Remember the age-old saying, “A family that prays together, stays together.” Families that play and save together are doing pretty well for themselves, too. Did you know that you can have fun and save with a garden? Well you can, especially around spring and summer. This is the time of year fruit get ripe for the pickings and you can avoid spending those extra bucks on organic produce. Now, what can be more organic than your front yard?
Gardening is a long process but offers serious rewards during the right seasons. Depending on your location you can exploit this garden for everything it’s worth! Living further up north can yield apples, apricots and sweet cherries. Of course don’t expect to grow mangoes, peaches and blueberries if the temperature isn’t right. You’ll need the correct climate to match what you want to grow.
The most important part of gardening is to be informed. It’s not enough to know only what grows where, but also how to best grow them. Apartments can be “fruitful” as well! Don’t have a large yard? That’s fine. Many plants grow upside down or take up little space. Other plants can grow one on top of the other. Know how you can best use every inch of your designated garden area. Planning is the key here. Here’s a tip: don’t just go online and buy fruit plants or seeds. That’s a waste of money! Buy fruit as usual this season, but pluck some seeds and store them in a glass jar. Strawberries can grow hanging and boy, do they hang! The heavy ones will fall right off! Install a hook where there is almost 10-hour sun exposure and have at it! Note that fruit grow better in familiar dirt. After a growing season or two, they’re sure to taste better than those at stores.
Shopping organic is always more expensive than your other options. Now you have fruit for free! They make great snacks instead of buying chips and other unhealthy treats. Freeze the fruit and have the family help carve them into fun shapes. Serve them with every meal. There’s no telling all the things you can do. Gardens are as versatile as you make them.
This garden doesn’t necessarily have to be all fruit and veggies, too. You can start a butterfly garden no matter where you are for a cheap form of entertainment. Just grow the proper plants and your kids will have a blast. There are so many kinds of plants and caterpillars. Your kids will love picking them up and counting them. The best part is scouting them out. Walking through an overgrown brush to find the creepy crawlers is a great way to spend a warm spring day and enjoy time with the family. The larger the variety of plants in your garden, the more fun you’ll have in it. You’re never too old to be a discoverer. Make it a family date night!
There’s plenty to do in your garden. Weeding is fun for the destroyers in the home. Pruning is great for the ones with sharp eyes. It’s also a great place to spend time thinking. Go outside to water your plants and just… think.
There are many more benefits to gardening: join the organic movement and love it! You might even make some money selling fruit in your neighborhood! Already have a garden? Tell us about how you got started and what it’s done for your home and wallet.