The Beginner's Garden with Jill McSheehy

Most home gardeners who want to include fruit in their edible gardens want to make room for strawberries. Though they seem easy enough to grow, it's helpful to understand a few things before you get started.  Show notes at  http://journeywithjill.net/2018/03/get-started-growing-strawberries-beginners-guide/ Beginner's Garden Shortcut Online Course: http://journeywithjill.net/gardenshortcut

Whether you buy all of your garden crops at the nursery or garden center, or if you purchase a few to supplement your seeds, choosing the right transplant can make a great difference in your harvest.  Show notes at http://journeywithjill.net/2018/03/7-tips-choosing-transplants-garden-center/  

Though easy to plant, it's not always a sure bet that you'll get huge onion bulbs each season. In fact, onions can be a bit finicky. In this episode of the Beginner's Garden Podcast, I go over the "long and short" (pun intended -- you'll understand after you listen to the episode) of growing onions. I talk about: which onions you need to grow for your latitude when to plant when NOT to grow from s...

If you want to plant blueberries for the first time, or if you've had struggles with growing blueberry bushes in the past, horticulturist Lee Reich answers the most common questions people have when it comes to growing blueberries.  We talk about:  4 requirements for growing blueberries How to amend your soil if it isn't ideal for blueberry growth How to grow blueberries in containers The ideal gr...

Those of us who have been raised bed gardening for years testify to how much we enjoy it! Better harvests, less weeding, sharp aesthetics -- what's not to love? But as in any venture, there are mistakes to be made. The problem with mistakes with raised bed gardening is many times they aren't easily corrected. I know this from experience! From my own experience and from the experiences of others, I...

You'd think after five gardening seasons, I'd have it all figured, right? Well, that's the beauty about gardening. Each year we get to adjust. We scrap what didn't work; we try new things. The dreaming and the planning -- those are some of the most exciting parts of gardening! This year as I've begun my garden planning, I decided to make ten specific adjustments in my gardening. Whether I am makin...

In growing tomatoes, it's always good to have an expert's advice on-hand. That's why when I talked with Mike at the White Harvest Seed Company, I picked his brain on everything tomatoes -- from which varieties to choose to how to deal with mid-season pests and diseases.  In this episode of the Beginner's Garden Podcast, Mike and I talk about: favorite tomato varieties  top 3 recommendations for gr...

Who better to ask about growing seeds than the owner of a reputable seed company? I met Mike a few years ago and even from our first conversation I could tell he knew his stuff. In this episode he and I talk all about seeds: >How to choose the right seed varieties when there are so many choices >How to start seeds indoors >Which seeds to start indoors vs. which ones to wait and plant in the garden...

Growing healthy, uncontaminated produce may be one of your top reasons for gardening. In today's episode, we'll talk about five crops listed on the Environmental Working Group's 2017 Dirty Dozen list and how you can grow them at home.  Blog Post: http://journeywithjill.net/dirtydozen .

Saving money on groceries was the #1 reason I started growing my own garden. Soon I realized it wasn't as simple as it seemed. But as I've found out over the years, there were 4 crops I grow that consistently save me money when I don't have to buy them from the grocery store. blog post: http://journeywithjill.net/frugalgarden  

When should I plant my garlic? Where can I buy garlic to plant? (Can I use garlic at the grocery store? NO! And I explain why) What type should I buy, hardneck or softneck? I also go over the basics of planting garlic, and I'll help you decide whether to plant in raised beds, containers, or in the land. FREE GARLIC PLANTING CHEAT SHEET: http://journeywithjill.net/garliccheatsheet FULL EPISODE SHOW...

Your current year's spent crops hold valuable potential to get next season's crops started out with a fertile soil full of nutrients. In this episode of the Beginner's Garden Podcast, you'll learn: which plants definitely need to be thrown out (and not composted) what your main objective in garden clean-up should be why bare soil is the worst thing you can do to your dormant garden 4 ways to reple...

Even a hobby gardener can benefit from seed saving. In this episode, you'll learn: Which seeds you cannot save (this is HUGE) How to save seeds with ZERO effort (yes, literally) The easiest vegetables from which to save seeds, and how The one step many fruiting vegetables require to save their seeds You'll learn how to save seeds from tomatoes, squash, melons, lettuce, herbs, okra, and more! Show...

