There are many questions that come in about how to cut gardening cost. Here are some ideas I would like to share with you.

Begin with a plan about the type of garden you will grow: vegetables, floral, or both. Choose the vegetables you like to eat. Don't grow broccoli just because your neighbor gave it to you, especially if no one in the family likes to eat it. Grow flowers that you really like to look at, not the ones in the closeout aisle.

Clearance plants sometimes are great budget savers, but sometimes they are best left on the shelf. Why? Well, if the plant is diseased or the vegetable plant is a cool season one and it is July it will not be very productive. So, look closely and be sure you can use it.

If space is limited, grow upright vegetables like tomatoes or beans. Tying these to a stake will allow them to grow up, not out, and produce more in the space allowed.

If container gardening is your wish, look for containers at yard sales or flea markets. A little cleaning and you have a great container.

Compost your grass clippings, leaves, coffee grinds, eggshells, and vegetable scraps in a corner area where you can turn it occasionally. The result will be a great soil amendment for your garden choices.

Tools like a hoe for weeding or a spade for turning the soil can be found at yard sales. Look for a tool with quality steel and you will find a bargain treasure for life.

Start cuttings like Philodendrons, airplane plants, Swedish ivy, and wandering Jew by pinching off a start from a friend. Keep the cutting in water until roots start to form, then transplant into a container and keep it moist until it is off to a good start.

Purchase one plant such as a fern and divide it; you will have two hanging plants. Replace one-half in the original container and the other in a recycled or new container.

These are just some of the ideas that will stretch your gardening dollars. The fun discovering those bargains and enjoying the plants.