Do you dream of having a really lush and beautiful garden. I do! We have a large suburban lot – a corner lot – and I’ve been faced with trying to landscape it without emptying our 401K ! Here are some things that I’ve done in my Georgia garden that have helped me garden on a budget.
I hope some of you find this helpful. I’m sure all you experienced gardeners already do these things and maybe you could share what has worked for you in the comments.
Gardening 101: My Thrifty Gardening Tips
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1. When buying plants always check to make sure that your cell packs have plants in each cell. Sometimes a 6 pack will only have 5 cells filled with plants. I also check to see if I can find a cell pack with extras that I can divide. When I buy the single pots I try to make sure I buy one that is easy to divide.
This pot had four very distinct plants. The others I looked at had one or two bushier plants.
This was cheaper than buying a cell pack!
2. Learn to propagate! It’s really not that hard! I LOVE hydrangeas and they are so easy, easy to propagate. This is my favorite way to propagate hydrangeas and forsythias..
It’s called ground layering.
I select a branch that is close to the ground.
I scrape a little bit the outside of the stem off preferable at a leaf nodule.
Lay the part down into the dirt and put a rock on top and then wait. I usually do this during the growing season – spring and summer.
Soon you’ll have another plant. I wait until the new plant is pretty well established before I cut it off from the mother plant and I usually leave it where it is for a few weeks so it can get used to growing on it’s own.
The hydrangea pictured below, under the Dogwood is about 4 years old now. The only hydrangea I’ve had trouble with is Oakleaf but usually this variety will have off shoots that you can dig up.
All the hydrangeas along this fence have been propagated by me with the exception of the first one. As you can see, they get smaller as you get to the end because those are the newer ones. All you need is patience and the will to suppress the desire to impress your neighbors with an “instant” garden. (The plant to the right of the last hydrangea are some blackberries creeping under the fence)
I do the same thing with forsythia. Although, I’ve found that left to it’s own devices it will do it by itself! Once you have one Forsythia you have the potential to have lots of babies under and around the main plant.
This branch has rooted and now it’s time to detach it from the mother plant.
Vines are also good candidates for this method.
The other way is to propagate is to take a cutting, especially if you’re trying to do many plants at once. Here is how Martha Stewart does it.
3. The other thing I do is buy the smaller pot. This little Knock Out Rose will be as big as this older one in one or two years. Especially if it’s happy where it is and the soil is good. Things will fill in. Also, plants that are started smaller are usually healthier than planting larger versions.
4. Plant division is another way to propagate what you have! That’s why even though perennials are more money upfront, thrifty gardeners know that you’ll get more than just that one plant in the end. Day Lily, Daisies, Coneflower, Yarrow, Black-Eyed Susan, Mint, Sage, Bleeding Heart and Lupines are just some of the the plants that you can propagate by division.
Plants that grow from bulbs, tubers, rhizomes are super easy because they automatically multiple underground and therefore it’s easy to see where to divide them. Bearded Iris, Daffodils, Gladiolas, and Dahlias are examples of these types of plants.
The common rule of thumb is to divide spring-blooming perennials in the fall to to divide fall-blooming perennials in the spring. Summer bloomers can be divided anytime. If you divide in the summer be sure to give your new plants extra TLC because of the heat and less rain. Remember even though perennials may seem expensive, for a small investment you’ll get a big return.
Daylilies – I will dig up clumps of daylilies and plant them in other parts of my yard. I usually wait until they bloom because otherwise I don’t know what color they are. But if you’re more organized than me and mark your plants then early spring is a good time. I just give mine extra water. Like this Stella d’Oro that I just divided and moved here.
These Daylilies were divided and moved here. This is one year growth! See how big they are already. They can be divided again this year.
Hostas are perfect for propagating by division! I usually dig the whole plant up and then you can see where you can separate it. Just be sure that each piece has its own roots.
I normally divide my Hosta in early summer or late fall so I know what kind it is. By then it’s usually fairly large and it’s pretty easy to see where to make divisions. Just be sure to give it’s lots of water if you do this in the summer!
Every year I buy a coleus and I always say I’m going to propagate it since I love them. They come in so many colors these days and now there are ones that can handle sun. Did you know that the more red pigment in the leaves the more sun it can tolerate? So this year I remembered and all you have to do is: pinch some off!
