Start with seeds

It’s more cost-effective than purchasing young plants, but usually only if you start them indoors, where you can control water and heat. You could save on the setup by using inexpensive shop lights (LED) or heating pads, advises Jonquil Nelson of Bozeman, Montana, executive director of Sage Gardeners. Use cardboard egg cartons or empty 1-pint ice cream containers for planting, instead of buying seed-starter kits.

Water early and (less) often

Plants need less water than people think, Nelson says. That’s important, as water prices are surging. Nelson recommends waiting until the soil is dry to the touch, then watering first thing in the morning, using either a soaker hose or a drip irrigation system.

Be your own exterminator

Lawn care companies encourage you to sign up for a pricey monthly pest control regimen, but unless you see evidence of destructive infestations, such interventions usually aren’t necessary, says Tim Johnson, director of horticulture at Chicago Botanic Garden. “I practice more integrated pest management, which is more about choosing the right plant for your garden and monitoring for insects and disease, using the least toxic form of treatment when they emerge,” he says.

Analyze your soil

Most land-grant universities offer a soil test for about $35 that will analyze the nutrients in your soil, says Mark Highland, founder of Organic Mechanics. “That will tell you which nutrients you already have,” he says. “If your soil has the nutrients you need, you won’t need to buy fertilizer.”

Grow higher-cost vegetables

A 2020 analysis found that an investment of $88 in a typical-size garden could yield as much as 350 pounds of vegetables worth about $700. As inflation pushes the cost of fresh produce ever higher, you could yield even bigger savings by focusing on vegetables such as lettuce, colored peppers or heirloom tomatoes that can cost $4 or more a pound at the supermarket.