The Beginner's Garden with Jill McSheehy

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.

Trying to plant a fall garden when your beds are still full of summer crops?
You don't have to clear everything at once. A simple bed-by-bed assessment can help you decide what stays, what goes, and where your fall crops can fit.
In this episode, I walk you through how I transition my garden from summer to fall, including how I decide when to remove productive plants, prepare tired soil, add compost, manage mulch and irrigation, and use space underneath taller crops. You'll also learn how I approach direct sowing versus transplants and plan ahead for garlic, onions, and winter beds.
Harvest to Kitchen
Learn step-by-step how I preserve my garden harvest through canning, freezing, and dehydrating. Use code PRESERVIT by August 31 for $50 off.
https://journeywithjill.net/harvest-to-kitchen
Key Takeaways
Decide which summer crops can come out now.

Identify crops you're ready to stop growing.

Refresh cleared beds with about two inches of compost.

Adjust bed prep for seeds versus transplants.

Use taller summer crops for temporary fall shade.

Chapters
00:00 – Harvest to Kitchen sale
01:48 – Assess your fall garden space
04:08 – Know what can come out
06:32 – Make room for fall brassicas
08:49 – Remove crops you're done with
11:12 – Plan what comes out soon
13:34 – Refresh soil for fall planting
15:45 – Prep for seeds and transplants
18:09 – Plant beneath taller crops
20:27 – Use temporary shade wisely
22:13 – Try relay planting
23:05 – Give brassicas enough sun
25:19 – Plan for garlic and onions
27:44 – Harvest to Kitchen reminder
Resource Links
Fall Salad Garden Planning Calendar:
Plan your fall salad garden with planting dates that help you stay on track.
http://journeywithjill.net/fallsaladgarden
Friday Emails:
https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup
YouTube:
https://journeywithjill.net/youtube
Podcast Archive:
https://journeywithjill.net/podcast
Recommended Brands & Products:
https://journeywithjill.net/recommended-brands-and-products/
Amazon Storefront:
https://www.amazon.com/shop/thebeginnersgarden
Harvest to Kitchen
If preserving your garden harvest is something you want to build into your routine, Harvest to Kitchen walks you through canning, freezing, and dehydrating step-by-step in my kitchen. It includes nearly 60 how-to videos and printable recipes, plus new lessons on freezer pickles and candied jalapeños.
Use code PRESERVIT by August 31 to save $50, bringing the price from $149 to $97.
https://journeywithjill.net/harvest-to-kitchen
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.

You worked hard to grow potatoes, onions, garlic, carrots, and sweet potatoes. How do you keep them from spoiling before you can use them?
In this episode, I'll walk you through curing and storing root crops so you can extend their storage life and enjoy more of your garden harvest through winter.
You'll learn the practical differences between curing potatoes and sweet potatoes, why carrots are surprisingly simple to store, and how storage changes for onions depending on whether they matured normally or bolted. I'll also explain what to do when your home doesn't have those perfect "textbook" storage conditions.
Free 4-Day Preserving Kickstart
Not sure whether freezing, water bath canning, pressure canning, or dehydrating makes the most sense for your harvest? Sign up for four short videos, delivered one per day, to help you decide where to start.
https://journeywithjill.net/startpreserving 
Key Takeaways
Cure potatoes in a cool, dark, ventilated space.

Give sweet potatoes warm, humid curing conditions.

Store carrots whole without curing them first.

Cure storage onions until their necks are completely dry.

Keep garlic cool and dark after curing.

Chapters
00:00 – Start with the right preserving method
01:37 – Why root crop storage is different
03:38 – Cure potatoes for longer storage
06:00 – Make home storage conditions work
08:15 – Check potatoes before they spoil
10:22 – Cure sweet potatoes differently
12:43 – Create warm, humid curing conditions
15:02 – Store sweet potatoes after curing
17:23 – Take preserving beyond the basics
19:40 – Store carrots for months
22:03 – Cure onions for storage
24:29 – What to do with bolted onions
26:49 – Choose onions for longer storage
29:08 – Cure and store garlic
31:29 – Keep your harvest through winter
Resource Links
Free 4-Day Preserving Kickstart:
https://journeywithjill.net/startpreserving 
Harvest to Kitchen:
Learn step-by-step methods for harvesting, freezing, canning, dehydrating, and storing your garden produce.
https://journeywithjill.net/harvest-to-kitchen
Harvest to Kitchen is $50 off through August 31. Use code PRESERVEIT to get it for $97 instead of $149.
Friday Emails:
https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup
Recommended Brands & Products:
https://journeywithjill.net/recommended-brands-and-products/
Amazon Storefront:
https://www.amazon.com/shop/thebeginnersgarden
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.