Managing Money: Plant yourself some savings
- By Darren Smith
Financial Advice Matters Managing Director, Darren Smith reflects on practical ways to save money in the garden budget.
Working in the garden is a real passion and a labour of love for so many Australians. In times like these, it can also be a great distraction from the pressures of our hectic and often stressful lives. It forces us to slow down and appreciate nature but at the same time keeps us active.
For many though it can put a drain on finances. Like most things in life a little bit of patience and planning can save you a lot of dollars. Controlling our emotions is important so we avoid impulse spending.
With this in mind, below are some broad tips on how to save money.
Full disclosure: many of these have been passed down to me over the years from my parents as they both have much greener thumbs than me.
Some key areas to consider:
Thinking big but buying small – Buying small plants or seedlings rather than fully grown plants can help you save money and also allows you to be more in control of the health of your plant.
Buying for your climate – Understand what grows well in your area and environment. If you live in a hot and humid coastal region, it may not be the best idea to buy plants that thrive in cold, dry conditions that likely won’t survive. If you’re not sure, read up on recommended plants for your region online or have a chat with your local nursery staff.
Letting the plants do the work for you: Planting bulbs that spread well (such as tulips), low-maintenance shrubs (like lavender and hydrangeas) and self-seeders (such as poppies and coriander) not only saves money but also time and energy.
Propagating using cuttings – A simple way to reduce costs is to grow plants from stem cuttings. Keep in mind, this can only be done with certain plant species, so be sure to do your research before trying this out.
Taking advantage of sales at nurseries – Keep an eye out on the specials table as they can offer some great ways to save money. Be on the lookout for any tell-tale signs of an unhealthy plant, such as yellowing or wilting leaves, spots or speckling indicating disease or pests, and roots growing in the container drainage holes demonstrating it may be root-bound.
Buying pre-loved equipment: Garage sales and online classifieds forums (such as Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace) can offer great bargains on both pre-loved tools, garden features, pots and even plants. Before you buy through online classifieds, read the advice and tips from the Australian Government to avoid being scammed.
Making your own compost – Food scraps and garden clippings provide a cost-effective way to give your garden the nutrients it needs to thrive. Getting started with composting is easier than you might think and some local councils also offer rebates and incentives.
Recycling old materials – Consider repurposing cardboard boxes and newspapers for mulching to prevent weeds from sprouting, using old bricks or preloved materials for garden and pathway structures, and reusing household containers and egg cartons to grow the seedlings and drinks bottles to drip feed water.
Using water wisely – Installing a drip system, collecting rainwater and buying less water-hungry plants can help save on your water bill in the long-run.
Planting vertical crops – Plants such as beans, tomatoes, cucumbers and can be trained to grow vertically, which is ideal for smaller gardens and unit balconies, and requires fewer resources to maintain.
Sharing and swapping with neighbours and family members – Consider sharing and swapping cuttings, seedlings, pots, compost and more with your local community. You might even make some new friends in the process.
Growing your own fresh produce – This might seem like a no-brainer, but growing your own vegetables, fruits and herbs can save you a lot at the checkout in the long run. Before you get started, make sure you take into account the costs of protecting your crops from hungry wildlife and pests (such as netting).
Creating DIY ecofriendly fertilisers – Rather than spending money on expensive fertilisers, utilise the materials you have on hand to keep your plants healthy and happy, such as grass clippings, weeds, kitchen scraps, tree leaves and even coffee grounds. There are so many ways to save in this area, so I look forward to prompting others to share . What I love about the garden is that it can be communal where we can share the fruits of our labour. In that spirit let’s share some savings tips!
There are so many ways to save in this area, so I look forward to prompting others to share . What I love about the garden is that it can be communal where we can share the fruits of our labour. In that spirit let’s share some savings tips!