Mulch is supposed to make your garden look polished and well-kept, but if you’ve ever ended up with a chaotic, patchy mess, you’re not alone. The key to a picture-perfect landscape is knowing how to lay mulch the right way. From depth to edging, small mistakes can lead to big headaches. Ready to transform your…
gardening tips
The Dark Side of Gardening: 6 Herbs That Thrive Without Sunlight
Growing herbs indoors without sunlight might sound impossible, but some plants love the shade. Whether you live in an apartment with limited natural light or just want to expand your indoor garden, these herbs will thrive even in the darkest corners. Here are six hardy herbs that flourish without direct sunlight, making them perfect for…
10 Cheap Gardening Tools Every Gardener Needs in Their Shed
Finding the best cheap gardening tools can transform your gardening experience without breaking the bank. Equipping your shed with affordable, high-quality tools ensures you can maintain a beautiful garden efficiently and effectively. Get ready to elevate your gardening game with these budget-friendly essentials. 1. Old Bread Knife One of the best things about gardening is…
If You Only Grow One Type of Spinach Let This One Be It
The weather has been up and down lately. One moment, it’s freezing cold; the next, there’s a mini-heatwave. It makes me glad that I didn’t bother to plant too much in pursuit of a fall and winter harvest. A few carrot and beet tops are peeking out of the ground; the zinnias are still…
Garden Planning: Crop Rotation
I’ve said it before. It’s so important for a frugal gardener to plan. While gardeners without a strict budget can afford to be a little lax when it comes to planning, those who are looking to save money, in the long run, need to be meticulous and start thinking about their garden layout months,…
A Wealth of Information: 4 Great Reasons to Order & Keep Seed Catalogs
Have you started receiving your seed catalogs yet? Mine have indeed begun arriving in my mailbox! I’ve set the pile aside during the holidays — I’ve been too busy cleaning, cooking, and entertaining to peruse them, but I look forward to when I have a chance to flip through the pages of delicious-looking produce. …
Seed Starting on a Budget Series: Inventory & Supplies
For the next few weeks, I’ll be focusing on the topic of seed starting. I’ll be providing you with budget-friendly tips, hints, and strategies to get you started this gardening season without breaking the bank. This week, let’s talk about inventory and seed starting supplies. Inventory Every year, I have a mini panic about…
Seed Starting on a Budget Series: Indoors vs. Outdoors
I recently polled my social media followers to find out what kinds of questions they had about seed starting, and a common source of confusion is figuring out which seeds need to be started indoors. You don’t need to dig out all your seeds and start everything indoors before the last frost date. Why Not…
Seed Starting on a Budget Series: The Importance of Biding Your Time
My first serious foray into indoor seed starting began with a bang. My husband helped me set up a makeshift grow shelf, and I purchased soil mixes, trays, and pots. I was so ready to get started that I assumed it would be better to get things going sooner rather than later. I quickly…
DIY Cold Frames from Recycled Materials
Cold frames are an ingenious way to shield plants from cold weather while creating the perfect microclimate for growth. Building your own cold frame from recycled materials is an eco-conscious, cost-effective solution. Here’s everything you need to know about cold frames and how to make one yourself. What Are Cold Frames and How Do They…