Have you been to your local Dollar Tree lately? If so, have you checked out their gardening supplies? If not, then you’re missing out. Dollar Tree gardening supplies are inexpensive and yet work just as well as pricier options that you might be elsewhere. You can get gardening basics like seeds, of course. You can also get some gardening tools. Don’t stop there, though. Get creative and use everything from twine to popsicle sticks to work in your garden and make it more beautiful.

A Few Key Notes on Dollar Tree Gardening Supplies

You can get some of the below items as single purchases at your local Dollar Tree. Others are only available online. Those typically require a minimum purchase. You could buy in bulk for things you’ll use. Alternatively, perhaps you can split purchases up with other gardeners so that you all get what you need at the lowest price.

Garden Basics from Dollar Tree

A lot of Dollar Tree gardening supplies will help you with the basics of gardening. These include:

• Seeds: You can get a variety of different seeds to start or grow your garden. You can get individual seed packets. Alternatively, boxes of seed mixture. Look for the American Seed brand, for example.
• Seed Pots: Want to start your seeds in pots? You can get seed starter pots at Dollar Tree as well. A ten-count pack of American Seed Lawn & Garden Natural Fiber Seed Starter Pots costs $1.25 online. They have small seed starter greenhouses as well.
• Fertilizer. You might be able to find fertilizer spikes at your local Dollar Tree. If not, Dollar Tree online has them.

Note that you typically can’t get soil at Dollar Tree. That’s one of the basics you’ll have to look for elsewhere, unfortunately.

Dollar Tree Garden Tools

There are so many great tools that make gardening easier. Can you get them inexpensively at your local Dollar Tree? You bet you can! Check Dollar Tree online for different options.

• Gardening Gloves. Dollar Tree offers a surprising array of different gardening gloves. Fleece, jersey, and nitrile-coated fabric gardening gloves are among the options. They come in many cute colors and patterns.
• Watering Pails. Dollar Tree sells plastic watering pails. You can also purchase plastic watering stakes and self-watering plastic pots.
• Trowels, Small Shovels, Cultivators, Pruning Shears. These are some of the simple but necessary garden tools that you can get at Dollar Tree.
• Kneeling Pads. You don’t need fancy need pads to keep your knees safe in the garden. Instead, get affordable kneeling pads. You can lay these down anywhere you need to work in the garden, kneel on them, and move along.

Garden Decor from Dollar Tree

Dollar Tree has a range of outdoor decorations that you can utilize in your garden. Some of the things that you might want to look for include:

• Pots and Planters. Whether you want them for indoors or outdoors, you can add small pots to your garden at a low cost. Dollar Tree has stackable plastic and ceramic pots as well as metal planters.
• Baskets. When it comes time to collect the fruits and vegetables for your garden, use a lovely basket that you bought at Dollar Tree to help you with your harvest. You can also use baskets as decor in a garden. Keep an eye out for hanging baskets, too.
• Solar Lanterns. Add light to your garden with affordable solar lanterns from Dollar Tree. You can get them for $5 at Dollar Tree online, minimum purchase of 8. They also have solar stake lights in varied designs although the minimum purchase online is higher.
• Bird Feeders. For example, purchase an inexpensive hummingbird feeder to bring new life to your garden.
• Garden Stakes. You’ll find a wide variety of different decorative garden stakes to choose from.
• Plastic Plant Labels. Use these to mark which seeds you’ve planted so that you don’t forget.
• Decorative Ceramics. Look all around the store as there are a variety of these in different locations. Create little scenes to add some whimsy to your garden.
• Decorative Garden Stones. These come with a variety of inspirational sayings that will spruce up your garden.