The best way to garden is to accept the failures, learn from them, and grow a better garden next year because of them (not in spite of them). In this episode I discuss 6 garden failures I had in 2016 and how I overcame them in 2017. Show notes: http://journeywithjill.net/2017/08/6-garden-failures-last-season-and-how-i-overcame-them-this-year/

A fall garden can produce astounding results with much less effort. In today's episode of the Beginner's Garden Podcast, I talk about benefits of a fall garden, my top 5 recommended crops for a fall garden, when to plant, and special considerations for each crop. Show notes:  http://journeywithjill.net/2017/08/top-5-crops-for-a-fall-garden-beginners-garden-podcast/

You've done it! You're harvesting a successful crop of tomatoes. Now what? If you're like me, you want to preserve them for the winter, of course! In this episode I go through my process of canning tomatoes. Be sure to visit the full show notes below: Show notes:  http://journeywithjill.net/2017/07/preserving-tomatoes-making-harvest-beginners-garden-podcast/ Also, get all the details on the Kitche...

It never fails. In early summer, just as we begin harvesting a few fresh squash and zucchini, some of the most common and menacing insects threaten our crops.  In this episode of the Beginner's Garden Podcast, I talk about how I deal with the squash bug and squash vine borer. Show notes:  http://journeywithjill.net/2017/06/squash-bugs-squash-vine-borers-beginners-garden-podcast/

How can I get rid of aphids? It's one of the most common gardening questions I hear. But I think sometimes we jump to rash measures. Listen in on my thoughts of how to deal with aphids naturally and effectively. Show notes: http://journeywithjill.net/2017/06/how-to-control-aphids-naturally-and-effectively-beginners-garden-podcast/    

As gardeners, sometimes the best thing we can do is reflect on what worked and what didn't. In 2017, I enjoyed my best garlic harvest ever, but I did struggle with onions. Here's a recap of what I learned. My hope is you'll take a few tips to help your own garlic and onion harvest.  Show notes:  http://journeywithjill.net/2017/06/what-i-learned-garlic-onions-2017-recap-the-beginners-garden-podcast...

It's always helpful to talk to veteran gardeners -- those who have had years of hands-on experience. But I also find rich advice in talking to brand new gardeners whose successes and failures speak new and fresh. If you're a beginning gardener, you'll enjoy hearing from Whitney Cromley. She shares her experience as a brand new gardener and what, as a true beginner, she has learned her first few se...

For much of the US, rosemary, oregano, thyme, sage, and chives are perennial herbs -- they return year after year. In this episode of the Beginner's Garden Podcast, I talk about my experience with each one and how you can include them in your garden and kitchen.  

Who doesn't love fresh basil, dill, cilantro, and parsley? Even if you're only growing a small kitchen or container garden, most likely you'll want to make room for a few of these. In this episode of the Beginner's Garden Podcast, I talk about my experience in growing these popular annual herbs.  Show notes:  http://journeywithjill.net/2017/05/herb-basics-part-1-basil-dill-cilantro-and-parsley-beg...

If there are two vegetables I can depend on in my blistering southern summers, it's peppers and okra. In this episode of the Beginner's Garden Podcast, I talk about these staple vegetables in my garden and how you can grow them in yours. Show notes:  http://journeywithjill.net/2017/05/some-like-it-hot-growing-peppers-and-okra-the-beginners-garden-podcast/

Most gardeners I know make room for squash or zucchini. And while it can be the ideal summer treat, it isn't without its challenges. Learn how you can successfully grow squash and zucchini in your garden this season.  Show notes:  http://journeywithjill.net/2017/05/joys-challenges-growing-squash-zucchini-beginners-garde-podcast/

I can vividly remember my very first year as a gardener desperately searching for gardening resources and podcasts. Sadly I didn't find many that helped me at the most basic level I needed. But there was one I listened to faithfully, and that was the Pioneering Today Podcast by Melissa K. Norris. Listen to her tips for beginning gardeners, large or small. View full show notes and visit Melissa's w...