The Beginner's Garden with Jill McSheehy

Struggling to get a big potato harvest, especially in heat or grow bags? In this episode, Jim and Caleb from Wood Prairie Family Farm break down what actually matters for growing potatoes successfully. You'll learn practical potato growing tips for choosing seed, watering, fall planting, and avoiding common beginner mistakes.
If you've ever felt unsure about which potatoes to plant, how to store them, or why your yields were disappointing, this conversation will clear it up. We talk certified seed vs. grocery store potatoes, how to think about short-season varieties (especially in the South), what makes fall potatoes possible, and the biggest "make-or-break" factors when growing in containers.
Wood Prairie Family Farm (Seed Potatoes) Certified seed potatoes shipped at the right time for your region, plus grow bags and organic potato fertilizer. Use code JILL5 for 5% off: http://journeywithjill.net/woodprairie. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
free download: Seed Starting Guide Start seeds with confidence. Know exactly when and how to begin. https://journeywithjill.net/seed-starting-guide
Key Takeaways
Start with certified seed potatoes to reduce disease risk and improve yields.

For hot climates or tight windows, choose short-season varieties to finish before heat or frost.

In grow bags, watering is the #1 success factor (often 3x per week).

Better soil and the right fertility plan can increase yield without adding complexity.

Mulch strategies (even cardboard + straw) can reduce weeds and help moderate soil moisture.

Sponsor for this Episode
Organic REV Organic fertilizer blends made for gardeners who want healthier plants and better harvests. Use code JILL10 for 10% off: http://journeywithjill.net/organicrev As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Garden in Minutes A simple, efficient watering system that helps you stay consistent (especially in summer). Use code Jill for 7% off: http://journeywithjill.net/gardeninminutes As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Resource Links
Free Seed Starting Guide: https://journeywithjill.net/seed-starting-guide

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/

Ready for a simple system to plan and track? My Complete Garden Planner makes it easy: 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 know whether you can trust AI for garden planning? Wondering if ChatGPT can actually help you grow better vegetables—or if it might quietly steer you wrong? In this episode, we talk through the real benefits and real risks of using AI in your vegetable garden.
Dream to Garden – Plan your garden faster with AI tools without giving up your own judgment. Learn the why behind your planting decisions and get step-by-step guidance plus custom GPT support. 👉 Learn more here: https://journeywithjill.net/dreamtogarden
In this episode, I share what's worked in my own garden using AI and where I've had to push back. From comparing seed varieties and troubleshooting pests to setting planting dates, AI can save serious time. But it can also give confident, incorrect answers—especially about timing.
I'll show you how to use AI wisely so it becomes a tool, not a crutch.
Key Takeaways
How AI actually gets its information (and why it can "hallucinate")

Practical ways to use AI for variety comparisons and pest ID

Why planting dates are the biggest danger zone

How to write better prompts for more accurate answers

Why you must understand your climate before trusting AI

Resource Links
🌱 Get Complimentary Access to My Resource Vault Grow more food with less overwhelm using printable charts, guides, and planning tools. http://journeywithjill.net/free-garden-downloads
📬 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/
Ready for a simple system to plan and track your garden? My Complete Garden Planner makes it easy. https://shop.journeywithjill.net/
Sponsors for This Episode
Organic Rev – I use this to support strong root growth and healthy soil biology. Use code JILL10 for 10% off at http://journeywithjill.net/organicrev As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Garden in Minutes – A simple, effective irrigation solution that makes watering your raised beds easy and efficient. Use code Jill for 7% off at http://journeywithjill.net/gardeninminutes 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.

