Save money while starting your vegetable garden

Gardening is a popular hobby for people of all ages, and for good reason. It’s a great way to get exercise, fresh air, and sunshine. It’s also a rewarding experience to watch your plants grow and produce food or flowers. Gardening has also been shown to have so many health benefits for us. But one thing it doesn’t always benefit is our wallets. Starting a vegetable garden can get pretty expensive if you let it but for beginners I’ve got so many tips for saving money when gardening.

How to save money gardening

• Start small. If you are new to gardening, it is best to start small and manageable. This will help you avoid getting overwhelmed and discouraged. Pick a few vegetables you like to eat and don’t go crazy buying tons that you will not eat.
• Choose the right vegetables. Not all vegetables are created equal when it comes to saving money. Choose vegetables that are expensive for you to buy at the grocery store and that are easy to grow in your climate. Some good options include tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, and beans. Seeds are much cheaper and you can yield a lot of fruit from one plant.
• Start your own seeds. This is a great way to save money on plants, which can be expensive. You can start seeds indoors or outdoors, depending on your climate.
• Use recycled materials. There are many ways to use recycled materials in your garden, such as old pots, tires, and cardboard boxes. This can help you save money on gardening supplies. Yogurt cups can be reused as seed starting pots.
• Compost. Compost is a great way to improve the soil in your garden and reduce your reliance on fertilizers. You can make your own compost or buy it from a local nursery.
• Water wisely. Water is one of the biggest expenses in gardening. Water your plants deeply and infrequently to help them conserve water. Set up bins and buckets outside to catch rainwater that you can later water your plants with.
• Attract beneficial insects. Beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and praying mantises, can help control pests in your garden. You can attract them by planting flowers that they like and by providing them with shelter. Having beneficial insects can keep you from needing to buy pest sprays.
• Prevent pests and diseases. The best way to save money on pest control is to prevent pests and diseases from happening in the first place. This can be done by planting resistant varieties, rotating crops, and practicing good sanitation.
• Harvest and preserve your crops. Once your crops are ready to harvest, you can preserve them by canning, freezing, or drying them. This will help you extend their shelf life and save money on produce during the winter months.
• Save Seeds. Allow some of your plants to flower and seed. Save those seeds to start next year!
• Propagate. Tomato plants can easily be propagated by suckers. You can make lots of tomato plants this way.
• Shop Smart. Dollar Stores carry lots of garden supplies along with seeds. Shop clearance sections to find plants and garden goodies you need for the season.

Learn how to grow Tomatoes from Seed here!

Additional tips to save money in your vegetable garden:

• Get advice from a local nursery or garden center. They can help you choose the right vegetables for your climate and give you tips on how to care for them.
• Join a gardening club or online forum. This is a great way to learn from other gardeners and get support.
• Check your dollar stores for gardening supplies and shop clearance to get the things you need.
• Don’t be afraid to experiment. There are many different ways to grow vegetables. Find what works best for you and have fun with it!

By following these tips, you can save money on your vegetable garden and enjoy fresh, homegrown produce all season long.

Happy Gardening!