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.

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.)

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.)