Recycled and Reused
I love the idea of turning something that was once thought to be trash into something useful and the garden presents tons of opportunities to do just that. Things like old bathtubs, wheelbarrows, and buckets can serve as funky potters and planters for colorful wildflower displays that give an antique and whimsical look to the yard. Old garden tools or branches can serve as poles for climbing beans, a defunct fence can be made into a rustic arbor, and small, loose rocks can be assembled into a wall or raised bed while larger ones can serve as a focal point. Although I long for beautiful pieces of new slate, right now I’m using old concrete from my backyard as pavers in the front and it doesn’t look half bad. I’m also taking a broken bird bath and using the bottom as a sculptural item, and using cardboard and wood chips (which you can get free from tree companies) as a mulch layer and weed suppressor. Since yards are supposed to look natural (it is nature after all) forgoing the shiny, new stuff might actually help the aesthetics. And remember the ultimate repurpose is compost, which turns food scrap into fertilizer so you don’t have to buy it.
Swap Plants, Make Friends
Gardeners are generally happy, friendly people who love to talk shop. They learn from each other, lament over the loss of plants, and complain about weeds. So chances are, when you’re in need of some new plants, pots, or tools, there’s someone in your community who might have some extras to spare, or wouldn’t mind sharing. Talk with neighbors, look for plant swaps, and check Craigslist or freecycle.org for free plants or moving sales. (Potted plants are usually cheap or free.) Although you may not get the exact plants you’re looking for, what you get may help fill a vacant space or add some color to a pre-existing yard. Similarly, springtime is a great time for plant sales and many nurseries and native plant societies have annual sales.
Sprucing up the yard doesn’t necessarily mean purchasing or adding. Sometimes the best makeover ideas in a yard are the free ones. Weeding, doing a nice job pruning a tree, mulching to tidy up an area, or cutting back dead foliage are all tasks that can lend a new look to a tired yard. And though you won’t have to spend a lot of money giving it a new look, now you’ll have to find the time—which is just as hard!
