The Beginner's Garden with Jill McSheehy

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 all season long.
Free Download: Raised Bed Soil Options
Stop guessing what to put in your raised beds. Download Raised Bed Soil Options to learn proven soil mixes that help your beds retain moisture while growing healthy plants.
https://journeywithjill.net/raised-bed-soil
Summer watering isn't as simple as following the "one inch per week" rule. In this episode, I'll explain why your garden's watering needs change throughout the season and how to tell when your plants actually need water. We'll cover raised beds, containers, grow bags, and in-ground gardens, along with practical ways to build a watering system that saves time while keeping your garden thriving.
Self Watering Raised Bed Video: https://youtu.be/cVa5YmwprjU?si=9jG3iFqTqmSBicFm 
Key Takeaways
Learn why the one-inch-per-week rule is only a starting point.
Understand how watering needs change for raised beds, containers, and in-ground gardens.
Use the finger test and moisture meter to water with confidence.
Learn how to recognize underwatering versus overwatering.
Discover irrigation systems that make summer watering easier.
Chapters
00:00 – Why summer watering gets confusing
01:24 – Is one inch per week enough?
06:37 – Raised beds vs. containers
11:08 – The finger test explained
15:50 – Heat wilt or drought stress?
19:58 – Signs of overwatering
20:20 – Garden in Minutes watering system
24:00 – Best irrigation methods
Resource Links
Raised Bed Soil Options (Free)
https://journeywithjill.net/raised-bed-soil
Friday Emails
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/
Sponsor for This Episode
Garden in Minutes
Garden in Minutes makes watering raised beds simple with Garden Grids and their new programmable timer, designed specifically from gardener feedback. The timer features durable brass fittings, improved water flow, an easy rain-delay function, and simple programming.
Use code Jill for 7% off your purchase.
Affiliate Link:
http://journeywithjill.net/gardeninminutes
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 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 thrive in summer heat so you can keep harvesting, suppress weeds, and make the most of your garden all season long.
Whether you're looking for heat-loving crops, succession planting ideas, or simple ways to fill empty beds, you'll walk away with practical options you can plant right now.
Free Download: The Beginner's Garden Resource Vault
Grow more food with less overwhelm! Get complimentary access to a library of growing guides, charts, and resources to help you garden with clarity and confidence.
👉 http://journeywithjill.net/free-garden-downloads
Key Takeaways
Discover heat-loving crops that thrive when temperatures rise.
Learn how succession planting extends your harvest season.
Find out which flowers can keep garden beds productive and beautiful.
Use days-to-maturity and frost dates to make smarter planting decisions.
Start preparing now for fall crops like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and celery.
Chapters
00:00 – Why empty beds invite weeds 02:39 – What to plant now 05:25 – Understanding succession planting 06:08 – Heat-loving crops for summer 17:55 – Best succession planting options 20:37 – Second planting of tomatoes 24:59 – Fresh basil all season 26:24 – Summer flowers that thrive 29:06 – Calculate days to maturity 31:27 – Prepare for fall crops 32:05 – Free celery growing guide
Resource Links
Free Download: The Beginner's Garden Resource Vault http://journeywithjill.net/free-garden-downloads
Connect with Jill
Friday Emails (Newsletter): 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/
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 Ready for a simple system to plan and track your season? 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.

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.