Yep, Coleus will root in water! Just change the water every few days and you’ll have a roots in no time.
If you have more time than money, like me, this is the way to go! There are many, many more plants than I showed in this post than can be propagated and divided. Of course growing from seed is a huge money saver too as is buying bulbs and swapping with friends.
I hope you’re inspired to try some of these techniques for a cost cutting garden!
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Great timing for this post! I'm currently working on landscaping our new yard, and I'm sure I will make use of your tips! I love your little row of hydrangeas.
I'm hardly an experienced gardener, but I do have a tip of my own: Don't be shy about accepting free plants! I put a comment on facebook about needing plants, and now my front flowerbed is full of free gifts from my friend. And my husband's grandmother always gives me her extra tomato plants. Gardeners are very generous.
Do you trim back your Knock Out Rose? If so what time of the year?
How is your garden doing? Mine is ok not great. I need a little more sun and less rain.
Ally
I did not know hydrangeas and forsythias were so easy to start. I will give it a try.;D
I love pass-a-long plants and many of my plants are just that. Each one comes from a dear friend and every year when they are in bloom it reminds me of them. And I agree with you, it's a very affordable way to landscape.
Hi Manuela,
Thank you for the frugal gardening tips. You've inspired me to give propagating a try! You have a lovely garden. I especially admire your hydrangeas. We have a lovely bush on the south side of the house. It's still blooming in the first month of winter! So come spring I'll definitely try some cuttings. Thanks for the helpful post!
Have a wonderful day,
Kalianne
Thanks for all the information! I do wish we could be sucessful growing hydrangeas where we live. I love there gorgeous bloosoms. I didn't know that about Coleus and just bought a bunch! I will be propam going to propagate sevral different plants this year and see if I can get it to work. I will let you know if I am successful!!!
Have you tried to propagate a Clematis?
Beth~♥
Great post! You are propagating your hydreangeas – I'm very impressed. I've gotten lucky this year. A great friend needed to thin her purple coneflowers and she shared with me. Then two or three different times I've been to Lowe's and they had excellent perennials marked down to $2.00!! Usually they are near death but these were beautiful. We got lucky. 🙂
I've seen forsythias and azaleas root from a branch, but I had no idea hydrangeas would root like that! Thanks!
Beth – No I haven't tried to propagate Clematis. Mainly because I have trouble growing it in the first place. I've tried two different kinds and they all have gotten wilt. But they're so pretty I'll keep trying.
Ally – my garden is doing pretty good. It benefited from the few days of sun and no rain we had. So far I haven't really trimmed back my Knock Outs. I do trim them somewhat in the Summer. The unruly branches mostly. They get big so I'm going to have to cut them back one of these days!
I always accept free plants from friends – just be sure they are NOT invasive. I learned the hard way. I got some – I forget what they're called- 10 years ago and they reseed themselves – I'm STILL pulling them out!
Manuela
I've got to give that a try with my hydrangeas. Wow Manuela, thanks for all the hints and coleus roots in water, I guess like mint. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much for the tips! I currently only have potted plants but once I have a real garden I'm going to propogate my hydrangea… I just love the blooms!
I loved reading this since I know you live in my climate.
I think coleus are glorious and I did not know that the more red in the leaves the more sun tolerant they are. I love them and will now maybe buy one to see if it will grow.
As for the Knock Out Roses – they are incredible! I have one in the front of my house that is probably 6 1/2 feet tall and about that wide. It was the cheapest size they had at the time (maybe $3.95 or so?) and I have had it for about 3 years. I never trim it, since I needed a really big plant in that spot. This year I bought 5 more tiny ones to plant in other places and they have already almost doubled in size.
I will also try your trick with the hydrangeas – they are one of my favorite plants and I left my gigantic one at my old house.
Thank you for sharing these budget friendly gardening ideas!
What great tips! I also divide my hostas. I divide my iris's too. Another way to plant on a budget is to have a plant exchange party.
Hugs,
Penny
Very nice post! So pretty!
You always have the best posts!
Have a great weekend!
