[granola_mom]

DP and I moved into a new place (rental) last spring, this is the first time we've had a yard even though its tiny tiny tiny! Most of the yard is brick, with garden beds along the fence. When we moved in the garden beds were a mess... not only was there lots of garbage in them but they were over run with weeds, some of which had to be hacked down with a saw!! We cleaned it up and sheet mulched everything. So this year we have a nice layer of top soil, but it's looking real sad because the garden beds are empty and filled with straw (for mulch) not very pretty.

Money is really tight right now. I really can't afford to do anything with the garden but I can't stand to see empty garden beds fill up with weeds all summer!!! What to do?? I need a really cheap way to fill them up... any ideas? I'm hoping to keep it under $20 if possible. I was thinking something really fast growing to fill it up, I don't want to have to wait years for it to grow in because we'll only be here another two years max. I was thinking spread a bunch of flower seeds... but what kind? I don't know whether I should go with annuals or perennials, either would be fine but I'm thinking annuals would be easier/cheaper?

Also, it's pretty shady back there. It doesn't get much direct sunlight at all, because there's a huge maple tree towering over the whole yard. So I need to take that into consideration, too. I've already taken clippings of plants from other people's gardens, but honestly I think most of that stuff is going to take way too long to grow, and while we don't have any restrictions on what we can do with the space, I don't want to go too too crazy with it... and like I said, we won't be here long.

I would much appreciate ideas!!

 

[lmonter]

Calendula. Marigolds. Strawberry crowns. Those are all pretty quick, and cute. A day lily or two. Those multiply like bunnies.

Bush beans or bush peas. Little determinate tomato plants. Lettuce. Even a single zucchini plant would take up a fair portion of real estate.

 

[Hibou]

I love the zucchini suggestion! Just ask any of your gardener friends for 2 or 3 seeds. A package of pretty much any kind of seed will go a long way in a small garden. I'd go with greens in a small space (look for a couple of mixed packages of lettuces and mesclun), so that you can enjoy it as a cut-and-come-again garden.

Potatoes are also bushy and cheap (or free if you have any in your pantry with little sprouts on them.)

Another flower suggestion: petunias. spreading petunias are hybrids i think, but they'll spread like crazy. A six-pack planted in good soil and watered regularly will cover a good area.

 

[granola_mom]

Thanks for the suggestions!

I highly doubt zucchini would grow back there or I'd definitely be planting it. We tried herbs last summer but pretty much the only things that worked were mint and parsley... and maybe coriander? Can't remember. Anyway, we are growing some edibles back there, we have some seeds we've been saving for a while that I'm using for that... all of that is going in a small raised bed we built last year that's right in the middle of the yard. Things like spinach, lettuce, chard, kale, carrots, kohlrabi and collard greens. I have no idea what will even work with the shade- kale definitely, we had lots of kale last year, and most likely kohlrabi should be fine.

But for the garden beds I'm thinking less edibles, more flowers. We already have our raised bed plus a community garden so that's enough for us. I may try bush beans there, though. But I'd like to have some flowers and something for the birds, bees and butterflies

 

[mamafish9]

Organize a plant swap

... We just went to a seed swap here, and there were sooooo many cool things available. And I've been to ones before where people brought plants to share. Those who can't bring seeds/plants bring snacks, it works really well!

 

[*Jessica*]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mamafish9 Organize a plant swap ... We just went to a seed swap here, and there were sooooo many cool things available. And I've been to ones before where people brought plants to share. Those who can't bring seeds/plants bring snacks, it works really well!

That is such a wonderful idea!