The Dirt-Cheap Green Thumb · 400 Thrifty Tips for Saving Money, Time, and Resources as You Garden

More and more people are venturing into the dirt every day, inspired by the promise of fresh-from-the-backyard produce and lower grocery bills. But like any hobby, gardening has its pitfalls; without the right planning and know-how, even experienced gadeners can discover with shock that they've grown a $64 tomato!

Fortunately, gardeners don't have to choose between frugal and fantastic. In *The Dirt-Cheap Green Thumb* , Rhonda Massingham Hart provides practical, commonsense advice that helps growers save money...without compromising the harvest. Using an accessible tip format, Hart offers time-tested solutions that stretch a dollar, even as they yield beautiful, bountiful plants.

From starting seeds to preserving produce, and from compost to water conservation, Hart's advice ensures that readers waste neither time nor money. The book offers dozens of helpful lists, including "pennywise plants" and "bestofs," and it covers all types of gardens -- including vegetables, flowers, houseplants, and landscape foliage. Sidebars offer innovative moneysaving tips and simple instructions. The book will appeal to the first-time gardener, as well as more experienced growers who are newly budget-conscious.