427 - Grow Mushrooms in Your Garden with Matt McInnis
Have you ever wondered if you could grow mushrooms right alongside your tomatoes? I hadn’t either—until recently. In today’s episode, I chat with Matt McInnis from North Spore about how beginners can grow mushrooms in their garden beds, mulch, or even garden paths. This episode is part beginner’s guide, part real-time experiment. After my conversation with Matt, I share my honest experiences growing mushrooms in my own raised beds—what worked, what surprised me, and what I’ll do differently next time. Whether you’re mushroom-curious or looking for new ways to improve your garden’s soil health, this episode will open your eyes to what’s possible with homegrown fungi. 🧠 In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Easy ways to grow mushrooms in garden beds, mulch, and paths Why mushrooms might improve your soil and help your crops What kind of moisture and light they need How to cook, preserve, and enjoy them—even if you’re not a mushroom lover Jill’s first-hand experience growing oysters, winecap, and almond agaricus If you are wanting to check them out for yourself, you can go to their website and use my code JILL10 for 10% off your order. If your raised beds are running out of steam mid-summer, give them a boost with Organic REV. It helps recharge tired soil and supports plants through the heat. 🛒 Use code JILL10 to save on your order at OrganicREV.com. Show Notes: 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.)
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426 - Mid-Season Fertilizing: What Your Garden Needs Now
"I rarely use fertilizer." If you've listened to this podcast or joined a coaching call, you've probably heard me say that. And for years, it’s been true. I’ve focused more on building healthy soil than feeding plants. But recently, I’ve started rethinking that approach — and today I’m sharing why. In this episode, we’ll explore how my mindset has shifted, plus: The difference between organic and synthetic fertilizers How to fertilize based on the type of crop Why your method matters more if you're growing in containers, raised beds, or in-ground How to apply fertilizer correctly so you don’t waste time or money By the end, I hope you’ll feel more confident in deciding whether — and how — to fertilize your own garden this season. 🌿Want to keep your plants thriving through the heat, stop pests naturally, and handle issues as they come up? Join me live tonight for my Summer Workshop: Grow • Nurture • Protect! You’ll also get a bonus preserving workshop replay. 👉 journeywithjill.net/summerworkshop I use Organic REV all season to boost microbial life, improve root growth, and help plants handle stress. Great for transplants, succession planting, and heat resilience. 💧 Use code JILL10 to save at OrganicREV.com 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. 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.)
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425 - 5 Summer Pests and Organic Ways to Stop Them
By mid-June, your garden is thriving—but pests are waking up too. Some are just a nuisance, while others can wreak serious havoc. In today’s episode, we’re talking about 5 common summer pests, how to spot them early, and what you can do to manage them using organic methods. You’ll learn: 🪰 How to deal with aphids without wrecking your beneficial insect population 🐞 The best time and way to stop squash bugs before they ruin your harvest 🐛 Why tomato hornworms show up when they do—and what to do about them 🛡️ How to deter stink bugs before they damage your tomatoes and peppers 🐞 And how to manage cucumber beetles & protect against bacterial wilt Whether you're dealing with a few chewed leaves or a full-on infestation, this episode will give you clear, effective strategies to protect your garden—without reaching for harsh chemicals. 🌿 Want to go deeper? Join me for the Summer Gardening Workshop on June 17 at 7 PM Central, where we’ll dive into pest prevention, plant health, and what to do when things go wrong. Your $19 ticket includes a replay + bonus preserving workshop! Use code SUMMER25 to save. 👉 journeywithjill.net/summerworkshop 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. 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.)
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424 - June Garden Checklist: What to Do Now to Keep Things Thriving
June might feel like the honeymoon phase in the garden — everything’s green, lush, and thriving. But don’t let the beauty fool you — this is a critical time to stay proactive if you want a healthy, productive summer garden. 💪 In this episode, I’m sharing what to plant, prune, harvest, and watch for in June — plus a sneak peek at an upcoming live workshop that you won’t want to miss! 👀 📝 Here’s what we’ll cover: 🥬 What to do with bolting lettuce, spinach & other cool-season crops 🌱 Heat-loving crops to plant now (yes, it’s not too late!) ✂️ How and when to harvest herbs & prune basil for continuous growth 🌻 Flower & herb upkeep — deadheading, staking, and more 🐛 What pests to look out for (and what to do when you spot them) 💦 Watering tips for containers and raised beds 🔥 Why June is a great time to build soil health and how I use Organic REV all season long 📆 Coming June 17: A brand-new Summer Garden Workshop all about pest prevention, disease control, and how to grow stronger, more resilient plants 🌿✨ 🎧 Tune in for practical tips to help your garden thrive in the summer heat — and get ready for even more support in the workshop later this month! 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. 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.)
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423 - Grow Organic Apple Trees: what to do in years 1-3 with Susan Poizner
Ever 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 & planting tips 🍎 What your young tree needs in years 1–3 for long-term success 🍎 How to revive a neglected or underperforming tree 🍎 Organic pest control that actually works 🍎 When and how to prune for health and productivity Plus, we tackle listener questions about borers, bark peeling, spraying schedules, squirrel damage, watering, and where to buy quality trees. If you’ve got an apple tree—or want to grow one—you don’t want to miss this episode! 🎧 Listen now and grow with confidence. Follow along with Susan on Facebook & Instagram: @orchardpeople Thank you to our sponsors: Organic REV | Garden in Minutes | Heirloom Roses 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. Garden in Minutes Water your raised beds more efficiently and effectively with the Garden in Minutes Garden Grids. These garden grids take about 1 minute to set up, water all of your plants evenly at their base, and ship in pre-assembled sections! No messy emitters or tangle of tubing. Just connect & grow! https://journeywithjill.net/gardeninminutes Discount Code: Use promo code JILL for 7% off your purchase Heirloom Roses HeirloomRoses.com has over 900 roses to choose from and hundreds of perennials and bulbs for your complete garden dreams. Get yours today and check out their selections here. 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.)
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 podcast, my aim is to provide helpful information while explaining the gardening lingo as we go. I want to equip YOU to have the best start ever this gardening season!