Can't afford to grow my own!

Lalaladybird

I am really keen to grow my own veg this year but I set up costs are prohibitive....please tell me I don't have to abandon my plans.

I live in a rented flat so would need to use big tubs to grow my veg in....they are expensive.

I went to a garden centre yesterday with the intention of buying pepper and chilli seeds to grow inside but the seeds an compost were so expensive.

Any suggestions how I can do this old style would be fantastic.

Penelope_Penguin

Lalaladybird wrote: »

I am really keen to grow my own veg this year but I set up costs are prohibitive....please tell me I don't have to abandon my plans.

I live in a rented flat so would need to use big tubs to grow my veg in....they are expensive.

I went to a garden centre yesterday with the intention of buying pepper and chilli seeds to grow inside but the seeds an compost were so expensive.

Any suggestions how I can do this old style would be fantastic.

I wouldn't compromise on compost; buy fresh every year as old stock may harbour pathogens. If you only want a small amount for a couple of indoor plants, you can sterilise some garden soil at home using the method at the bottom of this page

You may be able to get seeds or plants from Freecycle

Penny. x

Jack's_mummy

One word. Freecycle. You could eithe rask for some seeds now or wait a couple of months and their should be a fair few spare tom/pepper plants around. Supermarkets and wikinsons etc usually do a growbag for about £1.99 in the spring and you can pick up black florist buckets in supermarkets for nothing or a small charity donation

lynzpower

PM sent

Yategirl

yep - get the black florist buckets for free from the supermarkets, ask on freecycle for pots/tubs.. even large storage boxes (just put drainage holes in). Tins can be used to hold herbs (ask at a local school for a few HUGE tins!). Bags such as the ones that IKEA sell are good too -cheap and different sizes.

Wickes usually sell compost cheap - 4 80L bags for £10 or look at the cheap growbags (and you can grow stuff in those bags too!)

rinroo

My local netto had grow bags in for £0.99p and Morrisons had seeds in 4 for £2 though you could proberbly get these cheaper from lidl or wilkinsons.

Just as a thought, I had a stroll down to my local allotments and got chatting to a lovely lady there who gave me a tub full of seeds and told me if i came back Sunday she would have a sort though and see what else she could find. Might be worth a wander down if you have one nearby...?

oliveoyl

You don't need proper plant pots... use your imagination... I'm going to use some old drawers this year for salad leaves and spring onions (things that don't have deep roots).

picklepick

I use containers for my balcony growing and I use the large plastic storage tubs with holes drilled in the bottom. Its so much cheaper than buying pots from a garden centre. Ask on freecycle or go to a pound shop.

The initial outlay is the expensive part, next year you'll have all these things already and it wont be so costly.

I've made a homemade wormery for literally a couple of quid and got my worms for free off freecycle so i have some lovely fresh compost to help my veg on its way.

Dont give up, it is doable on a budget!

Forgot to add aswell. I use a length of guttering for salad leaves, costs a couple of quid for quite a long length

I also use the centres of toilet rolls as plant pots for my seeds. Been saving them for months!

taxi97w

I'm thinking of growing a few veggies this season.

To use your example, I will buy organic peppers and chillies from the supermarket. Scoop out the seeds and leave to dry. Chop and freeze the peppers and maybe dry the chillies in the oven on a long low heat.

Lalaladybird

Thank you so much for all your great ideas....I really had no idea how I was going to do this. The ideas for containers really are fantastic - guttering, toilet rolls...brilliant!!! I'll head down to the supermarket to ask for the free buckets - I thought they re-used them There is an allotment site nearby, I shall pop down there too. My enthusiasm is back yippee:j I really am so keen to do this.

Keep your ideas coming...I am such a newbie to gardening but can see it being a lifelong hobby if I can do it without it costing a fortune!

PasturesNew

Take a walk/drive around your local area on bin night ... see what others have chucked out that will do. It might be a piece of furniture, or some saucepans with the handles missing... could be anything you spot.