Be sure to check back every Monday for money saving tips for your family!
Special thanks to reader Larae for such great ideas for Money Saving Monday. Be sure and contact me if you are interested in writing money saving tips for other readers or have suggestions!
I have mentioned before that I really dislike gardening, and my husband loves it. I wish I liked to garden and it is one of those disciplines I participate in for frugality and taste. That being said growing your own garden is an amazing way to be frugal. It is a bit early here in the pacific northwest to begin planting (we are still getting snow) but preperations have started at our home. If you are considering gardening here are some quick tips to save money as you get started.
Larae wrote an email full of reasons to consider starting a garden and I loved so many of her thoughts. She took the time to figure out just how frugal gardening is she writes,
“One mini packet of broccoli seeds: $3.25 for about 100 seeds. even if I only plant 3 seeds, I get more than one head of broccoli per plant and i’ve more than just redeemed the cost I would pay in the store, not to mention it’s ORGANIC and tastes way better! I can save the seed packet for next season or plant a few more the next month so that we have a steady supply, or share with a friend and save even more money.”
1. Plant seeds not plants
It is quite inexpensive to purchase seeds. Our reader Larae and her husband enjoy the selection and prices at Johnny’s Seeds. She and her husband have been very happy with their success rate compared to local hardware store packets. You can also find seeds at your local hardware store, gardening store, even 99 cent store in some places. Most climates will allow you to plant seeds if you start earlier. If you are in an area with a very short growing season (AK or northen states) you may want to plant some seeds indoor near windows now. Then in a month (or two) you’ll have some good looking plnats to place in your garden
2. Think creatively with space
If you live in an apartment or condo don’t despair. Herbs do amazing in windowsills. This year plant some basil and oregano seeds and you can make your own pesto or pasta sauce. Work with what you have you’ll be surprised how creative you can get! We recently hung pots off our deck for herbs and were so pleased with the result!
3. Start a compost bin
A Compost bin can be quite inexpensive, it can just be a “pile” in your yard where you place food scraps and lawn trimmings but to work best it should be some type of bin as this promotes the composting process and creates better fertilizer faster.
4. Start thinking through how you will use your harvest
I start making plans (yes this early) for how I will make the most of my harvest. Will I freeze my extra rhubarb or can them? This helps me prepare for the season when fresh produce and fruit overflows at our house and helps me think through how I can keep it from going to waste.
5. Start a co-op
Join gardening efforts with friends, plant a large crop of your favorite fruit or vegetable and have them plant a large crop of another produce or vegetable you both enjoy. Then split the harvest. This can be a great space saver. You could also choose to go in together with seed packets to get the most bang for your buck.
OK Your turn let’s have the comment section of this post take off. What tips do you have for saving money as you begin your garden (more gardening saving tips coming for how to best harvest and use your hard earned fruit and produce). I know there are lot’s of great ideas out there so let’s start sharing with each other!
Do you have a good idea on how to save money that you want to share? I’d love to have some guest bloggers please contact me with your idea! frugal4abusylife (at) gmail (dot) com
-Amie
