Frugal Gardening
As I write this it is late October, and one of the best times to find garden bargains if you hurry out to your local nursery or order from your favorite online catalog. If you don’t mind less than ideal weather for planting, you can get fine plants in an end of season clearance. (They will have just enough time to grow roots into the earth which remains unfrozen for yet another month or so).
I have snagged more than one of my finest plants this way, for much less then the usual going price. That is the only way I might have afforded them. An avid gardener has a mental list of plant prospects, and if visiting a clearance sale, just might happen upon one…or two, or three.
This is how I bought ‘Endless Summer‘ and ‘Light O’ Day‘ hydrangeas, and my beloved Hinoki Cypresses. I have also purchased many of my spring blooming bulbs this way.
Of course you can’t count on either sales, or availability of desired plants, and that is one of the drawbacks. Yet, stretching the landscaping dollar can be a boon in these times, especially when first starting your garden. Consider late fall time as your primary bargain hunting time. Another time of year for seasonal sales is in the middle of high summer, after the initial crush of spring and early summer planting is over. However, my experience is that the heat and dryness of summer can deplete plants and there is less chance of success. In fact, I do not like to plant at all at that time of year because of the high rate of loss. You just can’t tell when there might be a drought or disease problems, etc. Fall is much more predictable, with soft rains, and mellow soils stretching into December many years. Besides, mulching provides an extra layer of protection and I often apply mulch right before winter.
Still have time before the hard freezes? See if there are any clearance plants, and get them into the ground. You may be very happy in the future with a few frugal efforts today.
Frugal Gardeners Can Have Gorgeous Gardens
plants on sale in the fall
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