- Start your plants from seeds and watch them grow. Follow the instructions on the seed packet - you don’t even need to buy special seedling containers. An egg carton is ideal, and you can plant each section of the carton into the garden when your seedlings are ready.
- Take some cuttings from existing plants if you’ve got a few bare patches.
- Have a plant swap with friends – swap excess plants, seedlings, or cuttings to get more variety and colour. How to get free plants for your garden
- Buy smaller plants. If you’re a patient gardener, the smaller pots are always less expensive than the larger ones.
- Start your own compost bin – it saves money buying it and will also keep food waste out of landfill. Take a look at our composting tips:
Why composting is great for the environment
- The more you buy, the more you save – split a trailer load of mulch with your neighbours. And while we’re on the subject of mulch it saves water (savings on your water bill) and also prevents weeds from popping up (saving your time).
- Plan, plan, plan. Avoid impulse buying, whether you’re buying plants or shopping for garden equipment. Do proper research and only buy the things you have planned and have space for.
- Forget shop bought fertilisers. Sprinkle used tea leaves around your plants. Every time you water, they will increase nitrogen levels, improving soil structure and giving earthworms something delicious to eat.
- Use old cooking water to fertilise plants – when you boil, steam veggies or eggs, once the water has cooled, pour it on your plants.
More things around your home that will make your garden grow
- Get together with neighbours and share gardening equipment.
- Buy second-hand gardening equipment from op shops or join your local Buy Nothing Facebook Group and keep an eye out for people gifting gardening items.
And if you love a garden, but aren’t a natural gardener, here are some great gardening tips to help your plants survive (so you’re not constantly paying to replace them)!
Flowering plants that will grow in any soil
Easy to grow shrubs for Perth gardens
How to choose the right fertiliser