Spring is here, and April is National gardening month. A month dedicated to getting you started on your spring gardening! The only thing is that gardening is expensive. Depending on what type of vegetables, plants, or trees you want to grow, but fear not, fellow garden enthusiasts!
We have some handy tips and tricks to help you get your own garden started at your home, apartment, or that nice sunny spot on your windowsill.
Grow from Seeds
You’d be surprised how many people do not start their garden from seeds. Instead, many people go for starter plants, typically several weeks old. But this is a much more expensive option. The average starting price for one plant is $2-3.00, which sure can add up! Compared to when you start growing from seeds. Vegetable seeds cost $2.80 per 50 seeds on average. You may get seed packets containing 10-500 seeds, depending on the type of vegetable you buy. Many stores will also have mix-and-match sales on seeds, which is a great way to save money.
Check out this handy blog on how to start your vegetable seeds.
Use Containers
No lawn? Then container gardening is for you!
Upcycling pots and containers can create a beautiful space. Most garden varieties of plants will do very well in containers. Ensure proper drainage and enough compost in your container; you’ve got some happy plants! You also can update your containers to coincide with the seasons.
Take Cuttings/ Divisions
Rather than buying plants, take cuttings and divisions of the ones you already have. This is called Plant Propagation, the process of creating new plants from existing ones. You can do this with herbs such as basil, mint, lavender, and oregano, to name a few.
This can also be done with Azaleas, Echeveria, Boxwood, Hydrangeas, and even Gardenias. This is the most cost-effective method of gardening with amazing results.
Look for Free or Inexpensive Plants
Experienced gardeners always have a surplus of plants they want to give away or sell. Check out your local farmers’ market or online marketplaces to see what is on sale or what some people give away. Also, ask friends and neighbors if they want to share with you. Then, once you’ve built up your garden, you can repay them for their help the season before.
Wait for Plants to go on Sale
New plants are the most expensive right as Spring begins. Waiting for the initial rush to buy new plants has passed. Your local nursery or garden center will have sales as summer rolls around. You get great plants and great deals too!
Find Used or Free Tools and Equipment
Don’t buy your tools and equipment brand new. Getting them used will save you money.
You can find used tools for pennies on the dollar, or even free, at garage and yard sales or online marketplaces.
Ask your friends and neighbors to see if they have anything you can borrow. They may even have stuff collecting dust in the garage that they would be happy to offload.
Make your Own Compost
Compost is an excellent soil enhancement, and it’s something you can make yourself. Get an old trash can or container and fill it with;
Food Scraps
Fruits, vegetables
Bread, pasta, grains
Eggshells, nutshells
Fish, meat, dairy
Shells, bones
Coffee grounds and filters
Tea bags
Yard Debris
Grass clippings
Leaves, twigs
Weeds
Houseplants
Branches (under 4′ long, 4″ wide)
Gardeners refer to this as black gold. All nutrients from your compost can go right into your garden/ pots/ or containers, and it is fantastic food and nutrients for your plants and vegetables.
To learn more about composting, click here
Check with your city or county too. Many of them have inexpensive, or even free, compost available to their residents.
Grow Organically
Using chemicals is expensive. Grow organically instead!
Organic growing is budget-friendly, and you can easily make your own natural remedies and organic pest deterrents using supplies you already have or from inexpensive ingredients.
Let’s get planting!
We hope these tips have helped you today and inspired you to start your home garden. The fantastic thing about gardening is the community aspect of it all. There are many local community resources, gardening clubs, online resources, and people willing to help you and share their knowledge. Get your hands dirty. The soil is calling your name!
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