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Trusted by hundreds of gardeners across North America
"I feel like I have a Master Gardener right there with me as I work my garden."
— Nicholas P., Gardening Academy Member
Does Any of This Sound Familiar?
You love the idea of growing your own food. Maybe you've even tried. But somewhere along the way gardening got harder than you expected.
Plants died for no obvious reason. Pests showed up and took over before you even noticed them. Weeds grew faster than you could pull them. And the garden that was supposed to feed your family and give you a sense of satisfaction started feeling like one more stressful item on your already too-long to-do list.
Or maybe you've been gardening for years — but you know something still isn't quite right. Your yields aren't what they should be. You lose plants to frost or heat every season. You're not sure you're planting at the right time, in the right spot, with the right soil. And no matter how many YouTube videos you watch, you can't seem to find clear answers that actually apply to your specific garden and climate.
Sound familiar?
Here's what I want you to know:
You're not doing anything wrong. You just haven't had the right mentor yet.
Every successful gardener I've ever met had someone who showed them the way — a grandparent, a neighbor, a mentor who helped them avoid the mistakes that kill plants and crush enthusiasm. Someone who could look at their specific situation and say "here's exactly what to do next."
That's what The Gardening Academy was built to be for you.
Your Clear Path to
Gardening Success
Most gardeners struggle because they're missing a clear framework. They plant things at the wrong time, in the wrong spot, without understanding the foundational principles that make everything work together.
After 15 years of teaching gardening — in church groups, community classes, and online to thousands of students — I developed a framework that changed everything for my students. I call it The Garden Pathway.
Every successful garden follows these 9 steps in order:
- Where to Plant — Sun, soil, and location
- When to Plant — Timing and growing zones
- What to Plant — Choosing the right crops
- Watering — The skill most gardeners underestimate
- Organic Pest Control — Managing pests naturally
- Organic Weed Control — Taming the jungle
- Soil Quality — The foundation of everything
- Harvesting — Getting the most from your garden
- Preserving — Canning, freezing, drying and storing
The Garden Pathway is the backbone of everything we teach inside The Gardening Academy — and it's the clearest roadmap to gardening success you'll find anywhere.
The Gardening Academy Is Perfect For You If...
You're Just Getting Started
You've always wanted to grow your own food but don't know where to begin. You want to start small, learn the right way from the beginning, and avoid the costly mistakes that discourage most first-year gardeners.
You've Tried But Struggled
You've had a garden before but something always goes wrong. Pests, weeds, poor yields, or plants that just won't thrive. You're ready to finally figure out what you've been missing.
You Want Real Food Security
You want to grow enough food to actually feed your family — and preserve it for the months ahead. You're serious about self-sufficiency and want a mentor who understands that goal.
What's Inside The Gardening Academy?
Step 1: Start With a Clear Foundation
When you join The Gardening Academy the very first thing you'll do is work through our flagship course — The Garden Pathway.
This comprehensive 5.5 hour course walks you through all 9 steps of the Garden Pathway framework in depth. By the time you finish it you'll understand exactly:
- Where to plant for maximum sun, healthy soil, and easy access to water
- When to plant based on your specific growing zone and frost dates
- What to plant as a beginner or intermediate gardener for the best results
- How to water properly — the skill more gardeners get wrong than any other
- How to manage pests and weeds organically without harsh chemicals
- How to care for your soil so it gets more productive every single year
- How to harvest and preserve everything your garden produces
This course alone is valued at $200 and is yours the moment you join.
Step 2: Get Your Questions Answered — Live
One of the biggest frustrations gardeners face is not being able to get answers to their specific questions. YouTube videos are great but they can't tell you why your tomatoes are struggling in your garden in your climate.
That's why live Q&A sessions are one of the most valued parts of The Gardening Academy.
Every week I host live Zoom sessions where you can bring your real gardening questions directly to me. At least 4 sessions every month — so no matter what's happening in your garden right now, help is never far away.
Members tell me over and over again that the Q&A sessions are what keeps them coming back month after month:
"I love the question and answer sessions and knowing that I am not the only one who has certain issues."
