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The Beginner's Garden with Jill McSheehy

473 - What the Spring Garden Taught Me This Year

5/26/202637 min

Struggling with cabbage worms, bolting brassicas, or disappointing cauliflower heads? In this episode, you'll learn practical spring garden lessons from my own Zone 8a garden experience. I'm sharing what worked with cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, onions, and companion planting so you can grow stronger cool-season crops next spring with more confidence.

Free Download: Broccoli, Cauliflower & Cabbage Quick-Start Growing Guide
Learn how to grow productive brassicas with better timing, pest protection, and harvest success.
http://journeywithjill.net/broccoli-guide

Key Takeaways

  • Learn how different cauliflower varieties performed in spring heat
  • Discover which cabbage varieties were most productive and flavorful
  • Hear what helped reduce cabbage worm pressure naturally
  • Learn how crimson clover worked as a companion planting mulch
  • Understand how late freezes affected cool-season crops

Chapters

00:00 – Spring garden reflections
02:15 – Why cauliflower intimidated me
06:45 – Choosing better cauliflower varieties
09:05 – How to blanch cauliflower heads
13:20 – Preventing cabbage worm damage
15:10 – Comparing cabbage varieties
20:10 – Testing crimson clover with broccoli
24:40 – Lessons from a late freeze
26:00 – Growing onions through winter

Resource

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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.

Transcript preview

First 90 seconds

  1. Speaker 10:00

    Big news, Columbus. Wayfair's new store is coming your way. The Wayfair store will open this June right here in Columbus at Gemini Place. Finally, sit on the furniture, test the features, and shop appliances, mattresses, housewares, and way more in person. Plus, enjoy free one-on-one design services and expert project help. The Wayfair store opens this June at Gemini Place. Come see what's in store.

  2. Jill McSheehy· Host0:27

    [upbeat music] Well, hey there, and welcome back to the Beginner's Garden Podcast. As I chat with you today, my garden is starting to transition. In my Arkansas climate zone 8A, May and June are when the garden goes from spring-centered crops to summer ones. I'm currently in the midst of harvesting broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and onions while simultaneously trying to succession plant some of my summer crops like okra and sweet potatoes, and even heat-loving flowers like zinnias and marigolds. But I've learned from past years that if I don't stop and take a moment to reflect on my spring garden, I will miss the lessons it taught me. You think you'll remember everything, just like when your kids are little and you think you'll remember every little thing, and then you see something on your Facebook Memories pop up and you realize, "Oh, I totally forgotten about that." Same thing with the garden. If we're not careful to pause and reflect and remember, and even take notes, we may forget the lessons that it has to teach us. So yesterday,

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