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The Compost Pile | Gardening & Homesteading: Daily Summaries Delivered
by 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 and challenging him to learn even more with things he doesn't know.
Latest Episodes
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- 2 days ago17 min
52 Episodes Later… We're Still Growing! The Compost Pile Turns One
We've officially made it ONE YEAR!52 episodes, four seasons, and countless conversations about gardening, homesteading, soil health, and everything in between.In this special anniversary episode of The Compost Pile, David and Aaron reflect on their first year behind the microphones. We revisit some of our favorite conversations, share what we've learned along the way, and talk about how this podcast has helped us grow as gardeners, educators, and individuals.From soil health and invasive species to battery-powered equipment and growing peppers, we've covered a lot of ground. But we're just getting started!We're also looking ahead to Year Two, with plans for more guests, hands-on demonstrations, homesteading projects, food preservation, and episodes filmed outside the studio.Most importantly, we want to thank everyone who has watched, listened, shared an episode, or joined us for a class. This project has always been about learning together and building a community of more knowledgeable, successful growers.Here's to another year of breaking down how to grow in Southeast Texas and beyond!Subscribe and join us for Year Two!Visit Mid County Farm & Feed in Nederland, Texas, for gardening supplies and advice.Join us for our free Saturday gardening classes, livestreamed right here on The Compost Pile YouTube channel.#TheCompostPile #GardeningPodcast #Homesteading #Zone9a #SoutheastTexasGardening #SoilHealth #GardeningTips
- 2 weeks ago19 min
Why Fall Is the BEST Time to Plant Trees & Shrubs: Zone 9 Gardening
Think spring is the best time to plant trees and shrubs? Think again!Fall is one of the BEST times to plant trees, shrubs, and many fruit trees, especially here in Southeast Texas and USDA Zone 9a. As temperatures cool and above-ground growth slows, plants have an opportunity to establish stronger root systems without the intense stress of summer heat.In Episode 51 of The Compost Pile, David Pool and Aaron Barnhill break down why fall planting can give your landscape a head start and what you need to know before putting new trees and shrubs in the ground.In this episode, we're talking about:Why fall is an excellent time to plant trees and shrubsHow dormancy and seasonal changes affect root developmentWhy establishing roots before summer makes a differencePlanting fruit trees and citrus in Southeast TexasUnderstanding cold tolerance and winter protectionHow beneficial microbes, compost, and mulch support healthy rootsPreventing air pockets and improving root-to-soil contactIdentifying and correcting circling roots in container-grown plantsWhy planting too deep can cause long-term problemsCommon mistakes that lead to struggling or dying treesWhether you're planting a shade tree, adding fruit trees to your backyard, or building a new landscape, understanding when and how to plant can make a tremendous difference in long-term success.The takeaway: Don't assume cooler weather means planting season is over. For many trees and shrubs, fall is when the opportunity begins!Gardening in Southeast Texas | USDA Zone 9aThe Compost Pile — Breaking down gardening, homesteading, and more so you can be more successful in the garden.Like, subscribe, and share your experiences! Have you had better success planting trees in fall or spring? Let us know in the comments.#FallPlanting #Zone9aGardening #TreePlanting #SoutheastTexasGardening #FruitTrees #GardeningTips #TheCompostPile
- 3 weeks ago13 min
October Gardening Isn’t Autopilot: What to Plant & Watch in Zone 9
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 garden actually needs.We also cover what you can still plant in October, including broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, mustard, collards, carrots, radishes, beets, turnips, and herbs. Plus, we look ahead to short-day onion season and why you need to start planning space for upcoming crops now.We’ll also share a simple old-school trick for improving carrot germination by keeping the seedbed consistently moist.Fall gardening may be easier than fighting the peak of a Southeast Texas summer, but there’s still plenty to do. Get outside, put your hands in the soil, and let the garden tell you what it needs.The Compost Pile — breaking down gardening, homesteading, and more so you can be more successful in the garden.
- Sep 29, 202628 min
Before You Spray: How to Identify & Solve Garden Problems - Integrated Pest Management
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 exact same pest may reasonably make completely different decisions.Along the way, we talk about beneficial insects, leaf miners, herbicides in the lawn, pesticide resistance, pre-harvest intervals, environmental impacts, and why simply seeing damage on a plant doesn't necessarily mean something needs to be sprayed.The goal isn't to say that all chemicals are bad. It's to understand when they're necessary, how to use them responsibly, and when the best choice may be to do nothing at all.Whether you're growing vegetables, maintaining a lawn, caring for ornamentals, or just trying to keep a few backyard plants alive, learning to identify, observe, mitigate, and then act can help you make better decisions in the garden.The Compost Pile — breaking down gardening, homesteading, and more so you can be more successful in the garden.
- Sep 22, 202630 min
Battery vs. Gas Lawn Tools: Which Makes Sense for Your Home & Homestead?