— Nicholas P., Gardening Academy Member
"Rick is always available to help solve an issue. This is as one on one as you can get."
— Letty H., Gardening Academy Member
"I especially like the live Q&A segments along with the personal accessibility that Rick affords each of us."
— Jeanie H., Gardening Academy Member
Step 3: Dive Deep Into Any Topic You Need
Once you've worked through the Garden Pathway course you'll have access to our ever-growing library of 50+ mini courses — covering every gardening topic you can imagine.
Each mini course is focused, practical, and designed to give you exactly what you need to solve a specific gardening challenge. Here's just a sample of what's waiting for you inside:
- 🌱 The 20 Minute a Day Gardening Habit — finally make gardening fit into your busy life
- 🌱 Gardening in Drought — keep your garden producing even in dry conditions
- 🌱 Season Extension — add weeks or months to your growing season
- 🌱 Seed Starting Simplified — grow your own seedlings and never buy starts again
- 🌱 Growing Sweet Potatoes — perfect for food storage gardeners
- 🌱 Square Foot Gardening — get maximum production from minimum space
- 🌱 Composting — build rich healthy soil for free
- 🌱 Succession Planting — keep your garden producing all season long
- 🌱 Growing Tomatoes — our most popular course
- 🌱 Organic Pest Management — protect your garden without harsh chemicals
And 40+ more — with 6 new mini courses added every single year.
Step 4: Always Know What to Plant and When
One of the most common questions I hear from gardeners is "what should I be doing in my garden right now?"
Every month inside The Gardening Academy I release a Monthly Planting Guide — a video and downloadable reference guide that tells you exactly what to plant, transplant, and harvest based on your specific growing zone.
No more guessing. No more planting things at the wrong time and wondering why they failed. Every month you'll know precisely what needs to happen in your garden to keep it productive all season long.
"Following along seasonally in this manner and catching Rick's posted teachings has helped me so much — prepare ahead, plan, be mindful of weather details, focus on plant varieties accordingly, keep moving forward despite the downs."
— Kerri B., Gardening Academy Member
Step 5: Never Garden Alone Again
One of the things that surprises new members most about The Gardening Academy is the community.
Gardening can feel like a lonely hobby. Most of your friends and family don't share your passion for seed starting schedules and soil amendments. But inside The Gardening Academy's private Facebook group you'll find hundreds of like-minded gardeners who get it — people who are just as excited about their first tomato harvest as you are.
Every week members share:
- 🌱 Harvest photos — celebrating wins big and small
- 🌱 Garden questions — getting fast answers from Rick and fellow members
- 🌱 Tips and discoveries — sharing what's working in their gardens
- 🌱 Encouragement — especially when things don't go as planned
Here's what members say about the community:
"Being a member of this group has helped me immensely. I feel like I have not only a personal trainer but an entire group of friends to help me through the wonderful process of gardening!"
— Pam H., Gardening Academy Member
"The members of this group all try to help each other. It's awesome. This is only my first year and my feelings of insecurity are gone because I know I have The Gardening Academy to turn to."
— Sandy M., Gardening Academy Member
"Good people, fast answers, wonderful encouragement, and great garden friendships."
— Maggie M., Gardening Academy Member
Step 6: Full-Length Deep Dive Courses
In addition to the Garden Pathway course and the mini course library, your membership includes access to our collection of full length specialty courses — each one a deep dive into a specific topic that serious food gardeners need to master.
Included with your membership:
🌱 Growing Tomatoes — Our most comprehensive course covering every aspect of growing tomatoes from planting to harvest to preservation. Includes heirloom vs hybrid varieties, staking and pruning, pest and disease management, and much more.
🌱 Growing Potatoes — A complete 16-lesson deep dive covering everything from chitting seed potatoes and planting methods to harvesting, curing, and storing your crop for months.
🌱 Food Storage and Preservation — Learn to safely can, freeze, dry and store everything your garden produces. This course alone could save your family hundreds of dollars a year in grocery bills.
