A word many people usually associate with gardening is expensive! And they are right. Big, elaborate gardens can really add up. Pathways, ponds, fountains, seating areas. They can all add up pretty fast. But, you do not need to have all the bells and whistles to have a functioning garden. In fact, the most effective and productive gardens are often the simplest of designs.
It is so easy to get carried away and spend so much money on gardens. But, there is an alternative. Many experienced gardeners are turning to cardboard boxes for their newest designs.
That’s right, these cardboard boxes make a very good foundation for any garden bed. You really just need to spread flattened boxes under all of your dirt and compost for the next season. The plus side is you do not even need to wait. You can throw the boxes down, add soil on top, and get to planting that very day.
Cardboard is decomposable. This means eventually the cardboard will break down over time and just become a part of the soil. This won’t happen for a few years so it is still a good idea to lay the cardboard down and expect it to last a few growing seasons. You can spend way less than expensive liners and essentially get the same result with the added benefit of more compost in the long run!
Another added cost that most people forget about is nutrients for the soil. You could go to the gardening store and pick up pot soil to mix into your garden soil, or you could make your own. Many gardeners are switching to making their own compost because it saves them so much money. Compost is made up of kitchen scraps you would have just thrown away anyways. Keep these scraps in a bin and use them later for food for your plants! The circle of life.
To compost effectively you need a ratio of 25 brown matter to 1 green matter. This means you need way more paper, leaves, sticks, and cardboard than you do compost scraps. The layer of cardboard is now serving multiple purposes. Whether you have a compost pile or a bin, cardboard is perfect brown material. Break it down into small pieces and mix it in with your compost.
Gardening does not have to be expensive. Use what you have at home! Use what you would normally throw away-kitchen scraps and boxes.c
Sherwood's Corner 