Gardening on a budget

Plan your garden

Planning ahead is a key way to make the most of your garden and avoid spending money when you don't need to. This means thinking about the way you'll use the space and the types of things you want to grow. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has advice on garden design and gathering inspiration for your garden.

Once you've decided what you'd like your garden to look like, these are your next steps:

• Make a wish list and prioritise. Ask yourself what you want to grow, what you want to achieve – and how much it might cost. Is this about flowers galore, a vegetable patch, focusing on certain plants or a bit of everything?

• Draw out a 'map' of your garden space. Look at where you might want things to grow, where you'll place pots and furniture and so on.

Once you've made a start and begun planting, there are various ways you can keep records and plan next steps:

• Keep a diary and note down details of the weather and plant growth. A simple notepad would do the trick, although dedicated gardening almanacs have tips and prompts to help guide you each month, which can be helpful for beginners (see below). Alternatively, you could use the notes app on your phone.

• Take photos on your phone to record your journey. Photos can help you track the growth of your garden. They're also free and have a handy date on them for reference. Save them in a specific folder on your phone so you can look back at your progress.

• Consider an almanac. Serious gardeners have a book they call an almanac – it helps guide you with tips for what to focus on each month. You can also write notes about what you've planted and when, so you can look back and see what has gone well.
  
  You can get themed ones such as a wildlife gardener's almanac, or a veg grower's one. The one pictured on the right is £3 at The Works and £4.99 at Amazon. You might also find second hand ones on eBay or Vinted.

Compare prices – independent nurseries are often cheapest

Like gardens, garden centres come in all shapes and sizes. Sadly, the ones with cafés and shelves full of posh handwash and scented candles are often the most expensive.

Independent nurseries may be less glamorous-looking, with just rows of plants, essential tools and seeds, but they're usually where you'll get cheaper prices.

Try DIY and hardware stores, too

Larger DIY stores, such as B&Q* also have garden sections. B&M has garden centres attached to its larger out-of-town stores. And there are often garden decoration sections in smaller stores, such as Home Bargains and The Range*.

Local hardware stores often sell gardening tools and some even stock seeds and soil. They're also useful if you need construction items such as nails or screws, if you're going as far as building your own raised beds for vegetables.

Check supermarkets for cheap plants

Don't overlook supermarkets as many will have plants for sale, particularly during the spring and summer months.

We spotted these tomato, chilli and cucumber plants for £1.25 a pot at Co-op in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire in April 2025.

Cash in on garden centre loyalty schemes

Sign up to free loyalty schemes at the garden centres you visit regularly, and you can get discounts, free drinks and access to workshops. Here are some we spotted:

• B&Q* - 300+ stores across the UK. Get £5 off a £30 spend when you sign up to B&Q Club, plus regular offers and discounts.

• British Garden Centres - 70+ centres around the UK. Its free Family Card gives access to seasonal offers, members-only shopping events and restaurant offers.

• Hillier - 22 centres across the South of England. Its Gardening Club offers 5 loyalty points for every £1 you spend (each point is worth 1p). For café regulars, it also has a scheme where you can buy nine hot drinks, and get your 10th free.

It's worth checking if your local garden centre has its own scheme. Many centres are local smaller chains, with one or two branches in a county. You can find lists of centres near you as well as gardening advice at the Garden Centre Association.

Paying for a loyalty scheme is only worth it if you're doing a big spend

Some of the bigger chains and websites offer paid-for loyalty schemes where you get a discount for a year. They're worth considering if you're planning a big spend where you'll definitely save more than the cost of membership, but always compare prices with other retailers before you commit.

• Thompson & Morgan - online only. Its Gardening Club costs £10 a year. You'll get 10% off online orders, so it's worth considering if you're spending over £100. It also says you'll get £30 in money-off vouchers and exclusive member-only deals.

• Dobbies - 50+ stores across the UK. Its 'Club Plus' membership scheme costs £15 a year. You'll get 10% off off all plants, bulbs and seeds, so it's worth considering if you're spending over £150. You'll also get two free hot drinks in the restaurant every month, money off vouchers and priority booking for events.

Swap seeds (and plants) with friends and neighbours

If you buy a pack of seeds, you'll often find you have more than you need. So ask neighbours or explore online to see if anyone in your area wants to swap seeds and seedlings (or any other plants). This can be fun and even make you new gardening friends.

You may find events going on at your local library or community centre:

You can also get seeds free with some gardening magazines, such as the BBC Gardeners' World magazine.

Choose your plants, seeds and bulbs wisely to maximise your crop

Once you've made a plan for your garden, you'll have a wish list of seeds and plants you want to buy. It's all personal preference, of course, but there are certain things to plant at certain times of the year, and ways to save cash on what you buy when you're starting out or building on your existing garden.

Bulbs are planted ahead of time, kind of like a savings account that will yield 'free' flowers. Spring flowering bulbs (such as Daffodils, Alliums and Tulips) are best planted between September and November. Whenever we have bulb deals, you'll find them on our Home, Garden & Pets deals page.

