The Beginner's Garden with Jill McSheehy

For the most part, if you'll be getting your plants in the ground fairly quickly, you won't need to fertilize your seedlings. Check out this episode to hear more!

Soil Blocks: https://journeywithjill.net/gardening/2020/01/29/soil-blocking-pros-and-cons-to-using-soil-blocks-in-indoor-seed-starting/

Connect with Jill:

Get Jill's "In the Garden" Weekly Emails + Free Printable Resources Here: https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

Join the Beginner's Garden Shortcut Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/beginnersgarden/

Connect with Jill on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/

Have you ever wondered what kind of raised bed soil mix is the best?

I have been growing in raised beds from the very beginning of my garden journey. Up until last year, I used native soil on my property to fill them. But when I needed to find soil outside my property for three new raised beds last season, I decided to conduct an experiment. I tested three different raised bed soil mixes and today I'm sharing the results of my year-long test.

SHOW NOTES:

(*links below contain affiliate links, which means if you click through and make a purchase, we will earn a commission at no extra cost to you.)

Mel's Mix: https://amzn.to/2T5QhLx

Perfect Soil Recipe: https://joegardener.com/podcast/raised-bed-gardening-pt-2/

For the blog post: https://journeywithjill.net/126

Special thanks to our sponsor, Good Ideas, Inc. Home of the best-selling rain barrel, Good Ideas also offers self-watering raised beds, compost tumblers, and more pre-built options for the busy gardener. Get 10% off your purchase by entering the code JILL10 at checkout.

https://goodideasinc.com/

PROMO CODE: JILL10 for 10% off

Connect with Jill:

Get Jill's "In the Garden" Weekly Emails + Free Printable Resources Here: https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

Join the Beginner's Garden Shortcut Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/beginnersgarden/

Connect with Jill on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/

Many people ask me about lining the bottom of your raised beds, especially if you have a problem with ground dwelling pests. Make sure you avoid anything impermeable, like plastic or landscape fabric. Organic material such as cardboard or newspaper could be an option but isn't always necessary. Listen for more help deciding if you should line the bottom of your raised beds!

Connect with Jill:

Get Jill's "In the Garden" Weekly Emails + Free Printable Resources Here: https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

Join the Beginner's Garden Shortcut Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/beginnersgarden/

Connect with Jill on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/

Today, I'm joined by Dr. Douglas Tallamy and have a great conversation about bees, caterpillars, and how important insects are for our gardens and the world around us. He has a new book, Nature's Best Hope, that will help us to think about our gardens in a holistic way.

SHOW NOTES:

Plants Good for Pollinators:

Sunflowers

Goldenrods

Willows

Asters

Black Cherry

Plums

Maples

Fringe Tree

Native Holly

Button Bush

Clethra

Bottle Brush Buckeye

Oak Trees

Find plants in your area: https://www.nwf.org/NativePlantFinder

(*links below contain affiliate links, which means if you click through and make a purchase, we will earn a commission at no extra cost to you.)

Nature's Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard https://amzn.to/2T5QhLx

Special thanks to our sponsor, Good Ideas, Inc. Home of the best-selling rain barrel, Good Ideas also offers self-watering raised beds, compost tumblers, and more pre-built options for the busy gardener. Get 10% off your purchase by entering the code JILL10 at checkout.

https://goodideasinc.com/

PROMO CODE: JILL10 for 10% off

Connect with Jill:

Get Jill's "In the Garden" Weekly Emails + Free Printable Resources Here: https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

Join the Beginner's Garden Shortcut Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/beginnersgarden/

Connect with Jill on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/

Can you grow cool weather and warm season crops in the same bed? Short answer, yes! With succession and relay planting, this is totally possible. Listen to this Q&A to hear more.

Dream to Garden Online Course: https://journeywithjill.net/dream

Connect with Jill:

Get Jill's "In the Garden" Weekly Emails + Free Printable Resources Here: https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

Join the Beginner's Garden Shortcut Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/beginnersgarden/

Connect with Jill on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/

If you're looking to get more harvest from the same space, succession planting is one of the top ways to do it. But where do you start to understand which succession planting combinations might work for your garden?

SHOW NOTES:

Full Season Garden Masterclass Feb 25th: https://journeywithjill.net/class

Dream to Garden Online Course: https://journeywithjill.net/dream

More Succession Planting Ideas: https://journeywithjill.net/gardening/2018/05/01/succession-planting-ideas-to-keep-your-garden-producing-all-season/

(*links below contain affiliate links, which means if you click through and make a purchase, we will earn a commission at no extra cost to you.)

