1. Plant overload – Buying plants when you don’t have the space (or time to plant them) can be a disaster. So often, I see a punnet of vegetables purchased for planting but they get forgotten, dry out and die.

2. Bad soil – You cannot possibly expect good plants to grow in bad soil. Add organic matter to your soil during garden bed preparation and continue to improve your soil with good mulch, and natural enrichers such as compost or worm castings every year.

3. Lovely plants, wrong location – Plants that cannot tolerate too much sun, wind, water or dry, will die if planted in the wrong place. Plants always look lovely at the nursery, but read their tags carefully and make sure you have the perfect spot for their needs.

4. One-season wonders – I love pansies, their happy little faces looking up at you when the rest of the garden is looking decidedly winter-beaten. How can you resist the joy of gorgeous colours to provide instant gratification? But this is a sure way to chew away at your budget.

5. Gardening myths – There are lots of crazy wives tales all over the net including, mounds of sugar or salt or whatever else. Instead, follow the basics.

6. Wanting it all now – The reality is most of us cannot afford mature plants, so there is going to be a time where you have to be patient. Some money savers include, getting cuttings from friends, buy younger plants and start some from seed.

7. Buying products nature provides for free – Why would you buy commercial fertilisers when you can make your own compost to enrich your garden?

8 & 9 Lazy shopping & Bad timing – Like all budgets, if you want your dollar to go further you have to shop smarter. Ebay, garage sales, auctions, clearing sales and seconds shops are fantastic for picking up treasures for the right price. Or join a nursery buying club.

10. Growing unwanted plants – don't waste your time growing vegetables you don't eat, even if it’s a novelty to try. Focus on veggies you love.