MAKE YOUR $ GO FURTHER

It seems nuts that, at the best time of year for planting longlived plants like trees, shrubs and climbers, garden centres and nurseries have huge plant sales. Expect to see 30 per cent off in shops all over the country from now, leading up to Easter. Maximise your garden dollars during these discounted times to get more plants in the ground. Planting a hedge now will not only save you money but it will speed up the establishment of the hedge, as the plants have all autumn and winter to settle into the ground. Then, in spring, the plants will be ready to put on substantial leafy growth. Instead of getting, say, five shrubs for $100, while the sales are on expect to get seven or eight plants for the same amount of money. Shrewd shopping saves pennies.