Miscellaneous Dollar Tree Gardening Supplies

Some of the other items that you might want to get at Dollar Tree aren’t specifically for gardening but are great for DIY gardening. Explore the different materials that you might use to create what you want in your garden. create a Pinterest board. Then look for the supplies that you need at Dollar Tree. Examples include:

• Twine. There are dozens of ways to use twine in the garden.
• Nautical Rope. You can also use this in varied ways from creating a rope fence to making your own macrame plant hangers.
• Weed Barrier: Dollar Tree offers 4×8 sheets of fabric for $1. Use them to create weed barriers in your garden.
• Wire Wreath Forms. Use these to guide some of your plants into interesting shapes.
• Spray Bottles. Use these for misting plants, spraying pesticides, etc.
• Dixie Cups: These are perfect alternatives to seed starting pots.
• Popsicle Sticks. Many people like to use popsicle sticks as DIY plant markers. You can get them at Dollar Tree. Do note, however, that there’s some controversy around this because they tend to mold quickly.
• Citronella Incense / Candles. Keep the bugs away when you’re sitting out in your garden.
• Dishes. Get an assortment of small dishes for varied use around the garden. They can become decorative plant saucers, colorful mosaic stepping stones, or charming bird baths.
• Small Tables. Place pots on small stackable tables in your garden. They’re available at a low price over at Dollar Tree.

Read More:

• Top 6 Gardening Knee Pads on Amazon
• 14 Essential Gardening Products Under $10 at Amazon

I am a huge fan of thrift stores. Mostly, I go for the clothes. I almost never buy clothing that isn’t either secondhand or handmade. But thrift stores also have tons of other things. My partner is terrific about shopping thrift stores and estate sales for everything from vintage coffee makers to new used furniture. So, naturally, thrift store gardening ideas have come into my life. It’s a great way to get anything you might need for the garden without spending a lot of money.

Thrift Store Gardening Tools Are Often Durable

I’m admittedly not someone who uses a large number of tools. However, my father was a woodworker. My mother owned rental properties that she always fixed up herself. So, I know about tools, even if I don’t use them a whole lot myself. And what I know about most tools is that the ones made a really long time ago were made to last. Therefore,  if you find older tools, they’re actually likely to last you longer than buying the same brand new tool today. Of course, that’s not always the case. And there are plenty of new gadgets and gizmos that have features you just aren’t going to get from a decades-old device. But, overall, thrift store gardening allows you to find tools that might just last you a lifetime.

Top Ten Garden Tools to Get At Thrift Stores

You can find a range of different items at thrift stores, of course. Here are ten to look for as a gardener:

1. Hand Trowel: Secondhand trowels, being durable and frequently available, offer an affordable and reliable option for various planting and weeding needs.
2. Pruning Shears: This is another example of a tool that was crafted with sturdier materials in the past. Secondhand pruning shears provide a more resilient tool for precision trimming at a fraction of the cost of a new pair.
3. Shovel: Thrift stores offer a great selection of shovels.
4. Rake: And, of course, rakes are usually easy to find at thrift stores as well.
5. Garden Hoe: Why pay for a fancy garden hoe when a simple secondhand one does just as well?
6. Watering Can: Thrift stores frequently have a variety of watering cans, including unique vintage designs that add fun to the garden.
7. Garden Fork: If you can find a garden fork at a thrift store, get it!
8. Garden Gloves: Get a variety of different glove types at a low cost when you shop secondhand.
9. Wheelbarrow: Thrift stores often have secondhand wheelbarrows in good working condition, providing an affordable option for transporting heavy loads in your garden compared to buying a new one.
10. Garden Sprayer: These aren’t typically as easy to find in thrift stores but grab one if you see one.

Other Garden Items to Get at Thrift Stores

Beyond tools, thrift stores hold a myriad of unique and vintage garden decor items. The beauty lies in the discovery; you might stumble upon an item with a story, infusing your garden with personality and charm. Plus, repurposing items for the garden not only adds aesthetic value but also reduces waste by giving these pieces a second life. Examples to look for:

Pottery / Containers

Thrift stores offer an eclectic range of containers, from ceramic pots to quirky containers that can be upcycled as planters. You can uncover items like teapots, baskets, or even old drawers that can be transformed into unique plant-holding vessels. It’s a budget-friendly way to add flair and creativity to your gardening space while recycling and repurposing items that might otherwise go unused.

