It's almost always "better+verb+ing (present participle)". Better driving has resulted in a fall in accident numbers. For better gardening, you should buy a good hose. Thanks to better funding, the hospital has remained open. In fact, I don't think you can have the construction "better + verb" except in some sayings; It's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. Better that you eat than that you go hungry. (Old English subjunctive...)

better+verb better+be+verb-ing or be+better+verb-ing