Hey, y'all! Welcome to episode 61 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast. In today's episode I'm sharing my best gardening advice for both new and experienced gardeners alike. Since spring has sprung where I live, and I know it's just around the corner for you northern folks, I thought this was the perfect time of year to give a highlight reel of the key lessons I've learned as a gardener. Whether you're just starting out or you just need a bit of a reminder after years of gardening, these tips are sure to get you excited about this season's potential.  Firs thing I want to explore is the importance of considering the value of your harvest beyond just dollars. What you grow has a huge impact on how long you stick with it! Why are you growing it? What are your plans for using it when it's ready to harvest? I also love talking about how I've 'debunked' the companion planting myth in my own garden. Ultimately, if you're planting diversely you'll probably succeed by creating a balanced ecosystem. But don't stress too much about it, balancing your gardens ecosystem is a years long goal that comes from focusing on good stewardship.  Finally we talk all about the crucial role of soil health and the benefits of feeding and covering your soil to create that balanced ecosystem in your soil that fosters robust plant growth. Don't miss out on this episode packed with essential gardening wisdom! And be sure to check out the mentioned blog post on how to make compost tea for even more valuable insights. Thanks so much for listening. If you’d like to join our Patreon page, you can get early access to all our podcast episodes and monthly live Q&As with Miah and me (including past lives). Visit our Patreon Page to learn more and check out past episodes of the podcast on the website.