Money saving tips for a novice

[FusionChefGeoff]

Recently moved house so have pretty much a blank canvas which is exciting and intimidating depending on my mood. Large south facing back garden and smaller hedge bed / border at the front.

I've decided to hang out here to improve my knowledge by osmosis

My first question is how to not bankrupt myself?!? If I went to Homebase and bought everything I think I need including pots, 76546 litres of compost / top soil, a zillion types of plant grow / bone meal / lawn care PLUS enough 'returning' plants and 'one time only plants' I would be looking at thousands and thousands of pounds plus a hefty yearly investment to keep it refreshed / looked after etc.

That can't be the only way??

What is everyone's top tips on getting value for money and making 'sustainable' planting that's not going g to need new stuff buying every year...

Gardeners are famous for their generosity - of advice, of cuttings, of pots they no longer need, etc.
Just ask people.
Ask people you know (friends, colleagues, family, neighbours) and ask people you don't know.

If you see something you like in a garden (I'm thinking front garden here as it might look a bit odd if you are peering in their back gardens ) then knock on the door, explain you are really new to this gardening and really like that 'flowering shrub' / 'flower you've got in the border' / 'colourful plant' / whatever, you've got there and you were wondering a) what it was called, and b) if it is difficult to grow ? If they don't want to engage you've lost nothing, but if they are friendly / interested in gardening, they may well give you all sorts of not only tips, but cuttings or seedlings etc too.

Also, if you are on Facebook, put a post out asking if anyone can give you advice and offer you spare plants that spread / they are getting rid of, or some cuttings to start you off.
Or Just ask friends at anything you attend - sports or choirs or book group or whatever.

I'm not even a gardener, and I've got about 40 pots loitering in my garden anyone would be welcome to if they wanted them.

Also, start your own composting - no point in buying stuff that makes itself from stuff you throw away anyway.

Definitely cuttings. Knowledge and kindness of like minded people. Good luck

I would think about tackling this like a marathon, not a sprint and pace yourself. I don't have much spare cash but I do have a nice garden. But, it took time. So my advice would be to think ahead. This means that you don't go for well established plants but smaller, cheaper plugs. And grow from seed too, much cheaper. Think about getting a small second hand greenhouse, so you can grow seedlings, nurture cuttings and save money. Gumtree sometimes has free greenhouses if you are prepared to dismantle and collect. If you don't fancy that, then a few sunny window sills will do for seed trays,

I would do little now other than a few shrubs, preferably evergreen. In the autumn, plant spring bulbs, cheap and cheerful. Aldi often do a collection of bulbs, fifty for under a fiver.

If you must have colour now, then a few large pots, with summer bedding will brighten things up, and you can replace it with winter heathers later in the year.

I have a cottage style look, with most of the flowers grown from seed. And perennials rather than annuals. If I do have annuals, like Cosmos, I collect the seeds in Autumn to grow the following year. And I divide plants to make more. And Wilco, local nurseries, Aldi, local fetes...much cheaper than Homebase.

Go to some open gardens, you get good ideas and cheap plants.
Bulbs and seeds are pretty cheap.
I have got a few climbers from the supermarket for about £2 which have done surprisingly well.
I always buy the peat free compost which isn't usually the cheapest but only a couple of pounds more.
I made a wildlife pond which was fairly cheap compared to how much value I get from it.
Wilko have loads of reasonably priced bird feeders and food.
Poundland have planters, hanging baskets, brackets and other bits and pieces.

My local Asda has been amazing for plants. They are round about half the price of Homebase etc. If you live near one, just keep popping in every few days and grab what you can.

I've had a few plants from Aldi they have done well. We are also sorting out garden out, ours is at least a 5 year project. This year we are concentrating on the front, we have just put a few pots at the back and some chairs. Next year it will be the side. Remember it's not a race take your time and enjoy.

I think supermarkets are great for value plants. Ive bought wisteria from Sainsbury’s, cherry blossom and salvia and agapanthus and patio roses from Tesco, salvia and geraniums an£ bacopa and over bedding plus a few clematis from Waitrose, and I also had bargain honeysuckles and viburnum eve price from wilkos.

All so much cheaper than garden centres.

Wilkos diD fab summer bulbs and also bare root geraniums this spring.

Tesco did fab spring bulbs last autumn.

Markets are good too. My best hydrangea came from a street market for £7:50.

Summer fayres can also be good, village fete type things.

Right, this is amazing but I obviously didn't explain how novice I am as some of this makes no sense!

I like the idea of a little greenhouse - but how on earth do I take a cutting and turn it into a plant????

You tube is your friend OP. Cuttings, everything, just have a look. We were all novices once. And the thing about gardening is you never stop learning, and that's half the fun. Enjoy!

Also do a bit of research and find out where your nearest independent nurseries are - I've got two near me, they're 'no frills' so no café, no overpriced floral gardening gloves, just a couple of polytunnels in one and a plastic roofed shed in the other, but they're fab for cheap plants - £1.70 for perennials that cost £7 or £8 in the garden centre!

Cary Thank you for reminding me about the joys of youtube! I don't know why I didn't think of it before!

OP, I'm clueless but keen too and just found this quick video on

Would it be unreasonable to carry secateurs around in my handbag from now on?

Morrisons are very good for the typically pricier plants - shrubs, trees etc. Ours has been a bit lacklustre and messy compared to previous years but there are good bargains to be had if you check back regularly.

Make sure you're planting correctly for sun or shade, soil type and moisture level to get the best from your plants.

Garden on a roll type websites are good for lists of plants that thrive in the same aspect. You can make a list and buy them elsewhere more cheaply!

Buy multiples of plants to fill your borders more quickly and create a rhythm/repetition. There is a 3s and 5s method for filling flowerbeds more quickly but I've always been on too much of a budget to do it! The idea is to plant 3 or 5 small plants together so that they spread and create good impact. I bought in multiples but it tended to be for bigger plants/shrubs/climbers and I spread them out around the garden

Consider evergreen shrubs for winter interest. If you have fences get a good mix of evergreen and perennial climbers in soon as they take 2-3yrs to establish.

Tackle it bit by bit, focus on planting up one area at a time, typically nearer the house/by the patio/seating area etc where you spend the most time.

A wildlife pond is really beneficial if you want to incorporate that into your future plans.

Do you have any pics?