You're going to need supplies and tools to build your garden.

Here's a general list of things you'll need to buy, borrow, or find before you get started:

• Garden Tools (spade, hoe, fork, shovel, gardening gloves)
• Soil, fertilizer, compost, possibly mulch
• Worms
• Planter containers of some sort
• Hose, wheelbarrow
• Seeds or seedlings
• Landscaping cloth

Remember: you don't need to spend a fortune to gather these tools and supplies! The more you can get your hands through donation and recycling, the better. And for everything else, either divide up the costs between group members, or have each person bring their own tools and supplies. It's all too easy to spend money, especially when you're just starting out. Being frugal can be fun--so think outside the box and look for creative solutions.

Here are a few practical tips on how to save money as you start to build your garden:

• If you count on planting in containers, why not use recycled ones? Containers don't have to be fancy (Stephen and GBM use old toilets, even bathtubs!). Can you "rescue" an old toilet from the recycling centre? If so, do it! Can you paint a bunch of old tires and use them as pretty planters? Do it! Can you get your hands on a bunch of old pallets? Pallets can be reconstructed into great planters (and garden furniture for that matter). The only rule when it comes to containers is, they have to be big enough to fit the plants that will be grown in them.
• If you need tools and supplies that you can't find through donation, hold a fundraiser! Fundraisers can be a great way to connect with others in your community and draw attention to your garden. Engaging with your community is one of the great by products of building a garden, so why not involve your community right from the get-go? Give people an opportunity to help, and chances are they'll rise to meet the challenge.
• Research whether your group is eligible for public sector grants or donations. Take advantage of any sort of public funding programs.
• Publish a wish list of all the tools and supplies you need on social media, community bulletin boards, local newspapers, kickstarter, and anywhere else you can think of, and watch the donations roll in! You never know who has an extra spade or shovel laying around their shed, or who is moving and needs to get rid of a wheel barrow that's taking up space in their garage. Put it out to the community that you're in need, and we bet you'll be surprised by how many people will want to get involved.

For everything you aren't able to track down from recycled sources and/or donations, gather an equal amount of funds from each member in your group to buy the supplies you'll need. Keep any leftover cash for discretionary funds, just in case the need arises to purchase something unplanned. Having even a bit of money tucked away will make it easier should something unexpected occur.

If not everyone in the group is able to contribute to the common 'pot', hopefully other group members can make up the difference between them. You'll know what's best for your group, so figure it out as you go. It might also make sense to have one person take on the role of group "treasurer", just to keep track of expenses and cash-flow. See the Maintenance section for a discussion of the different types of roles that you might want to create for your team of volunteers.