GardeningToolReview.com Announces Top 9 Ways to Save Money in the Garden

Jan. 23, 2009 - PRLog -- This year, people are looking for more ways to save money in the garden. According to the New York Times,

      "The Commerce Department reported that consumers sharply cut their
       spending... causing the United States economy to shrink"

People are looking into all areas of their lives to cut back, and the garden is no exception.

Here are 9 ways to keep a little more money in your wallet.

Grow your own vegetables
It doesn't take much space to grow your own vegetables. People living in condominiums can plant them in large containers on their balconies. And homeowners can fit 4 tomato plants, 1 cucumber plants, 1 zucchini plants 2 pepper plants, one cantaloupe and one pumpkin plant, and numerous carrots, radishes, and onions in one 4' x 4' space. Just follow the plans of Square Foot Gardening expert Mel Bartholomew.

Grow plants from seed, buy small plants or take cuttings for your yard or your neighbor's
It's easy and fun to grow plants from seed. And small plant will take several seasons to mature, but it's enjoyable watching them grow. And every gardener has a prized plant and most are eager to share. So pot up some of your cuttings to share with others as well.

Plant native plants
Most people would be surprised at the variety of native plants that can bring beauty to your yard. And native plants need less supplemental care, which saves you money. Less water, less fertilizer if any, and less pests and diseases. There is a phenomenal search tool at www.wildflower.org. And it's not just for flowers. You can search by state, sunlight, bloom time and type of plant.

Add colorful, blooming shrubs
You'll get more bang for the buck. You can fill a larger, empty area with 2 or 3 shrubs that would take a dozen or more flowering plants. If you buy small shrub and have the time to wait, they are well worth the money. And it saves money as well.

Use soaker hoses or drip irrigation
Both of these methods use significantly less water, thereby saving money on your water bill. And you won't waste water, so that is good for the environment as well.

Only water your lawn once a week
It will look slightly worse for the wear, but you'll save half of your summer watering expense. Don't forget to cut your grass a little higher as longer grass shades the roots and requires less water.

Make your own compost
Compost is like gardener's gold. It adds trace nutrients to the soil. It's a wonderful soil conditioner. It helps retain moisture. And plants top dressed with compost rarely need extra fertilizer and your garden will be the envy of the neighborhood. So you'll cut down on your fertilizer expense. And your plants will be much healthier and live longer. And making compost is easy. There are numerous resources on the internet.

Get free, or low cost mulch from your community
Many communities collect leaves, trimmings and Christmas trees at curbside collection. They turn around and shred everything and turn it into mulch. They then offer it to their community. And mulching retains water and minimizes weeds which are definitely money savers. Contact your city hall to find out if this service is available.

And most importantly, set a budget before going to the garden center
Or opt to work with the plants you have and swap cuttings with your neighbors

These tips will surely save you money this year. And you might wind up with a more beautiful garden next year.

For more money and time saving tips, visit www.GardeningToolReview.com and spend more time enjoying your garden.

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About GardeningToolReview.com: we are a gardening resource providing hints and tips to save time and money, while providing for more enjoyment in the garden.