50 Money Saving Gardening Tips For 2025
Gardening seems to get more expensive every year, doesn’t it? Seeds, seedlings, soil, tools—everything feels like it’s creeping up in price. For those of us who grow our own food, gardening isn’t just a hobby; it’s a way to save money and put fresh, healthy, organic food on the table. But let’s be real: none of us are doing this to spend more than we save. That’s why we’ve put together this list of 50 money-saving gardening tips that we actually use in our own gardens. These ideas are all about cutting costs, reducing waste, and getting the most out of what you grow without overspending.

Table of contents
- Save Money on Seeds & Seedlings
- Soil & Composting Tips To Save You Money
- Water Conservation Ideas to Lower that Water Bill
- Pest Control Management Methods
- Garden Infrastructure Ideas on A Dime
- Propagating and Expanding Your Garden- For Free!
- Creative Recycling in the Garden To Save Cash
- Money Saving Gardening Tips For Free or Affordable Gardening Supplies
- Money-Saving Gardening Tips – Wrap Up
- Related Posts
Save Money on Seeds & Seedlings
1. Start Your Own Seedlings
Growing seeds at home is a budget-friendly way to fill your garden with the varieties you love. Use recycled containers like egg cartons, yogurt cups, or empty toilet paper rolls.
2. Save Seeds from Your Garden
Harvest seeds from plants like tomatoes, peppers, or marigolds at the end of the season. Let them dry thoroughly, then store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
See our guide on Seed Saving and get started this year to save on your seed purchases next year.
3. Seek Out Local Seed Swaps
Look in your local papers, facebook groups and find seed swaps. You can also organize a swap with friends, neighbors, or local gardening groups to exchange seeds and start growing your garden plants for free. Not only is it economical, but it’s also a great way to connect with fellow gardeners and discover new plant varieties.
4. Check With Your Local Library – Some of Them Have Seed Vaults
Did you know some libraries offer more than just books? Many local libraries now host seed libraries, where you can “check out” seeds for free or at a very low cost. The idea is simple: you borrow seeds, plant them, and then—if your garden produces well—you can harvest seeds from your plants to return to the library at the end of the season.
5. Try Biodegradable Seed Starters
The best biodegradable seed starters I’ve used so far are made from rolled newspaper pots or cardboard tubes. Unlike some seed-starters the cardboard will break down quickly and not prevent roots from spreading. You will be surprised at how many cardboard tubes will pass your hands in any given year!

Soil & Composting Tips To Save You Money
6. Compost Kitchen Scraps
Turn your food waste into black gold! Go ahead and start composting vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells to create nutrient-rich soil that eliminates the need for expensive fertilizers. A small compost bin or pile is all you need to get started, making this an accessible tip for any gardener.
7. Use Grass Clippings as Mulch
Spread fresh grass clippings around plants to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and add nitrogen to the soil as they break down. Be mindful not to apply thick layers, as this can mat and block water from reaching the soil.
8. Make Weed Tea Fertilizer
Put pesky weeds to good use! Steep weeds like dandelions or comfrey in water for a few weeks, then dilute the liquid to use as a nutrient-rich fertilizer. This DIY approach recycles garden waste while nourishing your plants.
9. Compost in a Trench
No compost bin? No problem! Dig small trenches in your garden beds and bury kitchen scraps directly in the soil. Over time, the scraps break down, enriching the soil and improving its structure without extra equipment.
10. Grow Clover as a Cover Crop
Plant clover in unused beds to fix nitrogen in the soil, suppress weeds, and improve overall soil health. Once it’s time to plant, simply till the Clover into the soil to recycle its nutrients and create a fertile base for your next crop.

Water Conservation Ideas to Lower that Water Bill
11. Collect Rainwater
Set up a rain barrel or place buckets under downspouts to collect rainwater for your garden. This free, eco-friendly water source is better for plants than tap water, which often contains chlorine or other chemicals.
12. Reuse Kitchen Water
Save water from rinsing fruits and vegetables or boiling pasta, and use it to hydrate your garden. This small step reduces waste while adding trace nutrients to your plants.
13. Mulch to Retain Moisture
Apply a layer of mulch—like wood chips, straw, or leaves—around plants to slow evaporation, reduce watering needs, and suppress weeds. Mulch also regulates soil temperature, helping roots thrive.
14. Use Gravel Drainage Channels
If your garden deals with with heavy rain or uneven terrain, gravel drainage channels can be incredibly useful. Gravel drainage channels can redirect excess rainwater where your garden needs it most.
15. Grow Drought-Tolerant Plants
To conserve water, choose native or drought-tolerant plants, such as succulents or lavender. Native drought tolerant plants are even better, they will by far the most resiliant plants you can grow in your garden. These types of plants will save money on care and watering through some of the worst weather conditions.
Learn More: For more information, check out our guide to the best drought-tolerant plants to grow in your garden.

