436 - Cover Crops for Small Gardens: Learn When, What, and How to Plant for Healthier Soil
The Beginner's Garden
Have you ever wondered if cover crops are worth the effort in a small garden or raised bed? In this episode, we're bringing back one of the most practical and eye-opening conversations from the podcast archivesâwith Parker from True Leaf Market. Together, we explore: 𪴠The best cover crops for raised beds, in-ground gardens, and no-till systems đż How cover crops boost soil health, garden productivity, and even nutritional value đą The differences between cereal grains, legumes, and brassicasâand why a mix might be the most beneficial đĄď¸ What to expect if youâre in a...
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435 - The Hidden Link Between Gardening and Parkinsonâs Disease with Dr. Ray Dorsey, author of the Parkinson's Plan
The Beginner's Garden
Parkinsonâs disease is the fastest-growing neurological disorder in the worldâand according to neurologist and author Dr. Ray Dorsey, our environment may be playing a much larger role than we think. In this conversation, Dr. Dorsey shares key insights from his book The Parkinsonâs Plan, including how certain pesticides and chemicalsâsome of which are still used in U.S. agriculture todayâare correlated with higher Parkinsonâs risk. As home gardeners, we may be making choices to avoid chemicals, but this episode highlights what we still need to be aware of. In this episode, we cover:...
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434 - Too Much to Eat, Not Enough to Can? Small-Batch Ideas for Summerâs Harvest
The Beginner's Garden
Youâve got a few tomatoes, a handful of cucumbers, maybe a pepper or twoâbut not enough for a full-blown canning session. In this episode, Iâm sharing practical and easy ways to preserve those small harvests so nothing goes to waste. From freezing and fermenting to quick pickles and creative herb uses, youâll learn how to build your pantry one handful at a time. Hereâs what we cover: đ What to do with a few tomatoes: freezing, roasting, small-batch sauce, and even fermented salsa đĽ Cucumber overload? Make quick fridge pickles, relish, or a refreshing chilled soup đŤ...
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433 - August Garden Tasks + What to Plant
The Beginner's Garden
Depending on where you live, August can be a month of harvest abundance or extreme garden fatigueâor both. In todayâs episode, Iâm meeting you where you are. Whether youâre coasting through harvests or struggling with heat, pests, and burnout, this is a chance to regroup, reset, and prep for fall without overwhelming yourself. Hereâs what we cover: đą Reset & Reassess August is the perfect time to take stock. Are your summer crops still producing, or is it time to pull them out? Clear space now to get ready for fall. (More on this in episode 199!) đ Fall Garden Prep Donât...
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432 - Why Fall Gardens Fail
The Beginner's Garden
You followed all the fall gardening advice⌠so why isnât your garden thriving? In this episode, Iâm breaking down 8 subtle but critical reasons fall gardens struggleâeven when youâre doing âeverything right.â From daylight changes to soil fatigue to surprising transplant pitfalls, these tips will help you troubleshoot and turn things around. đą What Youâll Learn: â Why planting too late is one of the most common mistakes â How fall sun is differentâand how it affects your crops â The surprising issue of soil fatigue after summer crops â Why cool-season crops can...
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431 - A Gardener's Guide to Snakes with Johnny Sain
The Beginner's Garden
Most of us have an instinctual fear of snakesâbut are they really the enemy in our gardens? In this episode, Iâm joined by nature enthusiast Johnny Sain to shed light on the misunderstood world of snakes. We talk about why snakes are more helpful than harmful, how to identify them safely, and what to do if you (or your chickens!) cross paths with one. Hereâs what we cover: Johnnyâs lifelong fascination with snakes Why gardeners shouldnât fear them Tips for staying safe in snake territory Snakebite myths, facts, and first-aid advice How to educate kids about snake safety ...
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430 - Shade Solutions for Summer Crops: What to Try When Temps Spike
The Beginner's Garden
đ Does Your Garden Need Shade in Summer? | The Beginnerâs Garden Podcast Have you ever walked into your garden on a 100-degree day and thought, âHow are these plants still standing?â The truth is, some of them arenâtâand even heat-loving crops can struggle when temps soar. In todayâs episode, weâre diving into: đż Why summer shade might be the secret to a more productive garden â° When to add shade (and when itâs not necessary) đ ď¸ How to do it effectively with materials you already have Whether you're working with young seedlings or struggling tomatoes,...
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429 - Start these Fall Crops Inside in July
The Beginner's Garden
đŹ Got questions? Join my Live Zoom Q&A on July 9 at 12PM Central! Dream to Garden students are already invitedâor you can join for $15: đĽ Seed Starting Workshop â Want more help with starting seeds indoors? Get my workshop for just $19 with code summer25 in July: đ đ Mentioned in this episode: Organic REV â Use code JILL10 at to save on this soil-boosting solution I use all season long. đ Subscribe, share with a gardening friend, and donât miss part 2âcoming soonâon what to direct sow for your fall garden! Show Notes: Thank you to our sponsors:...
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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 itâs too late to plant? Think again. In this episode of the Beginnerâs Garden Podcast, Jill shares exactly what you can still plant in Julyâwhether 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 hadnât eitherâuntil recently. In todayâs 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 beginnerâs guide, part real-time experiment. After my conversation with Matt, I share my honest experiences growing mushrooms in my own raised bedsâwhat worked, what surprised me, and what Iâll do differently next time. Whether youâre mushroom-curious or looking for new ways to improve your gardenâs soil...
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:
đż Myth 1: Do certain plants really boost each otherâs growth?
đ Myth 2: Can companion planting truly prevent all pests?
đą Myth 3: Will plants always thrive together if paired correctly?
âď¸ Myth 4: Does plant height matter in companion planting?
đ¸ Myth 5: Is companion planting only for pest control?
Along the way, Iâll share my personal experiencesâboth successes and surprisesâand help you see that companion planting doesnât have to be complicated. Plus, Iâll tell you how to go deeper with my free live workshop and my garden planning course, Dream to Garden!
Links Mentioned:
đ Join my FREE Live Workshop: https://journeywithjill.net/masterclass
đ Enroll in Dream to Garden + Companion Planting 101 Bonus: https://journeywithjill.net/dreamtogarden
Donât miss this oneâyour garden will thank you! đżâ¨
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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