Ellie Creigh’s journey into the world of plants began with a simple desire to grow food for her family. She never imagined that her love for gardening would become a thriving career and a source of inspiration for so many.  

“I always loved the idea of having a garden, so I started as a hobby,” Ellie says. “I wasn’t very good at it, as I had no formal education, and by trade I was actually a hairstylist. It wasn’t until I started going through some hard times that I really dove into gardening. That drive to feed me and my baby daughter at the time was the springboard that got me into this passion full force.”

After years of growing her own food, Ellie was excited to share what she had learned – and grown – with her community. She began in 2019 by teaching people in their own back yard and helping them install gardens of their own.

However, in 2022 she wanted to expand her reach but didn’t have a  location. The solution came to her while she was driving around town. 

“One day, I was looking for land when I got stuck behind a bunch of school buses releasing children from school, and the idea hit me—a mobile classroom!” Ellie says.

The revelation led her to purchase a used school bus that she renovated with the help of a friend. The result was a fully functional mobile gardening hub appropriately named “The Growcery Store” that allows Ellie to travel, teach and sell her produce to the community. 

“Now here we are today with the bus I use for vending my produce and educational classes,” she says.

Ellie’s passion for gardening is deeply rooted in her own learning experience by trial and error.

“I learned everything on my own from mostly Mother Nature herself, and though a great teacher, she charges a high tuition with the number of mistakes I made,” Ellie says.

Realizing how scarce local gardening resources were, she began offering advice to neighbors. The overwhelming response to her knowledge convinced her to turn her passion into something more lucrative.

“Within a week, I decided to turn it into a business, and it became my full-time job,” she says.

Ellie offers a variety of services, including garden and fruit tree installations, private at-home gardening classes, group classes held on the bus, and the sale of starter plants for DIY gardeners.

Seeing others succeed in their gardening efforts is the most rewarding aspect of her work. 

“I love seeing people being able to be self-sufficient and seeing the joy and excitement emanating off them when they see that they truly can grow food too,” she says. 

Ellie is quick to point out that gardening is a learned skill, and that anyone can develop a green thumb with the right guidance.

Her advice for beginners is simple but critical: “Get set up right,” she says. “Do your research. Get the absolute best soil, make sure watering is consistent, it’s getting full sun, and you’re planting at the correct time of year for your area.”

Ellie emphasizes the importance of soil preparation, especially in Florida, where sandy soil can pose challenges. 

“Our soil here in Florida is mostly sand, so either the ground must be heavily amended with compost, or the crops need to be grown in raised beds,” she says. 

Her top recommendation is to use 100% broken-down mushroom compost in a raised bed to ensure crops receive all the needed nutrients and micronutrients.

She also offers practical tips for garden planning. While there are online tools and apps available, Ellie encourages beginners to use graph paper to map out their garden, ensuring proper spacing and sunlight. 

“Make sure you put all your tallest produce furthest north and your shortest produce south, as the sun tilts southward half the year,” she says.

For pest control, Ellie suggests planting in the correct season and focusing on plant health. 

“If your plants are healthy, bugs typically won’t attack them as much. Bugs tend to go for sick or weak plants,” she says. 

When infestations occur, she recommends using essential oil-based sprays as a natural solution.

Ellie also advocates for composting and highlights the convenience of electric composters. 

“I personally use the Reencle brand composter, and it’s absolutely the best,” she says.

Her ultimate goal is simple yet profound: to empower others. 

“Food growing is a learned skill, and with just a few key rules and a little time and effort, the results can be absolutely dazzling,” Ellie says.

Start with the Right Soil:

• Invest in high-quality soil. For Florida’s sandy conditions, Ellie recommends using 100% broken-down mushroom compost in raised beds. If unavailable, mix dark loamy soil with nutrient-rich compost.

Plant at the Right Time of Year:

• Research your planting zone and seasons. Planting at the correct time ensures healthier plants and helps prevent pest problems.

Water Consistently:

• Water for 10 minutes daily in warm seasons and every other day during cooler months. Adjust based on rainfall to avoid overwatering.

Follow Plant Spacing Guidelines:

• Pay attention to spacing requirements on seed packets to prevent overcrowding. Proper spacing allows plants to grow strong and healthy.

Weeding is Essential:

• Keep the garden clean and tidy to prevent weeds from overtaking and competing with your plants for nutrients.

Focus on Soil Preparation:

• Either heavily amend sandy ground soil with compost or plant in raised beds for optimal results. Good soil is the foundation of a successful garden.

Best Beginner Plants:

• Start with easy-to-grow plants like:
  • Radishes
  • Bok choy
  • Kale
  • Lettuce
  • Tatsoi
  • Herbs like green onions, cilantro, parsley, and mint

Plan Your Garden Layout:

• Use garden apps or graph paper to map out your garden. Place taller plants on the north side and shorter plants on the south side to ensure they all get enough sunlight.

Natural Pest Control:

• Healthy plants planted in the right season attract fewer pests. If infestations occur, Ellie recommends using essential oil-based natural sprays.

Composting Tips:

• Research what can and cannot be composted. Electric composters, like the Reencle brand Ellie uses, break down food scraps in 24-48 hours, making them a great option for beginners.

Be Patient and Learn from Mistakes:

• Gardening is a skill that improves over time. Take the time to observe, experiment, and learn as you go.

Cool-Season Crops (Fall/Winter Planting)

• Planting Time: September through November
• What to Plant:
  – Leafy Greens: lettuce, spinach, kale, bok choy, Swiss chard
  – Root Vegetables: radishes, carrots, turnips, beets
  – Bud Vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kohlrabi
  – Herbs: cilantro, parsley, dill, peppermint, spearmint, lemon balm, rosemary

Warm-Season Crops (Spring/Summer Planting)

• Planting Time: February through March
• What to Plant:
  – Fruiting Crops: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant
  – Squash Family: zucchini, butternut, spaghetti squash
  – Beans: bush beans, pole beans, summer long beans
  – Melons: watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew
  – Heat Tolerant Crops: okra, sweet potatoes, corn

Photos: Cindy Peterson & Provided