6 Tips For Gardening with Limited Space and Money
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Gardening is an addiction, and so is the desire to eat freshly picked produce.
Yet apartment living, shrinking yards and expanding garages leave many without enough room to create even a small garden.
To enjoy summer’s bounty, we ultimately resort to the higher prices of farmers markets or natural food stores and, even then,
the produce often doesn’t have that unbeatable fresh flavor.
So what’s a fresh-food addict to do? Here are six ways to work around space limitations that will fulfill your addiction without requiring a major cash outlay.
1. Found Space
Even the tiniest yard should contain nooks and crannies where you can plant tomatoes, green onions, carrots, etc.
You might have to replace or fertilize the soil, but that’s inexpensive and easy to do when dealing with an itty-bitty plot.
2. Container Gardening
Many plants lend themselves to container gardening, particularly herbs. Considering the price of grocery-store herbs, this is one tip well worth pursuing.
Search thrift stores for used pots and don’t be afraid to go creative. Lots of other items — like buckets and baskets — can make excellent planters.
If the container has no drainage outlet, either punch holes near the bottom or add a layer of rocks. If you’re not the eclectic type than consider shopping online for planters.
Home and garden coupon codes are often readily available to your favorite gardening stores.
Other plants that work well in containers include broccoli, leaf lettuce, spinach and green onions. Variety selection is extremely important, however.
Most varieties that will do well when planted in a yard garden will also do well in containers.
Click here for full details of container gardening,
including a comprehensive list of suitable varieties.
3. Community Gardens
Even major cities now offer community gardens, where you can carve out a plot of your own. Some charge a small fee, so consider the return on your investment before buying in.
Keep in mind that running back and forth to a community garden makes the process more difficult, so plan your visits to coincide with weeding and menu needs.
4. Ask Your Neighbors
Do you have a friend with plenty of room but no interest in gardening? Work out a trade deal in which you provide them with produce in exchange for their land.
You might also offer to teach your neighbor how to garden, so you’ll have more help next year.
Make sure you agree beforehand on the crops you’ll grow and who will pay for starts and supplies.
5. Hanging Planters
As they increase in popularity, hanging tomatoes are available both online and in stores. But tomatoes aren’t the only edible that can grow while aloft.
Herbs, onions, spinach and other small crops grow well with minimal earth, as long as you fertilize it. Of course, flowers grow equally well in hanging baskets, if you’re so inclined.
Watch for coupons to garden centers like Home Depot and receive savings on small crops and hanging planters.
6. Traffic Island Flower Gardens
Adopt a local traffic island or roadside property and create a flower garden that will fulfill your floral green-thumb desires.
You may not be able to harvest your crops, but you’ll have the pleasure of beautifying a street and enjoying the garden every time you drive past.
Seattle is exploring such a program, which they call “We Patch”. Your city may have already caught on to this trend, so check with a government representative.
Consumer Savings Expert, Andrea Woroch has been featured as a media expert source on NBC’s Today Show, FOX & Friends, MSNBC, ABC News NOW and many more. For more savings tips follow @AndreaWoroch.
Samantha Gregory
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