Spring has finally arrived and even if it may not seem like it, it’s time to start thinking about your garden. It doesn’t matter if the birds are already chirping away or if there’s still a foot of snow in your yard, there’s something you can do to get your garden ready for the blossoming season. Prepping for a garden could mean throwing a lot of money into the hobby; however, there’s a lot of short cuts and money saving tips you can use to ensure your garden doesn’t cost you a small fortune. Better yet, with a little hard work, your garden may even put money back into the household!
1. Soil
Many gardeners will spend a lot of money on soil when there’s plenty in your own background. Typically your soil should be able to grow a pretty good variety of produce and flowers so don’t spend money on soil until you’re sure nothing will grow in your yard. One way to help keep your soil good is to rotate your crops as this helps lock in nutrients. One of the best plants to begin with is lettuce. Generally if you start the season off with this simple-to-grow produce then you’ll be ready to grow some incredible fruits and vegetables as the season progresses. You should also consider the space you have to plant in. A lot of people don’t think they can grow items in small areas which isn’t the case at all. In fact, you may be surprised as to how much you can actually plant in one area. However, you should make sure you know just how much space to use between each type of plant!
2. Composting
There’s a whole lot to love about composting! For starters, it can cost next to nothing to start your own personal compost at home. Browse around online to see if there’s materials you can use around the house to get you started on your new task. Once you’re ready to go start using some of your trash items, like banana peels and coffee grounds to get the compost going. There’s so many items you can use that you’ll notice a huge decrease in the amount of trash you’re producing each week. This in itself can be a major money saver, not to mention you’ll be doing the environment a lot of good by wasting less. Your new compost will also help prevent you from having to buy fertilizer. Rather, when you’re ready to start out your garden all you have to do is use what you’ve already created. There’s a lot of video tutorials online about composting, so don’t hesitate to start!
3. Plant Beds
If you’re looking to create a garden you can present to the world you may want to consider using flower beds. This doesn’t mean you have to go out and spend a lot of money on supplies. Instead, check out what you have around the house. Old wood, as well as thicker tree branches, worn down doors and shutters and even pallets can help make your flower bed idea a reality. With a coat of paint and a little elbow grease you’ll instantly fall in love with the flower beds you’ve created. Not to mention you can brag about how much work you put into them. Flower beds aren’t just for aesthetics though. If you have lower back pain then they can help you out with your gardening immensely. They may also help keep some small animals out of your plants. These amazing items can also help keep plants apart so you won’t have to worry about your eggplant overpowering another item!
4. Mulch
Living in a dry climate can be terrible on your plants and your water bill. Mulch is one solution worth looking into though. There’s many great reasons to use mulch, but if you’re looking to save money it can cut down on your water bill substantially. Every time you water your plants the mulch will soak up some of the water. Thus, when the heat kicks it up a notch the moisture in the mulch can actually help keep your plants thriving. The best thing about mulch is it’s not too hard to find for free or a low price. Try looking around the neighborhood to see if anyone is shredding broken tree branches. If they are they may be willing to hand over some of the chips for next to nothing. Make sure to haggle though as this could help you walk away with a better deal. You may also want to check your local listings like Craigslist, as some people simply want someone to haul away the chips. If you have no luck finding mulch this way and you can’t make it yourself then consider buying in bulk. Even if you don’t use all the chips this season they’ll be ready to go for the next!
5. Plant Wisely
When it comes to planting, you do have to be a bit on the strategic side. Don’t worry, usually all this means is you have to read the back of your seed packets. Make sure your climate meets all of the requirements before you plant as this will help increase the chances of your plants growing. Even if you don’t meet the requirements in early spring it doesn’t mean you should give up as planting in the summer or autumn could be a possibility. You should also consider what your family is going to eat when you choose what to plant. If you’re going to have a bunch of items springing up that no one is going to eat then chances are they’ll go to waste unless you can find someone to give/sell them to. You should also pick items that can be frozen or canned when they’re in abundance. This in itself will cut down on the grocery bill quite a bit. If you plan on feeding your family freshly grown produce often then learn how to succession plant so you’ll be guaranteed new items each week!
