Creating your dream garden can seem like a pricey venture, but with the right budget garden ideas, it doesn’t have to cost the earth.
Gardening doesn’t need to be an expensive hobby – there are plenty of budget garden ideas you can use to create your dream space.
Even the most attractive garden landscaping ideas can be achieved with cheap tricks, whether you’re working with a small courtyard or a larger garden. A lot of cost-cutting hacks make for easy garden ideas, too – so they’re a win-win.
(Image credit: Future PLC/Tim Young)
1. Make your own compost
(Image credit: Future PLC/Heather Young)
Learning how to make compost is one of the best budget garden ideas out there if you’re trying to cut costs, and it’s a brilliant way to make sure food scraps and other garden clippings don’t go to waste. It doesn’t have to break the bank, either – you can even learn how to make compost in a bottle!
‘Even if you’ve only got a tiny space, a small bin or a DIY heap in a corner will do the trick,’ says Michael Griffiths (Mediterranean Gardener on TikTok), gardening expert working with Gumtree.
‘It saves you cash, cuts down on waste, and gives you a steady supply of nutrient-packed goodness to feed your beds, pots, or even houseplants.’
2. Plant perennials from seed
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Perennials are plants that come back every year, often bursting into bloom each spring and summer (or later on, if you pick autumn-flowering perennials). Choosing perennials over annuals and biennials is a great way to get your money’s worth, and growing perennials from seed is even cheaper.
‘If you’re fed up with spending money on plants that keel over after one season, perennials are for you,’ says Michael.
‘They seriously earn their keep, especially clump-formers like geums, rudbeckias, and salvias, which you can split and replant. Growing from seed is hands down the best way to save cash and still get loads of variety.’
Perennials are reliable stalwarts, even if you’re working with budget small garden ideas. You can buy Geum ‘Blazing Sunset’ seeds from Thompson & Morgan for just £1.69.
3. Start seeds in leftover toilet roll tubes
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If you’re trying to cut costs, a seed tray can be another expense – but you can use empty toilet roll tubes in the garden.
‘Before tossing them, empty toilet paper rolls make great eco-friendly seed starters,’ says Yen Goo, founder of Paguro Upcycle.
‘Just grab scissors, potting soil, seeds, and a shallow tray. Cut four small slits at the bottom, fold them inward for a base, and fill with soil.’
You can even transplant the entire roll into the garden when planting your seedlings out to avoid disturbing the roots.
4. Revamp second-hand wooden furniture
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Thrifting second-hand furniture is one of the best-kept secrets when it comes to budget garden ideas. If you’re looking for cheap garden furniture ideas, it’s worth hunting for hidden gems in charity shops or on Facebook Marketplace.
‘I’d recommend going for solid wood pieces over softer woods as they are more resilient woods and less vulnerable to weather,’ says Hudson Lambert, Upcycling expert at Roxil.
Once you have your second-hand pieces, they might need a bit of TLC. ‘Clean the furniture thoroughly, making sure you use the right cleaner for the wood,’ Hudson advises. ‘For hardwood, we’d recommend a biodegradable cleaner like the Roxil 100 Wood and Patio Cleaner, available at Amazon, which you can spray on, leave for an hour, then spray off with plenty of water.
‘For softwood, try a wood scrub like Roxil Wood Scrub Gel, also available at Amazon. Add water to the wood’s surface before applying the gel to aid workability, then leave it for an hour, and scrub with a hard brush.
Hudson Lambert
Hudson Lambert is Roxil’s resident upcycling expert and managing director with over 25 years of industry experience. Safeguard Europe (the umbrella brand of Roxil) was founded in 1983 by Hudson’s father.
5. Carve out a gravel path
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If you’re hoping to pave a new path without breaking the bank, gravel is a brilliant budget garden idea.
In fact, it’s one of the most inexpensive garden path ideas out there if you’re hoping to keep costs down.
‘Gravel is by far the most affordable option if you’re looking to install a patio on a budget,’ says Tom Clifford, director at Gardenstone. ‘Not only is the cost of the gravel itself cheaper, but the installation and labour costs are significantly reduced when compared to slab paving.’
6. Reuse containers
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An abundance of quirky containers awaits you in your kitchen cupboards – empty food tins can be washed up, the edges smoothed and transformed into plant pots for unique upcycled planter ideas for the garden.
When you look at the household items you have around you, a surprising number can be upcycled in this way. Not only will you be saving money by not buying brand-new plant pots, but they also make unique features in a greenhouse or garden, and a talking point for guests.