Consider buying cheaper 'bare root' plants

Bare root plants are sold by online nurseries and shipped without soil, so they're much lighter and smaller, and therefore cheaper to send. Bare root roses, hedges and trees are usually planted in autumn and winter, but you could give them a go in April if the weather is still mild.

They need a bit of care and attention when you get them – you need to either soak them before planting or plant them immediately. Fruit trees are often cheaper when bought as bare roots.

If you're keen on nurturing fruit trees, check out this MSE Forum thread from Strandedinaber, who asked for tips on 'fruit trees, tomatoes and greenhouses'.

Propagate to get new plants for free

Propagation is where you create a new plant from the 'parent' or original plant. You can take cuttings from plants, or divide them to make two new ones. The RHS has more detailed information on propagation techniques, which can vary depending on the plant.

MSE Laura also shares some propagation tips in her houseplants blog.

Grow 'posh' veg rather than cheap stuff

You can save money by growing your own fruit and veg, but the biggest savings come from the more expensive produce, such as unusual lettuce and herbs.

Think about what you like to eat, and how much it costs at the supermarket. For example, potatoes and carrots are relatively cheap, but asparagus, raspberries and blueberries are more expensive.

Take into account the time of year

Depending on the season, there will be different things you can prioritise – planting spring-flowering bulbs in autumn, for example. Making sure you're doing the seasonal jobs will save money – planting bulbs at the wrong time of year for example, risks wasting your cash and time.

There are different jobs to do as the months go by, from planting seedlings to weeding your garden. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has a detailed calendar of things to do each month and you can also find helpful tips by watching Gardeners' World on BBC 2.

Plant seeds in toilet roll tubes

You don't need to buy fancy seed trays – simply save the cardboard tube from inside your toilet rolls and plant seeds inside them. The best part is, they're compostable, so can be planted directly outside once your seeds have sprouted.

The RHS has more tips for reusing household waste in the garden, such as:

• Plastic food containers (such as the ones grapes come in) can be used as seed trays.

• Old net curtains can be used instead of horticultural fleece (to protect against weather and pests).

• Milk or squash bottles with the bottom cut off, can be inserted into the soil at the base of plants. If you water through them, you'll make sure the water gets to the roots.

  You could also combine different containers to maximise your seed growing:

Check stores for 'past their best' plants

Some garden centres have a past their best area, with plants that are less leafy or perhaps a bit less green. This can be a bargain goldmine, but you'll need to give them a bit of extra care.

Save seeds from your vegetables and 'regrow'

Once you've gone through your first season of plants, you can save the seeds, dry them out and try to regrow them. This is a trial and error process, but can be very rewarding.

For example, you can save pumpkin seeds if you're scooping out a Halloween pumpkin. You can do this with loads of fruit and vegetables, from squashes to tomatoes and peppers.

Make your own compost (or buy in bulk and share)

There's no getting around the fact you'll need a lot of compost to keep your garden thriving. But you have options to save money here:

Make your own compost

This is a great way to get 'free' compost, but it's not an overnight process and also requires space – a compost heap can be up to a square metre. The RHS has useful information to help you get started, such as how to get the right mix of 'green' and 'brown' material.

If you want to do this, you could consider building your own compost heap (to save money, you could use old pallet wood) or buying a special composter where you'll put food and garden waste. You may be able to get a discounted composter via your local council.

Buy compost in bulk

If you think you'll want a lot of it, you could look into ordering your compost in bulk. This requires space (for example, having it delivered on to your driveway or garden) and planning ahead. If you don't have enough space, you could see if a green-fingered neighbour wants to split the cost.

We spotted 50 bags of 50L multi-purpose compost* for £319 at B&Q. That works out around 13p per litre. A single 50L bag was £12.99 (26p per litre). Always compare prices and make sure you're getting the best deal.

Make your own plant feeds for free - from nettles, banana skins and more

As well as making your own compost, you can save money by making your own plant feed or fertiliser, from nettles, comfrey plants, lawn mowings, bracken and more.

You'll need to harvest the plants, cut up the leaves and stems, then weigh them down in a bucket (preferably with a lid, as it may begin to smell). The resulting liquid can be used as plant feed. The RHS has lots of information on different types of fertiliser.

You can even use banana skins, as the potassium they contain can help plants thrive.

Plant flowers in advance for blooms in season

Flowers obviously need time to grow. So think about your planting in advance so you'll get the flowers you want at the time they bloom. For example, if you want Tulips in spring, you need to plant the bulbs between September and November.

Dahlias (pictured below), are grown from a bulb-like growth called a tuber, which you'll need to plant in May or June in order to get flowers from August to October. There is lots of advice on growing specific plants on the Gardeners' World website.

Grow flowers you can display at home or gift

There is huge joy (and MoneySaving smugness) – in being able to go into the garden with a pair of scissors or secateurs to cut some flowers to pop in a vase.

You can also gift flowers from your garden, instead of buying a bouquet at a supermarket or florist. For example, gift a bunch of home-grown tulips and you'll save £3.50 compared with buying them in Tesco.

There are lots of cheap and easier-to-grow flowers that you can grow from seed or buy and plant to then become a budding florist. Some flowers can also be cut and dried for year-round display, such as alliums.

