We seem to be caught up in a whirlwind of increasing prices and costs from the everyday shop to fuel to energy. Everything is rising in price which makes it harder for us all to manage. Unsurprisingly, many of us will be counting the pennies and making sure we’re more prudent in what we spend. 

So, what better time than for us to share our top 10 tips on how to save money on your gardening? Here we go: 

1 Check out pre-owned garden items 

Ask yourself whether everything in your garden has to be brand new. Think about it, plant pots and containers can be expensive. In some cases, we’re talking hundreds of pounds depending on the size and material. Then there is the cost of tools and equipment. 

But there are a huge number of shops selling beautiful containers at a fraction of the price. Not to mention tools. 

Spend a Saturday afternoon browsing some of your local thrift and charity stores and you’ll be amazed at what you find. Don’t forget the budget shops which often have gardening supplies at rock-bottom prices. If you can’t find everything you need, try online platforms such as Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace; one man’s trash, as they say. 

2 Shop around for seeds

We all know the benefits of buying established and mature plants but sometimes it’s nice to scatter seeds around (especially if you have young kids or grandchildren) or to sow them in the polytunnel. Packets of seeds can be expensive but if you look around you can pick them up for pennies. 

Some stores where bargains are the name of the game offer packets of seeds for as little as 25p. Places like Aldi, Wilkos and Poundland are an excellent option but you can even find low price seeds in supermarkets, especially out of season varieties. 

Even if you won’t use them immediately, you’ve got them on hand for when the time comes. 

3 Source affordable plants online from a reputable nursery 

If you’re reading this, you’ll be comfortable online and like many other things you’ll know you can find great value plants on the internet. Shopping online is a great way to save money on your gardening. 

At Direct Plants we have served our customers for many years and we know how much they appreciate the quality of plants we supply and the prices we can offer. Because we trade exclusively online, we’re able to list our plants and trees at great value prices. 

Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter and you’ll receive exclusive offers and discounts to save even more money on your gardening. 

4 Bulk buy compost 

If you’re an avid gardener, you’re going to get through a considerable amount of compost but it can end up getting expensive to keep nipping down to the garden centre and buying a couple of bags. But buying in bulk could save you money. 

Many local authorities have compost for sale and some even offer a delivery service if you can’t collect. If it isn’t possible to bulk buy then you might still be able to get cheap compost by scouting your garden centre for damaged bags. If you notice these, you can request a discount and most of the time, they’ll say yes. Most garden centres have 3 for 2 deals on compost to allow you to save some cash. 

Of course, the ultimate money-saver would be to make your own compost and I’m sure many of us already do this. But if you haven’t the space or are looking for a short-term solution bulk buying is the way to go. 

5 Creative containers 

Much like your big containers, when it comes to seed trays and the like, you really don’t need to go wild and spend a fortune. There are a hundred and one things lying around your home that can double up and be reused for seeds and seedlings. 

Things like toilet roll tubes, yoghurt pots, egg boxes and even old bottles are excellent for planting seeds. You can even ask at your local supermarket for fruit trays as these are ideal and they’re free. 

Remember when you were at school and you grew cress seeds on a piece of cotton wool? Well, that’s another way to start off seeds, get the kids involved and not break the bank. 

For larger plants you can be creative when choosing containers. Old types, sinks, even mangles and bath tubs can be used for container gardening. You don’t have to pay money for pots. 

6 Get free mulch 

You’re going to need mulch for your plants but it doesn’t need to cost anything. For starters, you can make your own mulch using lawn clippings, leaves and other organic matter from around your garden. Alternatively, you can check with your local council to see if they offer a program that supplies mulch. 

Other businesses such as tree surgeons and landscapers may collect organic matter and sell this on as mulch so it’s worth checking with them to see what you can find. We would suggest calling in advance as these services are quite high in demand. 

7 Join a gardening group 

Not only is joining a gardening group an excellent way to meet new and likeminded people but it’s also the perfect opportunity to get your hands on some free stuff. Whether you join a physical club or a group on social media, the outcome is the same. 

These groups have events like plant sales where you can get your hands on cheaper items that are far more affordable than the garden centre. But what’s best of all is the opportunity to swap or gift/be gifted garden items for free from other group members. 

8 Split Perennial Plants 

Did you know that you can divide perennial plants and end up with far more than you first imagined? Most perennials can be split once they are established and you should do this every two years or so. It’s usually best to split your perennials in autumn or spring. 

Splitting your plants isn’t too difficult. Lift carefully with a garden fork and shake off any excess soil. You should be able to see the roots of the plant. Then gently tease the root mass apart. For some plants you may need to use a small fork or trowel. Once split replant and enjoy two or more plants for the price of one. 

9 Skip the pest chemicals 

One thing that modern gardeners can spend a small fortune on is chemicals. We used them for so many things around the garden including pest control. Now, we understand that there are some cases that require intense chemical treatment but, in some situations, you can do things more naturally and save yourself a lot of money. 

For things like beetles, hornworms and squash bugs, you can remove these by hand. It is a little more time consuming but it’s free and what’s more, there’s no risk of damaging your plant by over-applying pest control sprays. 

10 Plan your garden 

We’ve all done it. Gone on a spending spree and then wondered what on earth we were thinking about. It’s all too easy impulse buy but always try to avoid this however tempting it may be. It’ll end up with you having a lot of stuff that you have no need for and that equals wasting money. 

So always try and plan your garden and your planting scheme in advance so you know exactly what you want and don’t get carried away with buying everything in sight. Make a list and stick to it. 

Moreover, don’t be tempted to plant things before their time. If a plant should be put in the ground in spring, don’t get over-eager and do it in winter. It’ll likely die and you’ve wasted more money. The same applies to growing conditions, make sure the soil and placement are right otherwise it’ll end in more wastage. 

It’s always worthwhile purchasing healthy, established plants for your garden. Every plant and tree we sell is super-healthy and will be delivered to you quickly and in premium packaging. Check out the full range today.