How to Start a Kitchen Garden for Under $20

You’ve just shelled out a few dollars for a small plastic container of fresh basil, and watched it turn to black sludge in the refrigerator drawer three days later. It’s a frustrating cycle of wasted food and wasted money.

Since the cost of groceries is so high, all the habits of the way out should be checked. Those pre-packaged herbs carry a big tag. You pay for plastic, refrigerated transport, and convenience items.

You can break that cycle this weekend. Setting up a steady supply of fresh flavor on your windowsill requires zero gardening and less than $20.

Garden plan $20

You don’t need to buy expensive hydroponic setups or special grow lights to get started. A basic, high-yield indoor garden requires just three inexpensive components.

• Seeds: A typical package costs a few dollars and contains dozens, sometimes hundreds, of potential plants.
• Soil shaping: A small bag of household potting mix costs a few dollars. Do not use dirt from your yard, as it collects in the pots and suffocates the roots.
• Containers: Freeze clean yogurt cups, coffee cans, or plastic fruit containers. Just drill drainage holes in the ground. If you want a similar look, check the dollar store for pots.

When to skip the seeds

Seeds offer the best value, but require patience. If you want to be self-sufficient quickly, spend a large portion of your budget on plants started at a nursery or garden center.

Small starter plants cost a few dollars each. You skip the tricky budding phase and you can start harvesting the leaves the day you bring them home. This is especially smart for woody herbs like rosemary or oregano, which take a long time to grow from seed.

Simple remedies for beginners

Some plants require ideal outdoor conditions, but some herbs grow well with little attention and heating in your home.

• Basil: This warm weather favorite loves a sunny window. Pinch the upper leaves regularly to force the plant to grow wider rather than taller.
• Mint: This plant is notorious. It will grow quickly in almost any situation, but keep it in its own pot so it doesn’t crowd out your other herbs.
• Cheese: These are members of the onion family and are hardy. You can snap them down to the soil line and they will shoot back up.
• Parsley: This decorative variety is a stable grower. It tolerates partial shade better than most herbs, making it ideal for a windowsill in full, direct afternoon sun.
• Thyme: This woody plant is drought tolerant and actually prefers dry soil. It requires very little maintenance once established, which makes it incredibly forgiving if you forget to water it.

Basics of irrigation and lighting

Your indoor garden needs a location that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. A south-facing window is usually your best bet for constant light.

The most common mistake new gardeners make is overwatering. Herbs hate sitting in wet soil. Wait until the top inch of potting mix feels completely dry to the touch before you water them again. When watering, soak the soil thoroughly until the water runs out of the drainage holes at the bottom.

When harvesting, never take more than a third of the plant at one time. This ensures that the plant maintains enough leaves to absorb sunlight and recover. Use sharp scissors rather than ripping the stems with your fingers, which can damage the plant and cause disease.

Reaping the benefits

The real value of a kitchen garden is not just a reduction in the grocery bill. It is a culinary development. You get the ability to grab a handful of fresh cilantro for taco night or a sprig of rosemary for roasted potatoes without making a special trip to the grocery store.

Your $20 investment pays for itself within the first few harvests. After that, you simply enjoy the free food.