🌱 Sprouts and Microgreens — Grow fresh nutritious food indoors year round — even in the middle of winter — with no garden space required.
These four courses are valued at over $350 individually — and they're all included in your membership from day one.
Meet Your Gardening Mentor — Rick Stone
Hi, I'm Rick Stone — and I've spent the last 30 years growing food in my backyard garden in suburban Salt Lake City.
Most years I harvest over 1,000 pounds of fresh vegetables, fruits, and berries from my small ¼ acre lot. I've had something fresh growing in my garden every single day for the last 16 years — 365 days a year, even through Utah winters.
Here's what that experience has turned into:
- 📺 165,000 YouTube subscribers at Stoney Acres Gardening
- 🌱 Over 1,000,000 website visits per year at OurStoneyAcres.com
- 👨🎓 Certified through the Utah State University Master Gardener program
- 🏫 Featured instructor at the School of Traditional Skills — one of the largest homesteading education platforms in North America
- 📚 Thousands of students taught through online courses over the last 10 years
- 🎓 6 years running The Gardening Academy
But here's what I'm most proud of — the hundreds of gardeners who have gone from frustrated and overwhelmed to confident and productive because of what we've built together inside The Gardening Academy.
I started this membership because I believe every home gardener deserves a mentor. Someone who has already made the mistakes so you don't have to. Someone who can look at your specific situation and say "here's exactly what to do next."
That's what I'm here to be for you.
Real Results From Real Gardeners
Nicholas Perri
"I feel like I have a Master Gardener right there with me as I work my garden."
Jeanie Hopkins
"I especially like the personal accessibility that Rick affords each of us. I am finding it a good investment."
Pam Hansen
"I feel like I have not only a personal trainer but an entire group of friends."
"I jumped in with both feet and totally failed. I then found Rick's YouTube videos and learned about the Gardening Academy. This is a wonderful resource — a wealth of information with short easy-to-navigate videos. I would highly recommend joining even if you only have a small area."
— Diana O., Gardening Academy Member
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I have been gardening for 11 years and this is one of my most productive years despite near drought conditions. Rick is always available to help solve an issue. This is as one on one as you can get."
— Letty H., Gardening Academy Member
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"I have gone from knowing next to nothing and being totally overwhelmed to being more confident and willing to try new things. This is well worth the small price each month. I can't imagine ever NOT being a part of the group!!"
— Renee F., Gardening Academy Member
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"I grew all of my plants from seeds this year. It was great not having to buy plants — the investment paid for itself and I will continue to grow my own plants."
— Nancy W., Gardening Academy Member
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"My husband said this is by far the best garden we have ever had. Used row covers to save my last picking of green beans — was 80 years old on the 13th. Thank you for all your great information."
— Loretta M., Gardening Academy Member
Look at the Value You're Getting
Here's everything included in your Gardening Academy membership and what it would cost you to get it all separately:
✅ Garden Pathway Course (5.5 hours) — $250
✅ Growing Tomatoes Full Course — $30
✅ Growing Potatoes Full Course — $30
✅ Food Storage & Preservation Course — $150
✅ Sprouts & Microgreens Course — $150
✅ Library of 50+ Mini Courses — $1,500
✅ 6 New Mini Courses Added Every Year — $180
✅ Monthly Live Q&A Sessions (4x per month) — $300
✅ Monthly Planting Guides — $120
✅ Private Members-Only Facebook Group — $120
✅ Expert Interviews & Special Events — $120
Total Value: $2,950
You pay just $25 per month — or only $0.83 a day
That's less than a single trip to the garden center — and it will save you far more than that in plants, seeds, and mistakes avoided.
Ready to Join The Gardening Academy?
Choose the plan that works best for you:
Not sure yet? Remember — every plan is protected by our 30-day money back guarantee. If The Gardening Academy isn't everything we promised, just email Rick within 30 days for a full refund. No forms, no questions asked.
You're Completely Protected
I want joining The Gardening Academy to feel like a no-brainer — so I've made it completely risk free.
Try the full membership for 30 days. Watch the courses. Join the Q&A sessions. Explore the mini course library. Engage with the community. Put what you learn into practice in your garden.
