The Compost Pile | Gardening & Homesteading

As we transition from spring into the intense summer heat, your garden can go from thriving to struggling almost overnight. In this episode of The Compost Pile, David Pool and Aaron Barnhill are joined by Paul Lemoine to break down the biggest challenges gardeners face this time of year—and how to stay ahead of them.
We cover essential tips for managing watering, preventing plant stress, dealing with rising pest pressure, and understanding why crops like tomatoes suddenly stop producing. Learn how heat, humidity, and soil conditions all work together—and what you can do to adapt your gardening practices for success in Zone 9a and similar climates.
From stink bugs and blight to shade cloth and supplemental feeding, this episode is packed with practical, real-world advice to help your garden thrive through the toughest part of the season.
Topics include:
• Adjusting watering for rising temperatures
• Why tomatoes stop setting fruit in heat & humidity
• Common pests (stink bugs, grasshoppers) and how to control them
• Preventing disease like blight with airflow & pruning
• Shade cloth strategies for summer gardening
• Soil health, fertilizers, and supplemental feeding
• Companion planting, trap crops, and succession planting
Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned gardener, these tips will help you navigate the seasonal shift and keep your garden productive.

In this special bonus episode of The Compost Pile, host David Pool is joined live at The Giving Field by Destin Noak ( @texasgardenguy ) and staff member, Michael Meazell, for an on-location conversation about gardening with purpose.
This episode dives into the impact of donation-based gardening—where fresh, organic produce is grown specifically to support food-insecure communities. The team shares how thousands of pounds of fruits and vegetables are grown and donated annually, along with practical, real-world gardening tips you can apply at home.
You’ll learn:
The difference between a community garden vs. donation garden
Why shade can outperform full sun in Southeast Texas heat
How mulch, water access, and rainwater improve plant success
The importance of local materials and soil biology
Smart fertilizing practices to avoid runoff and waste
How small spaces can produce BIG harvests

Whether you're gardening in Zone 9a or just getting started, this episode is packed with actionable insights and a powerful reminder of how gardening can serve your community. Grow smarter. Grow local. Grow to give back.
📍 Recorded on-site in Beaumont, TX during The Giving Field’s Earth Day event.
Find the Texas Garden Guy:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/texasgardenguy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/texasgardenguy/
Find the Giving Field: Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/TheGivingField
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegivingfield/

Thinking about raising backyard chickens? In this episode of The Compost Pile, hosts David Pool and Aaron Barnhill break down everything beginners need to know before bringing home their first flock. From day-old chicks to egg-laying hens, we cover the non-negotiables of chicken care, common mistakes, and how to set your homestead up for success.
You’ll learn how to properly brood chicks, choose the right feed, design a predator-proof coop, and understand why stress, environment, and nutrition directly impact egg production. We also dive into real-world lessons—from getting too many chickens to dealing with predators, heat stress, and flock behavior.
Whether you’re in Zone 9 (Southeast Texas) or anywhere else, this episode will help you confidently start your backyard chicken journey and avoid the pitfalls most beginners face.
Perfect for:
Beginner homesteaders
Backyard chicken keepers
Gardeners looking to integrate chickens into their system
Anyone interested in sustainable living and food production

In this special bonus episode of The Compost Pile, host David Pool records live from the annual Earth Day celebration at The Giving Field.
This isn’t just a community garden—The Giving Field is a charitable garden dedicated to growing fresh, organic produce that is donated directly to local soup kitchens. For over a decade, this one-acre garden has helped provide healthier, nutrient-dense food to families who might not otherwise have access to fresh fruits and vegetables.
Joined by garden director Sharon and special guest Dustin Noak (The Texas Garden Guy), we dive into how this mission-driven garden is impacting Southeast Texas and inspiring others to grow with purpose.
In this episode, we cover:
What makes a charitable garden different from a typical community garden
How fresh produce donations support local soup kitchens
The role of gardening in fighting food insecurity
Hands-on education for kids, families, and volunteers
Plans for a future teaching kitchen and workforce development program
How you can volunteer and get involved
This episode is a powerful reminder that gardening can go beyond your backyard—it can feed families, educate communities, and create real change.
📍 Recorded on-site in Beaumont, TX during The Giving Field’s Earth Day event.
Find the Texas Garden Guy:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/texasgardenguy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/texasgardenguy/
Find the Giving Field:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGivingField
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegivingfield/

In this episode of The Compost Pile, hosts David Pool and Aaron Barnhill break down everything you need to know about summer gardening in Zone 9a, with a focus on heat-tolerant crops like okra and southern peas.
We discuss why many gardeners struggle during the summer months and how shifting your planting strategy can keep your garden productive year-round. Learn the best timing for planting, why direct seeding is critical for crops like okra, and how to maximize your garden space as spring crops fade out.
You’ll also hear practical tips on:
Growing okra successfully in hot climates
Choosing the right varieties (including heirloom vs. hybrid options)
How to harvest for better yields and avoid woody pods
Why southern peas (cowpeas, purple hulls, black-eyed peas) are a must-grow crop
Using nitrogen-fixing plants to naturally improve your soil
Pest management tips for summer gardens
How soil health and microbiology impact plant success
Whether you're growing for food, soil health, or just keeping your garden active through the heat, this episode will help you make smarter planting decisions for summer.
Perfect for gardeners in Southeast Texas, Zone 9a, and other hot, humid climates.