Green Thumbs on a Budget: 7 Easy Tips for Starting Your Budget-Friendly Garden

#1 Start Small

You don’t need a sprawling backyard or fancy equipment to start a garden. In fact, you can start small with just a few pots or containers on your balcony or windowsill. Start with easy-to-grow herbs like basil, parsley, or mint, or try your hand at growing cherry tomatoes, peppers, or salad greens. Not only will starting small save you money, but it’ll also help you gain confidence as you learn the ropes of gardening.

#2 Get Creative with Containers

Don’t let limited outdoor space hold you back! Get creative with containers and repurpose items you already have around the house, like old buckets, mason jars, or even shoe organizers. Just make sure your containers have drainage holes to prevent waterlogged roots, and you’ll be good to grow!

#3 Shop Smart

When it comes to buying gardening supplies, a little research can go a long way. Look for deals and discounts at local garden centers, or check out online marketplaces for secondhand pots, tools, and equipment. You’d be surprised at the treasures you can find for a fraction of the cost if you’re willing to do a bit of digging (pun intended)!

#4 Start From Seeds

While buying established plants from the nursery can be convenient, it can also be costly. Save money by starting your garden from seeds instead. Not only are seeds more affordable, but they also give you greater control over the varieties you grow. Plus, there’s something incredibly rewarding about watching tiny seeds sprout and grow into thriving plants right before your eyes!

And don’t feel like you have to spring for expensive seed starter trays either. Repurposing an egg carton is fantastic for starting seedlings. Or set up empty toilet paper rolls on a tray of some sort, fill with soil, and voila! Instant seed starter pod. Best of all the cardboard can be planted so you don’t have to disturb delicate roots when transferring outside.

Also uh… don’t pull the corn seedlings mistaking them for a weed. >_>

#5 Embrace DIY

From homemade compost bins to DIY trellises and garden markers, there are plenty of ways to save money by embracing the do-it-yourself mentality. Get crafty and repurpose household items into functional garden accessories, or enlist the help of friends and family for a fun weekend DIY project that’ll have your garden looking fabulous in no time. And remember, it doesn’t have to be beautiful; it just needs to be functional.

#6 Check In Daily

It might look like nothing’s happening in the garden, but make a point of checking in on it daily. If you skip one day, I guarantee that is the day all the weeds are gonna come in like gangbusters. So pop out, check on the garden. Cull any weeds you see trying to form. Make sure your plants haven’t acquired any diseases before one takes over an entire bed and the crop is lost. If you’re not seeing good growth, make sure pollenators are visiting your patch. Flowers somewhere nearby is a fantastic way to court them to come your way.

#7 Grow What You Love

Last but not least, focus on growing plants that you love to eat or admire. By prioritizing plants that bring you joy, you’ll be more motivated to tend to your garden and ensure its success. Whether you’re passionate about cooking with fresh herbs, savoring juicy homegrown tomatoes, or simply enjoying the beauty of blooming flowers, let your tastes and preferences determine your choices.