Rosemary
I love this post! thank you for sharing your plant knowledge.
my MIL kind of told me about the hydrangea tip but your instructions are better than hers.
It seems all our basics seem to cost more every month so doing non-necessary things like flowers for a small cost is just so smart.
and if I did not live 5 or so states away from you, I would come have a glass of lemonade with you in your pretty patio room. You share the best ideas!
Great tips, Manuela! My best hydrangeas were some that a friend propagated the way you explained! I am soooo excited because my pink lace cap hydrangea is blooming finally! There was some old wood that didn't die back!! Woo hooo!So I guess I should move my stella d'oro this Fall? Heaven only knows what we'll Thanks again! Have a great weekend…Debbie
Wow these are great tips! I'm going to try them. I just bought my first hydrangea plant. Wish me luck.
I really enjoyed reading your post! Very informative! Have you ever done this to rosebushes?
Thanks for the info.
Blessings,
Sandra
That is hydrangia is gorgeous! great tips chickie. cherry
We do a lot of diving but never any propagating (is that the word?). I love your hydrangeas.
So beautiful!! We also live on a corner lot. It had no landscaping when we moved here. Not even the beds by the house had anything other than weeds. What you are doing looks wonderful. I planted a hydrangea last year and it is looking lovely already this year. If it has pretty blooms, I will have to take your advice and propagate it. Thanks!!! 🙂
Beautiful Manuela! I just love the Hydrangeas and are hoping to plant some soon…along with Honeysuckle and Bleeding Hearts and… 🙂
I love the idea of propagating. I will have to try that.
I also like to purchase Perennials at end of the season for a song :)It's exciting knowing that you have them awaiting you for next year 🙂
Have a glorious weekend!
~Sharon
Hello! Thanks for stopping by! Love all your tips! I'm the one studying each pot at the nursery as well. I've propogated lots of things but never a hydrangea – gonna have to try now – thanks!
What great advise! I've divided hostas for years. I'm especially excited to know how to propogate hydrangeas! I'm doing this for sure! Wonderful post, as always!
Enjoyed your hydrangeas! I rooted some last fall from my daughters, I going back over and place the brick. lol I done layering with other plants never thought to layer the hydrangeas! I been rooting things from old home places. Now I did not set them out early enough. My figs I rooted just got set out so far 2 out of 3 are going strong. My hubby cut the blackberry down, in the yard. We used to have a pasture full. The sheep ate them. My daughter and I are trying to hide some from him. lol I going on 13 to our old home place, Dad says he has sassafras trees, small ones growing. I going to try and did it up and baby it. The woods are full, My brothers use to dig the roots and Mother would make tea.
Thanks for the tip! Your garden is so pretty and I would love to have more flowers, but the deer would eat them! Your Hydrangeas are simply gorgeous!
Hi Manuela,
Was so good to get caught up with you finally. I've had no time for the blogging world this past month or so. You're always full of such wonderful tips and advice. Thank you so much for sharing. Your porch looks smashing!! So inviting. A day on the porch would be great, if I had one. 😉 Your yard looks wonderful too. I miss the South for that sometimes. The lush greenery. We can grow a lot here but it is different and not so verdant. I also like dividing plants and sharing with neighbors. Many of them often reciprocate with their divisions. Also planting from seed is inexpensive, a little more labor intensive but you can't beat the cost. Take care. Have a great summer!
Thanks for stopping by. I've actually followed your blog on Google Reader for quite a while but I don't think I've ever commented. I love your site and what you share. Linda
Thanks for these great tips!
Thanks so much for your post. I am in the middle of putting in some flower beds, so this is perfect timing. I believe money is tight in a lot of households right now.
Thanks for sharing!
Crystal
those are great ideas..my mother was a great propagator..hee.
I just got bit with the gardening bug and have LOTS to learn. thanks for your knowledge.
Thanks so much for these great instructions. You make it look so easy to do. I hope I can have as much success with it as you have laurie
Thank you for posting this information, especially on the hydrangeas! I'm going to give it a try!
What a great post Manuala. I am going to try your method with the hydrangas. I have tried to do it with cuttings with no success. They are one of my favourite flower bushes.
