Podcasts · Leisure · Education

The Beginner's Garden with Jill McSheehy

Jill McSheehy

300 episodes

Welcome to the Beginner's Garden Podcast! This is the podcast with easy-to-understand resources, tips, and information to help beginning gardeners get the most out of their gardening adventure -- big or small. When I began gardening in 2013, I scoured books and Internet resources to find all the information I could. Although good information was abundant, I had trouble understanding all the gardening lingo and sifting through the information to figure out what would work for me. In this podcast, my aim is to provide helpful information while explaining the gardening lingo as we go. I want to equip YOU to have the best start ever this gardening season!

Episodes page 1 of 6

  1. 497 - Raised Bed Soil, Tomato Cages, Seed Starting, & More: Your Questions Answered

    · 36 min · Episode 497

    Is your raised bed soil losing productivity, or are your seedlings struggling to grow? Wondering which tomato supports work best or when to transplant your vegetables? In this episode, I'm answering six common…

  2. 496 - 5 Garden Projects in 2026: were they worth it?

    · 33 min · Episode 496

    Have you ever spent time and money on a garden project, only to wonder if it was worth it? Some garden projects make growing easier, while others don't hold up as well as we'd hoped. This year, I tested five garden…

  3. 495 - 6 Accidental Lessons from 2026

    · 34 min · Episode 495

    Ever wonder why one garden bed produces twice as much as another? Sometimes the biggest gardening lessons come from unexpected results. I'm sharing what I learned about sweet potatoes, raised beds, watering, and more.…

  4. 494 - Fall Broccoli and Tomatoes in a 100° September:: My Season of Adjustments (Part 2)

    · 37 min · Episode 494

    Growing fall vegetables when temperatures won't drop can be frustrating, even for experienced gardeners. What can you do to help broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower survive extreme heat? And which crops might surprise…

  5. 493 - Fall Lettuce in a 100° September: My Season of Adjustments (Part 1)

    · 27 min · Episode 493

    Struggling to keep your fall garden alive through unusually hot weather? If your lettuce seedlings are wilting or your fall planting schedule has fallen behind, you're not alone. I'm sharing practical fall gardening…

  6. 492 - Where to Plant Garlic (next summer considerations)

    · 16 min · Episode 492

    Not sure where to plant garlic without giving up valuable spring garden space? Garlic stays in the garden for months, so where you plant it now matters next spring. In this episode, I'll show you practical garlic…

  7. 491 - Should you plant onions in the fall?

    · 29 min · Episode 491

    Planting onions in fall might give you an earlier harvest than you thought possible. If you garden in Zone 7 or warmer, overwintering onions may help you harvest sooner, reduce bolting, and spread your onion harvest…

  8. 490 - Fall Crop Adjustments as the Weather Turns

    · 21 min · Episode 490

    Your fall garden may be growing the same vegetables you planted in spring, but that doesn't mean they need the same care. Shorter days, warm soil, changing temperatures, and slower growth all affect how you should…

  9. 489 - Using a Greenhouse to its Full Potential with Leslie Halleck

    · 39 min · Episode 489

    Thinking about getting a greenhouse but not sure what it can actually do for your garden? A greenhouse can extend your growing season, protect plants through winter, and give seedlings a head start, but only if you…

  10. 488 - Two Easy Cover Crops That Changed My Raised Bed Garden

    · 31 min · Episode 488

    Not sure what to cover your raised bed soil with this winter? Cover crops can build soil, suppress weeds, and even provide living mulch. In this episode, I'll help you choose a cover crop and get started without…

  11. 487 - Fastest Fall Crops If You're Starting Late

    · 21 min · Episode 487

    Think you've missed your chance to plant a fall garden? You may still have time to grow a harvest, even if September is already here. The key is knowing your average first frost date and choosing fall crops that can…

  12. 486 - Making Space for Fall Crops (when summer crops are still growing)

    · 28 min · Episode 486

    Trying to plant a fall garden when your beds are still full of summer crops? You don't have to clear everything at once. A simple bed-by-bed assessment can help you decide what stays, what goes, and where your fall…

  13. 485 - Potatoes, Carrots, Onions, & More: How to Cure & Store Root Crops

    · 30 min · Episode 485

    You worked hard to grow potatoes, onions, garlic, carrots, and sweet potatoes. How do you keep them from spoiling before you can use them? In this episode, I'll walk you through curing and storing root crops so you…

  14. 484 - Tomatoes, Cucumbers & More: Fridge or Counter? How to Store Today's Harvest

    · 27 min · Episode 484

    Fresh garden produce doesn't stay fresh by accident. Learn exactly where to store tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, melons, and more so they last longer and taste their best. If you've ever wondered whether tomatoes…

