Kelly's blog

With the first warm seconds of spring, some additional gardening works are lying ahead to be carried out. Those falling branches and rough, dead leaves need to be cleaned off the ground and garden lawn. However, wait until the wetness of soil starts to disappear. However, don’t wait for too long or else the old weeds all get tangled for new growth. Cutting and cleaning the old plants is easier as long the new growth doesn't take place. So, be quick in your approach. Let's have a clear discussion on the cleaning process.

To start with gardening during the spring season, the very first task is to remove all the remains of dead annual plants. These plants will never return to their original state. So, their presence is not needed. They need to be removed and cleaned off properly. If this step is not taken, then the garden will showcase a very ugly outlook. The perennials of last fall need to be pruned back. There are a whole lot of different perennials that need to be left standing all through the winter season. This is primarily an additional protective measure. However, there is no reason to keep them for the spring. They will die back to the ground during the winter season. With the growth of new perennials, the old winter mulch needs to be removed. This ensure better plant growth and a much finer outlook/appearance to the garden.... read more

Gardening is considered to be one of the 'less expensive' hobbies. However, in reality there is a lot of expense incurred when you start gardening on a regular basis. Growing plants and greens in your backyard would include expenditure on seeds, soil, plants, tomato cages, pots, mulch and even lumber for raised beds.

Few ways to reduce gardening costs -

1. Plant seeds instead of buying seedlings - A packet of seed could help you grow about 100 plants for the cost of one plant or seedling that the nursery would sell you. Seeds require more work in the garden, but your savings would be worth the effort.... read more

Today we have another excellent guest blog post from Kelly.  

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If you enjoy gardening but have only a small backyard, do not despair for you can still come up with some great ways of making it bountiful. You can make your backyard come alive with a neat lawn, plants, vegetables and flowers. Apart from the beauty of the garden you will also benefit from growing your own vegetables for the kitchen. This will save you a lot of money in the long run, although the initial cost may strain your pocket a bit. Here are some frugal gardening tips which will help you to maintain a small backyard garden throughout the year.

Make your own compost

Start collecting all your kitchen waste items like coffee grounds, vegetable peelings, tea leaves and eggshells to make your own compost. If you have no space in the corner of your garden to make compost pile then bury the waste right inside the soil. This organic compost will enrich your soil and will save you a lot of money on readymade compost.

Trade with a neighbor

If you have excess seeds and seedlings, trade seeds and cuttings with neighbor. It takes a little longer to start a plant from seeds but works out cheaper in the process. Look out for seed sales and stock them up and grow them indoors before the gardening season. You need not buy expensive containers for the seeds as you can use recycled containers which you might have at home. If you are starting from scratch, then invest in heirloom seeds for the first year so you can harvest and keep your own seed supplies for the next season.... read more

Today we have another blog post by guest blogger Kelly.  Kawaii cloth diapers are a popular alternative to disposables.  Do any of our readers use Kawaii diapers?  What have been your experiences?

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