Gardening is fun and very relaxing, but it is also an expensive hobby. However, there are some ways to save a lot of money even while growing your plants and if you want to know how then check out this article.
#1. Make Your Own Compost
Why do you need to waste your money to buy compost from gardening stores when you can make your own compost very quickly?
For example, you can use grass clippings, twigs, kitchen waste and shredded paper. It is not only a convenient way of discarding your garden waste, but it will prove to be very beneficial for your plants. However, remember that there are a few things that cannot be used to make compost.
#2. Avoid Impulse Buying
One of my personal tips: whether it is about purchasing plants or shopping for something else, I always recommend to avoid impulse buying. Before buying plants, it is essential to do a proper research and to take into consideration several factors. For example, you should think about whether you have enough space or not for a new plant. And, trust me, applying this tip will help you to save lots of money.
#3. Navigate Through Garage Sales
No doubt that containers are very costly when you buy them new. However, you can easily find some nice pots at garage sales. You can also find some discarded treated wood fencing or some old barn wood. Well, you never really know what you can find, so why don’t you give it a try?
#4. Purchase Garden Soil in Bulk
Sometimes when you want to fill your raised beds or add soil to your ground beds, you may end up with a high-priced purchase. But there’s another simple solution: call your local municipality or some local landscape services and ask them about buying garden soil in bulk. And, if you don’t have a trailer or a pick-up truck, ask them if a fee is usually charged for delivery.
#5. Ask for a Discount on Bagged Soil
But, what do you do if you cannot buy in bulk or you do not need a huge amount of soil for your garden? Well, you can try to look for ripped bags of soil at a local garden shop and ask if you can buy them for a discount.
#6. Collect Autumn Leaves
Suppose you live near deciduous trees and it is the autumn season. What you can do is to collect as many leaves as possible and then shred them and add them to your garden in the fall.
#7. Purchase Transplants From Nurseries and Plant Sales
If you opt for buying transplants, then instead of going at big-box stores or garden centers, where you will only find high-priced transplants, check at your local nurseries and always keep an eye out for any plant sales.
#8. Hand Pick Pests
Indeed, pest control sprays can be very effective, but one ugly truth about them is that they can be very costly, especially organic ones. And, making your own homemade pest sprays might not be a great idea either as by applying too much or incorrectly, you can harm your plants.
What I recommend: to walk in your garden daily, have some fresh air at the same time and hand-pick pests such as squash bugs, Colorado potato beetles, Japanese Beetles, and tomato hornworms.
#9. Used Coffee Grounds
Did you know that coffee grounds, which are usually rich in nutrients like phosphorus and magnesium, can help your plants to grow?
If you are a coffee drinker, it is very easy to get your hands on some coffee grounds at home. Besides, Starbucks has a program known as Grounds for your garden, where they pack their used coffee grounds and give them to local gardeners (and of course for free!)
#10. Grow Potatoes in Burlap Sacks or Bags
Many often don’t have sufficient space to grow potatoes in raised beds. And, what we suggest is to use burlap bags and sacks.
Will you use these tips? Share your gardening experience with us in the comment section below!
