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Nicole

Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics® Review

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by MomsMeet.com and Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics®. All opinions are mine alone.

Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics® Review

Do you ever wake up days not feeling your personal best and not being able to pinpoint as to why? Unfortunately, I do. And I’m sure I’m not alone. When I let my diet get out of hand, overindulge during the holidays, family movie nights, or during that time of the month my gut health can get super out of hand and when it does my body starts to feel super run down!

Between my constant reach for more coffee, to consuming rich deli foods, and even over-indulging in red meats can leave you feeling sluggish throughout your day. Let’s not forget that indulging can overturn the balance of not just your intestinal tract. And as we all know, when anything is off with your digestive tract you’ll know you need to do something about.

Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics® Review

To remedy this sluggishness, I started small. I regulated my sleep, making sure to go to bed at a decent time, begin my days by drinking a full 12-ounce glass of warm organic lemon water, read the advice of acclaimed researchers in immunology health, and to build-up my gut health, I’ve started incorporating into my morning routine, Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics®.

Since its origin over 30 years ago, Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics® has prided itself on being the trusted probiotic for men and women. Contains only the most pristine whole food ingredients including nourishing prebiotic cultures fermented with live cultures comprised of spring water, fruits, wild vegetables, mushrooms, and seaweed.

This blend is carefully blended through a three-year fermentation process based on ancient Japanese traditions. As fermentation maximizes the natural health-promoting properties of each ingredient, the final product is an organic infusion that actively supports a healthy immune system and digestion.

I have experienced first-hand, that over time, Dr. Ohhira’s helps to naturally balance your digestive track naturally, safely, and effectively at home.

Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics® Review

I love that Dr. Ohhira’s is the only probiotic blend, made up of 12 Probiotic Strains, available in both 30-count and 60-count boxes, is shelf-stable without refrigeration. A bonus for busy WAHM like myself. I chose to take this review on after researching that Dr. Ohhira’s is vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and has an unconditional money-back guarantee. Which is awesome for all the animal lovers out there with tummy troubles!

Now as a company, Dr. Ohhira’s has thirty years of experience in lab testing to bring their costumes a complete line of nutritional products includes vitamins, minerals, probiotics, standardized herbal concentrates, amino acids, enzymes, and Japanese-inspired enteral nutrition products.

A month into taking this probiotic, I’ve noticed a real difference in the way my stomach feels over time. I attribute this to this product’s restorative postbiotic metabolites proprietary cellulose-based, food-grade, a pH-sensitive enteric coating that resists stomach acid. Yet ensures that probiotics pass through the stomach unharmed and are released in the intestines intact.

Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics® Review

But don’t just consider this product for yourself. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 22 million school days are lost annually due to the common cold, with the average child contracting 6.5 colds a year? And what many parents don’t know, is that science has proven that some probiotics can be one of the parent’s most useful tools for keeping kids healthy.

And it’s not just germs that cause kids, and adults, to get sick. Conventionally prepared Thanksgiving and holiday menus, as well as Halloween candies and treats, albeit delicious, are also hard on your stomach.

As over 70 percent of immune system cells reside in our digestive tract, these sweet treats can cause an excessive build-up of gas and food deposits that don’t contribute to a flora-friendly environment for your immune system during the height of the cold and flu season each year. But with supplements like Dr. Ohhira’s, kids can help build their immune systems before issues start.

Taking this product is as simple as swallowing with a is such a spoonful of naturally fermented applesauce or yogurt. Easy for buys moms as part of their healthy morning routines!

All things considered, Dr. Ohhira’sprobiotic is not just a good probiotic supplement, its one of the new ways I’m providing self-care to my body this season. I feel confident taking this probiotic.

Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics® Review

Also, you just have to try their fermented probiotic soaps and body lotions. Perfect for the fall season ahead!

