Eight ways to save money with a gardening group

Gardening groups are a wonderful way to connect people in a meaningful, shared endeavour. Nurturing plants as part of a team can offer physical, mental, and social benefits as well as helping you to learn new skills.

For budget-conscious growers, gardening clubs and community gardens are also a fantastic way to save money. Here’s how to cut costs by joining a gardening group.

1 – Exchange knowledge

Whether you’re growing fruit and veg or ornamental plants and flowers, learning from experienced gardeners in the group helps to avoid costly mistakes. Pick up practical tips on seed sowing, plant care, pruning, pest control and soil management to help your plants thrive.

2  – Swap plants and seeds

Derek Daley from @fiveminutegardener says that “becoming good friends with other gardeners always presents opportunities to share seeds, plants or cuttings.” Allotment holder Steve Newland from @snewland97 agrees that there are always free plants or swaps available in the gardening community. He often picks up extra strawberries and raspberries this way. Simply sow a few extra seeds when you’re starting things off and you’ll always have something to trade.

Over at North Leeds Garden Design, Annabel recommends keeping an eye out for freebies, but with one important caveat: “Ensure they’re good quality, as it’s otherwise a false economy.”

3 – Share land

Community gardens and allotments offer affordable or free gardening spaces. If you don’t have your own garden and don’t have the budget to rent an entire allotment plot, this is a cost-effective way to get your hands in the soil.

4 – Order in bulk

Bulk ordering important things like soil, compost and well-rotted manure is a good way to dramatically reduce costs for everyone in the group. Some gardening clubs have relationships with local tree surgeons who deliver free wood chippings – always useful for composting, mulching or covering paths.

5 – Get group discounts on seeds and plants

Gardening groups often benefit from generous discounts. For example, each member of T&M’s garden group scheme receives a generous 50% off seeds and 20% off other live products including potatoes, garlic, shallots, onions, plants, bulbs and fruit. Once your group is registered, everyone can use the unique discount code for all their orders – club or personal.

6 – Communal composting

Communal composting bays create large amounts of free, nutrient-rich compost for everyone to use. This system is far quicker and more efficient than collecting and composting material alone.

7 – Share tools and equipment

Gardening groups often have a shared supply of recycled pots, trays, stakes and canes that people can borrow as required. Catherine from Growing Family also says that many groups also have lending programmes for larger tools. “Don’t be tempted to buy tools that you only need to use every now and then. Instead, see if you can borrow them. As well as saving you money, this is a great way to connect with other local gardeners and reduce your impact on the environment.”

8 – Reduce food spend

If your gardening group grows communal fruit and veg, you’re in for a treat! Taking home freshly-picked seasonal produce saves lots of money at the supermarket. Any surplus can be traded with other groups, shared with the local community or distributed through a food bank.

By pooling resources, sharing expertise, and fostering a supportive community, gardening groups make it easier, and cheaper, to grow fruit, veg, plants and flowers. Join a local group and start reaping the benefits today!