I'm looking to start a beautiful garden from scratch with a budget of $150. I live in Zone 6a, Massachusetts, and have about 300 square feet that gets around 75% full sun, with a quarter of the area mostly shaded. I've got some hungry rabbits and deer, so I need to be strategic about my plant choices. I'm drawn to native plants and prefer perennials, but I'm open to any options that offer a good variety of colors and sizes. What flowers should I definitely invest in? Which plants grow well from seeds? Are there any that are incredibly low-maintenance? Can I rely on self-seeding annuals? I'm also curious about what I might regret planting. I want to hear about your successes and failures in gardening on a budget!
5 Answers
If you're working with a strict budget, you might want to skip spending it all on plants right away. Instead, consider investing in some good gardening tools. Here’s what I suggest:
- A couple of pairs of work gloves
- Some sturdy watering cans
- A quality shovel (I swear by my Root Slayer)
- A sharp pair of pruners
- A hori hori garden knife
- A bottle of triclopyr to deal with invasive plants
And don’t forget to put some of your budget towards compost! Consider joining a local gardening club too; they usually have seed giveaways in spring and fall. Lastly, you can also gather seeds from public spaces (just take a small amount). Happy gardening!
Finding established plants for cheap or even free is easier than you think! I’d recommend looking into local plant swaps. When people divide their perennials, they often give them away, especially if you bring a shovel!
Try checking your county's recycling services for free compost and mulch. Local Master Gardeners can provide resources and information about native plant sales or swaps. You might also find a seed library nearby. Investing $150 may fly by if you’re buying lots of gear instead of plants, so look into quality gloves, shears, trowels, knee pads, and other essentials. Stake and trellis materials can add up too, so plan accordingly!
You can stretch your budget pretty far by making raised beds. Spend about $32 on eight raised bed bricks and around $20 on low-grade timber for framing, to create two raised beds. Get yourself tools like a garden hose, shovel, and gloves, then use the remaining funds for organic material to fill the beds. You could even visit a swap meet to score free cuttings of plants that thrive in your area!
Make sure to choose plants that are resistant to deer and rabbits. Best practice is to seek out local advice since what flourishes in one area might not work in yours. Check your local gardening clubs for cuttings or saved seeds. If those options fall through, seeds are usually quite cheap. For starters, Borage and sunflowers tend to grow easily from seeds and self-seed as well. Don't forget to invest in good soil, which often means adding compost based on what you have to start with!