Special thanks to our sponsor, Good Ideas, Inc. Home of the best-selling rain barrel, Good Ideas also offers self-watering raised beds, compost tumblers, and more pre-built options for the busy gardener. Get 10% off your purchase by entering the code JILL10 at checkout.

https://goodideasinc.com/

PROMO CODE: JILL10 for 10% off

Connect with Jill:

Get Jill's "In the Garden" Weekly Emails + Free Printable Resources Here: https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

Join the Beginner's Garden Shortcut Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/beginnersgarden/

Connect with Jill on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/

I have loved canning the past few years. It was fun to get a question about canning supplies and what I would pick to can first. If you love to can your garden produce, what would you recommend?

Full Season Garden Masterclass: https://journeywithjill.net/class

Dream to Garden Online Course: https://journeywithjill.net/dream

Canning Resources:

https://journeywithjill.net/gardening/2019/07/16/preserving-the-harvest-beginners-guide-to-freezing-canning-and-dehydrating-supply-list/

https://journeywithjill.net/gardening/2018/07/17/get-started-with-home-canning/

https://journeywithjill.net/gardening/use-kitchen-aid-mixer-prepare-tomatoes-canning-using-fruit-vegetable-strainer-attachment/

Connect with Jill:

Get Jill's "In the Garden" Weekly Emails + Free Printable Resources Here: https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

Join the Beginner's Garden Shortcut Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/beginnersgarden/

Connect with Jill on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/

Are you ready to plan your garden efficiently? What are the best ways to maximize your harvest in a small space? Don't we all want the best harvest out of our space? Today I'm sharing 5 ways we can efficiently plan our garden spaces.

SHOW NOTES:

Full Season Garden Masterclass Feb 18th: https://journeywithjill.net/class

Dream to Garden Online Course: https://journeywithjill.net/dream

How to Use Soil Blocks for Indoor Seed Starting: https://journeywithjill.net/gardening/2020/01/29/soil-blocking-pros-and-cons-to-using-soil-blocks-in-indoor-seed-starting/

Companion Planting: https://journeywithjill.net/gardening/2019/02/26/companion-planting-pest-control/

Succession Planting: https://journeywithjill.net/gardening/2018/05/01/succession-planting-ideas-to-keep-your-garden-producing-all-season/

(*links below contain affiliate links, which means if you click through and make a purchase, we will earn a commission at no extra cost to you.)

Special thanks to our sponsor, Good Ideas, Inc. Home of the best-selling rain barrel, Good Ideas also offers self-watering raised beds, compost tumblers, and more pre-built options for the busy gardener. Get 10% off your purchase by entering the code JILL10 at checkout.

https://goodideasinc.com/

PROMO CODE: JILL10 for 10% off

Connect with Jill:

Get Jill's "In the Garden" Weekly Emails + Free Printable Resources Here: https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

Join the Beginner's Garden Shortcut Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/beginnersgarden/

Connect with Jill on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/

In the last few years, I've had more of a problem with powdery mildew than I have in the past. Maybe you've struggled with a certain disease or pest destroying your crops. Today I'm sharing how I try to avoid massive crop loss due to diseases, like powdery mildew, or pests.

Full Season Garden Masterclass: https://journeywithjill.net/class

Connect with Jill:

Get Jill's "In the Garden" Weekly Emails + Free Printable Resources Here: https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

Join the Beginner's Garden Shortcut Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/beginnersgarden/

Connect with Jill on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/

Have you thought about planting edible plants outside of your regular garden space? Whether fruit trees won't fit in your garden, you want herbs near your kitchen, or want beautiful and edible plants in your flower gardens, I have thoughts for you. Today, I'm sharing 5 ideas for planting edibles outside your garden space.

SHOW NOTES:

Full Season Garden Masterclass Feb 18th: https://journeywithjill.net/class

(*links below contain affiliate links, which means if you click through and make a purchase, we will earn a commission at no extra cost to you.)

Special thanks to our sponsor, Good Ideas, Inc. Home of the best-selling rain barrel, Good Ideas also offers self-watering raised beds, compost tumblers, and more pre-built options for the busy gardener. Get 10% off your purchase by entering the code JILL10 at checkout.

https://goodideasinc.com/

PROMO CODE: JILL10 for 10% off

Connect with Jill:

Get Jill's "In the Garden" Weekly Emails + Free Printable Resources Here: https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

Join the Beginner's Garden Shortcut Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/beginnersgarden/

Connect with Jill on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/

When should you apply mulch in relation to when you plant? There are a few things to consider! From soil temperature to the size of the plants, I share some of my thoughts about mulch and when to apply.

