How to Garden Without Spending a Lot of Money

Gardening is a fun and rewarding hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Like most hobbies, it can be expensive if you don't plan carefully. Here's a few tips to help you grow a garden that won't break the bank.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Don't buy every gadget that you run across in your local home improvement store. Stick with the basics: a shovel, a hand trowel, a good pair of gloves, a pair of trimmers and a water hose or watering can. Add more tools if your budget allows but only if you believe it will prove beneficial for you.

2. Look around in thrift stores for gardening supplies. Wheelbarrows, seed spreaders and flower pots can sometimes be found in second hand stores.

3. 
   Hosta

   Ask family members, friends or co-workers if they have any plants or flowers that they would like to "thin" out. Many plants such as hosta, lilies or peony grow large and need to be divided every so many seasons. Offer to trade with friends the plants that you have in abundance for some of theirs.

4. 
   Rose bush rescued from clearance rack

   When buying plants, check around with local nurseries for customer loyalty programs. Some growers offer discounts to frequent customers. As with anything else, don't forget to look for clearance racks. The big home improvement stores will put struggling on plants on clearance. They may look rough but with proper care they can thrive.

5. Do your homework. Check out some gardening books or magazines from the library or research online the type of plants that will grow in your area. Also, look at where you want to plant and determine what kind of sun (morning, evening, full, shady)that area gets. This will help you not waste money by buying plants not suited for your yard.