The Beginner's Garden with Jill McSheehy

Today's question is one that I asked someone! I don't usually grow a lot in containers, but this year I'm trying it out. I asked my friend about what it looks like to fertilize my crops in containers. Listen to his advice for me.     12 Garden Rules: https://journeywithjill.net/gardening/2019/04/16/12-garden-rules-from-one-generation-to-the-next/       Beginner's Garden Podcast past episodes: jour...

Every season, I like to give an update on what I've been doing in my garden. In this episode, I share what has been going well and what hasn't worked out. I love testing and learning from my garden every season. I'd love to hear what you've though about in your garden so far this year!     SHOW NOTES:     Earlier podcast episodes: https://journeywithjill.net/podcast     (*links below contain affil...

Why aren't my vertical plants climbing? You built the trellis, but your crops aren't climbing. Beyond making sure you have the right variety, what can you do? I have some tips for you to try!         Beginner's Garden Podcast past episodes: journeywithjill.net/podcast   Vegetable Gardening for Beginners Book: https://amzn.to/2SYe4wy             Connect with Jill:   Get Jill's "In the Garden" Weekl...

As the time to harvest approaches, it's time to think about what to do with all of our produce. Maybe you have just enough to eat fresh, but maybe you have enough to preserve. How do you plan what to preserve and how to get it all done? Listen to my 4 steps today!     My new preservation course: https://journeywithjill.net/ harvesttokitchen   Complete Garden Planner: https://journeywithjill.net/co...

Do you have flowers on your squash a zucchini plants but no fruit? This has happened in my garden and I've heard from several of you that it's happened to you as well. Listen here to find out why and what you can do about it!         Beginner's Garden Podcast past episodes: journeywithjill.net/podcast   Jill's In the Garden Emails: journeywithjill.net/gardensignup   Vegetable Gardening for Beginne...

As we approach the first official day of summer here in the northern hemisphere, our gardens start to make a shift. Listen in to hear what I'm doing in my garden in the early summer. I hope it gives you something to think about for yours! What are you working on in your garden?     SHOW NOTES:     Earlier podcast episodes: https://journeywithjill.net/podcast     (*links below contain affiliate lin...

What do I do when my herbs start to flower? This is a great question from many beginning gardeners. Since this happens in every garden, here's my advice whether you have annual or perennial herbs.     Annual Herbs: https://journeywithjill.net/gardening/2017/05/23/herb-basics-part-1-basil-dill-cilantro-and-parsley-beginners-garden-podcast/   Perennial Herbs: https://journeywithjill.net/gardening/20...

  Most of us set out to do just that. But what happens when you see pests munching on your crops? Do you ignore them? Look up a homemade "organic" pesticide? Purchase one from the store? Or are you tempted to throw in the towel and find the strongest pesticide on the home market?   We all want a healthy garden but are faced with those questions when insects come to our gardens. It always helps to...

Why is my lettuce growing really tall? When your lettuce starts to grow tall instead of out, it means it's trying to bolt. This means it's ready to produce flowers and seeds. When it grows tall like this, it means the end of your harvest is near and the plant is starting to switch from producing lettuce to producing seed.     Beginner's Garden Podcast past episodes: journeywithjill.net/podcast   J...

You've probably heard it said that soil quality and fertility is paramount for a successful garden. You probably even know that compost is one of the best amendments you can add to your soil. But what about organic fertilizers?   I frequently get questions about organic fertilizers -- specifically, what to use and when to use it. For this topic, I turned to Joe Lamp'l and in this episode of the Be...

This is the time of year where we start to find a lot of pests in the garden. How should you react when you start to see harmful insects? When should you wait and when should you act? I have some thoughts for you today!     3 Organic Aphid Control Methods: https://journeywithjill.net/gardening/2019/05/21/3-organic-aphid-control-methods-tested/   Prevent and Control Aphids Naturally: https://journe...

Homemade compost is one of the best things you can have as a gardener. The nutrients it adds to your soil are amazing and when you make it at home it is very inexpensive. But many new gardeners are scared to get started. Today, I want to share how I've made compost and compare a using a compost pile or a compost tumbler. I hope you'll feel ready to start composting for your garden!     SHOW NOTES:...

