Creating your dream garden on a budget
Installing a garden is a great way to connect with nature on the great outdoors, what I love about gardening is that you get to create a space where you can sit back and relax enjoying the beauty and the wonders of nature. There are so many choices of garden creation or you can have a combination of both doubling the pleasure.
The great thing also about having a garden is that base on your gardening goals can serve many purposes, for example maintaining a manicured garden will increase your properties value, food production, better quality foods, can save you $$$$$$$$, getting that much-needed exercise, stress reliever, bonding by spending time together working in your garden, etc…
But what I believe we can all agree upon is that creating a garden can be pretty costly and I know you will also agree with me that finding ways to have your dream garden while saving that hard-earned dollar is a great idea. So stick around as we look at some cool ways to $ave with items from around our home and much more.
Garden ideas on a budget
To be successful in gardening on a budget you must first have a plan which means knowing what you want. This will be your first homework assignment which will help make things a lot easier, on a piece of paper or a notepad preferably. Starting from number 1 begin your list.
The area or garden space
1. Look at the area where you want to install your garden is it big, medium, or small. The amount of space you are working with can influence greatly what you spend but don’t let that scare you because thinking outside the box or putting a plan in place can give you a $avings
Garden Soil
2. Is the soil in that area workable or do you have to bring in garden soil and how much would you need. If you must bring in soil then shop around, is the soil too sandy or is it clay soil? If the soil is clay soil then you may want to take it in stages by bringing in whatever garden soil you can afford wait a while until you can afford to purchase the acquired amount. Again shop around look for sales and deals.
If the soil is too sandy you can do the seem by looking at soils that will help build your sandy soils but purchasing as the funds are made available to you.
Compromising will save you $$$$$$$$$$$$! Food for thought
If your soil is sandy then why not choose plants that love sandy soils instead of seeking to change the soil profile or bringing in topsoil which will cause money just to meet that particular plant’s requirements because it can’t survive in your native sandy soil.
For example, if I have sandy soils but want to start a garden then I will invest in plants that are drought tolerant because they will survive in the sandy soil which I have without me having to spend money bringing in garden soil along with plants that will survive in the soil which I purchased.
Garden Plants
3. What good is a garden without the plants right, hey we need the plants if we are to have a garden. Can you imagine a friend inviting you over to their home and taking you to a part of their yard with nothing except old pieces of furniture and rocks being very excited saying how do you like my garden?
I am guessing, you may think that your friend has a few screws loose, or the elevator is not stopping on every floor or the light may be on but nobody is home, well I think you get the idea, we need garden plants.
I must tell you however even though you may know, plants can be pretty costly shop around for the best prices but if you have the patience and is willing to wait you can purchase them in smaller sizes the smaller they are the more affordable or how about waiting on a plant sale or using coupons.
Another great way to save on plants is by asking your family or friends who may have quite a bit of what you are looking for growing, in their gardens, I am sure they won’t mine uprooting a plant or two just for you because what are friends and family for.
Garden Features
4. What do you have that is available to you, in other words, what do you have around your home, that you can use as a part of your garden design? For example, you may have an old toilet that is sitting around doing nothing but taking up space, why not use that old toilet as a part of your garden feature.
What do I mean by that and who would want to place an old toilet bowl in their garden right? well let me explain why not fill both the tank and the bowl with soil and install a few garden plants or what about an old wheelbarrow that you may not be using anymore or have the intention of fixing why not drill a few holes in the bottom for water drainage place your soil inside and start a flower garden or maybe a herb garden I have seen an old boot that had a beautiful flower growing from it which I believe was very unique. What about using old car tires filling them with soil and then installing your plants pretty neat hey.
Out with the old and in with the new, do you have an old chest that is just sitting around doing nothing but collecting dust and probably home to a few insects. Why not turn that chest into a work of art by aligning each draw with plastic or garden fabric on the inside, adding soil, and last but not least your plants. You have just created a garden that is fit for a king well maybe not a king but at least you made good use of that old chest. You know, thinking about it getting creative can save you lots of money.
Fertilizer
5. Garden plants need our help in order to stay healthy and to grow their best, one way to help garden plants is to fertilize them but fertilizers can be pretty expensive even though we may be using them once a month or according to the directions on the label.
A great way to save money is by starting your very own compost pile. Scapes of vegetables, fruits and their peels, grass clippings which is not diseased, fallen leaves which we rake in a pile can all be used to create a compost pile which is healthy and the great part is it is all-natural. Using this natural organic is so great for your plants especially if you are growing food crops. There is no need to worry about food or soil contamination. This compost pile may take a while but as you work at it you will have a mountain of black gold ok not a mountain but a compost pile that will save you money.
A Word of Caution here
When starting or building a compost pile do not use food scraps such as meats or animal products which can attract rodents such as rats along with dogs and other wildlife not to mention contaminating your compost. If you prefer you can use dry cow, chicken, or horse manure. The feces of other animals such as dogs and cats should be avoided which will also cause contamination.
Mulches
Mulches are so beautiful I don’t know about you but as for me my favorite is the red mulch but besides their beauty mulches serves so many purposes such as water conservation, helping to keep weeds down, cooling the soil’s temperature, helping to adjust the soil’s ph and adding nutrients to the soil as it decomposes.
