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 podc ...
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423 - Grow Organic Apple Trees: what to do in years 1-3 with Susan Poizner
54:56
54:56
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54:56Ever wondered if you can actually grow apple trees organically—and get fruit? Or maybe you’ve got a tree that’s not thriving and you’re not sure why. In this episode, certified arborist and fruit tree expert Susan Poizner joins me to answer the most common questions about growing apple trees at home. We’ll talk about: 🍎 Choosing the right variety &…
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422 - The Truth About Soil, Wood, and Raised Beds with Gardener Scott
41:14
41:14
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41:14Have you ever wondered if you could fill a raised bed with 100% compost? Or whether pressure-treated wood is actually safe for gardens? In today's episode, I sit down in person with Gardener Scott to tackle common raised bed myths and smart strategies for growing success — whether you're gardening on a patio or across a backyard full of beds. 💬 Top…
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421 - The Best Herbs for Beginners (and How to Start Right)
34:14
34:14
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34:14Herbs are some of the easiest — and most rewarding — plants you can grow, but getting started can bring up a lot of questions. Where should you plant them? Should you start from seed or buy transplants? Which ones will keep growing year after year? In today’s episode, I’ll walk you through the five easiest herbs for beginners and help you plan wher…
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420 - Spring’s Best Herbs for Food & Health with Bevin Cohen
42:38
42:38
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42:38Are you ready to take your herb gardening and foraging skills to the next level? In today’s episode, author Bevin Cohen joins me to share practical, beginner-friendly advice on growing, harvesting, and using herbs throughout the seasons. We explore common herbs like calendula, dill, chickweed, plantain, dandelion, and parsley—and even touch on wild…
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419 - How to Grow Meyer Lemons in Containers (Anywhere!)
38:36
38:36
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38:36Have you ever dreamed of growing lemons but didn’t know where to start—or tried and failed like I have? In this episode, I’m diving into the world of Meyer lemons: the sweet, compact citrus tree that’s perfect for container gardening in Zones 8 and below. In this episode: 🍋 [00:01:30] Why Meyer lemons are the go-to citrus for home gardeners 🍋 [00:0…
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418 - What Market Farmers Know That Backyard Gardeners Don’t (Yet!) with Pam Dawling
40:06
40:06
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40:06In this episode, we explore how backyard gardeners can apply market farming techniques to grow healthier, more productive gardens with Pam Dawling author of Sustainable Market Farming. From disease and pest control to crop rotation and weeding, our guest shares practical, sustainable strategies drawn from real-world farming experience. Topics we co…
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417 - How Your Grandparents Knew When to Plant: Using Phenology (Like Lilacs & Oak Leaves) in Your Spring Garden
25:30
25:30
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25:30Have you ever wondered how gardeners knew when to plant before weather apps, frost charts, or ChatGPT? Today we’re talking phenology—the art (and science) of reading nature’s cues to time your planting. 🌼 Forsythia blooms, dandelion sightings, and dogwood flowers... 🌱 Old-school wisdom meets modern science 📝 Practical examples and tips to start you…
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416 - Your last frost date has arrived! Now what?
29:55
29:55
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29:55Today’s my average last frost date—maybe it’s yours too. So, is it time to plant everything? Not so fast. In this episode, we’re diving into what your last frost date really means and why it’s more of a guidepost than a green light. We’ll cover: 🌱 What the “average last frost date” actually means 🌱 Why warm-weather crops might still need to wait 🌱 …
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415 - Your April Garden Checklist: Tasks, Planting, and Common Pitfalls
35:47
35:47
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35:47April is here, and garden season is in full swing! But if you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the tasks ahead, you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m breaking it all down so you can focus on what’s most important and skip the stress. We’ll cover: 🌱 Essential garden tasks to tackle this month 🌿 What to plant based on your last frost date 🚫 Common pitf…
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414 - Growing Blackberries: A Starter Guide with Chad Cargill
44:56
44:56
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44:56In this episode, I sit down with Chad Cargill to dive deep into one of his favorite fruits to grow—blackberries! Whether you're a beginner or have been growing blackberries for years, this conversation is packed with insights. Chad shares his passion for blackberries, the best varieties to grow, tips for pruning and trellising, and how to get the s…
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413 - Growing Blueberries: A Starter Guide
39:01
39:01
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39:01Want to grow sweet, homegrown blueberries? In this episode, we’re diving into everything you need to know about planting, caring for, and harvesting blueberries. Whether you’re growing them for the first time or looking to boost your current harvest, I’ll cover: 🌱 How to pick the perfect variety for your region 🌍 Why planting multiple varieties imp…
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412 - Carrots: what no one tells you about choosing the right variety
29:24
29:24
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29:24When you think of carrots, you probably picture the classic orange root vegetable—but did you know there are many different types, each with its own flavor, texture, and ideal growing conditions? In this episode, we’re diving into the fascinating world of carrot varieties, from crisp Imperators to sweet Nantes and stubby Chantenays. Whether you're …
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411 - Grow Your Own Fruit with Chad Cargill
50:18
50:18
