How to Design a Garden for Minimal Costs

A garden can add beauty and interest to your yard, it can also provide fresh vegetables for your family to eat. Having a garden does not have to be expensive, with a little bit of planning and thought you can design a garden for your home with very little expense. Deciding on what you want to grow may be the hardest part.

• Plan out your garden on paper first. Section off areas to mark what you want to plant and where you would like it to go. Take into account size and color as you plan out your design.


• If you plan your design early enough, you may be able to start seeds indoors. Starting your seeds inside in the winter can save you a lot of money. Seeds are much less expensive than buying already grown plants. Use seeds from plants that are native to your growing area.


• Before it's time to turn the soil for planting, get together with a neighbor or two to discuss renting equipment together. If two or three of you go in together to rent the rototiller, you will each save money.


• If you and your neighbor are both in need of topsoil, see about ordering it together to get a cheaper price. Often you can get a discount for buying a larger amount.


• Making your own compost saves money on fertilizer. To make compost you need green material such as grass clippings, fruit cores, weeds, coffee grounds, eggshells or peelings from vegetables. You will also need brown material such as twigs, dried leaves, straw and sawdust. You will place these materials in a bin and keep them moistened with water. Turn the materials once a week. You know that you have the correct ingredients and moisture by checking the middle of the pile; it should be hot. The compost will be ready in a couple of months, you will see that it has turned dark brown when it is ready to use.