Gardening on a budget: Ways to save money whatever size your plot

Choose your plants and seeds wisely to maximise your crop

Part of your plan will be a shopping list of the types 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.

Seeds. They aren't very expensive, but buying a lot can add up if you're on a strict budget. You also don't want to waste money, even if it's pennies. You can get seeds free with some gardening magazines, such as Gardeners' World magazine. Again, knowing your plan means you should only shop for seeds you want.

Seed swapping. This is fun and can make you new gardening friends. Ask mates or explore online to see if anyone in your area wants to swap seeds or seedlings.

Saving your own. It's possible, once you have gone through your first season of plants, to save the seeds, dry them out and try to regrow from them. This is a trial and error process, but can be very rewarding. For example, one of my friends grew pumpkins from the seeds of the pumpkins from the year before.

Bare root plants. These are shipped without soil, so they're much lighter and smaller, and therefore cheaper to ship. 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, and if you're keen on nurturing fruit trees, check out this message from Forumite Strandedinaber, who asked about 'fruit trees, toms and greenhouses'.

Propagating. Just like with houseplants, you can 'make' new plants from existing ones in the garden. Taking cuttings needs care and attention, so it's best to research this more depending on the plant. You may want to buy some rooting powder, which you can get for £4.91 at Amazon.

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Keep an eye out for freebies on the street

While you're setting out your plan and budget, you need to begin keeping an eye out for freebies. Now, this doesn't happen in every town, but it does happen in many – where people leave things on the pavement near their house, or the wall on the front of the house. In many neighbourhoods, it's an unwritten social rule that something left out means 'please take me'. Some people will even leave a 'free' sign on the item.

Some gardeners leave plant pots outside their houses near my home in the Cotswolds and I've found that a stroll around the block can find you everything from chicken wire to some new wellies. I even spotted some garden chairs the other day and this Hozelock hose cart (pictured below) just five minutes' walk from my home. The price on Amazon is £46.74.

This is more about the items you need to do your gardening, rather than decorations, but keep an eye out for those too. Sometimes people will leave out decorations they no longer want, and one friend told me that some people leave plant cuttings on the street too. 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. Go back to Martin's Money Mantras, because while it's free, will you use it? Otherwise you'll just end up with someone else's unwanted items.
2. Be brave before taking the item, have a look at it and make sure it's in good working order.
3. Ask if you're not sure, as there's nothing worse than taking something someone has by their door which they were about to put in a car.

Search for cheap and free decorations and furniture

Now the seeds are growing and the plan is made, the final touches are all about your decorations. While those garden centres are full of wonderful, pretty and kooky decorations for your garden, and they might seem like a jolly idea, the cost can really add up. They're another impulse buy that's good to try and avoid, as this year's 'must-have' decoration could be next year's item for the rubbish pile. I've lost count of the sets of fairy lights I've bought for the garden that are now in a bucket, tangled up.

There are some great places to scout for decorations that will be cheap or free:

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

Vinted. I entered the keyword 'Garden' and found everything from a 'Welcome to our garden' sign for £3 to a mooning gnome for £4. Adding other keywords will help your search, for example, adding 'lantern' or 'lights'. Be mindful to check if the item is still available online for new, and compare the price before you commit.

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 that needs some upcyling that you might want to use in your garden. One tip that's worked for me is to look when you are visiting family or friends. I've spied wooden garden furniture for free in a parent's neighbourhood (just make sure you don't spend the whole weekend searching for items rather than catching up with loved ones or they may get annoyed).

Reclamation or salvage yards. It can be great fun going round a reclamation yard (personally I always wish I could buy a stone whippet from one), and they often have very unusual items like stone bird baths or statues. Some I've visited have old doors with amazing stained glass, or old pub signs. Prices can vary and some items will be an investment, but they are also great for inspiration if you're doing some forward planning.

Car boot sales. Not only great for all the above, but many people also sell seedlings at a car boot sale, which saves you the stress and cost of growing from seed if that's not your bag or you've left it too late for a certain plant.

Reusing 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? My friend Jo made this amazing planter from a watering can that had seen better days (notice how she's propped it up too, so it can drain from the bottom).