7 Ways to Save Money in the Garden
Between new plants, tools, and decor, gardening expenses can add up quickly. As fellow gardeners, we understand you want your garden to look its best all year round. The good news is, there are ways you can do this without breaking the bank! Many economical options also happen to be environmentally-friendly options, so while you save money, you do your part to save the planet, too!
For our frugal gardeners, here are 7 ways to save money in the garden:
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. For example, we’re located in Maryland and so any plant that can thrive in zone 7 would be a good fit for our gardens. Before you spend money on that tree or shrub, be sure to check your grow zone! You wouldn’t want to spend a lot just to find your new plant has shriveled up before you got the chance to enjoy it.
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.
When trying your hand at propagation, be sure to check the best methods for your specific plant. For example, when propagating a succulent, like the Echeveria, you will want to wiggle a single leaf back and forth until it breaks from the stem. You can then place this on top of the soil and spray with water. For a Pothos plant, propagation looks a bit different. With these plants you’ll want to look for a protruding node and cut just after it. You can then place the cutting in a glass of water where its roots will sprout.
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. When you buy second hand you are not only saving money, but also reusing materials that might otherwise go to waste! Before purchasing that expensive pot, be sure to check out your local thrift store or flea market for used, but just-as-lovely, garden goods!
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. So, if you’re on the fence about fences, consider planting less expensive privacy trees instead!
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. The main thing you’ll want to do is make sure you plant the right veggies in the right season. While you can buy Brussels sprouts at the grocery store all year long, this veggie will grow best in the fall.
Herbs are even easier (and makes cooking a breeze)! You can either grow them from seed or buy them as a plant. Just keep them on your windowsill or anywhere they can get plenty of sunlight.
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. Just because they’re small now, doesn’t mean they always will be! If you give your seeds or smaller plants the care and attention they need, they will grow to be perfect additions to your gardens and landscapes.
We hope these tips help you consider new ways to save while gardening. If you have any questions about frugal-friendly gardening, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Happy planting!