As part of our ‘From the Plot’ series over on Instagram, we’ve been talking to special growers who share their gardening knowledge with others. We recently spoke to professional gardener Nikki Jones, aka @thriftygreenlife, who hopes her eco-friendly approach and organic allotment will inspire her children and followers alike.
Here’s the full interview…
My journey began with an allotment
I’m Nikki, the professional gardener, writer, organic gardener and eco-blogger behind Thrifty Green Life, a website that shares inexpensive gardening tips to help your garden, and the planet, to thrive.
My gardening journey started after I acquired an allotment, and my ethos is centred around growing my own food in harmony with nature. My gardening style has always been to work with nature and not against it. Being an organic gardener is a huge part of this – protecting the soil, encouraging wildlife and inspiring my children (and hopefully others) to do the same.
I’m inspired by traditional potager gardens
Images courtesy of @thriftygreenlife
My allotment is loosely inspired by a traditional potager garden as I love to grow beautiful flowers in between vegetables. I grew roses and beans together last year which I loved. I really enjoy the untamed look; nature isn’t perfect therefore neither is my allotment. That’s my excuse anyway!
I love to grow new and unusual fruit and veg
Images courtesy of @thriftygreenlife
I love growing weird and wonderful things, especially purple beans and colourful squashes. Yellow courgettes blew my mind when I first started gardening. My newest edition this year is a ‘Pinkberry’, a pink relative of the blueberry.
My top achievements
I’m currently working on my very first gardening book, which encompasses everything I’ve learnt, and practised, about green gardening over the last 7 years. I can’t wait to share it with you all!
Set yourself up for success with knowledge
Images courtesy of @thriftygreenlife
My top tip for beginners is to identify the conditions in your growing space before you plant anything. Is it shady, part-shade or full sun? Is it damp or dry? Is your soil clay, sand or loam? Doing this means you can buy the right plants for the right place which will help them thrive.
Grow like Nikki
These eye-catching pink blueberries are sweet and decorative
Image: Blueberry ‘Pink Lemonade’ from Suttons (© Shutterstock)
You can follow Nikki over at @thriftygreenlife. And if you want to read about other inspirational growers, check out our #suttonsfromtheplot series over on Instagram.