Pest Control Management Methods
16. Use Coffee Grounds to Repel Slugs
Sprinkle those used coffee grounds around plants to deter slugs and snails. As a bonus, coffee grounds enrich the soil with nitrogen as they break down. Be cautious not to overuse, as they can alter soil pH.
17. Plant Decoys for Pests
Grow sacrificial plants like mustard greens or nasturtiums to attract destructive pests away from your main crops. Once infested, remove and dispose of these plants to keep pest populations under control.
18. Build a DIY Beer Trap for Slugs
Sink small cups filled with beer into the soil near vulnerable plants. The scent attracts slugs, which fall in and drown. It’s an inexpensive, chemical-free way to protect your garden.
19. Encourage Beneficial Insects
Plant flowers like marigolds, dill, or yarrows to attract helpful beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps. These natural predators reduce pests without the need for chemical pesticides.
Related: Check out our list of top flowers for companion planting.
20. Scatter Crushed Eggshells as Pest Barriers
Use crushed eggshells to create a natural barrier around plants. The sharp edges deter slugs and snails and can break down and add calcium to your soil.
21. Use Hair Clippings to Deter Deer and Rabbits
Scatter human or pet hair around garden beds to deter mammals like deer and rabbits. The scent acts as a natural repellent, keeping animals at bay.
22. Attract Birds for Natural Pest Control
Hang bird feeders near your garden to attract pest-eating birds like wrens or chickadees. These birds will help control insects without the need for chemicals.
23. Make Garlic Spray for Pests
Blend garlic cloves with water and dish soap to create a homemade spray that repels aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies.
24. Create DIY Sticky Traps
Coat yellow paper or cardboard with petroleum jelly to trap flying pests like aphids or whiteflies. Hang traps near problem areas for quick results.
25. Encourage Frogs with a Mini Pond
Build a small water feature to attract frogs. Frogs eat countless pests like slugs, beetles, and caterpillars, making this a natural and effective pest control solution.

Natural and Sustainable Pest Management
Are pests ruining your gardening dreams? Say goodbye to frustration with our ebook on organic pest management! Discover easy, practical solutions for common garden pests and reclaim your garden today.
- Guides for 23 common pests
- over 100 pages of information and tips
- Sustainable, affordable solutions anyone can implement.
Garden Infrastructure Ideas on A Dime
26. Build a DIY Trellis with Fallen Branches
Use sturdy branches from your yard to construct natural, rustic trellises for climbing plants like beans or cucumbers. Simply tie the branches together with twine for a functional trellis.
27. Create a Hugelkultur Bed
Layer logs, sticks, and organic debris under a mound of soil to create a raised bed. This method retains moisture and slowly releases nutrients as the wood decomposes, and it works well for long-term crops like asparagus or rhubarb.
28. Use Old Sheets as Frost Covers
Repurpose old bedsheets to shield plants from frost. This eco-friendly solution saves money on store-bought frost covers and provides reliable protection during unexpected cold snaps.
29. Line Pathways with Pine Needles
Lay down pine needles to create soft, natural garden pathways. They suppress weeds, break down slowly, and add organic matter to the soil.
30. Use Scrap Wood for Raised Bed Edges
Build raised beds with salvaged wood to save money and reduce waste. Be sure the wood is untreated to avoid chemical leaching into your soil. Scrap wood offers a durable and affordable alternative to store-bought materials.
31. Use Hay Bales as Raised Beds
Arrange hay bales to form a temporary raised bed. Cut pockets into the bales, fill them with soil, and plant directly. As the bales decompose, they enrich the soil.
32. Make a Simple Worm Bin for Composting
Convert a plastic storage bin into a worm composting system. Red wrigglers break down kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich compost for free.
33. Create Natural Edging with Logs or Rocks
Use fallen logs or collected rocks to create free, natural borders for your garden beds. They’re sturdy, attractive, and biodegradable.
34. Build a Trellis with Bamboo or Branches
Use bamboo stakes to create a sturdy trellis for climbing plants like peas, beans, sweetpeas, or cucumbers. Tie them with twine for added stability.
35. Turn Old Fabric into Row Covers
Use old bed sheets, tablecloths, or lightweight fabric to cover rows of plants during cold snaps or to protect crops from pests. It’s a budget-friendly alternative to buying row covers.

