Gardeners don’t need special shoes and clubs like golfers do, and we don’t have to
pricey rods and reels like anglers or a fancy bike, helmet and gear like cyclists. But it’s hard not to be tempted by garden bling after a long winter: the new “it” shrub, dramatic containers, a fancy raised bed. Gardening, like most hobbies, can be as expensive as you allow it to be. Experienced frugal gardeners know these five crucial tips to save money and keep their gardens beautiful.
Here are five ways to reduce your spending for the garden:

1. Watch for Seasonal Sales

Gardening is a seasonal business so watch for sales. Seed starting kits may be discounted by April and most garden centers begin to discount perennials in mid- to late June. While midsummer is
not the ideal time to plant them, you can hold perennials in their containers until fall or commit to babying a plant through the hot months.

2. Do it Yourself

If you’re handy and have a few basic tools and the time, you can build your own raised beds or garden trellises for much less than buying new. Or, fashion a trellis, tomato cages or a garden arch from reclaimed items rather than purchasing new. For instructions on building a raised bed, check out our Tool Shed article about it!

3. Thrift it!

On the hunt for cute planters, garden art or other decor? Don’t underestimate what you might find at garage sales, sometimes barely used. Thrift shops also often have garden décor and interesting containers for sale. Or join a local “buy nothing/sell nothing” group on Facebook. A surprising number of garden items show up on these platforms and all you have to do is pick it up.

4. Set up a Plant Swap

Did you start too many tomato seeds or do you have a perennial that needs dividing? Set up a
swap or trade with friends and fellow gardeners. Swapping seeds or seed-grown starts is safe but
be cautious about trading plants if jumping worms have invaded your area. For more on the worms and how to avoid spreading them, check our resource about them in the Tool Shed.

5. Save Seeds

Growing plants from seeds is more economical than buying plant starts and your garden
produces seeds every year. Seeds from beans, peas, marigolds and sunflowers are incredibly easy to save. You simply harvest them when dry and set them aside in a dry place for the next year. Other seeds, such as tomatoes, require a bit more work. Learn more about saving seeds in our blog post here.

With a little ingenuity and effort, you can make your garden a gorgeous and inspiring place and you don’t have to max out your credit cards to do it. What are your favorite frugal gardening tips? Send them to editor@northerngardener.org so we can share them with other readers.

This article originally appeared in the Spring 2023 issue of Northern Gardener® Magazine.

Samantha Johnson is a Wisconsin-based gardener and author of several books,
including Garden DIY, (CompanionHouse Books, 2020).

Learn more about her work at samanthajohnson.contently.com.