As planting season is approaching, many at-home gardeners are beginning to plan their gardens for the year. For someone in high school, financing said garden may be challenging. However, there are some techniques that can aid adolescent gardeners in their quest for planthood without going over $10.

To save money when starting a garden, one of the simplest methods is to partner with others who want to be involved. By doing this, all personal expenses can be shared equally. Partnerships can be formed through friends, neighbors, fellow classmates, or anyone else interested in participating.

“The best bang for the buck is partner, partner, partner. Most neighborhoods have community garden where folks can take care of their own plot,” Daniel H., a gardening expert with the Oregon State University Department of Extension Service, said.

When finding what type of plants to put into a garden, most vegetable and fruit seeds are fairly inexpensive, sold in packs that are usually within the $5 range. Choosing which plant to put in a garden is crucial, because it determines many future expenses required to maintain its health.

One thing that every garden requires, regardless of starting price range, is commitment. Most gardens reach their optimum growth during the summer months and require diligent care. While it may be tempting to ignore the garden once it is planted, there are going to be added expenses and time that it requires to stay healthy.

“Any productive garden takes patience and work. They are also at their potential peak during the summer months,” Daniel said.

To keep costs down as the lifespan of the garden is played out, reusing materials will save time and money. By using scraps from produce that came from the garden as fertilizer, the garden will be able to be maintained for a minimal cost.