Make the Most of Your Gardening Budget
We’re all eager to get digging in the garden, and the soil temperature is getting warmer every day. That’s why early spring is the perfect time to plan all your gardening dreams while also making smart budgeting decisions along the way. We’ve gathered some great tips on how to stretch your gardening dollars so you can enjoy your outdoor space to its fullest!
Look over last year’s garden photos and notes
Before you start spending money ordering seeds, bulbs and plants, take a moment to evaluate what worked well in your yard last season. Which plants thrived? How much mulch did you need to cover all your flower beds? Which areas of your garden yielded the best vegetable harvest? Going over the records you kept will save you time and money this year. And if you didn’t keep any notes last year, now’s a great time to set up a simple spreadsheet to help you keep track of expenses and successes in your garden. You can download garden budget templates online that include things you may not have thought of, like water usage or soil health.
Take inventory of your tools and supplies
Gardening more efficiently with the right equipment for each task is a great way to stay on budget. Skimping on tools for big jobs like weeding, edging and planting often leads to having to replace these items throughout the season, so investing wisely in quality products always pays off. You also shouldn’t skip doing soil tests or providing nutrients for your garden, because having a healthy garden means not having to buy more plants to fill bare spaces.
Small ways to save big
You can easily stretch your gardening budget by taking advantage of what’s (almost) right in your backyard! For example, many cities and towns supply free compost, mulch or seedling plants to residents, so it’s worth checking out what programs your area organizes. Local gardening clubs often host perennial or seed swaps, which is a great way to supplement your flower or vegetable beds. Consider buying mulch or soil in bulk, splitting an order with your neighbors.
Do some DIY
You can also save money by making your own compost and garden nutrients. Re-use and recycle items instead of buying new supplies: Start your seeds in egg cartons or shells, the bottom half of cardboard milk cartons or in old plant trays. Collect leaves and cardboard to make your own mulch. Repurpose whimsical objects lying around the house or garage to use as planters, trellises, fencing or stand-alone art in your flowerbeds.
How have you stretched your gardening budget? Share your ideas and photos with us!
PHOTO CREDIT INFORMATION:
Plant in hand: Photo by Akil Mazumder from Pexels
Seedling plants: Photo by Kaboompics .com from Pexels
Mulch: Photo by Jorge Urosa from Pexels
Boy watering garden: Photo by Filip Urban on Unsplash
