GARDEN from Scratch for FREE // ZERO COST Gardening

In this first episode of our Garden From Scratch for FREE, we get started on showing you how to start and grow a new garden for free! Zero cost gardening is the focus in this new organic gardening series. We will take you all the way through the season to show you how our new organic garden thrives with no money spent on gardening. In this series we will show you how to find free compost, how to find free mulch, how to find free vegetable seeds, how to make raised beds for free, how to make your own fertilizer, companion planting and much more.
FIRST EPISODE TABLE OF CONTENTS
00:15 - What this series will include
01:31 - What to consider for garden placement
03:42 - Raised Beds or In Ground Beds
04:55 - Raised Row Method
05:13 - How to get free compost
06:01 - How to avoid and fix these compost problems
08:30 - Free Fertilizer
08:44 - Starting the garden & making our rows
10:07 - How to get free mulch for your garden
10:45 - How to get free Seeds!
MENTIONED LINKS
Cheap & Easy Raised Bed: • How to Make a Simple &...
Chip Drop: getchipdrop.com
Cool Season Crops:
asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, chives, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, Swiss chard, kale, leek, lettuce, onion, parsnips, peas, radishes, spinach, and turnips
Warm Season Crops:
beans, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, melons, peppers, zucchini and summer squash, pumpkin and winter squash, sweet potato, tomato, and watermelon.
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Hey Guys, I’m Brian from Next Level Gardening
Welcome to our online community! A place to be educated, inspired and hopefully entertained at the same time! A place where you can learn to grow your own food and become a better organic gardener. At the same time, a place to grow the beauty around you and stretch that imagination (that sometimes lies dormant, deep inside) through gardening.
I’m so glad you’re here!
(Some of the links here are affiliate links. If you purchase through our links we'll receive a small commission that helps support our channel, but the price remains the same, or better for you!)
PRODUCTS I USE AND LOVE: www.nextlevelgardening.tv/pro...
WHERE TO FIND ME
- Our Website: www.nextlevelgardening.tv
- Our Second Channel, NEXT LEVEL HOMESTEAD: / nextlevelhomestead
- The School of Traditional Skills: bit.ly/3zoFWy1
- Instagram: nextlevelgardening
- Our Facebook Garden Group: / nextlevelgardeners

[@venidamcdaniel1913]

Come on people. Nothing is totally free. This is a great video. Quit nit picking. If use things lying around. You could argue they were purchased before. Everything has a cost. But this is a FANTASTIC VIDEO. WATCH AND LEARN. MY BIGGEST EXPENSE WAS SOIL FOR RAISED BEDS. I’m sad that I don’t have access to some of your suggestions. But it’s good to know.

[@NextLevelGardening]

Thank you! 💯

[@almostoily7541]

Lol How did you know the first thing that popped in my head when I read the title? Anyway, I knew what he meant. I thought it was a good idea for a series. I'm looking forward to the rest of the videos. I'm the gal who replants stuff from the supermarket just to see what will happen 😂 The peppers I planted on purpose last week haven't sprouted yet. But the seeds that were left in a bowl of pepper tops I threw to the chickens two days ago did. I set the bowl down and forgot it. I got distracted taking pics of my seedlings to send to hubby and forgot to take my bowl inside. It rained in it. I found it this morning and planted the sprouted seeds. We'll see what happens 😂😂

[@venidamcdaniel1913]

@@almostoily7541 sounds like something I would do. Like minds. Lol

[@MargaretFinnell]

@@almostoily7541 Sweet Peppers sometimes take forever to sprout.

[@lorraineyanez4301]

Oh yes, I totally agree. The soil. I was just telling someone about this, how much I ve spent on soil already, which is ridiculous, but without it, you can't have a garden. 😢

[@Autism_Forever]

If you buy soil in bags, you can lay them next to each other on the ground, cut top openings, and plant directly in them - and there is your raised beds. It ain't pretty, however, if you are disabled and have very limited processing power and very limited energy, this is a good way to grow at least some food. I have grown in bags of this $1 topsoil that is sold. I added home made compost to topsoil of course. Also be careful because nasty topsoil bags can have broken glass and rusty nails in them. Remember to make drainage holes in the bottom of each bag.

[@emkn1479]

I’ve used most of the Dollar Tree seeds and they are still 4/$1, even with the rest of their cost increases. You may get a little less per packet but it’s still more than enough to grow a large garden. They’re a great option and they have many common varieties including some heirloom selections.

[@chadd990]

Yep, I didn't have a problem growing them last year. The Cayenne pepper seeds that I bought over performed everything else in my garden. My hungarian wax seeds sadly didn't do too well.

[@farnorthhomested844]

i find the corn seeds germinate better the the big buck brands.

[@adairsulhoff5405]

Also, my Walmart had a selection of seeds for $.50, away from the more expensive seeds:). They had the yellow pear tomato seeds I needed.

[@tinabloomfield7228]

and....if you do it right, and save seeds from those crops, you'll never have to buy those seeds again. First harvest.....will pay for itself forever ❤

[@emkn1479]

@@tinabloomfield7228 yes…I’d like to work on that going forward. It’s a process.

[@t3chrs]

Turns out my town has all the resources you mentioned, mulch/compost giveaway, seed library, etc. Thank you for sharing all these ideas.

[@NextLevelGardening]

That's great. You're welcome!

[@user-pq9zc3uc7m]

Just found your channel about a week ago. Been 'low-level' bingeing since. Thank you in advance for this series. I have been trying to garden since I lost my wife 8 years ago. She was a gardener, I was just a hired hand. I thought I had picked up some knowledge from her, but no. I can kill plastic plants. After watching some of your other videos I think you might be just what the Dr. ordered.

[@NextLevelGardening]

Welcome! I'm really sorry to hear about your wife. Many people including myself have found the garden to be a very healing place.

[@user-wh1tk1eh8p]

Yay! I'm so glad you found Brian. As you can tell, a lot of us really enjoy spending time with Brian and learning and sharing. It's so wonderful that you found this amazing community! I found his tomato video a few years ago and 'binged' as well. I'm very, very sorry about the loss of your wife and I'm so impressed that you continue to try gardening! Hopefully she'll be lending a bit of her green thumb to you this year and know that I, and probably others, will be wishing you ALL the best as well.

