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I call it frugal gardening; my daughter calls it just plain embarrassing. What seems reasonable to the gardener can seem quite strange to the onlooker. But why pay for something when we can get it for free?
For example, when I stop to admire a flower, I can't help it if some of the seeds fall out into my hand. They would have just fallen onto the sidewalk or been eaten by a bird. Once, while in a restaurant, I noticed a lovely bouquet of some wild columbines that I had never seen before. While admiring the bouquet, some seeds fell out of a ripe seedhead. Now, I enjoy that plant growing in my garden, while my family can't believe I kept the seeds. What should I have done, left them as a tip? Now, when I stop to admire flowers growing in a public place, my family starts to walk away real fast and act as though they don't know me.
Now, what is so embarrassing about manure? I consider it to be a valuable addition to my compost pile and I'm not about to buy bags of it when I can go and scoop it up for free. Anyone would appreciate your help in cleaning out the corral, right? They just think I'm crazy because there are much better things to do than going around scooping up poop.
And who wouldn't ask for those leaves that your neighbor is bagging up? I'm concerned about the landfills just like everyone else. The fact that they help to make that black gold has very little to do with it. I am also helping out by bringing large boxes home from work to lay under my lasagna beds. Is it strange that I put dibs on any container at a party that would work for winter sowing? Or that my tupperware now has a "better" use?
Leaves and cardboard by the compost bin Winter sowingcontainers I "scored"
One of my favorite coffee shops packs their used grounds into large trash bags that are just too heavy for me to carry. Apparently it's embarrassing to my daughter when I have the young man carry it out to her truck for me, so now I have to go to the coffee shop when I go to town alone. She sure doesn't complain in July when she's biting into a big juicy tomato!
I used to go to the post office twice a week. But now that I participate in round robins and seed trades on Dave's Garden, I'm there every day! The postmaster is a long-time friend and she just smiles when I send off my SASE like a child sending a letter to Santa. I think joining Dave's Garden is probably the most frugal thing I have done. Where else can you end up with hundreds of seeds for nothing but the cost of postage? Gardeners love to share their extra plants with "newbies" and you can save by getting in on co-ops with other members. It's a place where I feel right at home in spite of my "embarrassing" habits! Yep, I'm convinced that Dave's Garden is the best resource for the frugal gardener.
About Karen Jones
I live in the mountains of San Diego county in a tiny rural town. I inherited a love for gardening from my mother and use herbs and flowers from my garden to make bath products.
Posted by bmuller (from Albuquerque, NM) on March 6, 2008 at 3:18 PM:
Just found your article--love it. I'm a "seed snatcher," too. I call those little collections "involuntary donations," and I usually carry something in my purse to hold them--film canister, little coin envelope, whatever. I've acquired some nice seed-grown plants as a result of that habit. Sometimes my family finds me embarrassing, too--but now that my (adult) daughters also enjoy gardening, they don't mind sharing the "take" and are less scandalized by their mom. My husband also collects leaves from folks along our street, using them to make excellent mulch and compost and thus improving our alkaline soil, protecting tender plants over the winter, and reducing the need for cool-weather watering.
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Subject: Wouldn't mind being "frugal"
Posted by EdsB (from Horsham, PA) on March 2, 2008 at 8:46 PM:
First off, anyone reading this will know that I'm a newbie but not a very "green" newbie, just trying to learn. Here's how new I be. First, what do the seed heads look like so I know I can grab them. Obviously they are different from plant to plant but I have no idea what to look for. Second, can anything be composted and how much work is involved and how long after starting can you use it AND where/ how should I use it after getting it? Lastly, where should I start the pile w/o fighting w/ my wife about it? I have a shed in the back yard but there is a slope that ends at the rear of it. What do I use for the "container"? Lot of new guy questions and this is the first time writing here. Learning some things but seems to be leading to more questions right now w/o direction for me. Thank you to anyone that cares to respond or even laugh if I gave you a chuckle.
