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When we moved into our south Anchorage log home I had glorious plans for the 1/3 acre lot. Some previous owner had chopped down every tree counting on the neighboring woodlands for green and shade. The house was near the street with a lumpy hilly and narrow backyard that ended in the neighbor's goat pen. I was young, enthusiastic and confident that my green thumb could transform our piece of Alaska into a glorious landscaped garden. Now, 20 years later the neighborhood has evolved from birch/spruce woods to suburban sprawl and I'm still working on the transformation and enjoying every season. It was very important in those early days, to work on the cheap. With 5 small children the vegetable garden was more important than ornamentals. Composting was the only way I could afford to enrich a flower bed. What was once a necessity became a passion - creating self-sustaining perenial flowerbeds for less than $20/year. Twenty years later, my garden is still a work in progress. I can and do spend money on plants now. And yet, gazing at my sitting garden I'm surrounded by the memories of those early days and the decendents of the first little slips of green I nurtured so carefully. Zone 3 gardening on a budget isn't as hard as it sounds. I started with a small clump of siberian iris that grew in the loose gravel driveway that first spring. One clump became 5, 5 became 10 and every year my irises are the center point of the growing season. With a little luck I won't have to divide my irises for a few more years, but think I know where I can add the next batch... Near the front porch a shock of Maltese Cross is in full bloom. I rescued 3 plants from the woodpile behind the shed that first year, not knowing what they would be or how tall they would grow when cared for. I get more comments and compliments on these reclaimed wildflowers than any of the exotics I've tried. In the enriched bed, my Maltese Cross grow 3 feet tall with fist sized red flower clusters. Over the years, I've easily divided these plants and use them effectively in my borders. More treasures that first year included a rosebush that had been nearly choked to death by siberian peas. We've called it a sitka rose but can't be sure. She's now a mother many times over as we've helped deliver healthy suckers that have grown into shrubs nearly 5 feet tall and more around. Daisy's of course were and continue to be a beautiful pest. My oldest son took over a small "daisy garden" that I was threatening to burn to the ground. Not that he had to do anything more than help me keep the daisy's from taking over the rest of the yard, flower and garden beds! The second summer I used my budget at a close out table from a nursery in early July. By July, nurseries have little selection and many of the plant markers have disappeared. However, this is my favorite time to shop for plants because the mark downs are practically giving plants away. Every year since, I've added some treasure from one of these sales. The first was a spreading Veronica (who knows what variety), that grows so prolifically, I can use them for garden trades every year. The third summer I discovered wildflower seed mix. That was the end of bare spots for my yard and provided the original plants that have now been moved to more organized and cared for beds. Columbine, forget-me-nots, lupin, and several varieties of poppies continue to thrive and surprise me. My favorite plants are are the one's that were free or practically free. The frugal gardener can find dozens of ways to create a sea of color without spending any green. Some of my most successful tips include:
A word of caution though. Many areas have laws prohibiting you from digging up native plants from wilderness areas. These natural habitats are not free-for-alls and should be left alone. When in doubt, call the appropriate government agency and ask. While I don't "steal" from state parks, I've been given the go ahead to "rescue" lilacs, rubarb, and other abandoned plants from city land taken by eminent domain before a road or bike path was constructed. Your patch of yard can become a garden no matter how tight your budget. Just get a bit creative and never be afraid to ask for cuttings. Compost for black gold and remember to think long term. You'll never be poor when you live surrounded by flowers. Home And Garden - Country And Rural Life. - Gardening and Birds, Raising Chickens and Goats, Baking Bread.more coming soon! Living Within Your Means - The Easy Way. - A Complete Personal Money Management System with Budget Forms and Worksheets. Article Index: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 |
More Articles:1. Safety On Lawn Tractors By Andrew Caxton Every gardener riding a lawn tractor should be concerned about safety. But, most homeowners don’t take much time thinking on how risky can be driving lawn tractors. It is obvious the indestructible feelings that you feel when driving a large lawn tractor. You are there, sitting on top of a extremely powerful machine which responds to your orders instantly. However, there are many things, not desired, that can happen very quickly, putting you as operator and others in a terrible danger. Statist… 2. Catch a Leprechaun in Your Garden By Susanna Duffy There is no mention to be found of female leprechauns in traditional Irish legend, so as to how they came to be .. your guess is as good as mine. These apparently aged, diminutive men are hard-working cobblers, turning out exquisite shoes for other sprites. If you happen across an industrious little fellow hammering out a shoe, look closely - for he may be a leprechaun. Step quietly, for leprechauns will avoid humans, knowing us to be foolish and greedy. A leprechaun dresses in old-fashion… 3. Three Easy Garden Designs You Can Create By Dakota Caudilla Garden No. 1: The Japanese garden.Creating a Japanese garden is an interesting project because the Japanese garden design depends on symbolism as much as it depends on plant elements.What is most important for a Japanese garden design is a prevailing notion of simplicity. There are a number of elements that make up a Japanese garden. These gardens often include water, a lantern, an island and a bridge.A successful Japanese garden will inspire peace and contemplation. To enhance the atmosphere … 4. Daphnes for Scent and Colour By Geoff Bryant Anyone with even a passing knowledge of plants knows that daphnes have wonderfully fragrant flowers. And because some of them - usually the most scented - flower in winter, they're the sort of must-have plants that are usually among the first planted in any new garden.There are around 50 species of Daphne, many of which are choice garden specimens. They are widespread lot, ranging from Europe and North Africa to temperate and subtropical Asia. Most of them are evergreen or nearly so, but a few… |
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