Organic products are typically more expensive than their synthetic counterparts—and understandably! Their supply is scarcer, production requires more labor, and handling costs more, among other factors that shoot the price 50% to 200% more.
If you want to prioritize your family’s health, you’ll have little choice but to look past the bills. But with the way the prices are shooting up, it may leave you wondering if there are better ways to afford organic produce.
Well, here’s your answer.
Start an Affordable Organic Garden!
I bet “expensive” is one of the first words that popped into your mind when you read organic gardening. It’s a common misconception, but it’s simply untrue.
You can kickstart your garden using basic supplies already available in your home. To illustrate, here are some of the best cheap hacks for a successful organic garden:
1 – Investing in Compost
Seasoned gardeners often say that the lion’s share of success when growing food is in the soil. But why should you spend a fortune on commercial fertilizers when you can make your own?
Composting your kitchen leftovers and yard scraps saves money in the long run and reduces the need for store-bought products. Plus, it’s a sustainable practice that helps reduce your carbon footprint and lessens the burden on landfills.
Of course, the real value of composting is in its function in the garden. Not only does it offer a high-quality amendment, but compost also promotes healthier soil, prevents erosion, conserves water, and boosts plant growth.
Do you want to know the best part? You can get all these benefits in a compost bin that only costs a few bucks!
2 – Mulching Yard Leaves
Mulching, like composting, is a cost-effective hack to cut the expenses of growing food. It can foster a healthier garden that resists diseases and pests.
Layering mulch over the soil helps retain its moisture. Mulch acts like a roof that reduces evaporation, minimizing your garden’s water needs.
Covering your garden soil with mulch also prevents nasty weed invasions. As such, you won’t have to rely on harmful chemicals to control weeds.
You don’t even have to spend hundreds of bucks to get mulch! You can make your own by shredding fallen leaves, leftover straws, newspapers, and grass clippings.
3 – Controlling Pests Naturally
Pests are a primary concern for any gardener. But instead of relying on expensive pesticides, there are natural pest control methods you can employ in your garden.
For one, you can plant colorful flowers around your garden to attract pollinators and pest eaters. You can also place small water bowls around the garden to attract toads to eat pesky slugs.
You can grow certain plants to deter common plant-eating insects. Chives, for example, are a fantastic garden companion that repels Japanese beetles, aphids, carrot flies, and mites.
Planting garlic is another effective pest control method that repels cutworms, aphids, and slugs. Having a lemon thyme around also attracts bees while keeping mosquitoes away.
4 – Selecting the Right Plants
Choosing the right plant is a vital aspect of organic gardening. The cost and success of your garden heavily depend on what type of food you’re growing.
Naturally, you’d want to plant veggies you like to eat. You should never waste time or money on food you know you won’t touch!
Moreover, choosing plant varieties with longer storage life is a great way to stretch your grocery dollar. Potatoes, onions, winter squash, and anything you can easily store is a superb approach.
Finally, aim for vegetables that are typically expensive at grocery stores. Having beet, spinach, carrots, cucumbers, beans, and broccoli in your yard is a surefire way to cut typical food costs.
5 – Practicing Companion Planting
Companion planting is a fantastic practice when growing produce organically. It involves growing different species of plants that have mutual benefits together.
Co-planting maximizes space in your garden, allowing you to grow several species close to each other. It can improve soil health, help repel pests, and control invasive weeds.
Most importantly, co-planting boosts your crop yields. By attracting pollinators and other beneficial insects, companion planting ensures a healthier ecosystem for your food to thrive.
Final Thoughts
Growing your garden not only cuts costs on food. It also increases your confidence in food safety and security as you have full control over what goes into your plants.
Eating healthy doesn’t necessarily need to be expensive. With little resources and patience, you can start an organic garden in your backyard, save fortunes, and enjoy tastier produce.
Happy gardening!
Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips she’s gained over the years.