Budget-Friendly Gardening: 6 Money-Saving Tips and Tricks for Resourceful Gardeners

Hello, my garden people! I’m so excited to share with you my tips and tricks for how to garden on a budget. Gardening doesn’t have to be an expensive adventure. With a little creativity and lots of resourcefulness, you can have a beautiful and productive garden without breaking the bank. Let’s dive into 6 ways to garden on a budget.

Start With a Plan

The first step to gardening on a budget is to start with a plan. Decide what you want to grow, how much space you have, and what resources you have available. This will help you avoid wasting money on plants or materials that won’t work for your garden. Planning also allows you to prioritize what you need to spend money on and what you can save on. If you haven't signed up for the free garden maintenance checklist and starter guide to a container garden, do it now! Shoot me an email, [email protected].

Shop at the Right Time

Timing is everything when it comes to saving money on gardening supplies. Shop for seeds and plants at the end of the season when they’re on clearance. Many garden centers and nurseries will discount their inventory to make room for new products and clear out old ones quickly. I like to shop at Dollar General and the Dollar Tree for good finds. I can find items like 5 or 6 packs of seeds for few dollars. Dollar General is a great place to shop for containers if you are interested in doing a container garden. You can also find deals on tools and equipment at the end of the season.

Save and Share Seeds

One of the best ways to save money on gardening is by saving and sharing seeds. Collecting seeds from your own plants is a great way to save money and preserve the genetics of plants you love. If you are saving seeds from a particular plant, do some research and see what the process entails. For the most part, seeds may need to be dried, treated, or soaked before being planted. You will need to investigate and figure out how to preserve your specific seeds. Usually, it's not just taking the seeds from a fruit and planting them, so do your research. You can also ask other gardeners for seed swaps. There are also seed swap groups on Facebook. Seed swaps are a great way to get new varieties of plants for your garden without spending hardly any money.

Use recycled materials

Another way to garden on a budget is by using recycled materials. You can use old containers, buckets, and even old shoes to plant your garden. I have used regular kitchen trash cans and planted a tomato garden in them. Just remember, when using other types of containers not specific for planting, you will need to make your own hole in the bottom of the container for proper drainage. You can use things like egg cartons and dixie cups to start your seeds. You can also repurpose old fencing, pallets, and other materials to build raised beds and other structures for your garden. I've seen a trellis made out of an old set of box springs from a mattress, and those small blue baby pools used for herb gardens. Here is a great site for some ideas for upcycled planters!

Choose Low Maintenance Plants

Some plants require more care and attention than others. Choosing low-maintenance plants can save you time and money in the long run. Look for plants that are adapted to your climate and soil conditions. For example, orchids, they are a very finicky and temperamental plant. They require much care and attention; I would not recommend orchids. However, tomatoes, peppers, squash, and beans are great plants for me, in Garden Zone 8. Native plants are a great choice because they are already adapted to your area’s conditions and require less watering and fertilizing.

Make Your Own Fertilizers and Pest Control

Instead of buying expensive fertilizers and pesticides, you can make your own using common household items. For example, you can make compost tea using your own compost or use vinegar to control weeds. I have used eggshells to add calcium to the soil of my tomato plants, and coffee grounds are also a great natural pest control. There are many recipes available online for making your own fertilizers and pest control.

Gardening on a budget is all about being resourceful and creative. With a little planning and effort, you can have a beautiful and productive garden without spending a lot of money. Remember to start with a plan, shop at the right time, save and share seeds, use recycled materials, choose low-maintenance plants, make your own fertilizers and pest control, and join my Facebook group. Happy gardening!