Money Savers

Today it's more important than ever to live frugally!

We have chickens now, and Giant Angora rabbits (see the angora page for pics of my cute fluffballs). The chickens eat most of our leftovers and turn them into eggs for us and the shelties while also helping with bug control. They and the buns enjoy some of the weeks/extra grass in the garden and provide wonderful all-natural fertilizer for the garden plus entertainment. If you get upset, just pick up a bunny - you feel better asap! :)

"Poor Man's Perennials" are annual species which will scatter seeds about and come back for you year after year with no effort. Some of the best are black eyed Susan, lamb's ear, Malva Zebrina, gaillardia, and Verbena boniarensis. The last two are still often blooming in November!

Additional frugal tips (as I think of them):

Compost, of course!! Autumn leaves, seaweed if you live on the coast like I do, grass clippings leftovers, veggie peelings, whatever - if you layer alternate green things with brown things and throw a shovel full of soil and earthworms in there occasionally and wait, you can improve even the worst soil. Or practice sandwich composting where you throw these things right into your garden. Or - bag up your leaves, throw in a little soil and tie loosely - you will have lovely leaf mold with almost no effort. Scatter eggshell pieces around your plants for additional calcium - especially if your pH is low and you have blossom end rot on your tomatoes. Coffee grounds are great too even on your houseplants. But remember, if you are using it on a veggie garden, no pesticide treated lawn clippings or dog or cat leavings. I would be careful about using fresh manures too; compost it first. Bunny poop won't burn your plants but others can. Growing your own vegetables is a great way to make sure your food is clean and natural.

If you don't have much room - you can grow attractive vegetables in with your flowers. Eggplants have attractive fruit - glossy black, white, purple striped, etc. and pendant purple blooms as well. Scotch Vates kale has frilly blue-green leaves and lots of vitamins; kale comes in red too. Swiss chard can have red, yellow, pink and orange stems. Daylily blooms and violet blooms are edible, tasty and colorful in salads.

Thanks for stopping by!

Image: SEIZE THE NIGHT