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Gardening can get very expensive. Potting soil, fertilizer, flowers, plants,
and shrubs can quickly cut into a budget. But there are ways you can do your gardening
and make your money go a lot farther. First of all, shop around. Nurseries aren't the only place to purchase your
plants. Most local grocers, farmers markets, and flea markets are excellent
places to find great deals. One idea is to shop the end of season sales at
nurseries and garden departments because they often get rid of current stock
to make room for their new plants and shrubs in season. Plants are marked down
significantly at end of season sales.
Also try shopping during weekday mornings and make an effort to cultivate
relationships with nursery employees. They can
be very valuable in your quest for sale items and markdowns.
Swapping bulbs and plants with friends, neighbors and family is a great way to
garden with little or no expense. You can trade plant clippings, bulbs and
other plant material. Just clip a small part of your plant to trade with your
friend or neighbor. This is how I got many of the houseplants I have
today. They started out as clippings received from my mother and now they are
full grown plants!
Try gardening with everyday containers. Let's face it - store
bought containers can get expensive so why not use what you already have at
home? Old wheelbarrows, tool boxes, wagons and various other items that you
have lying around your home make excellent planters! Simply drill holes in
your container and add some pebbles or stones before adding any soil to insure
good drainage.
Recycle items that you already have on hand. An old baby changing table can be
turned into a potting table for your gardening materials and tools. All you
need is a new coat of paint and water sealer for it. Unused rocks and/or
bricks make attractive flower bed edges. Dig a narrow trench around your
flower bed and place bricks diagonally along the edges. And don't forget that
leftover paint you have in your basement or garage can decorate pots and
containers.
If you think about it, you have many resources to choose from to help you
garden on a tight budget, so why not start gardening today?
Happy gardening!
Sandra Kuykendall-Lombard is a free-lance writer, artist,
craftswoman, and homeschooler as well as a SAHM to a
special needs child. As a free-lance writer, her content
focuses on gardening, crafts, relationships and family life.
She also holds a position as a Moderator and Community
Leader at Baby University, an online parenting community.
Visit them at: www.babyuniversity.com
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