Do you love vegetables and salad, but can't plant a regular garden? A salad table is a portable, waist-high table just deep enough to grow salad greens, herbs and other shallow-rooted plants and vegetables. The shallow wooden box frame has a large surface area and a mesh bottom that … [Read more...] about How to build and grow your own salad table
Gardening
How to start a vegetable garden on the cheap
Many people want to start a vegetable garden to save money. It's no wonder, buying produce at the market can cost eight times more than growing your own. There are many other good reasons why you may want to grow some of your own produce in a vegetable garden. First, you can enjoy better … [Read more...] about How to start a vegetable garden on the cheap
Great gifts for organic gardeners
Home gardening is a popular pastime across the country. Here are our gift ideas, especially for those who practice vegetable gardening and organic home gardening. We’ve selected the best gardening gift ideas costing $25 or less. Our gift ideas include magazines, books, seeds and gardening … [Read more...] about Great gifts for organic gardeners
Green Beans: More than just a side dish
Most of us think of vegetables as just an accompaniment to meat loaf, a broiled steak, grilled fish or roast chicken. But green beans – cheap and bountiful this time of year in both supermarkets and at farmer’s markets – can be the star of the meal. Green beans, also called string beans or snap … [Read more...] about Green Beans: More than just a side dish
5 things to consider when buying a used lawn mower
One of my readers, Amanda, recently moved into her first home with a yard and grass that needs cutting. "It's huge," she told me, "and I don't know what to do. Is it OK to buy a used lawn mower or does it have to be new?" That's a great question. Whether your old lawn mower has finally called it … [Read more...] about 5 things to consider when buying a used lawn mower
How to do your own landscaping
If you want a garden that turns heads but don’t want to empty your wallet in the process, do your own landscaping. It’s easy to familiarize yourself with the basic principles of design in order to create the yard of your dreams. Decide on a theme Figuring out the theme of your garden gives you … [Read more...] about How to do your own landscaping
Seed your spring garden indoors for less
Get a jump-start on your spring garden and save money by seeding veggies and flowers indoors. Seeds are a cheap way to create a spring garden as they cost much less than potted seedlings already grown in a nursery. Follow these steps to spread spring sunshine indoors. Choose your seeds … [Read more...] about Seed your spring garden indoors for less
How to grow herbs and save money all year
Are you tired of paying big bucks for cooking herbs? Grow your own. For less than the price of a jar of dried herbs, you can plant fresh herbs (plants or seeds). Use your fresh herbs during the growing season and dry herbs throughout winter. Most herbs are easy to grow. These tips tell you how to do … [Read more...] about How to grow herbs and save money all year
Regrow your own green onions in your kitchen
Green onions aren’t expensive to purchase in the grocery store, but they are one of those ingredients that I either forget to buy, or they go bad in the fridge before I remember to use them, which is definitely a waste of money. Green onions, also known as scallions, are great for flavor and garnish … [Read more...] about Regrow your own green onions in your kitchen
Grow your own live Easter basket
Delight family and friends with a "live" Easter basket this year. Eye-catching plant baskets containing tasty, “bunny-worthy” ingredients like lettuce, parsley, edible flowers and carrots make great decorator pieces and save you money. Living Easter baskets provide you with good-for-you goodies long … [Read more...] about Grow your own live Easter basket
How to save money with a rain garden
Most of the rain that falls on your property is collected by rain gutters or flows from driveways and patios into the street. All of this runoff is diverted into the storm drain system that ultimately empties into the nearest body of water. As urban and suburban areas grow, storm … [Read more...] about How to save money with a rain garden
Grow lettuce and save money on salad
Don’t let the rising cost of lettuce keep you from eating salad. Grow your own lettuce and save money. Lettuce is easy to grow, takes up little space and is quick to mature. Get your children involved, and they might eat more salad, too. I’ve had the best luck with leafy lettuce varieties. Here’s … [Read more...] about Grow lettuce and save money on salad
Make the most of your garden’s harvest
In mid-summer it' exciting to see that first bright red, ripe tomato dangling off of its vine or pick and eat the first zucchini. At first, you relish in your harvest and your neighbors love your homegrown gifts. However, by late summer it's a different story -- you're up to your ears in tomatoes, … [Read more...] about Make the most of your garden’s harvest
Conserve water, save money with a home garden xeriscape
Xeriscape is a landscaping idea that works to conserve water through the planting of an attractive, useful, water-efficient home garden. While often associated with desert climates, xeriscapes can save you money no matter where you live. The savings come from your water bill as well as the cost of … [Read more...] about Conserve water, save money with a home garden xeriscape
Does keeping chickens save money on eggs?
Backyard chicken keeping is sweeping the nation, but is it really cheaper to keep your own chickens for eggs? Unfortunately, there’s no hard-boiled answer. Consider a few facts from an experienced keeper to help you decide. First, do you care what sort of eggs you eat? If you always buy the … [Read more...] about Does keeping chickens save money on eggs?