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. 👉 https://journeywithjill.net/seasonal-task-list

Key Takeaways

• Why Thanksgiving foods are some of the most nutrient-dense crops you can grow

• How potatoes, sweet potatoes, and squash each boost immunity in winter

• The best potato varieties for different recipes (mashed, roasted, scalloped)

• Tips for growing, curing, and storing potatoes through Thanksgiving

• Easy ways to grow green beans, sage, and celery for your holiday table

• Why your favorite indulgent dishes may actually help nutrient absorption

• Jill's bonus crop you might not expect: cranberries

Resource Links

• 🌿 Free Seasonal Task List → https://journeywithjill.net/seasonal-task-list

• 🗓️ 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.

• 🪴 2026 Complete Garden Planner – "Plan and track your garden with ease." https://shop.journeywithjill.net

Sponsors for this Episode

• Epic Gardening – Black Friday Sale: 25% off site-wide + extra 5% with code JOURNEYWITHJILL Birdies beds, grow bags, and seed-starting supplies you'll love. 👉 journeywithjill.net/epic As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• GreenStalk Garden – 12 Days of Doorbusters start Nov 20! Save $10 off $75+ with code JILL10 → journeywithjill.net/greenstalk

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.

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.

Take time to reflect before you plan next year's garden! The free 5-Day Garden Audit helps you assess what worked, what didn't, and what you want to do differently next season. https://journeywithjill.net/audit

• 10 tasks Jill's doing in her Zone 8A garden this November.

• How short-day onions fit perfectly after summer crops.

• What "growing degree days" mean and why they matter.

• Simple ways to protect crops before the first frost.

• Why now's the best time to plan your spring garden.

00:00 – Intro: why November gardening still matters 01:10 – Protecting crops ahead of the first frost 04:30 – Moving the lemon tree and basil to shelter 06:00 – Planting short-day onions after peppers 09:30 – Understanding growing-degree days 14:30 – Interplanting lettuce and testing cold-hardy greens 17:00 – Harvesting and fermenting fall cabbage 19:00 – Small-batch beet pickling tips 20:20 – Overwintering and harvesting herbs 22:30 – Volunteer cilantro and fall collard greens 25:45 – Garlic planting reminders 27:00 – Checking stored onions, potatoes, and garlic 28:10 – Topping off beds with compost for spring

• Free 5-Day Garden Audit → https://journeywithjill.net/audit

• Friday Emails (newsletter) → https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

• Recommended Brands & Products → https://journeywithjill.net/recommended-brands-and-products

• Podcast Archive → https://journeywithjill.net/the-beginners-garden-podcast

Soft Mention: 🗓 Plan your best season yet with the 2026 Complete Garden Planner – a printable system for planning, tracking, and staying inspired. https://shop.journeywithjill.net

Disclaimer: Gardening advice shared in this podcast is based on my own experience in Zone 8a (Arkansas) and feedback from gardeners in other regions. Your results may vary depending on your climate and growing conditions. Always consult local extension resources for region-specific guidance. Some links may be affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

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. https://journeywithjill.net/audit

free download: Herbs Quick Reference Chart One-page, printable cheat sheet for growing and using popular herbs. http://journeywithjill.net/herbchart

Key Takeaways

• Know your herb's life cycle (annual, biennial, perennial) and zone limits before winter.

• Stop heavy pruning 4–6 weeks before first frost; save shaping for spring.

• Cold + wet kills faster than cold alone—prioritize drainage and light mulch after first freeze.

• For borderline zones, protect rosemary from wind; use frost cloth or natural boughs.

• Bringing herbs indoors? Use bright light, let soil dry slightly between waterings, and check for pests.

Chapters

• 00:00 – What to expect in winter

• 03:00 – Rosemary: tender perennial tips

• 07:00 – Sage: prune in early spring

• 09:50 – Thyme: divide and overwinter inside

• 12:20 – Oregano: harvest low before winter

• 14:30 – Mint & lemon balm: dies back, returns

• 16:50 – Chives: freeze better than dry

• 18:40 – Perennial recap & zones

• 21:50 – Parsley (biennial): winter + spring bolt

• 24:30 – Cilantro: winter star, bolts in heat

• 26:40 – Basil/dill: bring in or replant next year

• 28:40 – General winter herb care

• 31:00 – Final reminders

Resource Links

• Herbs Quick Reference Chart (free): http://journeywithjill.net/herbchart

• 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.)

• Podcast archive: https://journeywithjill.net/the-beginners-garden-podcast/

Sponsor(s) for this Episode

• Organic Rev — I use Rev at transplant and before moving herbs indoors to support roots. Use code JILL10 for 10% off: http://journeywithjill.net/organicrev. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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 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.

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: https://journeywithjill.net/audit

free download: Garlic Planting Cheat Sheet Your first (or best) garlic crop—timing, spacing, curing. https://journeywithjill.net/garliccheatsheet

Complete Garden Planner – Plan and track your season simply: https://shop.journeywithjill.net/

Key Takeaways

• Your garden should fit your current capacity, not your past one.

