How to find the best gardening deals – where and when to shop for discounts on garden tools, accessories and plants

As a Gardens Editor, I'm constantly on the hunt for the best gardening deals. With so many flagship sales happening across the year, it's a job to miss them – but it's also about knowing where to look, and when.

I've scoured what's on offer, casting my eye over all the deals before picking out the top retailers and sales events that I guarantee will help you transform your outdoor space. I've tested a range of gardening tools, from market-leading robot lawn mowers to the best secateurs, so I've got some trusted brands on my radar.

If you spend as much time in your garden as I do, sale events are the perfect time to stock up on tools, fertilisers and more. Here are the best ways to find gardening deals.

Where to find the best gardening deals

• Amazon: discounts on lawn mowers, hoses and more
• Argos: discounts on big gardening brands
• B&Q: sales on lawn care, plants, and gardening equipment
• Robert Dyas: slashed prices on sheds, storage, and more
• Gardening Express: a brilliant place to shop for special deals on plants
• Crocus: grab plants, trees and seeds at reduced prices

When to find the best gardening deals

• Amazon Prime Day: Amazon Prime Day, the brand's yearly price-slashing event, seems to get bigger and bigger each year. There are now two events per year – one in June/July, and one in October. It's a good idea to sign up for an Amazon Prime membership now, so you're all set to shop when the next Prime Day gardening deals take place.
• Black Friday: Often hailed as the biggest shopping day of the year, Black Friday always falls on the last Friday of November. It's closely followed by Cyber Monday, where you can snap up additional last-minute deals on gardening tools and equipment.
• Bank holidays: Bank holiday deals are well and truly part of the discount calendar, with many retailers choosing to hold sales on these days. This is especially true in July and August, when consumer spending often increases. In fact, those who are looking for the best bank holiday gardening deals should be able to snap up some serious bargains on these summer bank holidays. At peak gardening time, prices are often discounted drastically.
• Boxing Day: Boxing Day sales have long been an anticipated sales event, and though you're unlikely to find too many gardening deals, some retailers sell last-season stock during this period.
• January sales: Similarly to Boxing Day gardening deals, the January gardening deals probably won't provide you as many discounts as summer sales. It's still a good idea to watch for any clearance items, though, as some retailers may try to clear out their gardening stock ready for a brand new gardening season.

Gardening supplies shopping advice

Whether you're looking to start growing your own vegetables or you want to blow your neighbours away with the lines on your front lawn, gardening is a whole lot easier with quality equipment.

From mechanical products such as lawnmowers and hedge trimmers to pots and perlite, it often seems like you need to buy out B&Q to bring your garden up to scratch. But to make the most of the best gardening deals, you need to focus on the main components of your garden: your lawn, patio, and planting areas.

When buying big-ticket mechanical items, waiting until they're discounted can sometimes save you hundreds of pounds. On the other hand, smaller ticket items such as spring-flowering bulbs and grass seeds are more seasonal – but you'll still find nursery retailers holding frequent sales throughout the year.

It's also a good idea to check out our gardening furniture deals page if you're looking to upgrade your patio with a new dining set.

Overall, the best way to shop for gardening supplies is to keep your eyes peeled for the best gardening deals and discounts throughout the year. Not only will they help to keep the costs down, but they'll also help you stock up so you're prepared for every eventuality.

And when you've saved some cash on your gardening tools, you could even peruse our hot tub deals page, or heat things up with one of the best fire pits or the best patio heaters.

FAQs

What is the best month to buy gardening supplies?

If you're looking to bag the best gardening deal, you should aim to buy gardening supplies either before the summer months, or after.

In April, retailers try to get ahead of the curve and encourage customers to buy gardening tools and plants at a discounted rate before the summer rush.

In September and October time, they then try to take advantage of the end-of-summer rush to get your garden ready for winter. This is often when you can get the best discounts on big ticket items such as lawnmowers.

When should I start buying plants for my garden?

This depends on the plants you want to buy. If you're looking to fill your summer garden with blooms, it's best to start buying plants in the spring when the conditions are warmer and more conducive to healthy growth.

However, you can ultimately find deals on plants at any time of the year. You can either buy these online or head to your local garden centre for the best discounts.

Now you know where and when to shop the best gardening deals, you can kit your garden out at a fraction of the price!