Thinking about raising goats on your homestead? In this episode of The Compost Pile, hosts David Pool and Aaron Barnhill sit down with Stephanie Harren of Chosen Weeds Farm to break down the realities of goat ownership—everything from choosing the right breed and managing parasites to fencing, feeding, and producing fresh goat milk.

Stephanie shares practical experience from her own farm, explaining why goats are becoming more popular for small homesteads, what beginners often get wrong, and how proper management practices can make the difference between healthy goats and constant problems. The conversation covers dairy goats, meat goats, pasture rotation, parasite pressure in humid climates, fencing tips, and whether goats are actually a good fit for your property.

If you’ve ever wondered whether goats are right for your homestead—or you’re curious about producing your own milk, cheese, and other farm products—this episode is packed with real-world advice from someone who does it every day.

Topics covered include:

• Choosing the right goat breed (Nubian, Nigerian Dwarf, Pygmy)

• Parasite management in humid climates

• Goat fencing and escape artist tendencies

• Feeding goats and supplementing forage

• Producing goat milk, cheese, and homestead products

• Pros and cons of raising goats in Southeast Texas

• Beginner mistakes to avoid

Tune in to learn whether goats are the right livestock for your garden, homestead, or backyard farm .

You can find Chosen Weeds Farms on:

Facebook: Facebook

Chosen Weeds Farm

#TheCompostPile #GoatFarming #Homesteading #BackyardFarming #DairyGoats #GoatMilk #ChosenWeedsFarm #HomesteadLife #UrbanHomesteading #SustainableLiving #GardenPodcast #FarmLife #SelfSufficiency

What would you do if you had to start your garden completely from scratch in Zone 9a?

In this solo episode of The Compost Pile, David breaks down exactly how to build a successful garden in Southeast Texas — from improving heavy clay soil and preventing compaction to choosing heat-tolerant crops that thrive in our humidity.

If you're gardening in Southeast Texas, this episode will help you avoid common mistakes like planting too early, overwatering, and choosing crops that struggle in our climate.

We cover:

• How to fix clay soil and improve drainage
• Why soil health and root oxygen matter
• Best beginner crops for Zone 9a gardens
• Why cherry tomatoes outperform large slicers in heat
• Planning for July heat before it arrives
• Drip irrigation vs hand watering
• Managing pests like stink bugs and caterpillars
• How to budget wisely when starting a garden
• Why year two is always better than year one

Southeast Texas doesn’t reward wishful gardening — it rewards preparation. If you’re new to gardening or rebuilding your garden this spring, this episode gives you a practical, climate-specific plan for success.

Subscribe for more gardening and homesteading advice tailored to Zone 9a.

#Zone9a #SoutheastTexasGardening #TexasGarden #ClaySoil #OrganicGardening #RaisedBeds #BackyardGarden #GardeningPodcast #TheCompostPile #Homesteading #DripIrrigation #SoilHealth

When is the best time to plant eggplant and cucumbers in Zone 9a (Southeast Texas)? In this episode of The Compost Pile, David Pool sits down with special guest Paul Lemoine to break down everything you need to know before planting these warm-season favorites.

We cover:

✔️ The ideal soil and air temperatures for planting

✔️ Why timing matters more than you think

✔️ Common cucumber problems like yellow fruit & pollination issues

✔️ How to hand-pollinate cucumbers for better production

✔️ Why eggplant thrives in heat and how to maximize yields

✔️ Direct sowing vs. transplanting cucumbers

✔️ Proper watering techniques for consistent harvests

✔️ Mulching tips (including pine straw benefits)

✔️ Shade cloth strategies for extending your season

✔️ Best cucumber varieties for slicing, pickling & fresh eating

If you garden in Zone 9a or the Gulf Coast, this episode will help you avoid early-season mistakes and grow healthier, more productive plants this spring.

Guest: Paul Lemoine

Whether you're growing in raised beds, containers, or backyard gardens, these practical tips will help you grow stronger plants and bigger harvests. Be sure to subscribe to The Compost Pile for more gardening, homesteading, and seasonal growing advice tailored to Southeast Texas gardeners.

#Zone9aGardening #SoutheastTexasGardening #GrowYourOwnFood #CucumberTips #EggplantGrowing #SpringGarden #WarmSeasonCrops #VegetableGardening #TheCompostPile

Is fertilizer already in your potting soil enough to feed your plants all season? In this episode of The Compost Pile, we break down one of the most common gardening myths: relying solely on pre-fertilized soil to sustain your plants long term.

We discuss the difference between compost-based soils and synthetic time-release fertilizers like Osmocote 14-14-14, how temperature and sunlight affect fertilizer breakdown, and why container plants lose nutrients faster than raised beds or in-ground gardens. You’ll also learn how nitrogen deficiency shows up, why heavy feeders like tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers need extra nutrition, and how soil microbes play a critical role in long-term plant health.

If you’ve ever wondered:

• Do I need extra fertilizer if my soil already has some?

• How long does fertilizer really last in potting mix?