  15. 483 - What I've Changed in Preserving My Harvest

    · 35 min · Episode 483

    Feeling overwhelmed by canning and preserving your garden harvest? Wondering if you have to preserve everything you grow to make gardening worthwhile? In this episode, I share how my approach to food preservation has…

  16. 482 - Meal Prep from Your Garden with Crystal Schmidt, author of Freeze Fresh Meal Prep

    · 34 min

    Have you ever wished your garden harvest could make dinner easier months after the growing season ends? In this episode, I'm welcoming Crystal from Whole-Fed Homestead back to the podcast to talk about her newest…

  17. 481 - Wasps and Bees: The Invisible Work These Insects Do in Your Garden

    · 40 min · Episode 481

    Struggling to know which garden insects are friends or foes? Learn why wasps, hoverflies, and bees may be doing more to protect your garden than you realize. This episode will change how you see beneficial insects and…

  18. 480 - Yellow Leaves, Bugs, and No Fruit: What to Do in the Mid-Summer Garden

    · 30 min · Episode 480

    Yellow leaves, chewed-up plants, and tomatoes that suddenly stop producing can make it feel like your garden is falling apart. But many common midsummer garden problems have simple explanations once you know what to…

  19. 479 - Fall Garden: 3 Simple Steps to Start Now

    · 19 min · Episode 479

    Summer gardening can leave you feeling worn out, but your best harvest may still be ahead. If you've been wondering whether a fall garden is worth the effort, this episode will help you start planning without feeling…

  20. 478 - Summer Watering: What Your Garden Actually Needs

    · 33 min · Episode 478

    Struggling to know how much to water your vegetable garden during summer? You're not alone. Learn how to water raised beds, containers, and in-ground gardens with confidence so your plants stay healthy and productive…

  21. 477 - What to Plant in June and July

    · 31 min · Episode 477

    Struggling with empty garden beds after harvesting spring crops? Wondering what to plant in June and July without wasting valuable garden space? In this episode, you'll learn which vegetables, herbs, and flowers…

  22. Questions My Garden Visitors Asked (and My Honest Answers)

    · 44 min · Episode 476

    A bus full of seasoned gardeners showed up to tour my garden, and the questions they asked were so good I wrote every one down. How close is too close when you plant? Why is the garlic browning early? What do you do…

  23. 475 - The Problem with Sevin Dust

    · 29 min · Episode 475

    Struggling with garden pests and wondering if Sevin Dust is the answer? Before you reach for this popular insecticide, it's important to understand what it does to pests, pollinators, and your garden ecosystem. In this…

  24. 474 - How to use what you're growing for extra income with Luke Hammond

    · 50 min · Episode 474

    Struggling with rising grocery prices while your garden overproduces? In this episode, you'll learn practical ways to turn extra vegetables into extra income without becoming a full-time farmer. We cover backyard…

  25. 473 - What the Spring Garden Taught Me This Year

    · 37 min · Episode 473

    Struggling with cabbage worms, bolting brassicas, or disappointing cauliflower heads? In this episode, you'll learn practical spring garden lessons from my own Zone 8a garden experience. I'm sharing what worked with…

  26. 472 - Cooking Your Harvest: Simple Secrets from a Disney Chef at EPCOT

    · 21 min · Episode 472

    _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> You grew it. Now how do you make it taste as good as it possibly can? A conversation with a working chef changes the way you think about what's already in your garden. This episode covers cooking…

  27. 471 - Herbs All Season: How I Use My Garden Herbs Year Round — Fresh, Dried, and Blended

    · 41 min · Episode 471

    _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> You spent the money on herbs. You watched them grow. Now what? _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> There's a whole season of flavor sitting in your garden, and most of it never makes it to your kitchen. This…

  28. 470 - Planting Day: Peppers – when to plant, what to know, and exactly what to do step by step

    · 41 min · Episode 470

    You've been waiting all spring to get those peppers in the ground. But planting day isn't just about digging a hole and dropping them in — and this year, I learned some things I didn't expect. In this episode, I'm…

  29. 469 - Cucumbers: How to Choose, Plant, and Harvest All Season Long

    · 44 min · Episode 469

    Struggling to grow healthy cucumbers that actually produce? You're not alone—cucumbers can be tricky if you don't get a few key things right. In this episode, you'll learn how to grow cucumbers successfully with…

  30. 468 - Pollinators: Are They Telling You Something About Your Garden? — with Disney Conservation Scientist Morgan Belle

    · 32 min · Episode 468

    Struggling with pests or poor pollination in your garden? Wondering how to attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects naturally? In this episode, you'll learn simple, practical ways to support pollinators…

  31. 467 - Planting Day: Tomatoes – when to plant and exactly what to do step by step

    · 43 min · Episode 467

    Struggling to know when to plant tomatoes without risking frost? Wondering how deep to plant or what actually matters on planting day? In this episode, you'll learn a step-by-step tomato planting process so you can…

