Advice on Being Frugal on the Garden
The Frugal Garden
Having a lovely garden full of flowering plants and shrubs can come at a cost. Visiting the garden centre and purchasing the things you need to keep your garden in pristine condition will take a large chunk of money in your wallet. But there are other ways to have a garden to be proud of, and one way is to be a frugal gardener.
Where to Look
Well for a start there are many places in which one can find things for the garden, and if one has an imagination then these ways can be fruitful to the frugal gardener.
Friends and Family
What better than to ask family members or friends if they have unwanted items for the garden. Even if the items are not meant for the garden like baskets or baby baths they can be utilised and made to hold plants like pansies and French marigold’s plus vegetables like tomatoes, radish and lettuce. Even an old bucket can be utilised in the garden and hold potatoes and carrots on the patio.
Asking friends, family and even neighbours for any leftover seeds can be a rewarding and frugal way to get free plants or vegetables. Maybe they can let you have cuttings from their already established garden? Whatever they have don’t be afraid of taking from them even if it’s only advice.
Advertise
Another great way of frugal gardening is to advertise either in the local newspaper, magazine or local store. Sure it might cost you a small amount to post the ad but the rewards could be huge. Ask for things gardeners no longer want in the garden and are giving them away. Ask if they have seeds they won’t use, even spare compost will be a bonus to you and your garden.
Recycling
An excellent way of being frugal in the garden is to recycle. Do you have to recycle where you live? Most people nowadays do recycle whether its law from the local government or because they want to do it, so it’s only right to look at what you are recycling. Recycling can be a rewarding way of finding things to use in the garden and you’ll be surprised at what you will have. From empty jars, spray bottles, even coffee to go plastic cups can be used in the garden so go and checkout what you are going to recycle.
Keeping Plants Healthy and Pest Free
Once the garden has started taking shape with the plants, trees and shrubs you have planted you will want to make sure they stay healthy and free from pests. Making your own fertiliser or pesticides is a great way of being frugal in the garden and also help keep the environment free from the harmful chemicals used in shop brought fertilisers and pesticides. Having a compost heap will make a huge difference to anything you plant in the garden, and using organic pesticides that include tobacco will go a long way in keeping pests like green-fly and sawfly larvae away from your plants.
Summary
The next time you want plants, trees or shrubs for the garden why not look at the frugal way instead of going to the garden centre and spending a fortune? You will be amazed at how many different ways there are to get anything from pots and containers to seeds and cuttings, all it needs is a little imagination and the confidence to be a frugal gardener.
