It’s easy to overspend on gardening – buying costly plants, treatments, and equipment. But, the truth is that a lot of the expense is unnecessary. You can practically start a garden for free.
Here, the experts Gardening Know How, along with some industry insiders, share the best frugal gardening ideas –which could save you hundreds of dollars.
1. Buy seeds, not seedlings
I’m often asked “Should I use a seedling or seeds?” My response is always “Seeds are the way to go!”
If your seedling doesn’t grow as planned…go back to the store to buy another. If your seeds don't grow as planned…you have anywhere from 10 to 300 more chances left in your seed packet.
Another benefit of starting plants from seeds is the wonderful and amazing world of seed saving.
Seeds are for life! That small investment in a pack of seeds will last you for years, even decades.
Tip from Geoffrey Johnson, Georgia master gardener, seed expert and founder of Depend On Planet Earth
2. Rescue plant 'rejects'
When browsing the garden center, make a beeline for the discounted plants section.
They might look rejects now, but most perennial plants can be restored back to health and help to fill your garden at a greatly reduced price.
Sometimes plants are discounted simply because they are dying back at the end of the season. Stock up now and next year you will reap the rewards.
Tip from Caroline Bloomfield, Manager of Marketing Communications, Gardening Know How
3. Make your own plant tonics
Save money on expensive liquid fertilizers by concocting homemade ‘plant tonics’. These days, there are plenty of organic options you can try.
One of the most effective homemade remedies utilizes comfrey. Look out for the Bocking 14 variety, which is high in potassium.
Place a few leaves in a sack and submerge in a bucket, then leave for a few weeks. Dilute the resulting liquid one part feed to eight parts water.
Tip from Janey Goulding, Content Editor, Gardening Know How
(Image credit: Getty Images)
4. Reuse nursery pots and trays
Don't throw away nursery pots or plant trays – reuse them for seed starting next year. Buying new is a waste of money and plastic.
Be sure, though, to clean containers with a diluted bleach solution so you don't carry over diseases from one season to the next. Use 9 parts water to 1 part bleach.
Tip from Laura Walters, Content Editor, Gardening Know How
5. Buy soil and mulch in bulk
Purchasing soils and mulch in bulk is a more cost-effective option compared to buying individual bags.
By choosing to buy in bulk, you stand to save a substantial amount and streamline your shopping experience, cutting down on both time and transportation costs.
Furthermore, the reduction in packaging costs associated with bulk buying contributes significantly to the overall affordability of these products.
Choosing to purchase soil and mulch in bulk also proves to be a more sustainable choice, reducing the amount of plastic.
As an example, a standard cubic yard of mulch may be priced at $50. To obtain an equivalent amount in smaller 2 cubic foot bags, you'd need to buy 18 bags to match one cubic yard.
If each individual bag costs $8, your total cost would reach $144, providing ample room for savings, potentially covering a delivery fee in case a truck isn't readily available.
Tip from Amy Draiss, Digital Community Manager, Gardening Know How
(Image credit: Getty Images)
6. Propagate and prosper
Growing from seed is a cheap way to grow specific plants – however, growing them through division or from cuttings is free.
Clump-forming plants can easily be propagated through division, including many perennials, spreading shrubs, succulents, rhizomes, bulbs, and tubers.
For certain plants, dividing is necessary to their health, as after a few years they can become congested.
Some plants can be simply pulled apart at the roots, while others will need to be divided with a sharp spade or knife.
Softwood and hardwood cuttings can be taken from a range of trees, shrubs and climbers.
Softwood cuttings are taken from newer growth, in the spring or early summer; they are fairly quick to establish but may not all take, so ensure you have a few.
Hardwood cuttings are taken from more established stems between fall and winter; they take longer to grow but are usually more reliable.
Simply cut a section of stem around 5 inches long, diagonally at a leaf node or junction. Remove the lower leaves and insert into a free-draining potting mix.
Place the pot in a propagator case or cover with a plastic bag ventilated twice a week. Cuttings need good, indirect light and the potting medium needs to stay moist until roots have established.
You can pot onto a larger container when new leaves have grown.
Tip from Melanie Griffiths, Senior Editor, Gardening Know How
7. Make your own compost
Start a compost pile and make your own organic soil improver. Composting is not only a cost-saver but also an eco-friendly way to reduce waste and enhance soil health.
Utilize kitchen scraps, lawn clippings, and other organic materials. This practice enriches your garden soil naturally, eliminating the need for costly chemical fertilizers.
It's important to get the right mix of green and brown material in your compost, and to turn it regularly.
Tip from Gene Caballero, landscaping expert and co-founder of GreenPal
8. Save on raised beds and containers
Building your own raised beds from locally sourced, reclaimed or recycled timbers lets you build to the height and width that suits, allowing you to sit on the edge and making maintenance easier.
Make sure you don’t use treated pine for your raised bed as the chemicals can leach into the soil.
Think out of the box for what can be used to make raised beds and also for containers, from cut logs, scaffolding planks, old kettledrums, tyres, ladders, crates, dust bins, buckets or tin cans, to chimney pots.
