Seeds may be worth every penny, but you don't have to spend a pretty penny to buy enough seeds to fill your garden with plants.
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Here are four ways you can save money on seeds for your garden so that you can spend your hard-earned cash on something fun, like... I don't know... more plants!
Got a gardening buddy? Get together with a friend or two and plan out your garden spaces'that way, you can split the cost of the seeds you want to buy.
One package of kale might contain 100 or so seeds, but you probably can't fit 100 mature kale plants in your kitchen garden. Seed companies don't create seed packages with kitchen gardeners in mind. They fill these packets for farmer-gardeners with row gardens or homesteaders with room to plant hundreds of things at once. I dunno about you, but I'm neither a farmer-gardener nor a homesteader. I only have room for perhaps 10 kale plants.
So instead of spending $5 on a package and only using 20 percent of those seeds before they expire, you could have a little garden party with your friends, and you could each end up with only the seeds you need for a fraction of the price.
This is a great method to save money on seeds for plants like tomatoes, peppers, and squash'anything that you can only plant a limited quantity of in your space. Other things, like salad mixes, are better to purchase by yourself because you probably will use up the entire pack, perhaps even in one season.
Be on the lookout for plants in your garden that are performing particularly well each season, then let those all-star plants go to seed and gather the seeds to use in coming seasons. If you do that with just one or two plants of each variety, you'll only ever have to buy that seed package one time.
Seriously. If you spend $5 on zinnia seeds, pick your favorite zinnia flower ever, let it go to seed, and save those seeds, you'll be set on zinnias for next year and can save more seeds from your next set of top-performers. Those seeds will, over time, become increasingly suited for your garden. I'd say that's $5 well spent!
Keep in mind this won't work with hybrid seeds since hybrid seeds don't create new plants that are true to the original. This method works great for heirloom seeds and open-pollinated seeds.
That means that each investment in an heirloom seed package is something you can enjoy for many, many years to come.
As soon as I open a seed catalog or visit my favorite seed company's website, I just start adding things to my cart. I can't turn down something that looks as cool as cabbage the size of a toddler or a carrot as long as my arm, you know? The best way for me to practice some self-control is to have a plan for my garden for the coming seasons.
Garden planning is essential both for success in your kitchen garden and for not wasting money on seeds you don't actually have room for. Knowing what you want to grow for the next year or so will prevent you from over-ordering. Take note of your garden's square footage and make a simple planting plan before placing your order. This will limit you to what will actually fit in your space. They say planning is the answer to all of life's problems, right? In this case, it really can save you some money.
This might seem obvious, but make sure to save the seeds you do buy in a way that prevents them from going bad for as long as possible. High-quality seeds should keep for seasons to come if they're properly protected from light, heat, and moisture.
Find a storage spot that doesn't receive direct sunlight, that doesn't get too warm, and that doesn't experience moisture. A good option for a cool, dry, low-light place might be your kitchen pantry or a drawer in your home office.
As soon as you plant out the seeds you're going to use for this season, make sure to store the rest correctly so you can use them again in coming years and not have to order them a second time around.
While gardening can be an expensive hobby, it can also be a frugal necessity for your family. When you make decisions that are smart and budget-friendly, gardening can save you money on food.
The first step to saving money by gardening is to shop smart when it comes to buying seeds. With a little planning, you can make sure you don't overspend. After all, those seed packets can add up in a hurry if you're not careful.
As you probably know, you can save money on your garden by growing your vegetables from seed, rather than buying transplants. Buying a packet of seeds for $3 is a smarter buy than purchasing one tomato plant for twice that amount. Seeds can last several seasons when stored correctly, and of course, with a seed packet, you can grow multiple plants instead of just one.
My recommendation, when budget is a consideration, is to try to grow as many plants as you can from seed ' this will ensure you are saving as much money as possible as you start your garden.
If you would rather watch than read these tips, you can watch the video below:
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When it comes to seed shopping, let me give you a few tips on which seeds to buy and how to stay within your budget.