Other alternatives that can be used is instead of purchasing mulches what about using leaves around your garden plants or disease-free grass clippings or pine needle which can be collected from a pine forest as long as you get permission from your state or the proper authority to do so. These natural organics will also serve the same purposes as with mulches.
$AVE MONEY with these Seed Starters
Your Mini Portable Garden
Here are some awesome ideas which I know you will Love
1. As the saying goes “one man’s junk is another man’s treasure, that empty egg cartoon instead of heading for the trash can, can be used as seed trays instead of having to buy seed trays. Just fill the cartoons with soil and add your seeds, you have just saved a few bucks.
2. What comes first the chicken or the eggs? I would go with the chicken what about you? Eggshells can also be used as starter seed trays. After you have made that scrumptious breakfast and other recipes don’t trash the eggshells. As you use the eggs save the shells allowing them to dry out and then place the half-shells back into the egg cartoon add soil to the shells and then add the seeds you are all good.
3. Eggshells have calcium and as those eggshells breakdown will add calcium to the soil which is beneficial for garden plants.
4. Plastic cups are good to use as starter seed trays so after that family function or party collect and keep those sanitary cups they can be reused and will save you money. Just punch a few holes at the bottom of the cup for water drainage add your soil and seeds you will be well on your way.
5. Ever heard the term “going to the john” or the bathroom well what can we use from the john to save money we talked about the toilet bowl a bit earlier but what else is there. Do you know after you have used that roll of toilet paper that the empty roll can save you money?
After you have collected enough of these cardboard rolls place them in a square shape container standing them upright, place your toilet paper rolls close enough so they won’t topple over or fall where they will support each other. Fill each paper roll with soil and add your seeds, pretty neat won’t you say, and all it caused you was going to the john.
6. As far as I can remember as a kid, I would use glass containers such as empty peanut butter jars, mayonnaise jars, etc.. to grow plants. But what you want to keep in mind is to monitor the amount of water you are giving your plants when using glass containers or jars as seeds starters because you cannot punch holes at the bottom, doing so will break and destroy the glass container when the goal here is to save and not lose money.
7. All bacteria are not bad, now I know that you think that I have lose screws “not” well then what do bacteria have to do with gardening? well let me explain some yogurts have good bacteria which is beneficial for our health so if you are a yogurt lover then wash and save those plastic containers after each use add your soil and seeds, guess what you have just “killed two birds with one stone” I am sure you have heard that one before and if not all that means is that you have made life easier for you by getting those good bacterias and with those seem empty yogurt containers started your portable garden.
8. Don’t throw that shoebox away, reuse it by filling it with soil, and then adding those seeds. You get to wear your kicks or nice polished foot ware along with growing your garden from a box. Talk about thinking outside the box.
The final word
There you have it, these are some pretty cool ways to have that garden which you always wanted on a budget, who says that you have to spend so much to connect with nature on the great outdoors when you can think outside the box and still get what you want.
Don’t let the fear of what it will cause you, of having a garden stop you in your tracks when you can have the garden of your dreams so go for it by implementing what we have discussed you will be amazed at the amount of money which you saved while achieving great results. What are you waiting for let’s get down and dirty in a good way of cost?
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About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.
Hello Norman, I must say that this article is very helpful and informative. Gardening is like a hobby for me and my wife and it can really be expensive but luckily I am doing just like you say here. Unfortunately, the last couple of days here on Balkan are extreme high temperature which is not good for our flowers. Thanks for sharing these tips, I definitely learned something new today.
Hello, Daniel so happy to see you and glad to help. Hopefully, you will get over that bad weather soon so that your garden plants can do well. It is so good to know that you are taking advantage of these tips which can help in savings. Wishing you all the best of success and have a good day.
These are all excellent ideas, and I like the tip about not using food scraps as part of your compost pile. Did that many, many years ago and learnt a lesson the hard way lol. Next time I plant a garden, I’m going to use some eggshells though. I’m glad I came across this article, I’ve picked up some cool ideas that won’t cost much to do!
Hello Nate so good to hear from you, these are pretty cool ideas which can help us to save a lot. It is so good to know that by using these tips will go easy on our wallets. Wishing you all the best, thanks so much for sharing and have a good day.
I remember my first garden. The soil was so bad that I think I wasted my time and effort. I had no way how to determine how rich the soil was or should I say I had no idea how to do it. Anyway I have obviously learnt from my mistakes and have planned for a better garden which is far better than the garden I first worked on.
So good to hear that you have gained the knowledge to better take care of your garden plants. All the best to you and have a good day.
Hi Norman,
Thank you for sharing this great informational article about Garden ideas. it is really a nice post. I really learnt great ideas from it, personally. Your post is very motivational. I want make a garden, I like flower. I will definitely back to your website for some more of your helpful information.
Hello, Mim so happy to help and thanks a million for those kind words. Wishing you the best of success, have a good day.
Speaking of old toilets, I actually have one sitting in the garage for some time. Dad picked it up from the thrift shop, hoping to install it in his bathroom, but never seems to get around the idea. I have been wanting to get rid of it – such an eyesore – until I read about your idea.
There’s a patch of small land at the back that I am hoping to turn into a vegetable garden. I don’t know what can be done with the toilet, but it might serve a better purpose there than collecting dust in the garage. Thanks for the rather inspiring idea!
Hello so happy to hear from you. That old toilet can be used, just fill the tank and the bowl with soil and your seeds, or seedlings and you are good to go. Wishing you all the best and have a good day.