[@Maris-W]

Your comment made me laugh. I fully understand the plastic plant thing, mee too. Hopefully I'll learn something this time.

[@user-pq9zc3uc7m]

@@user-wh1tk1eh8p TYSM

[@mariap.894]

Sorry for your loss. Hope that when you see a 🦋 butterfly, you could imagine that's your wife coming to visit you in the garden❤ (That's what I think about my Dad😢) Welcome to the group🤗

[@emilypulled312]

I have to make another comment to tell my story because this channel has helped me so much. I don’t use chemicals, I prefer organic gardening. Where I live in the mountains of Arkansas we have very few sources for seeds and plants and due to work schedules for years I could never find the plants I wanted and would either settle for what I could get or try to grow from store bought veggies, and they never turned out. Three years ago I stumbled onto the video on growing potatoes in containers, and yet again I could not find seed potatoes so I used store bought, and the crop was pathetic. The Next Level Gardening video helped me understand and I became a fan. Nowadays, I pre order seeds before I need them, make my own potting mix, start my own plants, and my gardens produce better than they have in years. I am guilty of following the advice of another KZbin gardener that recommended coco coir, be cautious if you try this due to salt content, as I lost use of one of my gardens for a couple of years. This will be my first year using that garden since, and I won’t do that again. This channel has not steered me wrong yet and last year was one of my best gardens in years. This year I finally found the tomato seeds I’ve wanted for a long time, I found the seed potatoes ahead of schedule, I’m 8 weeks from planting and already starting my plants indoors and they look amazing. So, Next Level Gardening, keep up the amazing work, the help you provide, the videos and input, and keep us informed when the shirts are ready, I’ll be a customer for sure. Much love and respect and I look forward to the next video.

[@mrs8792]

I live in southern Missouri and the stink bugs are ruining the flavor of my tomatoes, any advice would be appreciated, than you!

[@emilypulled312]

@@mrs8792 look for his videos on companion plants, it has worked for me.

[@NextLevelGardening]

That means a lot. Thank you so much

[@yeevita]

@@mrs8792 Try draping tulle over your plants. I don't think they can chew through it, especially if you divert them with sacrifice plants, preferably away from your food plants. I don't have too much of a stink bug problem here. The few I have I pick or the birds get them.

[@krickette5569]

I live in the mountains of Arkansas too (North Central Arkansas)! Hiya Neighbor! 👋

[@AylaGrassrootGardens]

I am a single mom just getting started so I appreciate videos that factor in cost. Thank you for showing such a variety of videos. Your chicken coop is a dream come true (I love to dream), but you provide content that is accessible to new gardners as well. I appreciate you on several levels. Thank you!

[@NextLevelGardening]

That means a lot. Thank you

[@taylordaine3881]

Mom to mom, I hope you can get the babies (regardless of how big they may be) out there with you. ❤

[@AylaGrassrootGardens]

@@taylordaine3881 oh I've raised my babies alone for over a decade, they have always been with me. They are teens now and we just moved cross country together 💗

[@michaelsherron5750]

Dreaming is nice because it doesn't require any work. 😄 But, when it's time to take action......

[@AylaGrassrootGardens]

@@michaelsherron5750 well in my situation when it came time to take action, my kids and I moved all the way across the country, and are on a hunt for property now. I'll start simple and make the property magic through time. Dreaming keeps us going, and I genuinely believe it's the first step down the path to action.

[@jeannamcgregor9967]

I played this game during Covid: to see if I could rip out a bunch of backyard landscaping and put in a vegetable garden for $0. I'm fortunate to have city composted green waste and wood chips for free, and I scrounged some beautiful lumber from construction concrete form boards. I did have to pay for seeds, hardware to hold the boards together, and manure that I can't get here in the city. But I came close! Then I started buying fruit trees, but that's another story. 💚

[@MargaretFinnell]

My down fall is the sales at Stark Bros'. I have a beautiful collection of fruit trees and berry bushes. I was able to share some fruit.

[@user-qx1om2wj1h]

Yes fruit trees are high in price, but totally worth it they last for years and you can take cutting from them to produce more trees.

[@midwestribeye7820]

I'm growing my own fruit trees for free. I found apple, pear, plum, and peach trees in my town. I bartered to get some fruit and saved/stratified the seeds. I realize the fruit will be different than the parent plant, but I'm OK with that.😊

[@mousepolice55]

I've been buying fruit trees too. The fruits I love because they are just so expensive in the stores. Even before the grocery prices shot up things like peach, nectarine were expensive. I'm having a hard time placing my newest tree, I'm running out of room😂

[@janetfitzgerald5794]

to Jeanna...used and air dried beef marrow bones are great for fruit trees and grape vines. they will provide 20 years of calcium & bountiful fruit, planted at the dripline. (courtesy of Diana Beresford Kroeger's book)

[@danapfister8709]

I just got seed packets from Dollar Tree yesterday 4 for $1.00. I couldn’t resist!! :)

[@NextLevelGardening]

Oh even cheaper than I thought. Awesome!

[@annsaunders5768]

Some of these seeds are not the varieties pictured, and often they are not plants that grow large enough to be worth the trouble. Best to get the more expensive ones to start with.

