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.

 

From Wow thats Cool.......to OMG

I have had a great yard sale season so far

I know you want to see what I've found!

First the cool stuff......

This little stool with it's tiled top....love it!

This is the most interesting bird feeder I have ever come across

It's made out of a galvanized pail and a garbage can top and it will screw onto a pole

Here is a driftwood planter...well you have to put a pot inside...

Driftwood items are very popular right now so I was happy to find this.

 This wonderful folk art bird house with a tin roof....just so quaint

I cant believe I found this serving dog....so perfect to hold all my business cards

I love it so much I almost can't stand it

I was so happy to find this fish pitcher I almost knocked it over grabbing for it

but here it is.....safe and sound

 This was one of the best finds.....a galvanized large metal locker

 But the weirdest thing, by far, was this empty wasp nest

And I was happy to have it

Objects in the Garden

Summer Wednesday Garden Party
What is your Gardening Style?

My gardening style is quite relaxed.  I have objects of all kinds squirreled in all sorts of places.  I love to walk around and find a hidden surprise.  This girl is almost obscured by the lush greenery.....but then you notice her.

I am continually surprised in my own gardens

I have a gaggle of these antique decoy geese.  They are made of sawdust and glue.  I had to have them.

I love the way he peeks out at you.  Surprise!

 It can be something as simple as a flag...

or this shallow cement bowl....Birdbath? Flower Pot Liner?

Who cares....it looks great!  

I like to group objects together to create and interesting area.  I just love the cement skull...what a find!

Even areas that are not quite filled in yet will have creatures peeking out in no time.

   We would love to hear about your ideas.
What objects do you place in your garden....I'd love to see them!

Summer Wednesday Garden Party Blog Hop 

Want to get in on the fun...

We would be happy if you would link anything garden related. 

  

This blog hop will be open all summer until September 30, 2011
 

Please link directly to your blog post URL

Please link back to Small Holdings Farm Summer Wednesday Garden Party 

or post our "Summer Wednesday Garden Party " button on your sidebar

It would be great if you would leave a comment for the person before you
That's it 

English Lavender & Other Stuff

I am in the process of making a lovely English Lavender garden. 

I have my spot all picked out.

I have chosen the Hidcote Variety

The spot needs some serious weeding to make it lovely

I wonder how much they will spread this year?

Another project I have been working on is filling all the containers I have collected from yard sales over the last few months with year round succulents and several varieties of Hens and Chickens.  

 I am always on the lookout for  all sorts of cast iron...

or other heavy metal containers.  I can always buy an old cast iron pot or other interesting old rusty metal container for less than $3  at a yard sale.

 

Keep your eye out for containers with the bottom partly rusted out.....they are perfect!

I would have to drill holes in the bottom for drainage anyway so it's a win win

Succulents need very little care so they are perfect in containers that add interest to your garden.

You can tuck a pot or bucket of them in almost any corner.

They will survive the winter even in very cold areas and in the spring they will have made many little babies that you can fill up more containers with.

  I love putting them in unexpected containers like this handled pot.  The pot can even be hung up or laid on it's side after they are rooted.
 
These have just been started but they will be filled up in no time flat

And look more like this

They are wonderful tucked into rocks 
near the side of my pond

Now to decide what to put in these two fabulous 

cement planters....decisions - decisions

Vintage Farm Wheels - A Long Time Love

I love using vintage farm wheels for decorating

 especially in the garden, but they really look great anywhere

I have been collecting them in all shapes and sizes for years

 The gardens are not in bloom but they add interest and dimension all year long 

 Large ones.....small ones.....it doesn't matter. 

 I like to stack them or place them alone.

 

They make a great trellis

Some, I save to make garden carts with

Some are just plain interesting

And some are FABULOUS

Here are just a few more that I can't resist showing you

I'd love to hear about how you used wheels

in your decor....inside or out



Spring Scents - Candle Making - In Full Swing

We are in the process of making our Spring & Summer Candle Scents....like Dew Drops,

Lime-Coconut-Vanilla, Summer Citrus and of course....French Lavender. 

There are about 10 new scents and I love them all.

We melt the wax either in the microwave or on a hotplate...

sometimes both are going at once!

Choosing  just the right soy wax is important for clarity, scent throw etc.

Next is to check that the temperature is just right for adding the scents and pouring...

then measuring out the correct amount of scented oil

Getting the wick size right is a challenge.....so many rules. 

The only way to get it right is to experiment

Pouring can be a little messy but you know you're almost done

A stable place to set them to cool.

And then the finished product....creamy white - spring scented candles

All thats left to do is make labels.