436 - Cover Crops for Small Gardens: Learn When, What, and How to Plant for Healthier Soil
Release Date: 08/26/2025
452 - 10 Biggest Garden Lessons in 2025
The Beginner's Garden
Did your garden struggle in ways you couldn’t quite explain? Or maybe it did okay, but you know it could be better next year. In this episode, I’m sharing 10 garden lessons 2025 taught me through real-life growing, testing, and conversations with other gardeners. These aren’t complicated techniques or overwhelming plans. They’re small, practical insights about soil, transplants, shade, timing, and planning that can make a big difference. Whether you’re already dreaming about next season or just tucking ideas away for later, this episode will help you grow with more confidence next...
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451- Growing Cut Flowers & More for a Farmer's Market with Sarah Shuman
The Beginner's Garden
Struggling to figure out how to turn your love of gardening into something you can share—or even sell? In this episode, Sarah walks us through how she built a thriving cut flower business for her local farmers market. You’ll hear the practical steps she took, what she wishes she knew sooner, and how she manages growing for both beauty and profit. If you’ve wondered whether you could do something similar, this conversation gives you hope and a clear starting point. free download: Garden Cheat Sheet A simple, step-by-step starter plan to help you begin your garden with confidence. Key...
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450 - December Garden Checklist (without the pressure)
The Beginner's Garden
Feeling the pressure of the holidays and shorter days? December gardening doesn’t have to add to your stress. Instead of a list of chores, this episode walks you through simple, optional ways to stay connected to your garden—whether it’s a mild day outside or a cozy evening indoors. You’ll get practical ideas for observing your winter garden, organizing tools, refreshing your raised beds, and preparing for seed starting season. free download: Seasonal Garden Task List Know what to do each month without guessing. Complete Garden Planner – A simple system to plan and track your...
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449 - My Favorite Garden Products (and How to Save on Them Now)
The Beginner's Garden
Struggling to know which garden supplies are actually worth grabbing on Black Friday? In this episode, you’ll learn which tools and supplies make the biggest difference next season. We’ll walk through raised beds, seed starting, irrigation, fertilizers, and more so you can shop with confidence. free download: Seasonal Garden Task List A month-by-month guide so you always know what to do and when. Key Takeaways Which raised beds and containers are worth the investment My go-to seed starting lights, trays, and soil mixes Fertilizers and soil amendments that have made the biggest...
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448- 7 Thanksgiving Foods You Can Grow in Your Own Garden: the history, health, and homegrown roots behind your favorite holiday dishes.
The Beginner's Garden
Ever wondered how much of your Thanksgiving dinner could come straight from your garden? From potatoes to sage, your plate is packed with crops you can grow—and nutrients that nourish your body all winter long. In this episode, Jill shares seven Thanksgiving favorites you can grow yourself (plus one bonus!), and why each one deserves a spot in your garden plan. 🌱 Free Download: Seasonal Garden Task List Stay on track in every season with clear, simple garden to-dos. 👉 Key Takeaways Why Thanksgiving foods are some of the most nutrient-dense crops you can grow How potatoes, sweet...
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447 - November Garden Checklist: Protecting Cold-Sensitive Crops, Planting Onions for Spring, and Making the Most of the Final Garden Days
The Beginner's Garden
When November arrives, it can feel like the garden season is winding down—but there’s still so much happening if you know where to look. In this episode, Jill takes you on a walk through her own November garden to show what she’s harvesting, planting, and protecting right now. You’ll learn how she uses this in-between season to prepare for a strong start next spring while still enjoying small harvests and fresh herbs from the fall garden. Free Download: 5-Day Garden Audit Take time to reflect before you plan next year’s garden! The free 5-Day Garden Audit helps you assess what...
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446 - Overwintering herbs indoors and out
The Beginner's Garden
Worried about what happens to your herbs when frost arrives? In this episode you’ll learn which herbs survive winter outside, which to bring indoors, and simple steps to protect them. We’ll cover pruning timing, zone hardiness, and indoor care so you go into winter with confidence. Keywords: overwinter herbs, herb winter care, pruning. live workshop: 5-Day Garden Audit + Optional Live Q&A Reflect on your season and plan smarter for next year. Join the free 5-day email audit; add the live workshop on Thursday, November 6 for $15. free download: Herbs Quick Reference Chart One-page,...
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445 - What I Learned... about my capacity in this season of life
The Beginner's Garden
Feeling guilty that your garden doesn’t look like it used to? You’re not alone. In this episode, I share how my own season of life changed my garden—and how you can adjust yours with less stress and more joy. You’ll learn practical ways to right-size your garden for your time, energy, and goals (no shame required). Seasonal series (starts Nov 2): Garden Audit – free 5-day email Quick daily prompts + optional short videos to review what worked, what didn’t, and shape a vision for next season. Join here: free download: Garlic Planting Cheat Sheet Your first (or best) garlic...
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444 - What I Learned... from planning 10 fall gardens
The Beginner's Garden
If your fall garden isn’t producing the way you hoped—or if you’re wondering whether your plants will even mature before frost—this episode is for you. After helping 10 gardeners across the country plan their fall gardens, I noticed clear patterns that explain why some thrive while others struggle. You’ll learn what timing mistakes most gardeners make, how to simplify your plan, and how to maximize your space for more harvests before winter. Free Download: Fall Salad Garden Planning Calendar Plan your fall harvest with confidence—know exactly when to plant for fresh greens all...
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443 - What I learned... from the failures of this season
The Beginner's Garden
Feeling discouraged by garden failures? You’re not alone. In this episode, I walk through four issues I faced this year and how I’m troubleshooting each one so you can apply the same practical steps in your garden. You’ll learn simple ways to read plant stress, reduce disease and pest pressure, and plan smarter for next season. free download: Garlic Planting Cheat Sheet Your first (or best) garlic crop—timing, spacing, curing. Key Takeaways Why peppers sometimes need light shade in hot summers and when to add it What root-knot nematodes look like and how cover crops can help ...
info_outlineHave 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 archives—with Parker from True Leaf Market.
Together, we explore:
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🪴 The best cover crops for raised beds, in-ground gardens, and no-till systems
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🌿 How cover crops boost soil health, garden productivity, and even nutritional value
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🌱 The differences between cereal grains, legumes, and brassicas—and why a mix might be the most beneficial
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🌡️ What to expect if you’re in a mild climate like Zone 8
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🧑🌾 When and how to plant—and terminate—your cover crops for best results
Whether you’re completely new to cover cropping or looking to improve your approach this season, this episode will give you clarity and confidence to get started.
👉 Tune in and get ready to give your garden a long-term boost!
Show Notes:
Thank you to our sponsors: Organic REV | Garden in Minutes
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.
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2025 Complete Garden Planner (plus several new editions!)
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