Food prices are going up by the day, and with today’s tight economy, finding ways to cut on expenses can help you save a significant amount of money. Growing a garden is a great way to save the money you use on groceries every day.

However, gardening can be expensive so how do you get your garden growing while on a budget?

Here are 4 tips to saving money on your garden.

1. Make Your Own Compost

Instead of buying compost from the store, why not consider making your own compost pile? Yes, you can make your own fertilizer and you do not require a big yard to do so. Start by collecting the fallen leaves, grass clippings, twigs, kitchen waste, and leftover vegetables and place them at the corner of your yard.

Turn the compost regularly using a pitchfork to provide the oxygen that is necessary for decomposition and let nature do the rest. Protect your compost from flooding by placing a layer of hay or dried grass on top of the heap.  Use this compost in your garden as free fertilizer.

2.Tend To Your Garden Regularly

If you want to save money and keep your garden healthy, then you will have to tend and maintain it regularly.  There are days when you don’t feel too motivated to do your gardening but remember; if you don’t water your plants they will die and you will have to buy new seeds. Check your plants weekly for disease or pest problems. If there is a bug, treat it right away to prevent it from spreading to the healthy plants.

3. Make Your Own Sawhorse

A sawhorse or a sawbuck is probably the most useful tool for cutting logs or firewood in your garden and the good news is, you can build your own from scratch.  Whether you are a beginner or a professional, you can make your own sawhorse and save money on your gardening.

The process of making a sawhorse is simple. You will need a couple of suitable wooden boards, a circular saw, nails, a hammer, an angle square, and a tape measure. Set up a work table where you will measure and cut your lumber on. https://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Saw-Horse has a very informative post on this topic as well.

4.Collect Rainwater for Irrigation

Rainwater harvesting for gardening will greatly reduce your water costs as the need to buy water from your water utility company will reduce. Setting up a rainwater harvesting system for your garden is easy. Simply buy a commercially manufactured rain barrel or you can use one of your old barrels to collect rainwater. Place your barrel under a downspout to collect the water to use in your garden.

To save further on your water bills, ensure that you water your garden early in the morning to cut down on losses that arise from evaporation. Mulch your soil as much as possible to keep it moist. You can also use a soaker hose to ensure that water is delivered directly to the plant.  Happy gardening.