5 Ways To Save Money In The Garden

                                              Lavender                                                           Image:Marie Vonow

A garden can cost you a heap of money or it can provide you with a cheap healthy hobby. If you are going to get an expert to design and landscape your garden expect to hand over quite a bit of money, unless he/she is a friend or family member. You can soon spend a small fortune on a garden if you choose expensive plants, fancy statues and the like but there are ways to save money and still have a lovely garden.

1. Make friends with local gardeners
Is your neighbour a keen gardener? There may be a local gardening club or a community garden. Some areas have a swap or share group where members bring along plants, seeds, cuttings, spare pots and gardening magazines. The great thing about these groups is that you will pick up knowledge relevant to the local area.

2. Ask family and friends for cuttings, bulbs and seeds
Perhaps they will strike the cuttings for you. If they live in the same area as you they will be able to give you relevant growing tips too. Plants from people you know add a special something to your garden as well as saving money.

Rosemary grows easily from a cutting                                  Image:Marie Vonow

You can return the favour by giving them cuttings, seeds or bulbs they don't have. 

Another idea is to tell friends and family with whom you exchange presents that you would appreciate a gift for the garden.

3. Watch out for free plants 
Sometimes people leave plants, garden furniture or pots out the front of their house with a 'Please take' sign. If a neighbour is moving she/he may not want/be able  to take large plants in pots and could be pleased if you adopt them. When I moved 400 km I gave large potted plants to a friend.

Sometimes you can also score bags of free manure to fertilise your free plants. Watch out for signs at the side of the road, especially in rural locations. 

4. Think pre-loved
Garden furniture, pots, garden decorations, tools, garden or tool sheds are often available second hand. Check out -

• Community notice boards (You could post a 'wanted to buy' sign on a board.)

• Your local rubbish tip if it has a recycling section where items are for sale

• Newspaper adverts, yes they still exist

• Op shops

• Garage sales

• Gumtree

• Local internet buy, swap and sell sites

• Freecycle org - an internet site where people give and get items for free

• Oz Recycle - a site for giving away unwanted goods

• Ziilch - an internet site advertising free items

If you live outside Australia, check online for similar free sites.

If what you are looking for isn't currently available, check regularly and perhaps you will find it at a later date.

5. Buy small shrubs and trees rather than big ones
Smaller plants tend to be cheaper. They are likely to grow quickly and soon catch up in size to the bigger, more expensive ones, unless the shrub is a slow growing variety.

Save money by buying smaller plants                     Image:Marie Vonow

Yes, you can spend a fortune on a garden but if you take your time, look around and talk to fellow gardeners you can save money.