Having a beautiful, landscaped garden is everyone’s dream. Unfortunately, such beauty comes at a price. Generally, the more complicated and classy the garden looks like, the more costly it is to build and maintain it. Exotic flowers, expensive materials and landscaping service can all take their toll on the budget.

But there is no need to despair. Here are some ideas so an enthusiast can save money in growing and maintaining a beautiful garden.

Let us begin with topiaries. A useful landscaping and gardening tip is to avoid buying expensive topiary forms. Instead, a cheap tomato cage could be used. The legs of the cages could be tied down using a plastic coated wire or a twist wire. The plant can then be formed with the wire as its framework.

For sturdy custom stakes for climbing vines and hanging plants, used pipes could be employed. An even better stake would be an old or inexpensive expandable curtain rod. The gardener can actually extend it as the climbing vines grow!

Another item that eats up the budget is fertilizer that is sold in a gardening supply store. A good landscaping and gardening tip would be to engage in composting. Compost can be produced by putting dry leaves in a container. Cover the container with clean garden soil and place it upside down so that it comes in contact with the ground. After a few weeks, a brownish, black substance can be collected from the container. This substance, or compost, can be used as plant fertilizer.

Some plants need to be grown in large containers. A good landscaping and gardening tip would be to fill the bottom of the container with aluminum cans before adding garden soil. They make a good substitute as fillers. Also, the container is lighter to move or carry around.

For pathways and border stones, do not use bricks. Instead, it is cheaper to use broken pots or crushed gravel. They also make the garden more natural looking.

Brick pillars, which are often used to decorate the sides of pathways and driveways, add excitement to a garden. Unfortunately, if a mason is employed to construct them, it would cost the gardener hundreds of dollars.

A better way is to take heed of this landscaping and gardening tip: use recycled bricks. On a level area, put four bricks together to form a square. Put another layer of bricks on top of the foundation. Add another layer until it reaches the desired height. Top it off with a wide stepping stone.

These are just a few money saving landscaping and gardening tips. With the tips presented above, it is a pleasant surprise to know that most of the inexpensive but effective ways in gardening and landscaping comes from simple things inside a home.

Milos Pesic is an expert in the field of Landscaping and Gardening and runs a highly popular and comprehensive Landscaping web site. For more articles and resources on landscaping designs, landscape ideas, garden landscaping and much more visit his site at:

=>http://landscaping.need-to-know.net/

When we moved into our south Anchorage log home I had glorious plans for the 1/3 acre lot. Some previous owner had chopped down every tree counting on the neighboring woodlands for green and shade. The house was near the street with a lumpy hilly and narrow backyard that ended in the neighbor’s goat pen. I was young, enthusiastic and confident that my green thumb could transform our piece of Alaska into a glorious landscaped garden. Now, 20 years later the neighborhood has evolved from birch/spruce woods to suburban sprawl and I’m still working on the transformation and enjoying every season.

It was very important in those early days, to work on the cheap. With 5 small children the vegetable garden was more important than ornamentals. Composting was the only way I could afford to enrich a flower bed. What was once a necessity became a passion – creating self-sustaining perenial flowerbeds for less than $20/year.

Twenty years later, my garden is still a work in progress. I can and do spend money on plants now. And yet, gazing at my sitting garden I’m surrounded by the memories of those early days and the decendents of the first little slips of green I nurtured so carefully.

Zone 3 gardening on a budget isn’t as hard as it sounds.

I started with a small clump of siberian iris that grew in the loose gravel driveway that first spring. One clump became 5, 5 became 10 and every year my irises are the center point of the growing season. With a little luck I won’t have to divide my irises for a few more years, but think I know where I can add the next batch…

Near the front porch a shock of Maltese Cross is in full bloom. I rescued 3 plants from the woodpile behind the shed that first year, not knowing what they would be or how tall they would grow when cared for. I get more comments and compliments on these reclaimed wildflowers than any of the exotics I’ve tried. In the enriched bed, my Maltese Cross grow 3 feet tall with fist sized red flower clusters. Over the years, I’ve easily divided these plants and use them effectively in my borders.

More treasures that first year included a rosebush that had been nearly choked to death by siberian peas. We’ve called it a sitka rose but can’t be sure. She’s now a mother many times over as we’ve helped deliver healthy suckers that have grown into shrubs nearly 5 feet tall and more around.

Daisy’s of course were and continue to be a beautiful pest. My oldest son took over a small daisy garden that I was threatening to burn to the ground. Not that he had to do anything more than help me keep the daisy’s from taking over the rest of the yard, flower and garden beds!

The second summer I used my budget at a close out table from a nursery in early July. By July, nurseries have little selection and many of the plant markers have disappeared. However, this is my favorite time to shop for plants because the mark downs are practically giving plants away. Every year since, I’ve added some treasure from one of these sales. The first was a spreading Veronica (who knows what variety), that grows so prolifically, I can use them for garden trades every year.

The third summer I discovered wildflower seed mix. That was the end of bare spots for my yard and provided the original plants that have now been moved to more organized and cared for beds. Columbine, forget-me-nots, lupin, and several varieties of poppies continue to thrive and surprise me.

My favorite plants are are the one’s that were free or practically free. The frugal gardener can find dozens of ways to create a sea of color without spending any green. Some of my most successful tips include:

• Recover/rescue. Abandoned gardens often have plants that will thrive with a transplant and a bit of loving attention.
• Divide and conquer. As your established plants spread, find new homes for their babies.
• Trading Treasures. When you divide a favorite plant, set aside some of the babies to trade with other gardeners.
• Search the sales. Your garden is a process that usually takes years. Don’t think your planting season is over just because summer’s nearly over. Hit the nurseries throughout August for a great deal.
• Beautification programs. Every once in a while, communities and businesses will sponsor giveaways that can really payoff. We’ve added several trees from Arbor Day and Earth Day programs.

