Gardening is a great hobby for the frugal enthusiast because growing your own produce can also cut down your grocery bills. Here are 8 tips to save money on your garden this spring.

Compost

If you don’t already have a compost pile, you should start one. This will give you a great place to dump any leftover food, as well as give you healthy soil to use in your gardens. You can build one out of wood or make one out of a large trash can to keep your costs down, or simply cordon off a small area of your yard.

Mulch

Shredded paper makes great mulch and costs a lot less than buying from a garden store. Use the leftovers from your home or office shredder or ask friends and family for their old newspapers.

Seed Pots

Don’t buy seed pots from your garden store – instead, use egg cartons or yogurt cups to get your seeds growing.

Shop Around

When shopping for seeds, make sure to shop around. You should be able to find the best deals on seeds by comparing prices online. There are also some non-profit organizations that offer seed packets and other helpful resources with membership.

Perennials instead of Annuals

Investing in perennial plants instead of annuals means a larger upfront cost, but it also means less financial maintenance next year when you have to replace them.

DIY Pesticide

There are tons of recipes online to make your own pesticide to repel bugs. You can even find organic recipes that will help protect your plants without causing harm.

Sharing

Team up with a friend, family member or neighbor to share your harvests. You can both save money and enjoy fresh produce.

Think Local

When deciding which plants to grow, think about your environment. If you’re in Texas, don’t plant items that are from tropical environments and expect to keep your water bill low. Native Texas plants are used to living through droughts and are much easier to maintain than their water-hogging cousins.