Cheap Garden Seeds: Save Money & Grow!

Introduction: Growing Your Dream Garden on a Shoestring Budget

Gardening can be an incredibly rewarding experience, providing fresh produce, beautiful flowers, and a connection to nature. However, the costs can quickly add up, from buying tools and soil to purchasing plants and seeds. But don't let a tight budget stop you from pursuing your green thumb dreams! Growing from seed is the most inexpensive way to start your garden A packet of seeds often costs less than a single nursery-bought seedling while producing all a home gardener needs for an entire season With a little knowledge and some clever strategies, you can cultivate a thriving garden without breaking the bank. This blog post will explore various ways to source cheap garden seeds, allowing you to save money and still enjoy a bountiful harvest.

1. Where to Buy Cheap Garden Seeds

Finding affordable seeds requires some research and comparison shopping. Here are several options to consider:

• Dollar Seed Stores: Some retailers, like DollarSeed, offer garden seeds for around $1 per packet. These are great for trying out new varieties without a significant investment.
• Online Seed Companies: Many online seed companies offer competitive prices, especially when buying in bulk.
  • Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds: Known for unique varieties and reasonable prices.
  • True Leaf Market: Offers a wide selection of seeds, including organic and heirloom varieties, with bulk options and free shipping over a certain amount.
  • Johnny's Selected Seeds: Provides high-quality seeds with detailed growing information and bulk options for commercial growers.
  • Park Seed: Offers a variety of seeds, including bulk options, with a focus on high germination rates.
  • Botanical Interests: Sells affordable, high-quality vegetable, flower, and herb seeds, including many organic and heirloom options.
• Local Feed and Seed Stores: These stores often have "farmer's sample packs" that contain enough seeds for a good-sized row and are varieties known to perform well in your specific area.
• Big Box Stores (End-of-Season Sales): Keep an eye out for end-of-season sales at stores like Home Depot and Lowe's, where seeds can be heavily discounted. All the big box stores should start marking their seeds down in the next month. Last year I got a bunch of seeds for under 15 cents a pack in middle of winter at a hardware store.

Practical Tip: Compare Prices

Before making a purchase, compare prices from different vendors, including shipping costs. Sometimes, smaller packets from one company might be cheaper than larger packets from another, even with shipping factored in.

2. The Benefits of Buying in Bulk

Purchasing seeds in bulk is an excellent way to save money if you plan to grow a lot of a particular plant.

• Cost Savings: Bulk seeds are significantly cheaper per seed than individual packets.
• Large-Scale Gardening: Ideal for gardeners with large plots, community gardens, or those planning to share with neighbors.
• Commercial Growers: Bulk buying is essential for market farmers and other commercial growers to maximize profits.

Where to Find Bulk Seeds

• Online Seed Companies: Many of the online retailers mentioned above (e.g., True Leaf Market, Johnny's Selected Seeds, Park Seed, Main Street Seed & Supply) offer bulk seed options.

Practical Tip: Plan Your Garden

Before buying in bulk, plan your garden carefully to ensure you use all the seeds you purchase. Consider factors like space, growing conditions, and your family's consumption habits to avoid waste.

3. Seed Swaps and Exchanges

Seed swaps are events where gardeners meet to exchange seeds. Swapping can be arranged online or by mail, especially when participants are spread out geographically. Swap meet events, where growers meet and exchange their excess seeds in person, are also growing in popularity. Seed swaps are a fantastic way to acquire new varieties and connect with fellow gardeners.

• Community Events: Look for local seed swaps organized by gardening clubs, libraries, or community centers.
• Online Swaps: Participate in online seed exchanges through gardening forums or social media groups.

Benefits of Seed Swaps

• Free Seeds: Obtain seeds for free by trading with others.
• Local Varieties: Discover varieties adapted to your local climate.
• Knowledge Sharing: Learn gardening tips and techniques from experienced gardeners.
• Community Building: Connect with like-minded individuals and expand your gardening network.

How to Organize a Seed Swap

If there isn't a seed swap in your area, consider starting one!

1. Find a Venue: Libraries, community centers, or local gardens are great options.
2. Set a Date: Late winter or early spring is ideal, as gardeners are planning their upcoming season.
3. Promote the Event: Use social media, local newsletters, and community bulletin boards to spread the word.
4. Establish Guidelines:
   • Specify whether attendees can take seeds even if they don't bring any to swap.
   • Encourage attendees to label seeds with as much information as possible (variety, source, growing conditions).
   • Discourage seeds from hybrid plants.

4. Saving Seeds from Your Own Garden

Saving seeds from your own garden is the ultimate way to reduce costs and ensure a continuous supply of your favorite varieties. However we also know that it isn't just about the seed, it is about the final product - the tastiest vegetables or the most beautiful and abundant flowers. We pick the best.... so you don't have to!

