The weather is changing and the nights are getting colder so it’s time to put the gardens to bed for the winter. Pun intended because all my gardens are raised beds.

Since I don’t have the funds to spend on gardening this time of year I have to get creative on ways to get what I’ need to get the job done.

First I added 2 to 3 inches of soil dug from around the beds in the chickens run or from the center raised bed that is used for composting. Next layer is dried grass followed by coffee grounds then leaves I raked up from a yard that the owner never uses any chemicals on plants or trees. All items were free- coffee grounds came from a friend and rest took a little labor and time.

Over the winter I’ll be add compost items to the beds as well. Doing this now will give the items some time to break down and some of nutrients will be available next spring when I plant the garden again.

Hopefully soon I’ll get another truck load of horse manure like last year it really helped my gardens this year because most of it was fairly broke down when we got it.

You can get creative too about items to use in your garden. Ask family, friends and neighbors for leaves, grass clippings, manure, etc. Sometimes you find compost items on Craigslist. Most people who raise animals are happy to get rid of manure too.

​Blessings

I got a great deal on these canning jars and rings at dollar store I go to often. These were sitting on the 90% off table so I asked how much they were, regular price $2.75 each but I only paid $0.20 each so I bought all 13 that was sitting on the table. What a smoke’n deal!! I normally do more canning of beans, potatoes, soups, etc in the winter time so theses will be put to good use. Not to mention maybe a few of my mixes in canning jars for Christmas gifts this year. I love it when I can save money!

​Blessings!

Buy only what you need not what you want. We hear that over and over but it is something that I live by. This time of year especially, my jobs slow down- from now until March of next year. So I take stock of what I already have in my pantry, freezer, refrigerator, cabinet and closets.

I f something goes on sale and it is something I need then I’ll buy at least 2 or whatever my budget always for that week. Our first priorities are to pay our bills so some weeks I may not buy anything.

​We don’t have a huge stockpile of food and paper products like I wish we did but we have plenty for just the 2 of us. Cooking from scratch and eating whole foods really does help to save money and tastes better too.