make the same mistake: planting everything at the same time and then becoming overwhelmed when it all matures at once.In this episode of The Compost Pile, David sits down with Brent from Donna's Farm to break down succession planting and why it's one of the best ways to create a more productive, manageable, and sustainable garden.We discuss how staggering your plantings can extend your harvest season, reduce waste, improve pest management, and help you make the most of small gardening

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51:55

Small Farm Successes, Failures, and Gardening Wisdom...

The Compost Pile | Gardening & Homesteading ·

2026/06/16

In this episode of The Compost Pile, we sit down with longtime friend Brent Hieronymus of Donna's Farm to discuss the incredible journey of building one of Southeast Texas' most recognizable small farms.From producing over 1,000 pounds of tomatoes for local farmers markets to managing greenhouse production, experimenting with unique crop varieties, and ultimately transitioning away from farming, Brent shares honest insights about what it really takes to grow food at scale in Southeast Texas.We also

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16:12

The Garden Is Talking Back (Part 2): Lessons From an...

The Compost Pile | Gardening & Homesteading ·

2026/06/09

Does a healthy garden have to look perfect? In this solo episode of The Compost Pile, David takes a walk through the garden to explore what plants are really telling us. From yellowing leaves and nutrient deficiencies to fungi, pest damage, caterpillar host plants, and sprawling tomato vines, we discuss why imperfection is often a sign of a thriving ecosystem—not a failing garden.Learn how to read visual clues from your plants, understand when action is needed (and when it's not), and build

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44:54

Backyard Transformation: Landscape Design Mistakes,...

The Compost Pile | Gardening & Homesteading ·

2026/06/02

How do you turn a blank backyard into a beautiful, functional outdoor retreat?In this episode of The Compost Pile, David sits down with Justin Coshman to discuss the process of designing an outdoor space that is both inviting and practical. From drainage and soil preparation to tree placement, raised beds, pathways, pergolas, and plant selection, they explore the foundational decisions that can make or break a landscape project.Whether you're starting a vegetable garden, building a homestead,

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27:38

How to Build a Pollinator Garden That ACTUALLY Works:...

The Compost Pile | Gardening & Homesteading ·

2026/05/26

Want more butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and beneficial insects in your garden? In this episode of The Compost Pile Podcast, David and Aaron break down how to intentionally design a pollinator garden that supports biodiversity, improves pollination, and creates a healthier ecosystem in your yard.We cover: Why plant clusters matter Best flower shapes for different pollinators Native plants vs. non-native plants Bloom timing and year-round color Herbs that attract pollinators AND beneficial insects

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53 results

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