Would you like to link this post up to Buddy's Friday. It has so much good information in it that I'm sure our Buddy readers would use. If you do just use the Mr Linky link on my blog
Margaret
Hi Manuela…I have an award for you on my blog..come and get it.
Oh, Manuela, this is a great post! Thanks so much for sharing these tips. We just planted 3 hydrangeas earlier this Spring, so your tip is great timing. I'm so thrilled with all the information, I'm going to ask my hubby to read it, too.
I did not know about the pigment in the Coleus! Thanks for helping me learn new stuff! Love your hydrangeas.
I love hydrangeas so much but am afraid it is too hot, dry, sunny, windy out here in West Texas to grow them. I never see any growing around here. I have one in a pot that I can move around…early morning sun is good but hot, afternoon 100 degree weather is murder on them.
I am needing to divide some of my orange lilies…might do that tomorrow..That means making my little tiny garden plot bigger…and that's ok, too…
I knew a few of these tricks but not all. thankyou, thankyou, thankyou!! 🙂 I thankyou, my wallet thanks you and certainly my husband thanks you!! 🙂 Your instructions were so clear too! I have no doubt now how to do it! Jody
Wow, I really enjoyed this post! It was very informative. Thanks!
You can also try the Farmers and Consumers Market Bulletin put out by the GA Dept of Ag. It's online. People throughout the state list flowers & farm stuff for sale. There's a lot of send a SASE and $1 for some seeds, but some are for plants of varying prices. I've picked up fig trees in Marietta and day lilies from another lady for my Dad.
I've also bought southern shield fern (they can take the sun) off ebay from a seller in Statesboro. They arrived on my porch by UPS.
I really appreciate all the prop techniques. I know people who have huge gardens because of their skills. Your tips made it look easier than I thought.
What great tips Manuela!
Great tips, Manuela! I used to do all these things you are talking about at our old house. That is how I got a lot of plants to put into new beds I made. I will be keeping the hydrangea tip in mind and maybe do that next year once the hydrangeas I put in last year have a {hopefully} good full first year here. I know my daughter would love some. I also used to buy the root bound plants and cut into the roots with a steak knife, spread them out and they did fine. You can sometimes get those cheaper at the garden centers, too. Your forsythia reminds me of the Japanese maple I had in our yard in NY. I would find little tiny Japanese maple leaves sprouting and I actually did take one, pot it up, baby it a little bit and got a nice little tree. I wound up giving it to my parents before we moved.
Hi Kathy!
I find leaving my gardens harder than leaving the house! I guess because it takes years before you get to see all your hard work payoff
Good tip about the root bound plants. I find that Lowe’s is very good about clearancing their plants for whatever reasons. I bought a bunch of big begonias for 50 cents each a few weeks ago. I think they were just getting a new shipment in a different size. I guess they only have but so much space!
That’s great information. Thanks
I’ve learned so much from you through the years from advice like this.
I’ve bookmarked and “Pinned” this post. 🙂
Awww…thank you Brenda!
These are great tips. Thanks so much for sharing them. I had great intentions of trying to propagate my hydrangeas last year after reading about it here, but for some reason never did. After seeing how gorgeous and big yours are, I will be doing it this year for sure.
I recently bought a hanging basket of begonias at Lowe’s which was in their clearance section for $2.50. I took it out of the container and separated it into 6 plants which I planted as a border in my herb bed. Speaking of herbs… for the price of one jar of herbs from the store, you can plant your own and (in many cases) never need to buy herbs again. My thyme, oregano, lemon balm, chives and tarragon have been growing for at least ten years. Also, I know they are organic because I never use pesticides near them.
That’s a wonderful tip about buying the hanging basket and separating the plants! Lowe’s always has some plants on clearance. I never find any at Home Depot.
So true about herbs. I’ve had a rosemary for about 7 years. I’ve found that even if some of my herbs die back they sprout back up again. Of course, it depends on where you live.
Great info…I will have to root the coleus at the end of summer for the winter months. Thanks for sharing all the tips!
Great ideas! Your yard is always stunningly beautiful. I envy your green thumb! With the extended spring temps we have had it’s helped extend early planting season. We divided daylillies in the fall and glads just this week. We’ve not had to buy a lot for our yard because we moved so much from Alabama last year. We’ve just been arranging it and dividing it to fill spaces.
