One way to lower your costs for lawn and garden is to grow your own plants. One can do this and also get varieties not available in many local outlets. Its breaks up the wax begonia/marigold look that so many people get in their yards! It also is a great way to start perennial plants which are much more expensive than annual plants. In the long run perennials will save you money as you won't have to replace them every year!

The first job is to get good growing soil. If you compost you can use compost you sterilize in the oven at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for an hour. Or you can pasteurize it by pouring boiling water over it, and letting it cool.

There are very fine composting sites at:
Compost Page
http://www.oldgrowth.org/compost/other.html

Dirt Doctor.com
http://www.dirtdoctor.com

Or for city dwellers --worm composting in a crate.
City Farming
http://www.cityfarmer.org/wormcomp61.html

Cornell Worm Composting site:
http://www.cfe.cornell.edu/compost/worms/basics.html

Or you can get a large bag of potting soil from the local discount store.

Once you have good soil, you need growing cups. Plastic egg cartons make great early starting kits. Just put the soil in and then plant. Cover loosely with plastic wrap or old bread bags left open for ventilation. Keep warm and as plants emerge from the soil, put in good light. In warm climates you can do this outdoors from the start.

Another growing unit can be made from old newspapers or other scrap paper. Tear and dampen the paper. Wrap around a form --like an old yogurt cup and let dry. Fill with soil and grow! When you go to plant rip a few holes in the sides and plant the whole thing! The paper will compost in the garden.

A few other suggestions are old milk cartons or plastic bottles cut to size for bigger plants.

Water as needed and fertilize a couple times a week with dilute liquid fertilizer or compost tea.

Harden off the plants by keeping them on the shady side of the house for a few days and then plant in their permanent locations.

Isn't gardening fun!

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