Herbs might be the most underrated plants in the garden. In this episode of The Compost Pile, David and Aaron talk about why herbs like basil, rosemary, oregano, dill, parsley, and mint are some of the easiest and most rewarding plants for gardeners—especially beginners. Learn how herbs attract pollinators, improve garden biodiversity, repel pests with natural aromatics, and provide quick harvests that keep new gardeners motivated.

We also discuss companion planting, why herbs help protect vegetables like tomatoes and peppers, and how letting herbs flower can benefit beneficial insects and your overall garden ecosystem. Plus, we highlight some of our favorite easy herbs to grow in warm climates like Southeast Texas.

And a quick correction from the episode: we mentioned cumin coming from coriander seeds. While coriander does come from the cilantro plant (and they’re all part of the same plant family as parsley), cumin actually comes from a different plant in the Apiaceae family—the same broader family that includes cilantro, parsley, dill, fennel, and carrots. So while they’re related botanically, they’re not the same seed!

If you're starting a garden this season, herbs might just be the perfect gateway into growing your own food.

#gardening #herbgarden #beginnergardening #companionplanting #pollinators #gardenecosystem #cilantro #parsley #basil #rosemary #oregano #dill #organicgardening #homesteading #thecompostpile #zone9a #texasgardening

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