Tips like these helped us pay off $127K in debt. You can read our story in Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After.
Spring has sprung and you’ve probably already been bitten by the bug to clean up your yard and begin planting flowers and veggies. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of all things fresh and new and overspend. However, there are some incredibly simple ways to save money gardening. Check out the following ideas to keep your green garden from going into the red.
Clean Up & Research First
No matter what sort of project you take on, it’s always a good idea to begin with what you have. I’m always so tempted to rush out to the store and snap up everything in sight. However, many times, the items I need already in my possession or my time would be better spent by simply cleaning up and picking up. Don’t speed to spend, instead make the most of what you already have.
Make Your Own Weed Killer
Did you know that you don’t need heavy chemicals to eliminate weeds? In fact, you can whip up a non-toxic, frugal version for a fraction of the price. Simply combine 1 gallon of white vinegar with 1 cup of table salt (I’ve read some recipes that use epsom salts, instead) and a squeeze of liquid dish soap. I was amazed at how well this worked. I made a 1/4 batch to test it out this week and it did the trick. For application use either a weed sprayer or even a spray bottle you can purchase at the dollar store. It takes a day or two for the weeds begin to die but it is very successful at killing weeds.
Save Your Seeds
Year after year, you can use the same little package of seeds. You don’t need all of the seeds in the packet and they can be kept in a sealed jar in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use them next season. Sure, they don’t cost much, but you’ll be saved the time and energy of running to the store. Keep it simple and save your seeds.
Keep it Simple
Again, it’s very easy to bite off more than we can chew when it comes to gardening. The plants are so small and seem like they’ll stay that way forever. Right now, the weather is mild and you imagine long summer days of quietly watching your garden grow. However, let me remind you friends, late July is coming. It will be humid. The sun will shine ALL. DAY. LONG. And more than anything, you’ll want to hide in your air conditioned cave home. Don’t let your enthusiasm and the lovely spring cloud your judgment. Keep realistic expectations for what you will and won’t be able to keep up with as the summer wears on and you get a little bit busier than you realize.
Build Your Own Box from Clearance Wood
Raised beds are all the rage. We have more than one box ourselves. However, skip the pricey pre-fab kit and opt to construct your own. Bob Vila doesn’t have to live in your house to make a simple box. Check out the book All New Square Foot Gardening: Grow More in Less Space (see if your library has a copy) for basic instructions. AND, see if your hardware or home improvement store has a clearance wood section (most do) to pick up what you need with steep savings to spare.
Gardening is fun AND you’ll literally have fruits of your labor later in the season. Make wise choices to make the most of your money and your experience.
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out Inspiration to Pay Off Debt: 30 Days of Encouragement from the Queen of Free
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