Top tips for saving money whilst gardening on a budget.
As we are all well too aware the cost of living is currently spiralling and everything is getting more expensive. Many people since lockdown #1 have found a new love for gardening, but this also comes with a price tag attached. My post here shares with you some great money saving gardening tips to keep unnecessary costs down. Some ideas aren’t the “ideal way” to do it but gardening is half about seeing what works and for the majority I’ve enjoyed success using all of the below methods.
Saving on propagators.
This year to save money and wastage, instead of buying new plastic windowsill propagators I experimented with using various recyclable packaging. I used these quite happily for a range of seeds (tomatoes, cucs, peppers, chillis, aubergine should all germinate ok)
I found the brown plastic cartons used for mushrooms to be a convenient size for seedlings. Simply save two containers, for drainage fill the bottom 1cm of one carton with any old pebbles/ dirt. Pop holes in the base of the other. Inserted holy base into pebbles carton.
Fill with your choice of seedling compost. Add seeds as per packet instructions.
As for a lid I found it doesn’t really need to be airtight, in fact better that it doesn’t for a bit of air circulation. I used another random almost the same size clear container, probably from some tomatoes.
Also I have tried and been less successful using a Paperpotter for baby seedling to grow in. I think my lack of success here was more down to overwatering than the paper pots being ineffective. See more details here.
Save on potting
When your seedlings have grown enough to be pricked out, there’s a whole range of recyclables available to you. E.g things like Yogurt pots are always useful. Ideally you want to find yourself something the equivalent of a 9cm pot. To be honest I like many have a stack of these from shop purchased plants that I tend to use rather than search for alternatives.
However shout out to this guy who really goes for it potting, using something most people will have in their homes milk bottle.
For larger seeds or things like runner beans a great way to save money if you’re aren’t planting directly into their final frowning position is to save up the cardboard from used toilet rolls. These are are essentially free and a good size and depth for beans.
Save money on compost
You don’t want to try and save too much money when we’re talking about compost as this is what’s going to be feeding your plants through the season. Ideally making your own on a compost heap is the best way, but for quantity and convenience I always end up buying a few bags.
But there is still a way to save a little here too. I make up my own cheap seedling compost and as yet have had no problems.
I make a rough mix of 2 parts old compost, 2 parts new compost and 1 part builders sand for a little coarseness and drainage (I know not great but I have 200kg sat on my drive from a building project). If I didn’t have the sand I’d probably go 50-50 old to new compost.
This should be fine for the earliest germination phase before seedlings become more hungry and need potting on.
Save money on gardening – larger containers
Another cost that creeps up silently with the more you grow is tubs! And the larger the pot the larger the cost.
Last year I used a few empty compost bags as make shift containers, you only need the bottom half and hey presto one free and easy plant pot. I used them for chillies and toms.
Save on garden plant supports
Another silent cost of gardening are bamboo canes and garden supports. I will use or try to use just about everything as a support or trellis.
I luckily have a couple of trees in my front garden both willows and fast growing. I nearly removed one but have instead been harvesting them to use as free poles.
Save money on plants – getting free plants
Plants from seed collecting. Easy to do at home with existing plants. Collect and store seeds to grow more of your favourites. Or collect and seed swap with friends. One of the easiest and cheapest ways to get free plants.
And if you don’t mind looking like a bit of a crazy person there no reason you couldn’t ask to collect a few from a passing garden! Most people will oblige even if they do think you’re mad!
Free plants from cuttings
Another great way to get free plants is from cuttings. It’s a bit trickier than seed collecting and swapping. But propagation from cuttings is reliable most of the time and the techniques can be applied to a wide variety of plants. Here’s an example of taking cuttings of redcurrants (basically impossible to get wrong!)
Succulents are great for cuttings, pretty much take off a leaf wait until the leave hardens off then plant in Some compost mix
Free plants by division
Have a large clump forming plant, or a container plant like a peace Lily? Chances are you can almost definitely make yourself some new baby plants. Peace lilys are pretty easy to divide and quite common house plants, take a look at my guide to dividing them and other troubleshooting tips
There are so many other ways to save yourself a few quid here and there, and recycle products possibly destine for land fill. Creativity is your only hurdle!
I just hope some of the above is useful to others wanting to grown more but not having the capacity to stretch the budget.