This year, I want to up my gardening game. But I’m on a budget so a lot of DIY is involved. It’s been a learning process, so I’ve gathered what I’ve learned to offer my readers 7 tips for DIY gardening. 

• Fix equipment yourself

There’s nothing to put you off gardening more than broken equipment and tools. If you’re on a budget, consider finding tutorials to fix your yard equipment rather than buying new tools. Repairing tools and equipment yourself is often easier and cheaper than you think.

• Seek out free gardening advice

Whether it’s that friend or family member who has a green thumb or a free advice resource like the USDA National Agricultural Library. It could also be worth investigating local gardening clubs and community gardens as many offer free classes – plus it’s a great way to meet new people!

• Make your own compost

There’s no need to buy expensive fertilizer if you’re getting started with gardening. You can make your own compost at home. Kitchen scraps, grass clippings, dry leaves, and even newspaper can go in your compost bin. It’s also worth checking out local businesses that might be giving away compost materials for free, such as coffee shops giving away coffee grounds. 

• Grow plants from seeds

Instead of buying seedlings or fully grown plants, buying seeds is a cheap alternative if you want to grow flowers, vegetables, or herbs. Some seed companies offer discounted seeds at the start of the season and free seed samples. You could also look for a seed lending library that lets you ‘check out’ seeds and return the ones generated by your plants at the end of the season. 

• Repurpose objects and furniture into plant pots and flower beds

Old drawers, tires, shipping crates and antique dishware can all be repurposed into plant pots and flower beds. Not only is this a cheap way to get pots and flower beds, but it can look creative and quirky too. This blog post has lots of inspiration – I especially love the shoe caddy turned into a herb garden. 

• Grow companion plants

There are some plants that work together to keep away pests and weeds and encourage beneficial insects like bees to visit them. Lavender, marigolds, and sunflowers are classic companion plants. They can also boost the flavour of produce grown next to them. 

• Join a community garden

If you don’t have a garden or your garden isn’t suitable for your gardening needs, finding a community garden is a cheap and fun way to get into gardening. Many plots have low annual fees and offer money-saving advantages such as shared tools, compost, and free classes and advice from fellow gardeners. If you’re in the USA, take a look at the American Community Gardening Association website to find a community garden near you. 

These are some of my favourite DIY and budget gardening tips. Whether you’re growing flowers for the first time or want to transform your outdoor space this year, there’s plenty of inspiration out there. Good luck!

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