inexpensive garden and patio ideas?

Question

hi. just wondering if anyone had any tips or ideas on a low budget garden and patio. as of now, we are in a manufactured home with no steps on the front! so we need to build steps to a patio or a deck with steps. also i would like to put in a low cost low maint. flower bed. anything you can offer would be appreciated! thanks

Answer 1

For a patio you could use patio blocks from any home store (lowes, home depot, etc) in lots of different sizes and shapes. A little labor and some sand base, then lay them in place. The store will have lots of tips on how to do this.

For cheap steps, some dimensional lumber like 2x12s screwed together with some galvanized screws should work ok for low budget. Home store probably has books or pamphlets on this too. Just make some stair stringers, and put on steps and deck, rest on the nice patio blocks you just installed.

Answer 2

Low maintence gardens: think perennials, once established, they will come back year after year. The key to perennials is to look at the times that they bloom, have patches that bloom in early spring, late spring, mid-summer, late summer and autumn so that there are blooms open most of the year throughout your garden.

Answer 3

Buy pots that are light, use good garden soil and plant annuals from six packs and add seeds for marigolds, alyssum, cosmos,coleus, etc. They grow fast and are nice to look at. Also, think up and make a cheap lattice or buy (theyre not horribly expensive)and put in climbers like hyacinth bean. Go to friend's houses and beg for pieces of plants, put them in pots. Look for sales for little Alberta Spruces and surround them with vincas and sweet potato vines. All grow fast and look great. Have cuttings of your indoor plants? Put them outside in a shady area and grow them with annuals.

Answer 4

I also have a mobile & will need to redo my front deck this summer. Try diy.com for plans & how tos for the deck & steps. Go to hgtv.com for plans, pics & everything you need to know on gardening.