Gardeners Economic Christmas

Low Cost Christmas for Gardeners

No one wants to be reminded of current economic woes and gardens are a great place to put such troubles behind us. Here are ideas for cheap presents and cost saving activities centred around gardening.

Free Stuff.

1. Many local horse riding schools and stables have more manure than they can cope with. Many stables give it away free if you are willing to bag it up yourself. Look for the well rotted section often at the bottom and back of the pile. My family always thought it strange that Dad asked for ‘muck’ for birthdays and Christmas but it saved on presents and fertiliser cost.
2. Seed catalogues make interesting reading in the cold, dark evenings and they will be sent out free by many companies.
3. Take a trip to see public gardens or winter displays like these London Christmas Lights
4. Gardeners are usually happy to give cuttings, seeds or plant offsets to friends and neighbours. As herbaceous plants are divided at this time of year look out for plants to scrounge. Public beds are often cleared of viable plants to make room for the next season and I have scrounged bulbs and plants that were destined for the council compost heap.
5. A home made present can be treasured beyond price. Richard made me a pair of compost heaps on an E shape with moveable slats in the front from old fencing and some bought posts. Rustic tepees can be made from Hazel twigs and a willow screen could be fashioned depending on available material.
6. Many wild life habitats can be made for free. Build something that will attract useful creatures. I buried an old dustbin as a pond which is now full of frogs. Tie hollow tubes together to make a bees nest or just pile up leaves and twigs for hibernating hedgehogs.
7. Read internet blog sites like gardenerstips and think of them as free gardening magazines. You could set up RSS feeds and add them to favourites for a relative who was less confident about using the internet.

Good Value Presents

1. Membership of gardening related clubs can be very economic. See the list on Gardenerstips.co.uk/blog or check with your local society.

1. National garden centre gift vouchers and commercial garden centres like Wyvale vouchers allow gardeners to choose what they want, when they want it.
2. Gardening books are available in great variety & quantity with most Charity shops also have cheap selection. There are only so many general gardening books that anyone needs. Monographs about a plant species or a good reference like Hilliers manual of Trees & Shrubs, the RHS plant or garden finder are a fair choice.
3. As garden centres fill up their shelves with Christmas baubles they often put gardening dry goods on sale at a discount. Buy now for next season and wrap it as a present.
4. Fruit trees and bushes are long term good presents as they will produce a valuable crop for many years. I name my fruit trees after relative as a memorial or to remember the gift.