I have a confession to make: I have a bit of a brown thumb. In other words, I’m not that great at gardening. I have let more plants die than I’d like to admit. And yet, I keep trying to grow them and learning from my mistakes. Does this mean that gardening is a waste…
frugality
5 Fun Ways to Use Yarn in the Garden
I am a crafter. Mostly, I crochet, although I also knit and weave and collage and enjoy some other crafty activities. As a result of my craft, I have a lot of yarn in my home. Most of it I will use to crochet, of course. However, over the years, I’ve found that yarn can…
7 Free Gardening Ebooks You Can Download Right Now
I’m a huge fan of ebooks. I’m so into them that I actually have TWO e-readers! One for my library books and another for advanced reader copies (ARCs). Many people out there are willing to share their gardening knowledge. These free gardening ebooks are an excellent choice for frugal gardeners, people new to gardening, and…
5 Cheap Weed Barrier Alternatives
I’m very forgiving when it comes to weeds. But because I use the square foot gardening method and garden in raised beds, I rarely have to deal with many invading plants. Still, there are some spots in my garden when I need to keep weeds out. Since landscaping fabric is pricey, I stick to these…
Protect The Garden From Excessive Rainfall: Frugal Tips
While it’s not necessarily a problem in all locations, many people have to worry about protecting their garden from excessive rainfall. Plants love water! Too little, and they’ll wither away. But too much water can also cause problems. Plants that are stuck drowning in waterlogged soil can succumb to root rot. These days, unpredictable weather…
7 Places Where You Can Get Free Mulch
Mulch is one of the most useful tools for gardeners. It’s especially helpful at a time when the weather is unpredictable. We’ve begun to see the drastic effects of climate change in earnest, namely hotter summers. And while many garden plants love warm weather, there’s a point where the heat becomes unbearable—even for heat-loving plants…
Cheap Must-Have Tools For Frugal Gardeners
Gardening can get expensive if you let it. Personally, I’m not very big on DIY stuff for the garden. My chronic illness makes it difficult to spend too much time tinkering and toiling. Instead, I have to rely on cheap garden tools to make things work. It can take some time before you discover which…
2 Different Ways To Start An Avocado Seed
People love to put avocados on everything. I’m as much an avocado fanatic as the next person, but they don’t come cheap. Here’s how to start an avocado seed at home. Growing avocados at home I’ll be up front with you. Growing an avocado tree takes time and patience. And it’s not a task suited…
5 Things To Consider When Recycling Soil
It’s the end of the growing season, and you’ve tossed your spent container tomato plants in the compost. Can you reuse the soil next year? Here’s a soil recycling checklist to go through before repotting plants in old soil or using last year’s soil leftovers in the spring. Pitfalls of Recycling Soil Reusing soil…
Buying Seedlings: Getting Your Money’s Worth
I am exhausted to the bone. Normally, at this time of year, I get excited about seed starting. I take stock of my seed supplies, order seeds I’m missing, and start planning out my garden. This year, I’ve yet to do any of that. I’m too overwhelmed and tired, so I’ve decided to forego…