You love spending time in the garden, but you don’t love how much money you put into it. This year, you’ve resolved to spend less, a lot less, but you’re not exactly sure how you’re going to do that. Cutting costs in the garden is easier than you may think; just follow these simply thrifty gardening tips, and you’ll be on your way to growing a beautiful garden on a tighter budget.
Compost – As easy and hassle free as it is to buy a bag of fertilizer, don’t. Fertilizer is expensive, and it’s not always the best for your plants. Instead, start building your own compost pile now. Building a compost pile is easy and cost effective; all you have to do is save your organic waste. Instead of sending it down the garbage disposal or tossing it to the dogs, place it into an old garbage can or make a spot for it outside. If you’re going to make an outdoor compost pile, make sure you cover it to keep the critters out. Things you can add to a compost pile: egg shells, leftover greens, dairy products, leaves and grass clippings, banana peels, and much more. Get creative; if it breaks down naturally, it’s probably perfect for your compost pile.
Harvest – No matter what you’re growing in your garden, chances are it produces a seed. A great way to save money in the future is to harvest the seeds from your flowing plants, fruits, and vegetables. Think of all the money you spend buying seeds every spring. If your plants produce their own seeds, why waste them? Simply harvest, let them dry, and then store them in a baggy or Tupperware for next year.
Greenhouses – Build your own mini greenhouses for seedlings by using plastic salad containers. If you buy salad in these containers already, this is an easy and cheap way to make a little greenhouse. Simply place your seedlings on the lid of the salad container and then use the “bottom” as the dome. Place your homemade greenhouse on a windowsill and wait for those baby greens to start growing!
Saving money in the garden is as easy as one-two-three. All it takes is a little creativity and flexibility. Think outside the pot to grow a beautiful, cheap garden!