I’ve been gardening for a sum total of 14 years. Throughout this process there have been many moments of detoxing, arduous work and education. Here are some time and money saving tips that’ll last you a lifetime:
1. Create A Visual Layout For Your Garden Straight From The Get-Go
Draw or sketch the look you’d like to accomplish. Having a vision and then having it sketched will create a blueprint that you can follow easily.
Visit a seasoned gardener’s yard you admire, your local botanical gardens and your local nurseries, Home Depot and Lowe’s. The idea is to seek inspiration from experts who love to help others!
2. Decide Whether You Should Be Planting Perennials Or Annuals
Annuals typically last for an entire season, such as spring, summer, fall or winter. Annuals may even last until the first frost! Zinnias and petunias are examples of annuals. Some annuals are very easy to cultivate like zinnias. I like to save my zinnia, marigold and cosmo seeds for the next season. I store them in labelled ziplocs and plant the seeds every season. Most times, the seeds will grow on their own and you won’t even need to replant for that season. It saves me time as well as money!
Perennials on the other hand can live more than two years. For example, the hibiscus flower is a perennial. With perennials, you plant them, fertilize, cut back regularly and watch them grow! It’s all about preferences. I have a combination of annuals and perennials in my garden.
3. Select Plants That Cover A Large Area
Instead of planting lots of plants, select plants like periwinkles, purple queen, ferns, sweet potato vines and coleus to name a few. These plants will spread and cover weeds as well! It’s a creative way to establish a wow factor in your garden while doing less gardening!
4. STOP Using Store Bought Liners For Your Garden
Newspapers are often free. You can collect sales papers or recycle the ones that get thrown in your driveway. I use my newspapers to line my garden before I mulch. Layer 3 to 4 newspaper per section throughout your garden.
The good news; it’s organic and it’s a major win win.
You will not see weeds for months on end! My yard is weed free from October to March. I was saved six months of pulling weeds!! As an avid gardener, that frees up my time to do something else in my garden.
5.Save Your Egg Shells, Banana Peels And Coffee Grounds
Egg shells provide calcium which is vital for your plants. Just break them into small pieces and place in the soil.
Use banana peels in conjunction with your regular fertilizer. When the peels decompose they have potassium and small amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and magnesium. This becomes a slow release fertilizer for your plants!
Coffee grounds on the other hand can also be used as a fertilizer. If you live near a Starbucks they save the coffee grounds for gardeners. It’s packaged nicely and usually ready for pick up. It’s important to use used coffee grounds. Used coffee grounds attract earthworms. Earthworms are excellent for your soil and plants. They consume debris and decayed roots.
Use these tips to optimize your gardening routine and let me know below your plans for your garden.
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