Cheerful Frugality Plants A Big Dream

Posted by: MerchantShips on Monday, August 18th, 2008

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Or small, depending on perspective.

Now that we’ll be staying in this house a couple more years, I can finally transform my tiny back yard into a garden.  I’ve had a lettuce bed, tomatoes, and potted herbs forever–but now it’s time for a real plan.

And–as usual–a budget that’s a lot leaner than I’d like.

I had lots of advice from the resident experts at Like Merchant Ships.  Their #1 recommendation?  Mel Bartholomew’s (All New) Square Foot Gardening.

Is it available at the library?  Check!

Since I’ll be creating 4 raised beds, readers heartily recommended Freecycle.org for building materials.  I had unsubscribed last year, but a quick sign-up soon flooded my inbox with offers of wood stakes, old rock, and cinder blocks.

Should I add a truck to my dream garden list, too?

An experienced gardener I met through my blog reminded me that August is prime time for plant markdowns.  I’ll add Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Kmart to my errands this week.

(Patty from Morning Ramble found an entire hedge of Knock Out Roses for $1 a pot!)

Before I buy too many plants, I need structure.  Where can I find inspiration for charming fences and features, made by real people? 

A Saturday yard sale gave me 100 copies of Country Living–free!  I have had such fun ripping out ideas for my file.  Already, I’ve decided on pineapple finials for the fence posts and a handmade twig trellis to disguise the A/C unit.

My relatives just call the city’s best garden experts, but I doubt they have as much fun planning a cheerfully frugal garden as I do!

Topics: cheerful frugality

5 Responses to “Cheerful Frugality Plants A Big Dream”

deb meyers Says:
August 18th, 2008 at 4:24 am

I have truck lust, so that would DEFINITELY be on my dream garden list!

One tip about SFG method: Follow precisely. One year I decided I didn’t need to be so careful mixing the Mel’s soil recipe or marking the squares. That was the year I had to contend with weeds, stunted growth, and mold from overcrowding.

Re: blueberry bushes. They take a GOOD 5 years to establish and produce, and some owners say 7.

Have fun planning : )

Deb Meyers

Stephanie Says:
August 18th, 2008 at 8:33 am

Oh what fun! So far our gardens have just been functional. I’d love to make them pretty and functional. Someday… but for now other projects top the list! Can’t wait to hear more!

Tammy Says:
August 18th, 2008 at 10:24 am

If you do not want to build it yourself. Check out easy-garden.com for raised aluminum beds. Perfect for square foot gardening with no maintenance on the beds.

Thank you
Tammy

Jora Says:
August 20th, 2008 at 1:18 pm

Thanks. I just put the New Square Foot Gardening on hold.

Sharon H. in IL Says:
August 20th, 2008 at 2:59 pm

What a nice plan. Sounds marvelous.

Don’t forget to ask friends for cuttings from their perennials, for the decorative items. Cuttings are such a friendly, cozy way to fill in a garden.

 

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