If you've bought seeds for past years' gardens, make an inventory of the seeds you already have. This way, you will know which seeds you still need to buy (and which you don't). You can make a simple inventory sheet by hand, create an online spreadsheet, or use the seed inventory sheet we include in the in our printable Garden Planner.
Make a plan to research and compare seed prices on each crop you'd like to include in your garden. Not all seeds are priced the same, so make sure you take the time to look at the prices and quantities of seeds included. I use the Seed/Plant Research Sheet in my Complete Garden Planner.
With multiple seed catalogs in hand (or their web sites pulled up), I go crop by crop and list out the options, along with their prices and quantities. It may seem like an extra step, but it's worth it when you start comparing. Speaking of which'
Do not overlook the quantity per seed packet. Some seed companies show the quantity in ounces or grams, but usually you can find within that seed catalog how many seeds there are per ounce or gram. It takes a little digging, but it's worth the effort.
The reason? Not all seed packets are created equal. For example, one year I priced a black pole bean, the Cherokee Trail of Tears. One of my favorite seed companies, White Harvest Seed Company, sold one packet for only $2.75, but the packet contained about 50 seeds. Another favorite, Seed Savers Exchange, sold a packet of 400 seeds for $6.85. Because I needed approximately 150 seeds, the packet from Seed Savers Exchange was a better deal for me. BUT, had I only needed 50 seeds, buying the packet from White Harvest Seed would have been a better buy.
I buy from multiple seed companies each year, but here are my favorites.
Make sure you take in account the shipping rates for your seeds. Shipping rates vary widely ' from free to several dollars minimum. I recommend looking at a seed company's shipping rates first so you can decide whether you'll be purchasing enough from each company to make it worth it.
In the past, I've avoided shopping from a seed source if they only had one or two varieties that I wanted, and their shipping was high. Instead, I tried to find that same variety elsewhere or I changed which variety I decided to grow.
Consider buying your seeds from each source all at once so you won't have to pay shipping rates more than once. To save even more, plan for your fall crops at the same time as you plan your summer crops, and make one order.
When buying crops that have larger seeds, like beans and peas, make sure you know how many seeds you need. Don't just assume one packet will be enough. In comparison with a packet of lettuce or carrot seeds ' which will likely provide enough for several years ' with larger seeds, this won't often be the case. If you are planting a large area, one seed packet won't be enough and you'll find yourself making a second purchase. Not only will this increase your shipping rate, but you run the risk of planting too late or that variety could be sold out.
It's easy to get carried away when flipping through the pages of a seed catalog. There are so many beautiful crops you can potentially grow and it's easy to want more than you have room or capacity to grow.
Don't overspend by getting carried away by the seed catalog photos ' just buy what your family will consume and be realistic about how much you will eat. That's why it's helpful to plan out your garden before you ever place a seed order.
In my online garden planning course, Dream to Garden, purchasing seed is one of the last steps I recommend. I've found planning my garden prior to purchasing seed has saved me from multiple impact seed splurges. Ask any veteran gardener and they'll tell you we all fall victim to this ' beware! '
When in doubt, it's always best to stick with tried and true varieties of seed. Common staple seeds that have proven dependable for gardeners in a wide variety of climates will often be less expensive in the long run, especially when you are a new gardener.
The thing about saving money on gardening is you want to be as successful as possible, and by starting out with dependable varieties, you're more likely to find success. Once you learn how to grow the staple varieties of your favorite crops, in future years you can venture out into newer and more exciting trials.
If you want more information about these dependable seeds, check out my free download 100+ Easy Vegetable Varieties For Beginner Gardeners.
If you stick to these guidelines, you should have no problem saving money on your next seed order. Remember, gardening from seed is an excellent way to save money and start your garden out right.
Budget-friendly seed shopping is essential for a cost-effective garden. By choosing the right seeds, planning carefully, taking an inventory, comparing prices, and considering shipping rates, you can save money while still enjoying a productive garden.
Avoid overspending on seeds you won't use when flipping through the seed catalog and you will enjoy a thriving garden while saving money!
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