Look what I won!

If you participated in the Ultimate Blog Party this month, then you know there were tons of blogs to visit and giveaways to enter.   I was blessed to win this prize from Simply Serve, and it couldn't be more perfect, as my kids have really been wanting one of these Topsy Turvy tomato planters.  (My kids LOVE tomatoes!)  The other fun things will be put to good use, as well. 

Thanks to Simply Serve for this great prize!

This post may contain  affiliate links.  You can read my policy here.

WFMW: $8 Greenhouse for Brown Thumbs

Do you have Spring planting fever yet? I do!  By July, I'm tired of yard work. My flowers get watered, big weeds pulled, and that's about it.  But right now... I'd happily empty my bank account on plants and seeds for the yard.

 Last week, during Spring Break, the kids and I started a bunch of flower seeds in one of those Jiffy seed greenhouses.  I'd never tried one before but have been looking at them the last few years.  Seeing as I mostly have a brown thumb when it comes to indoor plants, I've always been leery of trying my own seedlings-- I figured they wouldn't live long enough to make it outdoors.   (Why is it that I'm ok with outdoor plants, but the indoor ones need my husband's care to survive??)  

This one was really quick and easy-- pour in some water, push your seeds down in the peat pellets, and *poof* you're done.   Most of our flowers have sprouted and we have 2" seedlings growing.  It was SO easy, and the kids really enjoyed it.   We've all enjoyed checking on our "baby flowers" each day.

It was also frugal-- all together, I spent about $8 for the greenhouse kit and the seeds, which is less than one flat of flowers.  Next year it will cost even less- I'll just need the peat pellets and flower seeds.  Around here, $8 won't even buy a flat of summer annuals... and hopefully we'll wind up with even more plants for our money. 

And yes.... I do realize that those of you with green thumbs could do this even cheaper with paper cups and dirt from the yard.  But, since I've saved money by not killing off the seedlings  so far and therefore completely wasting our time/money, this is still a pretty frugal project in my book!

Using a "cheat" kit to grow our own flowers from seeds definitely works for me. Check out more WFMW tips HERE. 

This post was not sponsored but it does contain affiliate links.  You can read my policy here.

WFMW: buying good dirt

Paying for "good" dirt?? I know, right now you're probably thinking that I've lost my frugal mind. Hang on, you're reading the right blog! Sometimes, it actually turns out to be the best frugal move to pay more for something. How does that work?

I enjoy flowers, but I am not one of those green thumb gardeners who can make anything grow. We also have a fairly new house lot, with no topsoil and rocky ground, neither of which makes our yard conducive to growing anything.

A couple of years ago I stumbled across this Miracle Grow Garden Soil, and I haven't looked back since. One bag of this garden soil replaces the multiple steps normally involved in planting new flowers or vegetables... no extra fertilizers or repeated feedings are needed. It works for both flowers and vegetables. And, while it costs slightly more than regular top soil, I'm pretty sure I come out even when you factor in the cost of separate fertilizers and the plants I've killed off had to replace over the years.

Last year I used this to fill in a new flower bed that we put in to hide the ugly electrical boxes out in our front yard. By the end of the summer the flowers were so huge that I actually had to prune them back-- amazing! All we did after planting was weed and water throughout the summer. DH and I decided then that we would always use this soil when starting new beds.

The Miracle Grow people aren't paying me to brag about their product (although I'd be open if they're reading this- LOL)... it's just a product that I really appreciate, and it definitely works for me!

Join me! How My Garden Grows Fridays

Here's what I've been up to this week.... getting my "garden" going and working on my flowerbeds. We're putting in two new flowerbeds this year and I'm trying Meredith's idea of layering in newspaper to help control weeds.

Next year I'm hoping to try Square Foot Gardening. There are lots of great books and websites out there, so I'm going to read up on it and then see what I can do.

Those of you with large gardens are probably amused by my little tomato and pepper patch, but, hey, it's a step up from the container gardening we've done since we moved into this house four years ago. :)

So... what about you? Have you planted any flowers? A huge garden? A tiny plot? A pot or two? I'm thinking of starting a meme here on Fridays to show off our amateur gardening efforts.... leave me a comment if you'd be interested in joining!