Penny Pinchers

Green Thumb On A Budget

22 Sep 2020

5 minute read

Green Thumb On A Budget



We've all spent a little more time at home than we expected this year, so who could blame you for wanting to spruce up your space. All things considered, now is the perfect time to stretch your green thumb and reinvigorate your house, garden or balcony with plants.

Besides looking lovely, plants can actually physically and psychologically destress you, so they will make the ideal companion for anyone experiencing a bit of cabin fever. And don't put your green dreams on hold for the sake of a few dollars – there's plenty of ways to get your hands on some lovely flora and foliage without spending a bomb.

We've put together some hot tips to get green on a budget this spring.

CLIP CLIP

Finding clippings while you're out and about, in your own house, or from a fellow at-home-gardener is usually free. You can propagate clippings in jars of water before replanting for the best result. Just make sure you don't pinch anything from an unsuspecting neighbour! Plus, this can leave you with some extra dosh for those pots you've had an eye on.

TO THE MARKETS YOU GO

Many stall holders have wholesale prices and bundle multiple plants together. Hello bang for your buck!

PROPAGATE IS YOUR MATE

Propagate the scraps from some of your veggies to have a never-ending supply of fresh goodies like shallots.

HIT UP AN OP-SHOP

Find some one-of-kind pots and help charity at the same time. Talk about a win, win.

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

Reuse cans, containers and glass bottles for planting and propagating to save some cash and the environment.

D.I.Y POTS

Have your friends seeing green, with some cute personalised pots. It makes for a fun activity with the kids or a bottle of wine and a great gift!

THE WONDERS OF THE INTERNET

Scroll through online marketplaces to see what bargains and freebies you can nab.

ROCK-A-BYE BABY (PLANTS)

Head to your local nursery and check out the baby plants. They're cheaper and you'll be so proud when they're all grown up.

With these simple tips, it's easy to spare a little bit of extra cash or access your real time wages from MyPayNow to turn your space into a greenhouse and benefit the full effects.

Here are some of our recommendations:

  1. Sydney: Growing Friends
  2. Melbourne: The Plant Society
  3. Brisbane: Mappin's Nursery & Aquarium
  4. Adelaide: Foliage Plant Studio
  5. Perth: Little Leaf Co
  6. Darwin: Allora Gardens Nursery
  7. Canberra: Urban Jungle