With its solid 25 billion organisms, this allergy-conscious, family-friendly blend can be taken daily or therapeutic supplement for digestion and immune health. Dr. Ohhira’s is available to purchase at health food retailers nationwide, including Whole Foods Market, Sprouts Farmers Market, and online at iherb.com, vitacost.com, provitaminas.com, and swansonvitamins.com. To find Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotic in your area, click here.

So friends, now I have to ask, do you currently take probiotic supplements at home? I’d love to hear about your experiences below!

Check out Dr. Ohhira’s Probotic Online:

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Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics® Review

July & August 2018 No-Spend Update

Summer is almost in the books, my friends! Which means we are now officially three-quarters of the through our my 2018 No-Spend Challenge Year. Don’t get me wrong, I can’t believe it in a good way. Because let’s face it, not spending can be as tough as overspending! With that said, let’s dig into my last sixty days of this challenge.

July:

Costs and expenses:

During the month of July, there were several large-ticket purchases that had to be made for the month. From certification fees for my husband to several small car repairs, our family accrued nearly $700.00 in costs.

We also needed to fix three small outdoor home repairs which cost approximately $200.00. While we used savings to pay these expenses, these funds are on the books to be refunded this season.
And in terms of groceries, I spent a total of $212.14 on groceries and zero-waste toiletries.

How I saved:

  • $46.00 on requesting interlibrary loan books.
  • Used earned Amazon gift cards to purchase $100.00 in household goods
  • Sold unused household items on Facebook local groups and made $125.00.
  • Utilized free Hulu with our family Spring plan and saved $7.99.
  • Donated unused household items to charity for tax receipts in deductions totaling $175.00 in appraised value.
  • Ate from our pantry and freezer for one week (mostly deep freezer veggie dishes) saving $40.00.
  • Cut my husband’s hair at home. Saved $25.00.
  • Sold used books on eBay. Earned $64.01 after seller and PayPal fees and shipping labels.

Total saved: $583.00

Total Spent: $2,002.18

August:

This month there were fewer expenses at home. We decided to take on several DIY building projects. We sourced free, heat-treated palette wood but did need to purchase wood screw, glue, and sanding materials which totaled $21.00.

And in terms of groceries, I spent a total of $162.14 on groceries and zero-waste toiletries. The remaining $97.86 was used to pay for the above-mentioned expenses.

How we saved:

  • We saved $54.00 on requesting interlibrary loan books.
  • Sold unused small appliances on Facebook local groups and made $50.00.
  • Utilized free Hulu with our family Spring plan and saved $7.99.
  • Donated unused household items to charity and received tax receipts for those deductions totaling $60.00 in appraised value.
  • We ate from our pantry and freezer for one week saving $25.00.
  • Cut my husband’s hair at home. Saved $25.00.
  • Sold used books on eBay. Earned $78.81 after seller and PayPal fees and shipping labels.
  • Burning candles we already had on hand at home; $21.00 savings in total.

Total saved: $321.80

Total Spent: $253.12

Net gain: 63.82

So, friends, I want to ask, did you participate in our no-spend challenge or your own frugal spending freeze? Be sure to leave your comments about what you learned! If you didn’t participate, I’d still love to hear how and where you saved the most this month! Share your stories below!

Pretty Litter Subscription Review

Please note, I was provided with samples from Pretty Litter to facilitate this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

Pretty Litter Subscription Review

There are few things more important to me that the health of my pet cats at home. Especially when it comes to bladder crystals and the potential health threats they pose to cats as they mature in age. Which is why I was curious to try the Pretty Kitty Cat Litter Subscription Service.

The only litter that tests alkaline, acidity, and present blood levels of your cat’s health through Ph sensitive crystalized litter. A serious tool in your potential pet health arsenal as cats are notorious for hiding prolonged illnesses from owners.

Pretty Litter Subscription Review

I was also interested in the product with its initial claims to be lightweight, dustfree, absorbs odors, is highly absorbent, and eco-friendly. A must in our zero-waste home.