[@Autism_Forever]

You can save seeds from food you eat. Cucumbers, tomatoes, melons, strawberries, pineberries, peppers, apples, pears, and such. Some will be sterile but all you got to lose is couple weeks when you know they won't germinate. I have two apple trees that I grew from apple seeds. I have grown watermelons, honeydew melons, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, pineberries from food that I ate. When you wash seeds, put them in cup of water to see which ones are hollow and sterile, they will float to the top. Throw those away so you don't waste your time. Some seeds such as pineberries, need light to germinate so don't cover them up with soil and just keep them moist. I usually just put pieces of plexiglass from old picture frames and such on top of pots I germinate them in, until they really start going and are strong enough to be uncovered. I do it on windowsill. If you do outside, be careful and don't place in direct sun or they will bake under that glass. Good luck ♥

[@KateTheMama]

Yep, I just realized this morning I forgot to get pepper seeds so when I was sowing today I just grabbed some seeds from a pepper in my fridge. I figure if it doesnt germinate I've still got a bit of time to buy a packet or just buy seedlings from the farmers market in a few weeks. No biggie 😉

[@Autism_Forever]

@@KateTheMama Best of luck with your garden ♥ I have grown some awesome peppers from food seeds, both sweet and hot ones. The only thing with hybrids - original parental plant will usually grow out of collected seeds, not the hybrid itself. Oh well :))))

[@KateTheMama]

@@Autism_Forever i tried 2 varieties: one is just a standard yellow bell pepper, the other is a very long sweet red pepper, probably a foot long. My kids LOVE it. I guess it's a bit sweeter than the standard bell. I don't know what the variety is so it's definitely an experiment 😉

[@Nocare89]

I use a ziplock and a damp tissue to do germination tests. I test whether the seeds are from my garden or collected from foods. I do that before I commit to bagging and labeling that batch of seeds. I also record the germination % and year :) This way I don't have to actually be planting them to figure out if they are viable.

[@steveegbert7429]

A tip for anyone who has to buy seeds, many seed companies and stores will deeply discount their seeds near the end of the year. This is because the US government mandates that all seed packs be dated "packed for YYYY" and they cannot be sold after the end of the year. The seed is fine and will keep for a long time.

[@almostoily7541]

Yes! And I also buy perennials when they are discounted, too. They may look bad but they come back the next year just fine. I have bushes I bought for $1 each that are already starting to branch out. And bulbs breaking ground in containers I bought on clearance, too.

[@steveegbert7429]

@@almostoily7541 Good tip! The stores would surely rather make something, if even a little, than have to throw them out.

[@NextLevelGardening]

💯

[@PlantObsessed]

I also get free seeds from the grocery store veggies. It works for tomatoes, peppers and potatoes.

[@nic.h]

I've successfully started onions from store brought as well by chopping off the base and sticking the surviving roots in water. They eventually resprouted and I seperated the sprouts and planted. One flowered and I'm just waiting on the seeds to finish maturing to save for next year. I've got potatoes, tomatoes, capsicums, onions all started from store brought. Strawberries I got given a few small starters and have been propagating this season, hoping to end up with a dozen or so established plants for next season. Similar for Sweet Potatoes. So it's certainly possible to establish a reasonable garden with essentially zero costs for seeds with a bit of extra effort and time.

[@judyp464]

Thank you for the tip of cardboard over the lawn, then compost. I was already thinking of all the digging! Yay! No digging now lol

[@NextLevelGardening]

💯

[@sharonparker2262]

Great way to recycle cardboard after all tape is torn off. I have a pile in my garage just waiting. Plus some discount stores will give them to you if you ask

[@venidamcdaniel1913]

Furniture stores Are great for snagging large pieces of cardboard

[@NachoCheese00]

@@venidamcdaniel1913 Yes, and appliance centers too. They always have refrigerator, dishwasher, and so forth. I've also gotten the large watermelon boxes from the grocery store. Those really speed up the process in covering a lot of ground.

[@skim9251]

This info is fantasic, thank you! I've gardened for many years now, but I am a frugalista at heart, so I thoroughly enjoy these types of videos. I will gently caution others to be aware that bringing home free compost and/or wood chips might introduce some unwanted guests to your garden. (Ask me how I know...) We had a tree company generously dump two big trucks' worth of chips into our garden. We ended up with Asian cockroaches, ants, and termites. Just something to be aware of, in my humble opinion. I can also speak to Dollar Tree seeds. The company they use (in my area) is American Seed Company. I used them often with good success. My Dollar Tree sells them 25 cents each.

[@ericgeorgetruckgrilling]

I bought some recently and noticed alot of non GMO. But then most vegetables are non GMO.

[@NextLevelGardening]

Thanks for sharing!

[@leslieapplegate65]

I got a load of free wood mulch from the county and it had a dead coyote in it.....

[@lyndelgado6138]

Mine had ticks! Free mulch from city.

[@krickette5569]

Yes! I've used them as well! They do pretty well but I'd advise to plant more than you think you will need.

[@peggybreaux8973]

Also cover growing from what vegetables you get from the grocery store. Peppers,tomatoes, bottom of green onions,sprouting potatoes etc. I am 4 ft off the ground so i have pots on my steps. I rake leaves from my neighbors to help make mulch etc. I could go on for ever 😂

[@almostoily7541]

Yes and some things that don't regrow the veggies themselves often will bolt and you can plant the seeds. Think of biennial plants. Carrot tops, turnips, etc. you won't get the roots but the greens are edible and they will produce seeds. You might end up with a plant that is different from the veggie you bought but usually they will be edible. Once I grew a paste tomato seed and I got a grape tomato that had a really thick skin and it was slightly fuzzy. Not like a peach fuzzy, it was way less than that. It was weird. But it tasted alright and none of us died that ate it 😂 My sister in law was so fascinated by it she took some to show a friend of hers the fuzzy tomatoes 🍅😁

[@NextLevelGardening]

Great idea!

[@oshawott4544]

I hope this series really takes off, a lot of people will need this information

[@NextLevelGardening]

Me too!

[@nadinehansen9241]

I have a few comments about Dollar Tree seeds. First, they come into the store pretty early--quite a while before I can even think about starting seeds indoors, let alone outside, where the ground is still frozen. That isn't a problem, except that you have to be ready to plan ahead about what you want to grow. Second, the seed packets don't have a lot of seeds in them. For some things that it great because you don't waste money buying a lot of seeds that you won't ever use. For instance, although I grow a lot of tomatoes, I like to grow a lot of different varieties, not a lot of the same variety. Same for squash, cucumbers and melons. For beans, I would have to buy several packets. I buy some Dollar Tree packets every year and their germination rate is fine.

