Purdue News
Purdue News
Bruno Moser offered a number of ways to have a nice-looking landscape without spending outside your means, but preparation is key.
"First make an overall plan," he said. "Many good garden centers employ people who will do quick sketches and make recommendations if you buy plants from them. This service may be free, or there may be a nominal fee."
Another resource is the Extension Service. Moser said there are several interesting Extension publications related to landscaping, including three information packets costing less than $2 each. HO-204, "Residential Landscape Design: Design Process," focuses on planning, principles and development of a landscape design. HO-205, "Residential Landscape Design: Details," highlights use of different elements, such as color, fences or edging. HO-206, "Residential Landscape Design: Special Problems," features information on landscaping with a particular reason in mind, such as minimum maintenance or conserving energy. Single Extension publications also are available on many related topics, including: starting seeds indoors, recommended annual or perennial plants, planting landscape trees and shrubs, and groundcovers.
"Homeowners can get these publications by contacting their county Extension office," Moser said.
He added that bookstores and libraries also are good sources, as is computer software. Many companies offer landscape software at a wide range of prices, he said.
"I'd also suggest taking a walk to look for good ideas," the specialist said. "You notice more when you're walking through a neighborhood than you do if you're driving."
Once you have a plan, Moser said, you can break it into parts and work on one section at a time if you can't afford to do it all at once. He cautioned, however, not to begin by planting just small plants, but to approach it in pieces over a period of years and to plant a few large plants each year. Moser said this makes the landscape look better faster.
Now you have an idea. How do you get plants inexpensively?
"Shop around," Moser said. "Visit several garden centers. You may be able to get different things cheaper at different places. Look for sales mid- to late-season. It's not necessarily the best time to plant, but it can still work if the plants are properly cared for. You can also buy a large pot of herbaceous perennials and divide it. A clump may be several plants. It may cost $6 or $7, but you may get five plants from it.
"Get divisions free from friends and relatives.
"Propagate some yourself from seeds or cuttings. Start a mini-nursery plot in your vegetable garden to allow the plants to grow bigger before putting them in your landscape."
And don't be afraid to request trees, shrubs and flowering plants for your birthday and other gift-giving times. Winter-hardy potted plants, such as hardy mums or hyacinths, can be planted outdoors, according to Moser.
Most comprehensive garden centers will carry pressure-treated landscape timbers, fencing, paving stones and other do-it-yourself landscaping supplies, he said, and gravel, soil and mulches can be purchased in bags or bulk. Railroad ties, fieldstones and bricks are landscape construction materials that may be picked up free if you have the right connections.
With the right resources, even folks on a shoestring budget can have a nicely landscaped home.
Source: Bruno Moser, (765) 494-1352; e-mail, Bruno_Moser@hort.purdue.edu
Writer: Andrea McCann, (765) 494-8406; e-mail, mccann@aes.purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu
