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.
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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:
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!
Growing your own seeds is a great way to save money in gardening . In this article, I'm going to share with you some ways you can save money on starting those seeds!
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We're in the middle of an early February blizzard here in Wisconsin, but my yearly task reminders are telling me that it's time to think about starting seeds!
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You may also be interested in: Reasons to start plants from seeds
Before you even think about the seeds or soil, you need to determine where you will start your seeds.
Peat pots aren't very expensive ' you can get 100 of them for around $20. They are a one-and-done item ' use them once only. The reason I sometimes still purchase these is I love the convenience! I am able to plant the whole pot in the ground and not worry about damaging those delicate roots!
Another great idea is to use egg shells! If you have chickens, or go through quite a bit of eggs, plan on saving those shells. The egg shells are biodegradable and will help feed your plants as they grow! I have found these to be on the small side for my plants, but you can't beat the price!
Other containers such as empty soup cans and small plastic containers can be recycled. I wouldn't necessarily keep these around from year to year. But you can pop them in the recycling bin in the fall (after rinsing the dirt out).
My favorite pots for starting seeds are made from newspaper! I purchased a wooden pot maker like the one shown above years ago. You just need some newspaper and this helps to form a little container to hold the soil. I've found it works best if you use a couple of layers of newspaper, otherwise the water can cause them to disintegrate before they're ready to plant. We don't subscribe to the local newspaper but we still get the weekly 'flyer'. Plus, our neighbors are willing to share newspapers with us.
Along the same idea, I also found this tutorial on how to make your own soil blocker. It uses a can or plastic container an eye bolt and a couple of nuts and washers.
Unless your pots are impermeable to water, you're going to need a tray to store the seedlings ' especially if you're using peat or newspaper pots!
You can buy trays, some of which come as a kit with peat seed starters. I've used these in the past when I'm feeling lazy, but I don't really recommend them. The trays are often flimsy and as I mentioned before you'd have to buy the peat starters each year. The square peat starters are often too small for the plants by the time I'm ready to put them in the garden. I do however like the ones with domed lids to help keep in moisture.
For larger plants or small groupings, I like to use plant saucers ' thick and sturdy ones that I can use under my indoor plants other times of the year.
But most of the time, I like to use totes! They're designed for easy carry and storage, they come with lids and it's easy to find them in a variety of sizes! If you're careful about watering, you could even use a tote lid to start your plants! I especially like to use totes because I often have to move my plants throughout the early growing season. Such as when the in-laws come for Easter and we need to use the dining room table '
Unfortunately dirt is not all created equally. For seeds, you want to make sure you are starting them in a good environment ' namely light soil that won't easily compact when watered. This will make it harder for the tiny seedlings to grow and may hold too much water, causing the seeds to rot.
Sometimes gardening centers will have sales at the end of the growing season to clear out bags of growing materials. Soil isn't going to go bad, so go ahead and stock up for the next spring!
When you purchase the materials to make your own seed starter, it may not seem like you're saving money. But purchasing the different materials separately will amount to so much more finished seed starter mix than the smaller bags.
The most common recipe I've used for seed starter is:
In my opinion, the hardest part about making your own seed starter is finding a big enough container to mix it in and possibly store the leftovers!
Now that you know how you plan to store your seedlings, now you can start thinking about where those seeds will come from!
Here are a few ideas on how you can save money on the seeds you need to plant:
Learn the basics of seed saving and save some of your seeds from your current harvest. I realize this won't help you if you're just starting up or you 'forgot' to save last year's seeds. However, it's good to keep in mind as it's the perfect way to make sure you have the seeds you need. When Covid-19 hit and people started doing more gardening, seeds suddenly because a commodity people had a hard time finding. I've heard some seed companies are also limiting purchases for ! By saving seeds from year to year, you will eliminate your dependency on outside sources!
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Again, this tip won't help you if you're looking for seeds in the spring but another idea to keep in mind. I haven't found this to be a great option. The places I purchase from don't often have big end-of-year sales. And even if they do have sales, your choices may be more limited.
Consider asking your gardening friends and neighbors if they would mind sharing some of their seeds. This especially works if you can return the favor with different seeds!
