Blog

Garden Kit for Growers on a Budget

By Emily Peagram
08th May 2023

There’s plenty of kit you can make yourself – it’s good for the planet and your budget!

Fertilisers
As with compost, making your own plant food is a great way to save on product costs. It’s also an organic way of nourishing your fruit and veg. Stewing natural ingredients like comfrey and nettle in water for a few weeks can result in a nitrogen-rich drink for your edibles, and you’ll reap the rewards in the form of tasty harvests later on.

Compost
Making your own compost is a sure-fire way of saving on the costlier bags from the garden centre. Sure, it’ll take a bit of time to get started, but with a little patience and commitment, you’ll have heaps of soft, crumbly goodness for your beds and containers in no time. Ensure a good mix of green and brown materials, turn at intervals, and you’ll have a nourishing treat for your plot while putting garden clippings and veg peelings to good use!

Raised beds
Pallets, decking and other materials you might have around can be used to make your own raised beds and planters. If you don’t have these to hand, it’s worth asking at a local timber merchant to see if they have any offcuts, or checking out online marketplaces on social media to see if people are trying to get rid of the bits and pieces you need. Provided you take safety measures, a bit of DIY can be great fun and allow you to make bespoke structures for your plot. Paint and decorate them however you see fit, fill them with material and get growing!

Upcycle
More can be used in the garden than we think. Everything from beer crates and tyres to old sink basins and abandoned guttering (see Sally’s tips on page 81) can be used to make planters. This way, you’ll be saving on pricey pots from the garden centre and adding a quirky touch to your garden. Old vases or water bottles (before recycling) can be used as cloches, and even a used plastic bag can be transformed into a makeshift propagator for your germinating seeds. If you’re feeling really determined and have the skills and materials to hand, you could even try making your own cold frame, greenhouse or polytunnel. Making what you’d usually buy can really cut down on costs when building your garden, and you’ll end up with some unique additions that leave your neighbours wondering where you found them!