How to Save on Summer Garden Flowers
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La Flaf With nicer weather approaching and the promise of summer on the horizon, many are thinking about gardening in the near future. While there are plenty of nicely grown, easy-to-transplant flower pallets waiting at the local home improvement stores and nurseries, buying in bulk can get expensive. But you can work wonders with a variety of plants and flowers without blowing your tight budget. Here are some easy ways to still make your garden pretty without spending a fortune. (See also: Garden Ideas for Small Spaces)
Grow Your Own
Seed packets are inexpensive, as is the potting soil you need to start your own seedlings. You should start planting seeds early and keep them well-watered in a sunlit place inside your home to promote growth. There are lots of free resources online to show you how to plant at home successfully, and you can save a lot of cash and still get all the flowers you need for a fraction of the cost. Use recycled milk jugs to start your plants, so you don’t have to spend more money on excess gardening supplies.
Think Perennials
Perennials will come back year after year if cared for properly. You can purchase lovely perennial bulbs just about anywhere these days, including dollar stores. The good thing about perennials is that you do the work once, and the plants require only maintenance from there on out.
Borrow From Family
Many flowers and other plants are able to be shared. If you admire plants and flowers from your friends, family, and even the neighbors, ask if they would share some with you. Plant roots like hosta or Rose of Sharon can be separated and replanted successfully.
Check Out the Farmers Markets
There are many working farms that grow things other than produce in order to increase profitability. Many will sell trays of great-looking flower varieties at a fraction of the cost you’d find in retail locations. You can find a large selection of annual and perennial plants and flowers in season at your local farmers market.
Remember that outdoor flowers and plants require care and maintenance. If you want your garden to look good, be sure to keep it free of weeds and properly watered so the plants will look healthy and vibrant. Do your research about which flowers are best for your location based on the seasons. If you organize your garden properly, you’ll be able to have in-season blooms throughout the spring, summer, and fall without spending a fortune.
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This might sound silly, but one of the things that bummed me out about moving across the country last year was that I had to give away my potted chive plant. It was a cutting from the plant in my mom's garden, which she planted from a cutting someone gave her over 20 years ago.
One place where we've received an abundance of plants is through freecycle.org. It's a site where people give away items to others for free. We actually redid our whole backyard, granted a small backyard, with plants and flowers that we got through freecycle. We now have an overabundance of plants that we are sharing with others. Additionally, you can sometimes find plants on craigslist under the free section as well.