Cheap Garden Hacks That Actually Save You Money

Updated 16th February 2026

There are no two ways about it: gardens can be hungry, thirsty, messy, time-consuming, challenging, and expensive. But they can also be rewarding, relaxing, fun, exciting, and beautiful. They are also a great boost to your mental health, so taking care of your garden can help you take care of yourself. We've spoken to UK gardening experts to bring you the cheap garden hacks that will save you money.

Gardening can be an expensive hobby, and the cost is often why your garden does not always get the love it needs. Over time, weeds take over, the patio develops a layer of moss, and the fence begins to wobble in even a light gust of wind.

The cost of gardening should not stop you from making your garden your favourite place to be, especially once you know our cheap garden hacks. In this guide, we have recruited a team of gardening and money-saving experts to share practical tips to help you transform your outdoor space, no matter your budget.

Contents

1. Composting hacks
2. Garden decor hacks
3. Pest control hacks
4. Garden plant DIY hacks
5. Garden watering hacks
6. Garden weed hacks
7. Transform your garden on a budget

Composting hacks

Composting at home can cut fertiliser costs and reduce waste. Many plants need more than water and sunlight to thrive, and homemade compost can provide those extra nutrients without the price tag of shop-bought products.

If you’re new to composting, the Royal Horticultural Society’s guide to composting is a helpful place to start. It explains how composting at home can reduce household waste while gradually improving your soil, giving plants a stronger, healthier base to grow from.

Oliver Hill from Garden List recommends making fertiliser from kitchen waste. Oliver says,

As Savoo’s home and garden expert, I am a big fan of avoiding council green waste charges by recycling garden waste at home. Many councils now charge to collect green bins, so to avoid the fee, I have invested in an extra compost bin, a garden shredder, and large plastic drums to make compost and mulch. Shredding perennial weed roots, such as dandelion and ground elder, can turn them into useful plant feed after soaking for about a month. Be warned, it smells strong.

A decent compost bin typically costs around £50, but it can save money over time by reducing the need to buy compost and fertiliser. It’s worth checking whether your council offers subsidised compost bins via Get Composting or similar third-party providers. You can also browse Marshalls Garden voucher codes to look for savings on gardening supplies.

Garden decor hacks

Garden decor plays a key role in how your outdoor space looks and feels. From repainting a shed to refreshing tired paving, small changes can make a noticeable difference without a major spend.

Cleaning up your patio is often one of the biggest post-winter jobs. Even with a pressure washer, paving can look worn after a few years. A low-cost way to refresh the space is to lay an outdoor rug.

Gardening expert Fiona Jenkins from MyJobQuote says,

‘If your patio is looking a little old and shabby, you can simply disguise the area with a beautiful all-weather rug. This could save you around £500 to £4,500, which is the cost of a new patio. Outdoor rugs are usually made from polypropylene and can withstand the harsh UK weather. They come in a wide range of colours and patterns. Depending on the size, you can usually pick up an outdoor rug for less than £100. They’re comforting and a great way to add some colour and patterns to your garden space. Plus, they can make an eye-catching focal point where you can arrange your garden furniture around.’

Many high street and online retailers sell outdoor rugs, and using voucher codes can reduce the cost further. Browse voucher codes for Dunelm, Matalan, and Wayfair to make savings while brightening your garden.

Another way to keep garden decor looking fresh is to rethink standard fence and shed colours.

Molly Woodward-Moor, interior designer and creative director at Stone Superstore, says, ‘Going for darker colours such as black or muted navy on wooden fencing provides a dramatic contrast against the lighter greens of planting, while also being better at hiding dirt, moss or staining than a lighter colour. Black stained fencing is a popular garden trend that is set to stay, providing a chic focal point that stylish furniture and vibrant planting really stand out against.’

To help prolong the life of outdoor wood, browse B&Q voucher codes for savings on outdoor paint and fence panels.

Pest control hacks

Effective pest control protects plants and prevents long-term damage. Aphids, slugs, and other pests can quickly spoil healthy growth, but low-cost alternatives to shop-bought pesticides are available.

Victoria Cummins, Senior Editor at Plant Whisperer, says, ‘There's no need to spend money on chemical pesticides. I make my own eco-friendly solution by mixing a tablespoon of liquid soap with a quart of water in a spray bottle. This simple spray effectively controls aphids and other soft-bodied insects on plants in pots or in the ground.’

My homemade pest-control recommendation uses chillies and garlic to deter insects. Roughly chop one or two chillies, or use a teaspoon of chilli powder if you do not have fresh chillis, and one garlic bulb. Mix with a pint of water, bring to the boil, simmer for a few minutes, allow it to cool, then strain into a spray bottle and add a small amount of washing-up liquid or vegetable oil. Use carefully, as it can affect both beneficial and pest insects.

For slugs, Ted Bromley-Hall from IBRAN says,

‘There’s a common misconception that eggshells are a great physical deterrent to slugs, but in reality, slugs can cross most sharp surfaces thanks to their secretion of a dense mucus slime. Worse still, decaying, unwashed eggshells emit a smell that attracts slugs!

