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Alice Ferguson and Jamie Innes, winners of the 'Big Ideas, Small Budget' category of the Society of Garden Designers (SGD) 2021 Awards, reveal their top tips for gardening on a budget.

While there are many ways to approach the challenge of gardening on a budget depending on the size, setting and style of your garden, there are a few key principles that apply to gardens across the spectrum.

Garden designers Alice Ferguson and Jamie Innes won the Big Ideas, Small Budget Award at this year's SGD Awards for a tiny 33m² garden in Bristol. Here, they share the secret to their success by revealing some key tips for gardening on a budget.

Garden ideas on a budget

1. Re-use materials

The best first step is to look at what you already have in your garden. Reusing existing materials is good for the planet as well as your budget.

It is good to get creative here. Even if you don't like something in its current situation, it could be transformed with a few adaptations. For example, we reimagined the granite paving slabs in our winning Bristol courtyard garden by cutting them up and setting them like stepping stones within gravel and moss. In so doing, we changed their character from dark and oppressive to playful and uplifting.

2. Go soft

Avoid big expanses of hard materials as they are costly in price and labour. Consider how much paving you require and whether any areas could be lawn or beds instead.

alice-ferguson-designed-artisan-built-and-photographed-reuse-granite-stepping-stones — Alice Ferguson, Artisan Landscapes

3. Sow from seed

If you have the space, consider sowing a wildflower meadow from seed in an area of your garden. Have a look at local seed mixes which will work with your locality, sunlight and soil.

Wildlife love wildflower meadows so featuring one will truly bring life to the garden and, if the area is big enough, you could mow a path through the middle to enjoy meanders through your very own textural meadow!

4. Start small

Consider investing in herbaceous plants in small 9cm pot sizes rather than the more instantly impactful 2L size. Have patience – they will catch up in a few seasons.

5. Lift and divide

Use perennials which you can lift and divide in the future, thus filling up your borders at no extra cost. Using a repetition of plants will also give a pleasing rhythm to your garden.

6. Prioritise structure

If possible, spend your planting budget on structural plants like trees, hedging and shrubs. These are slow growing and worth the cost for the structure they bring to the garden.

7. Add paint

Painting can really lift and transform a garden. It is best to use specialist outdoor paint as this will help preserve garden gates, fences and sheds so that they last longer.

We recommend featuring a bold colour like black. Black adds depth to a garden and it is also a beautiful backdrop colour for fresh greens in spring and summer and golden grasses in autumn.

8. Gravel is good

Many people don't like gravel, but give it a chance! It is the most cost-efficient hard material and you can opt for stepping stones if you desire something smooth to step on in bare feet.

9. Work with what you've got

It is costly to move earth in and out of the garden so, where possible, avoid bringing quantities of new soil and materials in or out.

10. Less is more

Keep things simple and allow the garden to grow. Rather than attempting to pack too much into your garden, focus on doing a few things well.

Be clever with your budget and use it where it will have the most impact. Gardens are ever-evolving organisms that will continually develop. Be patient and enjoy their natural growth.

What are the SGD Awards?

The SGD Awards is an annual awards programme organised by the Society of Garden Designers to reward outstanding achievement in the garden design profession. It covers all aspects of design from private gardens to public spaces.

The SGD is the UK's professional organisation for garden designers – find a garden designer for your project atsgd.org.uk.