• Does heat affect slow-release fertilizer?

• Why are my container plants turning yellow?

This episode will help you build better soil practices and feed your plants for long-term success.

Listen, learn, and grow smarter in Zone 9a and beyond.

#GardeningMyths #PottingSoil #FertilizerTips #ContainerGardening #SoilHealth #TomatoGrowing #OrganicGardening #TheCompostPile

Spring is coming fast — is your garden ready?

In this episode of The Compost Pile, hosts David Pool (Mid County Farm & Feed) and Aaron Barnhill break down exactly how to prepare your garden for spring in Zone 9 and other warm climates. From raised bed maintenance and soil preparation to compost, fertilizer timing, and crop planning, this episode walks you step-by-step through building a strong foundation for a successful growing season.

We cover: • How to assess and repair raised beds • Why you should leave old root systems in place • The truth about tilling vs. no-till gardening • How to improve soil structure with compost • When to fertilize (and why organic slow-release matters) • What to plant now — tomatoes, peppers, and early spring crops • Why cucumbers and eggplant may need to wait • The importance of crop rotation and garden journaling • Planning for pollinators, flowers, and biodiversity • How to maximize limited garden space

If you garden in USDA Zone 9 or the Gulf Coast, this episode is packed with practical advice for navigating cool, warm, and hot growing seasons. Whether you're a beginner gardener or a seasoned homesteader, proper spring garden prep can make or break your harvest.

Get organized. Build better soil. Plan ahead. Grow smarter.

#SpringGarden #Zone9Gardening #RaisedBedGardening #OrganicGardening #GardenPrep #Homesteading #Compost #Tomatoes #VegetableGarden #TheCompostPile

Welcome to the very first episode of our new short series, Method or Myth?

In this bite-sized episode of The Compost Pile, we dig into one of the most debated traditions in gardening history — the Farmer’s Almanac. Does planting by the moon actually work? Is there science behind moon phase gardening? And how accurate are long-range weather predictions for gardeners?

We break down:

• The history of the Old Farmer's Almanac
• Moon phase planting (above-ground vs. below-ground crops)
• Weather forecasting myths
• Tradition vs. science in gardening
• Why environmental factors like soil temperature and moisture matter more

Whether you're gardening in Zone 9a or anywhere else, understanding the difference between gardening folklore and proven growing principles can help you become more successful in your garden.

Is planting by the moon myth… tradition… or something in between? Let’s talk about it.

New short episodes drop weekly — covering old garden wisdom, myths, homesteading lore, and what actually works.

#GardeningMyths #FarmersAlmanac #MoonPlanting #GardenTips #Homesteading #Zone9aGardening #TheCompostPile

Seeds are the foundation of every successful garden—but not all seeds are created equal. In this episode of The Compost Pile, hosts David Pool and Aaron Barnhill break down everything you need to know about seeds, from germination basics to the differences between heirloom, hybrid, and GMO seeds.

We cover why some plants don’t grow true from seed, how temperature and moisture affect germination success, why seed size doesn’t equal plant size, and how gardeners can dramatically improve seed starting results by controlling key variables like heat and watering. You’ll also learn why certain plants are grown from tubers or grafts instead of seed, how hybrid seeds are created, and why GMO seeds are often misunderstood.

Whether you’re a beginner gardener, seed saver, or seasoned grower in Zone 9a and beyond, this episode will help you make better decisions when buying, storing, starting, and saving seeds.

Topics covered:

• What seeds really need to germinate successfully
• Why some seeds fail and others thrive
• Heirloom vs hybrid vs GMO seeds explained
• Saving seeds and understanding plant genetics
• Why potatoes, citrus, and apples aren’t grown true from seed
• Common seed myths and misconceptions

Perfect for home gardeners, homesteaders, seed starters, and anyone curious about how plants reproduce and why seed choice matters.

#SeedStarting #GardeningPodcast #HeirloomSeeds #HybridSeeds #GMOSeeds #SeedSaving #HomeGardening #Homesteading #GardenEducation #TheCompostPile

In this episode of The Compost Pile, David sits down with Paul Lemoine to break down everything you need to know about planning and growing tomatoes in Southeast Texas (Zone 9a). From when to start tomato seeds and how early planting improves yields, to choosing between determinate vs indeterminate tomatoes, this episode is packed with practical, real-world advice.

Paul shares decades of experience growing tomatoes in hot, humid climates, including tips on variety selection, hybrids vs heirlooms, early frost protection, mulching, watering practices, disease prevention, and organic stink bug control. We also cover common tomato problems like blossom end rot, splitting, and poor fruit set in high heat, plus how raised beds and partial shade can dramatically improve success.

Whether you’re starting tomatoes from seed, planting transplants, or trying to beat the Texas heat, this episode will help you grow healthier plants and better harvests this season.

Don’t forget to subscribe for more gardening, homesteading, and Zone 9a-specific growing advice.

#TheCompostPile #GrowingTomatoes #Zone9aGardening #TomatoTips #OrganicGardening