Читать книгу The Budget-Wise Gardener - Kerry Ann Mendez - Страница 8

INTRODUCTION

I love getting a deal. And so do you. There is something deeply satisfying when you acquire something highly esteemed for a song. Even better when it’s a plant!

I’ve been called cheap (I prefer frugal) by some in my family. But being thrifty allows me the luxury of splurging at times! Actually, my love of gardening was a direct result of my financial hardships earlier in life. I needed a second job to pay bills, and although I didn’t know anything about growing perennials, I applied at a five-acre field-grown garden center. Getting a tan while I worked seemed like a good idea. Praise the Lord for Melba Higgins who took a risk on me, offered me a job at $6 an hour and mentored me under her horticultural wing.

My budget-wise attitude was put to the test after I became a plantaholic. Flower gardening grew into a passion – and then my livelihood. A home-based gardening business is not a high income profession, yet I was determined to create flower gardens and container gardens that were lush, opulent-looking, and done on a tiny budget. My penny-pinching skills soared to new levels for finding great plants, organic gardening products and other landscaping essentials. I also became skillful at saving money (and time) on routine maintenance chores including watering, weeding, mulching, preventing critter damage and more. Everything I designed had to be easy on the pocket and on my back.

My most recent book, The Right-Size Flower Garden, focused on creating spectacular, non-stop-color gardens that were 50% less work while being environmentally friendly. The Budget-Wise Gardener expands on this practicality theme by providing “insider trade secrets” for spending less without compromising quality. You’ll learn how to get the best deals by plant group (i.e., perennials, shrubs, annuals); discover sources for amazing finds, including a number that will surprise you; save money on garden and container designs; and spend less time and cash on garden maintenance while embracing sustainable practices.

Sometimes the hunt is more fun than finding the treasure. In this case, however, they are both priceless! Let’s enjoy the journey together…

Kerry Ann