Maximum Garden-Minimum Cost

On Sunday, Douglas did a 62-mile run. I was exhausted just writing this post; I had to take several breaks. My excuse is that I have been sick, but I still feel like a big wimp. I am proud of him, though, despite questioning why he does what he does. I do appreciate that he never gives up when there is something that he wants. Here he is with Junior after the race.

Douglas will never give up on a race and I swear not to give up on my garden this year. After three years of living in the Cape of Dreams and taking care of the yard, I finally feel that things are starting to come together the way that I want them. I was fortunate when I moved in that the house was surrounded by wide flower garden bordered with Belgian blocks. There were some bushes and flowers in the garden and yard, but not nearly as many as I wanted. The gardens looked rather sparse and the side and back of the yard was a tangle of overgrown bushes. I did not have the money to do what I wanted in the beginning, but I have been slowly filling things in with plants that I love.

There are several ways that you can get plants for free. First, if anyone asks you what you would like for a house-warming gift (or birthday or any other special occasion) tell them that you would appreciate a plant. When I first moved in, my aunt bought me an azalea and my grandmother bought me a lilac. I think of them whenever I look at them, which is nice. My friend bought me a hydrangea to thank me for throwing her a baby shower.

Secondly, ask people if they have plants that they are planning to thin. It is possible to take cuttings or runners of many plants, and people are happy to share pieces of their gardens. One thing that you do have to consider when doing this is whether they will cause a problem in your garden. Some plants are invasive and will take over. Be aware that you will have cull them eventually as well. However, I decided to take hostas, irises, a bleeding heart and these blue flowers from my mother’s house.

Go to the woods. I learned this from my great-grandfather who used to dig up dogwoods in the forest behind his home and re-plant them in his yard. Before you do this, you need to make sure that you are taking native plants from the area where you live and not bringing invasive plants from a different environment. You also want to make sure that you are not breaking any laws or stealing plants from parks or private property. I took a couple of mountain laurels from my uncle’s property. They were growing wild in woods that he owned in an area close to my house, so I knew that it was alright to do so. I have also taken ferns and these small white flowers.

Do not overlook fruits and vegetables. I have also planted edible plants amongst my flowers in the beds around the house. The first summer I spent in my house, I planted tomatoes in the front garden. Every year since then, the tomatoes have grown up on their own from tomatoes that fell. The asparagus that I planted last year will come back every year as well. Last summer, I also planted a rhubarb plant. I forgot that it was there and yanked it last fall. Fortunately, it grew back again this spring. I am looking forward to strawberry rhubarb pie. Yum.

I planted a raspberry bush in the back yard, cherry tree in the front and a blueberry bush in a pot. These will grow produce year after year without me spending a dime.

There are herbs planted throughout the garden that come back every year. The rosemary plant refuses to die even in the snow, and it has grown into a monster since I planted it three years ago.

Bulbs can be bought in bulk cheaply in the fall, and most of them will naturalize or spread as the years go on. I have spent about fifty dollars every fall on bulbs, and after three years I am happy with how many flowers I have in the spring.

The only bulbs I buy that do not return every year are tulips. In order to maintain tulips over the years, you must pull and replant them. That is more care than I am willing to give them, but I love tulips, so I buy tulip bulbs every fall knowing that very few from the previous spring will make an appearance the following year. This year I went a little overboard and bought a bag of fifty tulip bulbs. It was too good a deal to pass up!

Do not overlook the “weeds.” I understand that many people like the look of a perfectly manicured lawn, but I love the look of a carpet of flowers. The yard is awash in crocus in March.

In April, there are violets galore.

I also have a great love of dandelions, despite the fact that most people consider them to be their worst nemesis. I love the cheerful color and tenacious spirit. They are also edible. My neighbors must hate me, but I embrace my beautiful yellow strewn lawn.

I am thrilled with the way that my yard and gardens look this spring. My challenge is going to be keeping up their appearance through the summer and fall. I will keep you updated on their progress and whole-heartedly welcome any help or advice.

This post was linked to Tootsie Time’s Fertilizer Friday.

Happy Homemaking!