The Beginner's Garden with Jill McSheehy

Latest Episodes:

481 - Wasps and Bees: The Invisible Work These Insects Do in Your Garden Jul 21, 2026

Show notes

Struggling to know which garden insects are friends or foes? Learn why wasps, hoverflies, and bees may be doing more to protect your garden than you realize. This episode will change how you see beneficial insects and natural pest control in your vegetable garden.

Join me for the Fall Harvest Plan Live Workshop on Tuesday, July 28 at 12 PM CDT and learn exactly when to plant your fall garden and access my Fall Gardening CustomGPT. Save your spot at https://journeywithjill.net/fallharvestplan and use coupon code FALL26 to save $10.

Free Download: Good Bug Bad Bug ID Chart

Learn how to identify beneficial insects and common garden pests so you can protect the helpers in your garden with confidence.

https://journeywithjill.net/goodandbadbugs

Many gardeners see insects and immediately wonder whether they're helping or hurting the garden. But what if some of the bugs you fear the most are actually some of your greatest allies? In this episode, I sit down with science writer and Insect Safari author Margie Patlak to explore the fascinating world of beneficial insects. We talk about wasps, hoverflies, bees, and the surprising ways they pollinate crops, control pests, and even demonstrate remarkable intelligence. If you've ever wanted to garden more naturally, this conversation will help you see your garden through a whole new lens.

Key Takeaways

Learn why most wasps are valuable garden allies, not enemies.
Discover how hoverflies provide both pollination and natural aphid control.
Understand the differences between solitary, parasitic, and social wasps.
Find out why bees are far more intelligent than most gardeners realize.
Learn how healthy gardens naturally encourage beneficial insect populations.

Chapters

00:00 – Why insects deserve another look 03:03 – Why gardeners misunderstand wasps 06:50 – Wasps as natural pest control 07:45 – Solitary vs. social wasps 13:30 – Why hoverflies matter 18:30 – The hidden intelligence of bees 26:20 – How bees communicate and learn 31:15 – Building a balanced garden ecosystem 35:30 – Final encouragement

Resource Links

Good Bug Bad Bug ID Chart (Free) https://journeywithjill.net/goodandbadbugs

The Beginner's Garden Resource Vault https://journeywithjill.net/free-garden-downloads

Friday Garden Emails https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/@JourneyWithJill

Instagram https://instagram.com/journeywithjill

Podcast Archive https://journeywithjill.net/podcast

Guest Resource:

Insect Safari by Margie Patlak

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.

480 - Yellow Leaves, Bugs, and No Fruit: What to Do in the Mid-Summer Garden Jul 14, 2026

Show notes

Yellow leaves, chewed-up plants, and tomatoes that suddenly stop producing can make it feel like your garden is falling apart. But many common midsummer garden problems have simple explanations once you know what to look for. In this episode, you'll learn how to diagnose yellowing leaves, tell the difference between nutrient deficiencies and diseases, identify what's eating your plants, and understand why heat can interfere with tomato and pepper production. These practical gardening tips will help you troubleshoot problems with more confidence and avoid treating the wrong issue.

🌱 Fall Custom Garden Plans are now open! Want a personalized fall garden plan designed specifically for your garden? I'll help you create a planting schedule, bed layout, and step-by-step growing plan based on your space and goals. These spots are limited and sold out quickly last year. Learn more and reserve your spot here: https://journeywithjill.net/planmygarden/

Free Download: Harvest to Jar Estimator Plan your tomato harvest with confidence by estimating how many plants you need for the jars you want to preserve. https://journeywithjill.net/harvesttojar Key Takeaways

Learn how to diagnose yellow leaves by where symptoms appear on the plant.
Understand the difference between nutrient deficiencies and plant diseases.
Identify common insect pests by the damage they leave behind.
Discover why tomatoes, peppers, and other crops stop setting fruit during extreme heat.
Learn practical troubleshooting steps before reaching for fertilizer or pesticides.

Chapters

00:00 – Why midsummer gardens suddenly struggle

02:13 – Fall garden planning opportunity

03:00 – What yellow leaves are really telling you

05:45 – Mobile vs. immobile nutrients explained

08:45 – Common nutrient deficiencies to recognize

13:35 – When a soil test is worth it

14:10 – Using AI to diagnose garden problems

15:35 – Nutrient deficiency or disease?