Garden Books and Resources

Thrift stores often carry a variety of gardening books, magazines, and resources at discounted prices. You might stumble upon vintage gardening manuals, plant encyclopedias, or DIY guides for garden projects. These resources can provide valuable insights, tips, and inspiration for both beginners and seasoned gardeners. Plus, flipping through the pages of a weathered book can add a nostalgic charm to your gardening journey.

Garden Furniture

Thrift stores often feature garden furniture pieces like chairs, tables, or benches. Look for sturdy, weather-resistant materials that can withstand outdoor conditions.

Outdoor Lighting

Thrift stores sometimes offer outdoor lighting options such as lanterns, string lights, or solar-powered fixtures. You might discover vintage lamps that can be repurposed or modern solar-powered lights that add a touch of enchantment to your garden pathways or seating areas.

Seasonal Decor and Planters

Seasonal planters or decorative elements can be easily switched out to keep your garden fresh and vibrant throughout the year. From Halloween scarecrows to Christmas-themed planters, these items can be excellent additions to celebrate different seasons or holidays in your garden.

Outdoor Games and Entertainment

Thrift stores sometimes carry outdoor games and entertainment items like croquet sets, badminton rackets, or old-fashioned board games designed for outdoor use. These items can provide a fun and nostalgic element to your garden.

Plant Starters and Garden Supplies

Apart from tools and decor, thrift stores sometimes offer plant starters like pots with young seedlings or cuttings. You might chance upon unused bags of soil, organic fertilizers, or barely used gardening gloves—all at a fraction of their original cost.

My Favorite Places for Thrift Store Gardening in the SF Bay Area

My partner recently introduced me to Urban Ore. It’s a huge warehouse thrift store in Berkeley that I can’t believe I hadn’t already known about. They have just about everything you might want – both for the home and for more industrial purposes. And they have a huge outdoor section. You know when you walk out the back of Home Depot into the garden section? It’s like that, but better. If you only go thrift store gardening in one place in the San Francisco Bay Area, then this is the place that I recommend.

The other place I’d highly recommend is SCRAP SF. This is actually an artist thrift store. Mostly I go here for yarn and canvas. However, there are so many different materials here. While you might not find garden tools, per se, you can still find a lot of items to upcycle for the garden. Planters, garden decor, etc. are all enhanced by the materials here.

Read More:

• Upcycling in the Garden
• Are Old Tires Toxic to Plants?
• Don’t Throw Those Pots Away!

Thorn-proof gardening gloves are an essential tool for any gardener who deals with prickly plants, thorny shrubs, or any potentially harmful vegetation. They provide protection against cuts, punctures, and scratches. Therefore, they allow you to work in the garden more safely and comfortably. They don’t have to be costly but you do want to make sure that you invest in a good pair.

What Are Thorn-Proof Gardening Gloves?

Thorn-proof gardening gloves are a type of protective handwear designed specifically to shield your hands. All gloves will protect your hands to some extent, of course. However, these gloves have unique features that make them specifically protective. They’re important for handling thorny or prickly plants. If you prune rose bushes, for example, you want to make sure to use these gloves. Additionally, if you have sensitive skin, you may want to use them in all of your gardening.

What To Look For When Buying Thorn-Proof Gardening Gloves

Here are some key features and considerations for thorn-proof gardening gloves:

• Material: Thorn-proof gloves are typically made from durable and puncture-resistant materials such as leather, synthetic leather, or specialized fabrics with reinforced layers. Leather gloves, in particular, are known for their toughness and ability to withstand thorns.
• Thickness: These gloves are usually thicker than standard gardening gloves. This is to provide an extra layer of protection against thorns and sharp objects.
• Length: Many thorn-proof gloves come with extended cuffs or gauntlets. These cover a portion of your forearm, providing added protection in areas where thorny plants may come into contact with your skin.
• Fit: A good fit is essential for comfort and dexterity. Look for gloves that fit snugly but still allow for movement and flexibility. Some gloves have adjustable wrist closures to ensure a secure fit.
• Grip: A textured or non-slip surface on the palm and fingers of the gloves can help you maintain a firm grip on tools and plants, even when working in wet conditions.
• Breathability: While protection is crucial, it’s also important to consider breathability to prevent your hands from becoming too sweaty or uncomfortable during extended gardening sessions. Some thorn-proof gloves have breathable materials or mesh panels to promote airflow.
• Durability: Look for gloves with reinforced seams and stitching.
• Cleaning: Check whether the gloves are easy to clean. Some thorn-proof gloves can be wiped clean. Others may be machine washable.