Ed
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Posted by karri_sue (from Jacumba, CA) on March 2, 2008 at 10:20 PM:
Ed, everyone was a newbie at some point! You can usually find a seed head after the flower has bloomed and the petals have fallen. The center will dry and you will eventually find a seed head, where all the seeds are hiding. Every plant is different and some are easier to find than others.
There is a lot of discussion on composting on the forum. I have found that the easiest way for me is to put everything in a wire bin that you can make with some fencing. It needs to be about 3' high to heat up. You can add garden waste, coffee grounds, leaves, grass clippings, peelings from the kitchen such as potato, onion and such. I add cow and horse manure, but not dog or cat feces. How fast it breaks down depends on what you put in it and whether you turn it often, keep it barely moist and such. My pile is close to my house so that it is convienant and I don't have any problem with flies or odor. There is no one way to do this, it depends on what you have available to you and how much time you want to put into it. I don't spend much time on mine and I usually have some usuable compost in the spring from a pile I started in the fall.
I hope this helps.
Karen
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Subject: Guess that makes me a Frugal gal too !!
Posted by Polyacre (from Rapid City, SD) on February 28, 2008 at 12:09 PM:
I guess I never thought of my self as being Frugal ! But I too do the same thing when wanting seeds,container's,cardboard... And even find myself collecting discarded plant pots that are just piled on trash cans by the side of the road on Trash Day... Why not !!
Loved your story !!
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Posted by DebSmilin (from Lehigh Acres, FL) on February 28, 2008 at 10:29 PM:
I knew I wasn't alone! I've learned so many tips the "frugal" way. Be creative, what makes one face cringed in uncertainy makes another's smile with pure admiration. I've looked around while gathering seeds, or "trimmed" other interesting plants or shurbs/tree. I'm helping my environment?! Right?! =) Life IS a garden, and I'm diggin it!
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Subject: Thanks for all the comments!
Posted by karri_sue (from Jacumba, CA) on February 25, 2008 at 11:06 PM:
I'm so amazed at how many views this article has. I'm also tickled to know that I am not alone and there are "others"! When I told my daughter about how popular the article was, she just couldn't believe it. My neice, (ottoson on DG) was at the resturant a few years ago when I snatched the columbine seeds, said that she thought I was nuts at the time. But guess who's winter sowing and planning her first garden this year!
I've enjoyed all the comments.
Karen
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Subject: Love the article
Posted by hlssunny (from Muskegon, MI) on February 25, 2008 at 7:26 PM:
What a hoot to know I have so much company! I call my hubby from work to let him know where he has to go to pick up bagged leaves for me! Thanks for the reinforcement. Helen
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Subject: Saffron Seeds
Posted by Gardener_in_OR (from Beaverton, OR) on February 25, 2008 at 6:34 PM:
where can I get these seeds to grow in Beaverton, Oregon?
Sincerely,
Frank Betz
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Subject: You are not the only one
Posted by kymw (from Coloma, MI) on February 25, 2008 at 12:13 PM:
I had to let my son read this article!! He thought that I was the only one who would possibly do these things!!!
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Posted by paulineristeau (from Warren, MI) on February 25, 2008 at 9:04 PM:
You are far from the only one.I just wish more of us did these things here in michigan!
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Subject: Me and Weezingreens
Posted by ceeadsalaskazone3 (from Seward, AK) on February 23, 2008 at 1:26 AM:
Yep, me and the 'other Carol are right with you, (witness the "seeed snatching that 'allegedy occured a while ago... lol
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Subject: Manure question/Tea Grounds
Posted by Pamgarden (from Central, VA) on February 22, 2008 at 2:30 PM:
Karri_Sue, Loved your article. Wish you lived near me. Together, we could carry off two bags of coffee.
Manure: Is there a difference between horse and cow manure? A few articles I've read have said that they prefer horse manure because it can be mixed into the gardens from the muck pile. Is this just a personal preference?
Tea Grounds: We brew loose tea leaves. Like coffee grounds, brewed tea leaves increase greatly in volume. Any problem using these?
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Posted by karri_sue (from Jacumba, CA) on February 23, 2008 at 12:34 AM:
Thanks for your comments,Pam. I wish all of us on Dave's Garden lived closer together, wouldn't we have a blast!
