Many consumers are planting vegetable gardens to save on their grocery bills. (iStock)As spring nears, expect to find many avid green thumbs poring over books and seed catalogues, researching and plotting prudently. The wobbly economy is forcing many consumers to scale back on spending in many areas, and gardening is proving no exception.

Bringing an impressive garden to bloom under budget isn't an impossible task, according to experts at Canada Blooms, the Toronto flower and garden festival. Careful planning and a little common sense are key, they suggest, offering up the following tips:

1. Consider the home renovation tax credit

Consumers looking to add projects to their home should review the home renovation tax credit announced in the federal budget. The tax credit, which will take effect as of next year's tax claim, is a one-time measure that allows consumers to apply for a tax credit for home projects costing between $1,000 and $10,000. The maximum tax credit is $1,350. Landscaping projects that qualify include:

• Laying new sod.
• Installing an interlocking driveway.
• Adding a new deck.
• Building a pond or waterfall.
• Installing a retaining wall.

Projects that are not eligible include lawn and garden maintenance, snow removal, tree maintenance, containers and planters. Also, consumers who apply for the tax credit should be sure to hang on to their receipts.

2. Do your research and make a shopping list

When planning a garden, consider which regions of your garden are sunny and which are shady and plan accordingly. (CBC)Walking into a nursery without having a plan and a shopping list is akin to walking into a grocery store on an empty stomach, according to gardening expert Denis Flanagan, manager of Landscape Ontario.

"Make a shopping list, because we're all like kids in a candy store when we go into a garden centre," he said.

Flanagan suggests drawing up a simple design to avoid disappointment later. Consider factors such as shady and sunny regions of the garden, size of the plants and balance when laying out your garden plans.

Similarly, Nick Solty, who operates Solty Garden Centre in Cookstown, Ont., agrees that drafting a budget and preparing a plan are crucial given that budgets will always fluctuate.

"If you don't have a plan, next year, you might have more money and realize, 'Ah, I shouldn't have done that; we're going to change everything.' Get a plan first, and then you can break it up into your yearly budget," Solty said.

3. Invest in a garden consultation

If you hire an expert to help you plan your garden, ask for a multi-year plan so you can adjust it as your budget dictates. (CBC)New gardeners with a little extra cash budgeted might also want to consider consulting an expert, Flanagan suggests.

"It might cost you $100 to $200 … but it could save you thousands of dollars in the future," he said, noting consumers should ask for a multi-year plan that allows them to build projects gradually.

"I've seen more disasters of people either buying the wrong tree or doing the wrong things — get that little consultation."

4. Break up big projects into little projects

As Flannery notes, many gardeners would be wise to take a long view of their gardening projects, planning over a number of years instead of aiming to complete a one-year transformation.

Chris Ray, who owns Humber Valley Landscaping, suggests consumers should start by finding a small area of their property that is neglected or under-utilized.

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"If you do a large project, you might find you don't like the end result," he said. "Doing it over a couple years, you can go back, see what you like, what you don't like, and we can tailor the plan over a period of years."

"There are new products every single year; there are new technologies every single year," he cautioned. "Don't go crazy with it. Start with your plan."

Solty suggests people should start with foundation planting, putting in only flowers and small shrubs before moving on to larger projects such as planting trees, building a barbecue area or installing a water feature.

With a $1,000 budget, gardeners can plan for topsoil, flowers and a few shrubs and evergreens, Solty said.

5. Plant a vegetable patch

Beans should be planted in sunny areas and well-drained soil. (Kiichiro Sato/Associated Press)Consumers looking to make their property work for them should consider planting a vegetable patch, said Flanagan. Harvesting your own vegetables can be rewarding and save you money.

"You know where it comes from," he said.

"You've grown it in your own garden, and you can choose the vegetables that you use in your own kitchen so there's certainly cost-saving there."

6. Start by seed

Many thrifty gardeners are turning to seeds, according to Dirk Berghout of Florabunda Seeds in Indian River, Ont. Berghout noted that sales this year have increased notably over last year, with the bulk of mail-orders sent to consumers in B.C.

Calendulas, sweet peas and poppies can be planted directly in the garden. (CBC)Berghout says new gardeners should buy judiciously, keeping in mind that one package of seeds will have a generous yield. He also recommends sticking to hearty plants such as calendulas, sweet peas and poppies.

"You don't have to worry about starting them in the house. You can start them right out in the garden. They're pretty foolproof," he said.

Gardeners seeking bulk in their garden should select wildflower, annual and perennial seed mixes, he suggested.

"You can get a really, really nice crop if you're trying to naturalize things," he said.

7. Invest in proper top soil

People buying a new home should work into their offer a condition to supply their own topsoil, recommends gardening guru Mark Cullen in his new book The Canadian Garden Primer: An Organic Approach. Cullen's book offers advice on a wide range of topics, including gardening in the suburbs, the city and at the cottage; understanding soil pH; and improving drainage.

Cullen writes that offering to provide your own top soil for a new home will likely reduce the price by $500 to $1,000. But he notes this money should be used to purchase the best quality soil possible.

"This is the best investment you can make in your future Eden — and gardening will be a pleasure," he writes.