Spring is officially here and for over 55% of the country, that means it’s time to roll up those sleeves and get into the garden. Whether you’re just learning the ropes or have plenty of experience, gardening is a great hobby that is both fun and rewarding.
The best news? It doesn’t have to break the bank. From growing your own seeds and composting to propagating and repurposing, here are a few tips to make your spring garden more affordable.
Join online gardening groups
Social media sites are packed with different groups for every type of gardener. Whether a novice or an expert, you can easily connect with other gardeners for tips and tricks in your zone.
From tips for healthy soil to advice on what to plant and when, these communities offer an abundance of knowledge on how to make your garden thrive. Many also have seed-share programs and produce-swapping, which offers an opportunity to bring more variety into your garden and share your abundance with others.
Start with the seeds
Ever buy peppers, tomatoes, garlic or potatoes to use in the kitchen just to toss the rest away? Store-bought items are perfect for starting your seed or veggie collection.
Before tossing the scraps, collect seeds and spread out on a paper towel to dry. Once dry, these can be stored and used for up to six years, depending on the item.
Potatoes, garlic, ginger and onion can be planted directly in soil to yield full-grown plants.
Build a compost
Speaking of tossing the scraps, did you know they can be turned into nutrient-rich compost for your gardens
Fruit and vegetable scraps as well as coffee grounds can be composted to increase nitrogen, helping reduce waste and provide for your garden. Cardboard, shredded paper, and lawn and plant clippings can introduce carbon for rich soil.
Propagate, propagate, propagate
Many plants can be propagated from one small specimen to an entire plant. Celery, green onion, lettuce, pineapple, carrots and herbs are just a few of the options.
From a simple cutting to using scraps from your kitchen, you can maximize your harvest and produce more without spending more.
Use household items to reduce soil cost
Filling an entire garden bed or planting bags can be costly. The good news is, you can layer your beds, only adding soil to the top.
Logs and branches, large rocks, chip drops and cardboard are all great options to fill the bulk of your beds before topping with soil and compost. This is a wonderful way to stretch your budget and keep items out of the landfill at the same time.
There are plenty of ways to make gardening both fun and budget-friendly. By joining online gardening groups, starting your garden from seeds, building your own compost, propagating plants and using household items to fill your garden beds, you’ll be able to nurture your green thumb without breaking the bank.
Grab your gardening gloves and get ready to dig in — it’s time to make your spring garden thrive while keeping your finances in check!
Editor’s note: Rachel Caballero is community development and PR manager for TruWest Credit Union, which has financial service centers in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Peoria, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Surprise and Tempe. Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.
