| When we moved into our south Anchorage log | | | | time to shop for plants because the mark |
| home I had glorious plans for the 1/3 acre | | | | downs are practically giving plants away. |
| lot. Some previous owner had chopped down | | | | Every year since, I've added some treasure |
| every tree counting on the neighboring | | | | from one of these sales. The first was a |
| woodlands for green and shade. The house was | | | | spreading Veronica (who knows what variety), |
| near the street with a lumpy hilly and narrow | | | | that grows so prolifically, I can use them |
| backyard that ended in the neighbor's goat | | | | for garden trades every year.The third summer |
| pen. I was young, enthusiastic and confident | | | | I discovered wildflower seed mix. That was |
| that my green thumb could transform our piece | | | | the end of bare spots for my yard and |
| of Alaska into a glorious landscaped garden. | | | | provided the original plants that have now |
| Now, 20 years later the neighborhood has | | | | been moved to more organized and cared for |
| evolved from birch/spruce woods to suburban | | | | beds. Columbine, forget-me-nots, lupin, and |
| sprawl and I'm still working on the | | | | several varieties of poppies continue to |
| transformation and enjoying every season.It | | | | thrive and surprise me.My favorite plants are |
| was very important in those early days, to | | | | are the one's that were free or practically |
| work on the cheap. With 5 small children the | | | | free. The frugal gardener can find dozens of |
| vegetable garden was more important than | | | | ways to create a sea of color without |
| ornamentals. Composting was the only way I | | | | spending any green. Some of my most |
| could afford to enrich a flower bed. What was | | | | successful tips include: |
| once a necessity became a passion - creating | | | | |
| self-sustaining perenial flowerbeds for less | | | | Recover/rescue. Abandoned gardens often have |
| than $20/year.Twenty years later, my garden | | | | plants that will thrive with a transplant and |
| is still a work in progress. I can and do | | | | a bit of loving attention. |
| spend money on plants now. And yet, gazing at | | | | |
| my sitting garden I'm surrounded by the | | | | Divide and conquer. As your established |
| memories of those early days and the | | | | plants spread, find new homes for their |
| decendents of the first little slips of green | | | | babies. |
| I nurtured so carefully.Zone 3 gardening on a | | | | |
| budget isn't as hard as it sounds.I started | | | | Trading Treasures. When you divide a |
| with a small clump of siberian iris that grew | | | | favorite plant, set aside some of the babies |
| in the loose gravel driveway that first | | | | to trade with other gardeners. |
| spring. One clump became 5, 5 became 10 and | | | | |
| every year my irises are the center point of | | | | Search the sales. Your garden is a process |
| the growing season. With a little luck I | | | | that usually takes years. Don't think your |
| won't have to divide my irises for a few more | | | | planting season is over just because summer's |
| years, but think I know where I can add the | | | | nearly over. Hit the nurseries throughout |
| next batch...Near the front porch a shock of | | | | August for a great deal. |
| Maltese Cross is in full bloom. I rescued 3 | | | | |
| plants from the woodpile behind the shed that | | | | Beautification programs. Every once in a |
| first year, not knowing what they would be or | | | | while, communities and businesses will |
| how tall they would grow when cared for. I | | | | sponsor giveaways that can really payoff. |
| get more comments and compliments on these | | | | We've added several trees from Arbor Day and |
| reclaimed wildflowers than any of the exotics | | | | Earth Day programs.A word of caution though. |
| I've tried. In the enriched bed, my Maltese | | | | Many areas have laws prohibiting you from |
| Cross grow 3 feet tall with fist sized red | | | | digging up native plants from wilderness |
| flower clusters. Over the years, I've easily | | | | areas. These natural habitats are not |
| divided these plants and use them effectively | | | | free-for-alls and should be left alone. When |
| in my borders.More treasures that first year | | | | in doubt, call the appropriate government |
| included a rosebush that had been nearly | | | | agency and ask. While I don't "steal" from |
| choked to death by siberian peas. We've | | | | state parks, I've been given the go ahead to |
| called it a sitka rose but can't be sure. | | | | "rescue" lilacs, rubarb, and other abandoned |
| She's now a mother many times over as we've | | | | plants from city land taken by eminent domain |
| helped deliver healthy suckers that have | | | | before a road or bike path was |
| grown into shrubs nearly 5 feet tall and more | | | | constructed.Your patch of yard can become a |
| around.Daisy's of course were and continue to | | | | garden no matter how tight your budget. Just |
| be a beautiful pest. My oldest son took over | | | | get a bit creative and never be afraid to ask |
| a small "daisy garden" that I was threatening | | | | for cuttings. Compost for black gold and |
| to burn to the ground. Not that he had to do | | | | remember to think long term. You'll never be |
| anything more than help me keep the daisy's | | | | poor when you live surrounded by |
| from taking over the rest of the yard, flower | | | | flowers.JoMarie Thomson was transplanted to |
| and garden beds!The second summer I used my | | | | Alaska over 25 years ago. Editor and |
| budget at a close out table from a nursery in | | | | Publisher of she is known to run her |
| early July. By July, nurseries have little | | | | websites and web design company, with a |
| selection and many of the plant markers have | | | | laptop from her South Anchorage garden. |
| disappeared. However, this is my favorite | | | | Beauty, JoMarie insists, inspires beauty. |