A garden is the perfect place to get back to nature and enjoy the great outdoors – not to mention a rewarding hobby and a fun alternative to the gym. But many people are reluctant to get take it up, as they think gardening can be an expensive past-time. However, growing plants and vegetables needn’t cost the earth – as long as you keep an eye on your costs and choose the right plants and vegetables. Read on for some of our top tips for budget-friendly gardening.

Set your budget from the start

Before you head off to the garden centre, it’s easier to calculate everything in advance and make a list of what you will need and what it will cost. That way, there will be a figure to stick to and you’re less likely to overspend. Think about the size of your flower beds, what you want to fill them with and how many plants you think will be needed to fill them. If you have friends who are keen gardeners, why not invite them round for a cup of tea and they can help you plan your project.

Make your own weed killer and plant food

Next time you make a cup of tea, fill the kettle up and use the excess boiling water to pour over weeds which happen to be peeking through paving slabs or cracks in the concrete. You’ll find it’s an effective, chemical-free alternative to buying weed killer (obviously don’t pour boiling water over the lawn or on the flower beds near to your plants).

You would be surprised at the different kinds of waste water in your household that your plants will love. For example if you have fish, don’t throw the waste water away – use it to water your plants instead as it contains nutrients that they will love. The same goes for when you boil vegetables, the leftover ‘broth’ also makes a great nutritious snack for whatever’s growing in your garden (just wait for it to cool down first!)

Pick plants that will bloom throughout the year

There’s no point forking out for exotic, colorful plants if they only flower at certain times of the year. It’s worth doing your homework beforehand to make sure your plants are going to earn their keep. For example, Chinese hibiscus will blossom throughout the year in a variety of eye-catching colours, while asters generally flower from May to October - if you remove the blooms regularly they will produce lavender flowers all year.

Opt for a container garden

Container gardens are practically invulnerable to weeds and other types of contamination – they also allow you to prolong the life of your plants by moving them indoors to protect them during a cold snap. It also allows you to make your garden as big or as small as you want it, so if you’re just starting out, you don’t need to buy as many plants, soil or seedlings as you would with a vegetable patch or flowerbed.

Want to know which vegetables and herbs you should plant at different times of the year? Get all the information you need by clicking here: http://life.wilko.com/herb-vegetable-planting-calendar/

Article in association with Wilko

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