But more importantly, I wanted to see for myself how this litter changes color and alerts you to any abnormalities in your cat’s urine. The folks at Pretty Litter provided me with four 4-pound bags of litter to facilitate this review. With the set of four bags retailing on their site, as part of a buy-three-get-one-free promotion, totaling $68.00 for a one month supply with free shipping on all orders in the continental United States and Canada. Perfect for our three cats and their four litter boxes at home.

Keeping in mind that prices also reflect $21.00 for one cat, $39.00 for two cats, and again, $68.00 for 3–4 cats. Bulk ordering is also available.

Pretty Litter Subscription Review

My litter arrived well packaged, in re-sealable bags and compostable packaging, that was easy to handle and very light to the touch. Following the instructions, I thoroughly sanitized each litter box and then filled each box 2-3″ full for one month’s use.

Pretty Litter Subscription Review

After filling the boxes, I read up on Pretty Litter’s Ph Guide on the back of each bag. Which stated that owners should be on the lookout for the following:

  • Normal cat urine will appear yellow to olive green patch in the litter
  • Anything blue, red or orange/brown needs monitoring for 24-48hrs and if no improvement, a trip to the vet is advised.
  • Orange or brown results means there’s bilirubin in the urine which could suggest liver problems.
  • Red means there is blood in the urine, which may not be visible.
  • Blue is alkaline, which may mean lower urinary tract issues, struvite crystal formations or kidney problems.

Pretty Litter Subscription Review

Soon after filling the boxes, they were quickly used. With none of our cat’s objecting to the change in their normal litter. Despite the litter being quite fine, I did notice that it had not been tracked any more than other types of cat litter I have used previously. Then in terms of attachment of litter to fur, as is sometimes the case, we had no problems with any sort with Pretty Litter. Owners of long-haired cats may find that this litter may get stuck in the fur – probably no more than other types of litter, but is still something to consider.

Pretty Litter Subscription Review

Finally, according to the packaging you should mix in the yellow crystal back into the litter, which I reluctantly did, and was quite surprised how they disappeared into the litter. You do however need to remove the solids from the litter, as you would traditional litter during your daily litter scooping sessions at home. As you can see, Pretty Litter clumps very well.

Within a week of usage, the granules started to develop an overall yellow color, which is normal. In the three additional weeks to follow deepened in color again and as time went on, the granules became drier and free-flowing. Signaling a time to change the entire contents of our litter boxes. Which is a nice change over the weekly cleaning of previous versions of cob and clay litter we have tried previously.

Pretty Litter Subscription Review

My favorite things about Pretty Litter? It’s odor absorbing qualities. Despite never actually throwing away part of our litter this month, there were no smells. Which is awesome as two of our litter boxes reside in the high-traffic, highly noticeable vicinity of our kitchen. This was partially noticeable as we are in summer when our litter box tends to smell more due to residual water vapor and heat from the air of the as that is when litter trays seem to smell more. The granules were easy to work with so it really is a low maintenance product.

Pretty Litter Subscription Review

The downsides? The price. Currently, Pretty Litter is double the price of our previously used cob, zero-waste compostable litter and triple the price of clay litters we have purchased in the past from big box stores. However, the price is easy to understand in light of the convenience of it being delivered to our home and the healthful properties this Ph balanced litter provides our cats at home.

Overall, we are quite pleased with this litter and its service. We would definitely use this product again. You can check out Pretty Litter here for yourself. Now, I want to ask, what do you think of Pretty Litter? What do you usually spend on kitty litter each month? Share your thoughts and opinions below!

Pretty Litter Subscription Review

MONQ Essential Oil Diffuser Review

I’m an anxious person by nature, and anything, within reason that helps calm this nervousness, is always something I’m apt to try. Which is why I wanted to try out for myself the Paleo air trend, the new buzzword in at-home oxygen therapy. I specifically tried various products from the Monq line of holistic products.

What is Monq made of?

The idea with Monq is simple. During Paleolithic times, humankind faced less air contaminates and were able to go about their days with more unprocessed, organic, breathable air. Which is why the creators of this brand created the first-of-its-kind personal therapeutic air diffuser that gives you instant access to the same organic compounds our paleolithic ancestors once enjoyed.

