Save Money on Potting Soil and Planters in Your Garden
There’s no doubt that growing your own veggies can save money at the grocery store. But with flowers the costs of potting soil, hanging baskets, and planters can still mount up. If you’re like me you look for ways to not spend. I’d rather use my cash to try this year’s selection of new cultivars. This post is about a couple of ways to save money with container gardening.
First, look for containers to repurpose as pots. Many types of containers will work as long as it holds soil and allows the excess water to drain out. Some containers can be whimsical like high-heeled shoes, an old watering can or a beautiful basket.
You can save money on potting soil a couple of ways. If your plant didn’t have a disease the previous season, you can freshen the soil by mixing half of it with new potting soil. With large planters I’ve placed bricks at the bottom of the planter and used a smaller pot on top of the bricks so as not to have to fill the whole large planter with potting soil. I’ve also read that using water bottles at the bottom of large containers reduces the amount of soil and lightens the weight of the container for ease of moving it around. I did try this last season with mixed results. That pot actually kept being blown over in light winds, and also seemed to require watering more frequently. Possibly I used too many water bottles, making it too light and allowing the water to drain out too fast.
Lastly, I love to hunt for bargains at estate sales. You can get beautiful planters for next to nothing. And don’t be afraid to buy a ceramic or porcelain container. At estate sales you can sometimes find Chinese planters and fish bowls. These can be used on your deck, patio, or in the garden by adding drainage holes.
I’d love to hear everyone else’s money saving tips for the garden!