If at the end of 30 days you don't feel The Gardening Academy is everything I promised — just send me an email at rick@ourstoneyacres.com and I'll refund every penny.
No forms to fill out. No questions asked. No hassle.
I'm that confident that once you experience The Gardening Academy you'll never want to leave.
The only risk is staying stuck in the same gardening struggles you've been dealing with.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Gardening Academy right for me if I'm a complete beginner? Absolutely. In fact beginners often get the most out of the Academy because they start with the right foundation from day one. The Garden Pathway course is specifically designed to take you from zero gardening knowledge to a confident, productive gardener step by step. Many of our most enthusiastic members had never grown anything before they joined.
I've been gardening for years. Will I still learn anything new? Yes — and our experienced members are often the most surprised by how much they pick up. Even seasoned gardeners have gaps in their knowledge around topics like soil health, season extension, seed saving, or food preservation. Members who have been gardening for 10, 15, even 20+ years regularly tell us the Academy helped them have their most productive garden yet.
I don't have much space. Is this still worth it for me? Definitely. Rick grows over 1,000 pounds of food per year on just a quarter acre suburban lot. The Academy has specific courses on container gardening, raised beds, square foot gardening, and vertical growing — all designed to help you get maximum production from whatever space you have.
How much time do I need to commit each week? The courses are completely self-paced so you go at whatever speed works for your schedule. Most members spend 15-20 minutes a day in their garden and find that's plenty to maintain a productive and manageable garden. The Q&A sessions are live but recorded — so if you can't make it live you can always watch the replay at a time that suits you.
What if I live in a different growing zone than Rick? Rick gardens in Zone 6b in Utah which gives him experience with cold winters, hot summers, drought conditions and a challenging growing environment. The principles he teaches apply across all growing zones and the monthly planting guides are zone specific — so you always know what to do in your particular climate.
How is this different from just watching YouTube videos? YouTube is great for general information but it can't give you personalized help for your specific garden and situation. The Gardening Academy gives you a structured learning pathway, live Q&A sessions where you can ask Rick directly about your specific challenges, a community of fellow gardeners, and monthly guidance tailored to your growing zone. It's the difference between searching for random answers and having a mentor.
Can I cancel anytime? Yes — cancel anytime with no penalties. Monthly members can cancel before their next billing date and won't be charged again. Annual members are covered by our 30-day money back guarantee.
What if I already own some of Rick's courses? Any courses you purchased individually before joining the Academy still belong to you and you'll keep access to them even if you cancel your membership. Joining the Academy gives you access to everything else in the library on top of what you already own.
What if I'm not happy? We'd never want you to stay if it's not the right fit. If you're unsatisfied for any reason just email Rick at rick@ourstoneyacres.com within 30 days of joining and you'll receive a full refund — no forms, no questions asked.
Watch this Video First!!
Here are a few reasons to join the Membership
Hi I'm Rick Stone, I want to teach you how to be a better gardener!
- If you have ever struggled to grow a productive and easy to care for garden
- If you have ever lost your long cared for tomato plants to a pest or disease
- If you have been frustrated by a jungle of weeds in your garden
- If you have lost plants to frost or too much heat
- If you wonder why your garden seems to struggle while your neighbor's seem to thrive
- If you want to grow more of your own food but just don't know where to start;
Then what you are about to read will change your life forever. Here's why . . .
- Jeanie H.
I am enjoying Ricks gardening academy very much. As I have been starting from scratch regarding experience and knowledge, I am gaining a wonderful overall basic view and introduction and know there is much more to come. I especially like the live Q & A segments along with the personal accessibility that Rick affords each of us. He has a very nice hands on approach to all the various aspects of gardening. Also, the FaceBook page is very nice and allows me to connect with other members of the group! I am finding it a good investment.
Extending Your Growing Season
The average gardener grows vegetables and fruits usually from mid-spring until the first frost every year. For many of us, that growing period might be 5 months or less.
