In "The Dirt-Cheap Green Thumb: 400 Thrifty Tips for Saving Money, Time, and Resources as You Garden," Rhonda Massingham offers hundreds of tips and ideas for gardening on the cheap. She explains frugal gardening techniques such as planting perennials in the landscape, composting to build garden soil and saving seeds. Whether you live in a small condominium with minimal outdoor space or in the country with acres and acres of land, you can garden economically with little to no money. Does this Spark an idea?
Assess Your Area's Microclimates
Before planting the first seed or seedling, take a little time to assess your growing spaces. If you have nothing more than a 10 x 12-foot cement patio outside your condominium door, think about what you will grow there and how you will do it. Will you use large wooden planter boxes and trellises? Will you use several large plastic patio planters? Do you want tomatoes, peppers and onions or just flowers? What kind of and how much sunlight does the area receive daily?
If your planting area is a large outdoor space, review the same kinds of things, such as sunlight and shade, as well as what is already growing, soil type and water sources. Sketch the area with brief notes and list what you would like to grow. This gives you a starting place to plan before you spend any time or money on gardening.
Borrow or Rent Gardening Equipment
If you need to dig up a section of sod for planting, ask friends and family about borrowing a rototiller or good garden spade and wheelbarrow. If you can't borrow from anyone, check out local rental sources and consider renting. If you prefer to own the equipment, look for good used equipment to purchase instead of buying a new rototiller or leaf shredder. Garage sales, local classifieds and Craigslist are very good sources of used lawn and garden equipment.
Grow What You Like to Eat
Grow fruits and vegetables your family likes to eat. It is a waste of garden space and gardening resources to grow brussels sprouts if no one will eat them. If you like fresh tomatoes in your salad or have a favorite salsa recipe, growing tomatoes is a good choice
Grow Herbs
Herbs are some of the most cost-effective plants to grow in the garden. Fresh herbs garner premium prices in grocery stores and at farmers' markets yet cost just pennies to plant, pick and use. An added benefit is the health benefits of using fresh, organically grown herbs you grow yourself. Easy and inexpensive herbs include basil, parsley, cilantro, dill, fennel, lemon balm, mint, thyme and oregano. For under $3 per pack, you can grow fresh basil all summer long.
