5 Tips for gardening on a Budget

Gardening- a national pastime in the UK and yet it often surprises me how many people don’t enjoy it or spend a fortune doing it all in one go once in a while.

Both of my parents loved gardening- my dad spending hours composting and talking to his tomatoes/ melons, and my mum knowing all the Latin names and the perfect flower for any spot.

This combination has given me a confidence to try most things as a first time gardener, reminding myself that if I mess up, there’s another season next year when I can try again.

However, you quickly lose the ability to try again if you’re breaking the budget buying plants or seeds or equipment to make your garden vision a reality.

Here’s my top tips to create a garden you love, that’s enjoyable to care for and gives you some nice produce without spending too much!

1) Grow from seed
2) Have a garden plan by bed
3) Look on Facebook marketplace
4) Trade and gift
5) Learn to take cuttings


Grow from seed

I’ve found that you can grow some great produce and perennial flowers from seed. The cost of seed packets can vary and be as little as £0.80 if you get lucky. I’ve actually bought a lot of my seeds off Amazon as well to save on delivery costs.

When I’m ordering them, I try to do it all in one go for the year ahead. I also use up seeds (even if I then gift those seedlings to others) rather than wasting them.

I don’t buy potting soil or mini pots for seedling- in jan/february time I start saving (and washing) plastic dishes that come with chicken breasts or other meats for the first growth stage. I then transfer seedlings into old (washed) double cream or yogurt containers. These are perfect as I don’t have a greenhouse so I need to keep all my seedlings on windowsills around the house.

Have a garden plan by bed or area

I found this really helpful for not only planning what to plant where but also for budgeting. There are so many beautiful plants out there and it can be so tempting to get something new for the garden every time you’re at a garden center or even the local market/ supermarket.

Having a plan gives you a goal- which doesn’t have to be achieved in just one year. Give plants time to mature and grow before filling in all the space.

Do each area one at a time if you can- so at least one corner of the garden is transformed in the first year. That corner will look just as you hoped and will be a great place to rest your eyes when you might also have future projects to tackle around the garden which aren’t so visually appealing.

Look on Facebook marketplace

This is a hidden gem for local seedlings and it’s fun because you can get a real variety. It’s also nice to support individuals who aren’t doing this as a business but still making a bit back towards their own garden costs.

I’ve bought tomatoes, sunflowers, shrubs and some lovely annuals off marketplace in the past, often for £1 a seedling.

Trade and gift

A gift of a homegrown plant is not to be underestimated- especially when it’s something that takes a few years to mature or become productive (like an apple tree or raspberry canes).

I love saving money on gifts this way by starting new blackcurrant bushes for friends or neighbours, transplanting and dividing perennials to share with family or just putting together bouquets from my garden to use at weddings (yes I’ve done this) or give as gifts to friends.

You can also trade seedlings or seeds with gardening buddies.

Learn to take cuttings

This can seem a bit daunting at first, but I highly recommend doing this. It’s a great skill which allows you not only to multiply your favourite plants from your own garden (to plant elsewhere or give as gifts), but it also opens up the possibility of asking friends/ neighbours if you can take cuttings of your favourites from their garden to grow for your own.

Roofing powder is one of my few gardening must haves (I’m not fussed about fancy gloves and most of my tools are quite rusty) - it’s so helpful for giving cuttings a head start.

In the past, I’ve grown new rosemary plants, blackcurrant bushes and a hydrangea from a cutting!

I really hope these top tips give you some confidence to tackle your garden projects without feeling the need to spend loads on brand new plants or expensive kit. Creating the ideal garden for you is meant to take some time so be patient with yourself and don’t be afraid to try new things each year.