[@yeevita]

Not only can you get plants and seeds from the supermarket plants and herbs and spices, but you can also scrounge from walks around the neighborhood or join garden clubs for seeds and cuttings. Get to know other gardeners. They always have more plants, seeds and clippings that they love to share. As for growing containers, I use my big yogurt containers. They last quite well in my sun. I use them indoors for kratky hydroponics and outdoors for quart/gallon pots with big holes on the bottom. I have noticed that the second I reuse items I already buy, suddenly I have so much that I cannot keep it all, even though I do try. I use yogurt cups to keep seeds in as they dry. I collect drinks cups from the few times we get drinks from fast food places - we do not go often, but after years of collecting, I have a lot of cups - to use for plant starting, more pots, double cupping, etc. I think re-using what you already have is very good and I would consider that free, since everyone just throws it all away. My raised beds are all from old lumber lying around from my husband's projects. I get enough mulch from our food waste and our own leaves, though I will rake up whatever leaves blow over since my location is very windy.

[@tinad8561]

McDonald’s has a clear plastic cup with lid that’s excellent as a mini-greenhouse (I’ve got several with yellow mangoes started in them.)

[@danapfister8709]

Ready! Let’s do this!

[@NextLevelGardening]

Yes!

[@kat6084]

I already have the beds in place for years, but did build from free scrap lumber. We do have free compost here. i AM creating a new native pollinator garden but already bought the seeds. Still watching the videos though.

[@NextLevelGardening]

That is awesome!

[@leslieapplegate65]

At the end of the summer, lots of the large stores want to get rid of their bags of garden soil and will sell it cheap. I asked the manager at Tractor Supply if she would sell me the whole pallet of bags for a buck a bag and got 50 of them...they are sitting on a pallet waiting for spring....

[@wadawas]

Wow! I wish! That doesn't happen where I live! They are kept at full price right up until put away for winter

[@FreedomLovinLady]

We did the same thing, found soil that was organic and full of nutrients and got over 30% off and a few free half bags for taking the last bags off a pallet near the end of winter. It had been sitting there since the season before, so the manager cut us a deal. Great for a quick start.

[@bluepsiongamer4909]

When I started gardening I used my food stamp benefits to buy seeds and couple seedlings. I got a lot more benefit out of that then a bag of rice or whatever I would have gotten! You have to be resourceful because nothing is actually free you'll be paying for it in time or someone else will be paying for you. Another great tip is to go to yard sales and estate sales. People will nearly pay you to cart off old bags of soil and fertilizers sometimes even planters.

[@Eyes2C.]

I’ve been waiting for this! Thank you sir!

[@NextLevelGardening]

Hope you like it!

[@radagast7200]

Im hooked on using the 5 gallon buckets with holes drilled in the bottom. I love that I can move them when it gets too cold or hot and that i dint have to worry about what my neighbors use in their yards. I had one neighbor flood my entire garden with chlorine because he decided to drain his above ground pool...

[@juliepoolie5494]

Yep, my neighbor drained his pool too. Put the hose right next to the fence so it flooded our trees. (None of the drainage went in his yard). I raised concerns (nicely) and now they don’t speak to us or any other neighbor . Can’t make this stuff up.

[@gardengrrlWendy]

Oh no! That is horrible! I'm glad to hear 5 gallon buckets work for you--my neighbors have HUGE redwood trees right next to my fence--there's nothing I can do to stop them coming up in my raised beds and compost bin, so I'm going to start using buckets as well.

[@stephanieg5195]

Brian, this is going to be a great series! I love how there is no demeaning of those who are not able to go buy everything they need to create a garden. You do a wonderful job at explaining all that is needed to be done just with our own two hands! I have been gardening for decades and am using raised beds now but I started off all those years ago by planting in a plot of dirt! For all of you first timers…..you can do it!

[@Bluesage2024]

I have my notebook ready. Learning from the best. Thank you

[@NextLevelGardening]

Good!

[@user-wh1tk1eh8p]

isn't he great?! I cancelled my other youtube subscriptions for gardening channels because I don't need them now that I've found next level gardening (and next level homesteading, of course)

[@almostoily7541]

Something lower cost if you need to buy herb plants is to look in the produce department. Where I live the stores sell organic herbs in pots for less than a garden center. Some stores have them for less than their own garden centers lol Also, some veggies you buy can be grown to use a different way. Carrot tops are edible and you can replant the top and get the greens. They will also bolt and you can then get seeds. Same for turnips. I also save the bottom of my cabbage cores. If you tear off the leaves you can see sprouts coming from the stem of the core. I cut these apart and root in an aluminum pan of soil. Then when they have new growth I transplant them into totes or spots in the garden that are empty. Usually I only get loose leaf heads. The ones i have now looks like I might actually get regular heads of cabbage. We'll see what happens. I believe most things that are biennial will bolt and produce seeds if you replant whichever part can be replanted. Oh, and regular bulb onions will multiply. Once I got five onions from one I planted that sprouted. They didn't get as big as the original but I have never had any of my onions get as big as they should. Probably gardener error 😂 I'm really looking forward to seeing this series. And I am also looking forward to seeing the other tips in the comments!

[@NextLevelGardening]

Yes!

[@O.C.Gardener]

Just so you know, and we viewers know, Orange County, CA, offers free compost and mulch in Irvine at Bee Canyon Landfill. I am in the middle of setting my garden up and have already made multiple trips. I look forward to the rest of this series!

[@NextLevelGardening]

Thanks for the info!

[@tynelson4672]

I’m 61 partially disabled hand on fix income I think this is a great video. There is a paint store in my neighborhood that gives away their pallets, so I’m planning to convert them into 3 foot tall raise beds. I am fortunate to have one of the few sunny front yards in my neighborhood. I have a lot of limbs that I’ve been saving from my pecan trees and palm trees that I intend to put in the base of the raise beds. Thank you for the advice of using hardware cloth I do have moles. The other critters I gotta figure out her squirrels, raccoons and kitty cats. I had taken some pallets last year put some lag under them and build a box to just plant tomatoes and peppers. I ran a marching trellis between the boxes and grew cucumbers. The problem was that Savannah is on the coast and we get the occasional 50 to 60 mile an hour wind. They blew two of my boxes over.

