The Beginner's Garden with Jill McSheehy

Jill McSheehy
  • 4.7 (822)
  • Home & Garden
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to the Beginner's Garden Podcast! This is the podcast with easy-to-understand resources, tips, and information to help beginning gardeners get the most out of their gardening adventure -- big or small. When I began gardening in 2013, I scoured books and Internet resources to find all the information I could. Although good information was abundant, I had trouble understanding all the gardening lingo and sifting through the information to figure out what would work for me. In this podcast, my aim is to provide helpful information while explaining the gardening lingo as we go. I want to equip YOU to have the best start ever this gardening season!

  1. 5d ago

    493 - Fall Lettuce in a 100° September: My Season of Adjustments (Part 1)

    Struggling to keep your fall garden alive through unusually hot weather? If your lettuce seedlings are wilting or your fall planting schedule has fallen behind, you're not alone. I'm sharing practical fall gardening lessons from a season of extreme heat and drought in my Arkansas garden. After 13 years of gardening, I experienced something I'd never encountered before: weeks of triple-digit temperatures and flash drought conditions stretching into September. In this episode, I'll walk you through what happened to my lettuce and pansies, the decisions I made to protect my seedlings, and what I'll do differently next time. Free Download: Lettuce Quick-Start Growing Guide Learn when to plant lettuce, how to start seeds indoors, and how to prevent bolting and bitterness. You'll also get free access to my Beginner's Garden Resource Vault. http://journeywithjill.net/lettuce-guide Grow Garlic With Confidence My Garlic Mini Course includes 10 short video lessons covering everything from preparing your soil and planting to harvesting and saving garlic for next year. https://journeywithjill.net/pcaudio/garlicworkshop/  Key Takeaways Learn why lettuce struggles to germinate and grow during extreme heat. Discover when to keep seedlings indoors instead of transplanting. Recognize the signs of underwatering in indoor seed trays. Understand why moving seedlings into larger containers matters. Learn what worked when growing pansies from seed for fall planting. Chapters 00:00 – What extreme heat taught me 02:14 – Lessons from a challenging fall garden 04:35 – Why I delayed transplanting lettuce 06:55 – Growing lettuce through triple-digit temperatures 09:19 – Choosing which seedlings to protect 11:38 – Starting pansies from seed 14:03 – Keeping seedlings alive while traveling 16:12 – How to recognize underwatered seedlings 18:35 – Why container size matters 20:53 – Transplanting lettuce after the heat 21:07 – Planting pansies and experimenting with onions 22:51 – Growing onions in vertical planters 25:13 – Testing a late spinach planting 26:29 – Preparing the garden for garlic 27:56 – Final thoughts Resource Links Free Gardening Guides Lettuce Quick-Start Growing Guide: http://journeywithjill.net/lettuce-guide Seed Starting Troubleshooting Guide: http://journeywithjill.net/seed-starting-troubleshooting-guide Garlic Planting Cheat Sheet: http://journeywithjill.net/garliccheatsheet Spinach Quick-Start Growing Guide: https://journeywithjill.net/pcaudio/spinach-guide/ Grow Garlic With Confidence My Garlic Mini Course includes 10 short video lessons covering everything from preparing your soil and planting to harvesting and saving garlic for next year. https://journeywithjill.net/garlicworkshop Connect With Me Friday Gardening Emails: https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup YouTube: https://journeywithjill.net/youtube-podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/ Podcast and gardening resources: https://journeywithjill.net/ Recommended Gardening Products GreenStalk Vertical Planters: https://journeywithjill.net/greenstalk Epic Gardening Seed Starting Supplies: http://journeywithjill.net/epic Botanical Interests Seeds: https://www.botanicalinterests.com/JOURNEYWITHJILL Recommended Brands and Products: https://journeywithjill.net/recommended-brands-and-products/ Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/thebeginnersgarden Disclaimer Gardening advice shared in this podcast is based on my own experience in Zone 8a (Arkansas) and from the feedback I receive from others in different gardening contexts. Your results may differ depending on your location, climate, and growing conditions. Always check your local extension service or trusted resources for region-specific guidance. Some links mentioned may be affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  2. Oct 6

    492 - Where to Plant Garlic (next summer considerations)

