Want to have a beautiful outdoor space while also saving money in the garden? Frugal gardening can get you there without sacrificing anything to the more expensive alternatives. Check out the list of frugal garden ideas below and see how rewarding gardening on a budget can be!
Grow from Cuttings
Why purchase plants when you can grow your own? Different techniques are needed for different plants so you may need to do a little research. But with minimal study time you will be able to have a whole new, FREE plant just by cutting off a piece of an already existing one. A few of the easier plant varieties to start from cuttings include hydrangea, mint, and geraniums.
Vinegar in the Garden
The frugal gardener loves vinegar. Use vinegar to clean old pots and lawn furniture. Want to kill unwanted grass and weeds? Use undiluted vinegar and watch them disappear. Have an ant problem? Spray vinegar around doorways and other areas where they are unwanted to deter ants from venturing there. Vinegar will also deter cats from unwanted areas. Want to make fresh cut flowers last longer? Use 2 tablespoons of vinegar and 1 teaspoon of sugar per quart of water and have longer blooms.
Watering
Watering with a hose and nozzle takes time and results in a lot of runoff. Think about installing a drip irrigation system. These can be found at your larger retail hardware stores such as Home Depot and Lowes. I found that the website for DripWorks Irrigation was the right fit for me. Their website allows you to customize your drip irrigation system so that you only pay for what you need. And I LOVE not dragging around a hose anymore!
Recycled Containers
If it can hold dirt, it can serve a purpose. If don’t have any concern about aesthetics you really can use anything as a container. Old tires, boots, and buckets will all work. But take some time and look around your house. Have a broken pot? Tilt it over and make it look like the plant is spilling out. Cracked bird baths or old bird houses can have new life. Be sure to look at your local thrift store or garage sale. Old tea pots or pans that might not have a use in the home anymore could be a great accent piece in the garden.
When trying to come up with gardening ideas on a budget always remember that frugal gardening is a cheap garden – that doesn’t mean your garden looks cheap. Use your imagination, try new things, and have fun gardening!