I can’t wait to see everything as it continues to bloom and fill out this season!
Lots of good information – thanks for sharing.
I had no idea that you could propagate hydrangeas like that – thanks so much for the info!
Lovely! Great inspiration!
For the one hundredth time, I want your garden and your green thumb. I love everything, but I am just flat out in LOVE with your hydrangeas. GORGEOUS!!
Hi Manuela!
I used to do a lot more with ornamental plantings and I always bought one and propagated them. The salespeople would try to convince me to buy 3 or 5 for design reasons…didn’t listen. 🙂
Now I do a lot more propagation with plants that produce food. It’s a great way to get more for your money. Thanks for sharing!
I just don’t seem to have any luck with hydrangeas. And I love them so! I only planted seeds this year. So we’ll see how that turns out.
Brenda
I have no luck with rhododendrons. I tried again last year and I pulled it out a few weeks since it was dead. I don’t know if it’s me or this yard!
Lots of great ideas. I was out lopping away on the forsythia again and noticed quite a few new shrubs. I offered them to my husband for his property though he says that the ticks are so thick he’s not interested in gardening. Rats.
My very favorite way of getting new perennials is the trading with friends suggestion. And, lastly, Manuela, I’m so glad that I am not expanding a garden and that it is mostly filled up. You are a hard worker!
At our last house we had just reached the point that almost everything perennial could be propagated one way or another. It’s so exciting. Starting from scratch is expensive!
This is a wonderful post, Manuela! I pinned it, and I’ll be referring to it again and again. I already knew some of these things, but not all of them, and I needed a refresher in everything! Thank you!
Hi Richella! Always so nice to see you – thanks for stopping by! Thanks for pinning!
Thanks for the encouragement in this area! I have many of these perennials – and I love hydrangea! I am going to give this a try!
It’s very kind of you to impart helpful gardening tips for the benefit of many:) I appreciate it too:) Wish I could grow Hydrangea like yours…it’s such an impressive plant, but I know it needs a lot of water. I can imagine myself watering it day and night unless I can find a suitable place for it in the garden..sigh!
I am inspired!
I’ve only really become interested in gardening in the last 3 years. In all the years before that…I just gave up…either my impatient husband mowed everything down, the dog digs where I plant…and then I just didn’t take the time to cultivate my thumb! It was black…:(
But now…reading, watching, and playing around with things makes it easier for me.
these tips will surely help me. I didn’t realize how easy it is to propagate!
Thanks! Pat
You inspire me to get outside and multiply my plants:) Have a blessed day dear Manuela, HUGS
Thank you so much for this wonderful post! So much great information! I only grow perinneals, but I had never heard of propagating! Thank you!
All good ideas. Every few years I get the urge (or need) to divide plants and do a bunch over a few days. It’s a big job, but I’m always happy that I did it and didn’t go buy new plants:)
Your garden is amazing! We divide and share plants with friends. Not only does it save money, but it’s fun to see everyone’s gardens.
You are very knowledgeable, this is a great post. I have Pinned it so that I can read it when I need it later.
Thanks so much!
Thanks so much for all the tips here. You always have such a lovely garden. 🙂
It’s so much fun to discover new tricks as I garden. I’ve discovered the persistence of daylily, miniature rose and wisteria roots accidentally after transplanting the parent plant. I’ve learned about the dangers of invasive little rascals like lily of the valley and an aster species both gifts from fellow gardeners. I’ve learned to be brutally proactive with the plants that self-seed. I’ve found some of my favorite bulbs/rhizomes at Walmart. And I’ve learned the hard way to check those cel paks!
Every minute in the garden is an absolute joy and blessing at this time of year! Woo-hoo!
Thanks for the step-by-step guide to propagating – what a beautiful garden you have. Fellow readers at the Creative HomeAcre Hop are sure to have found your frugal tips helpful. See you next time at http://mumtopia.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/bloghop19thmay.html#more
What a fabulous article. I’m actually going to my cousin’s house today to propogate some hydrangeas. She has like 40 bushes. I will be layering them today and taking them home in the fall. I’m so excited. This is only the 2nd year that I’ve really gotten into gardening! 🙂