Guest Post: Save Money on Home Gardening

Today, I’m bringing you a great guest post from Olfa from Our Family World on how to create a home garden while saving money. Thanks, Olfa!

With the economic downfalls and the rise in food prices, people are trying to find ways to save money on their grocery bills. Some of them start couponing and some of them embrace their gloves to grow their own vegetables. Home gardening is a great family activity that can help you save money but it can end up being more expensive if you do not use the following tips:

Grow from seeds: It is much cheaper to grow from seeds than purchasing from the store! You need to start your gardening season earlier though. If you live in a colder weather, you can start planting them inside and switch them outside when it is warmer. This is also a nice learning activity for your kids.

Check for Discount racks: If you cannot grow from seeds, you can still purchase plants from the stores. One of the best ways to save money on plants is by purchasing from discount racks. You can find great deals on some vegetables such as cucumbers, tomatoes and herbs.

Swap plants: You can swap plants with a neighbor or a friend. I usually have a lot of mint plants that I swap with Basil or any other plant my neighbor is willing to give. You can also check for local plant swaps in your community. It is a great way to save money and connect with your community members.

Buy in bulk: Some stores do offer great discounts if you buy plants in bulk. While you may not need 10 tomatoes plants. You can purchase them and swap them in your local plant swap.

Use recycled materials to build a raised bed: Raised bed material can cost a lot of money. By using recycled materials from old furniture, deck, you can reduce your gardening bill.

Use your water efficiently: You can either use a rain barrel or bucket to collect rain water. You can also use your AC water for your garden.  You will save money and encourage eco-friendly habits.

Growing your own garden is a great way to save money on your grocery bills. It is also a great family activity. My kids help me with the planting, cleaning and even watering! They are excited when they pick and eat  the vegetables they planted. It is also a great way to get kids to eat healthy snacks.

Olfa is the blogger behind OurFamilyWorld: a magazine for busy parents seeking family balance. She loves traveling, cooking and spending quality time with her family.