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Best Dollar Tree Buys for Your Garden

ByGale

If you know what to buy at Dollar Tree for your garden, you can save time and money.

The garden at the Hotel del Coronado, Coronado Island

Why Shop at Dollar Tree

Last year I gardened for the first time, and it can get expensive fast. Gardening in zone 10a is like cheating, but I’ve moved, and the struggle is real. I’ve been throwing lots of money at the garden and learning from my mistakes. Last year I wasn’t confident I could grow anything, so I was very frugal. I headed to Dollar Tree looking for bargains and found several things for the garden. Some of these aren’t actually in their garden section, either. Most of the things I bought last year endured and will be reused in my garden this year. That has given me time to gradually upgrade my supplies and to figure out what is worth spending money on and what isn’t. Especially when you’re new to gardening, buying supplies at Dollar Tree can stretch your dollar. The point of gardening isn’t to grow a $400 tomato, after all.

I was harvesting one of these reused strawberry containers per day.

When to Buy

The biggest key to buying gardening supplies at Dollar Tree is to buy it when you see it in stock. Their garden supplies go fast. The alternate supplies are more easily available, but there are no guarantees. Get it while you can. Gardening supplies are in stock before Easter. Check early and regularly.

Saving Time

It’s not high-brow or the best quality, but I like the convenience of Dollar Tree, aka saving time. I’d rather run into a small store and avoid the Retail Racetrack 5k any day. Dollar Tree shopping is a key part of my superstore marathon avoidance plan. The pandemic only cemented that with shortages plus lines for Home Depot and Lowe’s on a Saturday stretching through the parking lots like we were queuing for Space Mountain. Do not get me started on IKEA and the multi-state hunt for a dresser. (Yes, that happened.)

My garden trellis made with FREE fencing and fence posts found on FB Marketplace.

The Plastic Dilemma

If you’re concerned about the environment like I am, reducing plastic consumption is a top priority. An obvious, easy way to do that is to avoid the plastics on this list. I’ve listed the sustainable products in bold, but there are other items that might meet your criteria. I try not to buy plastics, but this year presented a host of challenges with shortages and balancing my cost vs weight limit dilemma. We have one last military move, so I don’t want to invest in pots I’m giving away. I built a large planter from scrap wood, but with my son’s 3 major surgeries in 12 months, I needed convenience. I’m committed to reducing plastic waste by reducing consumption and reusing plastics that don’t recycle. It’s possible to be aware of reducing plastic consumption while shopping Dollar Tree.

Best Things to Buy at Dollar Tree for Your Garden

  • Chalkboard Signs to mark seedlings, herbs, or potted plants. 
  • Terra-Cotta Pots – These go fast!
  • Ceramic mugs, bowls, and containers – Cute for succulents or small herbs
  • Flower Seeds – I had great luck with my 4 for $1 flower seeds.
Dollar Tree chalkboard picks used for plant markers (seedlings)

  • Coconut Fiber Basket Liners – They fit in the hanging baskets at Dollar Tree or cut them to fit like I did with my colander.
  • Jute (ribbon, wire, zip ties)
  • Ceramic Plates – Use as colorful water catchers under pots. 
  • Garden Gloves – Same quality fabric as inexpensive gloves I bought at another store
  • Foil Tray – For sprouting seeds
  • Watering Can, plastic (I gave mine away and wished I’d kept it.)
  • Garden Hose Sprayer – Mine lasted a year and is going strong.
Dollar Tree coconut fiber basket liner in my strawberry basket
  • Mesh Trash Cans – Good for plant stands or to make a hanging planter. (These are wire with plastic coating.) I made an upside-down hanging tomato planter out of one and also used one to harvest and rinse produce. These really last.
Dollar Tree mesh trash can for harvesting and rinsing harvest
  • Tools – These don’t hold up as well as more expensive options, but if you’re on a budget they’ll work. I’ve been known to duct tape a cheap tool and keep using it. 
  • Duct Tape – Always a good idea
  • Shower Pouf – If you need a net to protect plants, you can make one. Go see how I made mine.
  • Large Plastic Flower Pots – Sell quickly and can last multiple seasons 
  • Reusable Shopping Bags – grow bags (I found cute burlap bags once.)
  • Plastic Trash Cans & Bowls – Bargain flower pots. Just drill holes in the bottom.
Fairytale pumpkin in a Dollar Tree trash can

With all the money I saved shopping Dollar Tree for my garden, I might have spent only $200 per tomato. LOL! Have I left out any of your Dollar Tree gardening money savers?

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