14 April 2022, by Benedict Vanheems
With inflation on the rise, finding ways to save money has become essential. Growing your own food is one of the most effective strategies to combat rising grocery bills, while also providing fresher and healthier produce. Here are some savvy tips that can help you create a thriving garden without breaking the bank.
Save on Seeds and Seedlings
The journey to a bountiful garden starts with seeds and seedlings. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to reduce seed costs. Look for seed multipacks or value collections, often sold at lower prices than individual seed packets. Local garden centers and grocery stores frequently offer these deals. Additionally, seek out seed swaps where you can exchange seeds and plants with fellow gardeners.
Once you’ve started growing, you can save seeds from your own plants—tomatoes, beans, and peppers are excellent candidates for seed saving, which can help you cut costs even further in the future.
For starting seeds indoors, you don’t need expensive equipment. Instead of a heated propagator, simply place your pots on a warm windowsill or on top of the refrigerator. The gentle warmth is often enough to kickstart the germination process.
Free Plant Pots
You don’t have to buy plant pots—use what you already have! Yogurt pots, empty fruit trays, or even toilet paper tubes make excellent containers for seedlings. Just poke holes in the bottoms for drainage. You can also create biodegradable pots from newspaper by wrapping it around a cup, folding the edges to create a sturdy rim, and pinching the bottom together. These homemade pots can be planted directly in the ground, reducing waste and saving money.
For larger plants like beans and corn, toilet paper tubes are a great option. Simply cut slits at the bottom to create a firm base, and plant the whole tube in the garden—there’s no need for plastic waste.
Stretch Your Potting Mix
Potting mix can be expensive, but you can make it last longer. Instead of using fresh mix for every seedling, reuse the old potting mix. If you’re worried about disease, keep in mind that fast-growing plants like brassicas will be in and out of the mix quickly. Refill pots with the same soil after harvesting seedlings, or top off old potting mix with fresh seed-starting mix. For shallow-rooted crops like lettuce, you can fill the bottom half of containers with reused soil and top them up with fresh mix.
Free Organic Matter and Mulches
Organic matter is crucial for feeding your soil, but it doesn’t have to come at a high cost. You can ask neighbors for leaves from their fall cleanup or inquire about any yard waste they might have. Many gardeners overlook plain cardboard, which is an excellent source of “browns” for composting. Shredded cardboard helps balance nitrogen-rich “greens” like grass clippings.
Another excellent free resource is wood chips from local tree surgeons, who often give away excess chips. You can also ask about small animal bedding from pets like guinea pigs or hamsters, as their droppings can greatly accelerate composting.
Additionally, consider growing plants like comfrey, which pull nutrients from deep in the soil. The leaves can be cut and added to your compost or used as mulch, providing valuable nutrients for your plants.
Budget-Friendly Plant Supports and Protection
Instead of purchasing expensive plant supports, consider growing your own bamboo for climbing plants. Bamboo is easy to grow and provides strong, flexible stakes for beans and other climbing crops. If bamboo isn’t an option, look to other fast-growing plants like hazel, which can be coppiced for straight stems.
To protect plants from pests, you can create simple, low-cost barriers using recycled materials like old bottles or tennis balls on stakes, topped with a netting cover. For insect protection, insect-proof mesh is a great investment, but alternatives like tulle, net curtains, or second-hand fabrics from local marketplaces can also work well.
Extend the Growing Season
A cold frame or mini hoop house can help you extend the growing season and protect plants from frost. Constructing a simple cold frame using salvaged wood and windows is an easy and affordable project. This is perfect for growing winter salads or giving tender plants an extra boost during colder months.
Propagation: Free Plants for the Taking
One of the easiest ways to grow your garden without spending money is through propagation. Many plants, including fruit bushes, herbs, and perennial vegetables like mint and chives, can be propagated from cuttings or divisions. This allows you to expand your garden without purchasing new plants.
By applying these creative, budget-friendly gardening tips, you can cultivate a flourishing garden that not only reduces your food costs but also provides a sense of accomplishment and sustainability. What money-saving gardening tricks do you use? Share them in the comments below!