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Gardening can be a great way to save money on produce but it can easily turn into an expensive activity if you start shelling out big bucks for the latest gardening gadgets. Here are some ideas to help you sow your seeds frugally so you can reap the financial benefits.
Start your plants from seed – The most cost-effective way to garden is by starting your plants with seeds instead of buying plants that have been started for you. A packet of seeds can run you anywhere from $1 to $3 per packet while young plants cost $2-$15. You can also buy seeds in bulk from gardening catalogs, which often have deals for free shipping. Keep in mind that seeds are usually good for about a year so don’t go crazy ordering more than you can plant or your savings will turn into waste. You can also split the bill and seeds with a friend as each packet contains dozens of seeds.
Become a seed saver – Harvest and save garden seeds from your favorite plants for next season. To let some of your plants go to seed, allow them to flower. Make sure to allow the seeds to dry completely before storing. Once the flower is dry, collect the seed pods. For vegetables like tomatoes squeeze out the seeds, remove the pulp and allow seeds to dry completely. Note that plants grown from Hybrid seeds are not good for saving and replanting. When purchasing seeds make sure they are open pollinated seeds or heirloom seeds, which you can save and later replant.
Invest in a multi-purpose planting tool – Buying tools for specific jobs can end up costing you a fortune. Instead stick to one tool that will do it all. A hori hori knife, which is a cross between a knife and trowel is a great option. This tool is useful for many tasks including planting, transplanting and removing deep-rooted roots. Keep in mind that the best tool you have are your hands! There is also no need for fancy pots to start your plants. Milk cartons, plastic milk jugs, yogurt cups and clear plastic beverage bottles will do.
Host a plant or seed swap – Swapping seeds and plants with friends can help you add a variety of fruits and veggies to your garden without breaking the bank. If you are strapped for space, consider growing different fruits and veggies so you can share with your friends.
Make compost – Making your own compost is the easiest way to save money on fertilizer. If you don’t have the space to make your own, consider having your yard waste picked up. Many cities pick up yard waste that is turned into free compost for gardeners.
Save on water – Water is one of those expenses you won’t notice until the bill comes. Some simple ways to save on water include collecting rainwater by strategically placing containers around your property and investing in an irrigation system or soaker hose. A water timer will also help with the waste of water to help you save on your water bills.
As a gardener trying to save money, what do you do to save green?
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Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price.
Trying, and I mean trying to grow your own veggies is a daunting task. We are currently trying broccoli and cabbage, with yucky results. The broccoli plant is huge with these little heads of broccoli,,almost not worth the effort…The cabbage is an afid (tiny little greenish white bug) magnet and you have to keep spraying with organic bug killer to keep them away (it didn’t work). The cabbage looked more like a golfball than a head of cabbage. The tomatoes, I’m happy to say are growing! You have to be very careful where you plant and where you live. Of course, I live in Canyon Country and the sun is in my backyard all the time so we built a cover for all the plants….still too hot…..I can’t wait to see what bugs or worms ate my plants today! Yuck!
@Michelle You’re right, it can be difficult for those that have never done it before. I began gardening two years ago and I got really good at it but at first I had no clue what to do. Don’t expect your broccoli or cabbage to look like the one in the store – those are huge because of all the stuff they feed it. To remove the aphids you can clean the plants with water. I usually have my dad do it because it’s yucky – maybe your hubby can help? The aphids will drown or fall to the dirt and won’t climb back on the plants. You can also buy an organic spray but water is much cheaper! Also do not grow plants of the same family like broccoli and cabbage together because this will be a breeding ground for aphids. I’m glad your tomatoes are doing well. Try growing basil near them so their flavor intensifies. Hope you found no major damage.
@Yazmin – thanks for the info..I have been putting water on them but there are so many Idon’t get them all! But the advice of growing broccoli near cabbage is right – they’re having a party!
I have tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers and a variety of herbs in my garden. I plan to put in some marigolds soon, as those do seem to help control some of the pests. I’m not a particularly good gardener, and do rely on the couple who have seen to my needs since I lost my husband, who was an excellent gardener. However, since I eat a lot of the above veggies all summer, I’m making an attempt to be successful.
Just thought about the water-saving aspect of gardening. I keep a plastic bucket in my stall shower to collect water while it’s heating (which sometimes seems to take forever!). When doing hand-washed dishes, I put hot soapy water in a bowl, wash all the items at once, then turn on the water to quickly rinse everything. There are other things that can be done to conserve water, and I’m sure you all know most of them, including running the dishwasher and washing machine with only full loads.
@EllieD These are some great ideas to save water. I’ve heard that mint is also good at controlling pests in the garden. The downside is that mint begins to take over your garden. If you can keep an eye on it, it can be used in addition to marigolds.
I belong to a community garden and end up with more veges than I know what to do with. My freezer is full of soups, vege lasagna, blackberries etc, making many meals very inexpensive. Yes it is work, but it is rewarding work being outside after sitting at a desk all day, plus my co-workers are very happy with my bounty! FYI – broccoli and cabbage are winter crops and won’t do well in the heat. All veges like the sun and a cover might actually be making it hotter underneath. Make sure to water regularly, but only when needed and mulch during the hot weather. Helps with the weeds as well. Be patient and your first tomatoes will be worth the wait.
@Pam – thanks for the info…I have grown tomatoes before and they are worth the wait, I don’t have a problem with them…..the cover is kind of like a green netting that is specifically used to let in the light but keep out the really hot sun…it works…but thanks for the tip about broccoli and cabbage..I actually planted that in the beginning of April and I think I got a salad out of it already……
@Pam I am also apart of a community garden and I’m working on a post about the benefits of community gardening. I’m glad to hear that you’ve been very successful. What community garden are you apart of?
@Yasmin – I belong to the Arleta Community Garden (near Panorama City). We have around 100 gardeners. The garden is on DWP property, I believe it is about 3 acres. We have been members for about 15 years, so we have grown a LOT of veges! We do have our problems with certain bugs, especially squash bugs, but we grow so much we just let the bugs have their share rather than spray too much. We also have the occasional rabbit that gets dumped in the garden – they are in HEAVEN! Good luck with your garden.
@Yazmin (and @Pam) ~
I actually do have mint in my garden, and it spreads every year in the springtime. Fortunately (or not), it’s not in the same areas with the veggies. Maybe I should transplant a bit of it to those areas.
And I think the community garden where Pam is a member is on the site where Byrd MS relocated, and across the street from Poly HS. And it is a former DWP location. I taught ES in that general area for many years.