• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Frugal Gardening

Simple ways to save money while you garden

  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Garden Frugally
  • Buy These
  • Our Editorial Commitment
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Brandon Marcus

Brandon Marcus is a staff writer for FrugalGardening.com at District Media, Inc., where he delivers practical gardening advice with a relatable, no-nonsense style. An avid amateur gardener, he holds a BA degree and with over ten years of professional writing experience, he is also an award-winning published author whose first book, Questions For Deep Thinkers, was released by Adams Media. His work has appeared in major publications including Fandom.com, CHUD.com, TheColdWire.com, and Fansided.com.

Extreme Heat Is Changing Work and Outdoor Routines, Gardeners Need a Safer Schedule Too

July 11, 2026 by Brandon Marcus Leave a Comment

Extreme Heat Is Changing Work and Outdoor Routines, Gardeners Need a Safer Schedule Too

The hottest days of the year are changing more than thermostat settings. They are reshaping when people work outside, how long they stay outdoors, and how gardeners care for their plants without putting their own health at risk. A morning spent pulling weeds can quickly turn into a battle against heat when temperatures climb and…

Read More

Filed Under: garden tips Tagged With: backyard gardening, climate, extreme heat, garden tips, gardening, heat safety, outdoor work, summer gardening, water conservation

Sugarbeets, Sugarcane, and Vegetable Costs: What Gardeners Can Learn From Commodity Stress

July 11, 2026 by Brandon Marcus Leave a Comment

Sugarbeets, Sugarcane, and Vegetable Costs: What Gardeners Can Learn From Commodity Stress

A bag of sugar at the grocery store or a basket of vegetables at the market might seem far removed from a backyard garden, but the same forces affect both. Sugarbeets, sugarcane, and vegetable crops all depend on healthy soil, reliable water, and favorable growing conditions. When drought and weather stress challenge large farms, home…

Read More

Filed Under: garden tips Tagged With: commodity crops, drought gardening, food costs, gardening, soil health, sustainable gardening, USDA agriculture, vegetable gardening, water conservation

10 Vegetables That Give the Best Return for Small Gardens

July 11, 2026 by Brandon Marcus Leave a Comment

10 Vegetables That Give the Best Return for Small Gardens

A small garden does not mean a small harvest. The right vegetables can turn a tiny backyard bed, patio container, or sunny corner into a surprisingly productive food-growing space. Choosing crops that keep producing, grow vertically, or deliver multiple harvests can help gardeners squeeze more value out of every square foot. Some vegetables simply earn…

Read More

Filed Under: garden tips Tagged With: backyard gardening, container gardening, edible gardening, garden planning, growing vegetables, homegrown food, small garden ideas, vegetable gardening

Make the Switch to Microclover Lawns: Clover Mixes Feed Themselves, Suppress Weeds and Stay Green

July 11, 2026 by Brandon Marcus Leave a Comment

Make the Switch to Microclover Lawns: Clover Mixes Feed Themselves, Suppress Weeds and Stay Green

The traditional grass lawn has ruled neighborhoods for generations, but microclover lawns are changing the backyard game. This tiny-leafed clover mix brings a fresh approach to landscaping by adding natural nitrogen, reducing weed pressure, and keeping a greener appearance with less fuss. Microclover does not promise a completely maintenance-free yard, but it can make lawn…

Read More

Filed Under: garden tips Tagged With: clover grass mix, eco-friendly gardening, lawn alternatives, microclover lawn, sustainable landscaping

Misusing New Weed Killers Can Warp Your Shrubs—Triclopyr Stays in Soil for Months

July 11, 2026 by Brandon Marcus Leave a Comment

Misusing New Weed Killers Can Warp Your Shrubs—Triclopyr Stays in Soil for Months

A weed killer can solve one garden headache while quietly creating another. Products containing triclopyr can damage shrubs when gardeners apply too much, spray too close, or ignore how long this herbicide can remain active in soil. Many gardeners reach for stronger weed control when vines, brush, and stubborn broadleaf weeds start taking over the…

Read More

Filed Under: weeds Tagged With: garden safety, gardening, herbicides, landscaping, shrubs, triclopyr, weed control

How to Build a Low-Cost Shade Setup for July Vegetables

July 10, 2026 by Brandon Marcus Leave a Comment

How to Build a Low-Cost Shade Setup for July Vegetables

July heat can turn a promising vegetable garden into a stressful daily battle, but a low-cost shade setup can help plants handle scorching afternoons without draining the garden budget. A few simple materials, smart placement, and a little creativity can protect tender vegetables from harsh sunlight while keeping harvests coming. Many gardeners imagine shade structures…

Read More

Filed Under: garden tips Tagged With: diy garden, gardening, heat protection, July vegetables, shade cloth, summer gardening, Vegetable Garden

Pennsylvania’s New Fertilizer Law Bans Phosphorus and Caps Nitrogen at 0.7 lb per 1,000 Sq Ft

July 10, 2026 by Brandon Marcus Leave a Comment

Pennsylvania’s New Fertilizer Law Bans Phosphorus and Caps Nitrogen at 0.7 lb per 1,000 Sq Ft