7. Make a planter with built-in drainage
(Image credit: Future PLC /Howard Walker)
Another great way to save cash on a planter is to use an old metal colander and attach four lengths of chain to it to make a hanging basket. It’s a brilliant upycling idea for the garden.
The beauty of a colander is that it has ready-made drainage holes already built in, so you don’t need to worry about waterlogging. Plant it up with a mixture of flowering plants and trailing plants to make a beautiful display.
8. Upcycle pallets
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There are so many pallet ideas to choose from, so if you can get your hands on one of these handy structures, you can save yourself a lot of money in the garden.
For a nifty budget garden idea, try learning how to make pallet furniture or create a DIY pallet herb garden. A lick of weather-resistant wood treatment like Ronseal Total Clear Wood Preserver from B&Q can make these structures last even longer.
9. Make an easy water feature
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While there’s a huge range of designs available to buy, a DIY water feature is super easy to put together and can look just as effective.
Choose a shallow but wide, open container – a vintage enamel basin, galvanised metal tub, or even an upturned dustbin lid will do the job perfectly. Place your container on level ground or raise it up on a simple brick or timber plinth, away from trees or shrubs.
Decide what you want your feature to include, whether that’s still water, an outdoor floating solar fountain from Amazon, or a selection of pond plants from Crocus. Then, simply fill it with water and enjoy the reflection of scudding clouds overhead and visits from birds and other wildlife.
10. Sow your own wildflowers
(Image credit: Brent Darby)
If money’s tight and investing in potted plants and bulbs seems too pricey, consider sowing some wildflower seeds. They’re a brilliantly cheap garden idea.
‘If you’re looking to create a vibrant wildflower garden, using seeds is your best bet,’ says Amy Stubbs, development and project manager at British Garden Centres.
‘For an easy-to-maintain garden, select mixes that include low-maintenance varieties like ox-eye daisy, corn poppy, cornflower, and corn marigold. Once you’ve chosen your seeds, simply scatter them in the desired location and lightly rake them in.’
You can find a wide selection of wildflower seeds at Thompson & Morgan.
11. Lay a DIY path
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Trying out a cheap DIY garden path idea doesn’t have to be an expensive or arduous project. Besides gravel, you can use bark nuggets, slate chippings or pea shingle, which are practical underfoot and look good, too.
Or, salvage a pile of leftover bricks and put them to good use by making a path that mirrors the edge of your flowerbeds. Lay them in a bed of gravel to create a decorative curve, experiment with patterns, or try a basketweave design.
This will stop the aggregate from being pushed down into the soil and prevent weeds from growing up through the path.
Another brilliant budget garden idea for paths is to lay a woodland-style log path using cross-sections of sawn logs. Place them on a firm and levelled pathway and arrange them as stepping-stones, filling in any gaps between them with bark chippings.
12. Make slate plant markers
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Never confuse your chives with your chervil again with this budget garden idea.
Create handy slate labels to pop in your herb pots, using a white marker pen or piece of chalk (if you want to rub them out) to write the plant names on mini slate tiles.
Bend wire using pliers to make rods with curled hooks to hang them on, and write how often your plants need watering on the back of the marker to help you keep on top of plant care.
13. Reuse old corks for planting
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Or, save the corks from bottles of wine enjoyed with friends and upcycle them into vegetable tags. Carefully slice one-fifth of the cork off to create a flat surface, then use a permanent marker to write each vegetable name on.
Push a wooden skewer into the bottom of the cork to give your tag height, then pop it into the ground when you’re growing your veg to remind you of what’s what.
14. Use old guttering to plant up strawberries
(Image credit: Future PLC/ /Howard Walker)
Don’t just chuck out old plastic guttering once it needs replacing – use it as a cheap container for growing strawberry plants, instead.
Attach the guttering to the wall of your house or garage and arrange them in lengths on top of each other. Not only will this create an attractive display, but it will also save you from having to bend over low flower beds.
15. Cover up a shabby patio
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Rather than forking out for a new patio to be installed, simply disguise tired paving or a weathered deck with a colourful, all-weather rug.
The majority of outdoor rugs are made from woven polypropylene and come in a whole host of different patterns, bright colours or earthy neutrals and can be picked up for under £100, like this grey Ecology Collection outdoor rug from B&Q.
Warmer and more comfortable underfoot than cold slabs, a rug is an easy way of bringing instant colour and pattern to an outdoor living room and can make an eye-catching focal point between garden furniture. Durable and hard-wearing, they can be left outside during rain showers and are quick to dry.