[@almostoily7541]

Try sprinkling hot ground cayenne pepper on your garden for the cats and squirrels. I don't know about racoons. They take my compost containers I sink into my containers. I never found the last one. I'm sure the neighbors appreciated my container of scraps 😜 I hope they carried it to the woods and I just overlooked it. I will eventually find it there.

[@annienewman8312]

my local public library does a seed exchange.

[@happycamper4ever873]

Great idea for a series Brian!❤ will need shovel, small hands…😂

[@NextLevelGardening]

Lol. Thanks

[@Malenkia]

Just a suggestion with getting the free compost, also check with the local/State/University Horticulture Society. They have a LOT of resources, free classes and events, and list seed and plant swaps. They can also tell you if you need to be careful about getting compost or soil from the city. We've had a couple years now with Jumping Worm issues in the area and the Hort Society was great about getting the word out. So that's where you may want to at least check in if there's anything going on to be aware ofabout getting from the city sites because most don't sterilze and then you wind up bringing them (or other pests) home.

[@NextLevelGardening]

Thank you for sharing that

[@D71219ONE]

My yard is surrounded by massive maple and oak trees both in my yard and in my neighbor’s. The entire yard is shaded. The soil is hard pan clay. There is a large office building built up on a hill behind my house, and their drainage flows into my yard and causes the entire yard to be covered in 2-3 inches of water every time it rains. It’s the perfect storm of having a garbage awful garden space. I somehow have luck with smaller peppers and eggplants. I can get some squash, but the flooding often wrecks them. Tomatoes are a nightmare, but I’m trying new varieties this year, and I’m hopeful. I’ve raised my in-ground bed (rows) up quite a bit, and it’s helped. Im thinking about growing living pathways in between the rows to help soak up some water.

[@lisaf568]

I have been here for a long time, and Brian you always come though for us! I am so excited for this. I did not know about the Seed Library. What we do here is on the NextDoor app, I belong to the gardeners group. So when I have extra seedlings/seeds I post it, and we swap that way too. Last year my zucchini I planted 10 expecting 6 or 7 I got all 10 and they were all big and healthy. I posted it and someone swapped me a few flower seedlings, and one a tomato. Lots of fun to see what others in my area grow successfully!

[@NextLevelGardening]

That's cool! I didn't k ow about that

[@lizmckissick3996]

Thank you Brian! Free is always welcome in my budget ❤

[@NextLevelGardening]

You're welcome

[@denniskurszewski2707]

That gives me a whole new plan for this year , I got bad legs and use a cane but love to garden . Directly if front of my house it gets the most sun it's sloped and has underground sprinkler lines which I can tap into for drip lines. Thank You Very Much !!

[@NextLevelGardening]

Perfect! You're very welcome

[@juneritchie2498]

GREAT introduction, Brian! I'm looking forward to the rest of the series. I fondly recalled my mother's first raised beds without borders and how much she enjoyed the freedom from hoeing weeds.

[@NextLevelGardening]

Thank you

[@puntagordaisles]

One often overlooked free addition to garden soil is charcoal, which can be made by simply burning wood scraps, then snuffing the embers. Charcoal contains micropores, which help with hydration, aeration, nutrition retention, as well as habitation for microbes. As an example, Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) has a phenomenal surface area of 1,050 square meters per gram. (This is not a misprint.) "Charcoal increases the soil's ability to hold onto plant nutrients and beneficial soil microbes by slowing or reducing the leaching of nutrients by rain or watering. The low density of charcoal lightens heavy soils, which allows better root growth, increasing drainage and allowing air into the soil."

[@ChrisKsGarden]

Happy Sunday! I am not exactly a new gardener. I got back into gardening when I moved (fall 2020) to my current house with a backyard. I have been watching your videos ever since, both here and on NLH. I didn't think I would need to watch a 'starting to garden' video. But it's reminding me of what I need to do to get started. It's actually inspiring me to get started. 😊 I took some time off since November. I love gardening. But I have some mobility issues. Maintaining a garden is a lot of work. It is a labor of love. But it takes a lot out of me. Now, I am ready to start. I look forward to these Sunday gardening videos! Thank you for another helpful and timely video. 🌱 Christine (NJ, 7a)

[@NextLevelGardening]

You're welcome!

[@rosabandera_home]

Love this. It can be intimidated and costly from the "influencer" side of youtube and social media. The basics of gardening is simple- let nature runs its course and enjoy your time in garden! 😊

[@NextLevelGardening]

Absolutely!!

[@julzb6047]

Thanks for the tip about Chip Drop!!! That's fantastic! Excited to start gardening this year, and looking forward to more vidz. Thanks Brian!

[@pjsviking]

Ugghhh that grazon is wicked stuff. Knew it was a herbicide but didn't know hung in like that. As always, another great informative, professionally done, yet down to earth video. You go Brian!!

[@NextLevelGardening]

Thank you

[@wildbullfrog957]

Thanks for sharing your home build. But even more important is your drive and passion. Consider me totally inspired.

[@johntheherbalistg8756]

9:15 We, as gardeners, don't get to decide if we have weeds or not 😂

[@NextLevelGardening]

🤣🤣 yea that was worded wrong

[@suzanalbright8670]

Brian, this video got your new series off to a great start! All the best to you on this exciting adventure which I know will help many viewers. ❤

[@geedee2420]

I have access to a palethera of free "stickers" ,basically 2X4's that are 44" long used to lift plywood up enough for a forklift to get its forks under... I use them to build raised beds.

[@sonyahogan5673]

Let's go! I'm all in!😊

[@NextLevelGardening]

Let's go!

[@mariap.894]

Hahahaha 😂😂😂😂😂 I'm loving YOU more and more with each video!!! Shame I can only give you only one thumb up. Lol ❤❤❤❤❤😂👍

[@NextLevelGardening]

Wow. Thank you!

[@midwestribeye7820]

A seed library sounds interesting!

[@juliepoolie5494]

That seed library is very cool. We don’t have anything like that.