    Not sure where to plant garlic without giving up valuable spring garden space? Garlic stays in the garden for months, so where you plant it now matters next spring. In this episode, I'll show you practical garlic planting layouts for raised beds and small gardens. Free Download: Garlic Planting Cheat Sheet Get the timing, spacing, and growing basics you need for your first (or best) garlic crop. http://journeywithjill.net/garliccheatsheet Learn More about Garlic: Garlic Growing Mini Course This mini course is a favorite of my audience! If you want to have success growing garlic click here: journeywithjill.net/pcaudio/garlicworkshop/ Use code GARLIC26 to enroll for just $19 (Reg. $29) Garlic is one of the easiest crops I grow, but it occupies garden space from fall until late spring or early summer. That means your garlic planting plan needs to account for the broccoli, carrots, lettuce, peppers, and other crops you may want to grow next year. In this episode, I'm sharing several ways to fit garlic into your garden, including borders, relay planting, checkerboard layouts, and dedicated garlic beds. I'll also explain which crops can share space with garlic and which ones I would avoid. Key Takeaways Treat fall-planted garlic as your first spring planting. Leave about six inches between garlic and future plantings. Use borders or relay planting to save raised-bed space. Pair garlic with crops that will not shade it early. Follow garlic with heat-loving summer crops after harvest. Chapters 00:00 – Why garlic placement matters 01:11 – Plan for garlic's long season 03:20 – Save room for spring crops 05:36 – Fit garlic into small gardens 07:56 – Try relay planting with garlic 10:13 – Choose good garlic companions 12:34 – Follow garlic with summer crops 13:03 – Protect garlic's sunlight 13:57 – Avoid problematic companions 16:11 – Get step-by-step garlic help Resource Links Garlic Planting Cheat Sheet: http://journeywithjill.net/garliccheatsheet Garlic Mini Course: Learn step-by-step how to prepare, plant, grow, harvest, cure, and save garlic for next year. https://journeywithjill.net/garlicworkshop This workshop/course is a paid product from Journey with Jill. Connect with Journey with Jill Friday Emails: https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneywithjillNet/videos Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/ Podcast Archive: https://journeywithjill.net/the-beginners-garden-podcast/ Recommended Brands & Products: https://journeywithjill.net/recommended-brands-and-products/ Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/thebeginnersgarden As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Disclaimer Gardening advice shared in this podcast is based on my own experience in Zone 8a (Arkansas) and from the feedback I receive from others in different gardening contexts. Your results may differ depending on your location, climate, and growing conditions. Always check your local extension service or trusted resources for region-specific guidance. Some links mentioned may be affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  3. Sep 29

    491 - Should you plant onions in the fall?

    Planting onions in fall might give you an earlier harvest than you thought possible. If you garden in Zone 7 or warmer, overwintering onions may help you harvest sooner, reduce bolting, and spread your onion harvest across several months. In this episode, I'm sharing what happened when I tested fall-planted onions in my Zone 8a Arkansas garden and how to decide whether this method could work where you live. Free Download: Onion Quick-Start Growing Guide Learn how to choose the right onion type for your location, get your planting timing right, and grow bigger, healthier onions. Get the Onion Quick-Start Growing Guide Key Takeaways Decide if fall planting fits your climate. Choose onions for your day length. Plant smaller transplants to reduce bolting. Protect onions during extreme cold. Extend your harvest into three months. Chapters 00:00 – Why I tried fall onions 01:07 – Who can plant in fall 02:56 – My first fall onion experiment 04:42 – How onions handled winter 06:46 – Raised beds vs. greenhouse 09:11 – Harvest onions earlier 11:31 – Extend your onion harvest 13:56 – Why fall onions bolt less 16:09 – Choose the right transplant size 18:26 – How hardy are onions? 20:43 – Consider zone and latitude 23:06 – Colder-zone considerations 25:21 – Plan your garden space 27:39 – Try onions from seed 28:54 – Is fall planting worth trying? Resource Links Onion Quick-Start Growing Guide: Learn the basics of choosing and growing onions for your garden. Get the free guide Onion Growing Trials YouTube: Did it work? Click to find out: https://youtu.be/vfR2G8daLXE?si=v1_Ed_K-z2o7j6mL  Friday Emails: Get gardening tips, seasonal reminders, and updates from my garden. Sign up for Friday Emails YouTube: Journey with Jill on YouTube Instagram: The Beginner's Garden on Instagram Podcast Archive: The Beginner's Garden Podcast Recommended Brands & Products: See my recommended gardening products Amazon Storefront: Shop my Amazon recommendations Complete Garden Planner: Ready for a simple system to plan and track your garden season? See the Complete Garden Planner Disclaimer Gardening advice shared in this podcast is based on my own experience in Zone 8a (Arkansas) and from the feedback I receive from others in different gardening contexts. Your results may differ depending on your location, climate, and growing conditions. Always check your local extension service or trusted resources for region-specific guidance. Some links mentioned may be affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  4. Sep 22

