Spring is here in Ocala, Florida and all over the Country, although with these hot temps. We confuse Spring for Summer. Many Floridians are fixing their gardens with plants and garden decor. Now is the time to plant and seed before the real summer heat gets here.
Where do you start?
Sometimes it can be a daunting challenge to know where to start transforming your garden landscape. I am working with a limited budget for the landscaping. I am tackling different sections of my garden at a time. Instead of all at once, I hope to be done by the end of the month of May. I would suggest writing out a plan when beginning to fix your garden.
Elements of a plan
What I mean by writing out a plan, it’s more than a list. Planning your garden involves researching the best prices at nurseries. It also involves finding supplies like garden soil and garden pots. Refreshing the borders or pavers you have in your garden is another task. Dividing and pruning down plants already planted in the garden.
It’s nice to get new plants and new garden pots and decor sometimes. It’s better to find ways to reuse thrift garden pots and decor from yard sales and estates. There are many reasons to consider buying thrift. The main reasons are the cost of the items and the uniqueness of the items. There is also potential for recycling items to create something different, not found at retail stores. There are amazing deals to be found. We recently went to a yard sale at Fore Ranch Community. A friend and I found fantastic bargains. I found two extremely large black contemporary modern plastic garden pots with their saucers for only 3.00 dollars each. I couldn’t grab it fast enough.
Last month, my friend and I were walking inside our community and we came by a yard sale. I found a beautiful ceramic bird bath for 20.00 and a hose plastic box rewinding holder with the hose inside for 10.00. My friend found two large Mexican concrete vases for 5 dollars each. I had been specifically searching for these items. I couldn’t believe I found them both at the same time. I quickly purchased them and asked if I would come back to pick up later and he agreed.
Ideas Found on the Internet
There are so many ideas found on the internet many free and some with subscriptions but information is key. This information includes garden layouts and specific plants for the climate zone. It also covers how to decorate trees and many other one-of-a-kind ideas. On Facebook, I follow The Plant Enthusiast and many great ideas on his page. YouTube is another great resource to learn how to plant a garden and fix landscaping.
HGTV channel s another great resource which is a channel dedicated to restoring homes and yards.
I have found a lot of great ideas online. I saw some old concrete borders that hadn’t been cleaned in years. The borders were cleaned and repainted. I saw this idea and decided to remove three smaller garden beds. Then, I created one large garden bed in the same row. I had to get some more concrete blocks to finish the garden bed. I also got some white exterior paint to repaint the concrete blocks. It was a lot of work, first had to clean off the dirty blocks with the hose. Then I painted them and made a larger garden bed. For another project. I will repeat the process with all of the blocks on the same side of the yard. This will create a clean and uniform look.
Sometimes simply washing the garden bed borders and pavers can create a garden revival. It makes you want to do more different projects around the garden. Why not reuse what you have in your yard and simply refresh these items. The concrete borders are no longer sold around here so I like that it is a unique vintage look.
Buying Seeds instead of Plants
The most inexpensive way to create a bountiful full garden is to buy seeds and plant them. Plants are expensive when purchasing them during the Spring season. It is best to buy plants before the planting season or buy plants on clearance.
Planting plant bulbs is another inexpensive method to create a colorful garden.
In conclusion, I believe that a garden can be created or enhanced with thrift yard sale finds. Make a list of the items that you are searching for at yard sales. Especially, if you just happen upon the items and are lucky to find them in great condition.
There are items that can be reused and recycled for garden decor. I have seen pallets reused to create furniture, garden beds and even garden planters in the shape of large teacups. Old tires are used to create garden beds and wall planters.
There are so many creative ways to reuse old items to refresh and create a magical garden. If there are plants in your garden that are overgrown, or dead, remove the dead plants. Cut down the overgrown plants and get rid of the weeds. The attention given to the flower beds will make the garden renewed. You do not need to get new plants. Buy seeds and water them every day, you will see them grow in no time. What is that old expression, April showers bring May Flowers. If no rain, then use a watering pot in the early mornings or late evenings.
You don’t need a lot of money to make a garden. Think of creative ways to enhance what you already have in your flower beds. If you don’t have any plants, seeding is the most affordable choice. It will take about 3-4 weeks before you see them grow.
Remember to have fun as you grow your garden.
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