428 - What to Plant in July: Vegetables, Herbs, and Flowers That Thrive in the Heat
The Beginner's Garden
What to Plant in July (Yes, You Still Can!) Think itās too late to plant? Think again. In this episode of the Beginnerās Garden Podcast, Jill shares exactly what you can still plant in Julyāwhether you're refreshing your summer garden or squeezing in one more round before fall. From quick-growing veggies to heat-tolerant flowers and herbs, you'll walk away with a solid mid-season planting plan and key tips to help your garden thrive in the heat. In this episode: Fast-growing warm-season vegetables to plant now Heat-loving herbs and how to grow them Flowers that thrive in summer and...
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427 - Grow Mushrooms in Your Garden with Matt McInnis
The Beginner's Garden
Have you ever wondered if you could grow mushrooms right alongside your tomatoes? I hadnāt eitherāuntil recently. In todayās episode, I chat with Matt McInnis from about how beginners can grow mushrooms in their garden beds, mulch, or even garden paths. This episode is part beginnerās guide, part real-time experiment. After my conversation with Matt, I share my honest experiences growing mushrooms in my own raised bedsāwhat worked, what surprised me, and what Iāll do differently next time. Whether youāre mushroom-curious or looking for new ways to improve your gardenās soil...
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426 - Mid-Season Fertilizing: What Your Garden Needs Now
The Beginner's Garden
"I rarely use fertilizer." If you've listened to this podcast or joined a coaching call, you've probably heard me say that. And for years, itās been true. Iāve focused more on building healthy soil than feeding plants. But recently, Iāve started rethinking that approach ā and today Iām sharing why. In this episode, weāll explore how my mindset has shifted, plus: The difference between organic and synthetic fertilizers How to fertilize based on the type of crop Why your method matters more if you're growing in containers, raised beds, or in-ground How to apply fertilizer...
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425 - 5 Summer Pests and Organic Ways to Stop Them
The Beginner's Garden
By mid-June, your garden is thrivingābut pests are waking up too. Some are just a nuisance, while others can wreak serious havoc. In todayās episode, weāre talking about 5 common summer pests, how to spot them early, and what you can do to manage them using organic methods. Youāll learn: šŖ° How to deal with aphids without wrecking your beneficial insect population š The best time and way to stop squash bugs before they ruin your harvest š Why tomato hornworms show up when they doāand what to do about them š”ļø How to deter stink bugs before they damage your tomatoes and...
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424 - June Garden Checklist: What to Do Now to Keep Things Thriving
The Beginner's Garden
June might feel like the honeymoon phase in the garden ā everythingās green, lush, and thriving. But donāt let the beauty fool you ā this is a critical time to stay proactive if you want a healthy, productive summer garden. šŖ In this episode, Iām sharing what to plant, prune, harvest, and watch for in June ā plus a sneak peek at an upcoming live workshop that you wonāt want to miss! š š Hereās what weāll cover: š„¬ What to do with bolting lettuce, spinach & other cool-season crops š± Heat-loving crops to plant now (yes, itās not too late!) āļø How and...
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423 - Grow Organic Apple Trees: what to do in years 1-3 with Susan Poizner
The Beginner's Garden
Ever wondered if you can actually grow apple trees organicallyāand get fruit? Or maybe youāve got a tree thatās not thriving and youāre not sure why. In this episode, certified arborist and fruit tree expert Susan Poizner joins me to answer the most common questions about growing apple trees at home. Weāll talk about: š Choosing the right variety & planting tips š What your young tree needs in years 1ā3 for long-term success š How to revive a neglected or underperforming tree š Organic pest control that actually works š When and how to prune for health and...
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422 - The Truth About Soil, Wood, and Raised Beds with Gardener Scott
The Beginner's Garden
Have you ever wondered if you could fill a raised bed with 100% compost? Or whether pressure-treated wood is actually safe for gardens? In today's episode, I sit down in person with Gardener Scott to tackle common raised bed myths and smart strategies for growing success ā whether you're gardening on a patio or across a backyard full of beds. š¬ Topics we cover: Should you grow in 100% compost? Is pressure-treated wood safe for raised beds? When to use a GreenStalk planter vs. a raised bed How native soil, compost, and minerals all work together What biosolids are ā and should...
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421 - The Best Herbs for Beginners (and How to Start Right)
The Beginner's Garden
Herbs are some of the easiest ā and most rewarding ā plants you can grow, but getting started can bring up a lot of questions. Where should you plant them? Should you start from seed or buy transplants? Which ones will keep growing year after year? In todayās episode, Iāll walk you through the five easiest herbs for beginners and help you plan where and how to grow them successfully. Plus, Iāll share some tips to avoid common herb-growing mistakes. In this episode: My top 5 easiest herbs to grow: basil, parsley, thyme, oregano, and chives šæ Where to plant herbs: containers,...
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420 - Springās Best Herbs for Food & Health with Bevin Cohen
The Beginner's Garden
Are you ready to take your herb gardening and foraging skills to the next level? In todayās episode, author Bevin Cohen joins me to share practical, beginner-friendly advice on growing, harvesting, and using herbs throughout the seasons. We explore common herbs like calendula, dill, chickweed, plantain, dandelion, and parsleyāand even touch on wild foraging and preserving herbs for year-round use. Whether youāre growing in your backyard or exploring weeds in your garden, this episode will inspire you to see herbs in a whole new way! In This Episode: šæ Why thinking seasonally matters...
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419 - How to Grow Meyer Lemons in Containers (Anywhere!)
The Beginner's Garden
Have you ever dreamed of growing lemons but didnāt know where to startāor tried and failed like I have? In this episode, Iām diving into the world of Meyer lemons: the sweet, compact citrus tree thatās perfect for container gardening in Zones 8 and below. In this episode: š [00:01:30] Why Meyer lemons are the go-to citrus for home gardeners š [00:06:10] Choosing the right container and soil mix (and what not to do) š [00:13:20] Tips for planting and where to place your tree for success š [00:17:40] Seasonal care: watering, humidity, fertilizing, and winter protection š...
info_outlineWhen you hear "companion planting," do you feel excited, skeptical, or just plain confused? In this episode, we're cutting through the myths and giving you a practical, science-backed approach to pairing plants in your garden.
What You'll Learn:
šæ Myth 1: Do certain plants really boost each otherās growth?
š Myth 2: Can companion planting truly prevent all pests?
š± Myth 3: Will plants always thrive together if paired correctly?
āļø Myth 4: Does plant height matter in companion planting?
šø Myth 5: Is companion planting only for pest control?
Along the way, Iāll share my personal experiencesāboth successes and surprisesāand help you see that companion planting doesnāt have to be complicated. Plus, Iāll tell you how to go deeper with my free live workshop and my garden planning course, Dream to Garden!
Links Mentioned:
š Join my FREE Live Workshop: https://journeywithjill.net/masterclass
š Enroll in Dream to Garden + Companion Planting 101 Bonus: https://journeywithjill.net/dreamtogarden
Donāt miss this oneāyour garden will thank you! šæāØ
Show Notes:
Thank you to our sponsors: Organic REV
Organic REV is an organic growth stimulant that can increase nitrogen efficiency by up to 25%, replaces depleted soil carbon and bacterial biomass, and absorbs nutrients to make them more readily available to plants via their root systems.
Promo Code: Use promo code JILL10 for 10% off your order
Want to learn more about Organic REV? Enroll in my FREE course that teaches you how to use REV in seed starting, transplanting and so much more! Click here to enroll.
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
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Link to Beginner's Garden Podcast past episodes: https://journeywithjill.net/the-beginners-garden-podcast/
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