Thanks to rising gas and food prices money is tight for many of us. This doesn’t mean you have to stop gardening-in fact gardening is a good way to save money. Growing your own herbs and produce is economical and good for the environment. Here are a few tips to keep gardening costs down.

1. Use compost instead of pricey fertilizers and other soil amendments. There is a reason they call it black gold. Compost is the richest, best soil ever-and it’s free!

2. Bypass the fancy planters found in garden centers and get creative. There are all kinds of unique items that can be turned into beautiful planters. Try worn out tires, wine crates, an old wheelbarrow or children’s red wagon….once you start thinking creatively, the possibilities are endless!

3. Another way to get containers to plant in is to ask at your local grocery store and/or bakery. Most of them will be glad to give you their empties, most of which will be in the forum of large plastic buckets that held everything from pickles to flour.

4. Check with your county and town-many offer free mulch as part of their recycling programs.

5. Buy one big plant and divide it into three or four little plants. This will work on most any plant with multiple stems or bulbs.

6. Join a seed exchange. Most online and local gardening clubs have them and they are a fun and inexpensive way to get some great plants! On that same note, check out the plant sales many gardening clubs and botanical gardens have.

7. Garage sales can also be great places to find plants for little money. Just be sure to check them over carefully for any signs of disease or insects before you buy!

8. Grow plants from your scraps! Carrot tops, avocado pits, melon seeds and more can easily be grown into beautiful plants. They make fun projects for kids too!

9. To lower your water bill, use barrels to collect rainwater for watering your plants. Just be sure to add mosquito dunks to them to prevent any unwanted guests.

10. Check out places like Craigslist and Freecycle, where people are always offering plants and gardening supplies for free or low cost-you may even make a new gardening friend or two!

11. Save those plastic containers many bakery items come in. Fill with soil and you have an handy greenhouse for starting seeds.

Have some frugal gardening tips of your own? Stop by the forum and share!