8 money-saving gardening ideas for spring
With living costs still rising, many gardeners will be feeling the pinch this spring. Here are some cost-cutting options to help gardeners have a beautiful, and productive garden this year
How to create a budget-friendly garden
Inspiring ideas and handy tips on how to make a low-cost garden to love
Gardening is for everyone, no matter how big or small their garden, and it doesn’t have to break the bank. The best and swankiest kit can blow the budget, but with a little bit of creative thinking, you can have a garden to be proud of.
Hedges for less
Starting with the outer edges of your space, the most planet-friendlyoption is to plant a hedge. Hedges provide a habitat for wildlife and can be trimmed to suit your desired height and width. You can choose from a wide range of hedge varieties, depending on whether you want an evergreen hedge, a colourful hedge, or a hedge that provides security. If you take the time to care for them, you can even grow hedges in containers like other shrubs.
Think big; buy small
Buy small plants to keep costs down. They will establish quickly, usually catching up with bigger plants in just a few years.
Instant hedging is not a budget-friendly option, unless you are only buying that. If you have a small space like a balcony, or you want to provide some screening in your garden, try planting climbers on a wire mesh or trellis.
The most cost-effective way to create a long-lasting hedge is to plant bare root plants. Bare root hedging plants may not look like much when they first arrive, but they usually settle in quickly and thicken into a healthy hedge over a few years.
Cost: from 60p - £3 per bare root plant
Fences
If you don’t have space for a hedge, fences are a very good option. They come in a variety of styles and sizes, and you can even make your own. Choose a sustainable, long-lasting wood and your fence should last for many years. If you have inherited an old fence, still in sound condition, give it a brush down and a lick of paint to spruce it up. There are a rainbow of environmentally friendly, timber paint colours to suit your style.
Cost: 6ft x 6ft fence panels from around £30 each
Plant a fedge - dead or alive
Go part way and plant a fedge – a fence/hedge – either a live version, made with living stems of willows or dogwoods, or created from dead, cut material, laid between posts.
Paths and patios
How you move around your garden, and where you sit, work and play will dominate the design of your outdoor space. The cost of hard landscaping materials has risen considerably, but there are ways to keep costs down.
Before starting any major overhaul, consider what can be salvaged from your existing garden; can any of the current materials stay and have a spruce up? Existing patio slabs often get slippery and discoloured over time but can be cleaned upwith a stiff brush and some elbow grease.
Freebies
Look out for free or low-cost landscaping materials on sites such as Freecycle or in the free ads. If you see items in skips, you must ask for permission from the homeowner before taking them.
If you have a patio or path in the wrong place, consider reusing the materials to create something new. For instance, could you repurpose existing patio slabs to build a new path?
One of the most affordable options for covering an area of ground is to use gravel. There are aggregates in every size and colour, from flat grey slates to sparkly pink chippings, and the most sustainable option is to choose local stone to reduce your carbon footprint.
Weed prevention
Laying an eco-friendly barrier under gravel paths will help keep them clear of self-seeding plants, but the depth of gravel will also block out light, slowing germination.
Consider the size and depth of the chippings for different uses. Smaller stones are better for high-traffic areas where weight needs to be dispersed evenly, while larger pebbles are better for decorative and low-traffic areas, as they aren’t easy to walk on, shifting, like when walking on a pebble beach.
Cost: a bulk bag (850kg) costs around £100, which will cover an area of around 10m2, at a 30-50mm depth
Seating
Find the ‘sweet spots’ in your garden: the places where you like to stop and sit. This might be in the sun or the shade or a bit of both for different seasons and weathers. When it comes to seating, think creatively for budget options. You could make your own bespoke seating using upcycled materials, reclamation yard finds or local internet buy/sell groups to fit your budget.
Seats for small spaces
Use removable or foldaway seating that you create yourself using suitable hinges. Paint them in bright or dark colours to match your style and add some homemade cushions and blankets for a perfect party space.
To add shade or privacy to your garden, use simple uprights made of wood or metal, and grow scented climbers up them to form the walls and roof.
Plants
Plants are a great place to save money, and starting from seed is a cost-effective way to begin. You don’t even need an expensive greenhouse to grow them in, a warm windowsill will work just fine.
Plant-swapping fairs and community groups are great places to grab bargains, pick up growing tips from experienced gardeners, and share knowledge. Check local notice boards for plant events and look for local social media groups.
Visit your local plant fair or garden show to grab some bargains
Garden centres and plant nurseries often have seasonal sales of discounted plants, where you can find gems that simply need some love and care. Check that discounted plants have some signs of growth or good roots, and no signs of pests and diseases. Our advice guides can help you nurture rescued plants.
Community groups and allotments often give away used plant pots, as well as excess plants and produce. Many of them also run day courses on topics such as making your own compost, how to get growing, and how to make plant food. RHS Gardens also run courses and give talks on a wide range of gardening topics. And don’t forget to beg, borrow and divide plants growing in the gardens of friends and family.
Every garden should have a tree; they are essential for the planet. You can find young tree varieties from £30 upwards and they are a wonderful investment. By planting a tree, you are planting for the future. If you don’t have room for a fruit tree, you could buy small plants or bare root and train them against a wall or fence.
Trees for free
Look out for local gardening groups and associations such as the Woodland Trust who run campaigns to supply communities and individuals with young trees.
Grow your own
Save yourself money on your grocery bill by growing your own fruit, vegetables and herbs. If you don’t have room for growing in the ground or in raised beds, you can also grow them in recycled containers. Plants such as basil, parsley and micro-greens (tiny salad crops) can even be grown in pots on your windowsill, reducing your plot-to-plate to zero.
If you have no garden at home, consider applying to your local council or gardening group for an allotment. The benefits of growing your own food is well-known, but the added bonus of the sense of wellbeing that comes from being part of a community group is equally important, and life-changing for many people.
Fruit for a fraction
If you only have room for a few pots, fruit bushes are not expensive to buy and provide you with fresh fruit, packed with flavour, year-on-year.
Designing your garden
Potentially the biggest cost is employing someone to design your garden. You are paying for their time, expertise and experience. But there are some simple ideas you can follow to help you create your perfect garden yourself.
About the author - Natalie Ashbee
Natalie has worked in Horticulture for more than 20 years; in primary education, TV production and garden design. She lives and gardens in West Cornwall.
