If you have a garden, then you know how expensive it can be to maintain, both in money and in time. You have to buy all of your tools, containers, fertilizers, plants, replace your plants when they die, constantly weed out all of the bad plants and bugs invading your space – the list goes on and on. So why make gardening more expensive and more difficult than it has to be?
That’s why we’ve narrowed down all the need-to-know tips on how to not only be a smart gardener, but also budget-friendly. Let’s break it down!
1. Be aware of your planting zone.
This is incredibly important for keeping your plants living and thriving longer. Make sure you know what kind of plants are ideal of your region’s specific temperature and environment.
2. Reuse household objects.
Pots and containers are by far some of the most expensive parts of maintaining a beautiful garden space – so why not save yourself some money and recycle?
3. Make your own organic pesticide.
Keeping bugs and other critters out of your garden can be a pain – a really expensive pain. Try making your own homemade pesticide to not only save yourself the money but also that extra trip out.
4. Add some hydrogen peroxide to your plants’ water.
Turns out, adding a little hydrogen peroxide can really help your plants, especially when it comes to protecting them from harmful pesticides. I’d recommend using only 1 tsp. of hydrogen peroxide per 1 liter of water.
5. Mulch your garden regularly.
Mulching helps break down nutrients and help your plants take them in easier. You’ll want to mulch at least once per season to keep your garden healthy.
6. Make your own compost.
Composting is so important to plant health and also helps the environment. If you want to give your plants a quick refresher, compost is absolutely the way to go! For composting info, check out our article on how to compost.
7. Don’t tolerate weeds in your garden.
Some weeds can actually be harmful to the plants in your garden, and ultimately cause them to die. Make sure to prune your garden regularly and pull weeds out by their roots to discourage any further growth.
8. Invest in plant covers.
Plant covers, either hard or soft, are a great investment for every gardener. They help to protect your plants from the elements as well as keep nasty critters like slugs and caterpillars away.
9. Give each plants its own space.
When planning your garden, you’ll want to devote a small area to each plant. Try to envision the space that your plant will take up, rather than what it currently does. In the end, your garden will thank you.
10. Know when to water.
It’s no secret that your water bill can get pretty expensive when you’re caring for a whole garden – but did you know that you can conserve water with a simple trick? Try watering in the evening instead of the daytime. This will help your plants maintain water and stay hydrated longer.
11. Trim your herbs and veggies.
Did you know that when herbs begin to flower, they start to lose their flavor? Yep, it’s absolutely true! Don’t waste your money on replacing another basil plant ever again – just trim off those little flowers sprouting up.
12. Create a DIY drip irrigation system.
This might sound complicated, but in reality it’s very simple! All you need is a plastic water bottle and something to poke holes in it. Bury your water bottle halfway into your pot and fill the bottle as needed. Your plant will slowly pull water out as the soil dried, watering itself.
13. Mark your plants.
In order to avoid any confusion, mark your plants right away after planting. You wouldn’t want to mix up your basil for your mint – that would certainly make for a very strange spaghetti.
14. Use what you have.
Leftover kitchen scraps, like egg shells, coffee grounds, and banana peels are all great items to toss into your garden. Each of these are loaded with nutrients that your garden will absolutely love. However, beware of any critters these items might attract!
15. Love what you do.
Gardening can be frustrating and difficult, but if you allow yourself to relax and enjoy yourself, gardening can be a great way to destress.
As always, happy planting!
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