Monq diffusers, which sell for around $20.00 each, came in seven mood-related flavors: Zen, Vibrant, Sleep, Healthy, Happy, Active, and Sexy.

The packaging for each diffuser stick lists the herbs packed inside each unit. Zen, for instance, has orange, frankincense, and ylang-ylang. Vibrant is made of ginger, lemon, and spearmint. Monq products are free of nicotine, tobacco, artificial ingredients, or cannabis as well. And instead are made primarily of up to 20% listed herbs, sourced from organic essential oils, and the other 80 percent is organic vegetable glycerin. Each stick gives 200-250 usages.

It’s also worth noting that within each device there is a lithium battery which heats up a small amount of coconut-derived vegetable glycerin into which is infused with a blend of essential oils and whole plant extracts.

For this review, I tested out the All 7 Blends pack, which included Monq blends in:

  • Sexy: jasmine, line, and patchouli
  • Sleepy: lavender, chamomile, and kava
  • Happy: fennel, thyme, and vanilla
  • Healthy: cinnamon, marjoram, and turmeric
  • Zen: orange, frankincense, and ylang-ylang
  • Active: black pepper, orange, and sage
  • Vibrant: ginger, lemon, and spearmint

How did Monq make me feel?

Definitely calmer. MONQ essential oils are made from all organic and natural ingredients, that within 20-minutes of inhalation I did feel a noticeable sense of calmness. Just not in an intoxicating or sleep-inducing sort of way.

One of the things I liked about these products is the weight of the rod. As well as the jeweled gem on the end. They definitely have a coolness factor. And after switching to the sleep blend, I was getting ready for bed after an hour or so.

There’s also something about the technique involved with the application of Monq products. Which occurs through a gentle suction activates as the small battery which heats up the aromatherapy liquid essential oil blends are absorbed into an organic cotton wick. As the aromatherapy liquid heats up, it turns into a mist, that along with the aromatic compounds releases the heated essential oils delivering the anticipated, themed result by taking the mist into your mouth and then exhaling through your nose.

Do you smoke Monq?

It’s not smoking. Just the intake of clean, purified air. Then, of course, its worth mentioning that nothing is getting lit either. More akin to giving yourself a steam facial treatment at home, just in a more compact, personalized method.

When using Monq products, I found it helpful to take small, shallow shallow breaths through the mouth and breathing it out through your nose. Stopping the vapor from going into the lungs. I have also found it effective when taking small doses of 1-2 breaths twice each day.

How Monq compares to liquid essential oils

Therapeutic air works better. As when you rub essential oils on your skin, oils become diluted. Which is why Monq provides a more effective distillation to the body. Providing the user with more stress relief with each usage.

Over the past few days, I have enjoyed the Monq Zen stick. Within minutes of using it, I feel a little less anxious, more relaxed, and a bit happier too. Which was a pleasant surprise? Most definitely!

For others wanting more traditional essential oil experience, Monq also sells essential oils. My favorite, the 100% Pure Ocean Essential Oil. It’s like visiting the seaside in a bottle.

I also tried out their Medallion Essential Oil Drip Necklace. Adorned with the Hindu symbol, Om, this holder is designed with wellness in mind. Simple add a felt filer, your favorite essential oil blends, and bring aromatherapy with you throughout your day. The necklace is 22″ inches long and comes with 5 reusable pads. Making it a lasting value in your self-care routine at home.

I have also loved using the MONQstyle necklace. This piece, designed in gun-metal or rose gold, in a wire wrapped form, allows you to take your MONQ personal diffuser with you on-the-go. Giving the user easier, hands-free access to your favorite Monq blend.

Moreover, having the necklace on your person also serves as a self-care reminder too! I’ve enjoyed wearing my rose gold holder this past week and can see it easily transitioning to becoming a part of capsule wardrobe this fall.

