Gardening on a Budget

Kirsten Thuringer

April 7, 2016  •  2 Minute Read

Financial Tips

With Spring in full force the gardening bug is spreading and probably infecting the experienced gardeners, the first timers or the people who have been thinking about it but aren’t ready to commit. While most experienced gardeners have most likely ordered their seeds, the unexperienced gardeners may not know where to start or are frightened due to the financial commitment. For those people who aren’t quite sure on what to do and don’t want to spend a lot of money just quite yet, check out these great tips on how to create a successful garden while not spending a fortune.

• Connect with Master Gardeners

Look to see if you can find local garden events nearby. You will probably come across some great resources and learn from the people that have many years of experience in gardening. Check out your local nurseries for classes that you can attend to learn more about the plants that grow well in your area.

• Avoid the Expensive Gardening Tools

If you are just starting out to garden or are trying it out to see if you find it enjoyable there is no need to splurge on the expensive gardening tools. Check out your local thrift store or area garage sales to see if you can find any tools. Keeping it simple will work just fine when it comes to gardening tools.

• Purchase your Seeds

Seeds cost significantly less than purchasing seedlings or plants, and with a little tending, they can become just as fruitful. Starting early, about 6 weeks before the last frost is best when planting. You can start your seeds off in containers that you have sitting around the house such as margarine or yogurt containers, egg cartons or toilet paper rolls. You can then just transfer your seedlings to the ground when they’re ready.

• Look for Plant Sales

If you started a little late and don’t have time to grow your plants from seeds, you can purchase the seedlings from a local nursery or lawn and garden department at a home improvement store. Start clipping coupons and comparing prices for the best deals in your area.

• Create Your Own Compost

Composting makes more financial sense than purchasing fertilizer every year. Create compost by saving your fruit and vegetable scraps, used coffee grounds, along with grass clippings and dead leaves in the Fall. The combination of these types of materials will get you on your way to a compost pile that provides cheap and nutritious food for your garden.

Gardening isn’t always an easy hobby and can be very time consuming. But the time that you put into your garden will determine what you get out of your garden. Just remember to do your research, talk to your fellow gardeners and shop around for the best products.