6. Recyclables
Some of the best gardening accessories can actually be found in your recycling bin. As spring begins it may not stay at the right temperature at night, thus causing an unwanted freeze to pass over your young plants. Rather than letting nature take its course, take to your recycling bin and pull out an old oatmeal container or 3 liter bottles. Simply cut the top off of the bottles and place them or any oatmeal containers you have on plants that are already growing. This is especially good for plants like tomatoes. You can also go ahead and pull out any plastic straws you may have used lately. These make perfect support for vine plants. If you want to start your plants off as seedlings then consider using an egg crate, yogurt containers, smaller plastic bottles or oatmeal containers. You can cut off the tops of bottles as you did with the plant covers for a cheap and easy container. Just add soil to each of these items and plant whichever seeds you hope to get a fresh start on. If you plan to keep a plant in the container for a bit longer then consider using the larger oatmeal container. Finally, you can use newspaper to help fight weeds or to act as a form of mulch!
7. Collect Rain Water
A lot of states implement water bans during the summer, especially if you’re experiencing a drought. Not to mention, during the seasons when you’ll water more you’ll probably end up spending a whole lot more on your water bill. Luckily, there’s one simple solution that doesn’t cost you a whole lot of money at all. That is, collect some rain water. If you have some old buckets laying around the home then all you have to do is set them out whenever the forecast calls for rain. Once the buckets are full, find somewhere to store them and use them to water your garden whenever possible. If you love this idea then you may want to make an investment in some rain barrels. These are typically larger containers that are designed to capture and hold rain for longer periods of time. With this quick trick to help out your garden you’ll cut down on a lot of watering, which is also a huge benefit for the environment.
8. Second Hand Supplies
You’re probably going to need some basic tools to help you get your garden in order, but this doesn’t mean you need to hurry down to your local department or hardware store and go on a shopping spree. Rather, you may want to check around and see if there’s any second hand items you can get that will help save you a lot of money. One of the best things you can do is try your local thrift store as many people will donate some of their old tools when they upgrade to new ones. Here, you should be able to find some, if not all, of the beginner items you need to get the job done. If not, then look at your local listing to see if anyone is giving away or selling gardening supplies. You may also consider creating your own ad to see if anyone is willing to help out. Finally, you may want to ask friends, family and neighbors if they have supplies they’re willing to part with.
9. Pesticides
A lot of people choose to use pesticides in their garden to help keep harmful bugs out of their fresh produce. Although this is a good way to improve the way your plants grow, it can be harmful to you, helpful bugs, the ecosystem and your budget. This doesn’t mean you can’t use your own homemade pesticides to help remedy your pest problem. In fact, you can use a wide variety of items including vinegar or vegetables to help keep just about anything off your plants. You can even use beer to keep snails out of your garden! There’s a lot of different pesticide items to choose from so do a little research before you mix up a concoction. You should be able to find a lot of free information online which will help you find the perfect pesticide for your needs. In most cases, you can even find all the ingredients needed already in the home, which tacks on even more savings!
10. Join a Club
Gardening can be a lot more fun if you find a group of likeminded individuals to help make it a social occasion too! There’s lots of gardening clubs online and in just about every community so try to find one that suits your needs. When it comes to a gardening club you can actually save a whole lot of money and you may even make a little too! For instance, gardening clubs will help you stay interested in your garden so you won’t have to worry about it being overrun by weeds or insects when you don’t feel like tending to it. You will also be able to borrow or trade tools which means no more shopping for the items you don’t have. One of the best things about gardening clubs is many people will also trade seeds so you won’t have to order large packets of seeds you may not ever use. Finally, some clubs will even allow you to sell or trade your produce, which means you’ll have a better variety for your household meals!
Gardening is a great way to enjoy some fresh air and get some exercise. With these simple tips you’ll not only feel great about your garden but you’ll put less money into it. With a little love and a lot of work, you may even be able to earn a little money off of your delicious and healthy produce!