Look for bargains in unlikely places, such as thrift stores, and vintage markets – one person’s trash could well be your treasure.
Be imaginative with the potential for repurposing items as containers; just remember to drill a drainage hole.
Tip from gardening expert and writer Leigh Clapp
(Image credit: Getty Images)
9. Scatter ash from the fire
Are you lucky enough to have a wood-burning stove or fireplace? If so, you can squeeze a bit more joy out of its remnants during winter months by scattering the ash on your flower beds.
This ash is an excellent source of potassium and lime. However, you shouldn't use it on alkaline soils or on beds where you are growing acid-loving plants.
Tip from Janey Goulding
10. Save your mums!
Don't throw out fall mums when the weather turns. I live in zone 6b and many of my potted chrysanthemums survive winter.
Plant them in your garden for fall color that comes back year after year.
All you need to do to keep them looking good is give them a hearty pruning (cut them back by half) in early summer, sometime before the 4th of July.
Tip from Laura Walters
11. Go native to save money
Sеlеct plants that are native to your arеa or well-suited to the local climatе. Thеsе plants demand lеss upkeep and watеr, so you'll savе monеy on irrigation and carе.
They’re also a beautiful way to nurture biodiversity by providing important food sources for local wildlife, including precious pollinators.
Tip from Marvin Magsura, lawn and landscaping expert, and co-founder of Retaining Wall Supplies
(Image credit: Getty Images)
12. Get clever with rainwater
It’s important to save and reuse rainwater wherever you can. Make a rain barrel as a minimum, but get creative with other solutions too.
I connected soaker hoses to a rain barrel and ran them in the ground under my flower beds along my deck in the back of my house.
It keeps my plants watered with little effort or expense.
Tip from Kyle McCann, Marketing Director, Gardening Know How
We all have a few plants that seem to run rampant. If you’re willing to share the love, why not look into local plant swaps – or start your own?
Whether you opt for local community circles or trusted groups of friends, relatives and neighbors, plant swaps are a great way to free up some space on the plot – and more importantly, look after the contents of your wallet.
Simply hand over excess ornamentals and cropping gluts to others – in exchange for some of their homegrown treasures!
Make the most of any social media accounts you have or put out feelers via your nearest allotment.
It’s a great way to economize – and as a bonus, you’re sure to meet new gardening friends.
Tip from Janey Goulding
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Kееp your gardеning tools in good shape! Regular cleaning, sharpеning, and maintenance will extend thеir lifеspan, so you don't have to replace them as often.
You should also only invest in the essential gardening tools, which are multitaskers, rather than the latest time-saving gadgets.
Tip from Marvin Magsura
15. Make your own plant supports
Making your own plant supports can save you a small fortune.
The simplest support for climbers is a wigwam of three or four canes or sticks, placed at corners and secured at the top.
Sticks can catch you in the eye so top your supports with upturned pots or bottles to avoid injury.
Willow, hazel and birch are great choices – you just need to cut small, sturdy and flexible branches and have a stock ready to use.
Place supports twisted and woven together as a cage to let plants grow through.
You can also make tepees out of bamboo canes or sticks for containers, pushed into the potting mix to secure, then bind the top.
Reuse your supports to create an insect hotel or leave in log piles for wildlife.
Tip from Leigh Clapp
Introduction:
As an expert in gardening, I can provide valuable insights and tips on how to save money while creating a beautiful garden. With years of experience and knowledge about gardening, I can guide you through the process of starting a garden for free and share frugal gardening ideas that can save you hundreds of dollars.
Buying Seeds Instead of Seedlings:
One of the best frugal gardening ideas is to buy seeds instead of seedlings. Seeds are a more cost-effective option as they provide multiple chances for your plants to grow. If a seedling doesn't grow as planned, you can simply buy another one. However, if seeds don't grow as expected, you still have a significant number of seeds left in your seed packet for future planting. Additionally, starting plants from seeds allows you to explore the world of seed saving, which can be a rewarding and sustainable practice, saving you money in the long run.
Rescuing Plant 'Rejects':
When browsing the garden center, head straight to the discounted plants section. These plants may look like rejects, but most perennial plants can be restored back to health with a little care and attention. By purchasing discounted plants, you can fill your garden at a greatly reduced price. Some plants are discounted simply because they are dying back at the end of the season, but with proper care, they can thrive in your garden the following year.
Making Your Own Plant Tonics:
Save money on expensive liquid fertilizers by making your own plant tonics. There are plenty of organic options available, and one of the most effective homemade remedies is using comfrey. Look for the Bocking 14 variety, which is high in potassium. Place a few comfrey leaves in a sack and submerge them in a bucket of water for a few weeks. Dilute the resulting liquid and use it as a natural plant feed. This homemade plant tonic can be a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to store-bought fertilizers.
Reusing Nursery Pots and Trays:
Instead of throwing away nursery pots and plant trays, reuse them for seed starting the following year. Buying new containers is a waste of money and plastic. To ensure that you don't carry over diseases from one season to the next, clean the containers with a diluted bleach solution. Use nine parts water to one part bleach to clean the pots and trays effectively. Reusing containers is not only cost-effective but also environmentally friendly.