Pennsylvania’s fertilizer law brings a major change to lawn care by banning phosphorus in most residential fertilizer products and limiting nitrogen applications to 0.7 pounds per 1,000 square feet. Gardeners who grab a bag of fertilizer without checking the label may soon discover that the old routine needs a little updating. Thankfully, a healthier lawn…

Read More

Filed Under: garden tips Tagged With: fertilizer law, lawn care, nitrogen limits, Pennsylvania gardening, phosphorus-free fertilizer, sustainable gardening

Make Your Garden a Wildlife Haven: Insect Hotels, Bee Baths and Mini Ponds Support Beneficial Creatures

July 10, 2026 by Brandon Marcus Leave a Comment

Make Your Garden a Wildlife Haven: Insect Hotels, Bee Baths and Mini Ponds Support Beneficial Creatures

A garden can become much more than a collection of flowers and vegetables when it welcomes the tiny helpers that keep nature moving. Insect hotels, bee baths, and mini ponds create inviting spaces for pollinators, predators of garden pests, and other beneficial creatures that make outdoor spaces more lively. Many gardeners focus on what plants…

Read More

Filed Under: garden tips Tagged With: bee habitat, beneficial insects, eco-friendly gardening, garden ponds, pollinators, wildlife gardening

Growing with Graywater: Use Shower and Bath Water to Irrigate Ornamentals Safely

July 10, 2026 by Brandon Marcus Leave a Comment

Growing with Graywater: Use Shower and Bath Water to Irrigate Ornamentals Safely

Every shower can leave behind more than a clean person. Graywater from showers and baths can give ornamental gardens a helpful drink when gardeners handle it carefully and choose the right plants. Instead of sending every drop down the drain, homeowners can redirect some household water toward flowers, shrubs, and decorative landscapes. Graywater gardening sounds…

Read More

Filed Under: water Tagged With: eco-friendly gardening, graywater gardening, ornamental plants, sustainable landscaping, water conservation

The Crops Worth Planting Now If Grocery Produce Keeps Rising

July 10, 2026 by Brandon Marcus Leave a Comment

The Crops Worth Planting Now If Grocery Produce Keeps Rising

Unfortunately, it feels like grocery bills keep climbing higher these days. Thankfully, a backyard garden can become more than a hobby; it can become a smart way to bring fresh food closer to home. The right crops planted at the right time can help stretch a food budget while adding flavor that store-bought produce often…

Read More

Filed Under: garden tips Tagged With: food savings, gardening, homegrown produce, seasonal crops, Vegetable Garden

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 32
  • Page 33
  • Page 34
  • Page 35
  • Page 36
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 172
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Struggling to get your garden off the ground? Put those days behind you with our special starter kit – perfect for thrifty green thumbs everywhere. Get growing and add a splash of color today!

Popular Posts

  • usda free seeds websiteHow To Get Free Seeds From The Government by Amanda Blankenship Seeds might seem like a small expense, but any seasoned…
  • Enviro Ice On PlantsShould I Use Enviro Ice On My Plants? by Kathryn Vercillo Every week, I receive food from Hungryroot. It's a great…
  • is shredded paper good for the gardenFrom Trash to Treasure: Transform Shredded Paper Into Garden Gold by Amanda Blankenship Should you use shredded paper as garden mulch? It might…
  • Enviro IceWhat Happens to Plants If You Use Enviro Ice on Them? by Amanda Blankenship About a year ago, I wrote our first article about…
yellowjackets in fall

Yellowjackets Get More Aggressive Around Food in Fall — Here’s What Gardeners Should Know

You’re harvesting the last tomatoes, picking up fallen apples, or taking a quick drink while cleaning up the garden when suddenly several yellow-and-black insects seem determined to join you. Yellowjackets can become particularly noticeable in late summer and fall, precisely when gardeners are spending hours harvesting produce and preparing beds for winter. The change isn’t…

Read More

puss caterpillar sting

That “Fuzzy” Caterpillar in the Garden Isn’t One You Should Pick Up

Spot a tiny fuzzy caterpillar crawling across an oak leaf and your first instinct might be to take a closer look—or even pick it up. With its thick coat of silky hair, the puss caterpillar can look more like a miniature toupee than an insect capable of delivering an intensely painful sting. Hidden underneath that…

Read More

HOA lawn fines

Can an HOA Fine You for Letting Your Lawn Go Dormant?

Your grass turns brown during a scorching, rainless summer, so you do what seems reasonable: stop pouring hundreds of gallons of water onto it and let the lawn go dormant. Then an HOA violation notice appears in the mailbox demanding that you restore the green lawn—or face a fine. It sounds absurd, especially when local…

Read More

cheap garden seeds

We Compared Dollar Store Seeds With $5 Premium Seeds — Does Paying More Matter?

Walk into a dollar store in late winter and you might find vegetable seed packets selling for a fraction of what the glossy garden catalog charges. Put a 50-cent packet beside a $5 packet of seemingly similar tomato, lettuce, or cucumber seeds, and it’s reasonable to wonder what you’re actually getting for that extra $4.50….

Read More

  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Garden Frugally
  • Buy These
  • Our Editorial Commitment
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2026 · Foodie Pro & The Genesis Framework