Gardening--Fun and Frugal!

Whether you are an avid vegetable gardener, a beginning herb gardener or just like to have a pretty yard, these frugal tips may help you save a little money!

1. Stale coffee and coffee grounds make great organic fertilizer. They provide many trace minerals and low, gentle levels of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous.

2. Remember that a good soaking of water less often is better than a light sprinkling every day -- for veggies and for your lawn.

3. If your neighbor has a plant you particularly like, ask for a cutting, instead of going to the nursery and buying one. Maybe you could trade a cutting from one of your own plants.

4. To easily water a tomato plant, bury a bottomless coffee can next to the plant and pour the water into the can. This allows the water to go straight to the roots.

5. Plant marigolds in your vegetable garden. They will attract insects that eat aphids and other pests.

6. My husband bought some used carpet at a garage sale, cut it into wide strips and laid it down between the rows in our garden. Now we can pick peas with getting our shoes muddy.

7. Use grass clippings as mulch around your vegetable plants to keep moisture in and weeds out. Just don't use the clippings right after you have fertilized your grass or treated for weed control.

8. If you have access to them, pine needles make excellent mulch.

9. A natural, frugal garden pest spray: mix 1 tablespoon of liquid dishwashing soap and 1 cup of cooking oil. Use 3 tablespoons of this mixture to 1 quart of water and spray on plants.

10. In the herb garden, to keep plants like mint from taking over too big an area, put it in a clay pot and simply plant the whole pot!

"He who plants a garden, plants happiness."

About The Author

Cyndi Roberts is the editor of the "1 Frugal Friend 2 Another" bi-weekly newsletter and founder of the website of the same name. Visit http://www.cynroberts.com to find creative tips, articles, and a free e-cooking book. Subscribe to the newsletter and receive the free e-course "Taming the Monster Grocery Bill".

editor@cynroberts.com

---

Fuchsia procumbens

Fuchsia (named after Leonhard Fuchs, a 16th century German botanist)... Read More

Lap Pools ? Great Exercise Inside Or Any Size Backyard

Do you love swimming? Do you dream of an in... Read More

Gift Ideas for Bird Lovers

Some of the best gifts you can give to a... Read More

8 Simple Tips to Keep Your Lawn Mower Running

1. If you have a non-electric mower which runs on... Read More

Preliminary Considerations Before Building Your Own Backyard Garden Pond

This article is geared towards the beginner water gardener, who... Read More

Canopy Swings - Escape the Weather with One

Do you love to sit outdoors and swing for hours... Read More

Edgeworthia Chrysantha

Although it is a member of the Thymelaeaceae, the family... Read More

Vermicomposting - Worm Composters For Eco-Friendly Waste Disposal and Recycling

Worms are not only the gardener's best friend, they are... Read More

Buying Teak Wood Furniture Responsibly

Teak has many qualities that make the indoor and outdoor... Read More

Enjoy Creating and Growing a Sustainable Garden While Feeding Your Family

A sustainable garden means one that can be sustained over... Read More

Iris Flowers Remind Me Of Mom!

Iris flowers always bring memories of mom to mind. Let... Read More

Hydroponics Gardening - An Introduction To Hydroponics Gardening For Beginners (Part 3) Lighting

THE BASICS OF HYDROPONICS.An Introduction To Indoor Plant Grow Lights.There... Read More

Feng Shui in the Garden

"The Ancient Art of Placement" called Feng Shui (pronounced phung... Read More

Choosing the Right Roses for Your Garden

The selection of roses you can grow in your home... Read More

Adirondack Chairs - How to Care for and Clean Them

Different from any other chair, the Adirondack chair was first... Read More

5 Secrets to Growing Beautiful Roses

A rose is a rose is a rose - and... Read More

Fleur De Lotus: Purity in a Sullied World

Rising from a muddy pond, a lotus flower blossoms. Such... Read More

Fun, Funky Garden Plants

I have a love for funky, fun and unique garden... Read More

Pond Filter

A pond filter is one of the most important components... Read More

Growing Vegetables in Containers - The Compact Solution

Container vegetable gardens are a great alternative for those that... Read More

Hummingbird Migration

Specific humming bird migration patterns differ by species and habitats,... Read More

Gardening with Bamboo

Myths and facts A misconception about bamboo is that they... Read More

The Ivy League

Parthenocissus tricuspidata is commonly known as Boston Ivy, Cottage Ivy,... Read More

Gardeners Gift Ideas

Plant lovers and backyard enthusiasts are special people who will... Read More

Landscape Wallpaper

Landscape wallpaper can be a great addition to your computer's... Read More

How to Grow Basil

Today there are sprays, scented candles, plug-ins, and even discs... Read More

About Window Ledge Gardening

The growing of flowering or foliage plants on window ledges... Read More

Roses - Creating Beautiful Cut Roses

Many gardeners like to enjoy their roses twice - first... Read More

Buying a Lawn Mower

Anyone with a lawn, no matter how small will at... Read More

What is Compost Tea?

Organic gardeners all know compost is fantastic stuff. But now,... Read More

A Look at Fall Flower Bulbs

Most people would think of fall as a season when... Read More

How To Grow Luscious Tomatoes

The tomato is the most commonly grown vegetable in the... Read More

Orchid Care - What The Leaves Tell Us

Orchid Care Leaves Tell Us About Orchid HealthOver the past... Read More