The Beginner's Garden with Jill McSheehy

• 443 - What I learned... from the failures of this season

  Feeling discouraged by garden failures? You’re not alone. In this episode, I walk through four issues I faced this year and how I’m troubleshooting each one so you can apply the same practical steps in your garden. You’ll learn simple ways to read plant stress, reduce disease and pest pressure, and plan smarter for next season. free download: Garlic Planting Cheat Sheet Your first (or best) garlic crop—timing, spacing, curing. http://journeywithjill.net/garliccheatsheet Key Takeaways Why peppers sometimes need light shade in hot summers and when to add it What root-knot nematodes look like and how cover crops can help Signs of southern blight on peppers and prevention options Bitter vs. diseased cucumbers: what to change next season A gentle reminder to list your wins before planning fixes Chapters 00:00 – Why failure grows better gardeners 02:18 – Reframe: successes you might be missing 04:12 – Failure #1: Bell peppers + full-sun stress 08:53 – Failure #2: Okra + root-knot nematodes 19:35 – Sponsor break: Organic Rev + garlic routine 21:28 – Time-sensitive: Greenstalk warehouse sale 23:06 – Failure #3: Jalapeños + southern blight clues 30:22 – Failure #4: Cucumbers—bitterness vs. downy mildew 34:36 – Reflect, note, and plan next steps Resource Links Garlic Planting Cheat Sheet (free): http://journeywithjill.net/garliccheatsheet Friday Emails (newsletter): https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup 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. Sponsor(s) for this Episode Organic Rev – I soak garlic cloves 50/50 Rev-to-water before planting and often water in at ~1 oz/gal during cool-season transplants. Use code JILL10 for 10% off: http://journeywithjill.net/organicrev. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Greenstalk Vertical Planter – Warehouse sale through October 21. Grab closeout colors while supplies last. Use code JILL10 for $10 off $75+: https://journeywithjill.net/greenstalk. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Soft Paid Mention Complete Garden Planner – Plan and track your season simply: 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.

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• 442 - What I learned... Visiting GreenStalk: The Story You Don’t See Online

  Struggling to tell which garden products are worth your money? You’re not alone. Today I’m sharing what I learned on a behind-the-scenes visit to GreenStalk in Knoxville—how they design, test, and support a planter I’ve used for five years. You’ll leave with practical ways to use a vertical planter this fall for salad greens, herbs, and flowers. free download: Fall Salad Garden Planning Calendar Plant at the right time for fresh greens all season. http://journeywithjill.net/fallsaladgarden Key Takeaways How a family-owned US company designs and tests products for real gardeners. Why quality materials and thoughtful R&D matter (and how that shows up in the planter). Practical fall ideas for your vertical planter: salads, herbs, pansies, and more. The role of good customer service—and how feedback shapes better products. When a vertical planter makes sense for beginners and for large-garden add-ons. Chapters 00:02 – Why I only share vetted tools 01:45 – Welcome & what to expect in this series 03:06 – Why fall is the perfect time for this story 04:17 – My first GreenStalk in 2020 05:40 – Five years of testing: what’s worked 07:36 – Meet the family behind GreenStalk 09:06 – The affiliate weekend invite 11:31 – First impressions & thoughtful hospitality 13:48 – Community with fellow gardeners 16:02 – Touring R&D and prototypes 18:27 – Designing lids & the auto-watering system 20:34 – Quality over shortcuts 22:56 – Caring for employees in a tech-driven world 24:24 – US-made parts and sourcing 26:22 – Why this product helps new gardeners start 27:40 – My favorite fall uses (greens, pansies) 29:40 – Clearance event details + my code 30:40 – Final encouragement: why I recommend them 31:49 – What’s coming next week Resource Links Fall Salad Garden Planning Calendar (free): http://journeywithjill.net/fallsaladgarden Connect Friday Emails (newsletter): 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/ Soft mention Complete Garden Planner – plan and track your season simply: https://shop.journeywithjill.net/ Sponsor(s) for this Episode GreenStalk Vertical Planter – Family-owned, US-made vertical planters I’ve used for five years. Use code JILL10 for $10 off a $75 purchase: https://journeywithjill.net/greenstalk. As an affiliate, 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.