• Choose Open-Pollinated Varieties: Select open-pollinated (non-hybrid) plants, as their seeds will produce plants with similar characteristics. Choose open-pollinated varieties rather than hybrids. These plants bear similar fruit and set seeds that will produce more plants that are similar. Open-pollinated varieties may be "heirlooms." These varieties may be passed down through generations, or they may be selections that are more recent.
• Allow Plants to Mature: Let fruits and vegetables fully ripen before harvesting seeds.
• Proper Drying: Dry seeds thoroughly to prevent mold and ensure viability. Plant seeds are cheaper than started plants, but you'll save even more money if you preserve your own vegetable, herb and flower seeds. Most often, plant seeds are gathered either in late summer or fall and then they're dried in a single layer on a baking sheet.
• Correct Storage: Store seeds in a cool, dry, dark place in airtight containers. A temperature between 32° and 41°F is ideal, so your refrigerator can be a good place to store seeds. A small amount of silica-gel desiccant added to each container will absorb moisture from the air and help keep the seeds dry.

Easy Seeds to Save

• Tomatoes
• Peppers
• Beans
• Peas
• Lettuce

Saving Specific Seed Types

• Beans: Leave the bean on the plant until it is completely dry. Then, over a piece of paper, remove the beans from the pod and collect them. If the beans are not completely dry, let them dry a few days on your counter before storing them.
• Peppers: Leave the fruit on the plant until it is fully ripe and full-sized so the seeds are completely developed. The skin will start to wrinkle a little bit but you don't want to wait until it is rotting. Pick the pepper and pop off the top. Remove the seeds onto a piece of paper and leave them out on the counter for a day or two until they are completely dry.
• Tomatoes: Fruits that have a gel around the seeds need to be fermented before you can save the seeds. The fermenting dissolves the naturally protective, slimy coating from the seed so that you can keep it dry and not moldy in storage.

5. Testing Seed Viability

Before planting old or saved seeds, it's essential to test their viability to ensure they will germinate.

• Paper Towel Test:
  1. Dampen a paper towel.
  2. Place a known number of seeds (e.g., 10 or 20) on the towel.
  3. Roll up the towel and place it in a plastic bag.
  4. Keep the bag in a warm place for several days.
  5. Check for germination and calculate the percentage of seeds that sprouted.

Interpreting Results

• 80-100% Germination: Excellent viability.
• 50-79% Germination: Acceptable, but sow seeds more thickly.
• Below 50% Germination: Low viability; consider using fresh seeds.

If only a small percentage of seeds germinate, you'll need to sow a greater number to ensure a decent crop. Anything over 50% is decent. Anything lower than 50% still might be usable, but you may need to plant more seeds to potentially make up for the “duds.”

Viability Testing Tips

• Use a Control Group: Test a small number of fresh seeds alongside older seeds for comparison.
• Be Patient: Germination times vary; allow sufficient time for seeds to sprout.
• Proper Moisture: Ensure the paper towel remains moist but not waterlogged.

6. Other Frugal Gardening Tips

Besides sourcing cheap seeds, here are a few additional tips to save money in your garden:

• Start Small: Begin with a small garden plot to minimize initial costs.
• Make Your Own Compost: Compost is basically free since it's made from trash. Compost contains everything most plants need for healthy growth, which can reduce your need to buy expensive fertilisers. With composting, you can eliminate food waste and transform food scraps and yard debris into one of the best organic soil amendments on Earth!
• Collect Rainwater: Collect rainwater to save money on watering costs. This ultimately provides a sustainable, free source of water for your garden. It's an eco-friendly choice that can significantly reduce water bills.
• Repurpose Materials: Use old containers, such as buckets, tires or wooden crates, as planters. You could paint wooden pallets and affix them to your garden wall to create a flourishing vertical garden. Use old egg boxes as a container for sowing seeds or recycle plastic bottles into unique plant pots.
• Propagate Plants: Grow plants from stem or leaf cuttings. Herbs, in particular, are very easy to grow from cuttings and you can start herbs like rosemary, mint and basil from a small section of stem.
• Use Mulch: Use mulch as an insulator, preserving soil moisture and reducing evaporation; it's an inexpensive solution that benefits both your garden and budget.
• Plant Perennials: Plant perennials for colour year after year. By planting perennials in your garden, you won't need to fork out as much money on new bedding plants.

Conclusion: Grow More, Spend Less

Gardening on a budget is entirely possible with a bit of planning and resourcefulness. By sourcing cheap garden seeds through online retailers, seed swaps, and seed saving, you can significantly reduce your gardening expenses. Combine these strategies with other frugal gardening practices, and you'll be well on your way to creating a beautiful and productive garden without emptying your wallet.

Next Steps

• Plan Your Garden: Determine what you want to grow and how much space you have.
• Research Seed Sources: Explore online retailers, local stores, and seed swaps in your area.
• Test Seed Viability: Before planting, test your seeds to ensure they will germinate.
• Start Saving Seeds: Begin saving seeds from your favorite open-pollinated varieties.
• Join a Gardening Community: Connect with other gardeners to share tips and resources.