I've had several occasions where I've purchased seeds where the seed count would last me a lifetime! Zucchini is a good example, since hubby won't let me grow much (if any!) Onion sets are another prime candidate. I haven't found anywhere local to purchase them in less than 100. That many onions would take up a large portion of my small square-foot garden!
I feel like this doesn't really need to be a tip ' it should be fairly obvious. Unless you're restricted to only buying seeds at one store (say, locally), then take your time to shop and compare prices before making a decision. If you're online shopping, this task is even easier. Just make sure you factor in any shipping costs to those prices!
Variety packs of seeds can save you money if you want more than one type but don't want to purchase each one separately. A good example of this is salad mixes. I can get multiple types of lettuce that will make our salads more interesting. Just be careful when you're thinning the plants later that you try and keep that variety in the garden.
While it's tempting to by All. The. Things. when those seed catalogs arrive but let's be realistic for a moment. Are you really going to want to plant 5 types of okra? Will your family even eat that special pink broccoli (I'm making that up)? I try and stick with the basics that I know my family likes and will eat. Each year I tend to throw in one special item just to 'test the waters' to see how well it grows in our climate or if my family enjoys it. However, the bulk of my purchases stay within our normal eating habits.
Along the same lines, I make sure we grow what makes sense for our small garden. For example, corn can take up a large amount of space, and our yield/finished result wasn't all that great. We know of a wonderful local farmer who consistently delivers delicious corn each year, so we exclude corn from the garden and purchase from them.
Planting fewer seeds means first of all that you'll make your seeds stretch further, but all you'll have to do less thinning later! A great way to accomplish this is to make your own seed tape. I've found this a great help for tiny seeds like carrots and lettuce, which tend to float away in the breeze when I'm outdoors!
All you need to do this is thin 'paper': newspaper (just not glossy or colored), single-ply toilet paper, paper towels, etc. Cut these into strips approximately 1' (1.5 cm) wide. Using a ruler, mark off the spacing needed for your seeds. Mix equal amounts (1 Tbsp each) of flour and water and mix; add more water until the mixture is still a thick paste but can be spread. I then use a paintbrush or cotton swab to 'paint' the flour paste where the ruler marks are and place the seeds on the mixture. A tweezer helps with tiny seeds. I'll often use 2 (or 3) seeds for each spot just to ensure good germination. Then all you need to do is plan the seed tape in rows and wait for those green shoots to appear!
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Seedless watermelon are fun and healthier alternatives to traditional watermelons. There are several types available.
This variety produces very tiny seeds that are almost like degenerate intermittently. Generally, these seeds are so small that they are not noticeable when eating the fruit.
This type of seedless watermelon has very few seeds that are soft and less developed. Some people even eat these seeds when they go unnoticed in the fruit.
This is a small, round, and sweet seedless watermelon. It grows to about 5 inches in diameter and weighs almost 1 kg. The skin of this fruit is dark green with lighter green stripes. The flesh is bright red-pink and has a weak wavering of seeds, typically small soft white seeds.
This seedless watermelon is small and weighs around 2-3 kgs. It has a sweet pinkish-red flesh and a thin light green skin. The watermelon is also resilient to diseases. Its soft and small seeds are hardly noticeable.
This is a larger variety that can weigh up to 5-7kgs. It has a characteristic striped dark green rind and sweet red flesh. This watermelon can also be grown from seed.
This is a large variety that can grow up to 10kg. It has a long oval shape with dark green striped rind. The flesh is deep red and sweet, and it has large seeds that can be swallowed.
Chinese seedless watermelons are not only delicious and refreshing but also packed with crucial nutrients and health benefits.
Seedless watermelon has about 92% water content hence very hydrating. This makes it a great choice for staying hydrated, especially on hot days.
Seedless watermelons are low in calories and have a high-water content. This makes them a good option for satisfying sweet cravings without consuming a lot of calories.
Seedless watermelons are a good source of vitamins A and C. Vitamin A supports eyesight and skin health while vitamin C supports the immune system and promotes skin health.
