Tightwad top ten: ways to save in the garden
Creating a garden can be expensive, but it doesn't have to be. Tightwad has compiled the following suggestions to help you spend more time than money when building your garden.
10. Compost
Don't buy bagged soil... start saving your kitchen veggie scraps and let them decompose into a nutrient-rich matter than your garden is craving. Your local muncipality most likely stocks composting bins available for residential use.
9. Reacquaint yourself with the push mower
Forget about wasting electricity or gas to keep a motor running... get your groove on and push a mower around instead (or delegate, of course).
8. Optimize your watering schedule
The best time of day to water is in the morning, before the sun burns the water off your beloved plants. Any other time is wasteful, because the water won't get to the roots.. it will evaporate on the soil before it gets a chance.
7. Try not to buy annuals
Okay annuals are pretty and they are also quick fixes to gaping, boring spots in your flower beds, but perennials are the key to a thriving garden; they get bigger and more robust every year. Annuals need to be replaced on a yearly basis. Perennials also make better cuttings for the table.
6. Share cuttings
Divide and share your perennials with neighbours and friends; this will add to the variety of species in your garden, and best of all, it's free!
5. Double up
Plant ornamental edibles, such as scarlet runner beans which have a very pretty flower and a nice, scaling habit.
4. Grow herbs
Some herbs, such as rosemary, chives, thyme, mint and oregano should overwinter well and come back even better the following spring.
3. Plant according to climate requirements
Don't lose a gorgeous perennial because it wasn't suited for the climate or it was sun loving and it was planted in the shade; make sure you are planting species that are zone appropriate, will like the soil, and the amount of sun/shade offered by the area that you choose to plant it.
2. Stalk thrift stores and Craigslist
Thrift stores are such great places for garden finds, such as tools, planters, or even pavers and patio tables.
1. End of season sales
Another place you should stalk if you are looking to augment your perennial collection or garden tools is the end of summer sales. Even if the plant looks a little wonky and sad, planting it in the fall is the perfect time for it to settle in for the winter, and it will probably surprise you next year when you see its little leaves popping up in the spring, ready for another season.
