How Much Does It Really Cost To Grow A Garden?
I asked several local gardeners how much it really costs to grow a garden, how they save money and what they do spend money on. You might be surprised by their answers (below).
First, there are some areas of gardening that I DO spend money on because it saves me so much time, heartache and saves money in the long run.
Quality seeds - sure, you can use just about any seeds and can often find seeds for free or low cost, which can be a great option. But buying seeds from reputable seed companies can save you a lot of frustration and even time. If you’ve had trouble getting seeds to germinate in the past, consider trying a different seed company and grab my seed starting guide here.
Quality potting soil - this is key, esp. for starting and growing seedlings that will thrive in your garden. Choose a high quality organic mix and you will have much better success with seedlings.
Organic compost - this is really helpful when you are establishing a garden. I spent several hundred dollars on organic mushroom compost a few years ago and it was one of the best investments I’ve made! Healthy soil = healthy thriving plants!
Beyond that, there are tons of ways to save money and yes, growing a low cost garden IS possible.
To learn more ways to save money gardening, click here and grab my guide “How to NOT Kill Your Garden Plants!”
Raised beds, special tools, irrigation and other infrastructure is great, but not required for a successful garden. With just a healthy patch of soil and some seeds, you can grow your own food!
Here’s what several local gardeners had to share:
“Start small and slowly increase what you grow. If you are starting seeds, don’t buy all the things; reuse containers and start in a windowsill.” Rebecca
“Read the book ‘The $64 Tomato; How One Man Nearly Lost his Sanity, Spent a Fortune, and Endured an Existential Crisis in the Quest for the Perfect Garden.’ Its a hoot!” Beth
“I lasagna garden. You build up instead of digging down. All free except the mushroom mulch on top. I also save all seeds, which saves a lot of money.” Joanie
“Do a soil test!” Stacie
“Save money with seed swaps and saving seeds. And buy quality compost. Start your own compost, but in the meantime finding a local high quality compost will help feed your garden and boost productivity.” L
Do you have tips for saving money gardening? What do you spend money on? What do you save money on? Comment below and help other gardeners!