Learn more about mulch: 4 types of mulch

Sign up for the Full Season Garden Masterclass: journeywithjill.net/class

More free resources and weekly garden tips

Sometimes it's overwhelming trying to decide not only what vegetables to plant but what varieties are best! Today I'm sharing the best varieties of different vegetables for beginners. Get started with dependable varieties of your favorite crops this year.

SHOW NOTES:

Full Season Garden Masterclass Feb 18th: https://journeywithjill.net/class

The Dream to Garden course is coming! Sign up to be the first to know more! https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

FREE PRINTABLE! Vegetable Variety for Beginners https://journeywithjill.net/121

(*links below contain affiliate links, which means if you click through and make a purchase, we will earn a commission at no extra cost to you.)

Special thanks to our sponsor, Good Ideas, Inc. Home of the best-selling rain barrel, Good Ideas also offers self-watering raised beds, compost tumblers, and more pre-built options for the busy gardener. Get 10% off your purchase by entering the code JILL10 at checkout.

https://goodideasinc.com/

PROMO CODE: JILL10 for 10% off

Connect with Jill:

Get Jill's "In the Garden" Weekly Emails + Free Printable Resources Here: https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

Join the Beginner's Garden Shortcut Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/beginnersgarden/

Connect with Jill on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/

Q&A Where can I buy bushes, trees, and other live plants?

3 online nurseries I would recommend:

Stark Brothers: https://www.starkbros.com/

Nourse Farms: https://www.noursefarms.com/

Dixondale Farms: https://www.dixondalefarms.com/

Connect with Jill:

Get Jill's "In the Garden" Weekly Emails + Free Printable Resources Here: https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

Join the Beginner's Garden Shortcut Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/beginnersgarden/

Connect with Jill on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/

By now you probably have started on your Garden To Do list. But what about your To Don't list? What can you put aside for this year? What do you need to avoid all together? I'll share my To Don't list and I'd love to hear yours!

SHOW NOTES:

The Dream to Garden course is coming! Sign up to be the first to know more! https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

(*links below contain affiliate links, which means if you click through and make a purchase, we will earn a commission at no extra cost to you.)

Special thanks to our sponsor, Good Ideas, Inc. Home of the best-selling rain barrel, Good Ideas also offers self-watering raised beds, compost tumblers, and more pre-built options for the busy gardener. Get 10% off your purchase by entering the code JILL10 at checkout.

https://goodideasinc.com/

PROMO CODE: JILL10 for 10% off

Connect with Jill:

Get Jill's "In the Garden" Weekly Emails + Free Printable Resources Here: https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

Join the Beginner's Garden Shortcut Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/beginnersgarden/

Connect with Jill on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/

Q&A

What are the advantages of a 6" deep raised bed?

You may wonder how your garden could benefit from a raised bed that is only 6" deep when the roots may go deeper. I'm careful about where my shallow beds are and what I grow in them.

Learn more:

journeywithjill.net/raisedbedsoil

Q&A

What are the advantages of a 6" deep raised bed?

You may wonder how your garden could benefit from a raised bed that is only 6" deep when the roots may go deeper. I'm careful about where my shallow beds are and what I grow in them.

Learn more:

journeywithjill.net/raisedbedsoil

Q&A

What are the advantages of a 6" deep raised bed?

You may wonder how your garden could benefit from a raised bed that is only 6" deep when the roots may go deeper. I'm careful about where my shallow beds are and what I grow in them.

Learn more:

journeywithjill.net/raisedbedsoil

Q&A

What are the advantages of a 6" deep raised bed?

You may wonder how your garden could benefit from a raised bed that is only 6" deep when the roots may go deeper. I'm careful about where my shallow beds are and what I grow in them.

Learn more:

journeywithjill.net/raisedbedsoil

Raised Bed articles

More free resources and weekly garden tips

What can you be doing IN your garden and FOR your garden in the winter? No matter where you live, you can do at least a few of these fun winter tasks to prep for this season.

SHOW NOTES:

Complete Garden Planner: https://journeywithjill.net/shop

Garden Projects for the Winter: https://journeywithjill.net/105

(*links below contain affiliate links, which means if you click through and make a purchase, we will earn a commission at no extra cost to you.)