Buying Soil and Mulch in Bulk:
Purchasing soil and mulch in bulk can be a more cost-effective option compared to buying individual bags. Buying in bulk can save you a substantial amount of money and streamline your shopping experience. Additionally, buying in bulk reduces packaging waste, making it a more sustainable choice. For example, buying one cubic yard of mulch in bulk can be more affordable than buying 18 smaller bags of mulch. Not only can you save money, but you may also have enough savings to cover a delivery fee if a truck isn't readily available.
Propagating and Dividing Plants:
Growing plants from seeds is a cheap way to grow specific plants, but you can also propagate plants through division or cuttings. Many clump-forming plants can be easily propagated through division, including perennials, spreading shrubs, succulents, bulbs, and tubers. Dividing plants is not only cost-effective but also necessary for their health, as some plants can become congested after a few years. Softwood and hardwood cuttings can be taken from a range of trees, shrubs, and climbers, allowing you to grow new plants without spending money on buying them.
Making Your Own Compost:
Start a compost pile and make your own organic soil improver. Composting is a cost-effective and eco-friendly way to reduce waste and enhance soil health. Utilize kitchen scraps, lawn clippings, and other organic materials to create nutrient-rich compost. By composting, you can eliminate the need for costly chemical fertilizers and improve the overall quality of your garden soil.
Building Raised Beds and Containers:
Building your own raised beds and containers from locally sourced, reclaimed, or recycled materials can save you money and allow you to customize the size and shape of your garden beds. Avoid using treated pine for raised beds as the chemicals can leach into the soil. Instead, think creatively and repurpose items such as cut logs, scaffolding planks, old kettledrums, tires, ladders, crates, dust bins, buckets, or tin cans. Look for bargains in thrift stores and vintage markets, as you may find hidden treasures for your garden. Just remember to drill drainage holes in containers to ensure proper water drainage.
Using Wood Ash from Fire:
If you have a wood-burning stove or fireplace, you can reuse the ash on your flower beds. Wood ash is an excellent source of potassium and lime, which can benefit your plants. However, avoid using wood ash on alkaline soils or beds where you are growing acid-loving plants. Wood ash can be a cost-effective and sustainable way to enhance the fertility of your garden soil.
Saving and Reusing Fall Mums:
Instead of throwing out fall mums when the weather turns, consider planting them in your garden. With proper pruning, these potted chrysanthemums can survive winter and come back year after year, providing beautiful fall color. Give them a hearty pruning by cutting them back by half in early summer, before the 4th of July. This simple step can help your fall mums thrive and save you money on buying new plants each year.
Choosing Native Plants:
Select plants that are native to your area or well-suited to the local climate. Native plants require less upkeep and water, which can save you money on irrigation and care. Additionally, native plants promote biodiversity by providing important food sources for local wildlife, including pollinators. By choosing native plants, you can create a beautiful and sustainable garden while reducing maintenance costs.
Collecting and Reusing Rainwater:
Save and reuse rainwater whenever possible. You can start by creating a rain barrel to collect rainwater, but there are also other creative solutions available. For example, you can connect soaker hoses to a rain barrel and run them under your flower beds to keep your plants watered with minimal effort or expense. Reusing rainwater is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly practice that can help you reduce your water consumption.
Participating in Plant Swaps:
Consider participating in local plant swaps or organizing one yourself. Plant swaps are a great way to free up space in your garden and save money. You can exchange excess ornamental plants and harvests with others in your community, allowing you to diversify your garden without spending any money. Utilize social media accounts, community circles, or your nearest allotment to connect with other gardeners and organize plant swaps. Not only can you save money, but you can also build friendships and share gardening knowledge with fellow enthusiasts.
Proper Maintenance of Gardening Tools:
Take care of your gardening tools to extend their lifespan and avoid frequent replacements. Regularly clean, sharpen, and maintain your tools to keep them in good shape. This practice can save you money in the long run by reducing the need for new tool purchases. Focus on investing in essential multitasking tools rather than buying the latest time-saving gadgets, as versatile tools can serve multiple purposes and provide better value for your money.
Making Your Own Plant Supports:
By making your own plant supports, you can save a significant amount of money. One simple and cost-effective plant support for climbers is a wigwam made of three or four canes or sticks. Secure the canes at the top and place them at the corners of your plants. To avoid injuries, top your supports with upturned pots or bottles. Willow, hazel, and birch branches are excellent choices for making plant supports. Cut small, sturdy, and flexible branches and create supports by twisting and weaving them together. You can also make tepees out of bamboo canes or sticks for container plants. Reusing your supports can also benefit wildlife by creating insect hotels or leaving them in log piles.
Conclusion:
By following these frugal gardening ideas, you can save money while creating a beautiful and sustainable garden. From buying seeds instead of seedlings to reusing containers and making your own compost, there are numerous ways to cut costs without compromising the quality of your garden. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced gardener, these tips can help you create a thriving garden while staying within your budget.
