Frugal Flower Gardens
I love spring colors - especially flowers, flowering trees and bright grasses. But I've never been much of a gardener. (Actually, I've always been pretty good at killing flowers instead of helping them grow - my thumbs are not green!!)
But I'd like to add some color into our landscaping. I did some googling for frugal gardening tips, but I didn't find much. These two articles were helpful:
17 ways to landscape on the cheap from MSN
Landscaping on a Budget from the Dollar Stretcher
So I thought I'd ask you - what are some frugal ways to add pizazz to your flowerbeds? What are some inexpensive and hearty flowers that you would suggest for a Tennessee garden?
Thanks!!
Labels: frugal living, home and garden
posted by Ann @TheAssetEdge @ April 23, 2009
5 Comments:
Most of the gardening I do is with fruits and Veggies. However, there are a few tips for growing inexpensive flowers. The top two that come to mind are:
1. Start your flowers from seed. This will save you a lot of money, especially if you make your own pots out of newspaper or if you use something like Jiffy's peat moss starter greenhouse.
2. Use mostly perennials. Your upfront cost for annuals is usually cheaper, but on your second year when your perennials are coming up, you've already saved money. It's great.
Other people may have more tips - again I work mostly with fruits and veggies, so things are bit different, but I hope this helps.
I have contrarian advice, because I am the queen of buying plants and then letting them die.
I am guessing that you have a sunny lot (newer subdivision). Don't try to start with seeds if you're unsure--just buy a few annuals you know will do well.
Here are the plants I buy every year because I know they make a big splashy show of color and won't die, no matter how often I forget to water:
yellow lantana (spreads up and out, blooms until October)
vincas (red, white, pink look like impatiens but suited to sunny locations)
purple salvia (perennial, big stalks of blue)
impatiens in shade
I noticed that there's a plant sale in Ashland city this week if you want better advice than I can give : )
http://blogs.tennessean.com/cheap/2009/04/24/little-marrowbone-farm-spring-plant-sale/
Just plant herbs instead... lavender gives you come color, along with it's herb qualities and I like the looks of basil and rosemary.
I'm not much of a flower person (if you can't eat it, why bother?), but I have decided to plant some tulip bulbs this fall since I heard they are the introverts of the plant world. I like that symbolism. :-)
Post pics of whatever you do.
I'm good at killing stuff too. Whenever I buy 2 of something I can be pretty sure that 1 will die. I don't know why.
Here's my tip:
1. When perennials get big they can be subdivided into multiple plants. If you like something in your friend's garden, ask if she'll divide the plant and let you have some.
I recently moved a chive plant to another spot to make way for a new bush. Chives are an herb, but they have pretty purple flowers in the spring. I split it in 4.
I divided my hostas a couple days ago. They are shade or part-shade loving plants that are known for their leaves, but some have flowers.
Ladies, you are AWESOME!!! Thank you for your frugal, colorful, and practical advice!!
Now I need to get my DH out into the yard to dream with me about where things should go!
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