7 Gardening Hacks That Save Big Bucks

These seven gardening hacks will help you create a beautiful garden while keeping your budget intact.

You’ll discover simple tricks that use everyday items and smart techniques to slash gardening expenses. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, these money-saving tips will transform how you approach your outdoor space.

1) Start plants from seeds instead of buying seedlings

Starting your own plants from seeds can save you tons of money in your garden. Those tiny seedlings at garden centers often cost $3-5 each, but a packet of seeds might run you just $2-3 for dozens of potential plants.

You don’t need fancy equipment either. Many gardeners use simple household items for seed starting. Cardboard egg cartons make perfect biodegradable seed trays that keep your seeds organized and can be planted directly in the soil.

The paper towel method is another budget-friendly option. Just place seeds between damp paper towels and set them on top of your refrigerator for warmth while they germinate.

For soil, you can make your own seed starting mix rather than buying pre-made versions. This gives you control over what goes into your growing medium.

If you’re growing just a few plants, you can skip small cell trays and plant directly into medium-sized containers. This saves an extra transplanting step.

Basic grow lights or even a sunny windowsill can provide enough light for your seedlings to thrive. Just rotate them regularly to ensure even growth.

With these simple methods, you’ll enjoy healthier plants and save money at the same time!

2) Create a DIY rainwater harvesting system

Rainwater collection is a smart way to cut down on your water bills. A basic system can save hundreds of gallons of free water every year for your garden.

You can start with a simple rain barrel placed under your home’s downspout. Look for used food-grade barrels to keep costs low, or check local garden centers for purpose-made rain barrels.

Make sure to elevate your barrel on cinder blocks or a sturdy platform. This creates water pressure and allows you to fill watering cans easily from the spigot.

Add a mesh screen on top to keep out leaves, bugs, and debris. This simple filter will help keep your water cleaner and prevent clogs.

Consider connecting multiple barrels for even more storage capacity. You can link them with hoses or PVC pipe to create a larger system.

Don’t forget to install an overflow hose or pipe. This directs excess water away from your home’s foundation during heavy rainfall.

For urban gardens with limited space, try smaller collection methods like mini gutters on shed roofs or garden structures. Even a small system can provide enough water for container plants.

3) Upcycle plastic bottles into plant watering devices

Don’t throw away those empty water or soda bottles! They can become handy tools for your garden that save you money and time.

You can turn a plastic bottle into a slow-drip watering system. Simply poke a few small holes in the cap, fill the bottle with water, and bury it cap-down next to your plants. The water will slowly seep out, delivering moisture directly to the roots.

Another option is to cut the bottom off a plastic bottle and stick the open end into the soil near your plant. This creates a funnel for watering that directs water straight to the roots and reduces evaporation.

For vacation watering, try the cotton swab trick. Put a cotton swab through a hole in the bottle cap, fill with water, and place it in your plant’s soil. This homemade drip system will slowly water your plants while you’re away.

These simple upcycled watering devices help reduce how often you need to water your garden. They’re especially useful during hot summer months when plants need consistent moisture.

Plus, reusing plastic bottles is good for both your wallet and the environment. No need to buy expensive self-watering devices when you can make your own!

4) Use homemade compost for soil enrichment

Making your own compost is like creating free garden gold. You can turn kitchen scraps, yard waste, and fallen leaves into rich soil for your garden without spending a dime.

Start by collecting fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells from your kitchen. Add these to a compost bin or pile in your yard along with leaves, grass clippings, and small twigs.

The simplest method is to layer green materials (kitchen scraps, fresh grass) with brown materials (leaves, paper, twigs). This mixture will break down over time into nutrient-rich compost.

You don’t need fancy equipment. A simple bin made from old pallets or even just a pile in a corner of your yard works fine. Turn the pile occasionally with a garden fork to speed up the process.

Adding this homemade compost to your garden beds saves money on expensive soil amendments and fertilizers. Your plants will love the nutrients, and you’ll notice healthier growth.

Many gardeners mix compost with vermiculite and peat moss to create an even richer growing medium. This DIY approach costs much less than buying pre-made garden soil.

5) Repurpose kitchen scraps for homemade fertilizers

Don’t throw away those kitchen scraps! They can be turned into free fertilizer for your garden. Instead of buying expensive plant food, you can make your own at home.

Coffee grounds work great for acid-loving plants. Simply sprinkle used grounds around plants like azaleas or blueberries to give them a boost.

Eggshells are another garden treasure. Crush them up and mix them into your soil to add calcium. This helps prevent blossom end rot in tomatoes and strengthens plant cell walls.

You can bury kitchen scraps directly in your garden or containers. Dig a small hole, add fruit and vegetable waste, then cover with soil. As the scraps break down, they enrich the soil naturally.

Some gardeners create “compost tea” by soaking food waste in water. This liquid fertilizer can be used to water plants for an extra nutrient boost.

Setting up a small worm farm is another option. Worms process your food scraps and produce nutrient-rich castings. The liquid that drains from worm bins makes an excellent fertilizer.

6) Try companion planting to maximize garden yields

Companion planting is a smart way to get more from your garden without spending extra money. By placing certain plants next to each other, you can help them grow better and produce more food.

Some plants just get along really well together. For example, the “Three Sisters” method combines corn, beans, and squash. The corn provides support for the beans, the beans add nitrogen to the soil, and the squash shades the ground to keep weeds away.

Tomatoes grow better with basil nearby. The basil helps repel tomato-loving pests and some gardeners say it improves the flavor too!

Planting marigolds throughout your vegetable garden helps keep harmful bugs away. This natural pest control saves you money on sprays and chemicals.

Herbs like mint, rosemary, and thyme can protect nearby vegetables from pests. Just be careful with mint – it spreads quickly and can take over your garden if not contained.

Try pairing carrots with onions. The strong smell of onions helps hide the carrots from carrot flies, giving you a better harvest without using pesticides.

7) Use mulch from shredded leaves to retain soil moisture

Turning fallen leaves into mulch is a smart way to save money while improving your garden. Instead of buying expensive mulch, you can make your own from leaves that would otherwise go to waste.

First, collect fallen leaves from your yard. You’ll need to shred them because whole leaves can form a soggy mat that takes forever to break down. A lawn mower works great for this!

Spread your shredded leaves around plants and trees in a 2-3 inch layer. This natural mulch helps retain soil moisture, which means you’ll need to water less often.

Leaf mulch also adds nutrients to your soil as it breaks down. It’s like giving your garden a free vitamin boost! This improves soil quality over time without spending a dime on fertilizers.

Another benefit is weed suppression. The leaf layer blocks sunlight from reaching weed seeds, saving you time on garden maintenance.

This simple hack recycles yard waste and saves money on both mulch and water bills. Your plants will thank you for the moisture-retaining blanket, especially during hot summer months.