Lawn and Garden Savings
How to Spend Less on Your Yard and Still Maintain a Beautiful Garden
Spring is here; time for planting and mowing. How to save money on lawn and garden essentials.
Want to be the envy of your neighbors without breaking the bank? Would you love to have a yard people will "ooh" and "ahh" over but are afraid of what it might cost?
How to Save Money in Your Garden and Still Maintain a Beautiful Yard:
- Buy a manual push mower. If you’re tired of filling your mower with gasoline and watching it break down every other summer, a push mower might be the answer; especially if you have a few pounds to lose. Not only will you save money, you’ll lose weight as well. The only power you’re generating is your own. And because there’s not a lot of mechanics involved, manual reel mowers are pretty inexpensive.
- Consider a refurbished lawn mower. You don’t have to buy brand new. Just like gym equipment, remanufactured lawn products have come a long way. But make sure your mower comes with a warranty.
- Buy bulbs and seeds instead of plants. This may take a little planning because some bulbs need to be planted in the fall. Seeds are easy, and you’ll end up with a variety of color. You can even get the kids involved. If you must buy plants, choose perennials that come back year after year. And if you purchase them at a home improvement store instead of a nursery, you’ll save a lot of money.
- Start a compost pile. You’ll help the environment and your pocketbook. Fill it with left-over salad and yard waste. Also, look to your favorite coffee shop for free soil nutrients. Starbucks offers "coffee grounds for the garden" at no charge. They’re usually located right by the door. So if you’re fast, you can run in and grab your grounds before anyone notices you aren’t buying any coffee!
- Grow your own vegetables. When people think of a lovely garden, ornamental flowers come to mind. But vegetables can be pretty in their own right, and eating them is an added bonus! You don’t need much room to plant heirloom tomatoes and they taste much better than what you can find at the grocery store.
- Don’t use a lawn fertilization company. A lot of times they overcharge, and often you can do a better job yourself. Simply buy fertilizer in bulk and split it with your neighbors. Then follow the directions on the bag.
Got a brown thumb? Consider taking classes at a local nursery. Many garden centers offer free courses in the spring.
The copyright of the article Lawn and Garden Savings in Consumer Education is owned by L. Marie Dubuque. Permission to republish Lawn and Garden Savings must be granted by the author in writing.
