Grow with Vibrant Rainbow Gardens
Welcome to Grow with Vibrant Rainbow Gardens—the podcast for busy, big-hearted gardeners in Houston and beyond who want to grow more food, more beauty, and more joy… without the stress.
I’m Vandhana Ramamoorthy—garden coach, permaculture enthusiast, and the voice behind Vibrant Rainbow Gardens. Every week, I’ll bring you practical tips, seasonal planting advice, and a little garden magic to help you build a thriving, low-fuss garden that actually fits your real life.
Whether you're growing in raised beds, containers, or the front yard, you’ll learn:
- What to plant (and when!) in our unique Gulf Coast climate
- How to grow organically and sustainably, even if you're short on time
- Ways to make gardening a joyful part of your family’s routine
If you’ve ever said, “I want a garden, but I don’t know where to start,” this podcast is for you.
Grab your coffee—or your compost—and let’s dig in together.
Episodes
23 episodes
The Biggest Gardening Myth Holding Busy Moms Back (Beginner Gardening Truths)
If you’re new to gardening and feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. In this episode, we talk about why busy moms and families often feel like they don’t have time to garden, where that belief really comes from, and how gardening can fit in...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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8:35
Ready to Start a Garden? Why You’re Not Behind (Beginner Gardening Mindset)
If you’re new to gardening and feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. In this episode, we talk about beginner gardening mindset, why so many new gardeners feel unsure about where to start, and how busy families can begin growing with confide...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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8:46
Garden Planning for Beginners: Creating Your Garden Vision for 2026
If this New Year has you thinking about healthier habits — cooking more at home, eating better food, reducing processed meals, or getting your kids off screens — this episode is for you.And here’s the good news: You do...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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10:52
Holiday Garden Gift Ideas: Simple, Meaningful Gifts You Can Grow
Garden gifts aren’t just handmade — they’re heart-made. They say, “I grew this for you.” And in this cozy holiday episode airing the week before Christmas, I’m sharing simple, meaningful, beginner-friendly gar...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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10:33
Winter Gardening for Beginners: 10 Simple Ways to Stay Connected
If winter slows you down… good. It’s supposed to. Gardening has its seasons — including rest.In this warm and comforting episode, we’re talking about the slow season of gardening and why winter i...
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13:22
December Gardening in Houston: What to Plant & Harvest
December might feel like a slow month for gardening — but here in Houston, it’s actually one of the best times to grow fresh food. Whether you're a brand-new gardener, a busy parent dreaming of your first harvest, or a...
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9:35
Gratitude in the Garden: Reflecting on a Year of Growing Food
In this cozy Thanksgiving-week episode of Grow with Vibrant Rainbow Gardens, Vandhana shares three heartfelt garden blessings from her year — joyful moments planting with her kids, peaceful morning coffee walks through...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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9:18
Seed Saving for Beginners: Why It Matters & How to Start
In this heartwarming episode of Grow with Vibrant Rainbow Gardens, we dive into the ancient, joyful, and deeply meaningful tradition of seed saving — perfect for beginner gardeners, family gardeners, and anyone who wan...
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14:26
Winter Gardening in Texas: What to Do During the Slow Season
Learn how to start a garden from scratch with this beginner-friendly guide perfect for November. Discover why fall is the easiest time to begin gardening, with no heat or pressure—just simple steps anyone can follow. This episode covers: starti...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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11:25
What to Plant in November in Houston (Beginner-Friendly Guide)
Ready to transform your Houston garden this November? Join Vandhana from Vibrant Rainbow Gardens as she shares exactly what to plant during one of the best gardening months in our Texas climate.If summer gardening left you defeated with ...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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14:44
Common Gardening Mistakes Beginners Make (Lessons from My Failures)
My Biggest Gardening Failures (and What They Taught Me) | Houston Gardening TipsEpisode Summary:Starting a garden in Houston, Texas? Save yourself time, money, and frustration by learning from 15 years of my bigg...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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15:12
Growing from Seed for Beginners: Why It’s Easier Than You Think
Are you intimidated by seed starting? You're not alone. Most beginner gardeners skip the seed aisle and head straight for transplants—but what if starting seeds was actually easier (and way more satisfying) than you think?In th...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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29:24
What to Plant in October in Houston (Fall Garden Planting Guide)
October is the perfect month for Houston gardeners to transition from summer to fall planting. In this episode of Vibrant Rainbow Gardens Podcast, garden coach and permaculture designer Vandhana shares exactly what to plant in October for Zo...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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13:43
How to Improve Clay Soil in Houston (No-Dig Methods That Work)
If you've ever tried to garden in Houston's notorious clay soil, you know the frustration. Water sits on top. Roots can't breathe. Plants drown or die. It feels impossible.In this episode of Vibrant Rainbow Gardens, ...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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25:02
Growing Herbs for Beginners: Easy Herbs from Garden to Kitchen
Did you know a single $3 basil plant can give you $50-$100 worth of fresh herbs in one season? Growing herbs is hands-down one of the best returns on investment in gardening—and in this episode, you'll learn exactly how to do it successfully in...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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26:43
How to Get a Weekly Harvest in Texas (Succession Planting for Beginners)
Tired of your entire harvest coming ready all at once—then nothing for weeks? What if you could pull fresh vegetables every single week—even through the brutal summer heat?In this focused 10-minute episode, Houston garden coach Vandhana ...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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11:17
Organic Pest Control for Summer Gardens (Beginner-Friendly Solutions)
Summer garden pests like aphids, squash vine borers, spider mites, and tomato hornworms can destroy your harvest overnight. But here’s the truth: you don’t need to fear pests—and you definitely don’t need harsh sprays to control them.
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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14:26
What Happens in a Garden Consultation? (For Beginner Gardeners)
Curious about what really happens during a garden consultation or a coaching session? 🌿 In this episode of Grow with Vibrant Rainbow Gardens, Houston garden coach and permaculture teacher Vandhana takes you behind the ...
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12:51
Fall Gardening in Texas: When to Plan & What to Do First
If you wait until it feels like fall, you’ve already missed your best planting window. In this episode, Vandhana shares why fall gardening starts now—and how to make sure your beds don’t sit empt...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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8:10
Are You Watering Your Garden Wrong? 3 Common Houston Gardening Mistakes
Watering sounds simple, but in Houston’s heat and humidity, it can make or break your garden. In this episode, Vandhana breaks down the three most common watering mistakes she sees all the time—plus practical fixes you can start using today....
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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11:44
Welcome to Grow with Vibrant Rainbow Gardens
Curious what this podcast is all about? In this short teaser, Vandhana—garden coach and certified permaculture teacher & designer—shares what you can expect from Grow with Vibrant Rainbow Gardens.
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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2:09
How I Built a Year-Round Vegetable Garden in Texas (Family Garden Story)
It all started with one scrawny tomato plant on a balcony. Today, Vandhana’s garden feeds her family year-round—and in this episode, she’s sharing how it happened.You’ll discover: 🌱 The humble beginnings that sparked her gardeni...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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7:19
What to Plant Right Now in Houston ?
Summary: Houston gardening doesn’t follow the usual rules—our seasons are their own beast! In this episode, Vandhana shares what she’s planting right now, why Houston’s planting calendar is unique, and how to avoid wasted time and e...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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8:04