Go for repeat flowering blooms – you’ll get more bang for your buck

'Repeat flowering' is the ideal for regular flowers. Sweet peas are an example. Simple, classic flowers that grow more when you pick them – in fact, you need to pick the flowers to keep the blooms returning on the plant. Cosmos, cornflower and zinnia are others that will grow easily and could be dried too.

One-off blooms are flowers you can grow and pick but 'once they're gone, they're gone'. When you've picked the flower, that's it, no new flower will grow. Peonies are an example of this.

Look after your tools to make 'em last

If you've invested in gardening tools, the best MoneySaving way to avoid buying more is to look after them. The RHS has detailed advice on cleaning and sharpening.

Key things to do regularly include using a stiff scrubbing brush to clean soil from blades, cleaning off dried-on sap from secateurs with a nylon pan scourer or wire wool, and storing tools in a clean, dry place.

No butts... save on water, too

You can save money (and help the environment) by using rainwater to water your plants, instead of tap water. You may be able to get a free or discounted water butt from your local council or water supplier.

The RHS has tips on collecting, storing and reusing water for your garden.

No garden or not enough space? Consider an allotment

If you don’t have a garden, you might want to consider an allotment. These are plots of land which can be rented out to individuals. You can apply for an allotment via your local council.

According to a survey by the Association for Public Excellence (APSE), the average cost of running a 250 square metre plot in 2023 was £247 per year, while the value of produce you could grow was as much as £1,910.

Allotments are also a hugely sociable way to garden. You can share information with other allotment holders, and there are often seed and plant swaps and other social events. You can find out more at the National Allotment Society and on the MSE forum.

Allotments can even have free manure - as forumite Floss testifies:

Furnish your garden for free and cheap

While garden centres are full of pretty decorations for your garden, the cost can really add up. Avoid impulse-buying while shopping for your plants and other essentials.

Instead, here are some places to scout for decorations that will be cheap or free:

• Charity shops. Check out the bric-a-brac and homeware section for different pots and items that might fit with the theme of your garden. Don't be put off if something isn't specifically a garden item, either. For example, most charity shops sell mirrors you could put in a flower bed for decoration and to give the illusion of space. See more in our Charity shops blog.

• Vinted. Use keywords such as 'garden', 'lantern' and 'lights' to find decorations. Be mindful to check if the item is still available online for new, and compare prices before you commit. Find out more in Vinted buying and selling.

• Facebook Marketplace. There's so much to be found on Marketplace, and if it's local, you may even be able to carry it home. A tip here is to look outside of the garden search term, as some people list furniture for the home, which needs some upcycling but you might want to use in your garden.
  
  Have a browse when you're visiting family or friends as there might be items in their area you've not seen in your own. See Facebook buying tips.

• Reclamation or salvage yards. It can be great fun going round a reclamation yard and they often have very unusual items like stone bird baths or statues. Prices can vary – be prepared to haggle.

• Car boot sales. As well as furniture and garden decorations, many people also sell seedlings at car boot sales. This could be handy if you're a beginner or you've left it too late for a certain plant. See Car boot sale tips and tricks.

• Reuse your own 'junk'. When it comes to the garden, always ask 'How else might I use this?' before you chuck something away. Can a broken pot be used in a bug hotel, for example?

Before you shell out on trellis for climbing plants, consider making your own

Pre-made climbing frames, obelisks and trellises are way overpriced for something you can have a go at cobbling together yourself, says Facebook follower Essie Harvey:

Keep an eye out for gardening freebies on the street

In many neighbourhoods, it's an unwritten social rule that something left on the pavement or wall outside a house means 'please take me'. Some people will even leave a 'free' sign on the item. Though of course, always ask if you're not sure.

Sometimes people will leave out plants and cuttings they no longer need, or even garden furniture.

Garden freebies spotted by MSE Jenny H near her home including a branded hose cart, plant pots, covers for garden furniture and cushions for seats.

The Wombling thread on our forum has some amazing stories to inspire you, from a wheelbarrow to 1930s stained-glass windows.

Three things to consider when picking up a street freebie for the garden:

1. Consider Martin's Money Mantras. It might be free, but do you need it and will you use it? Otherwise you'll just end up with someone else's unwanted items.

2. Check it before taking it. Have a look at it and make sure it's in good working order.

3. Ask if you're not sure. There's nothing worse than taking something someone has put by their front door, which they were about to load into the car.

Consider giving away unwanted plants

MSE Sarah did just that and shared how she gave a neighbour a Hydrangea plant she no longer wanted.

Follow MSE for garden discounts

Want to be first to know about garden discounts? Sign up to the MSE weekly email for the latest discounts and keep an eye on our Home, Garden and Pets deals page as well as our gardening discounts page.

Visit established gardens for 'free' inspiration

Large, historic gardens are examples of plants, layout and using colour schemes. Look out for ways to get free or reduced entry. For example, May's issue of Gardener's World magazine offers a 2for1 gardens pass to hundreds of gardens across the UK each year.

When deals are available, we'll include them on our Cheap Days Out page.