There are simple techniques you will learn in The Gardening Academy that will add months to your growing season. These techniques include:
- Fabric Row Covers
- Hoop Houses
- Cold Frames
- Green Houses
What is Included in the Gardening Academy
Garden Foundations Course
- 5.5 hours of instruction to improve your garden
- Where To Plant
- When To Plant
- What To Plant
- Watering Strategies
- Weed & Pest Management
Monthly Gardening Topics
- Each month we will focus on a new gardening skill
- 12 unique topics each year
Library of Over 45 Different Courses
- Monthly Topic Mini-Course
- Live Q&A Sessions with Rick
- Expert Interviews
- Book Reviews
- Product Reviews
- Recipes
- Food Preservation Advice
Private Members-Only Facebook Group
- Weekly Harvest Shares
- Small-Group Managed By Rick
Full Length Gardening Courses
- Growing Tomatoes
- Growing Potatoes
- Microgreens and Sprouts
- Food Storage & Food Preservation
What's Included as part of the Gardening Academy?
Mini-Courses Included with your Membership:
- Seed Saving
- Composting
- Organic Pest Management
- Growing Corn & Popcorn
- Gardening Hacks
- Growing Onions
- Growing Cantaloupe
- Using Hoop Houses
- Growing Broccoli
- Using Organic Fertilizers
- Growing Raspberries
- Growing Beets
- Growing Carrots
- Using Gardening Zones
- Weeding
- Growing in the Shade
- Growing in Cold Frames
- Gardening In Drought
- Growing Summer Squash
- Growing Strawberries
- Garden Tools & Care
- Growing Herbs
- Succession Planting
- Growing Peas
- Growing Warm Season Crops
- Growing Cool Season Crops
- Caring for your Garden Soil
- Seed Starting
- Garden Planning
- Growing Indoors
- Vertical Growing
- Growing Spinach
- Season Extension
- Gardening in the Heat
- Square Foot Gardening
- Growing Tomatoes
- Getting your Garden Started Early
- Growing Salad Greens
- Fall & Winter Clean up
6 new mini-course is added every year!
Maggie M.
I have been so happy with my membership to the gardening academy! I am a first year gardener with absolutely no experience. Rick’s courses from the academy have taught me SO much and are the prime reason I’ve had a beautiful successful garden! The live Q&A sessions have been fantastic for getting questions answered and learning from other members’ questions. The Facebook group is also great! Good people, fast answers, wonderful encouragement, and great garden friendships. I absolutely recommend becoming a member. Worth every penny, especially for this novice gardener.
Nicholas P
There are so many great parts about the Gardening Academy that it is hard to choose one. I really enjoy the mini courses every month. I feel like I have a Master Garden right there with me as I work my garden and progress through each season. I love the question and answer sessions and knowing that I am not the only who has certain issues. I think the one part that I feel most accomplished with is having access to the PVC Pipe irrigation system and creating a system for my 3 raised garden beds I built this summer. Experiencing accomplishments and success with fellow gardeners on the private FaceBook group is very encouraging.
Look at this VALUE!
Gardening Foundations Course - $200.00
Gardening Academy Library of 45+ Courses - $1350.00
6 New Mini-Courses Per Year - $30 Each - $180.00
Monthly Group Call/ Live Coaching - $25 per month - $300.00
Gardening Academy Discussion Group - $25 per Month - $300.00
6 Monthly Interviews, Events, Recipes - $30 per month - $180.00
Full Food Storage Course - $200.00
Sprouts & Microgreens Course - $150.00
Tomato & Potato Growing Courses - $60.00
Monthly Planting Guides (Starts January 2020) - $240.00
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Total Value of Membership (This is just year 1) - $3,160.00
You only pay $25 per month, or $250 if paid annually!!
Don't Miss this Fall and Winter Chance
Fall and winter are the perfect times to learn more about gardening! Over the next few months, we will focus on seed starting, indoor growing, garden planning and much more. If you join this fall you will be a better gardener next summer!!
Come and join a community of like- minded folks who want to grow more of their own food!
The time to grow your dream garden has arrived! Will you go for it? Will you take action?
CLICK BELOW TO JOIN US NOW!