• Define success for this season: a few crops you love may be enough.

• Scale systems, not just space—irrigation, succession planting, simple trellises.

• Use transitions (injury, grief, busy years) to pause, simplify, and reset.

• Fall is prime for planting garlic; set it up well and let it work all winter.

Resource Links

• Garlic Planting Cheat Sheet (free): https://journeywithjill.net/garliccheatsheet

• 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.)

• Podcast archive: https://journeywithjill.net/the-beginners-garden-podcast/

Sponsor(s) for this Episode

• Organic Rev – I mix Rev 50/50 with water to water in garlic trenches and often pre-soak cloves. Use code JILL10 to save 10%: https://journeywithjill.net/organicrev. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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.

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 season long. 👉 https://journeywithjill.net/fallsaladgarden

• Why most fall gardeners plant too late—and how to fix it.

• The surprising reason fall gardening starts in the heat.

• How simplifying your plan leads to more success.

• Simple ways to double your space with interplanting.

• How to use light and microclimates to your advantage.

• Why observation beats perfection every time.

00:00 – Why fall gardens often fail 02:40 – Lesson #1: The planting window is earlier than you think 05:00 – Lesson #2: Start in the heat, protect seedlings 07:30 – Lesson #3: Simplify your plan to reduce overwhelm 12:30 – Lesson #4: Use interplanting to double your harvest 15:20 – Lesson #5: Map your sun and shade for better results 18:30 – Lesson #6: Observation over perfection

• Free: Fall Salad Garden Planning Calendar → https://journeywithjill.net/fallsaladgarden

• Shop the Greenstalk Vertical Planter Sale: https://journeywithjill.net/greenstalk – Use code JILL10 for $10 off $75+

• 2026 Complete Garden Planner: Plan your next season now → https://journeywithjill.net/shop

• Friday Emails (newsletter): https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

• YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneywithjillNet/videos

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden

• Podcast Archive: https://journeywithjill.net/the-beginners-garden-podcast

Greenstalk Vertical Planter – Space-saving planters that water evenly from the top down. Use code JILL10 for $10 off $75+. https://journeywithjill.net/greenstalk

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. Some links may be affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

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. http://journeywithjill.net/garliccheatsheet

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

• Signs of southern blight on peppers and prevention options

• Bitter vs. diseased cucumbers: what to change next season

• A gentle reminder to list your wins before planning fixes

Chapters

• 00:00 – Why failure grows better gardeners

• 02:18 – Reframe: successes you might be missing

• 04:12 – Failure #1: Bell peppers + full-sun stress

• 08:53 – Failure #2: Okra + root-knot nematodes

• 19:35 – Sponsor break: Organic Rev + garlic routine

• 21:28 – Time-sensitive: Greenstalk warehouse sale

• 23:06 – Failure #3: Jalapeños + southern blight clues

• 30:22 – Failure #4: Cucumbers—bitterness vs. downy mildew

• 34:36 – Reflect, note, and plan next steps

Resource Links

• Garlic Planting Cheat Sheet (free): http://journeywithjill.net/garliccheatsheet

• 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.

Sponsor(s) for this Episode

• Organic Rev – I soak garlic cloves 50/50 Rev-to-water before planting and often water in at ~1 oz/gal during cool-season transplants. Use code JILL10 for 10% off: http://journeywithjill.net/organicrev. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• Greenstalk Vertical Planter – Warehouse sale through October 21. Grab closeout colors while supplies last. Use code JILL10 for $10 off $75+: https://journeywithjill.net/greenstalk. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Soft Paid Mention Complete Garden Planner – Plan and track your season simply: 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 to tell which garden products are worth your money? You're not alone. Today I'm sharing what I learned on a behind-the-scenes visit to GreenStalk in Knoxville—how they design, test, and support a planter I've used for five years. You'll leave with practical ways to use a vertical planter this fall for salad greens, herbs, and flowers.

free download: Fall Salad Garden Planning Calendar Plant at the right time for fresh greens all season. http://journeywithjill.net/fallsaladgarden

• How a family-owned US company designs and tests products for real gardeners.

• Why quality materials and thoughtful R&D matter (and how that shows up in the planter).

• Practical fall ideas for your vertical planter: salads, herbs, pansies, and more.

• The role of good customer service—and how feedback shapes better products.

• When a vertical planter makes sense for beginners and for large-garden add-ons.

