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.)

September can leave gardeners feeling torn — the weather whispers fall, but the garden seems ready to shut down. Should you plant more, or just call it quits until spring? In today's episode, I'll show you why the answer is yes — you can still plant, and you'll be glad you did.

We'll cover four categories of crops you can grow right now — greens, roots, brassicas, and herbs — plus the key differences between fall and spring planting that will make all the difference in your success.

Here's what you'll learn:

• The fast-growing greens you can direct sow today for quick harvests.

• Root crops that thrive in cooling soil (and how to get them to germinate).

• Why fall brassicas do best from transplants.

• Cool-season herbs that love September planting.

• One piece of spring garden advice that doesn't work in fall.

You'll also hear my tips for moisture management, full sun placement, and how to think in terms of "baby harvests" instead of waiting for everything to fully mature.

📌 Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Free Garlic Planting Cheat Sheet: journeywithjill.net/garlic

• Pre-order organic seed garlic from Wood Prairie Family Farm and use code JILL5 for 5% off: woodprairie.com

• Organic REV: Rebuild soil health for your fall crops and save with code JILL10: organicrev.com

By the end, you'll know exactly what to plant now to keep your garden producing fresh food well into fall.

Show Notes:

Thank you to our sponsors: Organic REV 

Organic REV

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.

Wood Prairie Family FarmsA small family farm on the edge of Maine's North Woods is located just six miles from the Canadian border. For over 45 years they have dedicated themselves to time-honored organic regenerative farming practices and building up the fertile soil of Wood Prairie Family Farm. Certified Organic by MOFGA (USDA-Accredited) since 1982. Their organic crops are sold to customers like you through their website and their FREE mail order catalog.  Check them out and use my code JILL5 for 5% off.

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.)

September can feel like a juggling act—summer crops still hanging on, fall crops needing attention, and the pressure to preserve your harvest before it goes to waste. In this episode, Jill shares a practical September checklist to help you stay focused and finish the season strong.

🌱 In this episode:

• What to plant now: spinach, lettuce, salad greens, and cover crops

• Tending tips: when to pull back shade cloth and how to adjust watering

• When and how to prune or pull summer crops like tomatoes and cucumbers

• Garlic prep: what to order, where to plant, and how to prepare the bed

• Fall garden must-haves: floating row covers, Organic REV, and preserving plans

🛒 Mentioned in this episode:

• Harvest to Kitchen Course – Final day to grab it for just $97! Learn to can, freeze, dehydrate, and store over 20 crops. 👉 http://journeywithjill.net/harvesttokitchen

• Organic REV – Use code JILL10 at OrganicREV.com for healthier fall transplants and soil

• Free Fall Salad Garden Calendar – Download your guide to planting salad greens all season long

• How to Make the Most of Your Tomato Harvest Podcast - Click here to find out ways to make your tomato harvest the best one yet before your first fall frost.

🎧 Tune in for your step-by-step guide to a productive September garden!

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.)

Have 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:

• 🪴 The best cover crops for raised beds, in-ground gardens, and no-till systems

• 🌿 How cover crops boost soil health, garden productivity, and even nutritional value

• 🌱 The differences between cereal grains, legumes, and brassicas—and why a mix might be the most beneficial

• 🌡️ What to expect if you're in a mild climate like Zone 8

• 🧑‍🌾 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

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.

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.)