Spring Gardening Essentials You Can Snag From Your Local Dollar Tree

Gardening should be accessible for everyone, no matter your space constraints or your budget. With Dollar Tree's help, you can stock up on many of the spring gardening essentials you need for a fraction of the price as compared to big box stores or even Amazon. From handheld tools, pots, and seed packets, to whimsical yet functional outdoor decor, Dollar Tree packs a lot of useful stuff into the gardening sections that pop up in-store every springtime. 

If you're not a regular Dollar Tree shopper, you might be hesitant to head there for your gardening supplies. The chain is known for their low prices, but not necessarily for quality. And yet, a lot of Dollar Tree's gardening equipment is well reviewed, and surprisingly sturdy in person. We visited a local Dollar Tree to touch and see just about everything on this list. Visiting your own store is recommended. Not only so you can feel the items yourself before buying, but also because shopping on Dollar Tree's site requires you to buy things in amounts of 12 or more. In stores, you can grab as little (or as much) need to enjoy a thriving garden this spring — even if it's comprised of nothing more than potted plants on a windowsill. 

Dollar Tree sells a variety of seeds, but most aren't available through its site (with the exception of Biodegradable Flower Grow Cups). In a local store, we found seeds for about a dozen varieties of flowers on the shelves, as well as a handful of herbs, fruits, and vegetables. In stores, Dollar Tree sells seeds packaged in a few different ways. They carry traditional seed packets, as well as Flower Rockets, which are essentially biodegradable sheets of seeds that you can just roll out and cover with soil. In recent years, some Dollar Tree stores have sold packets under the American Seed brand for $0.25 apiece, but we didn't see them in our store. The available seed packets were priced at $1.25. The Flower Rockets also cost $1.25, which is a good deal considering they retail for around $8 to $9 on Amazon.

What can you expect from Dollar Tree seeds? Gardeners have mostly positive things to say about their quality. One Reddit user said they've tried vegetable, flower, and herb seeds, with "100% germ rate or close enough, healthy plants that were productive, and tasty harvest." For the price, it's certainly worth a shot. 

A simple bell cloche can protect delicate and young plants from cold weather, which is especially important in spring at the beginning of the gardening season. It's essentially a tiny greenhouse, keeping a single plant warm and sheltered. Dollar Tree's Garden Collection Bell Cloches have an adjustable vent on top. Open it to give plants access to the rainfall and any pollinating insects who might want to visit; close it when you want to keep heat trapped inside.

While the low price makes these them great deal, you'll get what you pay for with these bell cloches. They feel super flimsy and reviewers note that their large stickers are hard to remove. Because they're so lightweight, these cloches might also be no match for critters who want to dine on your plants. A hungry squirrel or raccoon could knock one aside with no problem. But if those situations don't apply to you, or if you plan to just use it inside, give their cloches a try. Plus, a similar (but smaller!) one on Amazon retails for around $20. Additionally, consider making garden cloche DIY using other Dollar Tree items!

Compared to some other gardening gear, Dollar Tree's Butterly in Jar Solar Stake Lights might not technically be essential, but they could make you happy when you visit your outdoor space, and that's important too. They're whimsical and the perfect garden adornment for anyone who loves butterflies. Aesthetics aside, they have decent functionality and are very low-maintenance. The solar panel on top of each light charges the battery inside during the day and the light should kick on when it gets dark outside, illuminating the butterfly within. Batteries are included, so all you have to do is stick these lights in the ground and enjoy.

And, unlike a lot of other solar garden lights, Dollar Tree sells theirs all individually. You can pick up just a few of them to add a little bit of light to a small yard, or grab dozens to light up a long garden path. One reviewer notes that her lights lasted for three years before she needed to replace them. That said, a few others noted that some or all of their lights didn't work for long.

One minor gardening accident could leave you in pain for weeks. Between thorns, biting insects, and sharp gardening tools, there are plenty of ways injure your hands while you're working with plants. Dollar Tree's Tool Bench Premium Safety Gloves are durable and strong enough to protect you from spiky plants and other minor risks, not to mention keeping your hands clean. Plus, this pair from Dollar Tree comes at a fraction of the price to even the cheapest pairs on Amazon.