[@Dreamzz101]

you can get your seeds from some of the things you buy in the store most people toss.. like cucumber, bell pepper, jalapeno, strawberry, honeydew , cantaloupe .. even some things like basil, thyme, rosemary , mint, or even green onions, potatoes , garlic, and sooo much more

[@ilsesmith9493]

The cardboard boxes on top of the lawn is going to save me so much money! Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[@NachoCheese00]

Thanks for all you do!! You are a solid source of pertinent information for not only new gardeners, but all gardeners. It's really nice to see this kind of content in our "throw-away" society. Having grown up in the 60's & 70's, "repurposing" was a must. We just didn't have the types of stores and outlets we have now, and the few we had were far away, so we reused, and re-furbished to other uses. When I became disabled 7 years ago, and lost half of our income overnight, then had to wait a year and a half to fight for disability, I decided to get back to some of my roots. The garden was the best place to start. It kept me moving out in the sun and dirt. That in itself Saved my body and soul. My first planter was recycle bins that were not picked up after contract was over. I 'm still using them I'm not able to bend much and decided the dirt needed to come up to me. My husband found a small wooden crate at work and put legs on it to a 30' height. It was Perfect, and lasted almost 6 years. We haven't built any others yet, but what I am using are boxes & storage totes of all shapes and sizes. I'm amazed how long the boxes last!! If they blow out on the sides, I take a slat of wood and whatever I have to pound into the ground to keep the wood against the box, and Wa-La!! Another couple of seasons! It's not pretty, by I've been able to grow what we like, and share with family and Neighbors. I get free 5 gallon pickle buckets and lids from the local store with a deli for rain water catchment.

[@theveggievlog9064]

Thank you for mentioning seed libraries! I've used my local library for seeds for the past few years, both taking and donating, and I love it! Such an underutilized resource.

[@NextLevelGardening]

You are so welcome! It is

[@esthersdaughterlong8149]

Wonderful Brian, I've been looking forward to our Sunday's together. I always learn so much from you. I only have a patio so I grow everything in grow bag's. Hopefully you will touch on this subject.

[@NextLevelGardening]

Glad youre here! I will be!

[@valeriekneitinger408]

My first year using grow bags, so I'm happy to hear they'll be in the line up 😊

[@alysonbaker939]

What an exciting series. Even though I’ve been gardening for 20+ years, I’m always learning. I used to do the raised beds with just soil and had good success. Listening to your show, I now know why, ha ha. Presently, I have wood raised beds and love them. I save some seeds but looking forward to learning more about seed saving. Thanks for another great show.

[@NextLevelGardening]

You're welcome!

[@charlanpennington3989]

On your tiny tomato seeds, spread to dry on paper towels, clip into 1 or 2 seed bits when dry. Plant whole paper bit. Easiest.

[@yulduzrakhimova4376]

another way to get free seeds is saving seeds from store vegetables. I had great success with pepper seeds and a lot of fruit seeds. Even tomato seeds are viable but I dont like and eat store tomatoes anymore.

[@ted1728]

Last year found some nice farmers market tomatoes, dried out the seeds and planted them.Not free but I got many many plants from one tomato.

[@barbaramix1683]

This winter I have grown 2 apricot trees, 1 tangerine tree, and 4 apple trees from fruit I bought at the grocery store on food stamps. I want to be a producer, not just a consumer. Last year i grew bell peppers, and tomato plants from vegetables I bought at the grocery store. I had so many, that I had to give them away to others in need. I also got live basil and planted it in a pot two years ago. I bring it in every winter and hang it by a sunny window. I pull the dandelion leaves off the plants and feed them to my chickens. Food is everywhere. We just don't recognize it anymore.

[@janetaleman8592]

I love the way you not only tell us what we need to do but you explain why. That is so rare and there are plenty of people, like me, who want to know the reasons why we do things, Thank you. Also, great voice. Very easy to listen to.

[@blacksinglemomhomesteadont6454]

Nice video especially for a single mom on a budget. I didn't know about the mushroom compost but I have already registered for ChipDrop and contacted our county about free wood chips, etc. They don't offer in my area. Tip to get free dirt by the 5-ton truck load. Contact any company who digs in ground pools. They are looking for nearby places to drop off all the dirt. I got tons from a church who allowed them to dump on their premises. They're trying to get it off the premises fast so you must be nearby or at the least willing to pay them gas to get it to you.

[@diannasgardenmenagerie967]

This is a fantastic program you’re doing, I love it. I’m gonna follow along with one of my beds and treat it like a new one!

[@craighalle7892]

Another fabulous video Brian. I watched Joe Lampl to learn about raised beds and MIgardener showed me how to make them or I might not be gardening now. A lot of great helpful tips in this video. I am excited to watch the next one.

[@NextLevelGardening]

Thanks!

[@JAMarlow]

Seeds from the local seed bank are wonderful. We have one at our local library and the great thing is that there are now several varieties of vegetables, herbs, and flowers that have been grown, seeds taken, and donated that they are adapted to our local climate. It's a great way to get a good start on your garden as the plants will most likely work wonderfully for you. Long live the local seed bank!

[@suzilouden5964]

Thank you Brian. Best regards to you & your family from Western France

[@NextLevelGardening]

Same to you!

[@kayrussell7535]

Thank you for doing this series. I rent on a nice size property here in So Cal but the land is decomposed granite. I plan to do my first garden in containers. I do have a horse but I knew that one only uses a small portion of manure in the compost, but after watching this, I do wonder about the use of the herbicide on the alfalfa and bermuda grass that he eats. There is a giant pile of wood chips that been sitting for years so I think I can get some good material from there to incorporate too. Thank you again for this wonderful series.

[@NextLevelGardening]

You're welcome

[@docgrannrsgardencooking8719]

YEAH!!!!! 👏👏👏👏

[@NextLevelGardening]

👍😁

[@gailgreenberg6953]

You look so happy it warms my heart!

[@venidamcdaniel1913]

I got some horse manure from friend n found out (luckily before I used it) pesticides were used on grass 2 years ago. Put into black trash cans n poured the water to it all summer long. Tested it and I can use it this year. So was lotta work but I have big trash cans of usable horse manure now. Depends on your commitment what you are willing to do??

