We have been living in our home for a little over two years, yet we are still landscaping.
Why? Because it is expensive!
I have had to take the cheap and FREE way of landscaping.
And with this, I am learning more patience.
We did purchase (and had someone plant) evergreen white pines along our property for privacy. We accomplished the staggering affect by doing it two years apart.
Spacing the cost over two years was a great help!
For cheap landscaping, I decided to go with some smaller bushes.
I planted these boxwood wintergem bushes just a couple weeks ago, because the holly bushes (not cheap) that I planted two years ago did not survive the brutal winter that we just had.
We have also planted small lilac and forsythia bushes and a clamatis vine recently.
I planted these boxwood wintergem bushes just a couple weeks ago, because the holly bushes (not cheap) that I planted two years ago did not survive the brutal winter that we just had.
We have also planted small lilac and forsythia bushes and a clamatis vine recently.
Buying smaller bushes are much cheaper than bushes that are larger in size.
Patience...
Sunflower seeds are a great way to add height and color to new landscaping.
I purchased a few packets for less than $2 each.
The picture above is two weeks after I planted the seeds.
Patience...
I have them planted here and there on our little homestead.
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Sunflower seeds are a great way to add height and color to new landscaping.
I purchased a few packets for less than $2 each.
The picture above is two weeks after I planted the seeds.
Patience...
I have them planted here and there on our little homestead.
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For FREE landscaping, I got some 'starts' from my Mom.
Wow, does she has a green thumb!
Actually I think she has a green eye - she just looks at something and it grows.
From her I have 'starts' to things that also have a story.
(You know I like things with a story attached to it.)
My Mom originally got a 'start' to her red bush from a friend. She remembers this type of bush at her Grandparents' home place. The picture above is a 'start' that I have planted from hers.
This is a picture of my Mom's red bush.
(If you know the correct name for this, please let me know.)
This lilac 'start' is also from my Mom. She got her 'start' from a bush that was at the first house that I owned. How's that for full circle?
Although very small, she insures me that it will grow into a lush lilac bush.
(You know I like things with a story attached to it.)
This is a picture of my Mom's red bush.
(If you know the correct name for this, please let me know.)
This lilac 'start' is also from my Mom. She got her 'start' from a bush that was at the first house that I owned. How's that for full circle?
Although very small, she insures me that it will grow into a lush lilac bush.
This is a picture of my Mom's lilac bush that I got a start from.
Lilacs look so pretty tucked in vases and make the house smell wonderful.
Hubby dug up this tree from our woods during the fall of our first year living here and planted it in the yard.
Last year it only had a couple leaves. Positive thinking - at least it survived the transplant.
This year it is producing many leaves. I am looking forward to seeing it fill out!
Do you get creative with your landscaping?
Happy Spring planting!
You have done a great job so far planting things that will one day grow to be beautiful and lovely! You are right about the "patience" factor - sometimes it seems it takes so long to get things to grow. I have learned that planting perennials that will make it through tough winters are my best choice in the long run, and then I usually fill in with some pretty annuals each year. I have started many of my plants indoor from seeds, and that saves a lot of $$ too. Do roses grow well in your area? I have found that roses can be very hardy if they are chosen properly for your zone, and bloom year after year faithfully. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your tips! Annuals are a great way to fill in and add color while being patient ;-) l do love roses and recently bought a small (cheap) one to try.
DeleteYour "red bush" is flowering quince. A favorite of Mine! Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the proper name Kathie!
DeleteOh yeah. Cheap or free is for me. I get a lot of my ornamentals from the "dead" rack at the big box stores. On the weekend, they discount all this stuff to half off because they need to move it. Most times it just needs a little water and the right location to thrive.
ReplyDeleteAnother source for plants is Craig's List or Freecycle. I've done plant giveaways myself and folks come out by the droves. You could also check your farmer's markets and go later in the day when it's near closing. Vendors would rather sell something at a discount than have to reload all that stuff to take home.
Patience is one of the lessons of gardening, for sure. It'll pay off!
I have used Craig's List for other stuff, but not plants...interesting. Never heard of Freecycle. Thanks for the great info Daisy.
DeleteWe use this method too and add a little each year, so I understand what you mean about patience! :)
ReplyDeleteThere's that P word again - patience ;-)
DeleteLori, this is so true! Our garden is 12 years along and still a work in progress. But it's so lovely to walk through it and remember that my Mum gave us that cutting, and that orchid and that succulent, as she is no longer with us. It's a living memorial to her, and how much more special is that. Patience will be rewarded. Mimi xxx
ReplyDeleteMimi,
DeleteWhat a lovely memorial to your Mum! Thanks for the encouragement.
Lori
Free and cheap are the best way to go....when I first moved in to the charm I bought really small plants because they fit my budget. Each year I saw them get taller and taller. Time is free. I also love to use heavy re-seeders in the garden and then get free plants the next year.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing them grow each year ;-)
DeleteHey Lori, I can really relate! When I first moved here, my landscaping consisted of dirt and rocks! I added one section at a time as I could afford. 16 years later, I have my Secret Garden ;) Herbs are a good value and I use them for landscaping. Morning glory seeds are inexpensive, easy to grow and create a showy display. Happy growing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great tips Cecilia! Now I want some morning glories ;-)
DeleteI can't wait to see how your plants mature. You got a nice set of starters!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting Jennifer. I hope the starts do well...
DeleteMay your lilac grow in abundance! :) Such a lovely plant! Thank you for sharing these ideas with us! The clipping from lavender is another way I am able to have quick and filled in landscaping for free :)
ReplyDeleteLavender is something I don't have. Thanks for the tip Jes!
DeleteYou have accomplished a lot already!
ReplyDeleteWe are landscaping our yard frugally as well and it does take time and a lot of effort.
But, sometimes, the results worth it. :)
I agree, that it will be worth it...sometimes I just want that sooner then later ;-)
DeleteLori, oh my word, i bet your house smells amazing with those lilacs. My granny has given me a lot of starts and you are so right it really helps. I never imagined that landscaping could be so expensive especially when you lose some to either extreme cold or extreme heat. i have a hydrangea bush that i'm waiting to bloom. it's been 4 years but i'm holding out hope. Hugs, CoCo
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you have starts from your Granny...a wonderful story of where your plants came from...now and always. I hope your hydrangea blooms this year ;-)
DeleteHi Lori! Thanks for the tips. We have similar journey in gardening. It takes a lot of patience and handful of patience and perseverance but I an loving every minute of it. By the way, your mom's red bush if I am not mistaken is called Japanese Quice or Red Trail. We have those in our previous house and we brought some here in the countryside when we moved because I love them so specially when they are blooming in the spring time. We trim them religiously because they grow so fast and crazy! Right now I have 2 bushes that are already blooming. Keep sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info about the quince bush Mei Ann! I love to put cut branches in a vase or pitcher. Happy Spring planting!
DeleteLori
Be careful with the morning glory- it is very invasive and hard to get rid of!
ReplyDelete