It looked like we were heading to a very early spring but then, yes, speak to soon and you get hit by a ice and snow storm. However, it hasn’t stopped me from planning my gardening agenda for the year. I love plants and seeing hanging baskets in bloom but sometimes it’s out of my budget. This year I got an early start on plans for a veggie garden and snagged a few bargains.

I got 11 packets of veggie seeds for 99 cents, the bag of potting soil and starter tray were $2 each but with a refund I got them for $1 a piece using the store’s own rebate program. You don’t get money back but a coupon to spend in the store which for me is just as good.

While I was waiting in line a lady told me the best way to start seeds is to put them on top of the refrigerator because they like the warm environment. I’ll definitely give that a try.

So thinking about gardening, here are some other ideas and sites I’ve found to help stretch the gardening budget-

Gardens Alive!

One site I like and like looking through their catalog is Gardens Alive! http://www.gardensalive.com/ They always have deals and if you order their catalog you can get a $25 gift coupon when you buy $25 of additional products.

Eco Lawn

I can’t remember where I read about this but just knew I had to check it out. It’s Eco Lawn that cuts down on the times you need to mow the grass…love the sound of that! It also can save you money because it doesn’t need watering or fertilizing. Nice thing is they have a sample size you can order to give it a test drive…I always like that.http://www.wildflowerfarm.com/index.php?p=page&page_id=KB

Garden Art

I admit I like to add some art to the garden but when I go looking for items I get a bad case of sticker shock. I’ve found that sometimes being a little creative can save you a ton of  money. One item I used was an off white lamp base that had seen better days. It looks like a pot but isn’t waterproof so I use it in a sheltered area and put it in the shed every winter. I also had a metal rooster in the kitchen that I didn’t like there any more and rather than toss it I put it among the flowers. It’s turned rusty but something similar in a garden store is about $70. Garage and thrift stores are also great for browsing and imagining what you can do with something that costs just a couple of dollars.

Seed Savers

My late father used to have a knack for growing plants from things like avocado pits. Last month I got a great deal on a bag of Meyer lemons and thought why not keep the seeds and try growing them. If they don’t turn out as planned, no money wasted.

Swap with Neighbors and Friends

One way I’ve quickly acquired plants is to swap with other avid gardeners. Sometimes they just given me a plant without me returning one to them. It’s perfect when you’re dividing plants or they’re just spreading to fast…in your own yard.

Herbs Are an Asset

I love herbs for cooking and I had a large space in the garden that I knew was going to be expensive to fill with flowers. It’s a terraced area by the house so laying grass was out of the question. I opted to make it my herb garden. They’re cheap to buy and fill in very quickly so you always have some cover and herbs to eat.

Protect Your Investment

I live in an area where deer and rabbits are frequent visitors. There’s nothing better than looking out of my kitchen window seeing them in the yard except when they’re nibbling on the plants I just bought. I tried all the remedies other gardeners suggested but nothing worked until I stumbled upon this product at my local co-op. It’s called Liquid Fence and is concentrated so it goes a long way and for me it’s worked every time. Only word of warning, it’s very smelly so don’t use it on a windy day when all your windows are open! http://liquidfence.com/