[@Xearrik]

As far as water costs, maybe you can make a side video about rain collecting, and gutterless rain collecting since most solutions use gutters but not everybody has them.

[@NextLevelGardening]

Great point!

[@user-ky6cp1bm3g]

Go Epic Gardening, he has a few videos on collecting rain water, Kevin is spot on, he did a good job on his property.

[@lindafreeman1687]

Great video. I love using reclaimed things. When I had my cedar wood fence replaced I saved all the fence boards, runners and posts. I have built 12 raised beds and two compost bins using these fence boards. The only issue I've had is filling the beds. I made mine two boards tall so they are about 16" tall. I did start with leaves, small branches and grass clippings. Each year I add my compost and some soil I buy at the end of the season when I can get it when they mark it down at the end of the season.

[@yeevita]

You can use your normal dirt over the branches, etc. If your dirt can grow weeds, it can grow veggies.

[@lindafreeman1687]

@@yeevita That would work but I don't have the extra soil. I live in town on a small lot and there is no extra soil.

[@yeevita]

@@lindafreeman1687 I meant just the dirt in your yard, but that's ok. My mom grew for years in our 1-bedroom apartment in pots in the apartment, just outside the door, and along the steps, with very little dirt. We actually grew some things in just bottles of water. I still do that. I use different hydroponic solutions in different locations, as it is interesting to see the differences. You can make your own feed, of course, by soaking plant materials/weeds, or using pond water, or soaking compost.

[@GardeningwithDave]

Learning to save my own seeds has been a game changer this year. Great video!

[@Nocare89]

Last spring I just walked into the yard and cleared away grass. Got $20 of fertilizer (slow dry & miracle grow dissolvable) and some seeds. I got a compost fork the fall before to handle blackberry waste. My kale is now going to seed this spring and I've expanded from a 3x3' to a 3x18'. Got like $40 of soil stuff this year and that's just a luxury. At this rate that fertilizer from before is gonna last 10 years. My radishes and cilantro this year will be from my own seed stock too. I used cardboard and leaves for my expansion. I put 6in of leaves on the cardboard and watered it twice a day. I added another layer in fall and then tarped it with blue one I had. It's wet here so the cardboard mostly went away. Grass mostly killed. Not totally but good enough. Much easier than my hardcore dig and sifting of sod last year lol. Anyway this video of yours hits home in a nice way :) So many youtubers make it seem like you need a huge investment. Even my step dad was talking about bricks and a dump truck of dirt.. I'm like naaaaw, watch me lol. I didn't know about any public resources until later. I didn't end up doing the compost when I did know just because I'm concerned about pfas from composting food containers.

[@donpanzer5348]

For those worried about free compost or wood chips. If you have the space, get what you need (plus about 20% more to account for decomposition) and pile it out of the way for next year. That should take care of any unwanted things and make for a better compost. Don't forget to rake tge pile around once a month. The birds will eat any critters and it helps speed decomposition.

[@donnajurewicz4945]

Hi , i'm in Michigan i've got to wait for a couple months for spring but you've givin me alot of ideas. Can't wait for next sunday.

[@goldierocks.]

In testing for Grazon, you can also quickly grow sweet pea seedlings. Once they’re a nice healthy size, water some of them with hay soaked water or compost water. The peas will soon show herbicide damage if there is any in the hay or compost.

[@loharp]

Very excited about this

[@NextLevelGardening]

Me too!

[@jeansandhoodiegardengal2975]

Everything you said was spot on!!!!! Absolutely fabulous

[@alicecowan3499]

I’m not real new to gardening but always love to watch info. It’s been dumping snow here in Eastern Washington all morning and tomorrow is my carpal/ cubital tunnel surgery. Hoping to get some gardening done this year as then they are doing surgery on my left hand after the right hand heals… ugh🤦🏼‍♀️😂 love watching Brian and say hello to Emily ❤

[@SuleymanAkhundov]

Hi! I am a beginner gardener from Illinois. My main motivation to start gardening was my frustration with inability to find certain quality veggies in stores and even farms. So far I have been gardening for two years, and I am at a point when I am wondering if it was worth the effort. My frustration for the most part is related to cucumbers. I love cucumbers, or I should say used to love them. I am originally from Azerbaijan, a small country to the west of the Caspian sea. That area is known for exceptionally tasty veggies and fruit. The salads are usually so tasty you do not need any dressing to enjoy them - just sprinkle a bit of salt and a few drops of vinegar for acidity. Here in the US I got used to eating most of the locally produced veggies with some exceptions. I find local cucumbers barely eatable, both grown in soil and hydroponically. I am not sure what was done to the US cucumber stocks, but they frequently have unpleasant smell and little to no natural flavor. Originally I was told it was because I was buying my veggies in the normal grocery stores. So I tried the "organic" varieties from stores like Whole Foods and the likes. I did not find much of a difference in the quality. Then people told me to try local farms, and that did not help much either. I could still smell that slight stench coming the cucumbers. Normal cucumbers never have any unpleasant smell. Quite the opposite - you start slicing a good cucumber and that magical aroma will quickly fill your house. Local cukes however smell like they were treated with some chemicals. Besides the smell, most local varieties have large seeds and very thick skins leaving little room for the "meat" inbetween. Long story short, a couple of years ago I gave up trying to find decent cukes and decided to grow them in the backyard. My thinking was that since I would be growing them myself I would make sure no bad fertilizers would be used, thus I woul get a good crop. I bought a couple of 4x4 raised beds from Costco (great product btw), then bought some seeds online having researched the varieties that are optimal for oir climate, reportedly had thinner skins and with the promise to deliver flavor-rich crunchy fruit. I do not remember the exact variety name, but I remember it had F1 at the end. Later I added a couple more "organic" seed packs purchased from local stores in to the mix. Of course I also planted tomatoes, peppers, and some herbs for a good measure. Skipping some rookie gardener mistakes, I managed to get decent crops of herbs, peppers and tomatoes. However my cucumbers while better than store-bought still had that same smell even though I made sure to use only the organic fertilizers that recommended by other gardeners. Last year, I went a slightly different route and purchased two cucumber varieties from a popular local farm - one was of slicing the other was a pickling variety. Again, most crops was pretty good except for the cucumbers. Still a bit smelly, thicker skins and larger than desired seeds. Now that we are getting closer to spring time I am wondering if there is a way to get good cucumber variety seeds here. I am told I cannot import seeds from abroad and must use the "US stock". I know my rant above would probably confuse you. When talking to most of my neighbors here, people here seem to be accustomed to local varieties and cannot understand what I am talking about. The only people who understand my rants are others who grew up in other parts of the world and know how the real cukes should taste. So, if anyone reading this post knows where to getthe seeds that will produce cucumbers that taste like the ones grown in Europe or Asia, please let me know. I appreciate your help and advice.

