Gardening is funny because it can be as cheap or as expensive as you let it be.
You can spend $47 on a “specialty soil blend” in a pretty bag.
But you can also build a ridiculously good garden with stuff people literally give away because they don’t want to deal with it.
And once you start noticing what’s free out there, it’s hard to stop. It becomes a little scavenger hunt.
So here are 13 things gardeners can get for free that most people don’t even think to ask for.
1. Compost ingredients from coffee shops
If you ever want to feel powerful as a gardener, walk into a coffee shop and ask if they have used coffee grounds.
Most places throw them away. Some already bag them up.
Coffee grounds are great for compost bins, worm bins, and even as a light mulch around acid-loving plants.
PRO TIP: Bring a small bucket or reusable bag. Baristas love it when it’s easy.
2. Free mulch from your town or city
This one is super underrated.
A lot of cities have free mulch or wood chips from tree trimming crews.
Sometimes it’s at a public works yard. Sometimes there’s a local program where you can just show up and load your car.
Is it always the prettiest? Not really.
But it’s amazing for suppressing weeds and improving soil over time.
My only warning is this: fresh wood chips can be chunky and chaotic. But if you embrace the “cottage garden meets forest floor” vibe, it’s basically perfect.
3. Cardboard
Cardboard is one of the best garden freebies on earth.
Ask grocery stores, liquor stores, appliance stores…they always have cardboard.
Lay it down, soak it with water, and cover it with mulch or compost. You’re doing no-dig gardening. Weeds struggle, and the soil stays moist.
Just remove the tape and glossy printed parts.
4. Plant pots and nursery trays
Some people hoard plant pots like they’re going to open a greenhouse someday.
But also, people get overwhelmed and give them away constantly.
Check local Facebook groups, gardening communities, or even ask friends who buy plants often.
Those black nursery pots, seed trays, and little starter containers add up fast if you buy them new, and you don’t have to.
5. Seeds from seed libraries
This is one of the coolest “hidden” gardening things.
Some public libraries or community centers have seed libraries where you can take a few seed packets for free.
The selection varies, but you’ll often find herbs, flowers, greens, and easy veggies.
And even if the seeds aren’t fancy, they still grow. A tomato plant doesn’t care if it came from a premium packet or a tiny envelope.
6. Free plants through swaps
Plant swaps are also a great free opportunity.
People show up with cuttings, divisions, extra seedlings, plants they accidentally grew too many of, and then everyone trades.
You can get houseplants, perennials, herbs, and even fruit starts sometimes.
Look for swaps at community gardens, local nurseries, or neighborhood groups.
7. Cuttings from friends (the polite kind)
If you have one plant friend, you have access to an entire underground economy of cuttings.
Pothos, spider plants, tradescantia, coleus, rosemary, mint, and succulents all multiply very easily.
And it’s not weird to ask. Most gardeners are dying to share.
Just don’t be the person who says “Can I have a cutting?” and then takes half the plant. Keep it reasonable. Tiny snip and gratitude.
8. Leaves and grass clippings for compost
Fall is basically compost season.
People bag up leaves and put them at the curb like they’re trash. Meanwhile gardeners see that and think: free soil food.
Leaves are gold for compost piles and leaf mold (which is like the richest, fluffiest soil booster ever).
Grass clippings work too, just mix them with browns like shredded paper or dry leaves so your pile doesn’t turn into a slimy green mess.
If you ever want to feel slightly feral, you can ask neighbors for their yard waste.
It sounds odd. But some people are genuinely happy to stop hauling it away.
9. Manure from small farms
I know it’s not glamorous, but composted manure is amazing for gardens. It adds nutrients, improves soil structure, and promotes plant growth.
A lot of small farms or horse owners have more manure than they can deal with. Some will give it away for free if you come pick it up.
Just make sure it’s aged or composted, not fresh. Fresh manure can burn plants and smells like regret.
10. Free wood logs for raised bed edges or garden borders
If you’ve ever priced out fancy garden edging, you know it’s ridiculous.
Meanwhile, people are constantly giving away free firewood, logs, branches, and cut tree sections.
You can use thicker logs as garden bed borders, stepping path edges, or even rustic little retaining walls in a sloped area.
It looks natural, and it costs nothing.
11. Soil tests and gardening advice from extension programs
This one depends on where you live, but it’s worth checking.
Many areas have local extension services or horticulture programs that offer cheap or sometimes free soil testing days, workshops, or advice hotlines.
And even when it’s not free-free, it’s usually way cheaper than guessing blindly with random fertilizers.
Knowing your soil pH and nutrient levels saves so much time and money.
12. Free “ugly” plants from garden centers
This is one of my favorites.
Some garden centers will give away or deeply discount plants that look rough. Like Droopy, sunburned or worse…half dead.
And honestly? A lot of those plants are totally salvageable.
If you go regularly and you’re friendly, you can sometimes score plants for free just by asking. Especially at the end of the season when they’re clearing space.
13. Free rain barrels (or cheap ones people want gone)
People buy rain barrels with the best intentions, then they move, remodel, get tired of dealing with the setup, or realize they don’t want a big plastic barrel sitting next to the house forever.
So they list them for free or dirt cheap just to make them someone else’s problem.
If you spot one, grab it. A rain barrel is basically free water for your garden once it’s set up, and your plants love it because rainwater is usually softer than tap water (especially if your water is hard).
Just make sure to avoid the common watering mistakes almost every gardener makes.
A quick reminder: always ask nicely, and don’t be weird about it
Most free gardening stuff comes from one simple skill: asking.
Asking your neighbor. Asking the coffee shop. Asking the garden center. Asking the local group.
Worst case, someone says no.
Best case, you walk away with enough free materials to build an entire garden bed and feel like a genius.
And that’s the fun part of gardening, honestly. It’s not just growing plants.
It’s learning little hacks. Making something beautiful out of almost nothing.
If you have, or are thinking about building, raised garden beds, don’t forget to check out the article on the most common mistakes you should always avoid.