Episode 3 — The Organic Gardening Fundamental Series - Know Your Environment

Hosted by David Pool, your Homesteading & Organic Gardening Enthusiast, and Aaron Barnhill, your resident new home gardeners.

Your garden’s success starts long before you plant. In this episode of The Compost Pile, David and Aaron dive into the environmental factors every Zone 9a gardener, homesteader, and organic grower must understand. From sunlight patterns to soil moisture to microclimates, we break down how to set up your raised beds, pollinator gardens, and backyard spaces for long-term success.

What You’ll Learn

• How to map full sun, partial sun, and shade in your yard

• Why afternoon shade is a game-changer for summer gardening in Zone 9a

• Municipal water vs. rainwater — which is better for organic gardening?