Garden Abundance on a Budget

The first step in any gardening project is planning. A detailed garden plan will save you time, effort, and money. First, think about what you really want in your garden. Where is the best place to get plants? From your gardener friends and neighbors! Plant swaps are also a great place to get gardening tips from experienced gardeners. Another inexpensive option is growing plants from seed. If you have soil that’s difficult to work with, such as heavy clay, you still have options. One possibility is to make raised beds. Buying potting soil from a garden store can be costly, so be sure to plan accordingly. Another option is to amend your existing soil with higher quality soil. This is a great approach for many types of plants especially tomatoes that will provide you with a huge crop. As you plan out the space for your garden, remember that certain vegetables will produce every year without much effort on your part. Arugula or rocket lettuce is a sturdy and abundant leafy green vegetable that will come up year after year, as will sweet potatoes, pigeon peas, and asparagus.

And here’s a great tip – when you buy squash, peppers, tomatoes, and other vegetables, save the seeds. Organic is always best. And here’s the best tip of all for creating your vegetable garden – you can grow many plants from the ends of vegetables you buy at the supermarket. Always use organic potatoes, because commercially grown potatoes might bring diseases into your garden. Take the ginger, garlic, and turmeric you buy and put them in the garden as well. Cilantro, rosemary, basil, and Thai basil all grow well in home gardens. One of the most important aspects of gardening is fertilizing. The most economical option is to create your own compost. If you choose to buy fertilizer instead, please be aware of what you’re purchasing. Mushroom compost, cottonseed meal, and kelp meal are some great options for the vegan gardener. Many garden stores carry vegan brands, or you can order them online. Most of all, spend a few minutes a day making sure your garden is tidy and neat.