Saving on Garden Supplies – What is in store for next season? 

As you put your garden to bed and reflect on the year, it is a great time to start thinking about garden supplies for the next season.  This may seem early to some, but remember, this is when everything is fresh in your mind.  Take note of your successes and errors while they are at the forefront.  If you recall, this is the same thought process we used for writing The Grocery List.

Furthermore, supplies cost money right?  By now, you know that we garden on a budget here.  We believe in food accessibility for every wallet.  Part of the success in that is planning ahead.  Making a garden wishlist in October means that you can prioritize the most important things and save up for them over the course of the winter.  Alternatively, you could purchase a single item once a month.  Whatever gets you to your goal of upgrading your garden systems.  

Let’s take a look at what to upgrade.

Which Garden Supplies Are Most Important? 

Deciding which garden supplies matter the most is going to be a personal preference.  Mulched walkways, tall raised garden beds, and arched trellises may be top of your list.  While someone else may be focused on ergonomic hand tools, the biggest tomato varieties, and a fence to keep critters out.  Everyone has their own personal gardening style and different priorities in the garden.  Let’s talk about a few common priorities to get you started.  

Trellis

Everyone needs a trellising system of some sort.  It’s likely you already knew this when you started. However, it is easy to think to yourself “I don’t need that right away, I’ll figure it out….” and then find yourself suddenly in dire need of something to hold up your plants.  There is no one single way to trellis your plants.  Your system just needs to be strong enough to hold the plants and be durable enough to stand up to weather changes.   

You might utilize stakes and string, heat treated pallets, cattle panels, etc.  There are many options for trellis systems that you can get creative with.  Keep in mind, if something doesn’t work out, it can always be changed later. 

Watering

Speaking of weather, what is your climate like?  Is rain going to be your main source of water for the garden?  Do you live in a dry climate where you need to water twice a day?  Not having a watering system in place that is easy to use is the downfall of most beginner gardens.  If you have to lug a pale of water 100 feet out with 20 trips back and forth, you are likely to give up on your garden entirely.   

Putting the creation of a functional watering system at the top of your list will ensure watering success.  This may look like a 100 foot non-kink hose.  Perhaps a drip system that runs to every bed.  Maybe you get enough rain to utilize a water catchment system with hoses attached.  Whatever gets the garden watered in the easiest way possible will ensure you water successfully. 

Wheelbarrow

This is much more specific, but it is a tool that will make your garden life so much easier.  Having a good wheelbarrow as part of your garden supplies is a life changer.  

I remember when I first moved to my house, I was using a dinky half size wheelbarrow that was left behind by the prior owners.  It could barely hold 2 bags of soil and could easily be tipped over.  

After 2 seasons of being entirely frustrated while using said wheelbarrow, I took to the internet for reviews. I begrudgingly purchased a Gorilla Carts wheelbarrow from my local hardware store. I say begrudgingly because it was a hefty price tag for me at 130.00.  

As it turns out, it was worth EVERY penny.  It can’t be tipped over because it has a 3-wheel system in addition to the frame that prevents it from doing so. It rolls completely forward to dump an entire load without having to shovel it all out one painstaking scoop at a time.  Best of all, it is easy to manage in all aspects for someone with very little upper body strength…..I can only lift 30 pounds.

Let’s dig a bit further into the money aspect of garden supplies. 

Saving Money on Garden Supplies

Remember as you make this list, that it can be easy to buy the cheap thing but some upgrades are worth the cost. Think about the time, frustration, and literal physical pain a garden tool can cause you if it isn’t right for you. 

Make your purchases count.  Always think in the following terms – If you have to spend 20.00 on the same thing 3 times in one year because it keeps breaking…..that is a total of 60.00.  

If a better version of that item that will last 2+ years costs 60.00…..why wouldn’t you just save for that?  By purchasing the 60.00 item, you saved yourself another 60.00 or more. 

Maybe you picked an item that created an injury that you now have to see a specialist for.  Imagine a $60.00 monthly visit to the office that could be indefinite.  What if instead, you had just spent 100.00 once on something that prevented that injury?  

Being cheap is not the only way to save money and may actually cost you more in the end.  Seeing the overall picture and planning accordingly is what truly saves you money. 

If you can’t afford something right away, see if you can borrow it, barter for it, find it free, or spend the absolute least amount possible on a used version. Not only does this give you time to save up, but it also teaches you what you do and don’t like.