Even if you're not handling anything dangerous or dirty, wearing gardening gloves is always smart when you're working outdoors. Your hands get a lot of sun exposure over the course of the spring, summer, and fall. These gloves provide sun protection, but they're lightweight enough to not make your hands too hot. Plus, they come in fun bright colors! One reviewer says they were a little big for her hands, but confirms that they're flexible enough to work well for gardening. Flexibility is critically important when you're choosing the right gardening gloves, after all.

These Garden Collection 3-Section Stackable Planters have racked up hundreds of reviews on Dollar Tree's site, with 89% recommending them. They're a great option for maximizing limited space. One reviewer shared a photo with 12 planters stacked up, giving them 36 pots to work with. And they come in four colors. Similar styles go for around $9 on Amazon, so the $1.25 Dollar Tree price tag can't be beat.

But, don't expect them to function like super sturdy plastic pots. Handling one of these planters in person, you'll notice immediately that the plastic is pretty flimsy. Reviewers also note that the pots aren't stamped with a plastic recycling number, so there's no indication of what type of plastic they're made from. Some types of plastic could leach metal and chemicals into food, especially at high temperatures (like out in the heat of the sun). So, to play it as safe as possible, use these planters to hold smaller potted seedlings, but steer clear of planting anything in them that you intend for anyone to eat. 

Spotting hummingbirds in your yard is a sure sign that spring has sprung. They're important for the ecosystem but they're also just really fascinating to observe! There are a few key things you can do to attract hummingbirds to your garden, like growing native plants that are red or orange and have a tubular shape. (It's ideal for hummingbirds' long, narrow bills.) Using hummingbird feeders is another way to lure these beauties to your yard. Dollar Tree's  Garden Collection Plastic Hanging Hummingbird Feeders are well reviewed (4.8-star average!), and feel pretty sturdy in person. 

They're just 7 inches tall, but they get the job done, and cost just $1.25 each compared to other hummingbird feeders that would cost you $10+ from Amazon or other retailers. Grab a few: Hanging multiple feeders will attract more birds, but just remember to place them far apart so the hummingbirds can't see each other. Also, make sure to hang them at least 10 feet apart to prevent squabbles among hungry visitors. As a general rule of thumb, position hummingbird feeders in shady areas and change out the sugar water at least twice a week. Clean them once a week.

Self-watering pots are a huge help for gardeners on the go. If you're too busy to water for a few days, or need to head out of town and don't have a plant-sitter, Dollar Tree's Self Watering Plastic Plant Pot with Saucer can keep the soil moist. All self-watering pots, also called reservoir planters, work in the same basic way. You can water plants from the top like normal, and add water to a reservoir in the bottom of the pot. The water from the reservoir should get pulled up into the soil over time. The soil stays hydrated for longer than it would with top-down watering only.

Dollar Tree's pots rate very highly among reviewers, who say that these pots are surprisingly sturdy for $5 (especially when compared to the around $25 price tag on Amazon). They come in neutral colors, so could easily pass as much pricier planters. A few caveats, though. Like Dollar Tree's stackable planters, these pots aren't made from plastic that's guaranteed to be food safe. And not all plants will thrive in these types of pots. Make sure to research some mistakes that people make with self-watering planters before using them.

Watering your garden should be a wonderfully zen task. For a few minutes, all you have to think about is moving the spray around so that everything gets watered. Using an attachment like Dollar Tree's Garden Collection 8-Pattern Water Wand makes this job as easy and comfortable as possible. It attaches to a standard hose and has an ergonomic thumb control, so you don't have to squeeze a handle to keep the water flowing. It's also just $5. Similar models of water wands start at around $12 on Amazon.

The real selling point of this particular water wand is that it has eight adjustable modes: angle, cone, shower, jet, flat, mist, soaker, and center. You can turn it to mist to water some super delicate flowers, or use jet to clean a spill from the patio. And if you happen to have a dog or kids who like to play in a sprinkler, they're going to love the water wand too. 

Of all the spring gardening essentials that Dollar Tree sells, their Garden Collection Citronella Incense Sticks might have the most passionate fans. Dozens of buyers have given them five stars and say they buy them in bulk to use year round. Used properly, they could help you keep mosquitoes at bay while you're tending your plants and enjoying your garden.

