Creating an Instagram worthy garden doesn’t have to cost the earth. We’ve sourced some of the best tips from some of the most experienced gardeners and compiled them to give you a definitive guide on 10 low-cost ways to tidy your garden to an Instagram standard.
Regular maintenance – little and often
There’s nothing worse than facing a mountain of a job and wondering where to even start. But start you must. Just remember that it will take one big heave-ho of effort to get you going. However, once you have got your garden into a decent state, instigating a little and often policy will ensure that you will be able to keep on top of it with minimum effort.
Make your own mulching magic
Mulch is magic! It not only suppresses weed growth but also retains moisture in the soil, reducing the need for watering and preventing soil erosion. You can buy a good mulch from any gardening center, but you can also make your own using organic materials like wood chips, leaves, or grass clippings, which are often free or low-cost.
Skip surf for suitable containers
If you have limited space or want to avoid weeds altogether, planting up a range of containers will give you the cover and color to make for a stunning outside space for very little cost. Container gardening is easy to control, and you can move them around to create different arrangements. Reuse old containers like buckets, tires, or crates for an eco-friendly and low-cost option, and don’t be afraid of delving into skips dotted around your local neighborhood – you never know what you might find!
Grow ‘up’ as well as ‘across’
Vertical gardening is a growing trend and is an excellent way of creating more garden space without having to purchase more garden. Utilize vertical space by growing plants upwards on trellises, fences, or walls. This not only maximizes space but also keeps plants off the ground, reducing the likelihood of them becoming untidy or overgrown.
Develop good composting habits
Get into the habit of saving all your kitchen scraps and make your own compost bin. Compost is a gardening staple and can be purchased for a relatively reasonable amount from any gardening center. However, you need a relatively large amount even in smaller spaces. Creating your own compost will save you a lot of money in the long run. Compost is a nutrient rich soil additive, and helps maintain soil health, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers, and provides a free alternative to store-bought soil amendments.
Create your own DIY garden edging
Give your gardening an edge with DIY garden edging products. These will help to definee garden beds and pathways with inexpensive materials like bricks, stones, or even recycled plastic bottles. Not only does edging give your garden a neat appearance, but it also helps prevent grass and weeds from encroaching on your flower beds.
Aim for maximum self-sufficiency and sustainability
If you can do it yourself, or supply it from existing sources, then you will not only create a budget friendly garden, but you will also be contributing towards the drive towards sustainability. Get creative with items you already have or can find for free. Repurpose old pallets into vertical planters, use broken terracotta pots for drainage in new planters, or turn an old ladder into a rustic trellis.
Reach out to your community. Share resources with neighbors or join a community garden to save money on tools, seeds, and plants. You can also exchange gardening tips and knowledge, fostering a sense of community while keeping costs down.
Most importantly – enjoy every moment. Grab every opportunity to put away your electronic devices and get out into the fresh air for some healing, physical work.