If you check on the soil and compost forum, you'll find a lot of discussion on horse manure vs. cow. One thread was even started by me! I guess it depends on what they are fed, injected with and so on. I throw tea leaves in my compost as well. You can even pour any left over brewed tea or coffee in the pile.
Karen
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Posted by mummu (from Lebanon, ME) on February 25, 2008 at 4:58 PM:
A couple of years ago I traded a big bucket of parsnips for 15 round bales of spoiled hay. I've left it to rot, and now I have literally tons of mulch. I also compost all leftovers, leaves, grass clippings, garden waste..anything my chickens won't eat. Years ago, I had a "garbage route" in our neighborhood when we were raising a couple of pigs. I handed out covered plastic containers to neighbors, and picked them up every 2 days. Our feed bill was much lower, and the food wasn't wasted. Here's a recipe for an inexpensive homemade fertilizer. 10 lbs. rabbit pellets, 2 cups epsom salts and 1 cup chelated iron. Fill a large trash barrel with water and stir. Let ferment 3 days stirring occasionally. It will stink a little, but it really makes things pop up in the spring. When it gets down to sludge in the bottom, just refill, and you'll have a weaker second batch. Especially good for Hostas and Daylilies.
This message was edited Feb 25, 2008 4:00 PM
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Posted by Pamgarden (from Central, VA) on February 26, 2008 at 2:05 PM:
I love DG. Everything about it is new and exciting. Thanks Mummu. I have a question. When you say rabbit pellets, are you speaking of rabbit food or rabbit waste? Sorry, if this sounds like a dumb question.
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Subject: Frugality
Posted by pirtlekb (from Hixson, TN) on February 22, 2008 at 11:38 AM:
You go Girl! Frugality is the smart person's "gold".
It's embarassing to us as a country with the waste and disregard we have towards our precious natural resources. I fear for my grandchildren and the environment they will be forced to live in if we don't start doing our part to conserve, recycle and use - in short, frugality!
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Subject: Loved it!
Posted by doccat5 (from Fredericksburg, VA) on February 22, 2008 at 11:04 AM:
Great job, Karen. It hit all the "high" spots! I think we gardeners are probably tuned to a definitely different drummer. But it sure is fun! Thanks for sharing!
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Posted by karri_sue (from Jacumba, CA) on February 23, 2008 at 12:40 AM:
That's so true, doccat, we are tuned to a different drummer! I used to think my mom was strange when she did some of these things, I must confess! But now I'm proud to say I turned out to be a lot like her. My daughter is starting to garden a little, but not into all the frugal stuff, yet!
Karen
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Posted by spicy (from Mount Gretna, PA) on February 27, 2008 at 8:22 PM:
Since I became interested in gardening, I have found that finding ways to save money adds to the challenge and fun! I get so excited when a cutting survives. I love to collect seeds while walking through my community garden. This reminds me of another article I read on DG about seed snatching! I always felt guilty doing so - like I was stealing. Love the article - you've given me some new ideas.
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Posted by karri_sue (from Jacumba, CA) on February 27, 2008 at 10:59 PM:
So happy to hear that spicy! I love to share ideas.
Karen
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Subject: I am in there with you.
Posted by frostweed (from Arlington, TX) on February 22, 2008 at 9:40 AM:
I wish more people would recycle and compost their household " waste" if we all did that the world would be a much better place, and we would be more in touch with nature.
Josephine.
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Subject: Frugal also
Posted by DriftingDude (from Charleston, SC) on February 22, 2008 at 7:21 AM:
I also collect my neighbor's leaf bags for my compost bin. The other day at work, I noticed that stores, resturants (?) toss empty cardboard boxes out for the trash. Hmm..another source! :)
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Posted by podster (from Deep East Texas, TX) on February 22, 2008 at 7:51 AM:
Yup! Dumpster diving for cardboard. LOL
Karri_Sue ~ Fun article from a generous gardener... I hope to someday return the favor of seed sharing... Thanks again! pod
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Posted by slcdms (from Ripley, MS) on February 22, 2008 at 8:41 AM:
Well it looks like someone has been peeking in my windows--lol--
My oldest daughter could never understand why I would want to make my own "dirt" but the day I brought home things to try and make my own "rocks" my youngest daughter was right in the middle of that while the oldest proclaimed the both of us a pair of "NUTS"
We should introduce our kids, Karen, they would have a high old time trying to out tell each other stories.
