How I Save Money Gardening
Gardening, while it's very therapeutic and enjoyable for me, it's also very expensive, especially when you're first starting out. That's why I'm always on the lookout for ideas that will help to save me money, while still finding pleasure and joy in the gardening world.
But it got me thinking that there are probably a lot of you who enjoy gardening but who can't justify the cost of putting your stamp on your outdoor space. So I thought I'd share some of my tips for saving money while still getting my hands dirty in the soil.
I buy perennials
I very rarely buy annual, like bedding plants. I think they're a waste of money, especially when I've invested in plants and flowers that will come back year after year, with the right care. I will always, when shopping for new plants, choose ones that are perennial and hardy, so they can withstand the winter. While they may cost more, starting off small and watching them grow is a good way to save money, which is a tip I'll be talking about in more detail soon.
I try & grow plants from seed
I'm not always successful in this venture, but when I am, it really does pay off. That and you get a lot of satisfaction from growing plants and flowers from something so small, that you've nurtured and looked after from day one. Seeds are also far cheaper than buying a fully-grown plant.
I've learnt how to propagate some plants & flowers
Propagating plants and splitting plants, like Peonies and Hostas, are a great way of multiplying the plants and flowers you have without buying new ones. If you like your current hydrangea, for example, don't go out and buy a new one.
Instead, take a cutting from your existing one and grow a whole new plant from that. It's a great way to save money, especially if you want several of the same plant. Consider splitting flowers as well. Make sure you do your research though before doing that.
Sometimes, it's as simple as putting a spade right through the middle of an established plant, pulling up one half and replanting it elsewhere. But like I say, do your research beforehand. Often, you need to do this at a certain time of year, and not all plants can survive it, so know what you're doing before you start propagating or splitting plants down the middle.
I use rainwater to water the plants, when I can
You don't have to have a water butt handy to water plants with rainwater. We don't have one. I just leave the watering can out and let it fill up in the rain. While this isn't the case everyday, it's ideal when it does rain. Plants and flowers will always prefer rainwater over the stuff we get from the tap - trust me. That and it saves you money on your water bill.
I ask around for plant pots & containers that aren't being used
If I need a new plant pot or container, I'll always ask friends and family if they have any that they aren't using or don't want that I could have. It saves so much money and they will often last for years. I can't remember the last time I bought a plant pot from the shops.
I buy small plants & watch them grow
Buying bigger, better established plants will always come with a heftier price tag. That's why I'll always buy plants that are small. It's very rare I'll spend more than about £10 on a plant, purely because of its size. They soon grow, with the right care.
I visit plant nurseries
Don't get me wrong. I love a good garden centre. But while I'll look around at what they have, and stop for a cheeky coffee and a slice of cake half way round, it's rare that I'll buy plants and flowers from them any more. Instead, I'll visit our local plant nursery.
They're often a few pounds cheaper than the plants you can buy from a garden centre. With the savings you've made, you'll have enough to buy another plant, essentially getting one for free when comparing it to the price of the ones in the garden centres.
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I hope you enjoyed this blog post and that you found it useful? Let me know in the comments below whether or not you have any tips for cost-effective gardening and I'll see you again soon with some brand new content!
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