A word of caution though. Many areas have laws prohibiting you from digging up native plants from wilderness areas. These natural habitats are not free-for-alls and should be left alone. When in doubt, call the appropriate government agency and ask. While I don’t steal from state parks, I’ve been given the go ahead to rescue lilacs, rubarb, and other abandoned plants from city land taken by eminent domain before a road or bike path was constructed.

Your patch of yard can become a garden no matter how tight your budget. Just get a bit creative and never be afraid to ask for cuttings. Compost for black gold and remember to think long term. You’ll never be poor when you live surrounded by flowers.

JoMarie Thomson was transplanted to Alaska over 25 years ago. Editor and Publisher of http://www.zone3gardens.com she is known to run her websites and web design company, http://www.crucibledesigns.com with a laptop from her South Anchorage garden. Beauty, JoMarie insists, inspires beauty.

Many of us flip through garden magazines, all the while thinking that it takes years, a professional, or tons of money to landscape the gardens featured in the glossy pictures. This isnt necessarily true. You can design a breathtaking garden and be the envy of the neighborhood by following some of the following tips.

Know What You Like and What Works

Drive around your neighborhood and see whats out there that grows well in your zone. You can jot down what you see on index cards, so they are organized and handy. Start gathering page clippings from magazines and collect some pictures of the designs that interest you. This can help you decide what garden style you like. Youll have an easy reference for plants and placement too.

Select Location and Color

Next, look at your notes and clippings and choose the color scheme youd like to have in your garden. Dont forget to keep in mind if youre designing and planting in shade, sun, or partial shade or partial sun. Are you looking for something bright and vibrant or something more calming and soothing? Consider starting with a foundation of shrubs and accenting with some perennials, bulbs, ornamental grasses, and annuals for more seasonal color. Perhaps, you want all flowers. Decide on a shape that complements your house style. Straight styles give a more formal appearance while curves give a more informal feel. If you dont feel confident selecting colors, you can use a color wheel to help pick contrasting and complimenting colors.

Budget and Create a Plan

Decide how much you are able to and want to spend on your new garden. Do you want to start with a foundation and add to it gradually? If so, start with purchasing your most expensive plants and shrubs first. Use these as a focal point for your garden. Start watching for sales and discount plants at garden centers and nurseries. Tell everyone you know that youre starting a garden and would love it if they could give you divisions of their perennials or seeds they have saved from their garden. Let family and friends know that you have a wish list of plants that would be the perfect gift idea. If you have access online, do a search for seed swaps. Many gardeners love to help a new gardener. Many are willing to send seeds for the cost of postage or will trade for something else that you may have that they are looking for. A great resource for free items is http://www.freecycle.org Look for a group in your area, join the group, and post letting the group know that you would be interested in garden plants and seeds. You may get lucky and find that a member of the group has already offered some plants up for grabs. Dont forget to ask your local garden club when they are having their sales too. You can also start some plants from seed yourself. Many seeds are very easy to direct sow and a little can go a long way.

Heres a partial list of easy to grow seeds:

Candytuft
Asters
4 oclocks
Sunflowers
Pansies
Violas
Impatiens
Dianthus
Larkspur
Salvia
Cupids Dart
Morning Glories
Moonflowers
Zinnias
Calendula
Marigold
Cosmos
Sweet Alyssum
Bee Balm
Poppies
Nasturtium

Dont forget if you decide to sow into 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. Dont hesitate to strike up conversations with your neighbors while youre out for a walk. You never know, the topic of gardening may come up and they might be more than happy to offer you some seeds or divisions.

Design Away

Now youre ready to design. You can sketch out your idea beforehand. Keep the following in mind as you design.

Scale- Judge the size of the area and choose plants that arent going to be too large, too wide, or too small for the area. Keep in mind the plants size when its met its mature growth.

Balance-Dont place your plants where one area is too compacted with plants and another area is too airy. Try and achieve a good balance of small, medium, and large plants. Balance offers visual stability. It can be created with space between plantings or the visual weight of your design. This can be created with lines so that your garden is pleasing to look at from all angles.

Focal Point- Your focal point will be the area that your eye is drawn to first. This can be your prized flowers, tree, or shrub.

Rhythm- This is visual flow. The eye wanders throughout the entire garden design, but comes back 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 a part of one another. This can be achieved with color, texture, groupings. Unity is lost when your plants look too separate or your color choice makes one plant look lost amongst the rest.

Color- Color impacts the entire design process. Use a color wheel if you dont feel confident selecting colors that go well together.

If all of this is too confusing and overwhelming, check out some garden catalogs. Many have suggested designs. Its also best to place your containers out and arrange and rearrange where you want to plant them before you start digging.

Accessorize (Homemade Garden Art)

To add some interest and whimsy to your garden, consider some homemade items or trash to treasure works of art. Ideas such as making your own stepping stones, garden markers, terra cotta bird baths or toad houses, painted rocks and pavers, and fun wind chimes are simple projects that can add a lot of interest to your garden area. Look around for unique items you could add to your garden such as milk cans, wooden chairs, ladders, tricycles, wagons, trunks, roofing shingles, mailboxes, or even dressers. The sky is the limit on what you can create. Use your imagination.

There you have it and you didnt have to hire a pro, spend thousands of dollars, or take years to achieve a pretty garden. You wont be a new gardener for long. Soon, it will be you sharing starts, cuttings, seeds, divisions, and tips.

Sara Noel is a freelance writer and the Editor/Publisher of http://www.FrugalVillage.com and http://www.HomesteadGarden.com Visit both these sites for information on getting back to basics through frugality, gardening, lost arts, simplicity, homesteading, and natural family living.