Top-Selling Thorn-Proof Gardening Gloves

Here are some of the top-selling options to choose from when picking out the right durable, thorn-proof gloves for your own gardening adventures:

Skydeer Utility Gloves

There are many different types of leather gloves, of course. Skydiver specializes in deer leather, which turns out to be a great option for the garden. These are soft and flexible but also durable and protective. They have many different choices, but narrow down your options to the “utility gloves.” Their Elegant Ladies Gardening Glove comes in a wrist length as well as an extended length. They even have gloves in this category for kids who help in the garden.

MERTURN Leather Gardening Gloves for Women

Available for less than $15 per pair on Amazon, these are definitely top sellers. Some of their standout features include:

• The combination of leather and cotton in their design offers breathability with durability and protection.
• They have “touchscreen” fingers which means that you can easily check something on the phone without taking them off.
• They have a soft foam padded palm that is also “stab proof.”
• These gloves are flexible with great grip.
• They have a really cute design available in over three dozen different styles/colors to suit your personal style.

HANDLANDY Rose Pruning Gloves for Men & Women

These are extra long gloves that protect your arms all the way up to the elbow. They are made of pigskin, which some people prefer because this is a very breathable type of leather. Unlike some other leathers, when these get wet, they still dry soft, staying comfortable. Therefore, if you often garden in wet conditions, these are a great choice. The palms and fingertips are reinforced to be puncture resistant.

Read More:

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• Top 5 Women’s Gardening Overalls Ranked by Price
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It’s spring and for many of us that’s a great reminder to do some spring cleaning. Cleaning isn’t just for the house, either; you should spring clean your garden. And, of course, you should clean and disinfect your garden tools throughout the year as well. Here are some of the most frugal ways that you can do that,.

Difference Between Cleaning and Disinfecting Garden Tools

Last year, we looked at five frugal ways to disinfect garden tools. We’re going to talk more about disinfecting but also about cleaning. So what is the difference between when you clean and disinfect garden tools?

The two things are related, of course. But cleaning gardening tools simply means washing off the soil and whatever else might be visible on the tools. This is something that you should doing regularly. It helps keep them in good working order, preventing rust and other damage. It also helps prevent the spread of disease or other garden problems if you’re using the same tools throughout the garden.

Cleaning is also something you might do before disinfecting your garden tools. Disinfecting takes it a set further, though. This is all about killing the germs that might cause harm to your garden. It’s a more specific approach to keeping your plants safe. It’s especially important when you know that there’s been a fungus or pest in the garden. However, you’ll want to disinfect regularly as well.

Why Clean and Disinfect Garden Tools

It’s important to both clean and disinfect your garden tools for many reasons including:

• Prevent spread of disease in your garden
• Prevent spread of pests in your garden
• Prolong the life of your tools
• Keep the tools in the best working order to make working with them easy and efficient
• Having a good garden routine, including cleaning, helps maximize the mental health benefits of gardening

Frugal Ways To Clean and Disinfect Your Garden Tools

In last year’s article, we covered five frugal ways to disinfect your garden tools:

1. Bleach water
2. Distilled white vinegar
3. Alcohol
4. Trisodium Phosphates
5. Bleach-free disinfectant wipes

You can check that article for more details about each of those. Today, we’ll look at even more frugal ways to clean and disinfect your garden tools.