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• 441 - Garlic Growing Timeline: Month-by-Month from Planting to Harvest

  Worried your garlic sprouted too soon or won’t survive winter? In this episode, I walk you through a clear garlic growing timeline so you know what’s normal, what to expect by zone, and when to harvest. You’ll learn planting windows, mulch depth by zone, vernalization for warm climates, spring care, scapes, and curing. Primary keyword: garlic growing timeline. 🧄 Planting garlic soon? Get my free Garlic Planting Cheat Sheet → http://journeywithjill.net/garliccheatsheet Garlic Mini Course On Sale NOW! - journeywithjill.net/garlicworkshop Chapters 00:00 – Why garlic confuses beginners 01:20 – When to plant by zone 03:36 – Vernalization in warm zones 08:06 – How much mulch to use 12:44 – Winter care and cold snaps 19:24 – Spring wake-up and feeding 22:00 – Leaf growth vs. bulb sizing 23:59 – Scapes and moisture tips 24:40 – Harvest timing by zone 27:47 – Signs your garlic is ready 31:16 – Planting layout tip for success 32:47 – Curing and storage basics 33:42 – Quick recap by zone Resource Links 🧄 Free Garlic Planting Cheat Sheet → http://journeywithjill.net/garliccheatsheet Friday Emails (newsletter) → 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/ Partner Mention Organic Rev: use code JILL10 for 10% off → http://journeywithjill.net/organicrev 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.

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• 440 - Let go or push through? (an unplanned, personal conversation)

  This past week has been heavy — my dad’s heart surgery and walking with friends through hard times. Normally my garden is my refuge, but lately it’s been more discouraging than refreshing. From cutworms in the carrots to nematodes on summer crops, the struggles have piled up. In this episode, I’m sharing honestly about choosing whether to push through or let go, and why I’m focusing on easier, more rewarding crops like lettuce and greens. My hope is that my story encourages you if you’re facing setbacks of your own. Next week, I’ll be back with a garlic growing timeline. Until then, grab my free Garlic Cheat Sheet and get ready for my Garlic Mini Course. 👉 Garlic Cheat Sheet 👉 Garlic Mini Course   My Products: 2025 Complete Garden Planner (plus several new editions!) https://shop.journeywithjill.net/  Vegetable Gardening for Beginners Book: https://amzn.to/3TZeJux Products I recommend: Recommended Brands & Products page:  https://journeywithjill.net/recommended-brands-and-products/  https://www.amazon.com/shop/thebeginnersgarden Connect with Jill:    Sign up for Friday Emails: https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneywithjillNet/videos   The Beginner's Garden Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/ Link to Beginner's Garden Podcast past episodes: https://journeywithjill.net/the-beginners-garden-podcast/  (*links above contain affiliate links, which means if you click through and make a purchase, we will earn a commission at no extra cost to you.)      

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• 439 - Stop Blaming the Weather: Clues Your Plants Are Giving You

  How many times have you said, “It’s just been too hot,” or “We haven’t had enough rain”? Weather is an easy scapegoat when our gardens struggle — but is it really the whole story? In this episode, I’m sharing a personal parallel from my years in the car business to show how blaming outside factors (like the weather) can actually hold us back. We’ll talk about: Why observation is your most powerful gardening tool How to recognize when the weather really is to blame — and when it isn’t Other factors that might be affecting your crops (soil, sun, irrigation, pests) Practical strategies to work with the weather instead of against it This is more of a mindset conversation — equal parts tough love and encouragement — to help you stop letting the weather win and start focusing on what you can control. 👉 Join my email community for extra tips and behind-the-scenes updates I don’t share anywhere else: journeywithjill.net/gardensignup My Products: 2025 Complete Garden Planner (plus several new editions!) https://shop.journeywithjill.net/  Vegetable Gardening for Beginners Book: https://amzn.to/3TZeJux Products I recommend: Recommended Brands & Products page:  https://journeywithjill.net/recommended-brands-and-products/  https://www.amazon.com/shop/thebeginnersgarden Connect with Jill:    Sign up for Friday Emails: https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneywithjillNet/videos   The Beginner's Garden Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/ Link to Beginner's Garden Podcast past episodes: https://journeywithjill.net/the-beginners-garden-podcast/  (*links above contain affiliate links, which means if you click through and make a purchase, we will earn a commission at no extra cost to you.)      

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