Fun Gardening Tips

Gardening is an enjoyable, relaxing hobby. For some, it can also be a great way to save money. Once you have an established garden, savings on fruits and vegetables far outweigh the costs of getting started. The upfront costs of cultivating a young garden can be expensive and frustrating. We've compiled a list of fun gardening tips to help you save money and ease the stress.

Saving money on pots and planters– Most gardens begin indoors, since young seedlings need to be cared for until they are big enough to be placed outdoors. Instead of buying cartoons and pots, why not swing by a local grower, nursery, flower shop, or farmers' market and ask them if they have any spare pots or planters they plan on throwing away. Not only will you get your pots for free, you’ll be promoting a healthier environment. 

Planting Seeds – If you do plan on planting seeds directly into your garden, then you know how frustrating spreading seeds can be. Instead of and hand-tossing your seeds and hoping they land in ideal locations, why not create your own seed shaker? Clean out an empty parmesan cheese shaker, and fill it with a mixture of dirt and seeds. Your homemade shaker will help you evenly distribute your seeds! 

Fun fact – Did you know that apples, onions, and potatoes all have the same taste? The only reason these vegetables are perceived to have different flavors is our sense of smell. Try this experiment with your family; while wearing a blindfold, plug your nose and take a bite of an apple, onion, or potato to see if you can distinguish between the three! You’ll be surprised at how the tastes and textures are almost identical!

Have fun and happy gardening! Remember, your new garden may be costly in the beginning, but big money savings are on the horizon.