Special thanks to our sponsor, Good Ideas, Inc. Home of the best-selling rain barrel, Good Ideas also offers self-watering raised beds, compost tumblers, and more pre-built options for the busy gardener. Get 10% off your purchase by entering the code JILL10 at checkout.

https://goodideasinc.com/

PROMO CODE: JILL10 for 10% off

Connect with Jill:

Get Jill's "In the Garden" Weekly Emails + Free Printable Resources Here: https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

Join the Beginner's Garden Shortcut Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/beginnersgarden/

Connect with Jill on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/

Starting seeds indoors? You may wonder if a seedling heat mat is necessary. I've grown seedlings with and without it, and here's my take on when you might need it (and when you might not).

From this episode:

Supplies I use: (links below are affiliate links)

• Seedling heat mat: https://amzn.to/2FYYQ3j
• LED grow light: https://amzn.to/30qWdR2
• T5 Fluorescent light: https://amzn.to/2R0Dn08

Seed Starting Articles

More free resources and weekly garden tips

When you think about your garden from last year, are you thinking about what went well and what you need to work on? I'm sure a lot of things were great and you will keep exactly the same. But maybe there are some things that you want to tweak. I have three ideas for you today!

Even before I'm finished with one garden season, I start thinking about the next. I want to think about what I want to change for the next year. This year, I realized that there are three areas that I really want to change for 2020.

(*links below contain affiliate links, which means if you click through and make a purchase, we will earn a commission at no extra cost to you.)

Special thanks to our sponsor, Good Ideas, Inc. Home of the best-selling rain barrel, Good Ideas also offers self-watering raised beds, compost tumblers, and more pre-built options for the busy gardener. Get 10% off your purchase by entering the code JILL10 at checkout.

https://goodideasinc.com/

PROMO CODE: JILL10 for 10% off

Connect with Jill:

Get Jill's "In the Garden" Weekly Emails + Free Printable Resources Here: https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

Join the Beginner's Garden Shortcut Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/beginnersgarden/

Connect with Jill on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/

Are you ready to make a plan for your garden? How do you know how much you will need from your garden? How many plants should you plant? Thankfully, to get the answers to these questions, you don't have to start from scratch. Instead, take a few cues from someone who has the years of experience and research to provide you a starting point.

SHOW NOTES:

(*links below contain affiliate links, which means if you click through and make a purchase, we will earn a commission at no extra cost to you.)

The Family Garden Plan by Melissa K. Norris: https://amzn.to/2seA2Bf

Special thanks to our sponsor, Good Ideas, Inc. Home of the best-selling rain barrel, Good Ideas also offers self-watering raised beds, compost tumblers, and more pre-built options for the busy gardener. Get 10% off your purchase by entering the code JILL10 at checkout.

https://goodideasinc.com/

PROMO CODE: JILL10 for 10% off

Blog Post for this Episode: https://journeywithjill.net/117

Connect with Melissa:

https://melissaknorris.com/

Connect with Jill:

Get Jill's "In the Garden" Weekly Emails + Free Printable Resources Here: https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

Join the Beginner's Garden Shortcut Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/beginnersgarden/

Connect with Jill on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/

One of the most common struggles for gardeners is how to deal with weeds. There are different strategies that we can try, but what really works? We may not ever have a weedless garden, but we can certainly strive for having to weed less.

I had the opportunity to talk with a renowned horticulturist, Dr. Lee Reich, about his book Weedless Gardening and he shared a few of his best tips for protecting your garden from being overcome by weeds. You may recognize Dr. Reich from my conversation with him about growing blueberries. He is a wealth of knowledge on so many topics.

SHOW NOTES:

(*links below contain affiliate links, which means if you click through and make a purchase, we will earn a commission at no extra cost to you.)

Weedless Gardening by Lee Reich: https://amzn.to/2Eogvk2

Special thanks to our sponsor, Good Ideas, Inc. Home of the best-selling rain barrel, Good Ideas also offers self-watering raised beds, compost tumblers, and more pre-built options for the busy gardener. Get 10% off your purchase by entering the code JILL10 at checkout.

https://goodideasinc.com/

PROMO CODE: JILL10 for 10% off

Blog Post for this Episode: https://journeywithjill.net/116

Connect with Dr Reich: https://leereich.com

Connect with Jill:

Get Jill's "In the Garden" Weekly Emails + Free Printable Resources Here: https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

Join the Beginner's Garden Shortcut Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/beginnersgarden/

Connect with Jill on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/

Is it possible that organic gardening can actually be an option for everyone? We all know the high prices of organic food at the grocery store. But what if you could grow your own organic vegetables where you live?

A common misconception is that you have to have a lot of land to grow a garden. But that's just not true! CaliKim has been growing her own organic fruits and vegetables in a small California backyard for years.

