Homesteader Depot

Tag: cheap

  • Tips and Tricks for Starting Seeds

    Tips and Tricks for Starting Seeds

    Winter is on its last legs and it’s time to get ready for this year’s garden! If you’re in a zone with a shorter growing season or just want to stagger your crops for a richer harvest, check out these easy seed starting tricks. We already mentioned the first two in a post on frugal ways to start seeds, so check that post out for a more detailed description of how to do them:

    • Cut and fold paper tubes to use as a biodegradable seedling planter. Use the tubes from toilet paper, paper towels, or wrapping paper.
    • Start your seeds in compostable food waste such as egg shells or citrus rinds. Keep in mind the acidity of the soil when choosing one of these no-waste methods.
    • Save on seeds and grow new plants from cuttings. This works with basil, celery, onions, beets, and many more.
    • Place coffee filters in your seed trays and planters before filling with soil. This helps to keep soil from falling through holes in the vessel and makes removing the root ball for transplanting a breeze!
    • Test the germination rate and viability of saved seeds by sprouting them on a wet paper towel. Larger seeds can be soaked overnight, rinsed, and drained. Plant those that sprout immediately!
    • Save popsicle sticks to label seedlings. Unless you want a mystery garden, use these handy little markers!
    • Use spices as a natural antifungal to prevent damping off disease.  Cinnamon, turmeric, clove, and mustard applied at sowing and after every other watering will help your seedlings survive!
    • Give your seedlings a nitrogen boost with old coffee or tea. For acid-loving plants, you can water your plants almost every time with leftover coffee or tea. For other plants, just give them a drink once a month.
    • Thin your seedlings! So many people neglect to do this because it seems counterproductive to kill extra seedlings. Still, plant spacing is extremely important and your plants will be healthier with less competition from crowded neighbors. If you hate waste, simply rinse thinned seedlings and add them to a salad!

     

     

    Most of us still have several more weeks before we can get in our gardens for a dirt therapy session. Start seeds indoors to get your gardening fix and get a head start on the season!

  • How to Find Deals on Gardening Supplies

    How to Find Deals on Gardening Supplies

    Whether you garden on a large-scale or simply have a patio garden, you’re probably always looking for good deals on gardening tools and supplies. The following suggestions will provide you with some of the best places to find those money-saving deals.

    Garage sales and estate sales

    As soon as the weather begins to get warm, people tend to get a case of spring fever and begin cleaning out their basement, garage, and storage building. They typically have a garage sale in hopes of making a little money on items they no longer want.  Garden tools and equipment often end up at these sales. You can usually get a good deal on whatever they have to sell. Don’t think that you have to pay the price that’s on the item. Most likely, whoever is having the sale will reduce the price of an item because they don’t want anything left at the end of the day.

    Estates sales are sometimes even better than garage sales for finding a good deal on gardening supplies. Many times, when someone passes away, the family is left with an overwhelming assortment of stuff to dispose of. Generally, whoever is having an estate sale will easily negotiate prices. This type of situation is advantageous to you.

    Craigslist

    Spending some time browsing Craigslist can be an excellent way to find garden-related items at a good price. Chances are, you are more likely to find the best bargains in the spring and early fall. However, you never know what amazing deals you’ll find on any given day, so it pays to check often.

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    Online shopping

    You can find deals on gardening supplies at various online sites.  These sites typically put items on sale at the end of the season. However, even during peak gardening season, you may be able to find a good deal using promo codes and gift cards that are offered online.

    End of season bargains

    Garden centers and any store that carries garden tools and supplies begin marking down prices before summer ends. The price reductions continue until early or mid-autumn. By implementing some frugal shopping skills and a little patience, you can replace your worn-out garden tools, gloves, knee pads or other gardening items without spending much money.  This is also a good time to get larger pieces of garden equipment, garden carts, wheelbarrows, and other items at a greatly reduced price.

    Holiday shopping

    Sometimes it pays to think out of the box when looking for deals on gardening items. Because gardening has become such a popular hobby, many stores offer gift sets during the holidays that include garden tools, gardening accessories, bulbs, seeds, and various other garden-related items. Not all those sets will sell during the holidays. That means you will have a chance to buy them at 50% or more off of the original price at post-holiday sales. That’s usually a deal that’s too good to pass up.

    It’s been said that gardeners are always looking ahead. When it comes to purchasing gardening supplies, forward thinking can result in money-saving deals.

    Related Article: 9 Useful Items You Can Find at a Dollar Store