Each package comes with six 17.5-inch long sticks, which are made of 30% bamboo and 70% citronella incense powder. To use one, you light one end of the stick and then blow out the flame and plunge the stick into the ground. The incense continues to smoke from the stick and emit a scent that repels mosquitos. Reviewers say one stick lasts anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours. However, if you're wondering whether citronella really works to keep mosquitos away, results may vary. But with these incense sticks having a 4.9-star rating is a promising start. At least with Dollar Tree's citronella sticks, you'll only waste $1.25 if they turn out not to work for your needs.

Let's be frank: These Indoor and Outdoor Colorful Plastic Garden Watering Can have zero bells or whistles. They comes in four colors, but the basic design and plastic material aren't anything remarkable. And yet, at just $1.25 each, as compare to $13 on Amazon, you might need one. After all, it's a perfectly functional watering can, and anyone who cares for plants can appreciate that. It holds 64 ounces (or 8 cups), so it won't get too heavy to cart around. And the narrow spout helps prevent splashing and overwatering. It's ideal for watering potted plants, including small ones like seedlings, since you can easily control the flow of water.

Reviewers on Dollar Tree's site confirm these watering cans work well, especially for indoor plants, and have few complaints. That said, they're obviously not going to be as sturdy as one made of metal or more durable materials, so that's something to keep in mind while shopping for a watering can. It's probably best not to leave them outdoors in extreme weather conditions, which could weaken the plastic. Finally, make sure you always hang it upside down when you're done using it to prevent mold — that's an important rule of thumb for all watering cans.

Getting down on your hands and knees in the dirt to tend your garden can make you feel connected to the things you're growing. But, it can also make you feel a lot of knee pain, not to mention the dirt and muck you'll get on yourself. Some gardeners carry around a kneeler pad to mitigate the discomfort and mess of kneeling directly on the ground. Strapping on Dollar Tree's Floral Print Gardening Knee Pads might be preferable for some gardeners. You're free to get up and down and navigate around your plants without having to put a pad into place every time you move around.

There are a few nice things about these particular knee pads. They come in four designs — three floral prints and a lemon print — so you can stay cute while you work. But at just $5 a pair, as compared to $20 on Amazon, you won't feel bad getting them dirty right away. Stock up on a few pairs to use for cleaning and other home maintenance jobs that require you to crawl around. One potential drawback? These knee pads slip on over your foot rather than using an adjustable strap, so they might not fit all bodies comfortably or effectively.

It's nice to add some whimsical decor or shiny new gardening gadgets to your collection every spring, but you also have to have the basics in place. Like a good watering can and pair of gardening gloves, a handheld shovel is an absolute essential. Dollar Tree's Garden Collection Shovel feels surprisingly sturdy for just $5, and the grip is comfortable in your hand. The bright orange handle makes it easy to spot in your garage or out in your garden. The pointed shape makes it ideal for digging into compacted dirt. 

Even if you already have a trowel you like, why not pick up another one? At this price, it's worth grabbing just in case you ever misplace yours and need a backup. After all, a trowel is one of the most versatile gardening tools there is. In addition to digging holes, a trowel may be useful for tasks like mixing amendments into soil, adding new soil to pots, smoothing out planting beds, and more. 

Wait, were those gardenias or geraniums that you planted in that patch? As summer progresses, it's easy to lose track of what you've planted and where. Dollar Tree's Garden Collection Plastic Plant Labels keep everything organized. At 10 labels for $1.25, you can label an entire sprawling garden for just a few bucks. They're sturdy enough to stay in place in wind and rain and may last you for multiple growing seasons.

Keeping your plants well labeled is useful not only for your own use, but also if you share gardening duties with anyone else. Each label is 2.25 inches wide, and you can write on both sides. That allows you to put not only the name of each plant, but any relevant care instructions (e.g., "needs watering daily" or "don't trim without my permission") right there for all to see. That's another perk of using plant markers: If you head out of town on summer vacation, a neighbor or friend can care for your garden properly without needing a lot of input from you.