As everyone who loves pretty flowers and yummy edibles knows, you can rack up a ton of money before you even hit the checkstand. So, what can you do for pennies in your garden? You might just be surprised. Here's just a few ideas to get you started:
Recycle your garden supplies. You can paint pots, or glue mosiacs on them, spray paint them with stencils, or decoupage seed packets on them (be sure to put a clear coat of polyurethane on after).
Move around your garden art for a different look. Group things together in a different area. You'll be surprised at how much you will love the change.
Visit your local Household Hazardous Waste Center. In our area this is run by the Fire Department. They usually have the best-kept secret, a Second Chance Store, where they offer household items such as paint, household cleaners, automotive oil and supplies, and gardening fertilizers and enhancements. These items especially can be expensive and you can get it all for free!
Another resource is building supply second chance stores. Many of the non-profits have these type of places when they demolish a home, where they sell used building supplies at a heavy discount. (For example, an interior door would go for around $5.) Construction businesses will also donate to these non-profits, who will in turn pass the treasure to you.
Don't forget construction sites. You will need to talk to the Foreman and ask permission, but they are great resources for free wood scraps that are perfect for small craft projects in the garden, or firewood for your outdoor firepit.
Share your extra plants with a friend. Can't tell you how many times my Mom made a new friend by trading snips of plants with neighbors or friends. Join a garden club.
This is the time to stock up on the end-of-summer sales. Remember that stores merchandise timing is three months ahead, so in July it is really October in the stores. They are anxious to get Halloween items in, followed by Christmas, so they need the shelf space. Be careful of buying annuals who are at the end of their lifecycle; as long as you aware they will only last a month or so unless you bring them inside, you will be okay.
Compost! Fertilizer is really expensive and this way you will know exactly what is in there. You are just throwing away those items anyway so it is really found money.
Share with a friend! If you get gardening mags or newsletters, even the online ones, share once you are done with them. Share great places to go online, sales you have seen, snips of plants, your extra fruit or veggies, article snipped from the newspaper, etc.
Save seeds from your favorite plants or fruits. Air dry them and put in marked envelopes in a dry place for next season's planting.
Save rainwater or run-off water in barrels or trashcans. Your plants will love having the rainwater later on in winter. Be sure you use a trashcan with a lid that fits to discourage mosquitoes.
Look for local free classes. Each county usually has an Extension Office that provides free or low-cost classes in many areas of gardening, cooking and preserving.
Look online. There are many sites which give away plants and seeds for free.
So now when people say gardening is simply too expensive, you can just smile and smell the flowers!
Sharon Bloom is the Editor of 'Share Our Garden', a free daily blog which offers readers the opportunity to share their garden, plus inspirations, gardening tips, recycled art projects, recipes and DYI crafts. You can sign up at http://www.shareourgarden.blogspot.com, and see beautiful photos of gardens from around the world, get wonderful recipes with photos and instructions, gardening tips and articles plus much much more.
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