Lastly, I have also tried out the Side Decor Desktop Holder for my Monq sexy, vibrant, happy, healthy, active, zen, sleepy set. This Oak holder sits neatly on my desk, holding 6 MONQ diffusers with one extra space on the other side for a small terra-cotta clad succulent, candle, or other accessories. The holder is available in wenge, ash, and oak. Best still, beyond the stunning aesthetic, this handmade unit is easily cleaned with wood wax or my natural wood balm recipe.

Final thoughts

Does therapeutic air to cure your stress? For me, it has lessened it. Which is why I would recommend these products to others. For those looking to check out this company, click here. Keeping in mind that there are various ways you can enjoy Monq products at home. From ordering single aromatherapy items to joining a mystery subscription or regular monthly subscription, all orders will receive free shipping for all orders over $99.00 in the United States and Canada.

So friends, what are your thoughts on the Monq line of personal aromatherapy products? Let me know your thoughts below!

Perfect Ponds For Perfect Gardens

When people think about the perfect garden, I’m sure they imagine it with a pond. A pond would be a great feature for your outdoor space, as lots of research shows that water in a garden can add a relaxing quality, and will help you unwind when you are enjoying all that fresh air.

Ponds also encourage a variety of wildlife into your garden, which can help the whole space to thrive as a brilliant ecosystem. Unfortunately, though, some people think that all you need to do is simply add a pond to a garden and then forget about it.

Of course, this isn’t the case, as the pond will need plenty of maintenance to ensure it stays in good shape. Here are some top tips that can help you stay on top of your new garden pond.

https://pixabay.com/en/frog-amphibian-animal-nature-green-3625511/

Automate The Cleaning

Firstly, you need to make sure that the cleaning of your pond is automated. Thankfully, you’ll be able to find a variety of pumps for your pond that can do all the necessary cleaning for you. Of course, if you really want to, you could keep on cleaning it manually by hand, but you will find that it is a lot of work that could be very time-consuming. Once you pop in a cleaning pump, the machine will do all the hard work for you!

https://pixabay.com/en/water-fish-japan-carp-animal-1912606/

Keep It Aerated

It’s also necessary to add a pump that will keep your pond aerated. There are a lot of reasons why this is important, but the most important one has to be that it can greatly reduce the amount of muck and dirt that builds up in the pond. That’s not the only important reason, though.

Aeration will also improve the overall quality of the water by increasing its oxygen levels and reducing unnecessary nutrients. You will find that when a fish dies, a few others will follow it, and this is usually because the oxygen levels in the pond are too low. As aeration prevents them from dipping too much, you will find that it helps to keep all the fish in your pond a lot healthier so that they can live longer!

https://pixabay.com/en/water-lily-pond-garden-pond-blossom-3624638/

Don’t Leave It Too Tidy

Some people like to keep very tidy ponds so that there is no plant out of place. However, this can actually be a critical error as there is the chance you could end up making the pond too tidy. A healthy pond needs a good mix of various habitats, so it’s important that there is plenty of stones, mud, plants, leaves, and twigs in the water.

These can all be used by the wildlife to make their perfect habitat. The more there is, the better chance they have of surviving the long winter months. If you clean up your pond too wel, and remove too many items, then it could make it difficult for wildlife to survive in it. As a result, the pond won’t be quite as healthy as you think.

Mix The Plants

As well as ensuring there are plenty of plants, it’s also essential to make sure that there is a good mix of them. Just having one variety of pond plant won’t be enough to help wildlife species survive in it.

Having a good mix of underwater plants, floating leaves, and those that grow out of the water will create a thriving ecosystem within the pond as it will all encourage as many species as possible to come and make their home in the waters.

