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Mia Jenkins
Mia Jenkins is the Director of Marketing and Communications for Botanica, The Wichita Gardens, located in the Museums on the River District at 701 Amidon. Botanica was opened to the public in 1987 to generate enthusiasm for horticulture and enlighten people through educational, artistic, and cultural experiences. With this mission, Botanica’s gardens and programs expand public awareness of horticulture, educate Kansans about how nature can improve their daily lives, and assist in the promotion of community development.Feel free to contact Botanica for information on volunteering, special events or for what’s in bloom at 316-264-0448.
Flowers & Plants
2009-03-01 14:14:00
Garden saving money tips
Answer: Being frugal in the garden doesn’t mean that you won’t pay for anything or that you’ll only buy the cheapest of something. The best thing that you can do to save money is to evaluate the needs of your landscape (from tools & equipment, plant material, to fertilizer and other maintenance supplies) and purchase what is most important or necessary to you. Here are a few suggestions on what you can do in your garden to save money this growing season: • Start plants from seed- Buy named cultivar seeds and plant them indoors 6-8 weeks before placing them in the garden. Seeds do cost more of your time, but save money over purchasing more mature plants. • Make your own organic matter- Composting your yard waste and kitchen scraps is an efficient use of resources and results in a useful product for the garden that would have otherwise been wasted. • Divide and conquer- Divide your perennials and share them with neighbors or join a local garden club and swap with other club members. • Shop at flower shows and sales- Get great deals on proven plants at flower shows and sales throughout the year. Botanica sells its tulip bulbs, waterlilies and mums each year and most garden clubs have sales throughout the year. • Make a shopping trip an outing- Save money on gas and have more fun by carpooling with friends to local nurseries for plant shopping. • Get more bang for your buck- Look for annuals that cover a lot of ground, give you a lot of color and have long lasting blooms, like: impatients, petunias, marigolds, zinnias and begonias. Also look for plants that can be purchased cheaper as bulbs like cannas, elephant ears and caladiums. • Get creative- Use recycled items from your home for planters and stakes. Many items can get new life once they are incorporated into the garden. If you are looking for an opportunity to shop on the cheap, stop by Botanica’s first annual Plant and Book Sale on April 26 from 1-5pm. You can shop from more than 100 varieties of trees, shrubs and perennials and discover new ideas for your garden. Plus, you can get great deals on used garden-related books and periodicals. You can also see Botanica’s tulips, perennials and spring-blooming trees and shrubs explode with color this spring from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Regular admission is $6.50 for adults, $5.50 for seniors (62+), and $3 for youth (5-21). Children 5 and under are admitted free. From our garden to yours- best of luck in all of your gardening endeavors!
 
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