Gardening on the Cheap

I was reading an issue of Organic Gardening the other day, and I came across an article about a couple who set out to see what the could get out of their garden spending only $75.oo. The results were astonishing. For a few cents under budget they produced 796 pounds of food! With a little money and a lot of creative thinking, this couple had a wonderful garden that didn't break that bank and made several friends along the way. Here are some of the tips they shared:

* Check online. Try freecycle.org for local freebies in your area, craigslist under free barter, and farm-garden categories and go to organicgardening.com's seed exchange forum for trading seeds.

* Barter and Trade with friends. Exchange your help and services for help with projects wich require an extra hand or a truck, for example.

*Use what is available on your property. Tree trunks can be used to make raised beds and brush and branches can become plant supports and trellises. Bamboo is also good for this.

*The grocery store is a great source for cardboard( mulch your walkways) and small containers( seed starters)

*Share the cost of expensive tools or equipment and share with your neighbors. You can also go in on seed orders and split it.

*Offer your skills or labor to a local farmer or CSA in exchange for seedlings or produce.

* Organize a seed swap with your local gardening club or exchange seedlings, cuttings and bulbs.

* Pay it forward and donate any extras you may have to local schools or community gardens.

It's activities like these that build strong communities and friendships. It's also important to involve our children, schools and youth organizations in these activities as well.