442 - What I learned... Visiting GreenStalk: The Story You Don’t See Online
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 Key Takeaways 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. Chapters 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 Resource Links 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/ Sponsor(s) for this Episode 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. 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.
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28:48
441 - Garlic Growing Timeline: Month-by-Month from Planting to Harvest
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.
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31:21
440 - Let go or push through? (an unplanned, personal conversation)
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.)
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23:50
439 - Stop Blaming the Weather: Clues Your Plants Are Giving 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.)
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438 - Fast Fall Crops You Can Still Plant in September
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.)
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!
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