And she has become so passionate about making sure others know how doable this is -- as you might have seen in her YouTube channel -- that she has written a book to equip new gardeners in this fun and exciting venture of home organic gardening.

Kim's new book, Organic Gardening for Everyone, walks you through every step to preparing, planting, and harvesting your garden. She focuses on the big picture of why you would want to grow you own food and what it can mean for your family and your community.

In this episode of the Beginner's Garden Podcast, Kim answers some of your common questions about organic gardening and gardening in a small space. Then, make sure and grab a copy of Organic Gardening for Everyone!

SHOW NOTES:

(*links below contain affiliate links, which means if you click through and make a purchase, we will earn a commission at no extra cost to you.)

Organic Gardening for Everyone by CaliKim: https://amzn.to/2rxmzEh

GIVEAWAY for a signed copy of CaliKim's book, a SmartPot, microgreen seed collection, and spring seed collection. Enter here from December 17-24, 2019: https://www.instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/ (Look for the Instagram post with CaliKim's book for details.)

Today's Sponsor: Good Ideas, Inc. Home of the best-selling rain barrel, Good Ideas also offers self-watering raised beds, compost tumblers, and more pre-built options for the busy gardener. Get 10% off your purchase by entering the code JILL10 at checkout.

https://goodideasinc.com/

PROMO CODE: JILL10 for 10% off

CaliKim's Online Garden Shop (including the seed collections she mentions in the episode): https://calikimgardenandhome.com/

Blog Post for this Episode: https://journeywithjill.net/115

Connect with Kim:

CaliKim Seed Store: https://calikimgardenandhome.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/calikim29

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaliKimGardenandHomeDIY/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calikim29

Connect with Jill:

Get Jill's "In the Garden" Weekly Emails + Free Printable Resources Here: https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

Join the Beginner's Garden Shortcut Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/beginnersgarden/

Connect with Jill on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/

How does a garden that requires minimal input and maximum harvest sound to you? Instead of you working for it, your garden works for you. It's almost like the garden runs on autopilot. Sounds too good to be true, right?

Not according to MI Gardener's Luke Marion. Luke spends 15 minutes a WEEK in his 5,000 sq ft garden, outside of the busy planting time. So, how does he do it?

Luke shares his methods in his book, The AutoPilot Garden, but in today's post and episode on the Beginner's Garden Podcast, he gives a bit of insight into some of the primary methods he has put in place in his garden: core gardening and high-intensity spacing.

SHOW NOTES:

(*links below contain affiliate links, which means if you click through and make a purchase, we will earn a commission at no extra cost to you.)

The Autopilot Garden by Luke Marion: https://amzn.to/37WgDEY

Special thanks to our sponsor, Good Ideas, Inc. Home of the best-selling rain barrel, Good Ideas also offers self-watering raised beds, compost tumblers, and more pre-built options for the busy gardener. Get 10% off your purchase by entering the code JILL10 at checkout.

https://goodideasinc.com/

PROMO CODE: JILL10 for 10% off

Blog Post for this Episode: https://journeywithjill.net/114

Connect with Luke:

youtube.com/MIgardener

MIgardener.com

seeds4needs.org

Connect with Jill:

Get Jill's "In the Garden" Weekly Emails + Free Printable Resources Here: https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

Join the Beginner's Garden Shortcut Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/beginnersgarden/

Connect with Jill on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/

Gardening with limited space? Even if you don't practice urban gardening, most gardeners can use tips to maximize the space they have.

Kevin Espritu of Epic Gardening understands the challenges of gardening in a small area. That's what compelled him to write a book full of tips and how-to's for gardeners in small spaces, Field Guide to Urban Gardening.

SHOW NOTES:

(*links below contain affiliate links, which means if you click through and make a purchase, we will earn a commission at no extra cost to you.)

Field Guide to Urban Gardening by Kevin Espiritu: https://amzn.to/2XLXQrm

Special thanks to our sponsor, Good Ideas, Inc. Home of the best-selling rain barrel, Good Ideas also offers self-watering raised beds, compost tumblers, and more pre-built options for the busy gardener. Get 10% off your purchase by entering the code JILL10 at checkout.

https://goodideasinc.com/

PROMO CODE: JILL10 for 10% off

Blog Post for this Episode: https://journeywithjill.net/113

Connect with Kevin:

EpicGardening.com

Connect with Jill:

Get Jill's "In the Garden" Weekly Emails + Free Printable Resources Here: https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

Join the Beginner's Garden Shortcut Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/beginnersgarden/

Connect with Jill on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/

When you're a beginning gardener, there are all these garden terms that I had to look up. When I was getting started, I got several things wrong because I misunderstood some of these terms.