Propagating and Expanding Your Garden- For Free!
36 . Propagate Herbs from Cuttings
Quickly grow new herbs like rosemary, mint, or lavender by taking cuttings from an existing plant. Place the cuttings in water until roots form, then transplant them into soil. This is a simple money-saving gardening tip to help expand your herb garden.
37. Divide Perennials
Perennials like chives, rhubarb, and mint can be divided to create new plants. Dig up mature clumps, separate them into smaller sections, and replant. Dividing perennials is a quick, no-cost way to expand your garden while keeping plants healthy.
Related: Did you know that lavender can be divided and propagated?
38. Regrow Potatoes from Scraps
Plant potato peels or eyes (the tiny sprouts) directly into the soil, and they’ll grow into new potato plants. This nearly endless cycle is a great way to save money and reduce food waste.
39. Trade Plants with Neighbors
Swap all those extra seedlings (I know you started too many tomato plants because I did, too), bulbs, or cuttings with friends and neighbors to diversify your garden without spending money. Community plant trades can introduce you to new varieties while fostering connections with local gardeners.
40. Collect Native Wildflower Seeds
Walk through your local area to collect seeds from native wildflowers. These plants thrive in your climate, often requiring less maintenance than cultivated varieties, and add natural beauty to your garden.

Creative Recycling in the Garden To Save Cash
41. Use Coffee Grounds as Fertilizer
Repurpose used coffee grounds to feed acid-loving plants like blueberries or azaleas. They’re a free source of nitrogen and improve soil texture.
42. Turn Old Kitchen Tools into Garden Tools
Repurpose spoons, whisks, or spatulas as trowels, weeders, or soil aerators. It’s a zero-cost way to extend the life of household items.
43. Upcycle Cardboard Boxes for Weed Control
Lay cardboard boxes over weedy areas to smother weeds and improve the soil as the cardboard decomposes. Cover with mulch for a neat appearance.
44. Use Plastic Food Containers As Mini Greenhouses
Those plastic spinach and salad containers and pre-cooked chicken containers make fantastic mini greenhouses. You can use them early in the season to get a head start on flowers, vegetables and herbs. Be sure to pop some drainage holes inside, but that’s all you need to do. Hardy plants, especially late winter and early spring vegetables, are perfect to start this way, and you can put the containers outside, saving you growing room inside. A great money-saving gardening tip to use what you already have.
45. Make DIY Plant Markers with Popsicle Sticks
Label your plants with old popsicle sticks, cutlery, or flat rocks. These are free, durable, and you can easily make them your own. Better yet get the kiddies or grand kiddies to paint some rocks for you!

Money Saving Gardening Tips For Free or Affordable Gardening Supplies
46. Check Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji for Deals
Search online platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, or Craigslist for affordable or free garden supplies. You can find pots, mulch, plants, or tools from gardeners looking to declutter.
47. Repurpose Old Bottles as DIY Ollas for Watering
Instead of investing in expensive irrigation systems, you can turn old bottles—like soda or wine bottles—into simple DIY ollas for slow, steady watering. All you need to do is clean the bottle, fill it with water, and bury it upside down in your garden soil near your plants, leaving just the neck above the surface. The water will seep into the soil as it’s needed, keeping the roots hydrated without wasting water.
48. Find Free Mulch from Tree Services
Contact local tree-trimming companies; they often give away free wood chips or mulch. It’s a great way to save on materials while keeping your garden eco-friendly and well-mulched.
49. Visit Local Farms for Free Manure
Reach out to nearby farmers for free or low-cost manure. Compost the manure before use to create a nutrient-rich fertilizer for your garden, boosting soil health and plant growth. Call before you go!
50. Salvage Wood Pallets for Projects
Collect clean, untreated wood pallets to build garden furniture, vertical gardens, or compost bins. We actually built our three-system compost bins with clean pallets, and they worked exceptionally well, the entire bin only cost us the screws. It was one of our best money-saving gardening tips that someone gave to us when we started our first garden.

Money-Saving Gardening Tips – Wrap Up
The whole point of gardening is to enjoy the outdoors and find satisfaction in growing your own delicious food. With the current rising cost of groceries, growing a garden suddenly makes sense, but only if you are cautious about where you put your budget. Our tips above are just 50 out of countless ideas I know our readers already have, so if you have a great tip, I encourage you to leave it below for everyone to benefit. Cheers and happy gardening!
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Author: Laura Kennedy
Writer & Owner of Little Yellow Wheelbarrow
Laura is a highly skilled gardener and fervent flower enthusiast. Despite her playful battle with plant spacing guidelines, Laura’s work inspires gardeners to create thriving, beautiful spaces that reflect both creativity and sustainability.