What can you do if you feel like you're already behind? Every climate will be different but I have some thoughts and considerations if you think you're already behind. Whether you want to try transplants or you're now able to direct sow, I'll give you some things to think about.   Beginner's Garden Shortcut Online Course: http://journeywithjill.net/gardenshortcut PROMO CODE FOR 20% OFF through May...

If you've ever walked out to your newly-planted garden (or your just-ripe tomatoes) and your heart fell at the sight of your missing plants, you know the pain of losing your hard work to wildlife.   This has happened to me more times than I can count. But every gardener has a different situation (and different wildlife threats). To help you evaluate your options on protecting your garden from the...

If you're just getting started composting, you may be wondering how to get set up and even what type of compost is best. Jill talks about the benefits of regular and worm composting and where you should start. Especially if you have a small space, you will want to check this episode out.     Worm Composting with the Crazy Worm Lady: https://journeywithjill.net/gardening/2019/03/05/worm-composting-...

When I first started gardening, I did grow herbs, but they were only to use in my kitchen like basil and mint. As I've learned about gardening, I have begun to learn about how I could use herbs in my home for cleaning, in body products, and for our overall health. I'm excited to share what I've learned so far.     SHOW NOTES:   All-purpose cleaner with peppermint: https://livesimply.me/herb-infuse...

Q&A   I had a GREAT sweet potato harvest last year so I've been getting a lot of questions. I'm not ready to do a full episode about sweet potatoes because I'm still new at them, but I answer some of your common questions here today! Come learn how to get started with sweet potatoes!     My sweet potatoes from last year: https://journeywithjill.net/gardening/2019/09/23/summer-garden-lessons/   Beg...

You've started your garden and you've tried to do the research, but you don't know where to look! Do you stick to peer reviewed studies? What about your neighbor that has gardened for 30 years? How do you know if any of it will work in your garden? I am excited to hear from Joey and Holly Baird of the Wisconsin Vegetable Gardener radio show as they share 10 garden hacks that actually work!     SHO...

What are must-have crops for your first garden? I won't give you a list because it depends on many different things. But I'll give you things to think about when you choose crops for YOUR first garden!     Crisis Garden Choices: https://journeywithjill.net/gardening/2020/03/31/9-crops-to-grow-in-a-crisis/   Beginner's Garden Podcast past episodes: journeywithjill.net/podcast   Jill's In the Garden...

I love this time of year in the garden. I've spent the winter planning and the early spring preparing and now my last frost has passed and I get to start spending more time planting. I've learned a lot about what to do after my last frost and today I'm sharing my list of things you shouldn't forget!     SHOW NOTES:   Early Spring Checklist: https://www.journeywithjill.net/gardening/2020/03/17/earl...

So you want to start a garden, but where do you begin? I started in the fall and I was able to read all the books on gardening. But if you're listening to this in the Spring, you may not have time for that! In this Q&A, I have some great resources for you!     Plan Your Garden in 7 Days: https://journeywithjill.lpages.co/plan-your-garden-in-7-days/   Beginner's Garden Podcast past episodes: journe...

I love trying new things in the garden. Every year, I get to pick something new to try! This year, I am trying straw bale gardening, but it almost didn't happen. Thankfully, I was able to connect with Joel Karsten, the pioneer of the Straw Bale Gardening method, who gave me some great tips for getting started. Today, I get to share my interview with Joel and I know you'll love it as much as I did....

With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting all of us, more people have become interested in gardening. But many new gardeners are encountering unforeseen struggles as they seek to start planting -- namely in acquiring garden supplies.   We are all trying to avoid stores as much as possible, but many online sources are back-ordered or not even accepting orders right now. If you've run into these struggle...

If you're a gardener, you've heard a lot about what to do when you start seeds and with your seedlings. You've also heard about how to handle harvesting when your plants mature. But you might not have heard about how to handle adolescent plants. You know, when they're in the awkward growing stage before they're mature. So today that's what we'll discuss!     SHOW NOTES:   Dream to Garden Course Wa...

When you look at your soil packets, you'll notice two different types of timelines for planting. One is a based on your average last frost and one is based on soil temperature. Which is better for your garden? Listen to my answer here!     For more on when to plant what: https://journeywithjill.net/gardening/2018/03/27/plant-guide-getting-crops-ground-right-time/   Soil thermometer I use: https://...