    490 - Fall Crop Adjustments as the Weather Turns

    Your fall garden may be growing the same vegetables you planted in spring, but that doesn't mean they need the same care. Shorter days, warm soil, changing temperatures, and slower growth all affect how you should water, shade, and protect fall crops. In this episode, I'll help you adjust your fall garden care so lettuce, carrots, broccoli, and other cool-season crops have what they need. Free Download: Spinach Growing Guide Spinach can be a tricky crop to grow successfully depending on your location. This guide will help you have success. https://journeywithjill.net/pcaudio/spinach-guide/ Key Takeaways Water more at planting, then taper as fall cools. Remove shade cloth once seedlings are established. Give broccoli and carrots as much fall sun as possible. Plant more lettuce and greens to offset slower growth. Protect crops from sudden early freezes when needed. Chapters 00:00 – Why fall care is different 02:05 – Adjust watering as temperatures change 05:15 – Use fall shade cloth differently 07:26 – Know when to remove shade 09:47 – Give broccoli more fall sun 11:13 – Why carrots need enough sunlight 13:29 – Plant more fall lettuce and greens 15:42 – Prepare crops for early freezes 18:06 – When to use row covers 20:30 – Learn by observing your garden 21:44 – What's coming next Resource Links Seasonal Garden Task List: https://journeywithjill.net/seasonal-task-list Friday Emails + Free Growing Guides: https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup Recommended Brands & Products: https://journeywithjill.net/recommended-brands-and-products/ Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/thebeginnersgarden Complete Garden Planner: https://shop.journeywithjill.net/ Disclaimer Gardening advice shared in this podcast is based on my own experience in Zone 8a (Arkansas) and from the feedback I receive from others in different gardening contexts. Your results may differ depending on your location, climate, and growing conditions. Always check your local extension service or trusted resources for region-specific guidance. Some links mentioned may be affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  5. Sep 15

    489 - Using a Greenhouse to its Full Potential with Leslie Halleck

    Thinking about getting a greenhouse but not sure what it can actually do for your garden? A greenhouse can extend your growing season, protect plants through winter, and give seedlings a head start, but only if you understand how temperature, light, and humidity work together. In this episode, I'm talking with Leslie about greenhouse gardening for beginners, including what I've learned from using my own greenhouse for the past six years. We'll cover unheated versus heated greenhouses, supplemental grow lights, seed starting, pest prevention, and what to consider before buying a greenhouse. Check out Leslie's book "Home Greenhouse Revival" here: https://amzn.to/4qMk75Y  Free Download: The Beginner's Garden Resource Vault Get complimentary access to growing guides, charts, and resources to help you grow food with more clarity and less overwhelm. Get the Beginner's Garden Resource Vault Key Takeaways Understand what an unheated greenhouse can do Use temperature and light to extend seasons Know when seedlings need supplemental grow lights Prevent greenhouse pests before they spread Choose a greenhouse based on your plants Chapters 00:00 – How greenhouses extend your season 03:41 – Why unheated greenhouses still help 06:51 – Keep winter crops growing longer 08:29 – How temperature affects plant growth 09:47 – When greenhouse grow lights help 12:07 – Can greenhouses replace indoor seed starting? 14:18 – Choose plants before your greenhouse 16:43 – Beds, containers, and greenhouse zones 19:42 – Why greenhouse size matters 20:23 – Why seedlings grow faster inside 23:06 – How humidity affects plant growth 24:41 – Understanding grow light limitations 26:44 – How plants actually use light 28:07 – Why winter sunlight is weaker 29:54 – Prevent greenhouse pest problems 32:49 – Using beneficial insects indoors 33:35 – What to know before buying 36:41 – Greenhouse growing beyond vegetables Resource Links The Beginner's Garden Resource Vault: Free growing guides, charts, and resources Friday Emails: Sign up for Jill's Friday Emails YouTube: Journey with Jill on YouTube Instagram: The Beginner's Garden on Instagram Podcast Archive: The Beginner's Garden Podcast Recommended Brands & Products: See my recommended gardening brands and products Amazon Storefront: Shop my recommended gardening products As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Complete Garden Planner: Ready for a simple system to plan and track your garden? My Complete Garden Planner makes it easy. Complete Garden Planner Disclaimer Gardening advice shared in this podcast is based on my own experience in Zone 8a (Arkansas) and from the feedback I receive from others in different gardening contexts. Your results may differ depending on your location, climate, and growing conditions. Always check your local extension service or trusted resources for region-specific guidance. Some links mentioned may be affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  6. Sep 8

