Enjoy a no-obligation, completely free trial of the Garden Planner here:
https://www.GrowVeg.com/grow-planner-free
And for your completely free abridged version of Ben’s book, click here:
https://www.growveg.com/grow-book-download
Here’s the link to our video on growing herbs from supermarket packets of herbs – well worth a grow: https://youtu.be/jYNiCsfyrn0?si=6v9AInNs81Ro5PNU
To watch our video on how make leaf mould, go to :
Or if you are keen for some more tips on how to reuse plastic bottles in the garden, watch this next:
Growing your own food is an alluring idea: reduced costs at the supermarket and yummy home-grown organic produce. Sounds great! but getting started can be pricey… unless you know a few tips and tricks for what you need to source and where you can get it (dare we say ‘blag’ it?) from!
In this week’s episode we challenge Ben to see whether he really can start a garden for zero cost from soil to seeds to spades. No budget. Not even a shoestring. Can he do it? Well, let’s see!
33 Comments
You can also use what you’d buy as food for seeds. Indian, Middle Eastern and other specific food shops have large quantities of various whole spices and beans and can be used as seeds, then use the rest for cooking. I’ve also purchased one or two Japanese sweet potatoes and started slips for many plants that way.
In the US you can sign up for free logs and wood chips from GetChipDrop. Some areas seem to get more offerings than others…it’s been years for me but I stay on the list. I first lay down old clothes (natural fibers only) and cover with the chips to mulch paths.
To stop the water in your water butts going brackish, hang some copper piping or strips from the lid into the water. All you need to do then is every so often get an old rag or bit of old jute sacking and wipe off the verdigris. You may be lucky and find copper odds and ends in a skip
I got my first 20 raspberry plants from a colleagues mother-in-law, who dug them up out of her gradenbeds. This was three years ago. I now have over 100 plants (because they spread like weeds) and had a yield of 10+ kilograms of raspberries the last two years in a row. Also I give away 30+ plants every year to friends, family and colleagues, because they grow so vigorously.
Thank you 🙏🏼
Another super video, practical, well presented and easy to understand.
Thank you.
Terrible start to 2026 for me……here in Aberdeenshire we’ve had 2ft + of snow……greenhouse glass caved in & polyhouse roof collapsed .
Haven’t even looked at the brassica net/ cage. Got a major rebuild before even thinking about what to grow 😩 along with arthritis I feel like giving up……sorry for such negativity.
Wishing everyone a successful season 🤞🤞🌱🌱🌱🌱
Great video. From experience of keeping animals, choose a field of ponies, tough hardy types that thrive on hay and grass. The manure from high class equestrian centres can contain many more highly processed feeds, and vet medications/treatments. Ideally when owners worm their animals, they keep the new droppings separate from the main heap.
Check out your local tip for tools and pots etc
Love that you are showing that a garden doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. Repurposing items, propagation, seed saving from purchased veggies,… genius!
Omg I could never ask my neighbour for a free pile of compost bought with their hard earned money! 🙈 I do have my own tumbler and contribute to it weekly, year round, but only end up with enough for mulching and seed sowing.
When I saw this challenge I though, yep, that's right up Ben's alley for being frugal! LOL! You brought back memories of what my Lithuanian grandmother (and avid gardener) used to do to tie her tomato plants – she used to cut up her panty hose when they had runs in them and they worked great because they stretchy and lasted for many seasons! You seem to be the McGeyver of the Garden! LOL!
That’s exactly what I’m doing for my zero cost garden project.l I started back in 2024, new videos will be added to my playlist soon and over then next year. (Also your planner is so handy) perfect for following along at home for those in Brisbane, Australia.
Such a good example of how gardening doesn’t have to cost.
We got some compost from our Australian council, the stuff killed all out planting and we had to dispose of the contaminated compost, it was contaminated with broad leaf chemicals, we didnt get any refunds or any help. It came from the grass clippings, that was sprayed with broad leaf chemicals.
Love all your videos Ben! But this one is long over due.🤗 Especially for people on a tight budget. I learnt the art of scavenging a couple of years ago , when I finally got an allotment. I don’t drive and not on Facebook. But I do have a old shopping trolley. Which I use to collect free sawdust from local wood merchant. Free fruit and veg local grocers through away. Tons of cardboard from work. Free leaves which the council bags up. Free egg shells and coffee from local cafes😆. And it’s all well worth the effort!!! Because now I have tons of free compost ready for the spring 😊😆 And I remind myself nothing is going in landfill! 🙏🏻🤗🙌.
I ask neighbours and relatives and work colleagues for grass clippings. They are more than happy to give it away😃🤗🙏🏻
Also make sure the horses (or cattle) are not taking any sort of antibiotics either.
I wish my grass was as wimpy as your grass.
Does your wife let you touch her…? 😅
We 💚 you, Ben & Co.!
💚👍
Many communities in the US have free seed libraries for residents! You can look for "Master Gardener" and your city name and see what comes up — those folks are happy to chat and tell you about many free resources.
Ben in our current world, I don't find buying products used for food/food production from anonymous platforms like you've suggsted. Gone are those days we can trust the inherent goodness of people. Sadly with the scammers, illegals and refugees defrauding the American people. Maybe sourcing from local farmer markets but without knowing the seller it's not wise to trust.
I am imagining my wife's reaction to my putting open bags of horse manure in her car
Great video thank you so much
Very smart idea growing bamboo. I love FREE!
This kind of video makes me want to step outside and spend a bit more time with my plants. It’s a nice reminder to enjoy the small, quiet moments.
Hi Ben,
I was thinking of planting some early potatoes in the ground where I'm going to plant my runner beans, do you think I will have time to harvest the potatoes before the beans need to go in.
Have you ever tried this idea.
Thx for your tips love them and will be trying to be as good as you❤
Its worth checking out freegle and freecycle for garden stuff when starting out. I've had all sorts. Our local library has a seed library. People can drop of donations of own grown seed or extra seed they have and take up to three things per visit. Ours gets donations from local shops too.
VEry useful tips. Any tips on keeping cats away from the vegetable garden as they are using it as a litter area.
Make sure the horses that produce the manure aren't treated against worms. If they are, then their manure isn't safe to use in the garden.
These are some amazing tips! I just want to add, there’s lots of time right now, which means you should check if last years and even 2 yr old seeds leftover will germinate. I always have lettuce and radish seeds leftover from previous years and I’m confident in saying success rate is 70%!
As always, a hugely enjoyable and interesting video. Did feel a little uncomfortable when you were handling manure without gloves though.
I have never seen manure so dark! Guess all I've seen was "fresh stuff"! Our city offers free bark for gardens (in all likelihood it will include all the dead trees that were removed and shredded (and which DIED FROM AN INFESTATION OF ASH EMERALD BORER INSECTS which, for some reason, seems to be spreading all over the countryside and city!)
Hi Ben when can I start my beetroot seed please mick