Gardening On A Budget: Tips For Thrifty Plant Lovers
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When it comes to gardening, you don’t have to spend thousands of pounds to create a stunning garden that you are proud to show off to your family and friends. All the planning and excitement of getting your garden ‘summer ready’ can end up costing you a fortune, so let’s explore some of our top tips on how to be a thrifty gardener.
Plan Ahead
Rather than purchasing plants as and when you need them, think about exactly what you want your garden to look like during the different seasons. Could you be ordering your Spring flowering bulbs now ready for delivery in September? Or alternatively, if your grass is looking a bit dull do you need to get your grass seed ordered in time to create the perfect summer lawn?
Re-Use Existing Plants
One concept that people often forget about when expanding their garden is that you can actually multiply your plants from ones that you already own! Not only is this a great idea, it won’t cost you a penny either. Most plants can be propagated by dividing them, taking cuttings or collecting seeds.
DIY Plant Care
Taking care of your new or recycled plants doesn’t have to be expensive either, there are lots of different DIY plant solutions that can help keep them healthy:
1. Natural fertilisers
Why spend lots of money on fertiliser when you can make your own, more natural ones using household items? Ground coffee and banana peels are great for giving your plants extra nutrients. Either mix them into the soil or create a compost pile to help your plants grow.
2. Natural pest control
Dealing with pests doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune on chemical sprays. There are lots of natural alternatives like neem oil, for example. Simply mix a small amount of neem oil with water and some dish soap, then spray it onto your plants.
3. Humidity trays
Some plants require a high-humidity environment in order to grow, which can be difficult when you live in a dry climate. A humidity tray is fairly simple to create though, simply fill a shallow tray with water and place it near your plants. As the water evaporates this will increase the humidity levels around the plants.
Maximising Plant Longevity
Keeping your plants alive doesn’t have to cost you a small fortune, here are some of our top tips to help them stay healthy for as long as possible.
Make sure you water your plants regularly and give them plenty of sunlight to help them grow, and if you do see any yellow leaves or dead flowers then remove these as soon as possible. If your plants start to look a bit droopy it may be a good idea to move them around into a sunnier spot or give them some extra hydration. They should bounce back fairly quickly so don’t panic.
Taking care of your plants on a budget is completely possible, sometimes you just have to be a bit creative. Let us know if you have any other tips on how to be a thrifty plant lover!