The Beginner's Garden with Jill McSheehy

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 about squash vine borers?

This episode walks through the real questions from that visit, with practical answers on companion planting, succession planting, tomato blight, and growing celery in a hot, humid climate. If you've ever looked at your own beds and wondered whether you're doing it right, this one's for you.
Free Download: Beginner's Garden Resource Vault A growing library of free guides, cheat sheets, and planning tools to help you garden with less guesswork. → http://journeywithjill.net/free-garden-downloads
Key Takeaways
Companion planting can pack a bed full and cut your weeding to almost nothing.
Celery and carrots make great neighbors — the celery helps pull excess moisture away.
For early blight, prune low stems and learn to live with it instead of spraying.
Beat squash vine borers by succession planting, not fighting each plant.
A late-summer planting often escapes the pests that wreck your spring crops.
Chapters
00:00 – Why I hosted a garden visit
03:30 – The bed that calmed my nerves
06:00 – Are these crops too close?
09:30 – Growing and harvesting celery
13:00 – Dealing with tomato blight
18:00 – Keeping tomatoes from taking over
22:00 – Early jalapenos and new varieties
25:00 – Seed starting vs. the greenhouse
30:00 – Why I grow nasturtium
35:00 – Keeping lettuce from bolting
38:00 – Why my garlic matured early
41:00 – My approach to squash vine borers
45:00 – Rabbits, squirrels, and what works
Resources Mentioned in this Episode
Lazy Gardener's Guide to Fungal Tomato Diseases → http://journeywithjill.net/lazy-gardeners-guide 
Chicken Tunnel YouTube Video → https://youtu.be/K5RvpLZVQLw 
Dream to Garden Garden Planning Course → http://journeywithjill.net/dreamtogarden 
Products Mentioned in this Episode
Garden in Minutes — The garden grids I used to lay out that peppers-celery-carrots bed, plus the tomato cage that's become my favorite. Code Jill for 7% off regular-priced items. → http://journeywithjill.net/gardeninminutes
Cross Country Nursery — Where my Marglobe and Jolene tomato plants came from, with a huge selection of pepper and tomato starts. Code JILL for 15% off. → http://www.chileplants.com/jill
More brands I recommend and discount codes → https://journeywithjill.net/recommended-brands-and-products/ 
More Free Downloads
Beginner's Garden Resource Vault → http://journeywithjill.net/free-garden-downloads
Companion Planting for Pest Control → http://journeywithjill.net/companion-planting-for-pest
Garlic Planting Cheat Sheet → http://journeywithjill.net/garliccheatsheet
Connect
Friday Emails → https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneywithjillNet/videos
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/
Podcast archive → https://journeywithjill.net/the-beginners-garden-podcast/
One simple system Ready for a simple system to plan and track? My Complete Garden Planner makes it easy. → https://shop.journeywithjill.net/
Gardening advice shared in this podcast is based on my own experience in Zone 8a (Arkansas) and from the feedback I receive from others in different gardening contexts. Your results may differ depending on your location, climate, and growing conditions. Always check your local extension service or trusted resources for region-specific guidance.
Some links mentioned may be affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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 episode, you'll learn the truth about Sevin Dust, carbaryl, organic pest control, and safer ways to manage garden insects.
Free Download: Companion Planting for Pest Control
Discover which plant pairings naturally help keep harmful insects away from your crops.
http://journeywithjill.net/companion-planting-for-pest
Key Takeaways
Learn how Sevin Dust has changed over the years and why that matters.
Understand the differences between carbaryl and the current Sevin Dust formulation.
Discover the risks Sevin Dust poses to pollinators, beneficial insects, and soil life.
Learn why many organic gardeners avoid broad-spectrum insecticides.
Explore natural pest-control alternatives that work with your garden ecosystem.
Chapters
00:00 – Why I finally talked about Sevin Dust 01:09 – The garden tour that sparked this episode 03:13 – Why I use diatomaceous earth instead 06:22 – What Sevin Dust actually is 09:30 – The surprising ingredient change 13:18 – How carbaryl kills insects 16:43 – Why it works so well 19:02 – Why some countries banned carbaryl 20:42 – Human health concerns explained 23:57 – Effects on bees and beneficial insects 26:12 – Why organic gardeners avoid it 28:40 – The new Sevin Dust formulation 31:00 – Natural vs. synthetic pyrethroids 33:32 – Does the new formula work better? 36:43 – Risks to pollinators and aquatic life 40:05 – Can organic gardeners use it?
Related Podcast Episodes
Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden with Jessica Walliser https://journeywithjill.libsyn.com/235-attracting-beneficial-bugs-to-your-garden-with-jessica-walliser
Plant Diseases, Critters, and Other Garden Problems with Susan Mulvihill, Author of The Vegetable Garden Problem Solver Handbook https://journeywithjill.libsyn.com/314-plant-diseases-critters-and-other-garden-problems-with-susan-mulvihill-author-of-the-vegetable-garden-problem-solver-handbook
How to Minimize Pest Damage in an Organic Garden with Susan Mulvihill https://journeywithjill.libsyn.com/196-how-to-minimize-pest-damage-in-an-organic-garden-susan-mulvihill
Preparing for Pests https://journeywithjill.libsyn.com/242-preparing-for-pests
Resource Links
Companion Planting for Pest Control (Free Download) http://journeywithjill.net/companion-planting-for-pest
Good Bug Bad Bug ID Chart (Free Download) https://journeywithjill.net/goodandbadbugs
Friday Emails (Newsletter) https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup
YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@JourneywithJill
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden
Podcast Archive https://journeywithjill.net/podcast
Complete Garden Planner Plan and track your garden season with Jill's all-in-one planner. https://shop.journeywithjill.net/
 
