GROWING TIPS
Garden Spaces on a Budget
Leaf'd Box | November 27, 2020
So you want to start a garden but don’t know where to start? That’s ok, you’re not alone! It’s hard to know where to start when picking up a new hobby -- from figuring out what materials you need, to sticking within your budget, to actually pulling everything together... it can all feel overwhelming!
But, it doesn’t have to be scary! I had the same problem when I was starting my garden but was able to get everything I needed at my local hardware store. I’m going to show you how I made a simple 8ftx4ft garden bed and only spent $60!
Here’s the supplies I needed:
- Three 2" x 6" x 8' Pieces of Wood- these were about $9 each. 2 of the planks were used for the length of the garden bed, and I had them cut the 3rd piece in half to make the 4' ends. Redwood is best as it lasts the longest. Don't use treated wood (the wood that looks as it it's been painted and has rectangular imprints on its surface) as those chemicals can leach into the ground, and you don't want your plants to be near that!
- Four Planter Wall Retaining Blocks- You can also look up “garden bed corner blocks” and they should come up. I bought stone blocks because they’re less expensive, and I think they look great! They have vinyl options, as well.
- Eight Bags of Raised Bed Soil- These were about $7 each. An 8' x 4' bed needs a lot of soil, which is probably what will be the most expensive part of your new garden bed. If you have access to some good local soil, you can mix that in to reduce your costs. We also recommend adding homemade compost to boost the nutrients for your new plants.
I love this garden bed hack because it’s inexpensive, requires no tools, and is versatile.
If you don’t have the space for the 8ftx4ft garden bed option though, you can adjust the dimensions to fit the size of your space and have the lumber department cut the planks as needed. The corner blocks will work with whatever variation you choose!
If you don’t have enough space for a garden bed at all, you're not out of luck! You can still produce homegrown deliciousness in planting pots. Head to your favorite store to find 5-10 gallon gardening pots. These are compact, reusable and easy to store just about anywhere (as long as that place gets some sun).
When it comes to plant pots, the larger, the better! Think of it like a first class flight vs. economy. Just like a first class seat gives you ample space to stretch your arms and legs out, a large gardening pot gives your plant the space it needs to spread its leaves and roots comfortably. Less room in the pot doesn’t mean the plant won’t grow, but it might not be able to stretch its roots and leaves as far. In short, big pot = more space for delicious, beautiful veggies!
SPACING
Each kit we send is marked with easy to find and understand spacing instructions. This works as a size guide: there’s small, medium, large, and extra large.
- Small plants will need 4-12” between each plant.
- Medium plants will need 12-24” between each plant.
- Large plants will need 24”+ between each plant.
- Extra large plants will need 4’+ between each plant.
Our recommended spacing is designed to give your plants their first class experience. But if you don’t have quite enough room, don’t stress! This is a recommendation, not a requirement. If you don’t have the exact space available but you have something close to it, that’ll work too! It’s not about having the perfect space, but making the most of the space that you have.
You have two options when it comes to growing in pots: 1 pot for every plant (putting them on a first class flight) or pairing them up in a pot (an economy seat). The size we recommend coincides with the size pot you would need, so the small varieties can go in a 4-12” pot, medium varieties in 12-24” pot, and so on.
If you have larger pots available, you can put multiple plants in the same pot for some really beautiful and delicious creations. If you would rather put two plants in one pot, we would definitely recommend sizing up on the pot so they get enough space. For example, if you’re going to put two small varieties, like lettuce, that would each need about 4-12” put them into a 6-8” pot rather than putting them both in a 4” pot.
The great thing about planting in pots is they can easily be moved, they are cost effective, easy to come by, and a gorgeous decoration for your outdoor space!
I hope this helps as a guide to how to set up your next beautiful garden space! Don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions. Happy Gardening!
