Dirt Cheap: The Best Frugal Gardening Ideas on the Internet

[Sentry18]

Dirt Cheap: The Best Frugal Gardening Ideas on the Internet


May 18, 2020



by Daisy Luther

With the price of healthful groceries going no place but up, lots of thrifty folks are starting a garden to save money on their bills this year. But what about the money to start a garden? It can be a very expensive undertaking, especially if you’ve never gardened before in your particular location.


I’ve been researching ways to start my own garden as inexpensively as possible and thought, “HEY!!! I know some other folks who would absolutely love frugal gardening ideas!” So…here they are.

Step One: What Kind of Garden Are You Going to Grow?

Of course, the very first thing to decide is what type of garden will work best for your situation. This will depend a lot on your soil, your climate, your skillset, and what you have easy and inexpensive access to. Following are some articles and books that will help you make your decision.


Pallet Gardens: Simple, Easy, Free


Straw Bale Gardens Complete


Create an Instant Garden with Sheet Mulching


Lasagna Gardening: A New Layering System for Bountiful Gardens: No Digging, No Tilling, No Weeding, No Kidding!


DIY Super Easy Raised Garden Bed for Under $30


How to Build a Raised Garden Bed for $12


For those who aren’t build-y: Big Bag Fabric Raised Beds (I have used these with great success for veggies with shallow roots and as a bonus, you can use them on concrete if you’re gardening on a patio.)


Square Foot Gardening: The Revolutionary Way to Grow More in Less Space


15 Fruits and Veggies You Can Grow in a Bucket Garden


PVC Drip Irrigation System for Your Garden


How to Save BIG on Lumber Supplies for Your Square Foot Garden

Step Two: Plan Your Garden

Now that you have figured out how you’ll grow your food, you need to figure out what to grow. A lot of that depends on your goals. Are you just hoping for salad this summer? Or are you planning to grow an entire year’s worth of food for your family? These links will help you make some decisions!


FREE Garden Planning Printables


How Much to Plant for a Year’s Worth of Food


An Inspiring 5000 Square Foot Garden Plan


Last Frost Date Seed Planting Worksheet

Step Three: Start Your Seedlings

While it’s easy and less hassle to buy your seedlings already started, it costs a whole lot more. One plant can be the equivalent of an entire package of seeds! Starting your own seedlings is not that difficult and you don’t need an indoor growing operation that marijuana drug lords would envy.


Seed Starting 101


Frugal Seed Starting Station


10 Seed Starting Hacks


20 Frugal Repurposed Seed Starting Containers


How to Make Newspaper Seed Starting Pots


Another Way to Make Seed Starting Pots from Newspaper


Chicken Manure Tea for Seedlings


Why Your Seeds Aren’t Germinating

Step Four: Amend, Create, or Prepare Your Soil

No matter how sturdy your seedlings or how efficient your beds, your garden is only as good as your soil. These tips will help you, whether you’re amending what exists, creating soil, or preparing your soil to receive seedlings.


Know Where You’re Starting Out: Test Your Soil


How to Make Your Own Garden Soil and Compost


Create an Instant Garden with Sheet Mulching


10 Tips to Improve Your Soil


Build a Compost Bin from Pallets


Composting for Beginners: $12 DIY Compost Bin, Getting Started, & 50+ Things You Can Compost


Is Your Soil Getting Enough Calories?

Bonus: Pest and Weed Control

You don’t have to break the bank to keep weeds and pests at bay. Many of the things you need are things you’d normally throw in the trash. Other DIYs are chemical-free and thrifty to make.


Natural Pest Control in the Garden


5 Ways to Naturally Control Weeds


Natural Flea Beetle Control


The Organic Gardener’s Handbook of Pest and Disease Control


Repel Insects Naturally with This All-Purpose Garden Spray

https://www.theorganicprepper.com/the-best-frugal-gardening-ideas-on-the-internet/

 

[Sentry18]

Continued:

Bonus Bonus: Miscellaneous Frugal Gardening Awesomeness

These resources didn’t fit into any of the above categories but I found something useful for my frugal gardening efforts in every single one. So, I figured you guys would like them too!


10 Things That Can Be Recycled for the Garden


The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible


The Top 10 Plants for Companion Gardening


Vegetable Gardening Basics


DIY Garden Hose Repair


Build a Simple Cucumber Trellis


21 Gardening Hacks


Frugal and Free Landscaping and Garden Ideas


9 Gardening Supplies You Can Get for Free


How to Start a Garden on a Budget


70+ Frugal Garden DIYs

Bonus Bonus BONUS: A Peek at My Personal Gardening Library

These are the books I have on my own bookshelf in the gardening/homesteading area. I’ve included links so you can find them on Amazon. All links are to the newest editions, so the books may not look the same as the ones you see on my shelf.





Lasagna Gardening: A New Layering System for Bountiful Gardens: No Digging, No Tilling, No Weeding, No Kidding!


The Backyard Homestead


Straw Bale Gardens Complete


The Woodland Homestead


Urban Farming


Western Garden Book


The Encyclopedia of Country Living


Building a Shed


Organic Gardening (There are only a few used copies of this one on Amazon)


The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible


Craft Wisdom and Know-How


The Taylor Guides


Not shown because I let someone borrow them or read the e-version:


All New Square Foot Gardening, Second Edition: The Revolutionary Way to Grow More In Less Space


Garden Like a Ninja

What are you waiting for?

If you are into the preparedness lifestyle, I’ve mentioned again and again what a terrible idea it is to wait until after a disaster to begin learning to garden. I’ve had a couple of bad years in a row, and I’m determined to make this one better. I have that luxury now, because groceries are plentiful, albeit pricey, at my local store.


Clearly, budget isn’t an issue! There are so many things you can do on a dime that there’s absolutely no reason for you to delay starting a garden for self-reliance.

 

[Meerkat]

https://www.theorganicprepper.com/the-best-frugal-gardening-ideas-on-the-internet/

Can't access site,something is blocking it.

 

[Meerkat]

 

[Bacpacker]

Good article. Thanks for sharing it.

 

[Meerkat]

Good article. Thanks for sharing it.

BacP I really liked it a few years ago but then maybe we don't have tie,but either way I'm going to start one with paper and brush.

 

[Meerkat]

Continued:

Senry I think a lot of people should have at least 5 of these books.