Disclaimer
Gardening advice shared in this podcast is based on my own experience in Zone 8a (Arkansas) and from the feedback I receive from others in different gardening contexts. Your results may differ depending on your location, climate, and growing conditions. Always check your local extension service or trusted resources for region-specific guidance.
Some links mentioned may be affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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 garden side hustles, CSA boxes, value-added products, and high-value crops for small-space gardeners.
Dirt Academy Kids: https://www.dirtacademykids.com/JWJLearn how to garden alongside your kids with step-by-step lessons and hands-on activities designed for families and homeschoolers. Use promo code JWJ for a discount.
If you've ever looked at your overflowing tomato plants or too many cucumbers and wondered if your garden could actually help pay for itself, this episode is for you. Market farmer Luke Hammond joins me to share realistic ways home gardeners can earn extra income from the space they already have. We talk through practical examples for small raised-bed gardens, easy ways to find buyers without committing to a farmers market, and how to think strategically about succession planting and high-value crops. Whether you want a simple side hustle or just enough to offset grocery costs, this conversation will help you think differently about your garden.
Key Takeaways
Learn how one raised bed can produce surprising value
Discover simple ways to sell produce without a farmers market
Find out which crops offer the best return in small spaces
Understand how succession planting supports steady harvests
Explore value-added products like pickles, herbs, and jams
Chapters
00:00 – Can a backyard garden make money? 03:33 – What one raised bed can earn 07:27 – Growing lettuce through summer heat 10:28 – Best high-value garden crops 13:07 – Easy ways to sell extra produce 18:02 – Roadside stands and local sales 22:59 – Turning harvests into value-added products 29:57 – Balancing gardening with family life 34:20 – Starting small with a CSA 35:59 – Succession planting for steady harvests 39:33 – Best fall crops to sell 41:36 – First steps for beginner sellers 43:02 – Gardening with kids and Dirt Academy Kids
Resource Links
Fall Salad Garden Planning Calendar: http://journeywithjill.net/fallsaladgarden
Friday Emails Newsletter: https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup
Recommended Brands & Products: https://journeywithjill.net/recommended-brands-and-products/
Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/thebeginnersgarden As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Complete Garden Planner: https://shop.journeywithjill.net/
Dirt Academy Kids: https://dirtacademykids.com/
Seedtime Garden Planner: https://seedtime.us/
Disclaimer
Gardening advice shared in this podcast is based on my own experience in Zone 8a (Arkansas) and from the feedback I receive from others in different gardening contexts. Your results may differ depending on your location, climate, and growing conditions. Always check your local extension service or trusted resources for region-specific guidance.
Some links mentioned may be affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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 cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, onions, and companion planting so you can grow stronger cool-season crops next spring with more confidence.
Free Download: Broccoli, Cauliflower & Cabbage Quick-Start Growing Guide Learn how to grow productive brassicas with better timing, pest protection, and harvest success. http://journeywithjill.net/broccoli-guide
Key Takeaways
Learn how different cauliflower varieties performed in spring heat
Discover which cabbage varieties were most productive and flavorful
Hear what helped reduce cabbage worm pressure naturally
Learn how crimson clover worked as a companion planting mulch
Understand how late freezes affected cool-season crops
Chapters
00:00 – Spring garden reflections 02:15 – Why cauliflower intimidated me 06:45 – Choosing better cauliflower varieties 09:05 – How to blanch cauliflower heads 13:20 – Preventing cabbage worm damage 15:10 – Comparing cabbage varieties 20:10 – Testing crimson clover with broccoli 24:40 – Lessons from a late freeze 26:00 – Growing onions through winter
Resources
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:e13474f9-4615-4b8a-baa3-df96528a99e2-0" data-turn-id-container= "request-WEB:e13474f9-4615-4b8a-baa3-df96528a99e2-0" data-testid= "conversation-turn-2" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn= "assistant"> Herb Workshop (grab the replay here): http://journeywithjill.net/herb-workshop 
Broccoli, Cauliflower & Cabbage Quick-Start Growing Guide (free): http://journeywithjill.net/broccoli-guide
Companion Planting for Pest Control (free): http://journeywithjill.net/companion-planting-for-pest
Good Bug Bad Bug ID Chart (free): https://journeywithjill.net/goodandbadbugs
Friday Emails (newsletter): https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup
Recommended Brands & Products: https://journeywithjill.net/recommended-brands-and-products/
Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/thebeginnersgarden
Complete Garden Planner: https://shop.journeywithjill.net/
Link to cauliflower recipe: https://alexandracooks.com/2018/03/06/roasted-cauliflower-skhug-lemony-yogurt-sauce/

