how can i save money in my garden

How To Save Money In The Garden? [17 Gardening Tricks]

• Buy seeds instead of seedlings, Make DIY mulch, Collect Rainwater,
• Repurpose old pieces of stuff at home, Grow suitable plants, Buy from direct local farmers, ...
• Save seeds from existing plants,
• Propagate/clone existing plants, Buy on-sale plants, Value your gardening tools, ...
• Be wise when purchasing plants,
• Make your free pest repellant,
• Make your homemade fertilizer, and
• Repurpose old plant soil. ...

Full Answer

How can I save money on my vegetable garden?

You can start saving by growing herbs or pot-friendly veggies like tomatoes, cucumbers or lettuce on a small patio or sunny window. Your state’s cooperative extension or master gardeners program typically offers great (and free!) advice for gardeners of all levels.

Is gardening an expensive hobby?

Gardening can be an expensive hobby, but if you want, you can save a lot of money with the help of these money saving gardening tips. Check out! 1. Make your own compost

How do you use vinegar in the garden to save money?

Use Vinegar Vinegar has myriads of uses in the kitchen but it can also do miracles in the garden. You can use vinegar in many ways in the garden to save money as well as to keep your garden chemical-free. Read more on it here. 8. Use used coffee grounds and tea bags in garden

How much does it cost to grow a garden?

A small garden can save you a bundle at the grocery store: an average plot provides “an estimated 300 pounds of fresh produce worth $600,” according to a study by the National Gardening Association (NGA). That estimate is based on an average gardener’s investment of $70, so $530 is a pretty impressive return!

How can I garden without spending money?

Here are 10 ways to garden without breaking the bank.Be on the lookout for plant swaps. ... Shop for plants in the off-season. ... Start from seeds. ... Save seeds. ... Accept cuttings from friends. ... Build a raised bed from found materials. ... Make your own soil amendments. ... Find free mulch.More items...•

How much money can you save by having a garden?

A well-maintained food garden yields 1/2 pound of produce per square foot per growing season, according to the NGA. So a 600-square-foot garden, the American average on which households spend $70 per year, could churn out 300 pounds of fresh produce worth about $600 annually, the association estimates.

Is gardening cheaper than buying?

While starting vegetables from seed may save the most money, buying plants may also save some money depending on the amount yielded. “Growing a garden has the potential to reduce the amount of money spent on groceries.

Is it worth investing in your garden?

Whether you see mowing the lawn and weeding as a hassle or not, making improvements to the garden can be time and money well-spent. Research has shown that a well-kept garden can add as much as 20% to the value of your property.

How big of a garden do I need to feed a family of 4?

20 feet by 40 feetFor a non-vegetarian individual, however, we'd estimate that you need about 200 square feet of garden space to allow for a harvest that feeds everyone year-round. So, for an average family of four, plan for an 800 square-foot garden—a plot that is 20 feet by 40 feet in size.

What is a female gardener called?

Did you know that a female gardener is called a Gardenerette. Or a Gardengal. Go all the Gardenerettes and Gardengals on International Women's Day #choosetochallenge.

Can a garden save you money?

You can save big money by growing your own vegetables and fruits. In fact, depending on the type and amount you grow, you can save a significant amount of money. By spending a few dollars on seeds, plants, and supplies in spring, you'll produce vegetables that will yield pounds of produce in summer.

What is the cheapest crop to grow?

Top 6 Most Cost-effective Vegetables to GrowLettuce. You may have noticed the price of lettuce has risen considerably in the past two years. ... Bell Peppers. ... Garlic. ... Winter Squash. ... Tomatoes. ... Broccoli.

Is gardening an expensive hobby?

Gardening can be an extremely low-cost hobby once you have the tools you need. Growing your own vegetables, fruits, and herbs is significantly cheaper than buying them and the quality of the products is usually much higher.

Does growing your own veg save money?

With the cost of living crisis driving up food prices, you may be considering growing fruit and vegetables as a way to cut the cost of your weekly food shop. But doing it yourself is not guaranteed to save you money.

Is it cheaper to grow your own food UK?

Is it cheaper to grow your own food? Absolutely. Growing your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs can save you a significant amount of money every year. For the cost of a few seeds, or just by using food scraps, you can grow produce which costs dozens of pounds at your local supermarket – and the sky's the limit.

How much money does it cost to start a garden?

The total cost to start a 10-foot by 10-foot garden is around $300, including soil, seeds, and tools. The tools will cost around $100, the soil approximately $35 per cubic yard, and seeds as little as $1.50 per pack.

How to use cardboard in a garden?

First of all, trim the grasses or weeds to the ground level and then just lay down the cardboard pieces above those unwanted plants. Once done, soak the cardboard slightly with a garden hose and cover it with a thick layer of mulch or rock. Check out more uses for cardboard in the garden here. 11.

