Affordable Organic Gardening

by Silvia Marks
(London)

There is no doubt that growing organic is a much better choice than growing a conventional garden. It's preferred for many reasons, one of them being the fact that it can be cheaper. Since you don't spend money on expensive chemicals, you can rather invest time in creating perfect soil which can even save you water.

Another reason to go organic is the health factor, which is probably the most important one. Whatever the reason is that you are growing an organic garden, you might want a few tips on how to save yourself some money and grow a wonderful garden on a budget. It's not impossible. There are actually many tricks you could use and enjoy a wonderful organic garden that does not cost you a fortune.

Here are our suggestions on growing an affordable organic garden:

Don't Toss Leaves
Have you thought about putting all the fall leaves and grass clippings to use? Next time you collect them, don't throw them away but rather use them in the garden. You can use them to make a lasagna garden or simply collect them into a pile in a corner of your garden and allow them to compost beautifully. Either way is a much better option than throwing them in the landfill.

Seeds And Plants Trading
It's as simple as it sounds – trading seeds is a great way to add new plants to your garden. If you have been interested in gardening for a long time, you have probably met many gardeners already. If not, it's a good reason to make new friends with other gardeners who would like to trade seeds and plants. In this way everyone can get rid of extras from their own gardens and get some nice new things from others. Check if your city offers plant swaps in the spring. Big cities organize such events every year, where gardeners meets and trade cuttings and seeds. It's fun, useful and a great way to get to know people in the gardening community better.

Reuse
A great way to save money is to reuse. Check items that you normally throw away and decide if any of them can be used in your garden. For example, things like egg cartons can be very functional when it comes to starting seeds. The same can be done with small yogurt cups or containers from baby food. You can use plastic jugs from milk to protect more sensitive plants from freezing in the winter.

Check For Discounts
Discounts are always welcome, since they save you money that you can invest in something else that will become helpful in your garden. Check for seasonal clearances that are usually available in many centers. However, make sure the plants you buy from a clearance don't have diseases or pests.

Pick Up Seaweed
Seaweed is a perfect source of nutrients but buying seaweed fertilizer can cost you a lot. Fortunately, there is another option you have to get it – pick it up yourself. Go to the nearest beach (if there is any) and pick up seaweed from there. Rinse the salt off it and place it in a bucket to rot. It might smell unpleasant but it's great for your organic garden and very affordable as well.

Choose Small
When buying plants, you usually have the option to choose between different sizes. If you want to save some money, go with a plant that is smaller. It will take some time for it to grow but it has many advantages too. Bigger plants are more prone to suffering from transplant shock while smaller ones adapt easier. It's a nice and frugal way to increase the number of plants in your organic garden without spending a fortune.

As you can see with the useful tips kindly presented by Finchley Tenancy Clean, the organic gardening looks much easier and affordable. Take your time to change your habits and become more eco-friendly and organic. It's worth it!