Budget Gardening

Would you love to have more of a garden, but worry it might be too expensive to buy all those tools, supplies and plants? Deana Grobe, Oregon State University Master Gardener has some tips to help the budget-minded gardener spend less on gardening.

	Check with local tree care professionals for free wood chips. They are sometimes willing to drop off free wood chips when working in your neighborhood. Inquire by contacting them directly.
	Local landfill/disposal companies may offer free leaves, For example, from November to early January, Corvallis Disposal will drop off a load (30-plus yards) of leaves to your residence. Call in the autumn to get on the first come, first serve list.
	Landfills or municipalities may also be involved with composting yard debris. They may offer this composted material for a reasonable price.
	Local dairy or horse farms may offer free manure, especially if you load it yourself. Local nurseries may be willing to trade hours of work for plants. Call your local nurseries to inquire.
	Buy plants out of season.
	Organize a plant swap party with fellow gardeners, and ask your gardener friends for divisions of their overgrown plants.
	Save your seeds and share them with others.
	Use materials at hand. For example, broken up cement from another neighbor's driveway makes good material for a retaining wall.
	Don't spend a lot of money for a compositor. A plain old pile will suffice. Or your local solid waste management company often offers inexpensive, high quality compositors for rent or purchase, as well as worm bins. Also inquire about other low cost compositors and worm bins.