How to make your garden lush?

8. Use used coffee grounds and tea bags in garden. Make your plants lush and happy with the use of used coffee grounds and tea leaves. Coffee grounds have many other myriads of uses. Tear open some used tea bags and disperse the contents around the plants.

How to stop weeds in garden organically?

It is completely biodegradable and lasts for a season or two. First of all, trim the grasses or weed s to the ground level and then just lay down the cardboard pieces above those unwanted plants. Once done, soak the cardboard slightly with a garden hose and cover it with a thick layer of mulch or rock. Check out more uses for cardboard in the garden here.

Why do we need mulch?

First, it saves water. It also prevents unwanted plants from popping out here and there, which means less weeding and no herbicides. Mulching also improves the soil fertility and its structure.

How to get rid of pests on plants?

If your plants are suffering from mild pest infestation avoid using chemical pesticides and try to repel them by using citrus peels. Simply tear the citrus peels into small pieces place around the affected plant or tear a hole in the peel and attach the peel to a stem near the infected area. It may not be as effective as using chemical pesticides but it’s natural and organic. More citrus peel uses here.

How to multiply plants?

Plant propagation is the surest way to multiply your plants and saving your money. You can multiply the plants by various ways– Cutting, layering, division etc. If you’re not familiar with different plant propagation methods, this article on Planet Natural will surely help you.

Can you grow food from scraps?

You can easily save a few bucks off your grocery bill by growing a few of those staples from your diet. You don’t need seeds or anything fancy. You can simply use kitchen scraps from your next meal. Check out this infographic to learn how to grow food from kitchen scraps. via Jerryjamesstone

1. Do Your Research

The first thing you’ll want to do when creating your budget-friendly garden is research. It might not seem like the most exciting first step, but doing so will save you money in the long run. Plants do best in particular areas known as grow zones.

2. Create a Compost Pile

Instead of dumping those old coffee grounds in the trash, consider adding them to a compost pile! Compost piles are made up of scraps of organic food waste that are able to decompose and turn into fertilizer for your soil. Creating your own compost pile at home is an easy way to be environmentally conscious and save money.

3. Propagate Your Plants

Imagine if adding plants to our gardens was as simple as clicking “copy” and “Paste.” Although it’s not quite that easy, propagating your plants is one way you can take an existing plant and grow another just like it! While it takes some time and patience, collecting cuttings of plants and allowing them to form root systems for future planting is a great way to save money..

4. Buy Second Hand Pottery and Decor

Some of the best plant pottery and garden decor can be found at thrift stores and yard sales.

5. Build a Privacy Hedge

Did you know that a live privacy screen costs less and does a better job of blocking sound, wind, and sight than a wooden fence? Not only that, but privacy hedges can cut down on electricity bills, too. When you plant privacy trees near your home, they serve to block the sun, keeping it nice and cool.

6. Grow Your Own Vegetables and Herbs

While this tip doesn’t directly save you money while gardening, it does save you money elsewhere! Growing your own vegetables and herbs means you don’t have to spend that money in the grocery store. Starting a vegetable garden sounds a lot more complicated than it actually is.

7. Buy Smaller Plants and Seeds

Seeds and smaller plants tend to cost less than fully grown ones. While it takes a bit more time to see them reach maturity, patience definitely pays off.

When to add leaves to a garden?

If you’re near deciduous trees in the fall, or if you know someone who is, collect those leaves to use as mulch on the garden. You can shred them and add them to the garden in the fall, or you can store them in bags and wait to add them in the spring. 8. Check with Your Local Municipality.

Is vegetable gardening a hobby?

Vegetable gardening, after all, does take a bit of an investment — seeds, plants, soil, supplies — and if you’re not careful, these costs can add up to a wallet-draining hobby instead of a cost-saving adventure.

Do you need mulch?

Trust me when I tell you, you need to get mulch. It will help your plants stay healthier, and it will keep you from watering day in and day out — which will cost you in your water bill. While you can buy mulch in bags at the garden center , there are ways to get free mulch.

Can you use old barn wood for raised beds?

An old window or glass door can double as a cold frame to extend your harvest. Discarded treated wood fencing (as long as it was manufactured after 2003) or old barn wood can be used for raised beds.

Can you plant summer crops too early?

Usually it’s either planting summer crops too early, and they die from a frost. Or they plant cool season crops too late and they either never produce or they die in the heat. It’s imperative you know before you plant, when to plant what for your area. 21. Plan Your Garden Ahead of Time.

Plants

I could happily wander around a garden centre for hours. If I had the money, I would come out with hundreds of pounds worth of plants. However, this isn’t feasible if you are on a budget and want to stick to it.