In this episode of the Beginner's Garden Podcast, we'll walk through some of the most common misunderstood gardening terms. Click below to listen or continue reading.

Show Notes: https://journeywithjill.net/112

2020 Garden Vision Video training: https://journeywithjill.net/2020vision

Get Jill's "In the Garden" Weekly Emails + Free Printable Resources Here: https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

Join the Beginner's Garden Shortcut Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/beginnersgarden/

Connect with Jill on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/

I'm sure you've heard of superfoods, but what exactly are they? And why would they matter to the home gardener?

In this episode of the Beginner's Garden Podcast, my friend Stacey Murphy joined me to talk about 5 superfoods we can grow in our gardens.

Show Notes: journeywithjill.net/111

Get Jill's "In the Garden" Weekly Emails + Free Printable Resources Here: journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

Join the Beginner's Garden Shortcut Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/beginnersgarden/

Connect with Jill on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/

Have you ever wondered why gardeners so often have chickens? My family brought in our first flock of chickens six years ago and added a second a few years later. I love them. They do wonderful things for my garden and the eggs are just a bonus.

If you've ever considered adding a couple of hens (or more) to your garden, it may seem overwhelming to know how to get started.

I had the opportunity of interviewing Nicole from the Backyard Bounty Podcast and Heritage Acres Market about raising chickens. She has been raising chickens her whole life so she had a lot to offer beginners looking to add a small flock. In this episode of the Beginner's Garden Podcast, we explore what it looks like to introduce chickens to your garden endeavor.

Show Notes: journeywithjill.net/110

Nicole's Heritage Acre Markets: http://bit.ly/33n91bP

Get Jill's "In the Garden" Weekly Emails + Free Printable Resources Here: journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

Join the Beginner's Garden Shortcut Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/beginnersgarden/

Connect with Jill on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/

Now that your garden season is coming to a close, what fall and winter garden tasks can you do now to set you up for success in your next garden?

When spring arrives, you want to hit the ground running and not have to fuss with tasks that could have been done in the off-season.

In this episode of the Beginner's Garden Podcast, you'll find 13 Fall to Winter Garden Tasks I'm doing right now to set up next year's garden for success.

Show Notes: journeywithjill.net/109

Vision 2020 Workshop: journeywithjill.net/2020vision

Get Jill's "In the Garden" Weekly Emails + Free Printable Resources Here: journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

Join the Beginner's Garden Shortcut Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/beginnersgarden/

Connect with Jill on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase, crop rotation? Maybe it's something you think you have a basic understanding of, but when it comes to actually putting it into practice in your garden, you come up with more questions than answers.

Is it necessary to rotate your crops from year to year, especially if you grow in a small space? Do all crops need rotation? What does it mean to rotate by plant families, and how are you supposed to know which plants are in which families anyway? What if your garden consists of more of one plant family than another? What about companion planting and succession planting with crop rotation?

I have to be honest -- at this point I usually throw my hands in the air wondering how I'll ever figure out this impossible puzzle.

If you've ever wondered any of those things, in this episode of the Beginner's Garden Podcast, we'll talk about crop rotation at a non-phD agricultural level.

Show Notes: journeywithjill.net/108

Vision 2020 Workshop: journeywithjill.net/2020vision

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When we begin dreaming of our first garden, we get anxious, wondering if we'll ever learn everything there is to know. (Short answer: no, because in gardening, learning never stops!) But what if we could ask other gardeners just a few seasons ahead of us what they wish they'd known before they started their first gardens?

This is Part 2 of 23 Things Gardeners Wish They'd Known. You can hear part 1 here: journeywithjill.net/106

Show Notes: journeywithjill.net/107

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Join the Beginner's Garden Shortcut Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/beginnersgarden/

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When we begin dreaming of our first garden, we get anxious, wondering if we'll ever learn everything there is to know. (Short answer: no, because in gardening, learning never stops!) But what if we could ask other gardeners just a few seasons ahead of us what they wish they'd known before they started their first gardens?

When I started the Beginner's Garden Podcast in 2017, my sole purpose was to provide resources for beginning gardeners. When I started my first garden in 2013, I struggled to find resources that catered toward true beginners. So I created what I wished I had.

