garden life

5 Things I Learned About Gardening in 2022

March 3, 2023 by Kathryn Vercillo Leave a Comment

I am happy to be back here on this blog with all of you who are interested in frugal gardening. I had taken a break due to health issues and a loss in the family throughout much of 2022. Luckily, a colleague was able to step in. It looks like they provided you with a…

5 Ways Depression Costs Me In the Garden

June 14, 2022 by Kathryn Vercillo Leave a Comment

I struggle with chronic, recurring depression. While it’s well-managed, the symptoms do creep up from time to time. Depression is an expensive mental health condition, in ways that might surprise you. In fact, during bouts of depression, I find that it costs me in the garden. This does mitigate the many mental health benefits of…

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

7 Vegetables You Should Start Planting Before July Hits

A productive summer garden often depends on timing, not just effort. Late June offers a sweet spot where soil stays warm, daylight stretches long, and seeds still have enough runway to produce before the season shifts. Planting the right vegetables right now can mean baskets of fresh harvests instead of missed opportunities. Many gardeners miss…

9 Easy Crops That Grow Surprisingly Well in Buckets

Container gardening keeps gaining attention because it turns patios, balconies, and driveways into productive food spaces. Buckets offer one of the simplest ways to start growing food without needing a traditional garden bed. Many plants actually perform better in controlled container setups because soil quality and drainage are easier to manage. Even beginners can harvest…

10 Gardening Mistakes That Make Yards Look Cheap

A beautiful yard does not require a luxury budget, a professional landscaping crew, or truckloads of exotic plants. In fact, some of the most attractive gardens come from thoughtful planning, consistent maintenance, and a few smart design choices. On the flip side, certain gardening mistakes can make even an expensive landscape look neglected, cluttered, or…

Why So Many Americans Are Obsessed With Pollinator Gardens Right Now

Pollinator gardens are popping up in front yards, community spaces, and even small apartment balconies across the country. These colorful plantings do more than look pretty because they actively support bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other essential pollinators. Homeowners now treat these gardens like living ecosystems that bring movement, sound, and life back into outdoor spaces….