    488 - Two Easy Cover Crops That Changed My Raised Bed Garden

    Not sure what to cover your raised bed soil with this winter? Cover crops can build soil, suppress weeds, and even provide living mulch. In this episode, I'll help you choose a cover crop and get started without overcomplicating it. Free Download: Raised Bed Soil Options Learn practical, affordable options for building and improving healthy raised bed soil. https://journeywithjill.net/raised-bed-soil Cover crops aren't just for large, in-ground gardens. I've been experimenting with them in my raised beds, and I've found several benefits beyond simply adding organic matter. I'll share what happened when I grew mustard and crimson clover, how winter-kill and overwintering cover crops differ, and what you need to think about before choosing one for your garden. Key Takeaways Choose cover crops by purpose. Decide if you want winter-kill. Plan around spring planting space. Try crimson clover as living mulch. Start with just one bed. Chapters 00:00 – Why consider cover crops 02:20 – Benefits beyond organic matter 06:57 – Living mulch and pollinators 09:02 – Choose crops by purpose 11:21 – Plan around spring planting 13:41 – Raised bed winter differences 16:00 – What happened with mustard 18:14 – Benefits of winter-kill crops 20:38 – Growing crimson clover strategically 22:55 – Terminating clover for mulch 24:41 – What if cover crops reseed? 27:00 – Beginner-friendly winter-kill options 29:19 – Overwintering cover crop options 31:39 – Start small with cover crops Resource Links Cover Crops Start to Finish: https://youtu.be/7x3H6_dSH1g?si=sJx876ZTOBCOQrjV  Beginner's Guide to Cover Crops: https://journeywithjill.libsyn.com/263-beginners-guide-to-fall-cover-crops  Fall Cover Crops with True Leaf Market: https://journeywithjill.libsyn.com/198-fall-cover-crops-with-true-leaf-market  Cover Crops for Different Soil Types: https://journeywithjill.libsyn.com/helen-atthowe-fall-cover-crops-for-different-soil-types  Raised Bed Soil Options: https://journeywithjill.net/raised-bed-soil Friday Emails: https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup YouTube: Journey with Jill on YouTube Instagram: The Beginner's Garden on Instagram Podcast Archive: The Beginner's Garden Podcast Recommended Brands & Products: https://journeywithjill.net/recommended-brands-and-products/ Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/thebeginnersgarden Complete Garden Planner: Ready for a simple system to plan and track your garden? My Complete Garden Planner makes it easy. https://shop.journeywithjill.net/ Disclaimer Gardening advice shared in this podcast is based on my own experience in Zone 8a (Arkansas) and from the feedback I receive from others in different gardening contexts. Your results may differ depending on your location, climate, and growing conditions. Always check your local extension service or trusted resources for region-specific guidance. Some links mentioned may be affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  7. Sep 1