18:15 – Identifying diseases by leaf patterns

19:00 – What's eating your plants?

21:20 – Finding nighttime garden pests

Resource Links

Free Download: Tomato Diseases Guide Identify common tomato diseases and learn how to respond before they spread. http://journeywithjill.net/lazy-gardeners-guide

Friday Emails (Newsletter) https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/@JourneyWithJill

Instagram https://instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden

Podcast Archive https://journeywithjill.net/podcast

Complete Garden Planner https://shop.journeywithjill.net/

Disclaimer

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.

479 - Fall Garden: 3 Simple Steps to Start Now Jul 07, 2026

Show notes

Summer gardening can leave you feeling worn out, but your best harvest may still be ahead. If you've been wondering whether a fall garden is worth the effort, this episode will help you start planning without feeling overwhelmed.

Learn three simple decisions you can make now to prepare for a productive fall vegetable garden, including which crops to grow, when to start seeds, and how to get your garden space ready before planting season begins.

Free Download: Celery Growing Guide

Want to grow fresh celery for soups, Thanksgiving dressing, and winter meals? My free Celery Growing Guide walks you through how to successfully grow celery from seed through harvest. You'll also get access to additional growing guides for broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, carrots, and more.

👉 https://journeywithjill.net/celery-guide

Key Takeaways

Decide which cool-season crops you'll actually enjoy eating this fall.
Learn which vegetables should be direct sown and which need transplants.
Know when to start fall transplants before it's too late.
Plan ahead for garden space as summer crops finish producing.
Prepare your soil and protect young plants for a healthier fall harvest.

Chapters

00:00 – Free celery growing guide

01:00 – Why now is the perfect time to dream about fall

03:20 – Decide what to grow

06:10 – Direct sow or transplant?

08:30 – Should you buy or grow transplants?

10:20 – When to start seeds indoors

11:40 – Planning your garden space

15:05 – Making room for fall crops

16:35 – Refreshing your soil

17:25 – Using shade cloth for success

18:50 – Custom plans and fall workshop

21:10 – Final encouragement and resources

Resource Links

Free Celery Growing Guide Grow celery successfully from seed through harvest, plus receive additional crop-growing guides. https://journeywithjill.net/celery-guide

Custom Fall Garden Plans Get a personalized planting plan designed specifically for your garden space and climate. https://journeywithjill.net/planmygarden

Live Fall Garden Workshop Learn how to confidently plan, plant, and grow a productive fall garden. https://journeywithjill.net/fallworkshop

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/

Complete Garden Planner Ready for a simple system to plan and track your garden? My Complete Garden Planner makes it easy. https://shop.journeywithjill.net/

Disclaimer

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.

478 - Summer Watering: What Your Garden Actually Needs Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

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

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.

477 - What to Plant in June and July Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

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/

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.

Questions My Garden Visitors Asked (and My Honest Answers) Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

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/

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.

475 - The Problem with Sevin Dust Jun 09, 2026

Show notes

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

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.

474 - How to use what you're growing for extra income with Luke Hammond Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

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

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.

473 - What the Spring Garden Taught Me This Year May 26, 2026

Show notes

Struggling with cabbage worms, bolting brassicas, or disappointing cauliflower heads? In this episode, you'll learn practical spring garden lessons from my own Zone 8a garden experience. I'm sharing what worked with cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, onions, and companion planting so you can grow stronger cool-season crops next spring with more confidence.

Free Download: Broccoli, Cauliflower & Cabbage Quick-Start Growing Guide Learn how to grow productive brassicas with better timing, pest protection, and harvest success. http://journeywithjill.net/broccoli-guide

Key Takeaways

Learn how different cauliflower varieties performed in spring heat
Discover which cabbage varieties were most productive and flavorful
Hear what helped reduce cabbage worm pressure naturally
Learn how crimson clover worked as a companion planting mulch
Understand how late freezes affected cool-season crops

Chapters

00:00 – Spring garden reflections 02:15 – Why cauliflower intimidated me 06:45 – Choosing better cauliflower varieties 09:05 – How to blanch cauliflower heads 13:20 – Preventing cabbage worm damage 15:10 – Comparing cabbage varieties 20:10 – Testing crimson clover with broccoli 24:40 – Lessons from a late freeze 26:00 – Growing onions through winter

