About us

Joy McLaughlin was bit by the gardening bug after moving to the rural Midwest in her 20s. Encouraged and inspired by experienced friends and family, she jumped right in to the process. Through trial and error and the help of her husband Todd and three sons, they transformed the clay soil of their garden bed into a rich, nutrient-filled environment capable of producing abundant produce. Each year brings about more lessons and a wealth of experience which she puts to good use growing healthy food for her family and friends, and spectacular blooms to fill her flower pots and share with others.

Our Mission

At The Thrifty Garden, our mission is to inspire and empower gardening enthusiasts of all levels to cultivate vibrant, sustainable, and budget-friendly gardens. We are committed to providing accessible resources, creative solutions, and a supportive community that fosters a deep connection to the natural world.

We believe that every individual should have the opportunity to experience the joy of nurturing plants and witnessing the beauty of nature in their own spaces, regardless of financial constraints. Our dedication to thriftiness is rooted in sustainable practices, resourcefulness, and a commitment to environmental stewardship.

Through practical guidance, innovative ideas, and a spirit of collaboration, we aim to help our community members maximize the potential of their gardens while minimizing costs. We strive to promote sustainable gardening practices that not only benefit our wallets but also contribute to the well-being of our planet.

At The Thrifty Garden, we envision a world where everyone can experience the satisfaction of growing their own food, creating a sanctuary for pollinators, and enjoying the serenity of green spaces, all while staying mindful of their budget. Together, we will sow the seeds of affordability, sustainability, and beauty in gardens across the globe.

Connect with us

We want to provide you with resources to help you in your gardening journey. Check out our resources page for things to help you in your quest for garden success. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, feel free to e-mail us, and we’ll do what we can to help you find what you’re looking for.

Hand-picked high quality products

We have hand-selected high quality products that we think will help you in your own garden. Many of them have been tried and found to be invaluable in our own experience. If you have a suggestion for a product that you think would be of benefit, share it with us. We’re always on the hunt for the best tools to help!

Share your garden with us

We would love to showcase photos of your garden with our community. We will let you know when we have worked out the logistics for this endeavor. We hope that you will let your garden be an inspiration to others!

Community Connections

We want each person who visits The Thrifty Garden to benefit in every possible way. As we cultivate our respective spaces on this great planet, may we also cultivate meaningful mutually beneficial relationships with each other.