One of the reasons we all like gardening is the affordable produce we get from our plots. Fresh, organic produce gets really expensive when you shop at local grocery stores and farmers' markets. Growing your own organic fruits and vegetables is a way to save on your grocery bill. But, if you aren't careful, gardening can get expensive too.
Here are a couple garden hacks that HH P-Patch gardeners may find helpful:
Here are a couple garden hacks that HH P-Patch gardeners may find helpful:
1. Use cattle fencing for vining produce.
You can buy a 2-foot by 6-foot piece of cattle fencing – a raw steel wire grid – for about $20. You can turn it into an arch, or clip the piece in half and zip-tie the top to create a narrow V. Either option is great for trying tomatoes, beans, melons and other vining produce. The fence is sturdier than traditional tomato cages, and it lets you use your garden space more efficiently.
2. Make your own compost bin.
Many of us struggle with the dirt we were dealt in our gardens. Compost is one of the best ways to boost your garden’s fertility. But it typically requires a lot of it to change the composition of your dirt -- which can get expensive if you buy it. Compost is easy to make and you don’t even need a fancy compost bin. For smaller space, you can make a simple trash can compost bin.
3. Try companion planting.
Companion planting is an excellent way to increase the overall health of your garden – for free. Just take your plants and position them so they benefits from their neighbors. For instance, marigolds repel pests, so plant them next to your tomatoes.
These ideas were taken from 10 Garden Hacks for Under $20.
