Janelle Esker Oh, how I love flowers! Have you gone shopping for flowers and vegetables of late? Alas, gardening can be expensive, yep, really expensive! Here are 5 garden tips that will save you time and money, based on practical, organic, and efficient gardening practices.
Spending time in the garden is good for you. Gardening provides numerous physical, mental, and emotional benefits. I am so very thankful that it is considered a form of exercise and reduces stress! There is power in gazing upon the beauty of God’s creation.
5 Garden Tips That Will Save You Time and Money
- Mulch to Suppress Weeds and Retain Moisture
Spread a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch (like wood chips, straw, compost, or grass clippings) around plants. This reduces weed growth, retains soil moisture, and cuts down on watering and weeding time. Mulch also adds nutrients to the soil as it decomposes, saving on fertilizer costs. - Choose Low-Maintenance, Native Plants
Plant native or drought-tolerant species suited to your climate and soil. These require less water, fertilizer, and care, reducing both time spent on maintenance and expenses for resources. Consider planting so-called weeds, which are really just native species! Check state extension services for plant recommendations specific to your region. - Compost Kitchen Scraps for Free Fertilizer
Create a compost pile with vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and yard waste. This provides free, nutrient-rich compost, cuts fertilizer costs, and reduces the time spent shopping for soil amendments. Turn the pile occasionally to speed decomposition. I am blessed to have a flock of chickens that compost my kitchen scraps for me, and we then muck the coop and add that to the compost pile. - Use Drip Irrigation or Soaker Hoses
Install a drip irrigation system or soaker hoses to deliver water directly to plant roots. This minimizes water waste compared to sprinklers, lowering your water bill and reducing time spent hand-watering. Set timers for even more efficiency. This one is on my to-do list! It saves money but involves an upfront financial investment up front. Don’t forget about a rain barrel, too! - Propagate Plants from Cuttings or Seeds
Instead of buying new plants, take cuttings from existing ones or collect seeds from your garden. This one gardening tip has probably saved me the most money! Seed saving and propagating plants saves money on nursery purchases and reduces time spent sourcing plants. For example, herbs like rosemary or perennials like lavender are easy to propagate. I am currently propagating boxwood and wild roses.
These tips use organic garden practices and efficient systems to keep your garden thriving with minimal cost and effort. Saving money by approaching the garden differently will not only produce more plants but also save more money.
“I love my garden, and I love working in it. To potter with green growing things, watching each day to see the dear, new sprouts come up, is like taking a hand in creation, I think. Just now my garden is like faith – the substance of things hoped for.”
― Anne’s House of Dreams
YOUR TURN…
How do you save money in your garden?
Peacefully Yours,
Janelle
