423 - Grow Organic Apple Trees: what to do in years 1-3 with Susan Poizner
Release Date: 05/27/2025
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 it’s too late to plant? Think again. In this episode of the Beginner’s Garden Podcast, Jill shares exactly what you can still plant in July—whether 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 hadn’t either—until recently. In today’s 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 beginner’s guide, part real-time experiment. After my conversation with Matt, I share my honest experiences growing mushrooms in my own raised beds—what worked, what surprised me, and what I’ll do differently next time. Whether you’re mushroom-curious or looking for new ways to improve your garden’s 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, it’s been true. I’ve focused more on building healthy soil than feeding plants. But recently, I’ve started rethinking that approach — and today I’m sharing why. In this episode, we’ll 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 thriving—but pests are waking up too. Some are just a nuisance, while others can wreak serious havoc. In today’s episode, we’re talking about 5 common summer pests, how to spot them early, and what you can do to manage them using organic methods. You’ll learn: 🪰 How to deal with aphids without wrecking your beneficial insect population 🐞 The best time and way to stop squash bugs before they ruin your harvest 🐛 Why tomato hornworms show up when they do—and what to do about them 🛡️ 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 — everything’s green, lush, and thriving. But don’t let the beauty fool you — this is a critical time to stay proactive if you want a healthy, productive summer garden. 💪 In this episode, I’m sharing what to plant, prune, harvest, and watch for in June — plus a sneak peek at an upcoming live workshop that you won’t want to miss! 👀 📝 Here’s what we’ll cover: 🥬 What to do with bolting lettuce, spinach & other cool-season crops 🌱 Heat-loving crops to plant now (yes, it’s not too late!) ✂️ 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 organically—and get fruit? Or maybe you’ve got a tree that’s not thriving and you’re 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. We’ll talk about: 🍎 Choosing the right variety & planting tips 🍎 What your young tree needs in years 1–3 for long-term success 🍎 How to revive a neglected or underperforming tree 🍎 Organic pest control that actually works 🍎 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 — whether you're gardening on a patio or across a backyard full of beds. 💬 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 — 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 — and most rewarding — 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 today’s episode, I’ll walk you through the five easiest herbs for beginners and help you plan where and how to grow them successfully. Plus, I’ll 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 🌿 Where to plant herbs: containers,...
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420 - Spring’s 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 today’s 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 parsley—and even touch on wild foraging and preserving herbs for year-round use. Whether you’re 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: 🌿 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 didn’t know where to start—or tried and failed like I have? In this episode, I’m diving into the world of Meyer lemons: the sweet, compact citrus tree that’s perfect for container gardening in Zones 8 and below. In this episode: 🍋 [00:01:30] Why Meyer lemons are the go-to citrus for home gardeners 🍋 [00:06:10] Choosing the right container and soil mix (and what not to do) 🍋 [00:13:20] Tips for planting and where to place your tree for success 🍋 [00:17:40] Seasonal care: watering, humidity, fertilizing, and winter protection 🍋...
info_outlineEver wondered if you can actually grow apple trees organically—and get fruit? Or maybe you’ve got a tree that’s not thriving and you’re 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.
We’ll talk about:
🍎 Choosing the right variety & planting tips
🍎 What your young tree needs in years 1–3 for long-term success
🍎 How to revive a neglected or underperforming tree
🍎 Organic pest control that actually works
🍎 When and how to prune for health and productivity
Plus, we tackle listener questions about borers, bark peeling, spraying schedules, squirrel damage, watering, and where to buy quality trees.
If you’ve got an apple tree—or want to grow one—you don’t want to miss this episode!
🎧 Listen now and grow with confidence.
Follow along with Susan on Facebook & Instagram: @orchardpeople
Thank you to our sponsors: Organic REV | Garden in Minutes | Heirloom Roses
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Water your raised beds more efficiently and effectively with the Garden in Minutes Garden Grids. These garden grids take about 1 minute to set up, water all of your plants evenly at their base, and ship in pre-assembled sections! No messy emitters or tangle of tubing. Just connect & grow! https://journeywithjill.net/gardeninminutes
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The Beginner's Garden
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