The Beginner's Garden with Jill McSheehy

Planting onions in fall might give you an earlier harvest than you thought possible.
If you garden in Zone 7 or warmer, overwintering onions may help you harvest sooner, reduce bolting, and spread your onion harvest across several months.
In this episode, I'm sharing what happened when I tested fall-planted onions in my Zone 8a Arkansas garden and how to decide whether this method could work where you live.
Free Download: Onion Quick-Start Growing Guide
Learn how to choose the right onion type for your location, get your planting timing right, and grow bigger, healthier onions.
Get the Onion Quick-Start Growing Guide
Key Takeaways
Decide if fall planting fits your climate.

Choose onions for your day length.

Plant smaller transplants to reduce bolting.

Protect onions during extreme cold.

Extend your harvest into three months.

Chapters
00:00 – Why I tried fall onions
01:07 – Who can plant in fall
02:56 – My first fall onion experiment
04:42 – How onions handled winter
06:46 – Raised beds vs. greenhouse
09:11 – Harvest onions earlier
11:31 – Extend your onion harvest
13:56 – Why fall onions bolt less
16:09 – Choose the right transplant size
18:26 – How hardy are onions?
20:43 – Consider zone and latitude
23:06 – Colder-zone considerations
25:21 – Plan your garden space
27:39 – Try onions from seed
28:54 – Is fall planting worth trying?
Resource Links
Onion Quick-Start Growing Guide: Learn the basics of choosing and growing onions for your garden.
Get the free guide
Onion Growing Trials YouTube: Did it work? Click to find out: https://youtu.be/vfR2G8daLXE?si=v1_Ed_K-z2o7j6mL 
Friday Emails: Get gardening tips, seasonal reminders, and updates from my garden.
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Complete Garden Planner: Ready for a simple system to plan and track your garden season?
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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.

Your fall garden may be growing the same vegetables you planted in spring, but that doesn't mean they need the same care. Shorter days, warm soil, changing temperatures, and slower growth all affect how you should water, shade, and protect fall crops. In this episode, I'll help you adjust your fall garden care so lettuce, carrots, broccoli, and other cool-season crops have what they need.
Free Download: Spinach Growing Guide
Spinach can be a tricky crop to grow successfully depending on your location. This guide will help you have success.
https://journeywithjill.net/pcaudio/spinach-guide/
Key Takeaways
Water more at planting, then taper as fall cools.
Remove shade cloth once seedlings are established.
Give broccoli and carrots as much fall sun as possible.
Plant more lettuce and greens to offset slower growth.
Protect crops from sudden early freezes when needed.
Chapters
00:00 – Why fall care is different 02:05 – Adjust watering as temperatures change 05:15 – Use fall shade cloth differently 07:26 – Know when to remove shade 09:47 – Give broccoli more fall sun 11:13 – Why carrots need enough sunlight 13:29 – Plant more fall lettuce and greens 15:42 – Prepare crops for early freezes 18:06 – When to use row covers 20:30 – Learn by observing your garden 21:44 – What's coming next
Resource Links
Seasonal Garden Task List: https://journeywithjill.net/seasonal-task-list
Friday Emails + Free Growing Guides: 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/
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.

Thinking about getting a greenhouse but not sure what it can actually do for your garden?
A greenhouse can extend your growing season, protect plants through winter, and give seedlings a head start, but only if you understand how temperature, light, and humidity work together.
In this episode, I'm talking with Leslie about greenhouse gardening for beginners, including what I've learned from using my own greenhouse for the past six years. We'll cover unheated versus heated greenhouses, supplemental grow lights, seed starting, pest prevention, and what to consider before buying a greenhouse.
Check out Leslie's book "Home Greenhouse Revival" here: https://amzn.to/4qMk75Y 
Free Download: The Beginner's Garden Resource Vault
Get complimentary access to growing guides, charts, and resources to help you grow food with more clarity and less overwhelm.
Get the Beginner's Garden Resource Vault
Key Takeaways
Understand what an unheated greenhouse can do