Frugal Cleaning Options

• Cloths and rags. Part of cleaning your garden tools is simply wiping the soil off of them. Therefore you can use cleaning cloths, including rags, to clean your garden tools. Simply wipe them down. You can do this after each use, weekly, or at least right now for spring cleaning.
• Sponges and scrubbers. If the dirt on your tools is a bit more persistent, then use a sponge to scrub it off. You can also use a wire brush for the same purpose. Add some elbow grease.
• Plain water. Hose down the hose. In other words, simply spray clean water onto your garden tools to clean them.. You might also wash them in a bathtub or power wash them with a pressure washer.
• Soapy water. Be careful about using soap in the garden because it can be bad for your plants. That said, you can use it to wash your tools. Be sure to rinse them completely and fully dry them before using them again.
• Baking soda. This makes a great scrub for deeper cleaning. Mix it with water to create a paste that you can scrub with.
• Lemon juice: Squeeze fresh lemon juice onto your tools and scrub them with a brush or sponge. Let the lemon juice sit on the tools for a few minutes, then rinse them with water and dry them with a clean cloth.
• Sandpaper: If your garden tools are rusty, you can use sandpaper to remove the rust and restore their surface. Simply rub the sandpaper over the rusted area until it’s gone, then wipe the tool clean with a cloth.
• Sand. That’s right – sand can clean your garden tools. You put clean fresh sand into a bucket. Then you mix in vegetable oil to moisten it. Put tools like shovels into the mixture and rub them around. This both sharpens and cleans the tool. Then brush off the sand.

After cleaning your tools, you might want to coat any metal parts with vegetable oil. This is a great frugal way to prevent rust.

Frugal Disinfecting Options

When you’re ready to disinfect your garden tools, there are many frugal options in addition to the five mentioned above. These include:

• Hydrogen peroxide. Like alcohol or bleach, this is another effective disinfectant for garden tools. Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water. Put that on your tools and let it sit for a few minutes. Rinse and dry the tools.
• Tea tree oil. Mix a few drops in water. Apply to your tools, let them sit, and then rinse and dry. There are other essential oils you may use as well. Always research what is safe for the specific plants in your garden.
• Apple cider vinegar. This is similar to using distilled white vinegar to disinfect your garden tools.
• Grapefruit seed extract. This is another natural disinfectant that you can combine with water to make a solution to disinfect tools.
• Boiling water. We all know that boiling water helps make it safer. It is also great for disinfecting other things. So, use it on your garden tools.
• Steam cleaner. This is a surprisingly effective way to disinfect garden tools, and it’s frugal if you already own one. Simply fill the steam cleaner with water, and use it to steam the tools. The heat from the steam should kill any bacteria or viruses on the tools.
• Sunlight. Did you know that sunlight is a natural disinfectant that can help kill bacteria and viruses on garden tools? So, leave them out in the sun. Make sure to rotate them regularly so all parts are disinfected.

These are frugal, natural options. You can also use other cleaners but you want to make sure that they are safe in your garden. You should always thoroughly rinse and dry after disinfecting.

Read More:

• Vinegar Uses in Garden
• Are Old Tires Toxic to Plants?
• How Planting a Garden Can Save You Money

Gardening can get expensive if you let it. Personally, I’m not very big on DIY stuff for the garden. My chronic illness makes it difficult to spend too much time tinkering and toiling. Instead, I have to rely on cheap garden tools to make things work. It can take some time before you discover which tools are worth spending money on (even small amounts) and which are worthless. The right tools for the job depend a lot on the kind of gardener you are and what tasks you need help with. Here are some of my favorite cheap garden tools:

Cheap garden tools

These are some of the cheap garden tools I use to make my life easier as a frugal gardener.

• Garden gloves. A good pair of garden gloves is a must-have if you’re digging in the dirt. But the thing is that I almost always end up losing them by the end of the season. If you’re a chronic misplacer of things like me, don’t spend a ton of money on fancy gardening gloves. Gloves from the dollar store are typically sturdy enough to last a season. They also provide adequate protection from potential irritants. And, bonus: They’re usually super cute!

