How to make a cheap vegetable garden?
Question by curious renter: How to make a cheap vegetable garden?
I would like to make a small above ground vegetable garden to grow things like carrots, tomatos, and peas. What would be a good (cheap) way to get started with this?
Thanks!
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7 Responses to How to make a cheap vegetable garden?
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aichausa
February 7, 2012 at 3:47 am
Your biggest expense will be the soil. Maybe you can use some of what you have and just mound it up into rows.
Seeds are very cheap, maybe $ 1.00 a package. Tomatoes are best started with transplants, and they may cost you a couple dollars each. Water can cost a few bucks a month if you do not have a well.
Veggies are cheap to grow. Lots cheaper than buying.
Good luck.
pondlady
February 7, 2012 at 3:50 am
I have an above ground vegetable garden and grow everything in containers. Some of the containers are expensive and some are really cheap,but they all work.
I grow tomatoes carrots,garlic,chives,strawberries as well as a heap of other fruits and vegetables all in pots and planters, mainly because I don’t have much space for a regular garden
lizcan
February 7, 2012 at 4:49 am
we need more info. By above ground, do you mean that it will be on a surface such as a patio? or do you mean you want to raise the garden above ground?
The most important thing is that veggies – especially carrots need depth.
If you are planting above the ground (ie on a balcony or deck) I would look for old barrels or almost any other type of container that is at least 1-1/2 feet deep. For tomatoes, herbs, peas, etc. a typical plastic pot will do (note the larger the pot the higher the yield).
If you check local classifieds for free items like the barrels or old pots you can grow a vegetable garden for next to nothing. Soil you can usually get from local municipalities when they have the compost give away days and seeds can usually be found by asking around (and checking newspapers). Peas grow really easy as do tomatoes. I haven’t had luck with carrots unless they are planted directly in the ground.
Also try herbs (rosemary, chives, parsley) which all grow well in containers.
Avoid peppers if you are a novice. They are fussy to grow.
Can I also suggest that you try cucumber. Put a small trellis in the container and the cucumber will grow up! Yummy.
Kathy D
February 7, 2012 at 4:57 am
The above ground container will be cheap, in and of itself. My daughter is working on a similar project, and was quoted $ 12 for two 8-foot 2×12’s cut to 4 feet each. This will allow for a 4 x 4 foot garden – sixteen square feet that’s always within 2 feet from the edge, so everything is easy to reach. A few dollars more will get you the corner braces and screws or nails needed to get it put together.
If you’re not interested in building something, or don’t have the space for it, there are lots of things that can be grown in pots (look for the plastic ones, since they’re much less expensive).
Also, gardens are fun spots to add a little whimsy. Check out freecycle.com for free items in your neighborhood that can be “converted” to planters.
Pondlady is right that the soil will be your biggest expense. Consider having your local garden center deliver the soil – you might get a better price on bulk soil instead of the bagged product.
Before you get started, I highly recommend that you read Square Foot Gardening. It discusses a methodology of planting that ensures you always have something ripening, with a minimum of labor. It’s also a great concept for a rental tenant, since most don’t want to put loads of effort into a project that may not be around for too long.
abfabmom1
February 7, 2012 at 5:52 am
make sure to plant veggies and the such that are very tollerant in your area. ie, plants that dont need much care. less expense with fertalizers and waters and the such.
Raven
February 7, 2012 at 6:18 am
Depends what you mean by cheap. None of the stuff you need is too expensive, but it all adds up.
Containers or pots for most veg. Mix some all-purpose compost into the soil and maybe a little fertiliser – bonemeal or chicken manure pellets.
Carrots need depth, fine soil (with the stones sieved out) some compost, but not fertiliser. Don’t transplant them or they will grow into weird shapes.
Peas & Tomatoes need something to climb up of course – bamboo canes, string etc. What we call in Britain Gro-Bags are the best for Tomatoes (also Peppers, Aubergines, Courgettes – easy to grow). They are shallow bags of compost for you to cut holes in and plant. I have been told not to plant Tomatoes in too deep a pot, as they will put all their energy into making roots not fruit.
Greens – Lettuce, Cauliflowers, Broccoli etc. are easy to grow and don’t need too much space. Also Potatoes – limited by the size of container of course.
Above all, put up a high fence to keep out the sheep, llamas, vegetarians etc.
ROB H
February 7, 2012 at 6:39 am