We here at Capalaba Produce understand that times are tough, and we want to help you, the best way we know how. We believe that being smart with your investment in your garden, with your pets, and with your paddock you can save money in the long term.

Here are our quick tips for saving money, in the garden, coop and paddock

The first and in our opinion one of the most important steps you can take is by taking your fluffy, feathered, purring, or clucking friends to the vet for checkups. By going to the vet regularly and preventative care can help detect a small problem before it becomes a big, and expensive, and potentially heartbreaking problem. They’re our best friends, and we want them to be healthy and happy, so we definitely recommend taking them to your local vet for regular checkups. Our pets are also a lot cheaper than therapy!

Our friends at My Local Vet, also just relocated to Capalaba, just down the road from us. So, if you’re looking for a new vet, we’d definitely recommend trying them out!

Not only is gardening great for your mental wellbeing but it is also a great way to get back to basics and produce your own food. So, let’s look at where you can cut costs and save money by being smart in your garden.

One of the best ways to save money is by growing your own produce, there are many vegetables that you can grow that have vigorous output and can be used as staple for many recipes, including potatoes, cauliflower, carrots, cabbage, lettuce and silver beet. As well as many different fruiting plants and trees.

Make your own compost. Making your own compost is easy, as you can compost just about anything, including your table scraps. You could always go one step further and create a worm farm, this is a great way to ensure your compost breaks down enough to be absorbed by your plants, and you also get the added benefits of worm castings, check out our blog Worms! Your Friends in the Garden, to see how this can benefit you.

Have you ever tried your hand at propagating? This is an amazing way to turn one plant into many. Whether this is through seed collection, dividing or cuttings. Taking the time to propagate your plants can reward you with many new additions to your garden for free.

Mulching your garden can be costly, but it is an essential step. By mulching you are saving money on water, as the mulch helps to retain moisture and soil warmth. It can also help prevent plant loss, because it gives that added protection to your plant’s roots from the scorching sun or the harsh rainfall. Buy in bulk to save some extra cash.

Test your soil before you plant, what soil type do you have? Different plants require different soil conditions, and by knowing what type of soil you have, you can prevent unnecessary plant loss, and find plants that will thrive in your garden.

Buy smaller plants and take the time to let them grow. Many of us want instant gratification of having everything already done, and as beautiful as it is to have an instant garden, it can be expensive to have from day one. Being patient is the best way to save money. Time moves quickly, before you know it that little sapling will be a strong and mighty tree.

Another way to save money in the garden is by using the right fertliser for your plants. By understanding the nutrient requirements of your plants you can only increase the harvest for your fruit and veggies. When your plants have the right nutrients they are also more resistant to pets and diseases. By investing in the right fertlisers you can make your garden even more cost effect.

The benefit of having chickens is that they are relatively easy to care for and can eat just about anything. So, you can save money by feeding your chickens your table scraps.

Be sure to plant vigorous growing greens and vegies in your garden, to provide your hens. Silver beet, kale, lettuce, corn, and pumpkin are perfect additions to their diet. You can even feed them fresh grass clippings and weeds, just make sure they are not toxic and are chemical free.

If possible, allow your chickens to roam your yard, as this lets them forage their own food.

Worming your chickens is not only vital for their health and wellbeing but can be a smart financial decision. By worming your chickens, you can save increasing the health of your chicken, and a healthy chicken equals more eggs in your fridge. By worming your chickens, you will also be decreasing the chance of expensive vet bills or loosing them due to illness.

If you own a horse and are looking to cut extra costs, we recommend buying horse feed in bulk. While the price might be expensive upfront, you will save on future costs, and is a great way to ensure you have feed at times, where you may be facing financial struggle.

Buy second hand tack. This is one of the biggest expenses to owning a horse, you don’t need the most extravagant pieces, you just need something functional. Buying second hand is a great way to save on costs.

Take group lessons, rather than one-on-one lessons with a riding instructor, you will still learn what you need to know, but the prices will be cheaper, than a personal session.

Take care of your horse by feeding them premium feed and give them regular health check-ups. This may seem costly, but it is cheaper than the hefty bills you will face, should unexpected health concerns arise.

We hope these tips help you get through any tough times you may be facing now or in the future.

From Nicholas and the Team at Capalaba Produce.