1. Get Free Mulch! Call your local Tree Removal Businesses-Many of them are happy to deliver it to you Free of Charge. Use lots of it (3 inches) in your beds-it cuts down on watering and weeding.
  2. Free Water! Use a Rain Barrel. You can purchase one at your local hardware store.
  3. Free Fertilizer! Grass Clippings are about 6 percent nitrogen. The best place to use them is right where you found them-on the lawn.
  4. Coffee Grounds. Get them from your morning pot of coffee. Spread a layer of coffee grounds (up to 1 pound per 100 square feet) around the base of plants during the growing season. With their low pH, coffee grounds are best used around acid-loving plants such as Rhododendrons and Azaleas
  5. Plant a Tree with a Child. Teaching our children to love and care for the planet is the most important thing we can do to insure the future of mankind.

  6. Homemade Compost- Mine your own “Black Gold” full of nutrients by piling up layers of “browns” (such as leaves and pine needles) and “greens” (grass clippings and kitchen scraps).   

     

  7. Wood Ash-The ash from a woodstove or fireplace contains 2 percent phosphate and 6 percent potash, cut calcium is its most abundant element. It can be used in place of limestone. (For every 5lbs limestone recommended-substitute about 7.5 lbs of wood ash)  Ash also adds magnesium, iron, aluminum, and other trace minerals to soil. Hardwoods contain more nutrients than softwoods. Wood ash is highly alkaline-so apply it with caution. If your soil is naturally limey it can be greatly improved by adding large quantities of compost. Adding pine needles will help also, they are acidic but are slower to break down.

  8. Pine Needles for Mulch-For those of us who have pine trees nearby what a great look and best yet-they are Free! Fresh Pine Needles contain Terpene (the “essential oils” of that fragrant pine scent) which has a retardant effect on germination of weeds. When used fresh they are best used around your trees and shrubs.