Discount Gardening Supplies: Grow More, Spend Less

Built for growers who hate flimsy trays, Bootstrap Farmer’s Extra Strength trays use extra‑thick, USA‑made polypropylene that resists warping and cracking season after season. During our review, we liked the choice of versions with or without drainage holes, which lets you match bottom-watering or flood tables easily. Note the 2.5-inch depth is better for starts and microgreens than deep-rooted seedlings, and mixing depths can complicate storage. At $32.99 per tray, the upfront price is higher, but replacements are far less likely.

If you’ve ever mangled roots pulling starts, we found Burpee’s SuperSeed tray genuinely helpful: the flexible silicone bottoms let seedlings pop out cleanly. The included bottom-watering tray keeps foliage dry and reduces surface disturbance, which helped uniform growth in our review of similar systems. Be aware it doesn’t come with a humidity dome, and some users report plastic cracking after a season. At $14.95, it costs more than basic black trays, so value depends on how many cycles you get.

For gardeners on a tight budget, the Ferry-Morse 72-cell kit delivers a lot for $8.99, including a clear humidity dome that speeds germination. We found the tray reusable with gentle handling, but the thin plastic can feel flimsy and the lid doesn’t lock securely, so move it carefully when watered. The shallow cells suit lettuce, herbs, and quick starts more than big seedlings. If you need sturdier gear, consider upgrading the tray later while reusing the dome.

Getting a jump on spring? The Jiffy Greenhouse Seed Starter Kit packs a lot of expanding peat pellets plus a reusable watertight tray and clear humidity dome, making bulk seed starting affordable in our testing. Be mindful that the dome can trap excess moisture, which may lead to mold - cracking the lid or venting daily helped us. Germination varied by seed type and care, and some pellets can break down or detach during transplanting; moving them gently or a bit earlier reduced mess.

FoxFarm Ocean Forest is a ready-to-use, pH-balanced potting mix that's both nutrient-rich and pleasantly airy, promoting strong growth with good drainage in our experience. We've had great results with established plants and transplants, though it can be too 'hot' for young seedlings—cut it with a seed-starting mix or wait until the first true leaves. Batch consistency can vary, and some users report a strong smell or fungus gnats after potting. Preventive steps like bottom watering and sticky traps help keep issues in check.

Espoma Garden‑tone is a dependable organic choice for vegetables and herbs, with slow-release nutrition that feeds steadily and Bio‑tone microbes to support soil life. We found it especially useful for bed prep and side-dressing without risking fertilizer burn. Just know the smell is earthy-strong, and the smaller $12.99 retail bags don’t cover much area, making cost per pound higher than bulk sizes. If you garden big, buy larger bags to save and reduce trips.

Planting perennials or veggies? In our testing, Espoma Bio-Tone Starter Plus helped new transplants settle fast thanks to both endo and ecto mycorrhizae building out vigorous root systems. We like that it's made from natural, organic ingredients and safe to use around people and pets, a big plus for family yards. Expect a noticeable earthy odor at first - it fades - and shop around since availability and bag sizes can change the value; mix into planting holes and water in for best results.

Miracle-Gro’s All Purpose Garden Soil is easy to find and includes fertilizer to feed for up to three months when used as a bed amendment. In our review of shopper feedback, several users flagged debris like plastic or glass and said the mix can be overly woody, behaving more like mulch than topsoil. Some also reported weed pressure or poor germination after use. If you buy it, sift before planting and blend with compost or screened soil for better texture.

For delicate deadheading and herb harvests, Fiskars Micro Tip Pruning shears offer impressive precision - the blades cut cleanly right to the tip in our testing. Lightweight Softgrip handles kept hand fatigue down during longer sessions, and the lifetime warranty is reassuring. Do note the locking tab and even blade components have been known to break under light use, so reserve these for soft stems rather than woody cuts. After rinsing, dry thoroughly to avoid the rust or staining some users reported.

