The gardening season is upon us (finally)! Here are some money saving tips you can use in the upcoming months.
Plan Before You Buy! Plan everything out so plants and seeds do not go to waste. Research the plants that you want so you don’t end up buying a shady plant for a sunny spot – if it dies then it is not only money down the drain, it is also more work you will have to do later!
Shop Online! Check out Mr. Rebates or Ebates for money saving coupons and rebates. The company will ship it to you when it is time to plant so there is no guesswork there and you will save money.
Check with your local Arboretum and Botanical Gardens! They usually have special sales a few times a season on plants that are well taken care of. The staff is also knowledgeable and willing to help you out.
Share Rental Costs! If you need to rent a tiller or other landscaping item (chipper, green waste dumpster, etc) then see if a neighbor, family member, or friend needs it too. Splitting the rental cost or space can save a lot of money.
Got Slugs? Kill them with beer. Fill beer in a small empty container (about the size of those throw away ziploc containers or a small butter tub). Dig down into the soil so the top of the container is flush with the ground. Leave it overnight and the slugs will drown in the liquid. Refill it and keep it up until you do not see any more slugs!
Use Native Plants. They are easier to care for and more hardy.
Conserve Water. Often times you do not need to water. If you have to water then do it in the morning before the sun comes up. An even better option is to install a drip system.
Create Your Own Compost! Compost your kitchen scraps and use that in your garden. It is cheap, saves the landfills, and will be beneficial for your plants.
Line the Beds with Newspaper. It will help keep the weeds back, but will decompose (unlike plastic liners).
Use a Cheap Insecticide. This works well on flowers. 1-2% baking soda mixed in water with a small amount of Safer’s Insecticidal Soap
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Great tips!
Thanks for the wonderful tips. I am new to gardening and appreciate them!
Carrie
mommycarrie1(at)hotmail(dot)com
You’re welcome 🙂
Gardeners are earning for a living. To save the earnings better you must canvas for a much cheaper gardening products yet economically viable for your gardening effort.
I love to garden and I have been composting for several years, love it. One year I put out flowers between my sidewalk and deck using my compost and I ended up growing 7 huge (6' tall) roma tomato plants. I was able to eat them all summer and then at the end of summer, I picked them and made 9 pints of salsa.
Great tips for all gardeners to remember, some of which I will be putting to use as our garden season winds down in a couple of months.
As you prepare your beds for next year, use the newspaper trick, but also throw some straw on top of the beds. This gives your beds more natural compost to enrich the soil, keeps the weeds from invading come spring time, and gives you a head start on putting down mulch or straw next year at planting time, when the straw will help you conserve water.
I love that one Michelle. Thanks!
Thanks for all the fab tips…I am only on my second season so need all the help I can get.
no problem 🙂
Thanks for the great tips! I just recently started to really get into gardening, and I love it so far. I definitely will have to try the newspaper thing!
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I’m still working on getting used to gardening in Arizona!
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