Natural pond part 8: edges all done! Finally! Lots of natural wood, stones, old peat with moss, plants and more. When the water in the pond reach its highest level it’ll overflow by the “beach” and water the new Japanes maple I’ve planted there. Now I’m redoing the area next to the bird aviaries. Planting more Japanese maples, Hellebores and such. Will show when it’s all done. 😊 Naturlig damm del 8: kanterna är äntligen klara! Massor av trädgrenar, sten, gamla torvblock med mossa och växter. När dammen når högsta vattennivån rinner vattnet över vid “stranddelen” och vattnar den nyplanterade japanska lönnen. Nu håller jag på med delen närmast fågelvoljärerna. P lanterar japanska lönnar, julrosor och annat. Visar när det blir klart. 😊 #kristinasoasdamm #naturalpond #naturligdamm #damm #dammprojekt #trädgårdsprojekt #pond #pondproject #gardenproject #gardenpond #trädgårdsdamm #pondliner #dammduk #mygarden #minträdgård #garden #trädgård #trädgårdsinspiration #gardeninspiration #gardendesign #trädgårdsdesign

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Don’t Forget Shade

Most people forget to add sufficient shade to their garden pond. This can be detrimental to the health of all the pond plants and wildlife that are in it. That’s because not everything that lives in the water will be able to survive in bright sunshine, and they will need some cooling shade above them.

However, this is a very fine balance that you need to get right as there can be such a thing as too much shade. You should also be careful if you are relying on surrounding trees and bushes to provide your pond with shade. Falling leaves could end up falling into the water and will end up decaying on the bottom of the pond, which could release some toxins into the water.

https://pixabay.com/en/lotus-greenhouse-waterlily-garden-917616/

Never Add Tap Water

There might be times when the water level in your pond seems to decrease significantly. This is usually the case in the summer when the weather gets hot and the water evaporates. Thankfully, though, water levels fluctuate naturally, so you should find that your pond fills up on the next rainy day. However, if you go through a heatwave, you might need to top up the pond yourself to protect its plants and wildlife.

Whatever you do, though, never add water straight from the tap into the pond as it could be filled with high levels of nutrients that the plants and wildlife aren’t used to.

https://pixabay.com/en/nature-water-striders-gerridae-3350989/

Think Carefully Before Adding Fish

Finally, it’s worth considering whether you really want fish in your pond or not. Generally speaking, fish won’t mix with other pond wildlife, so if you do add some fish, you will find that the likes of frogs, toads, and newts won’t really visit your pond.

If you do want to see a mix of wildlife in your pond, like frogs and newts, then it’s a good idea to leave fish out of it. No matter what you do, though, don’t ever transfer fish or other wildlife from another pond into your own. This could introduce various diseases and cause big problems for all the plants. If you do want to add some fish, make sure you go to your local pet shop or reputable supplier.

In all, there is a lot that you need to think about and consider when you are installing a garden pond. There is a lot of maintenance, but it shouldn’t be too difficult to keep on top of!

Making Your Look Truly Unique

Tired of following trends that don’t suit you as well as they should, or seeing your outfits constantly on other people? It can feel a little undermining to feel like you don’t have your personal sense of style, but the truth might simply be that you’re looking in the wrong places.

If you want to develop a unique look, you’re going to have to go for some unique sources, too. Here are a few tips on how you pin your personal style.

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Know thyself

The first thing that anyone should do when evaluating their style and what direction to take it into is to take a better look at themselves. Body shape plays a huge role in choosing clothes that flatter you and make the best use of your best assets.

Choosing the right clothes for your body type is all about finding out the points you want to flatter the most. Tones matter, too. There are plenty of online guides that can help you find your signature palette based on your skin tone, eye color, and hair color.

You don’t necessarily have to restrict yourself to what these guides say, but it can be helpful in defining a sense of style that’s more “you”.

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Look in new places

If you go local for your all your outfits, you shouldn’t be surprised when you see other girls picking up exactly the same things. This is especially true if you live in an area where your options are limited.

When going online, the big brands are going to be just as ubiquitous. Instead, look for the lesser known fashion havens, like the top online women’s clothing boutique. If you’re a plus size woman, look for those stores that better accommodate your body, too.