16. Make a feature of your potting table
(Image credit: Joanna Henderson)
Spruce up a plain potting table by hanging garden-related bits and bobs on hooks and nails above it.
Try an array of inexpensive bird boxes and a barometer if you have one (if not, try an antique shop). Then, hang a few wire box shelves on the wall or fence and fill them with potted plants or herbs.
For even more storage, you could attach an iron or powder-coated utensil rail above the table and hang your most-used garden tools using S-hooks.
17. Create some instant (and inexpensive) shade
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If you have a compact patio garden that’s a bit of a sun trap, try installing a shade sail. It won’t take up the valuable space that a parasol would, but it still gives you a little bit of much-needed shade from the hot sun. You can buy affordable sail shades like this triangle waterproof sail shade at B&Q.
‘If you have a seating area but no room or budget for a parasol, try draping some white fabric or sheets in your garden to provide some respite from the sun as well as a stylish area to sit and relax,’ says stylist and creative director Charlie Davis.
Get creative and try your own garden shade ideas using an old sail or sheet and attach it to a wall, tree or fence using a thin rope.
18. Snap up affordable furniture deals
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Every now and then, a high street brand will bring out a piece of furniture that we do a total double-take on – as in, ‘Surely it costs more than that?’
Keep an eye on our garden furniture deals page to be in the know when the big retailers drop prices on their best pieces.
19. Create a gallery wall with planters
(Image credit: Future/Tim Young)
Another one of our favourite budget garden ideas? Creating a gallery wall for top-notch outdoor wall decor ideas.
Create a display of frames and wall-hung planters on an exterior wall in the same way that you would hang pictures inside. Old loaf tins make great planters – just remember to drill holes for drainage.
Stylist and creative director Charlie loves creating living walls in gardens: ‘They can literally be made from anything – old metal buckets, picture frames, tins, wooden pallets, and so much more. Plant up with succulents or trailing plants or, better still, go for herbs for a lovely aroma.’
You can even fix a picture ledge or shelf along a wall above a garden sofa and arrange potted plants and outdoor sculptures on it to give the space an outdoor living room feel.
20. Open a DIY garden bar
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Tim Young)
Garden designer and presenter Joel Bird loves garden bar ideas.
‘I build them everywhere,’ he says. ‘If they get people into – and using – a garden, then that’s good for humans and nature. They are surprisingly easy to make – you just need a table that’s elbow height. Why not clad yours with scrap wood?’
You could even build your own DIY pallet bar with an upcycled wooden pallet, mounting it to the wall with a chain to drop down when required. It’s cheap to make, and it’ll save you a fortune from not spending on a pre-made bar island.
21. Use climbing plants to offer privacy
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If you’re looking for budget garden screening ideas, look no further than fast-growing climbing plants that provide privacy.
Clematis is an excellent choice, as it effortlessly weaves its way across surfaces and flowers beautifully in the summertime.
If you choose climbing plants that thrive on neglect, you’ll be bagging yourself a budget garden idea and a low-maintenance screen all-in-one.
22. Plant a young tree to add some height to your space
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Pre-grown trees can be super expensive, but you can always plant a bare-root tree. You’ll have to be patient while you wait for it to grow and start producing fruit, but if you plant several at once, you’ll have a clever slow-burn budget garden idea on your hands.
Or, buy a small decorative tree, like an acer, palm, olive or apple – try Aldi and Lidl for affordable versions – and either plant it in the ground or pop it in a planter. The latter is a better option if you’re renting, so you can bring it with you if you move.
Over the years, this small tree – with a little love – will grow to become a wonderful addition to your garden, adding colour and interest to a dull corner.
23. Impress guests with a multipurpose shed
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Create the perfect place to entertain by making your garden shed a multipurpose solution. Rather than disappear into the house every time another drink is needed, you can make cocktail hour an alfresco affair and open your shed out into a bar for garden parties.
Add a temporary surface to lean your drinks on and hang herbs from the roof to utilise as ingredients or garnishes for cocktails. Then, when the chillier weather sets in, you can return all the garden furniture to the shed for safekeeping until next year.
24. Paint your exterior tiles
(Image credit: Future/Claire Lloyd Davies)
Tired of your existing patio tiles but have no budget to revamp them? Consider painting them to make your patio look more expensive.
