Coupon Queen: Blooming flowers while saving money

While walking with my pup recently, it was a delight to notice all the blooming daffodils. Spring has finally sprung, which means one thing: Your flower beds are calling. Before you shell out a small fortune on plants, mulch and fancy tools, let's discuss creating a flower bed that blooms with beauty and savings. Start small Don't feel pressure to landscape your whole backyard on a weekend. Pick a small spot and let it be your starting point. Choose a place near your mailbox, the front porch or under a tree. Smaller spaces mean fewer materials and less money. You don't have to buy everything at once. Free plants? Yes, please! Check with friends, family, and neighbors about plant divisions. Many perennials like hostas, daylilies and black-eyed Susans can be split and shared. A friendly neighbor offered me a few plants on our walk a few days ago, just a few days ago. You may be surprised how many people are thrilled to give away extras to thin their beds. Online community groups on Facebook can also be a gold mine for free greenery, especially with the weather getting nicer. Seeds over starters Buying mature plants at the nursery can get pricey fast. Instead, start from seeds when possible. A packet of zinnia or marigold seeds costs less than a single potted plant and gives you dozens of blooms. Mulch in bulk Mulch keeps weeds down and moisture in. Finding in on sale is the best time to buy. Through April 16, Lowe's and Home Depot have their bagged mulch on sale for $2 a bag. Lowe's bags cover 2 cubic feet, and Home Depot bags cover 1.5 cubic feet. If you miss this sale, it will return by Memorial Day weekend. You may look into bulk pricing if you need a large amount of mulch. It often offers the best pricing available. A flower bed built frugally may take a little longer to fill in, but gardening is a long game. Plants spread, seeds sprout, and perennials come back stronger each year. With a bit of patience and a lot of love, you'll have a thriving, gorgeous bed — without ever blowing your budget. This week's deal Here's a deal to grab this week at Walgreens.Complete home food storage bags – $2.79 eachBuy 1, get 2 free through April 19= 93¢ each when you buy 3 Rachel Krych is passionate about helping others spend less and save more. In addition to her weekly column, she has a blog, Couponing With Rachel, which earns her compensation from Google for ads it places there, and from entertainment marketers whose promotional codes she touts. She doesn't write about entertainment in her column. Email her at couponingwithrachel@hotmail.com.