Gardenscape on a budget

Gardenscape on a budget

This is not necessarily true. You can design a stunning garden and be the envy of the neighborhood by following some of the tips below.

Know what you like and what works

You can write down what you see on index cards, so they are organized and useful. Start collecting magazine page clippings and collect some pictures of the designs that interest you. This can help you decide what style of garden you like. You will also have an easy reference for plants and location.

Select location and color

Then look at your notes and clippings and choose the color scheme you would like to have in your garden. Do not forget to consider whether you are designing and planting in the shade, in the sun or in the partial shade or in the partial sun. Looking for something bright and vibrant or something more soothing and relaxing? Consider starting with a shrub base and accenting with a few perennials, bulbs, ornamental grasses, and annuals for a more seasonal color. Maybe you want all the flowers. Decide on a shape that suits the style of your home. Straight styles give a more formal look while curves give a more informal feel. If you are unsure when selecting colors, you can use a color wheel to help choose contrasting and complementary colors.

Budget and create a plan

Decide how much you can and want to spend on your new garden. Do you want to start with a foundation and add it gradually? If so, start by buying your most expensive plants and shrubs first. Use them as a focal point for your garden. Start keeping an eye out for sales and discounted plants at garden centers and nurseries. Let everyone know that you know you are starting a garden and that you would love it if they could give you divisions of your perennials or seeds that you have saved from your garden. Let your family and friends know that you have a wish list of plants that would make the perfect gift idea. If you have access online, look for seed exchanges. Many gardeners love helping a new gardener. Many are willing to send seeds for the cost of shipping or will trade for something else that you may have that they are looking for. A great resource for free articles is http://www.freecycle.org. Find a group in your area, join the group, and post to let the group know that you would be interested in garden plants and seeds. You may be lucky and discover that a member of the group has already offered some plants up for grabs. Be sure to ask your local garden club when they are running their sales as well. You can also start some plants from seed yourself. Many seeds are very easy to sow directly, and a little can go a long way.

Here's a partial list of easy-to-grow seeds:

• Candytuft
• Asters
• 4:00
• Sunflowers
• Thoughts
• Violas
• Impatiens
• Carnation
• Larkspur
• Sage
• Cupid dart
• Morning glory
• Moonflowers
• Zinnias
• Calendula
• Wonderful
• Cosmos
• Sweet Alyssum
• Bee balm
• Poppies
• Nasturtium

Don't forget that if you decide to plant in containers, there are many inexpensive containers such as yogurt containers, milk jugs, egg cartons, and plastic ice cream buckets. You can also call your city and see if they have free mulch available. Feel free to strike up conversations with your neighbors while you are out for a walk. You never know, the gardening topic may come up and they might be more than happy to offer you some seeds or splits.

Distance design

Now you are ready to design. You can outline your idea beforehand. Keep the following in mind when designing.

Scale - Judge the size of the area and choose plants that are not too large, too wide, or too small for the area. Take into account the size of the plant when it reaches its mature growth.

Balance: Don't place your plants where one area is too packed with plants and another area is too airy. Try to achieve a good balance of small, medium and large plants. Balance offers visual stability. It can be created with spacing between plantings or with the visual weight of your design. This can be created with lines so that your garden is pleasant to see from all angles.

Focal Point: Your focal point will be the area your eye is directed to first. These can be your prized flowers, trees, or shrubs.

Rhythm: this is visual flow. The eye wanders throughout the garden design, but returns to the focal point. It can be achieved with repetition and contrast.

Harmony-Unity: this is when plants have a way of appearing connected and part of the others. This can be achieved with color, texture, groupings. Unity is lost when your plants look too far apart or your choice of color makes one plant seem lost amongst the others.

Color - Color influences the entire design process. Use a color wheel if you are unsure about selecting colors that go well together.

If this is all too confusing and overwhelming, check out some gardening catalogs. Many have suggested designs. It is also best to place the containers and organize and rearrange them where you want to plant them before you start digging.

Accessorize (home garden art)

To add some interest and whimsy to your garden, consider some household items or junk to treasure artwork. Ideas like making your own steps, garden markers, terracotta birdbaths or toad houses, painted stones and pavers, and fun wind chimes are simple projects that can add a lot of interest to your garden. Look for unique items that you can add to your garden, such as milk cans, wooden chairs, ladders, tricycles, carts, trunks, roof tiles, mailboxes, or even dressers. Use your imagination.

There you have it and you didn't have to hire a professional, spend thousands of dollars, or take years to achieve a beautiful garden. You won't be a new gardener for long. Soon you will be sharing starts, cuttings, seeds, divisions and tips.