Grow Your Garden the Affordable Way 10 Amazingly Cheap Perennial Plants

Gardening on a budget doesn’t have to be limiting or discouraging. There are lots of ways to keep the cost down, so it’s not so expensive. In this post, I’ll give you tons of cheap and free DIY gardening ideas that anyone can do.

If you’re not careful, gardening can quickly become an expensive hobby. But, it doesn’t have to be. There are tons of ways to garden on a budget and still have beautiful and bountiful beds.

Trust me, I know this first hand. When I started gardening on my own, I was a broke college student. I had to get creative, which means I spent a lot of time finding ways to garden on a dime.

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Over the years, I’ve become a pro at doing it on the cheap. And now, I’m sharing all of my secrets with you.

So, if you want to start gardening, but have a limited budget, then you’ll find tons of great ideas on this list!

The good news is that there are tons of easy ways to garden on a budget. Here’s a list of a few of my favorite ways to pinch pennies.

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If you’re a beginner look for ones that are easy to start from seeds. Many can be planted directly in the ground so you won’t need to buy any expensive equipment.

It’s easy to find used tools for pennies on the dollar, or even free, at garage and yard sales, or online marketplaces.

Also, ask your friends and neighbors to see if they have anything you can borrow. Heck, they may even have stuff collecting dust in the garage that they would be happy to get rid of.

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Every budget-wise gardener should definitely learn how to collect seeds. There are tons of different types of perennials, annuals, and even veggie seeds that you can gather for free from your own garden.

This way, you won’t have to spend money to purchase any new ones, and you can build up a nice variety to regrow year after year.

Also, make sure to keep the extras of any that you’ve purchased. Seed packets usually come with more than you need. As long as you store them properly, you can keep most of them for several years.

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The fastest way to build up a large stash of garden seeds when you’re on a budget is to trade for them. If you participate in local swaps, or organize a trade with friends, then you won’t have to spend any cash.

Sometimes you can find people who are generous enough to give them to you, even if you don’t have any to trade. Then once you build up a nice stash, you can pay it forward.

If you are just starting out, and don’t have any to trade, find a friend or two and go shopping together. You can pool your money to buy a larger variety, then divvy them up.

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There are tons of ways to save money on your garden by upcycling items you already have or can easily find for free.

Many discarded kitchen scraps can be used to grow new plants by saving the seeds or root stalks, even from grocery store produce.

Rather than buying plants, take cuttings and divisions of the ones you already have. This is called plant propagation, and it’s a gardening technique that anyone on a budget should learn.

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It’s by far the most cost effective way to create new beds, expand existing ones, or even to fill your summer containers. There are tons of plants that are super easy to propagate, and you won’t have to spend a dime.

Seasoned gardeners always have a surplus of plants they are eager to give away. Oftentimes, you can find inexpensive options at Farmers Markets or in online marketplaces.

Also, ask your friends and neighbors to see if they have anything they would be willing to divide and share with you. Once you build up your garden, you’ll be able to return the favor.

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Rather than buying large, established perennials, purchase plugs instead. You can usually get a whole flat of smaller plugs for much less than it would be for one or two mature plants.

That means you can fill an entire garden bed for a fraction of the price, and stay within your budget. Yes, it will take a bit longer for them to fill in, but the cost savings will be worth the wait.

So wait until after the initial rush to buy them. I know it’s hard not to get caught up in the excitement after the long, cold winter, but you won’t have to wait too long.

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Oftentimes, garden centers will put them on sale as soon as the heat of summer kicks in. Fall is also a great time to find them at deep discounts.

Compost is a great soil enhancement, and it’s something you can make yourself. You don’t need to buy a fancy bin or tumbler either.

Simply create a dedicated pile, or make a bin out of repurposed fencing or chicken wire. Put it right in your vegetable garden so spreading all that free black gold is a breeze.

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Check with your city or county too. These days, many of them have inexpensive, or even free, compost available to their residents.

If you find yourself with extras, don’t just toss them out, swap them with your friends and neighbors to expand your collection for free.

Not only will it fit your tight budget, but your garden will be much healthier. You can easily make your own natural remedies and organic pest deterrents using supplies you already have, or from inexpensive ingredients.

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Everyone has plants that can be divided and traded for new ones. So if you want more variety in your garden this year, but don’t have a big budget, then get out your shovel.

Divide some of your existing perennials to trade for others. You could even organize a plant swap in your community or join dedicated groups online.

It’s crazy how many of the annuals sold in stores are actually tender perennials that can live for many years in warmer climates.

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Many types of tropicals, annual flowers, herbs, and even some veggies can easily be overwintered indoors. It’s totally worth the effort, and you won’t have to spend money buying new ones every spring.

Not only will collecting rainwater save on your water bill, it’s also better for your plants, and good for the environment too.

Rainwater can be used in your outdoor beds or inside on your houseplants. In the winter, you can melt snow to water your indoor plants, which is just as good.

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A rain barrel can be expensive, but you can save money by making your own. Many cities even have programs where they sell them at deep discounts to encourage residents to use recycled water.

High maintenance plants are more expensive to buy than native ones or varieties that are common in your area. Plus, it also costs more money (and effort) to take care of them.

Choosing ones that are hardy to your growing zone and climate instead will save you money in both the short and long term.

Gardening On A Budget

Whether you’re on a budget or not, leaves are like gold to gardeners. They are an excellent mulch, add nutrients to the soil as they break down, and protect plants in winter. Best of all – they’re free!

So save the leaves from your yard, and gather them from your neighbors too. Then use them to cover your beds and top off the compost heap.

Gardening doesn’t have to be expensive, you can fit it into any budget. Give a few of these ideas a try, and you’ll see just how easy it is to save yourself some cash. Then you’ll soon be a pro at thinking of other ways you can make gardening even cheaper.

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I'm an author and expert gardener who loves growing ALL of the plants. From vegetables, herbs, and flowers to cacti, succulents, tropicals, and houseplants - you name it, I've grown it! My green thumb comes from my parents, and I've been gardening for most of my life. Read More...Budget garden ideas can often be the best and they will help you achieve that lush green outdoor space you want –without spending megabucks on major landscaping overhauls or out-of-reach plants...

One of the great things about exploring different types of garden ideas is that many of the most impactful looks often cost next to nothing to create. From clever planting to savvy tips for growing from scratch, there's so much you can achieve in your garden space even with a very limited budget. Plus, using clever color tricks with decking paint and more in the way of DIY, you'll be able to enhance your planting scheme for less. Be inspired and start your own transformation.

There are so many budget backyard ideas out there, ripe for elevating with a little veggie patch or other cute addition.Ferns and Feathers (opens in new tab) garden blogger Vic MacBournie has some top tips to start with:

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