Caring for flowers and vegetables can be an expensive affair, but it is possible to save money. Instead of paying retail landscaping prices, use these helpful tips to cut back. Just because you stick to frugal growing methods doesn’t mean your plants will be less vibrant or healthy.
Make a plan
Visiting a retail garden center without having an idea of what you want to do in your garden can be a dangerous adventure. Before making any purchases, inspect your yard to determine what you want to plant. Your plan should include sun exposure and the amount of space to fill. For example, if you have a 100-square-foot full sun location and you want to plant a cutting area, you can buy peonies, lilies, lilies, delphinium, dahlia, coneflowers, cosmos, and zinnia. If you have a shady spot the same size, astilbe, begonias, coleus, caladium, impatiens, hosta, and mirror plant would be good choices.
Knowing the size of the planting area ensures that you buy the correct number of items. Each floor has different space requirements. Some flowers or vegetables are smaller or grow taller, which means you can place them closer together. Other items are larger or spread out longer, which means they will need more space. Read the growing recommendations that accompany the plants or ask a sales associate at a retail garden center for advice on spacing.
It is also important to choose items that will grow successfully in your climate. The United States is divided into hardiness zones based on average winter temperatures. For example, zone 5a has an average low winter temperature of between -10 and -15 degrees Fahrenheit. Not all items will be able to withstand freezing temperatures, so check that everything you want to buy grows successfully in your area.
Get ideas
Magazines, books, and websites can provide inspiration for planning a growing area. To make sure you buy items that you will enjoy, take a good look at the designs and make a list of the plants you think would thrive in your garden.
Choose items that multiply
Many perennial flowers multiply over time. When choosing these perennials, your flowerbed may start out slowly, but it should eventually fill up with many different flowers. Examples of perennials that spread and multiply include lilies, daffodils, asters, coneflowers, lavender, sage, and sedum.
Go native
Placing native species in the ground generally ensures success. These perennials will not have to adapt or adapt to a different growing environment. This ensures that they will be healthier and more vibrant. Natives also don’t need special watering or soil amendments to keep them healthy, and you won’t have to give them special protection during the winter.
Shopping time carefully
Consider buying flowers, shrubs, and trees at the end of the season rather than at the beginning. You will often find special clearance prices at this time.
Protect your investment in the yard and save money in the process. Retail garden centers have many beautiful options for filling a grow area with vibrant colors and scents.