Winter Garden Planning: Budget-Friendly Tips for Spring Success

Winter garden planning is the perfect way to beat the winter doldrums while preparing for spring success. Smart planning during these cold months helps ensure a budget-friendly and productive growing season ahead.

Winter is the perfect time to start planning your garden. It’s time to take a long look at last year’s garden: what worked, what didn’t, what should be moved to a sunnier or shadier location — or not grown at all and replaced with something new. It’s also time to take a long look at last year’s garden: what worked, what didn’t, what should be moved to a sunnier or shadier location — or not grown at all and replaced with something new.

Here are a few tips to get the ball rolling.

• Recycle seed pots. Don’t toss that cardboard egg carton into the recycling bin. It’s great for starting small seeds, and the cells easily can be cut apart when it’s time to plant. Yogurt cups also are a tried-and-true seed-starting budget saver, and they encourage a healthier diet, too. Simply punch a hole in the bottom for drainage. Ditto for used solo cups (rinsed thoroughly).

• Shop smart. Winter is also a wonderful time to do some innovative shopping for the actual garden, particularly if planning a container garden. New containers are expensive, while pots found at garage sales will cost significantly less and probably have more character. One way to make a new garden look successfully established is to mix some older pieces in with new ones. Also, check out online swap listings such as those found on Craigslist and Facebook.

• Conventional trays. Inexpensive, thin-wall plastic seed-starting trays with water-catching bottoms are available online, starting at less than $20 with grow lights and humidity domes included. Add another $10 for a kit with a heating mat, or opt for slightly more expensive setups with adjustable light levels and light timers, right up to pro systems, if the budget allows. To stretch your budget, keep an eye out for online point-of-sale coupons and price reductions.

• Bulk buys. Need to enhance the garden soil or add raised beds? Consider ordering garden soil or compost in bulk. Both pickup and delivery should be available for a fee. Ask about an offseason discount for the winter months. Even if you’re buying individual bags of soil or the components for DIY seed-starting mix (there are many recipes to choose from online) from a local nursery, ask if they will give a bulk discount.

• Compost. There is a wide selection of premade compost bins online, including some that can be rotated to compost faster. Or the DIYer can build one with only a garbage can, a drill and a half-inch drill bit. Drill 30 or more holes on the bottom and sides of the garbage can, placing the side holes four to six inches apart. Add additional holes near the bottom of the sides, where it’s most likely to turn anaerobic. Set upright, put the lid back on and start to fill.

With a little creativity and resourcefulness, budget-friendly gardening can start in the winter months.