• Bamboo sticks. You can get these in bundles for a steal at most hardware stores, and they’re a staple in my garden. I use them solo to support peppers, tomatoes, and eggplants. Need support for cucumbers or pole beans? Tie em’ together, and voila! You’ve got an inexpensive support system that costs you a fraction of what you would have paid for a fancy trellis.

• A flexible hose. Water is a vital part of gardening. But until recently, I really hated doing it because I had to lug around an insanely heavy hose. Once I replaced my clunky hose with a flexible one, watering has become a much easier task. Just make sure to bring your hose in for the winter to ensure its longevity.

• Plastic plant markers. I know that plastic isn’t an ideal choice because it’s not environmentally friendly, but the fact is that I’m still using the same pack of 150 markers that I bought 3 years ago. I just cross out last year’s crop name or write it in a different color. You can also cover up old names with tape. They’re super durable and can be reused over and over again. And, knowing what I planted where is a huge key to my success as a gardener.

• Google sheets. Okay, this one is actually free! I used to use a notebook but found that digital recording was a lot faster. I use sheets to record notes about seedlings, plants, and anything other notable garden-related observations about each season. It allows me to look back on previous seasons and see what went right and wrong.

While these cheap garden tools are a staple in my gardening toolbox, your kit might look entirely different. And that’s okay! This is what works for me. Sure, sometimes I’ll splurge on something fancy, but these are the basics that get me through each season.

Manual work in the garden is sometimes gratifying, but over time the grind becomes tedious. Thankfully, there are a host of smart gardening products out there that can help save you time and money. Which smart garden devices are worth the investment?

Here are my top 4 smart gadget recommendations for gardeners seeking to save time and spend less money on their edible plots. 

Instapark Outdoor Automatic Watering Timer

I recently purchased and installed an automatic watering timer to water my front yard flower patch. This section of my garden sits under my home’s roof overhang so it rarely receives any natural water and my regular hose doesn’t reach that far, so it’s a pain to water manually. I got some cheap irrigation hoses and connected them to this digital timer (both the hoses and timer cost under $50) and now this perma-dry spot gets watered on a regular basis. There’s a neat option to skip watering days (in case of rain), which I make sure to do so as not to waste water. The whole set up was inexpensive and it saves me loads of time in the long run. Last year, I relied on rainwater to wet this area and I lost quite a few plants, which I had spent time and money starting from seed.

Flexi Hose Expandable Garden Hose 

I don’t quite know what I was doing before I had this kind of hose. Now, watering is such a breeze it barely feels like a chore. Lugging around a heavy, clunky hose that’s hard to put away? That’s far from ideal. I’d sometimes skip watering because I hated to untangle the easily kinked hose. A flexible, expandable hose has its own challenges—it’s a fair bit more delicate than a heavy-duty hose—but it’s always easy to carry throughout the garden and it’s a delight to put away since it shrinks down to size once drained. Just be sure to store it away for the winter to prevent the casing from cracking. While this isn’t technically a smart device, I think the design is clever enough to qualify. It has saved me time and money because it makes watering a lot easier and I haven’t neglected my watering duties since getting this type of hose.

AcuRite Wireless Rain Gauge

When it comes to gardening, I rely on the weather forecast a lot. No matter how diligent I am in checking the weekly weather predictions, I can’t accurately measure the amount of rain my garden gets without the help of a gadget. A plain rain gauge does the trick, but if you like smart technology, this nifty wireless device is a handy monitoring tool. It’s a self-emptying collector that’s useful for checking how much rainwater your garden is getting. It’s also an excellent device for people in flood-prone areas. And it costs under $50!

Click and Grow Indoor Smart Garden

This intelligent garden system is on the higher end of the price scale, but it’s well worth the investment. I’ve grown so many herbs in this little automated garden that I never buy them at the grocery store anymore. The hydroponic unit makes it possible to grow greens, herbs, and other plants indoors all year round. All you need to do is add water and harvest away!