All you need is a good quality primer that you can apply once you’ve cleaned the area you want to paint and marked off the design. Once dry, paint your tiles in the chosen colour – make sure it’s for outdoor use – and finish with a good quality sealant.
25. Refresh your fence
(Image credit: Future Plc/Colin Poole)
For an instant pick-me-up when the weather turns warmer, why not try painting the fence in a fresh pastel shade or a dramatic dark? An easy fix for weathered outdoor timber that’s looking a little jaded, such as fence panels and trellis, these garden fence ideas and spruce-ups can be completed in less than a day and won’t break the bank.
‘You should choose a paint colour that enhances your existing garden or terrace,’ says Aaron Markwell, COAT’s paint colour guru. ‘Pairing smoky dark greens with black paint or a green-grey will make your plants pop and serve as a beautiful background for your outdoor furniture.
‘Grey and green paint tones work perfectly outdoors and can create an illusion of space that can make a small garden feel bigger.’
26. Re-seed the lawn
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If you love the idea of lush lawn ideas for summer picnics or for the kids to have a run-around, then you’re in luck, as it’s cheap and relatively easy to create. While using rolls of turf may be quicker, it’s definitely more expensive – so if you’re prepared to be patient, learning how to overseed a lawn is the way forward.
You’ll need to prepare the ground first, removing any weeds or stones and levelling it out before re-compacting it and raking over the top. Once sown, water the seeds and keep them moist until they have properly germinated.
27. Create a candle centrepiece
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Dominic Blackmore)
Use vintage terracotta pots to make a simple patio display. Fill the pots with sand and push in a selection of dinner candles.
Odd numbers feel visually balanced, so use three standard-sized candles or seven to nine skinny tapered ones.
Place it on the table as a rustic centrepiece or along walkways to cast light and create a relaxed ambience. To repel insects, use candles that contain citronella.
28. Make beanbag floor cushions
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Rather than lug heavy floor cushions around the garden, opt for an easy-carry DIY version filled with lightweight polystyrene beads. Use brightly-coloured striped or floral fabrics and a PVC-coated fabric for the base so that the floor cushions are waterproof.
Start by making a large square cushion shape using two large square pieces (for the top and bottom), joined together using four long pieces (to create the side gussets).
Use a sewing machine to join them together, adding a long zipper on one end gusset and then a small carry handle on the opposite end. Once complete, fill with bean bag beads through the back zipper opening.
29. Create a free veg garden with kitchen scraps
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If you want to grow your own on a budget, but don’t really have space or the energy to plant and tend to a full-scale veggie patch, why not try a compact vegetable trug instead?
Marcus Eyles, horticultural director at Dobbies, suggests ways to grow vegetables from kitchen scraps. ‘Spring onions and celery are two kitchen staples that are easy to regrow from their root base with a couple of inches of stem attached.
‘Slice across the stems, then stand them root-down in a shallow glass of water. When new roots appear, plant them out in the garden to grow on.’
30. Build a budget corner sofa
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Dominic Blackmore)
Making your own furniture is always going to prove more budget-friendly – plus, you get exactly what you’re looking for.
Visit your local DIY retailer and buy some basic sheets of MDF to construct a seat for your corner sofa, fashioning a back with scatter cushions for comfort. Ensure the base is securely fastened to the walls and well-supported beneath to take the weight when garden gatherings ensue.
‘It’s surprisingly easy to make a bench from railway sleepers,’ explains garden designer Joel. ‘The trick is to paint any base or legs black and sand the top lighter, so it looks made and designed. Railway sleeper ideas give a garden structure and planting space, but try to work to the dimensions of the sleepers, rather than waste time, effort, and often money, cutting them to fit.’
31. Upturn crates to fashion garden shelving
(Image credit: Future Plc/Spike Powell)
Use old wooden crates imaginatively to create bespoke garden storage. Upturned crates can be stacked to fashion shelving for displaying plants or simply storing pots and accessories – even garden shoes.
To ensure safety, we recommend attaching the wooden crates securely to the fence behind, where possible. If you’re using them as a freestanding storage unit, say in a shed, simply attach the crates to one another and make sure they’re positioned safely so they don’t topple over.
32. Transform old shelves into a vertical herb garden
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole)
If you have an old set of shelves, mount them to a fence and fill them with terracotta pots to create your own vertical herb garden. You can also convert an old ladder if you don’t have any old shelves lying around.
Hang it on a wall or fence close to where you have your barbecue so you can add fresh herbs to your grill as and when you need them.
Which budget garden ideas will you be trying this year?