This post shows you how to start a container garden with free resources!
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Want to start a container garden without investing a lot of money?
Learning to grow home-grown food is a valuable skill, especially with the cost of groceries on the rise.
More people are living in urban areas and think they don’t have room for a garden or the money to get started.
But did you know that there are various ways to garden, no matter where you live?
A container garden is the perfect gardening solution for small spaces and limited budgets.
And with enough creativity and imagination, you can get started for free!
Whether you’re cutting down on costs by gardening, trying a new hobby, or creating a community to share advice and tips with, I recommend container gardening as a rewarding outlet that anyone can enjoy.
What is container gardening?
Container gardening is the act of growing plants out of a container, such as a pot, instead of from the ground.
The activity is gaining popularity as people aim to become more self-sustainable.
A container garden is a great alternative to traditional gardening for a few reasons:
- More control: You know exactly what is in your soil and can observe your plants more often for common garden problems like pests and diseases.
- More inclusive: Container gardening can be done by people who don’t have a lot of money, beginner enthusiasts, or people with disabilities.
- It’s portable: Take your plants with you wherever you go!
With inspiration all around us, it’s easy to get caught up in the latest trends and equipment and fantasize about a whimsical garden one day. However, what happened to the basics of seeds, dirt, and water?
It’s time to go back to our roots.
How to Start a Container Garden for (Almost) Free!
1. Make your own potting soil/mix
Did you know that soil is mostly a mix of organic matter, sand, clay, and silt?
The materials break down over time and organic matter releases nutrients into the ground, making it fertile for plant life.
You can make your own nutrient-rich potting soil for free by composting!
Composting is simply the act of breaking down food scraps and organic wastes.
Not only will your plants get a healthy head start, but you’ll lessen gas emissions while saving money!
A good compost takes anywhere from a few weeks to six months, to a year, depending on your chosen method.
How to get started: Find free compost at local recycling centers or yard waste facilities (or make your own). An ideal potting soil mix will have enough compost, water retention, and good aeration.
Did I mention compost is also an amazing natural slow-release fertilizer?
If you’re not a fan of DIY or don’t have time to make your own soil/mix, you can simply buy a cheap bag of potting soil, or choose a high-quality ‘soilless’ and sterile potting mix from your local nursery, though this may cost you a bit more!
2. Collect free seeds
It’s possible to grow plants without spending money on seeds. And I highly recommend it. Your first stop should be your fridge!
I started my tomato plants by simply taking a tomato out of my fridge, slicing a small piece off the end, and directly placing it in the soil.
If you don’t have any veggies on hand, check out your local library!
In Florida, some libraries participate in seed exchange programs where gardeners drop off seeds from the previous season.
And you can pick these up for free!
You can also buy cheap non-GMO seeds from Dollar Tree. I bought packets super cheap at 4 for $1. Some grocery stores will even allow you to purchase young vegetable plants on government food assistance programs.
How to get started: Check with a local library to see if they participate in a seed exchange. In addition, some libraries offer free container gardening classes so attend a session to learn the best tips.
3. Recycle containers around the house
Using old containers for planters is an eco-friendly way to lessen waste, spur creativity, and save money.
Many containers we have at home can be upcycled. Plastic bottles, juice jugs, egg cartons, or fruit containers are all great options to start seedlings.
To plant seedlings, cut a 16 oz water bottle in half. Poke three holes in the bottom half for drainage and fill with your soil and seeds. Place the other half over it to form a mini greenhouse to protect them from wind and rain. Voila!
You have a container garden!
As your plants grow, the container size that you transplant them in will depend on what kind of plant or vegetable you’re growing.
You can start a container garden using everything from milk crates to plastic storage bins, trash cans, and the like. Some spray paint or DIY texture on a pot, and people will think they are expensive!
How to get started: Smaller containers are great for seedlings, but the 5-gallon utility bucket is the perfect size for many growing vegetables. You can buy these right now for only $5 at Lowe’s. I’ve also found inexpensive big pots and stackable pots at budget stores like Dollar Tree and Ollie’s.
4. Instead of a trellis, use sticks
As your plants grow into mature plants, they will most likely need support from wind and rain for stable growth.
If you live in an established area with trees, look around for branches or sticks to use as a support stake with clips or twine to the main plant stem. For climbing plants, I’ve seen people use ladders or mattress frames as repurposed trellises!
There may be more permanent solutions than this as plants get bigger, but I encourage you to see what nature has to offer before deciding to consume at the stores.
The rustic look will grow you.
How to Get Started: Go outside! Look around areas with lots of trees such as parks and collect thick sticks or branches that have fallen on the ground. To create a trellis, all you need is cheap twine or clips for staking. You can get these at Dollar Tree for cheap!
5. Go natural with pesticides and fertilizers
No matter what type of gardening you do, you are likely to deal with pests at some point.
Neem oil has been my number one helper for pests and diseases. I was lucky enough to get these for $5 a bottle at my local Wal-Mart as part of an end-of-season sale, so definitely keep an eye out for seasonal deals.
If you’re looking for a substitution to keep nature from eating up all your hard work, you can also try an insecticidal soap that might already be in your home.
Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Castile soap is a personal favorite.
Did you know that peppermint is the number one natural repellant of ants and insects in your garden?
For an easy solution, mix 10 parts water with three parts soap and spray it on your plants.
Dr. Bronner’s castile soap is all-natural and will not hurt your plants.
In addition to pests, potted plants will need fertilizing regularly since they aren’t receiving nutrients from the ground.
I love using compost because you don’t have to worry about what’s in it. All you have to do is sprinkle it on the top layer of your plants as a mulch.
How to Get Started: Observe your plants every day for signs of nutrition deficiency or pests. Be proactive and plant companion plants to repel pests from the start. Fragrant herbs like lemon, garlic, and basil are good starters.
6. Find community groups
You are missing out if you’re on social media and not utilizing Facebook marketplace.
Many people are willing to donate precious supplies or participate in a cutting or propagation exchange.
The secret to finding great finds is to search different keywords when searching for specific items.
For example, if you’re looking for vintage plant stands, instead of searching for ‘plant stand’ type in ‘vintage plant stand’, ‘Parisian plant stand’, or ‘iron plant stand’.
This is how I found unique items for my balcony, so be sure to keep an eye out for inspiration!
How to Get Started: Join social media groups and see if people participate in bartering/borrowing programs. Always look out for curbside items, yard sales, thrift stores, or estate sales near you.
This post has shown you 6 Ways to Start a Container Garden for (Almost) Free!
Hopefully, these ideas have inspired you to start your container garden journey, no matter what your budget looks like. You’ll be a pro before you know it!
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