Feeling unsure about companion planting when you're actually standing in your garden? You're not alone. It's one thing to read charts, but another to decide what goes where in real time.
In this episode, you'll learn how companion planting really works, including spacing, timing, and practical garden layout strategies that make sense.

Free download: Companion Planting for Pest Control
A simple, practical guide to pairing plants that help naturally reduce pests.
👉 http://journeywithjill.net/companion-planting-for-pest

If companion planting has ever felt confusing or overly complicated, this episode will walk you through step-by-step principles you can actually use in your garden today.

• Companion Planting for Pest Control (free): http://journeywithjill.net/companion-planting-for-pest
• Beneficial insects episode: https://journeywithjill.libsyn.com/235-attracting-beneficial-bugs-to-your-garden-with-jessica-walliser
• 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/

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

Garden in Minutes – Simplify your irrigation setup with an easy-to-install system designed for raised beds.
Get 7% off with code Jill: http://journeywithjill.net/gardeninminutes

Cozy Earth – Premium bedding and loungewear designed for comfort and better sleep.
Use code JILL for a special discount: https://cozyearth.com

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 poor potato harvests or slow growth? You're not alone.
In this episode, you'll learn how to plant potatoes step-by-step for stronger plants and better yields.
From choosing seed potatoes to soil prep and spacing, this potato planting guide will set you up for success.

Potatoes are one of the most rewarding crops you can grow, but planting them correctly makes all the difference. In this episode, I walk you through exactly what to do before planting day, including how to choose the right seed potatoes, whether to chit them, and how to prepare your soil. I'll also share what's worked in my garden over the years, including mistakes I've made so you can avoid them.

free download: Seasonal Garden Task List
Know what to do each month—no more guessing.
https://journeywithjill.net/seasonal-task-list

• Choose certified seed potatoes to protect your soil and improve yields

• Match potato varieties to your cooking goals and growing season

• Prep soil with organic matter and balanced fertilizer

• Plant at the right depth and spacing for strong growth

• Use mulch or light hilling to protect developing potatoes

• Seasonal Garden Task List (free): https://journeywithjill.net/seasonal-task-list

Connect:

• 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
Plan and track your season with my all-in-one downloadable planner: https://shop.journeywithjill.net/

Garden in Minutes – Simplify your watering system with easy-to-use garden grids. Use code Jill for 7% off: http://journeywithjill.net/gardeninminutes

Cross County Nursery – A trusted source for quality plants to support your garden success.

Wood Prairie Family Farm – Certified organic seed potatoes in a wide range of varieties. Use code JILL5 for 5% off: http://journeywithjill.net/woodprairie

As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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.

Spring weather can make planting decisions confusing. Should you plant your cool season crops now, or wait a little longer?
In this episode, you'll learn how to decide the best time to plant lettuce, broccoli, carrots, peas, and other cool season crops with confidence.
If you've ever worried about planting too early or too late, this practical guide will help you read the signals your garden is giving you.

New to edible gardening or restarting after a break? Download my free Garden Cheat Sheet—a simple path to plan, plant, and stay on track.
https://journeywithjill.net/gardening/when-to-plant/

• Understand the temperature range cool season crops prefer

• Learn how frost forecasts influence planting decisions

• Know the soil temperature thresholds for direct sowing seeds

• Avoid common mistakes with soggy soil and early planting

• Gain confidence in reading weather patterns in your own garden

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/

Complete Garden Planner
Plan and track your season with my all-in-one downloadable garden planner.
https://shop.journeywithjill.net/

Garden in Minutes
Garden in Minutes offers a simple irrigation system designed specifically for raised beds, helping you water efficiently and consistently without the hassle of hand watering.
Use code Jill for 7% off your order.
http://journeywithjill.net/gardeninminutes
As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Cross Country Nursery
Cross Country Nursery is a plant nursery that helps gardeners get quality plants delivered so you can get growing faster and with less guesswork.

Use code JILL for 15% off your order. http://www.chileplants.com/jill

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.

• 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

🌱 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/

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

• 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

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.

• 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/

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.