    487 - Fastest Fall Crops If You're Starting Late

    Think you've missed your chance to plant a fall garden? You may still have time to grow a harvest, even if September is already here. The key is knowing your average first frost date and choosing fall crops that can mature in the time you have left. In this episode, I'll help you figure out what you can still plant based on the number of weeks before your first frost. We'll cover fast-growing greens and radishes, when transplants make more sense than seeds, and why your USDA zone isn't the best number to use for fall planting. Free Download: Fall Salad Garden Planning Calendar Know when to plant for fresh greens throughout the fall season. http://journeywithjill.net/fallsaladgarden Key Takeaways Find your average first frost date. Choose crops based on time remaining. Direct sow fast-growing greens late. Use transplants for a head start. Expect smaller harvests when planting late. Chapters 00:02 – Is it too late to plant? 02:37 – Find your first frost date 05:32 – How much cold crops tolerate 07:38 – What to plant with limited time 10:03 – Easily sow baby greens 12:28 – Add lettuce, kale, and brassicas 14:51 – Options with eight-plus weeks 17:11 – Where to find fall transplants 19:38 – Why a small garden is worthwhile 21:01 – Match crops to your timeline Resource Links Fall Salad Garden Planning Calendar: http://journeywithjill.net/fallsaladgarden Friday Emails + Beginner's Garden Resource Vault: https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneywithjillNet/videos Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/ Podcast Archive: https://journeywithjill.net/the-beginners-garden-podcast/ Recommended Brands & Products: https://journeywithjill.net/recommended-brands-and-products/ Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/thebeginnersgarden Complete Garden Planner: Ready for a simple system to plan and track your garden? My Complete Garden Planner makes it easy. https://shop.journeywithjill.net/ Disclaimer Gardening advice shared in this podcast is based on my own experience in Zone 8a (Arkansas) and from the feedback I receive from others in different gardening contexts. Your results may differ depending on your location, climate, and growing conditions. Always check your local extension service or trusted resources for region-specific guidance. Some links mentioned may be affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  8. Aug 25

    486 - Making Space for Fall Crops (when summer crops are still growing)

    Trying to plant a fall garden when your beds are still full of summer crops? You don't have to clear everything at once. A simple bed-by-bed assessment can help you decide what stays, what goes, and where your fall crops can fit. In this episode, I walk you through how I transition my garden from summer to fall, including how I decide when to remove productive plants, prepare tired soil, add compost, manage mulch and irrigation, and use space underneath taller crops. You'll also learn how I approach direct sowing versus transplants and plan ahead for garlic, onions, and winter beds. Harvest to Kitchen Learn step-by-step how I preserve my garden harvest through canning, freezing, and dehydrating. Use code PRESERVIT by August 31 for $50 off. https://journeywithjill.net/harvest-to-kitchen Key Takeaways Decide which summer crops can come out now. Identify crops you're ready to stop growing. Refresh cleared beds with about two inches of compost. Adjust bed prep for seeds versus transplants. Use taller summer crops for temporary fall shade. Chapters 00:00 – Harvest to Kitchen sale 01:48 – Assess your fall garden space 04:08 – Know what can come out 06:32 – Make room for fall brassicas 08:49 – Remove crops you're done with 11:12 – Plan what comes out soon 13:34 – Refresh soil for fall planting 15:45 – Prep for seeds and transplants 18:09 – Plant beneath taller crops 20:27 – Use temporary shade wisely 22:13 – Try relay planting 23:05 – Give brassicas enough sun 25:19 – Plan for garlic and onions 27:44 – Harvest to Kitchen reminder Resource Links Fall Salad Garden Planning Calendar: Plan your fall salad garden with planting dates that help you stay on track. http://journeywithjill.net/fallsaladgarden Friday Emails: https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup YouTube: https://journeywithjill.net/youtube Podcast Archive: https://journeywithjill.net/podcast Recommended Brands & Products: https://journeywithjill.net/recommended-brands-and-products/ Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/thebeginnersgarden Harvest to Kitchen If preserving your garden harvest is something you want to build into your routine, Harvest to Kitchen walks you through canning, freezing, and dehydrating step-by-step in my kitchen. It includes nearly 60 how-to videos and printable recipes, plus new lessons on freezer pickles and candied jalapeños. Use code PRESERVIT by August 31 to save $50, bringing the price from $149 to $97. https://journeywithjill.net/harvest-to-kitchen Disclaimer Gardening advice shared in this podcast is based on my own experience in Zone 8a (Arkansas) and from the feedback I receive from others in different gardening contexts. Your results may differ depending on your location, climate, and growing conditions. Always check your local extension service or trusted resources for region-specific guidance. Some links mentioned may be affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

See All (581)

Trailer

4.7
out of 5
822 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Beginner's Garden Podcast! This is the podcast with easy-to-understand resources, tips, and information to help beginning gardeners get the most out of their gardening adventure -- big or small. When I began gardening in 2013, I scoured books and Internet resources to find all the information I could. Although good information was abundant, I had trouble understanding all the gardening lingo and sifting through the information to figure out what would work for me. In this podcast, my aim is to provide helpful information while explaining the gardening lingo as we go. I want to equip YOU to have the best start ever this gardening season!

Information

You Might Also Like