How To Update Your Garden On A Budget.
Gardening is a wonderfully relaxing hobby to develop, and you might be surprised as to just how easy developing green fingers can be. However, when you’re just starting out you don’t want to be spending a ton of money before you’re sure that you are really in for the long haul. That’s why I’ve put together this article on the best ways to save money when you first get started.
Start from the seeds
One of the ways I’ve always saved is by growing my plants from seeds, rather than by buying the individual plants from a garden centre. Seeds are just a whole lot cheaper. Yes, it takes more time to do things this way, but that doesn’t mean that it’s still not worth saving yourself a bit of money by using this method.
Source cuttings from elsewhere
The chances are that you know someone out there who is already involved in gardening – I certainly did, and I’ve been obtaining bits and pieces from them on a regular basis (thanks, mum!). Flowers such as fuchsias and pelargoniums grow very well from cuttings, so save yourself the money that plants would cost you to buy and get snipping!
Seek out inspiration
One of the best ways to start with a new hobby is to go out and seek inspiration from others already involved in it. Fortunately, there is always a range of garden shows being held throughout the year, so you should definitely check out one or two when you first get started with a garden or an allotment. I first really fell in love with roses at a trade show at the old Birmingham NEC. Trust me – it’s really hard not to be inspired with all those great gardeners around at such events.
Get second-hand gear
My first trowel and fork were bought off eBay (way back in its early days) and my mower came from a friend who was moving to a flat and didn’t need it anymore. There really is absolutely no need to buy brand new gardening gear. It would be better to spend the money saved on some good quality garden furniture so that you can relax in comfort amongst all the wonderful crops that you will grow. Checkout sites like Gumtree, Craigslist and all the rest for the essential everyday tools that you can buy second-hand – perhaps even a second-hand greenhouse might take your fancy. Car boot sales are also great sources of used spades, forks, pots, etc.
Make your own
As with purchasing new tools, a great deal of modern gardening items can actually be made at home rather than having to pay the full retail price for them. Compost? I make my own rather than buy the expensive products. The same goes for weedkiller. There are recipes available on the internet that utilise distilled white vinegar as an ingredient in a home-made weedkiller. The same goes for nutrient plant food – a combination of one part vinegar, one part sugar and nine parts water can be prepared in minutes, and it’ll seriously help.
Always plan
It will do you and your garden the absolute world of good if you take the time to plot next-year’s layouts well in advance. This will ensure you can be ready for anything from a freak spell of bad weather to a lack of the right seeds in shops. Fail to prepare, and you prepare to fail!