Use temperature and light to extend seasons

Know when seedlings need supplemental grow lights

Prevent greenhouse pests before they spread

Choose a greenhouse based on your plants

Chapters
00:00 – How greenhouses extend your season
03:41 – Why unheated greenhouses still help
06:51 – Keep winter crops growing longer
08:29 – How temperature affects plant growth
09:47 – When greenhouse grow lights help
12:07 – Can greenhouses replace indoor seed starting?
14:18 – Choose plants before your greenhouse
16:43 – Beds, containers, and greenhouse zones
19:42 – Why greenhouse size matters
20:23 – Why seedlings grow faster inside
23:06 – How humidity affects plant growth
24:41 – Understanding grow light limitations
26:44 – How plants actually use light
28:07 – Why winter sunlight is weaker
29:54 – Prevent greenhouse pest problems
32:49 – Using beneficial insects indoors
33:35 – What to know before buying
36:41 – Greenhouse growing beyond vegetables
Resource Links
The Beginner's Garden Resource Vault:
Free growing guides, charts, and resources
Friday Emails:
Sign up for Jill's Friday Emails
YouTube:
Journey with Jill on YouTube
Instagram:
The Beginner's Garden on Instagram
Podcast Archive:
The Beginner's Garden Podcast
Recommended Brands & Products:
See my recommended gardening brands and products
Amazon Storefront:
Shop my recommended gardening products
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Complete Garden Planner:
Ready for a simple system to plan and track your garden? My Complete Garden Planner makes it easy.
Complete Garden Planner
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.

Not sure what to cover your raised bed soil with this winter?
Cover crops can build soil, suppress weeds, and even provide living mulch.
In this episode, I'll help you choose a cover crop and get started without overcomplicating it.
Free Download: Raised Bed Soil Options
Learn practical, affordable options for building and improving healthy raised bed soil.
https://journeywithjill.net/raised-bed-soil
Cover crops aren't just for large, in-ground gardens. I've been experimenting with them in my raised beds, and I've found several benefits beyond simply adding organic matter. I'll share what happened when I grew mustard and crimson clover, how winter-kill and overwintering cover crops differ, and what you need to think about before choosing one for your garden.
Key Takeaways
Choose cover crops by purpose.

Decide if you want winter-kill.

Plan around spring planting space.

Try crimson clover as living mulch.

Start with just one bed.

Chapters
00:00 – Why consider cover crops
02:20 – Benefits beyond organic matter
06:57 – Living mulch and pollinators
09:02 – Choose crops by purpose
11:21 – Plan around spring planting
13:41 – Raised bed winter differences
16:00 – What happened with mustard
18:14 – Benefits of winter-kill crops
20:38 – Growing crimson clover strategically
22:55 – Terminating clover for mulch
24:41 – What if cover crops reseed?
27:00 – Beginner-friendly winter-kill options
29:19 – Overwintering cover crop options
31:39 – Start small with cover crops
Resource Links
Cover Crops Start to Finish: https://youtu.be/7x3H6_dSH1g?si=sJx876ZTOBCOQrjV 
Beginner's Guide to Cover Crops: https://journeywithjill.libsyn.com/263-beginners-guide-to-fall-cover-crops 
Fall Cover Crops with True Leaf Market: https://journeywithjill.libsyn.com/198-fall-cover-crops-with-true-leaf-market 
Cover Crops for Different Soil Types: https://journeywithjill.libsyn.com/helen-atthowe-fall-cover-crops-for-different-soil-types 
Raised Bed Soil Options:
https://journeywithjill.net/raised-bed-soil
Friday Emails:
https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup
YouTube:
Journey with Jill on YouTube
Instagram:
The Beginner's Garden on Instagram
Podcast Archive:
The Beginner's Garden Podcast
Recommended Brands & Products:
https://journeywithjill.net/recommended-brands-and-products/
Amazon Storefront:
https://www.amazon.com/shop/thebeginnersgarden
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
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.

Think you've missed your chance to plant a fall garden?
You may still have time to grow a harvest, even if September is already here.
The key is knowing your average first frost date and choosing fall crops that can mature in the time you have left.
In this episode, I'll help you figure out what you can still plant based on the number of weeks before your first frost. We'll cover fast-growing greens and radishes, when transplants make more sense than seeds, and why your USDA zone isn't the best number to use for fall planting.
Free Download: Fall Salad Garden Planning Calendar
Know when to plant for fresh greens throughout the fall season.
http://journeywithjill.net/fallsaladgarden
Key Takeaways
Find your average first frost date.

Choose crops based on time remaining.

Direct sow fast-growing greens late.

Use transplants for a head start.

Expect smaller harvests when planting late.

Chapters
00:02 – Is it too late to plant?
02:37 – Find your first frost date
05:32 – How much cold crops tolerate
07:38 – What to plant with limited time
10:03 – Easily sow baby greens
12:28 – Add lettuce, kale, and brassicas
14:51 – Options with eight-plus weeks
17:11 – Where to find fall transplants
19:38 – Why a small garden is worthwhile
21:01 – Match crops to your timeline
Resource Links
Fall Salad Garden Planning Calendar:
http://journeywithjill.net/fallsaladgarden
Friday Emails + Beginner's Garden Resource Vault:
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
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
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.