[@Kathysart]

Ohh… so exciting!

[@terrycampbell8173]

I’m in! Just what I need for inspiration!

[@NextLevelGardening]

Good!

[@TheCrazeenana]

I have been going to every dollar tree and get a lot of seeds they are.25c here now trying to collect seeds of my own 😁 love your videos and I have your book companion planting for beginners read through it several times. 😂I live In Florida zone 10b

[@valeriekneitinger408]

Me too! I'm about 3/4 of the way thru the first reading and need to make time to go back and take notes

[@NextLevelGardening]

That is awesome! Thank you

[@NextLevelGardening]

Thank you

[@deannasilva8891]

Great info Brian. Looking forward to the whole series.

[@NextLevelGardening]

Awesome, thank you!

[@justynwolf6402]

Brian, you are just a gem! This video was so well planned and explained. You obviously take time to organize your thoughts. Your presentation is wonderfully friendly and welcoming. We are immensely grateful for your kind & honest posts which share your gardening (and homesteading) knowledge and insights. You are a wonderful teacher and encourager. We follow you here and on your Next Level Homesteading channel as well. Just: Thank you! And yes, thank you, Emily and Noah for all their support as well.

[@NextLevelGardening]

Thank you so much! ❤️

[@patkrueger7353]

Great video. Loved the Ed part. Thank you for this and have a great day.

[@NextLevelGardening]

Thanks, you too!

[@tjimmyjoe253]

Great video Brian. I’m a long term fan and enjoyed the refresher information. You make me anxious to get started. Love your content. Keep up the good work.

[@MrsAsamoah]

Awesome 🤩

[@naturekins604]

If water is a challenge and also if you like to travel or have to go a bit between waterings then my newest beds are for you . I turned several free old freezers into a self watering raised bed . There are lots of videos on making self watering beds and they are a game changer. I wanted a raised bed for my mom who is in a wheelchair so raised beds were just the ticket and self watering made life so much easier in our dry summers. I fill mine with the downspout when we get an occasional rain and then fill with the hose the rest of the time.

[@CeciliaMorris]

Chip Drop was a new one for me, and I have immediately signed up! Thank you for the tip.

[@user-wh1tk1eh8p]

Thank you so much Brian! What an amazing first installment of this series! We're still getting snow here in zone 5, but I'm so excited to get going now! I do have one hot pepper plant in my kitchen that I'm trying to overwinter, per your videos on that subject (which could really help in zone 5). And, as a little contribution to the free compost information, I recently started brewing kombucha to help with gut microbiome, but now I hear the extra scobies make great compost! Double-win!

[@NextLevelGardening]

Awesome. Great tip!

[@janetmacdonald2823]

Overwinter, yes - zone 8b here, Central Texas, Meyer 🍋 tree blooming in kitchen, moringa tree, 🍠 slips took over kitchen window.

[@user-wh1tk1eh8p]

@@janetmacdonald2823 my mouth is watering? I discovered Meyer lemons in Montreal when on vacation a few years ago and will forever buy them at ridiculous prices at fancy grocery stores to make a batch of lemon curd and freeze it in small jars to enjoy occasionally through the year, as well as a bit of Meyer lemon marmalade. Oh my goodness. You lucky, lucky lady. Whoops. I apologize for the small pool of drool. :)

[@emilypulled312]

This was AWESOME. I can’t wait for more and especially can’t wait for the seed harvesting videos. Great info on the Grazon issues, def a subject that needs more attention.

[@NextLevelGardening]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@wernermcgann3792]

Great info. Thank you

[@user-wn1gk2kg1w]

Good afternoon, great start to a fantastic summer of gardening! Thank you, have a lovely afternoon.

[@NextLevelGardening]

Thank you! You too!

[@always.wondering.wandering]

I did research and found out our county does have free mulch/compost and there is a nearby seed library. Great info today, thanks!

[@NextLevelGardening]

Great!

[@George-yh3zy]

Thank you. I've been trying to garden for several years with varying degrees of success, but I'm going to make this series my blueprint for this year.

[@NextLevelGardening]

Great! Best of luck for a productive season!

[@SuperWhatapain]

Me too! Great advice. Thanks!

[@user-wh1tk1eh8p]

good luck! The reward in amazing. It took me years to start to get some success. I hope this is 'your' year!

[@sharonbice7490]

I tried in a green house ,lost them all, but my herbs came out beautiful, and potatoes are easy. Going to try this spring, but for now, just pressure canning veggies I buy. 😂

[@sharonparker2262]

You got this George. Just keep watching and trying. It gets better every year.

[@jackymiller9119]

Thank you so much for your gardening info!! Loev your channel! 😁

[@Luv2Garden2]

I was so happy to see this today ❤. Thank you for the resources! That will help so many people. Today I'm getting my compost out of my composters and starting new ones. I think I'd rather have my own then store bought now. I'm pretty new to composting but last year mine grew the best plants I've ever had in my garden. Going to add a few new compost barrels to. Took notes for today's video and looking forward to more.

[@NextLevelGardening]

You're welcome. So awesome that you have your own compost!

[@jjteacher7482]

The Millenial Gardener suggested gallon jugs with small nail holes as a gradual, cheap, drip irrigation system when placed next to plants. What do you think? Tomatoes only or everything?

[@NextLevelGardening]

Definitely. Technically it would work for everything but that would be a lot of jugs!

[@hoavacaycanh]

Good, thanks for sharing!