5 Tips for Sustainable Gardening on a Budget

Gardening is a wonderful way to spend time outdoors and connect with nature. It doesn't have to be an expensive hobby. You can easily keep it both low-cost and sustainable.

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Here are five ways to practice affordable and sustainable gardening:

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Plant Native

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Native plants are easy to grow and maintain as they naturally adapt to local climate and soil conditions. Plus, they’re a sustainable alternative to grass lawns. Unlike grass lawns, native plants don't need constant mowing or watering, saving you money while preventing emissions from gas-powered lawn mowers. You’ll also save money on water as native plants are used to surviving on the rain in your region. 

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Native plants will also beautify your home while promoting biodiversity. If you want to keep some lawn area, consider replacing traditional grass with native grass species. Here are 20 Lush Grass Alternatives to Replace Your Lawn.

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Choose Peat-Free Soil

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If you have ever purchased bagged compost, you have probably used peat. Peat comes from peatlands that are formed when multiple layers of sphagnum moss grow and accumulate over thousands of years. These peatlands store carbon and rainwater and support a huge range of biodiversity. 

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Peat is used in gardening soil because it’s great at moisture retention and aeration. But we currently extract peat faster than nature can replace it. A more sustainable gardening approach is to use peat-free compost, made from wood fibre, wood chip, pine bark, coir, or bracken. Sometimes, the best option is to make your own soil blend. 

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Pro tip: Local tree services and arborists frequently give away free wood chips from their projects that make excellent mulch for your garden.

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Use Homemade Insecticides

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While traditional pesticides might seem like an easy solution for pest control, they can harm the environment and be toxic to birds, fish, beneficial insects, and other plants. These chemicals may also irritate our skin and eyes, and affect our nervous and endocrine systems. There are organic pest control methods such as companion planting, trap crops, or using chili spray or soap spray to keep pests away without harming the planet. Check out these 8 Homemade Insecticide Ideas for Your Garden.

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Choose Secondhand Supplies and Tools

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Instead of investing in new tools and supplies, you can buy used ones for a fraction of the price. You can join local gardening groups (in person or on Facebook) and ask members if they have tools and supplies they no longer need. You could also borrow them from your local Buy Nothing Groups. Some local libraries also offer gardening tools and supplies that you can borrow.

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Explore Seed Saving

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Like tools and supplies, you can find free seeds through Buy Nothing Groups, local gardening groups, or your local public library. Even if you end up buying seeds, it's still cheaper than purchasing full-grown plants. You can also try seed-saving — a practical and cost-effective way to preserve seeds from your garden for future use. Check out The Beginner's Guide to Seed Saving.

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