Watermelons contain lycopene and beta-carotene. These are anti-oxidants that help neutralize harmful free radicals in the body and reduce oxidative stress. This in turn may lower the risk of chronic diseases.
Watermelons include citrulline which is an amino acid that may help improve blood flow and reduce muscle soreness after exercise. This makes it an ideal post-workout snack for athletes and gym lovers.
Seedless watermelons are full of potassium which helps regulate blood pressure by balancing out the negative effects of sodium. Potassium helps reduce the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.
While seedless watermelons have fewer seeds they still contain some dietary fiber which aids in digestion and promotes a healthy gut. Consuming fiber-rich foods can help prevent constipation and promote regular bowel movements.
The natural sugars in watermelons have a low glycemic index. This means they won’t cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels. Hence they can be a good option for people watching their blood sugar.
Seedless watermelon can be enjoyed on their own and can also be used in different recipes and for different purposes.
Seedless watermelon can be diced and added to salads for a refreshing and sweet-tangy flavor. This is especially good in summer when one needs something to cool their body. They are also great in salads together with feta cheese, mint, and cucumber for a unique flavor combination.
Watermelon can be blended with other fruits or greens to make a refreshing smoothie. This is a good way to boost hydration and get a variety of nutrients in one drink.
Pureed seedless watermelon can be churned into sorbet for a healthy, dairy-free frozen treat. This makes a great dessert or snack on hot days.
Diced seedless watermelon can be mixed with onions, cilantro, lime juice, and peppers to make a fresh salsa. This can be served with grilled fish, chicken, or tacos for a refreshing twist.
Adding slices of seedless watermelon to water creates a refreshing and naturally sweet infused water. This is a good way to increase water intake without added sugars.
Watermelon can be juiced for a pure, hydrating drink that’s packed with vitamins and minerals. This is great for a quick refreshment or as part of a meal.
Seedless watermelon can be cut into cubes and threaded onto skewers with other fruits like pineapple, strawberries, and melon for a colorful fruit kebab. These are great for parties or as a fun snack.
Watermelon slices can be topped with yogurt and nuts or drizzled with chocolate for a healthy dessert. This adds a different flavor and texture to the fruit.
The high water and vitamin content in watermelon help hydrate and soothe the skin. This makes watermelon pulp beneficial for making homemade face masks.
To enjoy the best flavor and texture buyers need to consider several factors when buying seedless watermelons.
Avoid buying watermelons with irregular shapes as these can be a sign of uneven ripening. Choosing uniformly shaped fruits ensure consistent taste and texture.
A seedless watermelon should feel heavy for its size because of the high-water content. This indicates that it is ripe and refreshing. Light watermelons have less water and are likely overripe or lacking in flavor.
Gently tap or thump the watermelon to check for ripeness. A hollow sound indicates that the watermelon is ripe and ready to eat. A dull sound can be a sign of under-ripeness or lack of flavor.
The rind of the seedless watermelon should be dark green and matte rather than shiny. A shiny rind can indicate that the fruit is under ripe.
Look for a creamy yellow spot or field spot on the watermelon. This spot forms when the fruit rests on the ground while growing. A yellow field spot indicates that the fruit is ripe.
Avoid buying seedless watermelons with dents, rough patches, or inconsistent textures. These imperfections can affect the quality of the fruit and reduce its freshness.
Avoid buying seedless watermelon with severe cuts and nicks as these expose the flesh to bacteria and reduce their shelf life. It’s also advisable to avoid overripe fruits with a strong sour smell.
A1: Seedless watermelon usually have very small and soft seeds that are nearly undetectable. Some seedless varieties may occasionally develop more prominent seeds if they were pollinated by seeded watermelon plants nearby.
A2: They tend to be more expensive compared to conventionally seeded varieties. The prices can also vary depending on the season, location, and variety of watermelon available.
A3: One possible disadvantage is that seedless varieties sometimes have a shorter shelf life than seeded ones. This is because their flesh can be more susceptible to spoilage.
A4: Yes, watermelon seeds are edible and have several health benefits. They are a good source of protein, healthy fats, and minerals like magnesium and iron. They also contain antioxidants.
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