I’m a gardening coach – an extra six inches will make planting so much easier, my tips will save you money growing food

ONE garden coach’s methods will help you grow better on a limited budget.

His easy tips are also designed to make planting a pleasure.

3

SMARTER AND SIMPLER

Nicole Johnsey Burke (@gardenaryco), founder of Gardening, Inc.He regularly shares his harvesting tricks with his over a million Instagram followers.

Instead of push-ups, this trainer gives money-saving planting advice to help you grow smarter while keeping things simple.

She also knows that size matters – at least when it comes to plants.

“If you’re growing a garden on a budget, use a short, raised garden bed made from affordable materials. Even six inches tall will make gardening easier,” Burke told The US Sun.

“You can amend your own soil with mushroom compost and some sand to reduce soil costs,” she added.

She also recommends using bamboo trellises or even long sticks for climbing plants.

His company, Gardenary, sells a cedar raised bed with covers for $250.

The bed is described as “perfect” for beginning gardeners as it can hold “lots” of vegetables and salad greens and is easy to assemble.

And that’s not the only trick she has up her sleeve.

“Use seeds to plant to save money on plants,” she said.

“Plants that grow best from seeds are lettuces and greens, root vegetables, peas and beans, cucumbers, pumpkins and melons.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Gardening beginners take note: for more economical ways to grow food, turn to herbs.

“Herbs are the simplest. Just buy a naturally grown plant from a local nursery, plant it and start harvesting immediately,” she said.

Make sure leafy greens are on the list too.

“Plant by seed, keep well watered and start harvesting within a month,” she said.

“Plants will regrow at least two to three times before you start again,” she continued.

The author of Kitchen Garden Revival and Leaves Roots and Fruit also has some pro tips for planting potatoes as well as easy-to-grow legumes.

3

“Just plant the potato six inches down and wait about three to four months. Then dig down and find five to six more potatoes!” she said.

“Beans and peas are also very easy to plant and you will get a lot from just one seed.”

MORE AND MORE

When it comes to maintaining your yard, more is more – at least when it comes to plants.

“Leave less space between plants and they will be easier to care for,” she said.

“With fewer gaps in the planting area, the soil retains moisture and nutrients and there are fewer weeds,” she said.

3

She advises using herbs and flowers near your vegetables to protect them from pests.

“Harvest and harvest frequently and add compost to the surface of the soil every few months to keep your plants sustained with great nutrients,” she said.

Burke also shared her freshest and favorite edible plants.

“I love growing Swiss chard and lots of kale for morning omelets and green smoothies,” she said.

“I also love growing cherry tomatoes on an arch trellis – my favorites are Sungold, Juliet and Black Cherry.”

She even grows six months’ worth of garden salad using her homemade spring mix, arugula and spinach.

“It’s so much better than the store variety,” she said.

PRACTICE MAKES PLANTING PERFECT

Perhaps her biggest tip for starting a garden is to not “give up.”

“Don’t take it personally when a plant doesn’t work out,” she said.

“Gardening is a skill and you will improve quickly if you plant a lot each season,” she added.

“Do your best and write down your lessons for next season.”