Most gardens get planted once and then limp along until frost. But what if one garden bed could give you three strong harvests in a single season? In this episode, you'll learn how simple succession planting can help you grow more food without adding more space.
Free Training: Productive Garden Masterclass Learn how to plan your garden so beds stay productive all season long, without overwhelm. 👉 https://journeywithjill.net/masterclass 
Key Takeaways
How to plan three-season successions before the season starts

Why knowing when crops come out matters as much as when they go in

Real-life succession examples you can adapt to your climate

Common mistakes that limit harvests and how to avoid them

Sponsor(s) for This Episode
Organic Rev Organic Rev's Superior Seed Start Bundles support healthy germination and strong seedlings from day one. Save 10% with code JILL10 → http://journeywithjill.net/organicrev As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Garden in Minutes Garden in Minutes makes watering simple with raised beds, garden grids, and modular systems designed to work together. Save 7% with code JILL → http://journeywithjill.net/gardeninminutes As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Resource Links
Productive Garden Masterclass (Free Training): Learn how to plan your garden so each bed stays productive all season long. 👉 https://journeywithjill.net/masterclass

Beginner's Garden Resource Vault (Free): A growing library of guides, charts, and tools to help you garden with clarity and confidence. 👉 https://journeywithjill.net/free-garden-downloads

Friday Emails (Newsletter): Weekly encouragement, practical tips, and seasonal reminders. 👉 https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup

Dream to Garden (Paid Course – Enrollment Open): Step-by-step garden planning for your space, timing, and climate. 👉 https://journeywithjill.net/dreamtogarden 

Recommended Brands & Products: 👉 https://journeywithjill.net/recommended-brands-and-products/

Disclaimer
Gardening advice shared in this podcast is based on my experience in Zone 8a (Arkansas) and feedback from others. Your results may differ depending on your location and growing conditions. Always check local resources. Some links may be affiliate links.

Companion planting can feel confusing fast. Charts, rules, and exceptions make it hard to know what really works. But what if you already understand companion planting better than you think? The foods you naturally cook together often grow well together, too.
In this episode, I share a simple way to think about companion planting by looking at familiar kitchen pairings. Tomatoes and basil. Onions and peppers. Carrots and celery. When you connect what belongs together on your plate with what thrives together in the garden, companion planting starts to feel intuitive instead of overwhelming.
free download: The Beginner's Garden Resource Vault Get complimentary access to a library of printable charts, guides, and tools to help you grow food with less overwhelm. 👉 http://journeywithjill.net/free-garden-downloads
Key Takeaways
Why familiar food pairings often translate to successful garden companions

How cool-season and warm-season crops affect timing and placement

Practical examples of companion planting that actually work

Which plant pairings to avoid and why

How to simplify garden planning without memorizing charts

Resource Links
Register for the Productive Garden Masterclass: http://journeywithjill.net/masterclass 
Beginner's Garden Resource Vault (free): http://journeywithjill.net/free-garden-downloads

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

Recommended Brands & Products: https://journeywithjill.net/recommended-brands-and-products/

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

Sponsors for This Episode
Organic Rev I use Organic Rev to support strong roots and healthy soil. Use code JILL10 for 10% off. 👉 http://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. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Struggling with lettuce that bolts, turns bitter, or barely grows? You're not alone—and you're not doing anything wrong. In this episode, I walk you through how to grow salad greens for months using the right varieties, timing, and planting rhythm.
If growing your own salad greens has felt confusing or inconsistent, this episode will help you simplify the process. I break down the difference between lettuces and brassica greens, explain when to direct sow vs. start seeds indoors, and show you how I plan my plantings so I can harvest salads for weeks at a time.
Free Download: Spring Salad Garden Planning Calendar
Borrow my exact spring planting rhythm for salad greens—what to plant, when to plant, and how to adjust it for your climate. 👉 https://journeywithjill.net/gardening/springsaladgarden
Key Takeaways
Why lettuce and brassica greens behave differently in your garden

How planting variety extends your salad harvest

When to direct sow vs. start lettuce indoors

How seasonal temperature shifts affect flavor and bolting

The importance of staggered planting for continuous harvests

Resource Links
Spring Salad Garden Planning Calendar (free): https://journeywithjill.net/gardening/springsaladgarden

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

Sponsor for This Episode
Organic Rev I use Rev to support strong root development and healthy plants throughout the season. Use code JILL10 for 10% off. 👉 http://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. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.