Monday, June 20, 2011

Trouble Free - Magnificent Gardens - On a Budget

I have figured out how to create magnificent gardens that are almost care-free. 
You need very little plant knowledge, experience or money.
Many people spend far too much time working in their garden.  I want to enjoy the results with the least amount of work.
 
Most of my plantings are perennials.  This is the most economical  way to build gardens. 
Spend your money on perennials, as they come up every year,
and fill in with annuals that have color all summer. Spread out the purchasing of your perennials throughout the summer so they have different bloom times.  A good time to buy is at the end of the season when things are half price.  Check the plant to see that it still looks healthy.
This is one of the rose gardens....and it blooms all summer.
As you will see, my gardens are not formal.  They have a casual look and need very little care, except for watering during the hottest part of the season. 
As the garden matures and fills in, as mine have, I barely ever have to weed.
I love putting surprise objects or things in my garden and you can always
move them to change the look as your garden grows and matures.
Planters and containers of any kind, that can stay out all year,
help to fill in the garden and can create a pop of color anywhere.
I just picked up this urn this weekend at a sale and placed a large annual inside.  
That huge plant was only 9.96 and will bloom all summer.
I have approximately 15 different gardens near the house and 2 small ponds that I built myself.  It took me 5 hours to build my 1st pond. You need an inexpensive liner, a pump and some rocks.  I had collected the rocks ahead of time.  Think small - it is easy and rewarding.

I also have 6 gardens down by the barn.  When we bought this property,
there was only 1 Daffodil.....and no shrubs or trees around the house.   I planted everything myself.  In 10 short years the property is teeming with flowers, shrubs, Privets, Hydrangeas, Lilacs, Roses, grasses and other interesting plants. You will have to pay some attention to sun/shade requirements but it is not set in stone.  
I will post more on this "gardening made easy" subject 
and more photos of my garden as it blooms
If you have any questions...feel free to ask.
 

10 comments:

  1. Your garden is beautiful! I can't believe you were able to build a fountain in just 5 hours. Thanks so much for the great tips. :)

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  2. You have created a gorgeous place!
    Blessings ~Wendy

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  3. Lovely gardens, thanks so much for sharing and stopping by the garden party!

    Candy

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  4. Wonderful gardens! I have a special fondness for the pics of your pond!

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  5. Wow! What a garden, not to mention lots of good advice. I try to follow these rules as well. I love your bird sculpture, I'm looking for something like this myself. At the moment I'm trying to work with a garden that was once all shade and is now all sun thanks to 11 downed trees due to a tornado. It's a challenge. We have four tree stumps about two feet high each, and I told the tree people to leave them there. They are in a nice cluster and I'm going to tie heavy rope around them and turn them into "pilings" so now I need a shore bird. Enjoyed your post!

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  6. wow! what a beautiful garden! I wish my yard looked half as pretty! I am visiting from the hop! I am your newest follower and would love it if you would follow me back! thanks so much!
    -Nikki
    http://chef-n-training.blogspot.com/

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  7. Your yard and garden are absolutely beautiful! You inspire me to make mine prettier! :) I found your blog on KdBuggie and I am your newest follower! I would love to have you stop by and follow us back if you want to!
    Camille @
    SixSistersStuff.blogspot.com

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  8. What beautiful gardens you have! What a joy it must be to look outside your windows or eat outside. I used to have a beautiful garden but must confess it just became to much work and I've given it up. I'll enjoy yours instead, lol!

    Thank you for linking up to "Making Your Home Sing Monday" meme. I'd appreciate it if you could put a courtesy link back to my blog the next time you link up. That way your readers could join the party as well. Thanks!

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  9. Coming over from Little Round Table's garden party to peek around! you make me wish i had a pond....yours is so pretty! i host a garden party on Thursday's & would love to have link up sometime? xoxo, tracie

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  10. What great tips. I'm just getting ready to do a mini water garden myself so I appreciate hearing your experience.

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