Good job on the article
Sandra
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Posted by carrielamont (from Milton, MA) on February 22, 2008 at 12:49 PM:
Our kids, our husbands, our neighbors, our parents, LOL. I think of the amount of compostable former food my dad's nursing home trashes every day - hmmm would they think it was strange if . . . yep. They would.
x, Carrie
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Posted by Hineni (from Appalachian Mtns, SW, VA) on February 22, 2008 at 2:43 PM:
You're not alone! It embarrassed my DH until he found that scrounging in trash dumpsters meant he didn't have to buy planting pots :) I still can't convince him to let me go up to the sheep farm or around to the other farms and get some poop in a rubbermaid container for the compost pile though. I keep trying! And all my kids think I'm nuts too, and just die from embarrassment when they are up visiting and I see something by the road I want to stop for...lol.
We know we're not nuts, just...frugal!
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Posted by carrielamont (from Milton, MA) on February 22, 2008 at 3:07 PM:
My DH had to go scrounging for stuff, like firewood, because his family was so poor on urban long Island that they went cold if they didn't find enough firewood to keep the woodstove burning. To him it's humiliating beyond belief to need to go collecting other people's neatly bundled "yard waste" and burn it - heck, why buy firewood if someone is throwing giving away bags and bags of precut 2" - 3" diameter sticks? Then we can throw away our UNcut brush as yard waste and burn the other people's tidy "yard waste".
x, Carrie
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Posted by leaflady (from Hughesville, MO) on February 23, 2008 at 12:17 AM:
My DDs are both scroungers like me. The boys are somewhat embarrased by it. My husband use to protest until he realized how much money we were saving and how many good items were being thrown away. I use to dumpster dive with our DGS for food and we helped feed us and about 6 other families. As long as one is careful about what you consume that you have dded for it is a safe practice. We salvaged thousands of dollars of meat in one weekend a couple times.
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Posted by karri_sue (from Jacumba, CA) on February 23, 2008 at 12:21 AM:
Thanks for your comments, this was a fun article to write! We have a teacher at the school that I work at that collects all of our paper and cardboard waste. Her family has a recycle center and she has me trained to recycle all of the paper. I am amazed at how much waste we create at school. The best thing about it is that we involve the kids so recycling is just another daily lesson for them.
Karen
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Posted by podster (from Deep East Texas, TX) on February 23, 2008 at 7:44 AM:
Karen ~ good work thru the school. Recycle will not happen in the older generations but thru the kids. They will learn and go home to teach (shame) their elders... Hang in there.
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Posted by Hineni (from Appalachian Mtns, SW, VA) on February 23, 2008 at 12:47 PM:
carrielamont - I think you hit it on the nose, that scrounging, dd'ing and such make them think of poor upbringings, and therefore it is an embarrassment in today's supposedly affluent society. But today we also waste more, and so in my mind there are lots of opportunities waiting around each corner :)
leaflady, I admire your family - my DH draws the line at pulling anything out that would be considered a 'food' item. He's still a germaphobe in many respects. When I was a teen and working at the local fast food place, we threw hundreds of pounds of food away every day (not that it was healthy food, but food nonetheless).
Of course, if everyone was frugal, what would we all do? :) But it would be healthy for our planet if everyone learned to waste less!
Thanks Karri for a good article!
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Subject: very nice
Posted by Dutchlady1 (from Naples, FL) on February 22, 2008 at 7:00 AM:
I consider it to be a valuable addition to my compost pile and I'm not about to buy bags of it when I can go and scoop it up for free. Anyone would appreciate your help in cleaning out the corral, right? They just think I'm crazy because there are much better things to do than going around scooping up poop.
