The Beginner's Garden with Jill McSheehy

After you've started your seeds, how do you transition them to the outdoor garden? Also known as hardening off plants, this is a critical step to get your seedlings ready to go outside. In this post, I'll share what you need to know to successfully transition your seedlings to the garden.     SHOW NOTES:   Seeds vs Transplants: https://journeywithjill.net/gardening/2017/01/24/seeds-or-transplants-...

What if you have a black thumb? I know a lot of people who want to start a garden for the first time, but they are scared. Maybe you have tried to grow something before and it just didn't work out. Well, I want to give you some hope! Even YOU can garden! I have some tips just for you.   Link to episode #44: https://journeywithjill.net/gardening/2018/03/27/plant-guide-getting-crops-ground-right-tim...

I'm sure you're like me and the last couple of weeks have turned your world upside down. I've heard from a lot of you that you're thinking about your garden a little differently this year. So I had the opportunity to visit with my friends Melissa K Norris of Pioneering Today and Kevin Espiritu of Epic Gardening about the crops we would grow in a preparedness garden. Hope you enjoy!     SHOW NOTES:...

Is treated lumber safe for raised bed gardens? I have always used pressure treated lumber in my raised beds. I just built a new bed and wanted to make sure the lumber I had always used was safe. After looking at the research, I feel safe with it. Listen in as I explain and check out the links below to learn more!     Links for reference:   https://www.extension.iastate.edu/smallfarms/toxicity-conc...

I know that we can all talk about the benefits of gardening! We can share about the fresh produce, the home canned goodies, and the beauty that our gardens bring. But are we ready for the sacrifices? Yes, they're real! For me, they are VERY worth it but I still think we should talk about them. What do you sacrifice for your garden?     SHOW NOTES:     (*links below contain affiliate links, which m...

What's the point of a summer cover crop? Last year, I used buckwheat as a cover crop in the middle of my season because I had to pull out some diseased squash. I didn't want my garden to be empty and at risk of more weeds and I wanted to keep my soil healthy. Listen here to find out even more benefits to a summer cover crop!     Connect with Jill:   Get Jill's "In the Garden" Weekly Emails + Free...

Do you have an early spring garden checklist? As I've learned to extend my growing season and plan my garden in more efficient way, I've begun getting ready well before my average last frost date. Today I'm sharing all about what I do in my garden approximately one month before my average last frost date.     SHOW NOTES:   (*links below contain affiliate links, which means if you click through and...

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 He...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 Idea...

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/...

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...

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...

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://journeywith...

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...

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 Gard...

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 link...

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 raise...

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 purcha...

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 S...

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 ch...