Feeling discouraged by garden failures? You’re not alone. In this episode, I walk through four issues I faced this year and how I’m troubleshooting each one so you can apply the same practical steps in your garden. You’ll learn simple ways to read plant stress, reduce disease and pest pressure, and plan smarter for next season.

free download: Garlic Planting Cheat Sheet
Your first (or best) garlic crop—timing, spacing, curing.
http://journeywithjill.net/garliccheatsheet

Key Takeaways

• Why peppers sometimes need light shade in hot summers and when to add it

• What root-knot nematodes look like and how cover crops can help

• Signs of southern blight on peppers and prevention options

• Bitter vs. diseased cucumbers: what to change next season

• A gentle reminder to list your wins before planning fixes

Chapters

• 00:00 – Why failure grows better gardeners

• 02:18 – Reframe: successes you might be missing

• 04:12 – Failure #1: Bell peppers + full-sun stress

• 08:53 – Failure #2: Okra + root-knot nematodes

• 19:35 – Sponsor break: Organic Rev + garlic routine

• 21:28 – Time-sensitive: Greenstalk warehouse sale

• 23:06 – Failure #3: Jalapeños + southern blight clues

• 30:22 – Failure #4: Cucumbers—bitterness vs. downy mildew

• 34:36 – Reflect, note, and plan next steps

Resource Links

• Garlic Planting Cheat Sheet (free): 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 — As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Sponsor(s) for this Episode

• Organic Rev – I soak garlic cloves 50/50 Rev-to-water before planting and often water in at ~1 oz/gal during cool-season transplants. Use code JILL10 for 10% off: http://journeywithjill.net/organicrev. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• Greenstalk Vertical Planter – Warehouse sale through October 21. Grab closeout colors while supplies last. Use code JILL10 for $10 off $75+: https://journeywithjill.net/greenstalk. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Soft Paid Mention
Complete Garden Planner – Plan and track your season simply: 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.