00:02 – Why I only share vetted tools 01:45 – Welcome & what to expect in this series 03:06 – Why fall is the perfect time for this story 04:17 – My first GreenStalk in 2020 05:40 – Five years of testing: what's worked 07:36 – Meet the family behind GreenStalk 09:06 – The affiliate weekend invite 11:31 – First impressions & thoughtful hospitality 13:48 – Community with fellow gardeners 16:02 – Touring R&D and prototypes 18:27 – Designing lids & the auto-watering system 20:34 – Quality over shortcuts 22:56 – Caring for employees in a tech-driven world 24:24 – US-made parts and sourcing 26:22 – Why this product helps new gardeners start 27:40 – My favorite fall uses (greens, pansies) 29:40 – Clearance event details + my code 30:40 – Final encouragement: why I recommend them 31:49 – What's coming next week

• Fall Salad Garden Planning Calendar (free): http://journeywithjill.net/fallsaladgarden

Connect

• 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/

Soft mention

• Complete Garden Planner – plan and track your season simply: https://shop.journeywithjill.net/

• GreenStalk Vertical Planter – Family-owned, US-made vertical planters I've used for five years. Use code JILL10 for $10 off a $75 purchase: https://journeywithjill.net/greenstalk. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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.

Worried your garlic sprouted too soon or won't survive winter? In this episode, I walk you through a clear garlic growing timeline so you know what's normal, what to expect by zone, and when to harvest. You'll learn planting windows, mulch depth by zone, vernalization for warm climates, spring care, scapes, and curing. Primary keyword: garlic growing timeline.

🧄 Planting garlic soon? Get my free Garlic Planting Cheat Sheet → http://journeywithjill.net/garliccheatsheet

Garlic Mini Course On Sale NOW! - journeywithjill.net/garlicworkshop

Chapters 00:00 – Why garlic confuses beginners 01:20 – When to plant by zone 03:36 – Vernalization in warm zones 08:06 – How much mulch to use 12:44 – Winter care and cold snaps 19:24 – Spring wake-up and feeding 22:00 – Leaf growth vs. bulb sizing 23:59 – Scapes and moisture tips 24:40 – Harvest timing by zone 27:47 – Signs your garlic is ready 31:16 – Planting layout tip for success 32:47 – Curing and storage basics 33:42 – Quick recap by zone

Resource Links

• 🧄 Free Garlic Planting Cheat Sheet → http://journeywithjill.net/garliccheatsheet

• 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/

Partner Mention

• Organic Rev: use code JILL10 for 10% off → http://journeywithjill.net/organicrev

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.

This past week has been heavy — my dad's heart surgery and walking with friends through hard times. Normally my garden is my refuge, but lately it's been more discouraging than refreshing. From cutworms in the carrots to nematodes on summer crops, the struggles have piled up.

In this episode, I'm sharing honestly about choosing whether to push through or let go, and why I'm focusing on easier, more rewarding crops like lettuce and greens. My hope is that my story encourages you if you're facing setbacks of your own.

Next week, I'll be back with a garlic growing timeline. Until then, grab my free Garlic Cheat Sheet and get ready for my Garlic Mini Course.

👉 Garlic Cheat Sheet 👉 Garlic Mini Course

My Products: 2025 Complete Garden Planner (plus several new editions!) https://shop.journeywithjill.net/

Vegetable Gardening for Beginners Book: https://amzn.to/3TZeJux

Products I recommend: Recommended Brands & Products page: https://journeywithjill.net/recommended-brands-and-products/

https://www.amazon.com/shop/thebeginnersgarden

Connect with Jill: Sign up for Friday Emails: https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneywithjillNet/videos

The Beginner's Garden Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/

Link to Beginner's Garden Podcast past episodes: https://journeywithjill.net/the-beginners-garden-podcast/

(*links above contain affiliate links, which means if you click through and make a purchase, we will earn a commission at no extra cost to you.)

How many times have you said, "It's just been too hot," or "We haven't had enough rain"? Weather is an easy scapegoat when our gardens struggle — but is it really the whole story?

In this episode, I'm sharing a personal parallel from my years in the car business to show how blaming outside factors (like the weather) can actually hold us back. We'll talk about:

• Why observation is your most powerful gardening tool

• How to recognize when the weather really is to blame — and when it isn't

• Other factors that might be affecting your crops (soil, sun, irrigation, pests)

• Practical strategies to work with the weather instead of against it

This is more of a mindset conversation — equal parts tough love and encouragement — to help you stop letting the weather win and start focusing on what you can control.

👉 Join my email community for extra tips and behind-the-scenes updates I don't share anywhere else: journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

My Products: 2025 Complete Garden Planner (plus several new editions!) https://shop.journeywithjill.net/

Vegetable Gardening for Beginners Book: https://amzn.to/3TZeJux

Products I recommend: Recommended Brands & Products page: https://journeywithjill.net/recommended-brands-and-products/

https://www.amazon.com/shop/thebeginnersgarden

Connect with Jill: Sign up for Friday Emails: https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneywithjillNet/videos

The Beginner's Garden Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/

Link to Beginner's Garden Podcast past episodes: https://journeywithjill.net/the-beginners-garden-podcast/

(*links above contain affiliate links, which means if you click through and make a purchase, we will earn a commission at no extra cost to you.)