As the new year begins, many across the UK are looking to tighten their belts after the festive season. For garden enthusiasts, this doesn't mean your outdoor space has to suffer. Hannah Stephenson has uncovered a year-round guide to keeping gardening costs impressively low, courtesy of thrifty gardening expert Anya Lautenbach, author of The Money-Saving Garden Year.
A Month-by-Month Guide to Frugal Gardening
Anya Lautenbach, known to her 1.5 million Instagram followers as the Garden Fairy, provides a complete 12-month strategy. Her advice helps gardeners save significant money while still cultivating a beautiful and productive plot.
Winter Wisdom: January to March
January is the perfect time to source pre-loved items. "Nobody thinks about gardening in January," says Anya. She recommends scouring Facebook Marketplace for free or cheap pots, tools, and furniture, a time when you avoid the spring rush of bargain hunters.
In February, focus on pruning and repurposing. Instead of discarding cuttings, turn them into decorative and functional plant supports. Beech branches, for instance, make beautiful supports for potted hyacinths.
Come March, propagate your own herbs for free. Supermarket-bought rosemary, oregano, and basil stems can be rooted in water. It's also an ideal month for sowing seeds and taking basal cuttings from plants like lupins, which will flower the same year.
Spring Savings: April to June
April brings self-seeded surprises. Use your phone to identify mystery seedlings; you might discover expensive plants like hellebores growing for free. Anya herself found a patch of free hellebores years ago and has never paid for them since.
May is prime time for propagation thanks to cool, humid days. Take softwood cuttings from plants like hydrangeas. Divide early-flowering plants like primulas, or buy sad-looking sale plants from garden centres—they will often recover beautifully.
By June, utilise your garden's bounty. Create decorations from dried allium heads, make lavender wreaths, and cut your own roses for the house instead of buying expensive florist blooms.
Summer and Autumn Thrift: July to December
From July, start collecting seeds from foxgloves and other plants. Make your own fertiliser by steeping nettles and comfrey in a bucket of water, saving pounds on shop-bought versions.
In August, hunt for end-of-season bargains at garden centres. Look for reduced trees, mature shrubs, or perennials that have finished flowering. With care, they will thrive the following year.
September is for taking cuttings of tender plants like pelargoniums to overwinter on a windowsill. It's also excellent for dividing hostas, coneflowers, and peonies.
Use October to apply free mulch from grass clippings or fallen leaves to suppress weeds and retain moisture. Anya warns to avoid using clippings from grass treated with weedkiller.
November is the time to buy bulbs at a steep discount as garden centres make room for Christmas stock. Daffodils and tulips can be purchased for next to nothing and planted immediately.
For December, Anya's top tips are to buy bare-root trees and shrubs (cheaper than potted) and save festive flowers. Amaryllis bulbs can be saved for replanting, and forced hyacinths can be transplanted into the garden.
Cultivating Beauty on a Budget
Anya Lautenbach's approach proves that a stunning garden doesn't require a lavish budget. By being resourceful, planning with the seasons, and embracing propagation and second-hand finds, UK gardeners can enjoy their hobby year-round without financial strain. Her methods champion sustainability and creativity, turning what might be considered waste into valuable garden assets.