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50:18In this episode of The Beginner’s Garden Podcast, we’re diving into the world of homegrown fruit! 🍎🍑🍋 You told us you wanted to learn more, so today marks the beginning of many future episodes on growing different kinds of fruit. To kick things off, I’m joined by Chad Cargill, an experienced fruit grower, to help us navigate the basics. 🌱 We discus…
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March is one of the busiest planting months! In this episode, I’ll share exactly what I’m planting in the weeks leading up to my last frost date. Whether your climate matches mine or not, you can adjust the timing based on your own frost date. What You’ll Learn: Key crops to plant in early, mid, and late March How to adjust for your last frost date…
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409 - Tomato Types Explained: How to Pick the Perfect Tomato for Your Garden
30:07
30:07
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30:07Feeling overwhelmed by all the tomato varieties out there? Whether you're flipping through a seed catalog, browsing online, or staring at the racks at your local garden center, choosing the right tomato can be daunting. But the right tomato for you depends on your garden, your kitchen, and your taste! In this episode, I break down the different typ…
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408 - How to use AI to Make Garden Planning More Efficient (8 Prompts You Can Use Today)
28:31
28:31
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28:31Remember all that extra time you had for gardening in 2020? Fast forward five years, and life feels busier than ever. But you’re still gardening—which means you’re finding ways to make it work. The biggest challenge? Time. In this special episode of The Beginner’s Garden Podcast, we’re exploring how AI, specifically ChatGPT, can help streamline you…
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407 - Companion Planting Myths & Realities
27:44
27:44
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27:44When you hear "companion planting," do you feel excited, skeptical, or just plain confused? In this episode, we're cutting through the myths and giving you a practical, science-backed approach to pairing plants in your garden. What You'll Learn: 🌿 Myth 1: Do certain plants really boost each other’s growth? 🐞 Myth 2: Can companion planting truly pre…
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406 - Cool vs Warm Season Crops: why some crops thrive at different times and why it matters
23:45
23:45
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23:45Welcome to our first Friday bonus episode of the season! As you gear up for gardening this year, we're diving into a topic that has been the biggest game-changer for my garden’s productivity: understanding the differences between cool-season and warm-season crops. We’ll explore: 🌱 Why some crops thrive in cool weather while others prefer heat 🌡️ Th…
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405 - Avoid These 5 Overlooked Gardening Mistakes
32:00
32:00
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32:00Gardening success often comes down to avoiding a few common mistakes. In today's episode, Jill dives into 5 overlooked mistakes to think about. If you think about them now, it will help you down the road in the season. Don't forget to sign up for the Masterclass here: https://journeywithjill.net/masterclass Show Notes: Thank you to our sponsors: Or…
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404 - 7 February Garden Tasks: Prep for a Productive Spring
26:36
26:36
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26:36February is a complex month for gardeners in the U.S. Some of us are weeks away from planting, while others are already in the garden. In this episode, Jill shares 7 essential garden tasks to tackle in February, ensuring you're prepared for a productive gardening season, no matter where you are in your journey. With practical tips and resources, yo…
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403 - Climate Change, AI, and Your Garden with forensic meteorologist Dr. Alicia Wasula
46:10
46:10
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46:10This week I am speaking with Dr. Alicia Wasula, a forensic meteoroloist to discuss what she does in relation to the weather and how that can affect your garden. Links Mentioned: Before You Sow Mini Course (free for 1 week): https://journeywithjill.net/beforeyousow Connect with Dr. Wasula here: https://www.stmweather.com/ Instagram: https://instagra…
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402 - Seeds to Start Indoors in January and February
34:24
34:24
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34:24If you're like me, you're itching to get started on this year’s garden season. But here’s the deal—starting seeds indoors too early is one of the biggest mistakes gardeners make this time of year. In today’s episode, I’ll share the seeds I’m starting indoors in January and February and how you can adjust your timing depending on your climate. Stick…
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401 - How to Grow Chickpeas, Dry Beans, Edamame, and More (Grow Your Own Protein, Part 2)
33:09
33:09
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33:09Is it possible to grow protein-packed vegetables in your garden? In this episode, we break it down for you! Building on last week’s conversation with Dr. Vickie Petz Kasper about the importance of plant-based proteins, I’m sharing which crops are worth your time, space, and effort. We’ll cover: Dry beans like pinto, kidney, and black beans Shelling…
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400 - Grow Your Protein with Dr. Vickie Petz Kasper
34:27
34:27
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34:27Happy New Year! This week is our 400th episode and we wanted to share a different topic with you. We have Dr. Vickie Petz Kasper, a lifestyle medicine doctor, that walks us through all about how to grow your own protein and how to live a healthy life with the right kinds of protein. Vickie will be hosting a series on unlocking the secret to sleep. …
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399 - Garden Reflections from 2024 (new varieties, lessons, lifestyle changes, and more)
42:51
42:51
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42:51This week Jill reflects on how 2024 went for her from what worked and what didn't. She discusses varieties that she tried this year that worked out well for her so you can keep an eye out for these varieties when seed shopping. Also, she discusses lifestyle changes she made in her gardening world to adapt to her current life. Carrot Storage YouTube…
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