Show notes: journeywithjill.net/106

Get Jill's "In the Garden" Weekly Emails + Free Printable Resources here: journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

Join the Beginner's Garden Shortcut Facebook group: https://facebook.com/groups/beginnersgarden/

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Looking for garden projects to do during the slower time of the gardening season? I get so excited about next season's garden in the fall and winter. There is so much to learn and so many ways to think and prepare for next growing season.

Show Notes: journeywithjill.net/105

Get Jill's "In the Garden" Weekly Emails + Free Printable Resources Here: journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

Join the Beginner's Garden Shortcut Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/beginnersgarden/

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After the garden season has closed, do you ever wish you could grow food indoors? Maybe it seems like a pipe dream. You think your winter food will come solely from what you've preserved and what you can buy at the grocery store.

But it doesn't have to be that way. Even if you have a small indoor space, you can add fresh vegetables and herbs to your table, even in the dead of winter.

In this episode of the Beginner's Garden Podcast and in the article below, Ashley Dempster from the Townhouse Homestead shares her tips to get started growing food indoors.

Show Notes: journeywithjill.net/104

Get Jill's "In the Garden" Weekly Emails + Free Printable Resources Here: journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

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The end of the summer gardening season is the perfect time to reflect on the year so far -- specifically, summer garden lessons learned. Whether you're a new gardener or have had many years of experience, we can all learn from each other. This is why I love to share my gardening lessons in real-time with you!

You may have already seen my lessons from this year's spring garden so now it's time for lessons from my summer garden.

journeywithjill.net/103

What fall garden tasks should you complete as your summer garden comes to a close? Whether you plant a fall garden or want to make sure your garden is ready for a spring planting, these 7 tasks will prepare you for your next gardening season.

journeywithjill.net/102

When I began exploring medicinal herb gardening, I felt like I had walked into a foreign country. I didn't know where to start or how to navigate this new territory.

But like everything in my garden journey, I took small steps. And while I still consider myself a beginning medicinal herb gardener, I do feel like I've found my footing a bit.

Because growing a medicinal herb garden -- or simply introducing medicinal herbs into our lives -- is something many beginning gardeners explore, I wanted to give you a guide to get started in medicinal herb gardening.

journeywithjill.net/101

In 2013 I planted my first garden. Looking back, I see mistakes and successes from that first year. All of them served to teach me, and they helped me grow a more successful garden each season.

Because we all can learn from each other, and because many of my mistakes are common among beginning gardeners, I wanted to share seven mistakes and eight successes from my first season.

https://journeywithjill.net/100

Is it possible to control pests in the garden without using pesticides? Many gardeners determine to use organic practices. But soon they find themselves discouraged when bad insects arrive in their gardens. How do organic gardeners keep bugs from eating their plants?

A healthy, productive, organic home garden goes beyond home remedies for pest control and organic alternatives to pesticides. Natural pesticides have their place, but I've found that natural pest control goes beyond these stop-gap measures.

Pest control without pesticides looks different than you might think. So how do you do it?

In today's episode of the Beginner's Garden Podcast, I share six principles to pest control without pesticides for a healthy, organic home garden.

journeywithjill.net/99

If you grow a garden, you know that homegrown vegetables taste better than anything you can purchase in the produce department of your grocery store.

But why do homegrown vegetables and fruit taste better? Is it purely a mental thing -- where we naturally enjoy most what we put our hard work into growing? Or are there also scientific reasons why store-bought tomatoes don't compare to homegrown?

In today's episode of the Beginner's Garden Podcast and post below, I share with you 4 reasons why the fruits and vegetables you grow yourself taste better.

journeywithjill.net/98

When I asked the members of my free Facebook group, the Beginner's Garden Shortcut, what questions they had about their fall vegetable garden, I received more feedback than almost any other topic. Clearly, many beginning gardeners are interested in fall gardening. But they recognize it's not as straightforward as the spring or summer garden.

For the beginner, fall gardening isn't as simple to get started. But, it is generally easier than the summer garden. With fewer pests and weeds, we get to enjoy gardening in cooler days and eat crops that don't grow well in the heat of the summer.

Because getting started with planting the fall vegetable garden takes a bit of understanding of this unique garden season, Stacey Murphey of Grow Your Own Vegetables tackles some of the most common fall gardening questions I hear.

When many beginning gardeners think about fall gardening, they find themselves overwhelmed. After all, they're tired from the effort put into the summer garden, and the thought of more work seems exhausting.

Plus, they don't know when or how to get started.

The truth is, fall gardening can be the most rewarding time to grow a vegetable garden. It just takes a bit of know-how to get started.