The online world offers so many more options for outfits than you’re likely to find locally. Don’t be afraid to go further afield than usual, you’re not likely to see too many women wearing the same things you get from your new favorite online stores.

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Old places can be just as good

One exception to make to the rule of “don’t go local” is buying second hand at thrift stores. Lots of people still have hang-ups about second-hand clothes, but they might not be looking at it right.

If you shop second-hand, then you’re probably already aware of the issues of finding clothes that fit perfectly, but since they’re that much cheaper, it’s much less of a risk to simply get crafty with it and to make a few adjustments.

Similarly, if you’re good with a sewing kit (or you simply want to practice) you can customize your outfits so that you’re practically guaranteed you won’t find any copies roaming around.

You don’t have to go way outside the box or your own comfort zones to develop a look that’s unique and better suited to you. Simply know your strengths and look for the places that cater to them. Don’t be afraid of getting a little crafty and experimenting, too.

“Shear” Quality! The Essential Cheap Purchases To Improve Your Garden

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Whether you are brand new to gardening, or you are a seasoned professional, we all like to find new ways to garden on a budget. While gardening takes up a lot of time, it can also take up a lot of money, this is why the best thing to do is to purchase items that are cheap but do a lot for your general upkeep. So, with that in mind, what can most people benefit from?

Pruning Shears

Let’s start here. Pruning shears are one of the most essential items any amateur gardener should have, and they are held in high regard in the professional gardener’s arsenal. But when you are looking for the best type of pruning shears, get ones with a low friction coating, as this helps the blade to avoid catching, especially when you’re cutting through wood.

A Garden Hoe

Weeds are one of the most annoying parts of any garden, and a good quality garden hoe will help you to hack open new ground, and turn over dirt quickly, so you can get the most amount of work done as far as maintenance is concerned in a short space of time. The best types of garden hoe will have a balanced weight, as well as good quality material at the tool head, meaning that you won’t have to change this year in, year out.

A Composter

If you looking to be environmentally friendly, a composter is a great way to return nutrients to the soil. Making compost can be done in various ways, such as a composter, but you can also make the most of items like liquid fertilizer tanks, especially if you plan on covering a lot of ground with compost and fertilizer. If you are looking to expand your garden, and increase your yield, especially if you plan on growing more fruits and vegetables, a composter, or any variation, will be a worthy ally.

A Soil Tester

It’s best to get one of these at the very outset because if you can’t fathom why nothing is growing, it could very well be because the pH is wrong in your soil. So, by getting a soil tester, or a pH meter, you will find out the best way for your plants, fruits, and vegetables to thrive. All you have to do is plug in your soil tester, and wait for a reading.

A Trimmer

Yes, this is stating the obvious, but so many people opt for cheap and cheerful trimmers, but there are so many good quality trimmers out there that don’t cost the earth but are extremely durable. When you are looking for a good quality trimmer, never go for the cheapest item, but look for the ones that are lightweight, and have an electric starter. You want to make the task as easy as possible, so go for something that’s in the medium-priced range.

A Hose 

A hose is one of the most essential pieces of kit that you will need to keep your garden in the best possible condition, as no plant can thrive without being watered regularly. Hoses can come in all shapes and sizes to suit your unique needs, from a basic plastic hose for those on a budget to more specialist expandable garden hose options, so it’s totally up to you what kind of hose you choose to invest in. Just make sure it’s good quality if you want the hose to last, as it needs to be thick enough to stand the constant strain of the running water passing through at high speed.

Baskets & Pots 

Accessories such as Mediterranean-style vase planters, wicker hanging baskets, and other similar creative plant pots can upgrade your garden like never before, so purchasing a variety of cheap and cheerful baskets and pots could be the perfect way to spice up your outdoor space. Adding a pop of color in the form of some fresh scented flowers can really bring your garden to life, and you don’t need to spend a fortune to set up a few attractive arrangements. 

When picking the essential items for a garden, looking at the reviews is always a good idea, but if you are looking at the cost overall, you won’t always get the best quality items.