Frugal gardening is possible no matter what you are trying to grow in your garden. I have found that it is very easy to spend way too much on my gardening supplies at the garden center.
Frugal Gardening Tips
Start with seeds
Buying full grown plants at the garden center can be quite expensive. If you start the flowers or vegetables from seeds, you will save quite a bit of money. One packet of seeds can contain up to 100 seeds. You can use them all yourself or split them with a friend to save even more money.
Ask for freebies
Many gardeners find themselves with extra plants that they do not need. Either they buy too many or they have extras when they thin out their existing garden. Try asking for leftover plants on Freecycle or check the freebies section of Craigslist to get them completely free.
RTS Home Accents 50-Gallon Rain Water Collection Barrel with Brass Spigot, Brown
Save money watering
Collect the water from the shower or bath while you are waiting for the temperature to change. Set a bucket outside in the garden to collect rain water when it rains. If you have a gutter system on your home, attach a rain barrel to collect all the rain that would otherwise be washed away.
Compost
Make your own compost by collecting kitchen scraps. It is much cheaper than buying fertilizer and contains no chemicals.
Containers
Check with bakeries or your local landfill for large buckets that can be used for container gardening. Make sure they did not contain anything that is not considered food/safe for consumption.
Learn for free
One of the best things you can do to keep costs down is to continue to learn. There are many different gardening tips depending on what you want to grow and where you live. Stop by your local library to check out the books and latest issues of your favorite gardening magazines for free. You can also find free gardening courses online, like this one from Craftsy.
Karen Miller says
Great article, reusing items in the garden is a great idea, you are saving the earth by doing your own gardening and by reusing items.
Thanks for the tips
Eleanor says
I love repurposing stuff. Also, makes the garden look more interesting. Great ideas, thank you
Paula says
Great tips, Chrysa! I already picked some of them to try this weekend!
Kim1 says
Collect loo rolls to plant seedlings in. When ready to plant out there’s no need to remove the tube,as it will break down in the soil.
Turn soda bottles into self-watering pots. Cut the bottle in half across the middle. Fill the bottom half with water. Invert the top half & feed a length of string through the spout. Fill with compost. Sit the inverted top of the bottle into the bottom half. Ensure the end of the string remains in the water. Plant up. The plants will take as much water as they need.
Jinxy and Me says
Great tip, Lynne. That’s a great way to “stretch” your plants!
Lynne Cherot says
Another great saving tip is to divide your perennial clumps as they age, great for spreading around other parts of your garden or to trade with friends.
Turning the Clock Back says
I definitely need to keep these ideas in mind. I spend WAY too much on my gardening habit!
L. Shepherd says
You can start a container garden in an apartment! Strawberries grow great in apartments, and there are countless other fruits and vegetables that you can grow indoors.
Lindsey says
Love these tips. We’ll be starting our garden soon and you’re right – starting with seeds is a huge money saver!
Oriana MommyhoodsDiary says
Great tips! I wish i could start one but we live in an apartment. Thanks for sharing.
Just Us Girls says
Awesome tips! We’re getting ready to start our garden again. We tried it a few years ago and it didn’t work out so well, but now that my daughter is into taking care of plants, we’re trying it again. I’ll be sure to use some of these tips. Thanks!
Tammi @ My Organized Chaos says
Great tips, I’ll keep these in mind when I start in a few weeks!
🙂
Kelsey says
Thanks for sharing these tips! I am looking at starting a garden, hoping we don’t have a miserable hot summer like last year, cause it ruined most of everything.