Jordhan Woods

Spring is right around the corner and this year you’re ready to get acquainted with the soil, seeds and weeds! If you’re ready to get your hands dirty, read on to learn how to create a beautiful and bountiful garden on a budget.

Contain Your Garden.

First thing, you need something to grow your garden in. Begin with containers like plastic tubs or plastic bottles — items you typically discard. Add some holes in these containers for drainage and some potting mix. Secondly, consider skipping the garden beds! The cost of the supplies needed to construct them isn’t necessary for your garden to flourish.

Feed Your Garden.

Fertilizer and mulch are gardening essentials, but they are also expensive. A more frugal alternative would be to scavenge through your recycling bin and yard waste for vegetable scraps, eggshells and paper. If you are up for the challenge, try laying newspaper directly on top of the soil or use grass clippings as mulch. All these options add nutrients, help water stay in the soil and suppress weed growth.  

Water Your Garden.

If you’re on a tight budget and would prefer not to see a spike in your water bill —one free method to consider is to collect rainwater. In order to do this, use any containers that have not previously held chemicals or have been thoroughly cleaned.

Reproduce Your Garden.

Use the items you buy from the supermarket to start growing more plants. Fresh herbs like mint and basil can be grown in a jar by placing a sprig into room-temperature water until the roots sprout. Be sure to change the water daily!

Some plants have higher yields and therefore greater cost benefits. Consider the costs of your favourite fruits or vegetables at the local supermarket — your savings could be exponential if you grow them in your own garden. Homegrown greens have even higher nutritional value!

Swap Your Garden.

Once you have established your garden, join a local club and attend their seed swapping meetings. Trade something you have a lot of or something you didn’t favour for something new. This is also a simple and fun way to meet fellow gardeners and pick their gardening brains!

Train Your Garden. 

Previously used objects like trellises, rails and bed frames work wonders for sprawling plants like cucumbers and tomatoes. This will replace the gardening beds you may have previously wanted!

Via Pound Place