It goes without saying that we all want our garden to look nice, not just for visitors, but for ourselves too. However, garden maintenance can be very costly in terms of both money and time, precious commodities in today’s world. This guide should help you learn how to reduce time and money spent outside, without compromising on your garden’s appearance.
Money Saving
- Only Buy What You Need. Many of us are taken in by garden centres offering a lower price when you buy more of a certain product, but it is important to consider whether you need to spend that extra money in order to make a saving. Will you use the extra product, or will it go to waste?
- Shop Locally. Perhaps your local garden centre doesn’t have the very exact exotic plant that you’ve envisaged in your garden, but be prepared to compromise. Delivery and shipping costs are only going to increase, so consider whether the price of delivery from the other side of the country is completely worth it? You could most likely compromise to find a similar plant and still have a fabulous looking garden.
- Don’t Buy Chemical Products. Not only is this kinder to the environment, it is kinder to your purse strings. Before heading out to buy expensive chemical pest control products, raid the cupboards! Beer, table salt, epsom salts and petroleum jelly are likely to solve any problems you have with slugs and snails in the garden!
- Shop Comparatively. Whilst you may be completely enamoured by a new shrub you’ve seen at the local garden show, you should research before making any purchases. You may find that the garden centre down the road sells the identical plant for a fraction of the price!
Time Saving
- Buy Quality Tools. Of course, good quality tools can be an expensive purchase to start with, but they will save you lots of time in the garden, and you could always ask for them as gifts! Sharp secateurs, a decent lawn mower, and a good quality pruning scissors will make your gardening tasks much faster than attempting the jobs with inadequate tools. What’s more, if you buy better quality tools, you won’t have to waste money replacing and repairing cheaper ones.
- Keep a Gardening Plan. Having a plan of what you’re going to do and when in the garden is one of the best ways to save time. It will keep you focused and on-track, meaning that you won’t waste time deciding what needs to be prioritised.
- Stay Organised. If you keep all of your gardening tools and hose in an organised way, you won’t waste time searching for the missing glove, or unravelling the hose pipe before you get on with the important tasks themselves.
- Mulch Plants. The initial time spent doing so will be paid back tenfold. Mulching not only keeps moisture in the soil for plants, reducing the need for watering, but also decreases likeliness of weed growth, saving you time from weeding.
Do you have any tips on how to save time and money in the garden? Share them in the comments!
[Photo Credit: ukgardenphotos ]