Sale Information:
Garden in Minutes Sale: https://journeywithjill.net/gardeninminutes 
Epic Gardening Memorial Day Sale: https://shop.epicgardening.com/JOURNEYWITHJILL 
Disclaimer
Gardening advice shared in this podcast is based on my own experience in Zone 8a (Arkansas) and from the feedback I receive from others in different gardening contexts. Your results may differ depending on your location, climate, and growing conditions. Always check your local extension service or trusted resources for region-specific guidance.
Some links mentioned may be affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

_*]: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 techniques for tomatoes, corn, herbs, and more — with practical, doable advice for home gardeners.
Free Download: Herbs Quick Reference Chart A handy cheat sheet for growing and using your favorite kitchen herbs. http://journeywithjill.net/herbchart
🌿 Live Workshop — Everyday Kitchen Herbs (Tuesday, May 19th) Join Jill live in her garden as she walks you through 12 kitchen herbs — growing, harvesting, and using each one. You can ask questions in the chat in real time. Register here → https://journeywithjill.net/herb-workshop 


Key Takeaways:
Brining corn overnight in a salt-and-sugar solution adds flavor before you ever light a grill — a simple trick that works even when corn isn't freshly picked
Roasting concentrates flavor by cooking out water and caramelizing sugars; it's one of the most effective techniques for garden tomatoes
A quick ten-minute marinade of lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and garlic elevates fresh tomatoes more than you'd expect
Homegrown vegetables have a built-in advantage — freshness that no store can match; cooking technique is just the finishing touch
Blanching and shocking (ice water immediately after hot water) preserves the green color in broccoli and other vegetables
Chapters:
00:00 Welcome and chef introduction
01:45 Disney's iconic street corn — how it's made
03:10 Brining corn: why it works and how to do it at home
04:40 Grilling vs. boiling: the flavor difference explained
05:50 Garden vegetable flatbread: roasted vs. marinated tomatoes
07:10 Why roasting makes vegetables taste better
08:30 Herb pairings for roasted tomatoes
09:20 Tomato risotto and basil pesto breakdown
11:00 Making pesto at home: tips from the chef
12:15 Peach cobbler with cinnamon ice cream
12:50 Avocado toast with marinated tomatoes and edible flowers
14:30 The chef's best advice for home gardeners
Resource Links:
Beginner's Garden Resource Vault — Your go-to library of gardening guides and cheat sheets
Stay connected:
Friday email tips → https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneywithjillNet/videos
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/
Full podcast archive → https://journeywithjill.net/the-beginners-garden-podcast/
Ready for a simple system to plan and track your garden? My Complete Garden Planner makes it easy.
Sponsors for This Episode
Garden in Minutes Garden in Minutes makes garden grids that take the guesswork out of spacing and planting in raised beds. Whether you're setting up a new bed or finally getting organized in an existing one, their grids make it simple and satisfying. Use code JILL at checkout for 7% off regular-priced items. 👉 http://journeywithjill.net/gardeninminutes
Cross Country Nurseries Cross Country Nurseries specializes in pepper and tomato plants — an incredible selection of varieties you won't find at a typical garden center. Use code JILL at checkout for 15% off your order. 👉 http://www.chileplants.com/jill
Gardening advice shared in this podcast is based on my own experience in Zone 8a (Arkansas) and from the feedback I receive from others in different gardening contexts. Your results may differ depending on your location, climate, and growing conditions. Always check your local extension service or trusted resources for region-specific guidance.
Some links mentioned may be affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.