Hi all
Over the years, I have wasted a heap of cash in the garden.
In this thread, i thought I would put my top tips and let other add theirs.
For starters:
fruit and any other trees- if you buy a large 3 year tree complete with fruit, it will be smaller two years later than the much cheaper 1-2 year 'whip' you put in at the same time. One is £40 plus, the other £12. Starting a tree off younger in the ground, any tree, means it will grow away quicker than one with more and bigger roots.
Perennial plants and flowers:
It is better to buy a really big one and split it at the end of the season to make several, or a couple of really small ones to grow in yourself, than three or more medium size ones.
Annuals: stuff for baskets and pots eg geraniums, grow really fast. Last year I bought £2. pots of them , my neighbour bought trays of six three-inch ones for the same price. A few weeks later, hers had caught up, in a similar position in the garden.
Most flower beds look better with a few shrubs and perennials than just perennials. I used to waste lots of money on perennial only borders which didnt look satisfying. Also, lots of the same plant looks way better than one of lots of different types, especially with perennials.
For me, when growing plants from seed, I am careful these days to have them indoors on the windowsill instead of direct sowing in the ground. In the old way, I didnt always get any results, and would give up. Also, I bought a set of five plastic propagating trays with see through lids, for £4 in Aldi. They have helped enormously. Also, I only grow stuff from seed which germinates easily, eg foxgloves, and is fairly reliable, not expensive tricky stuff- I havent time to give them the care they need.
Stuff like old roses, lavatera, and much more is EASY to propagate just from dumping them in the ground around now, as long as the site isnt too sunny and hot, the soil is well drained and mixed with sand or grit, and they are watered regularly until the autumn. Its worth looking up on the net what is easy to propagate in this way, and what isnt. Especially if you have kids and a job! Take off most leaves and cut of the soft tops. Cuts should be at a slant.Look up each one on google for better instructions.
My dahlias in large pots are looking fantastic, large and flowering well. I took a risk on them at 20p each in packets in the market. They were originally £2.99 each, and intended for February purchase. I bought them in June, way too late, and they have caught up just fine. Just shows how late some of this stuff can be bought, as the warmer weather makes them grow so much more quickly.
Thats it, from me. Any others?
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How to avoid wasting money for cash strapped gardeners- all contributions welcome
25 replies
onefewernow · 11/08/2013 17:57
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