| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Rebekka Mae |
Posted - Jul 10 2010 : 2:25:09 PM
time to give credit where credit is due!
When we bought our little house four years ago it's gardens were overrun with weeds so I had the good fortune to start from scratch.
Since it is our first house I could not spend much to begin so I came up with a plan- I would fill it with plants from people I knew and see what happened. My first purchase was a flat of Palouse Prairie Native plants to fill the front garden by our sidewalk. I love my garden, it has plants I started from seed sent to me by farmgirls from all over when we moved in. Cosmos, marigolds, spinach, sunflowers and hollyhocks. I have Sweet Lena Iris, garlic, lovage and comfrey from MaryJane's Farm that are all thriving. My mama contributed dozens of gorgeous lavender starts, raspberries, some unknown but lovely bulbs and much help weeding.
My aunt Yvette gave me shasta daisies, hens and chicks that were from my great uncle Ralph's garden and some amazing bright orange bulbs from the coast.
Our neighbor Mark drops off little willows, aster and salvia now and then.
Now when I walk around the garden I think of the people who shared cuttings and it means more than anything I could paid someone to plant.
I did buy plants from local growers but the majority of what I have was garden overflow for someone else. It took time and I am still moving things around to find the best fit for each plant.
Have you made a garden this way?
This morning I walked by a neighbors house and came home with 100 hens and chicks that she needed to find homes for...sometimes people in our town post plants for free on craigslist and I have found great bulbs this way. When something gets overgrown I pass starts on to friends and neighbors.
Thankful, Rebekka
www.bebebella.etsy.com
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| 5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| graciegreeneyes |
Posted - Jul 11 2010 : 11:54:07 AM
That's so cool Rebekka. This is the first year that I have been at all close to being on top of the weeds so I'm hoping for some hand-me-down perennials too. My mom has offered me some several times, but it seems I'm always so far behind with everything I haven't been able to take advantage of it. Such a cool way to build a garden - I loved Barbara Kingsolver's story about her 50th birthday in AVM too where all her guests brought garden plants, such a great gift.
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
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| Rebekka Mae |
Posted - Jul 11 2010 : 11:25:12 AM
Isn't it wonderful to have resources that do not involve a purchase, sharing starts and seeds and of course zucchini. My girlfriends and I all trade watering and pet sitting when we travel so it is easy to go- the best part is that whoever is watering gets to harvest stuff that might go bad...we all have expanded our gleenings this way.
www.bebebella.etsy.com
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| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Jul 10 2010 : 3:15:09 PM
My flower and veggy gardens are all from family and friends, I've gotten seed from many of the farmgirls here, as well as old friends and of course family. I trade seed that I have alot of, and when I'm short because of crop failure, insects or weather, I know I can ask friends and family, and someone will have what I need.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jul 10 2010 : 3:14:28 PM
That's great,Rebekka. Those are the best gardens when they have been given to you. So many memories to keep alive. I wouls so much rather do it myself with plants that have a history than someone come in and plant all "new" stuff.
My first big garden came from alot of my neighbors yards. And I have some boxwoods from an old neighbor's yard that my daughter's fiance bought. He dug up all the boxwoods and I have 7 of them here now. If we ever move they will have to come with me.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| natesgirl |
Posted - Jul 10 2010 : 2:59:15 PM
Half my vege garden is from this! I have family and friends and farmgirl sisters that have given me seed and plants. I love it! I have found a few new things that my family likes and some great new varities that I will be growin for years to come! My garden was blessed from so many and now is helpin to bless my grandparents and my aunt and uncle. I also shared some of my seed with my dad and my aunt to help fill their gardens. I think that is the best and funnest way to garden!
Farmgirl Sister #1438
God - Gardening - Family - Is anything else important? |
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