Check out the reduced section

The reduced section in the garden centre is always worth a browse, particularly for perennials. Sometimes they look a little sad, to begin with, but can usually be revived with a little loving care. Almost all of the hollyhocks we have in the garden have self-seeded from one bargain plant in the reduced section.

Grow from seed

It is hard to grow plants more cheaply than from seeds. You can grow a few seedlings and reseal the packets for the following year too, or swap seeds and seedlings with friends.

Make your own compost

If you have space, you can save money in your garden by making your own compost. It can be as simple as chucking your lawn clippings, fruit and vegetable peelings and teabags in a pile and turning it once in a while. However, if you want a more scientific approach you can find more detailed information on composting in this ultimate guide, here.

Water tips to save money in your garden

Once you have your garden growing you need to make sure your plants get plenty of water. If you are on a water meter, you will definitely want to invest in a butt or two to help you save money in your garden. You may find that your local council does a scheme where you can purchase both water butts and plastic compost bins at a discount.

Wildlife-friendly gardening

Because we have a large garden and we both work full time, we tend to steer away from perfection and allow the garden to be a little untidy in places. This allows wildflowers and other self-seeded wildlife friendly plants to flourish. We help this along by having a couple of areas where we sprinkle wildflower seed in the spring.

Tools, gadgets and gizmos to save money in your garden

At its most basic level, all you really need in the garden are a spade, a fork, some shears, a trowel, gloves, a hoe, a rake, some pruners, a watering can and, possibly, a lawnmower.

How to save money on vegetables?

Research and consider ways to reduce your inputs. Collect rainwater for irrigation, especially if you pay for water. Add compost and well-rotted manure to the garden to improve the soil and reduce the use of fertilizers. Practice the principles of Integrated Pest Management to control insects and diseases, reducing your reliance on pesticides. Start with high quality seeds – most are relatively inexpensive, and most can be stored for at least one or two years. Find ways to reuse containers, flats, stakes, ties, etc. Remember that saving money with vegetables usually means keeping the costs as low as possible while still growing productive plants.

Why is it important to grow a vegetable garden?

Gardens are a potential means to increase our confidence in food safety and security. We know where the food is coming from.

What vegetables can I grow in the grocery store?

Consider vegetables like beans, beets, onions, spinach, broccoli, peppers, carrots, summer squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes, lettuce, peas, and Swiss chard. These vegetables provide the biggest returns on your investment of space and time in the garden.

How long can you keep squash?

Potatoes, onions, sweet potatoes, and winter squash can be stored for several months when stored at the appropriate temperature. Other vegetables, like beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, beets and sweet corn, can be preserved by canning or freezing. Preserving vegetables is a great way to enjoy the “extra” produce later in the year.

What is it called when you use the same space for two crops?

Using the same space for two or more crops is called succession planting. Other techniques, such as interplanting and companion planting, are other ways to make efficient use of garden space. The more efficiently you use garden space and resources the larger the potential savings. Below are several other important factors to consider ...

Is gardening good for you?

In addition, gardening is good for you. It is a great form of physical exercise, and I haven’t met a nutritionist yet who didn’t think that fresh produce was healthy. So, growing your own vegetables can be rewarding, regardless of the potential savings.

Can you grow many different vegetables in a large garden?

Growing many different vegetables in a large garden can be overwhelming for new gardeners and can ultimately lead to failure. Limit yourself to just a few types of vegetables the first year.

Why is planning important in gardening?

Planning is essential when gardening to save money. “Take careful notes,” says Haskell. “I keep sheets about when I planted things, what does well, what doesn’t, and how much of a harvest I get. All that helps me decide what and how much to plant the following year.” For help planning your garden, check out this great chart from the NGA showing yield, dollars per pound and value.

What are some good crops to grow in a garden?

Maximize the space you have available by planting high-yield crops like tomatoes, onions and leaf lettuce. Less efficient crops include Brussel sprouts, celery and pumpkins — though that doesn’t mean you have to skip these entirely.

Why do we grow our own food?

It turns out, says the NGA, one of the top reasons to grow your own food in a vegetable garden is to save money on grocery bills. Here’s how to make the most of your garden to save money on groceries and cut your bill at checkout.

When should I start planting seeds indoors?

Start with Seeds. If you have the time and space, start seeds indoors in the late spring to save even more. “Seeds are still a great deal. Since you usually get more than you can use, why not set up a seed exchange with your gardening friends,” says About.com gardening expert Marie Iannotti.

Can you freeze vegetables in a chest freezer?

Both Haskell and Bodrie chop, blanch and freeze extra vegetables. A small chest freezer is a worthwhile investment if you are looking to enjoy farm fresh veggies all year long.