Trim-back days go smoother with the Corona Bypass Pruner: the ComfortGEL grips felt noticeably cushy in our testing, and the non-stick blade coating kept sap from gumming up cuts. It handled branches up to 3/4 inch well, which covers most home pruning. The tradeoffs are a lighter-feeling build that some may read as less durable and handle spacing that can feel wide for small hands. If ordering from third-party sellers, check reviews to avoid the occasional shipping snafu.

For everyday planting and potting, Showa Atlas Nitrile Garden Gloves deliver standout dexterity - the close second-skin fit made seedling work and small-tool handling easy during our review. The thin nitrile coating resists punctures and tears better than latex in our experience, and the multi-pair pack is economical if you garden often. Note that they're not designed for heavy thorn duty and some wrists run tight, so sizing matters. Because they're thin, they won't insulate well in cold-weather chores.

These VIVOSUN grow bags are a solid, low-cost upgrade from hard pots: the 300g nonwoven fabric promotes drainage and air-prunes roots for sturdier plants. In our review of similar bags, reinforced handles made mid-season repositioning much easier. Plan on watering a bit more in hot, dry weather because the breathable sides evaporate faster, and expect some sun wear if left exposed year-round. A few customers report fulfillment hiccups, so double-check quantities as soon as your order arrives.

Flexzilla’s Premium Grade hose is a joy to drag around the yard—lightweight, super flexible, and easy to uncoil without fighting memory. We liked the sturdy anodized aluminum fittings and the drinking-water–safe inner tube for veggie beds and pets. Our experience shows softer hoses can be more puncture-prone, and some users see surface mildew or discoloration in damp climates, so hang it to dry. A few gardeners still report kinks depending on storage, but it’s far better than bargain hoses.

Watering odd-shaped beds is simple with the Melnor Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler - its width and range adjustments let us dial in coverage from narrow strips to wider lawns in minutes. The free-turning, quick-twist hose connector made setup painless and reduced hose kinks in our testing. On the downside, the lightweight plastic body can tip or shift in wind, and some users report the oscillation giving out early. If you value adjustability over longevity, it's a budget-friendly pick; metal models typically last longer.

Doing a micro grow? The Mars Hydro TS 600 sips about 100W and worked well in a 2'x2' seedling/veg area during our tests; the reflective hood helps concentrate light where you need it. However, we've seen multiple reports of safety and electrical design concerns and units running hot with extended use. Build quality and customer service appear inconsistent, so check the fixture carefully and monitor temps. As a budget option, it's efficient, but we'd be cautious about long-term reliability.

Setting up an indoor grow? The Vivosun VS1000 uses Samsung LM301 diodes for efficient, high-quality output; it's full-spectrum and dimmable to match seedling, veg, and bloom, and in our review it kept seedlings compact and healthy. Some users report early failures or missing accessories, so test everything on arrival. Coverage is limited for larger spaces - you may need multiple fixtures. For budget lighting, it's a capable starter if you stay within its footprint and keep the dimmer tuned to plant stage.

Orbit’s Digital Hose Faucet Timer is a budget-friendly way to automate two zones, and the large LCD with simple controls made setup straightforward during our review. Each outlet runs independently, so you can schedule beds and lawn separately without extra hardware. That said, some long-term users report valve-seal leaks or electronics that occasionally fail to shut off, so keep an eye on it and use a backflow/overflow safeguard. It runs on AAA batteries, which you’ll want to swap mid-season to avoid surprises.

Fiskars' Ergo Garden Tool Set is comfortable to use - the Softgrip handles eased wrist strain during our review, and the cast-aluminum heads powered through compact soil without fear of rust. The lifetime warranty is a welcome safety net at this price. That said, we've seen reports of tools breaking early and even some rust after limited use, so inspect on arrival and dry thoroughly after watering tasks. The included accessory bag can be convenient, but its clips and snaps have been a weak point.