‘For greenhouses and sheltered spots, you could use finely powdered gypsum, as the powder prevents the slugs from having traction. Thick cuttings of spiky bramble bushes (laid horizontally) also provide an excellent physical barrier that slugs and snails will struggle to overcome.’

The experts at Housekeep’s gardening service add, ‘Plant basil, chives and marigolds between your tomato plants to keep the bugs away (and make a delicious accompaniment to a tomato salad)" And building a bug hotel near your flower beds will encourage ladybirds, spiders and other good bugs, who will keep aphids and greenflies at bay.’

If you are looking for pest control products, browse YouGarden discount codes for potential savings.

Garden plant DIY hacks

Growing plants from seeds, bulbs, or cuttings can significantly reduce costs. While established plants offer immediate impact, starting from scratch is often cheaper and can be just as rewarding.

Oliver Hill at Garden List says, ‘Eggshells are natural, biodegradable seed starters. Simply rinse out the eggshells, fill them with potting compost, and plant your seeds inside. Once your seedlings are ready to transplant, you can plant them directly into the ground—eggshell and all—as the shells will break down and enrich the soil with calcium.’

Victoria Cummins, Senior Editor at Plant Whisperer, says, ‘One of my favourite money-saving tips is to get creative with planters. Instead of rushing to buy expensive pots, I often upcycle items from around the house. Old wooden crates, large tin cans, and even worn-out rubber boots can be transformed into charming planters. Just remember to drill drainage holes in the bottom. This not only saves money but also adds a unique touch to your garden,’ says Victoria.

Victoria also suggests a low-cost alternative to a greenhouse. ‘For an early start to the growing season without the cost of a full-sized greenhouse, I use milk jug greenhouses. By cutting the bottom off plastic milk jugs and planting seeds in pots inside, you can create mini-greenhouses that protect seedlings from late frosts and provide a warm, humid environment for growth.’

Browse home and garden discount codes to save money while filling your garden with plants.

Garden watering hacks

Watering efficiently helps maintain healthy plants and can reduce water bills, especially if you are on a metered account. Simple adjustments can make a noticeable difference.

My colleague Chelsea Alvarado, Paid Search Executive at Savoo, says, ‘Poking holes into water bottles and planting them into the soil keeps plants hydrated while you're away. That way you don’t need to rely on Mother Nature (or a neighbour) and your plants will get the water they need, so they still look great when you get home.’

Charlie McNeill, Managing Director at Rainclear, says,

‘By finding a method to collect rainwater, you can instantly reduce your usage of mains water. Even if you don’t have a filtration system in place, you can still use harvested rainwater to water your plants or wash your car. The result? Lower water bills, if you use a water meter. Harvesting water using a waterbutt for outdoor usage could lower your annual bill by as much as 10%.

‘The lack of chemicals and minerals in rainwater can be beneficial for some plants, particularly those sensitive to chlorine or salt. In addition, rainwater might contain microscopic organisms that contribute to healthy soil. It can help you become a more environmentally-friendly household too.’

Ted Bromley-Hall from IBRAN adds, ‘Covering your garden borders with mulch or stone will help keep the moisture locked in long after the rain has passed. The key is to prevent the sun from warming the ground up too much and quickly drying the soil out.’

To reduce the cost of garden watering and equipment, browse The Range discount codes.

Garden weed hacks

Weed control keeps beds tidy and prevents unwanted plants from competing for nutrients and light. Acting early can make removal easier and reduce the need for stronger treatments.

Oliver Hill at Garden List suggests, ‘Before laying mulch in garden beds, place sheets of cardboard over the soil. This suppresses weeds by blocking sunlight and helps retain soil moisture. Over time, the cardboard will decompose, adding organic matter to the soil,’ suggests Oliver.

Andrew Haydon, DIY expert at Simply Plastics, says,

‘If you're in a pinch and the weeds in your garden are quite young, you can deal with them quickly and cheaply using freshly boiled water. Simply pour water over the weeds, paying close attention to the roots, then let them cool before pulling them up. This is perfect for any weeds that thrive in tricky areas, like in-between paving slabs, or that grow up through gravel or driveways. Just be careful where you pour, as boiled water will also do a great job at killing your grass, too.’

If you decide to use a commercial weed killer, browse Homebase discount codes to look for savings.

Transform your garden on a budget

Transforming your garden does not have to mean overspending. With careful planning and expert-backed hacks, you can keep your outdoor space neat and inviting while managing costs.

Whether you are dealing with pests, persistent weeds, or simply want to brighten flower beds and fences, there are practical, low-cost steps you can take.

Ready to get started? Explore a Savoo garden discount code and look for savings on garden care brands.

If you're planning slightly bigger upgrades, such as adding a patio, improving garden lighting or replacing tired fencing, it's worth looking at which Garden improvements that add value to your home actually make a difference when it comes to selling.