I’m going to be completely honest with you. Gardening is EXPENSIVE. This is not a cheap hobby to have and pile that on top of all the other financial responsibilities you may have and it can quickly become too much. There are so many ways to save on garden expenses but you have to be realistic with yourself, that while you are saving money you will still be spending. It’s no secret that gardening is beneficial to our well being as well as mother earth but how can we save money?
Stop growing grass
People spend hundreds of dollars trying to achieve the perfect lawn. I used to be one of them. While I wasn’t as crazy about it I did spend money on weed killers and fertilizers to keep my grass looking green and lush. Using weed killers are so bad for the environment. The run off of these chemicals make their way into various bodies of water and cause harm to the living creatures that inhabit those areas. Aside from that those pesticides and fertilizers are very expensive and if you use a company to come spray and fertilize your going to be emptying out your wallet. I’m not against grass but there are other alternatives that look great, require less water and are beneficial to our environment.
Propagate Your Plants
This is a great way to expand your garden without spending money on new plants. Many plants require dividing after a few years to be healthy. Many plants are easily propagated from cuttings which will also help to expand your garden.
Trade with neighbors or go to plant swaps
This is a great way to meet people and share plants, tips and maybe even make a few friends. Having a community you can always count on for your garden questions is priceless.
Save Seeds from your plants
There are many plants that can easily be grown from seed. Hosta’s, Black Eyed Susan and Heuchera are a just a few that I’ve grown from seeds collected in my garden.
Shop second hand
Second hand is the way to go if you are short on funds. You can buy second hand in many ways such as yard sales, thrift stores, auctions, word of mouth, heck people put good garden tools and supplies on the curb all the time.
Take care of your tools
This is very important for the longevity of your tools. Clean and sterilize your tools after use. Oil and sharpen your shears. Clean your edger and lawn mower after each use. Keeping up with regular maintenance can prolong the life of your garden tools.
Be a forever student
This! The more you learn the better gardener you will be. Research every question you have. Research every plant you have and how to take care of it. The more you learn about plants the less plants you will kill. The less you kill the less you have to replace.
Start your own compost pile
There’s no doubt that having your own compost pile is beneficial to your garden and your budget. Getting started can be as easy as taking a storage bin your not using, poking holes in the bottom and tossing your scraps in.
Save your potting soil
This is a BIG tip! I have always tossed my old soil but with rising costs of everything I decided to not trash it. I either toss it into the compost pile or I “recondition” it by adding compost and a granular fertilizer then reuse it. I do not keep the soil from tomato plants. Tomato plant diseases can survive in the soil and if your compost doesn’t get hot enough to kill it, it can come back and harm your tomatoes the next year.
Buy clearance
Shopping clearance is a big money saver! Not only can you buy some great plants on clearance you can get soil, pots and other garden accessories. It is worth it to check for clearance garden supplies every time you walk into a store.
Use what you have
The best way to save money is to not spend any. Work on improving what you already have. You don’t have to bring in new plants to have an amazing garden. Keep your plants happy by watering when needed and pruning when necessary and they will reward you with beautiful foliage and blooms.
Using these tips will save you money for sure but the act of gardening provides you with so much more!
Happy Gardening
Ciearra
