Gardening is a fun and relaxing hobby, but it can quickly get expensive.  Save money and start collecting these 10 common household items so you can spend your money on that new plant you’ve been drooling over.

Save Money on Seed Starting

Seed starting can be a great way to save money on gardening, but the initial investment of a grow light and trays can really add up.  If you have a south facing window and a grow light isn’t in your budget this year, here are a few items you can collect to save money.

Large Clear Plastic Containers

Plastic containers, like the ones that croissants and donuts come in, make excellent seed trays.  Bonus, the lid can be kept on to encourage germination, and taken off once plants are established.

Disposable Coffee Containers

The shape of disposable coffee containers make them good candidates for pumpkins, squash, zucchini, and tomatoes started from seed.  Lots of room for the roots to grow!

Plastic Yogurt and Margarine Containers

Also a nice size for starting seeds.  I personally like putting my annual flowers in these.

Egg Cartons

Egg cartons are wonderful for starting seeds that don’t need a lot of time indoors beforehand.  The styrofoam ones are nicer, as the roots don’t embed themselves in the carton.  If you start a plant that needs more than 2 or 3 weeks indoors, be prepared to transfer your seedling out of the egg carton and into a larger container.

Items for Protecting Plants

Milk Cartons and Pop Bottles

Milk cartons and pop bottles make excellent mini-greenhouses when transplants are young.  They encourage growth and protect fragile plants from the wind.

To use, cut the bottom of the container, remove the lid, and stick in the soil around the plant you are protecting.

Coffee Cans

Coffee cans are wonderful for protecting young plants like cabbage that can tolerate shade.  They also help reinforce tomato cages. when the plant is larger.

To use, remove the lid and the bottom of the can with a can opener.  Put around the plant you want to protect and stick the tomato cage inside.

Items for Improving the Soil

Did you know you can cut your garbage almost in half my composting?  True story!  Here’s three composting superstars you’ll want to make sure you save.

Eggshells

Eggshells are excellent sources of calcium for your soil.  They can also act as a deterrent for cats and slugs when they are loosely crushed on top of the soil.  I start saving mine separate from the compost in January so I can crush them into a finer powder in spring and summer.

Coffee Grounds

Spreading the remains of your morning coffee over your soil adds nitrogen and can give the soil a slight acidic boost.  In my research I also found some sites claiming that they can deter slugs and snails.  As of yet, I do not have a slug or snail problem in my garden, so I have no personal experience with this home remedy.

Banana Peels

Banana peels are an excellent source of phosphorus, potassium, and calcium: three nutrients that plants love.

While eggshells, coffee grounds, and banana peels have the best reputation for increasing your soil’s nutrients, your compost will love any fruit or vegetable scraps you feed it.

Are there any common household items that you save to save money on gardening?  Let me know in the comments what I’ve missed!

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