Gardening on a budget is possible with a few simple, frugal strategies. Discover money-saving gardening tips like starting small, reusing containers, swapping seeds, and making the most of compost and natural fertilizers. These resourceful ideas will help you save money and still enjoy a thriving backyard garden.
How you can save money in the garden
One of the biggest myths I hear from new gardeners is that gardening is expensive. The jokes about a million-dollar tomato have some truth in them.
And it’s true, gardening can be pricey, especially if you try to buy every gadget and supply, or if you’re just getting started and need to build raised beds and fill them with soil. But the good news is, you don’t need all the extras to garden successfully.
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Today I’m sharing some simple, frugal ways to stretch your dollars and still have a thriving garden.
Start Small
The biggest money-saver is actually a mindset shift: you don’t have to start big.
It’s tempting to plant a huge garden your very first year, but that can mean buying lots of supplies, seeds, and tools you may not even need.
Instead, start with a couple of raised beds or even a handful of pots and containers. Not only does it save money, but it also gives you the chance to learn without feeling overwhelmed.
Over the years, my gardens have grown and shrunk depending on where I was living - from military housing with just a patio, to a rural property, and now a suburban backyard. And every garden, big or small, has been worthwhile.
If you’re building new raised beds, the upfront costs for lumber, soil, compost, or your first tools can feel big. But those are investments that will benefit your garden for years to come.
Once the beds are in place and filled, you won’t have to start from scratch each season, and over time your garden will become more cost-effective.
Starting small with containers or just a couple of raised beds - and adding more in following years as you're able - will keep costs under control, build your confidence, and prevent overwhelm.
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Repurpose Containers
You don’t need fancy seed trays or store-bought pots and planters. Wash and reuse the plastic nursery pots you may already have, or poke holes in the bottom of yogurt cups, sour cream tubs, or even plastic drinking cups.
I’ve also used five-gallon buckets, storage totes, a pink bathtub, and a metal sink.
This year, my sweet potatoes are growing in big cattle "lick tubs" from a local cattle ranch - I traded extra plants for them. Whatever you use, just make sure there are drainage holes. If not, you'll need to add some.
For plant labels, make your own. Popsicle sticks, yard twigs, or even cut-up yogurt lids will do. Just keep in mind that permanent markers aren’t really permanent in the sun.
The best “label” of all is a hand-drawn garden map with variety names and planting dates. Keep it in your garden notebook so you don’t lose it.
Seeds and Plants on a Budget
Seeds and transplants can add up fast, but there are ways to save:
- Save seeds from open-pollinated plants.
- Join seed swaps in your community or online.
- Share extras with friends and neighbors.
- Look for a seed library near you.
You can even prune your tomato plants and plant the cuttings. They’ll quickly grow roots of their own and become free new plants.
Volunteer plants are another source of free plants. Every year I get volunteer tomatoes, squash, herbs, and more. Don’t pull them up right away, as though they are simply weeds - give them time to grow so you can recognize them. Then transplant them if needed.
And one more thought: seed packets often tell you to thin seedlings later. Why not just plant them farther apart to begin with?
Build Your Own Soil
Bagged soil and fertilizer can be expensive, but homemade compost is practically free - and it’s one of the very best things you can add to your garden. Kitchen scraps, yard waste, and fall leaves can all be turned into rich, dark humus to enrich your soil.
I like to think of composting as turning trash into treasure. If you’re new to composting, my ebook The Down-to-Earth Guide to Composting walks you through exactly how to get started.
Compost ingredients are usually free. Crushed eggshells add calcium, banana peels provide potassium, and used coffee grounds give a nitrogen boost.
DIY Garden Supports and Tools
You’ll need a shovel and a hand trowel as basics. Beyond that, you’ll figure out what works best for your space.
Yard sales and resale shops are great places to find garden tools, and you may even be able to borrow from a friend for occasional use. (Be sure to return them in a timely manner, and in the same or better condition.)
You don’t need fancy trellises or tomato cages. Branches, fencing, or a few sturdy stakes with string can support beans, peas, and tomatoes.
Remember: it doesn’t need to be fancy, it just needs to work.
One more tip: buy hose repair kits in spring. Once stores sell out, they’re hard to find. Repairing hoses instead of replacing them will save you a lot of money! Learn how to repair a garden hose here.
Frugal Gardening Habits
Your habits can save money too.
- Shop clearance racks and seasonal sales.
- Trade cuttings, starts, or divisions with gardening friends.
- Trade your extra produce for something you need.
- Plan your meals around what’s ready in the garden to reduce waste.
This spring, we found a great deal on normally-high-priced soil that we couldn’t pass up. Sometimes spending a little up front can save money in the long run.
Fertilizers and Natural Insect Repellents
Feeding your plants and keeping pests away doesn’t have to mean expensive products from the store.
Compost tea gives plants a quick nutrient boost, and comfrey tea is rich in minerals like potassium and calcium - and if you grow comfrey, it’s an endless free fertilizer.
Homemade sprays with garlic, onion, or soap can repel many pests, and companion planting naturally deters bad bugs and attracts beneficial ones.
You don’t need a shelf full of expensive bottles. A little creativity and planning will do the job.
Observe Your Garden
Maybe the most important tip of all: observe your garden. The more you learn from your own soil, sun, and climate, the less money you’ll waste on solutions that don’t fit your space.
Notice where the sunniest spots are, and which areas stay partly shaded. By planting vegetables where they’ll thrive best, you’ll enjoy bigger harvests and a better return on your garden investment.
Growing More with Less
Gardening isn’t about having the newest tools or the prettiest raised beds. It’s about growing healthy, organic food, learning as you go, and enjoying the process.
Being resourceful is a strength, not a limitation. When you reuse, repurpose, and make do, you’re not just saving money: you’re building resilience and grit, in your garden and in your life.
Gathered Goods
Hand-picked tools, books, and everyday helpers we love:
- You'll need a hand trowel and a good shovel; after you have those, you can buy what you need when you need it.
- Hose repair kits are a good thing to have on hand - you'll save so much money on hoses by repairing what you have.
- Shop my favorite garden tools and helps in my Amazon shop.
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Kathi Rodgers is the gardener and writer behind Oak Hill Homestead (est. 2006) and the host of HOMEGROWN: Your Backyard Garden Podcast. With over 30 years of gardening experience in a variety of climates and soils, she helps new and aspiring gardeners grow healthy, organic food right in their own backyards.
A passionate advocate for simple, self-reliant living, Kathi is the author of multiple ebooks, a published magazine contributor, and shares practical advice with readers who want real-life solutions they can trust.
Kathi lives in Oklahoma, where she grows more cherry tomatoes than she can count and keeps a watchful eye on tornado season. A proud grandma and great-grandma, she believes that wisdom - like a bountiful garden harvest - should be shared.
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