Resources *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:e13474f9-4615-4b8a-baa3-df96528a99e2-0" data-turn-id-container= "request-WEB:e13474f9-4615-4b8a-baa3-df96528a99e2-0" data-testid= "conversation-turn-2" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn= "assistant">

Herb Workshop (grab the replay here): http://journeywithjill.net/herb-workshop
Broccoli, Cauliflower & Cabbage Quick-Start Growing Guide (free): http://journeywithjill.net/broccoli-guide
Companion Planting for Pest Control (free): http://journeywithjill.net/companion-planting-for-pest
Good Bug Bad Bug ID Chart (free): https://journeywithjill.net/goodandbadbugs
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/
Link to cauliflower recipe: https://alexandracooks.com/2018/03/06/roasted-cauliflower-skhug-lemony-yogurt-sauce/

Sale Information:

Garden in Minutes Sale: https://journeywithjill.net/gardeninminutes
Epic Gardening Memorial Day Sale: https://shop.epicgardening.com/JOURNEYWITHJILL

Disclaimer

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.

472 - Cooking Your Harvest: Simple Secrets from a Disney Chef at EPCOT May 19, 2026

Show notes

_*]:min-w-0 gap-3">

You grew it. Now how do you make it taste as good as it possibly can? A conversation with a working chef changes the way you think about what's already in your garden. This episode covers cooking techniques for tomatoes, corn, herbs, and more — with practical, doable advice for home gardeners.

Free Download: Herbs Quick Reference Chart A handy cheat sheet for growing and using your favorite kitchen herbs. http://journeywithjill.net/herbchart

🌿 Live Workshop — Everyday Kitchen Herbs (Tuesday, May 19th) Join Jill live in her garden as she walks you through 12 kitchen herbs — growing, harvesting, and using each one. You can ask questions in the chat in real time. Register here → https://journeywithjill.net/herb-workshop

Key Takeaways:

Brining corn overnight in a salt-and-sugar solution adds flavor before you ever light a grill — a simple trick that works even when corn isn't freshly picked
Roasting concentrates flavor by cooking out water and caramelizing sugars; it's one of the most effective techniques for garden tomatoes
A quick ten-minute marinade of lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and garlic elevates fresh tomatoes more than you'd expect
Homegrown vegetables have a built-in advantage — freshness that no store can match; cooking technique is just the finishing touch
Blanching and shocking (ice water immediately after hot water) preserves the green color in broccoli and other vegetables

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome and chef introduction
01:45 Disney's iconic street corn — how it's made
03:10 Brining corn: why it works and how to do it at home
04:40 Grilling vs. boiling: the flavor difference explained
05:50 Garden vegetable flatbread: roasted vs. marinated tomatoes
07:10 Why roasting makes vegetables taste better
08:30 Herb pairings for roasted tomatoes
09:20 Tomato risotto and basil pesto breakdown
11:00 Making pesto at home: tips from the chef
12:15 Peach cobbler with cinnamon ice cream
12:50 Avocado toast with marinated tomatoes and edible flowers
14:30 The chef's best advice for home gardeners

Resource Links:

Beginner's Garden Resource Vault — Your go-to library of gardening guides and cheat sheets

Stay connected:

Friday email tips → https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneywithjillNet/videos
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/
Full podcast archive → https://journeywithjill.net/the-beginners-garden-podcast/

Ready for a simple system to plan and track your garden? My Complete Garden Planner makes it easy.

Sponsors for This Episode

Garden in Minutes Garden in Minutes makes garden grids that take the guesswork out of spacing and planting in raised beds. Whether you're setting up a new bed or finally getting organized in an existing one, their grids make it simple and satisfying. Use code JILL at checkout for 7% off regular-priced items. 👉 http://journeywithjill.net/gardeninminutes

Cross Country Nurseries Cross Country Nurseries specializes in pepper and tomato plants — an incredible selection of varieties you won't find at a typical garden center. Use code JILL at checkout for 15% off your order. 👉 http://www.chileplants.com/jill

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.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Beginner’s Garden with Jill McSheehy

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected