Ep # 153 Growing Food At Home, Made Simple

Think you need a big backyard to grow real food? Think smaller. We sit down with Erin Hostetler, the founder of The Patio Farmer in Charlotte, to show how a balcony, a sunny stoop, or a simple raised bed can turn into a steady, confidence-building harvest. Erin’s journey from studying the human right to food to managing urban farms and teaching new growers shaped a service model that removes guesswork and makes each season easier than the last.

We walk through a clear path to success: start with a 45-minute consultation to assess sun, water, goals, and layout; add installations when needed, from building raised beds to sourcing soil, seedlings, and trellises; then choose maintenance support that fits your life. Erin breaks down written maintenance plans, routine check-ins, out-of-town care so midsummer crops don’t crash, and her Premier Practice option that includes weekly visits and supplies from March through September. For learners who want deeper guidance, Plant Club offers two levels of membership focused on education and crop-by-crop know-how, plus optional visits.

Expect hard-won truths that save time and money. Beginners are often shocked by how much space vegetables need and how quickly plants like summer squash take over a bed. We dig into why tomatoes are beloved yet finicky, how smart spacing improves airflow and reduces disease, and what simple routines keep pests like hornworms from stealing your season. Erin also shares why small-scale gardening changes behavior: people who grow a little often start composting and buy more from farmers markets, connecting their homes to a healthier local food system. She now supports restaurants, rooftops, and apartment community gardens, coordinating harvests so residents can enjoy fresh produce with minimal hassle.

If you’re ready to grow without the overwhelm, this conversation gives you the roadmap and the motivation to begin. Subscribe for more stories with local makers and builders, share this episode with a neighbor who wants a garden, and leave a quick review to help others find the show.

The Patio Farmer
Erin Hostetler
Charlotte, NC
thepatiofarmer.com