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 the advantages and drawbacks of both, including maintenance, runtime, power, noise, battery compatibility, accessibility, repairability, long-term ownership, and the rapidly changing technology behind outdoor power equipment.We also talk about one of the biggest considerations when buying battery tools: choosing a battery platform. Once you own several batteries and tools from one manufacturer, switching brands isn't always as simple as buying a different tool.And despite all the advances in battery equipment, there are still situations where we would absolutely want gas-powered equipment around—especially when storms, acreage, heavy cutting, or extended runtime enter the picture.In this episode: • Battery vs. gas lawn equipment • Pros and cons of battery-powered tools • Maintenance differences between gas and electric equipment • Battery platforms and compatibility • Noise and ease of use • Tool longevity and repairability • Battery-powered mowers, blowers, trimmers, pruners, and chainsaws • Where gas equipment still makes sense • Choosing tools based on your property and how you actually use themThere isn't necessarily one right answer. The goal is to choose equipment that fits your property, workload, budget, and willingness to maintain it.What are you using? Have you made the switch to battery-powered lawn equipment, are you sticking with gas, or are you using a combination of both? Tell us in the comments.The Compost Pile breaks down gardening, homesteading, lawn care, and outdoor living to help you become more successful around your home and garden.#BatteryTools #LawnCare #GasVsElectric #LawnEquipment #Homesteading #Gardening #OutdoorPowerEquipment #BatteryPowered #TheCompostPile
- Sep 15, 202626 min
Native, Non-Native or Invasive? Choosing the Right Plants for Your Landscape
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 alternatives for the landscape. We also explore a more complicated question: what happens when an invasive plant provides a benefit, such as Chinese tallow providing a major nectar source for honeybees?The goal isn't simply to label every non-native plant as “bad.” It's to understand how plants interact with the surrounding ecosystem, whether they spread beyond the landscape, what they compete with, and what benefits—or problems—they create.Before adding something new to your yard, know what you're planting, understand how it behaves in your area, and choose plants responsibly.In this episode:Native vs. non-native vs. invasive plantsWhat actually makes a plant invasiveChinese tallow trees in Southeast TexasBradford pears and storm damageVitex and the importance of cultivar selectionInvasive vines and grassesNative alternatives for common landscape plantsPollinators, wildlife, and ecological impactHow to make better plant choices for your own landscapeThe Compost Pile — breaking down gardening, homesteading, and more to help you become more successful in the garden.
- Sep 8, 202648 min
What a Storm Reveals About Your Garden: Post-Storm Plant Recovery Tips
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 signs of root rot, pest pressure, and fungal disease. We also discuss why you shouldn’t immediately fertilize stressed plants and how careful observation can prevent you from doing more harm than good.You’ll also discover how storms expose drainage problems, erosion patterns, inadequate plant supports, undersized containers, and plants growing in the wrong location. Whether you’re recovering from a tropical storm, hurricane, flooding event, or severe thunderstorm, these practical post-storm garden recovery tips can help you decide what to save, what to remove, and how to prepare for the next major weather event.Topics covered include:Assessing wind and rain damageSaving uprooted or leaning plantsPruning broken branches correctlySaturated soil and root rotPost-storm pests and plant diseasesDrainage, erosion, and displaced mulchWhen to fertilize after heavy rainPreparing gardens and containers for future stormsBuilding a more resilient Gulf Coast gardenThe most important lesson is simple: observe before you act. Give your garden time to reveal the full extent of the damage—and its ability to recover.#PostStormGarden #GardenRecovery #StormDamage #PlantCare #GardeningTips #SoutheastTexasGardening #GulfCoastGardening #TheCompostPile
- Sep 1, 202629 min
What Your Lawn Can Teach You About Your Soil
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 does deep watering actually do for root development?We dig into soil health, drought stress, deep watering, compaction, drainage, aeration, organic matter, soil biology, weeds as indicators, and the problems that can come from treating symptoms instead of improving the conditions that caused them.Because whether you want a picture-perfect lawn, a mixed green groundcover, or simply something growing between your garden beds, your lawn can be one of the easiest places to observe how soil, water, roots, plants, and the environment all work together.In this episode: • What your lawn can reveal about soil health • Why deep watering encourages deeper roots • What weeds may be telling you about your soil • Compacted soil vs. loose, sandy soil • Why fertilizer isn’t always the answer • Aeration, minerals, carbon, and organic matter • Drought stress and moisture movement • Why healthier soil can mean fewer problems above ground • Using lawn observations to become a better gardenerThe goal isn’t necessarily a better lawn. It’s learning how to read what’s growing around you so you can better understand your soil—and apply those lessons throughout the garden and landscape.
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About The Compost Pile | Gardening & Homesteading
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 and challenging him to learn even more with things he doesn't know.
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