In this week's episode of the Beginner's Garden Podcast, master gardener and garden teacher Stacey Murphy of Grow Your Own Vegetables talks beginners through how to get started planting and growing their fall gardens. Click below to hear our conversation or keep reading.

When is corn ready to pick? It's a tougher answer than you realize. Corn ripens quickly and for only a few days, so the home gardener must watch for the signs that sweet corn is ready to harvest.

In this episode of the Beginner's Garden Podcast, I talk about how to know when corn ripens for harvest. (For more information on growing corn, check out these posts: how to grow corn and what I learned about corn last year.) Click below to listen or continue reading.

Is there anything better in summer than a fresh-picked watermelon or cantaloupe from the garden? But how do you know when melons are ripe and ready to pick?

In this episode of the Beginner's Garden Podcast, I share my methods of knowing when to harvest cantaloupes and when to harvest watermelons -- my favorite fruit!

Whether you grow your garden to stock up a year's worth of some foods like I do, or maybe your small space has produced more than you can eat fresh, you will want to look at options for preserving the harvest.

While most people think of canning, this is only one option when it comes to preserving your hard-earned bounty.

In this episode of the Beginner's Garden Podcast and article below, I share the basics of three common methods of preserving: freezing, canning, and dehydrating.

You would think something as simple as watering the garden would be easy for home gardeners. But garden irrigation can actually prove tricky to master.

How much water does your garden need?

Should you hand-water, use soaker hoses, or lay drip lines?

How do you know if your vegetables are getting too much or not enough water?

In this episode of the Beginner's Garden Podcast, garden expert Joe Lamp'l of the Joe Gardener Show shares his best practices for garden irrigation. Click below to listen to the conversation or continue reading.

When we begin our gardens, we imagine what our tomato harvest will look like. But most of the time, we don't anticipate tomato plant problems that often arrive in mid-summer.

Beginning gardeners blame themselves and sometimes give up. But they shouldn't. Summer tomato problems are more common than you realize, and thankfully, there are steps you can take to overcome many of these tomato issues.

In this episode of the Beginner's Garden Podcast, gardening expert Joe Lamp'l of the Joe Gardener Show talks about common tomato problems and offers solutions for your garden.

One fun part of gardening is that we get to learn and grow in our knowledge each season. My 2019 spring garden yielded several successes and lessons learned, and I want to share those with you.

In this episode of the Beginner's Garden Podcast, I identify ten lessons I've learned from my 2019 spring garden. Click below to listen to continue reading.

You've watched your beautiful garlic plants grow for months, and the time nears for harvest. But how do you know when to harvest garlic? And once you harvest, how do you cure and store it?

The good news is this: harvesting, curing, and storing garlic is almost as easy as growing it! You only need to know a few basics and you'll be eating garlic from your own backyard garden for months.

In this episode of the Beginner's Garden Podcast and in the post below, I show you what to do when your garlic nears harvest time. Click to listen or continue reading below.

I think we'd all say experienced gardeners offer priceless garden wisdom, but there's a group of people first-time gardeners can also learn from that's often overlooked: second-time gardeners. Still with a beginner's mindset, gardeners in their sophomore year recall details experienced gardeners forget.

It's kind of like how a mom of a toddler can offer something special to a mom of a newborn that a mother of teenagers can't. It's a "been there, done that" mindset that hasn't "been there, forgotten that."

Though I still consider myself a beginning gardener in so many ways -- we're all learning no matter how many seasons we've gardened -- I asked second-time gardeners in my Facebook group to share their top suggestions with their first-time peers. Most of the suggestions fell into a few categories.

In this episode of the Beginner's Garden Podcast, I share the six best tips beginning gardeners learned after their first season. Click to listen or continue reading below.

In my first garden, I planted once. I had no aspirations for a year-round harvest. Any harvest would equal a successful garden in my mind.

But the second year I added a fall garden, and as I gained more experience I realized I could extend my garden season even further. I began growing more winter crops and I enjoyed expanding my growing season much further than the once-and-done summer harvest.

Planning for a year-round harvest is a skill I'm still working to improve. That's why I invited Becky Porter from The Seasonal Homestead to share with me her tips for year-round gardening.

Growing okra in my garden is one of my favorite vegetables to grow! And it's not just for those of us who live in the southern US. With a little understanding of okra's basic growing requirements, this tasty vegetable can be grown in most areas of the country. Plus, its versatility offers growing options of both raised beds and in the garden.

In this episode of the Beginner's Garden Podcast and in the article below, you'll learn how to grow okra either in your garden or raised bed -- no matter where you live.