EZ Gardening For Beginners

Many of us desire a lush green garden with fragrant colorful flowers to enhance or complement the look of our houses. But as so often, dreams are limited by money in our society. Landscaping can be expensive and hiring a landscape designer is with a regular budget the most unlikely thing that you would do. But do not give up yet. You can achieve a stunning garden with less money with these cheap and easy gardening tips.

First of all, one of the biggest budget breakers in landscaping is labor. If you want to save money big time while getting the most beautiful garden on the street, do the work your self. Just as plumbing, car repair, house remodeling takes huge amounts in labor, so does landscaping, but landscaping does not require a skilled person. Landscaping can be done by anyone. Of course the design might be rather difficult to achieve, but you can always get great ideas and looks from garden magazines, at your local garden center and online. Many garden projects are easy to do. Some hard work and so-called sweat equity is all that you need.

Next on the list, which is also a budget breaker, not quite as bad as the labor, is the material itself. Rather than choosing expensive flagstone or similar, go ahead and choose a cheaper alternative, maybe even a fake alternative that is a look alike. This way you can save big time and still achieve the look you were going for. Instead of the expensive special plant from china, buy a nice plant or shrub that looks similar and is indigenous to your area, which often means cheaper in price. Also, if you plan ahead you can be rewarded. If you are taking your time to get your garden done, you can plant your shrubs, trees and perennials in fall. Many garden centers reduce their prices drastically at the end of fall. People do not want to buy the plants anymore because the plants have started to change into their fall/winter outfit and are loosing their leaves or changing color. This means nothing bad in perennials, trees and shrubs. In spring these plants will get back to their beautiful spring/summer look just like all the other plants that might have been in your garden for years or the ones you would buy new, but you saved a ton of money by planting them in fall. As many garden stores quite right say, fall is for planting.

Another cheap and easy way to get color in your garden in spring and summer is by planting different perennials that grow from bulbs. Tulips, crocus and daffodils for spring, gladiolas and lilies for summer can give you a great flowering look all spring and summer for a fraction of the cost. Planting bulbs in fall in a strategic order can save you from buying overprized annuals in spring.

A great look for very little money can be achieved by using mulch throughout your garden. But when buying mulch and mulch is needed for more than one small flower bed or two, do not buy the bags at your local garden center. Buying mulch buy the bag is o expensive. Rather have it delivered in a big amount form your local landscape material supplier and save. Mulch comes in many colors and can make your garden look topnotch.

As you can see, you can achieve a attractive and stunning garden for a lot less than you might have thought and those garden dreams can actually come true. Any garden can live up to its potential if you get creative with budget friendly materials.

Does your patio or sidewalk need a good dose of color and texture, but you don’t have the time or money for a full-scale garden? If you want to boost your patio and sidewalk appeal, here are a few easy gardening ideas to brighten up your life and home with the beauty of plants.

Containers, Containers, Containers

It used to be that gardening was restricted to flower beds, but container gardening has swiftly become one of the most popular ways to garden. Why has container gardening become one of the preferred gardening methods? Container gardening has become increasingly popular because it is easy, inexpensive and provides optimal results in a short amount of time. In short, you can create an instant garden through the use of garden containers. If you need a patio that lacks color, construct or purchase a container to fill the area. You can choose to plant bright annuals or less showy but longer-lasting perennials that will bloom on an annual basis. Choose a planter that fits in the area. When it comes to choosing flowers and plants in your containers, consider the following important factors: plant size, color display, plant size, sunlight and watering. Make sure that you have easy access to water. You will be much less likely to keep up your container garden if you have to haul water across the yard. Plant close to a water source, and choose a location that receives an adequate amount of sunlight for the types of plants that you are growing.

A Raised Garden Bed Can Spruce Up Your Sidewalk

If you have an uninspired sidewalk, consider sprucing up the area with a raised flowerbed. It is easy to build your own flowerbed, or you can purchase a ready-made bed that you can install along the sidewalk area. You can use your raised flower bed to plant showy seasonal annuals, adding a splash of color to an otherwise bland and dull area.

Choose a Splashy Color for Your Sidewalk Garden

If you are planting along your sidewalk, this is the perfect location to show off your color and garden design skill. For easy maintenance, choose a bright perennial that is suited for the location and your climate. Or experiment with a ‘two tone’ garden by planting two lines of flowers that are designed to coordinate in color formation.

Add a Decorative Border to Your Sidewalk

Another easy way to add life to a lifeless sidewalk area is to add a decorative border. There are many different designs you can choose from. Pay a visit to your local home improvement store or nursery, and you will find that there are now more border designs than ever before. You can choose between brick and plastic borders, making this a viable option no matter what kind of budget you are working with. You can choose among decorative plastic borders that can provide an eye-pleasing design to your sidewalk garden. This simple touch can add a whole new dimension to your garden. Moreover, adding a decorative border can also be quite practical, as they can help restrict the growth of weeds, and keep pests off of your garden bed.

Deck Out Your Patio with Hanging Planters

Here is an easy way to bring new life to your lifeless patio garden. Add a few hanging gardens and you will see how this simple addition can add a whole new dimension to your garden. If you have a patio, hanging planters can be an easy way to experiment with different plant textures and blooms. There are many plant varieties that do well in hanging planters. Make sure that you have a water can with a long spout for easy watering.