  32. 466 - Soil: What to Do Before You Plant Anything

    · 37 min · Episode 466

    Struggling to figure out what your garden soil actually needs? Confused by compost, topsoil, and raised bed mixes? In this episode, you'll learn simple, practical soil basics to grow healthier plants and improve your…

  33. 465 - Companion Planting While You're Actually Planting Your Garden

    · 32 min

    Feeling unsure about companion planting when you're actually standing in your garden? You're not alone. It's one thing to read charts, but another to decide what goes where in real time. In this episode, you'll learn…

  34. 464 - Planting Day: Potatoes – how to plant and what to expect as they grow underground

    · 40 min · Episode 464

    Struggling with poor potato harvests or slow growth? You're not alone. In this episode, you'll learn how to plant potatoes step-by-step for stronger plants and better yields. From choosing seed potatoes to soil prep…

  35. 463 - Planting Day: Carrots - how to plant and what to expect the first few weeks

    · 41 min · Episode 463

    Struggling to get carrot seeds to sprout or size up well? In this episode, you'll learn how to plant carrots with better timing, spacing, watering, and thinning so they grow straight, sweet, and strong. If carrot…

  36. 462 - How Early Is Too Early? Planting Cool-Season Crops With Confidence

    · 34 min · Episode 462

    Spring weather can make planting decisions confusing. Should you plant your cool season crops now, or wait a little longer? In this episode, you'll learn how to decide the best time to plant lettuce, broccoli, carrots,…

  37. 461 - Seedlings Not Growing? Why Mine Stalled (and the Fix)

    · 30 min · Episode 461

    Struggling with indoor seed starting because your seedlings stopped growing? Are they stuck with only seed leaves, turning yellow, or just frozen in time? In this episode, I share how a simple seed starting mix mistake…

  38. 460 - How to Grow Better Potatoes: What Matters Most (and What Doesn't) with Jim & Caleb Gerritsen of Wood Prairie Family Farm

    · 51 min · Episode 460

    Struggling to get a big potato harvest, especially in heat or grow bags? In this episode, Jim and Caleb from Wood Prairie Family Farm break down what actually matters for growing potatoes successfully. You'll learn…

  39. 459 - Can You Trust AI With Your Garden? How to Avoid Bad Advice

    · 35 min · Episode 459

    Struggling to know whether you can trust AI for garden planning? Wondering if ChatGPT can actually help you grow better vegetables—or if it might quietly steer you wrong? In this episode, we talk through the real…

  40. 458 - One Garden Bed, Three Seasons: How the Planning Actually Works

    · 25 min · Episode 458

    Most gardens get planted once and then limp along until frost. But what if one garden bed could give you three strong harvests in a single season? In this episode, you'll learn how simple succession planting can help…

  41. 457 -Companion Planting Starts in the...Kitchen?

    · 35 min · Episode 457

    Companion planting can feel confusing fast. Charts, rules, and exceptions make it hard to know what really works. But what if you already understand companion planting better than you think? The foods you naturally…

  42. 456 - Endless Spring Salads: How to Plan Now

    · 32 min

    Struggling with lettuce that bolts, turns bitter, or barely grows? You're not alone—and you're not doing anything wrong. In this episode, I walk you through how to grow salad greens for months using the right…

  43. 455 - The Truth About Seed Starting Mixes with JoeGardener (and Why So Many Fail)

    · 45 min · Episode 455

    Struggling with seed starting failures even when you follow the rules? It might not be your lights, watering, or timing. In this episode, we break down seed starting mix and why the wrong soil can sabotage seedlings…

  44. 454 - How Home Gardeners Can Save Money by Buying Seeds in Bulk (Without Overbuying)

    · 37 min · Episode 454

    Buying seeds is one of the most exciting parts of gardening—but it's also where many gardeners overspend without realizing it. If you've ever wondered whether seed packets are really the best deal, this episode will…

  45. 453 - How to Plan a Garden That Fits Your Life in 2026

    · 28 min · Episode 453

    Feeling excited about garden planning but worried about burnout before summer even hits? If last season felt overwhelming, disappointing, or heavier than you expected, this episode will help you reset. You'll learn how…

  46. 452 - 10 Biggest Garden Lessons in 2025

    · 42 min · Episode 452

    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,…

  47. 451- Growing Cut Flowers & More for a Farmer's Market with Sarah Shuman

    · 52 min · Episode 451

    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.…

  48. 450 - December Garden Checklist (without the pressure)

    · 35 min · Episode 450

    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…

  49. 449 - My Favorite Garden Products (and How to Save on Them Now)

    · 44 min · Episode 449

    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…

  50. 448- 7 Thanksgiving Foods You Can Grow in Your Own Garden: the history, health, and homegrown roots behind your favorite holiday dishes.

    · 30 min · Episode 448

    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…

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