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Blogger Newark, OH on Sep 10, 2012

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Landscaping On The Cheap - Dividing and Transplanting

We have been able to landscape our little farm almost completely through the use of transplants. We have used grasses and perennials from our own home, as well as taking starts of plants from friends and family. The result? Our entire little farm has been landscaped to this point for less than $50 in plants - and that was for a few special ones we purchased and will divide to have more of those in a year. You can see more before and after pictures and more about the dividing process at our blog post below.

To see more: http://oldworldgardenfarms.com/2012/06/22/barn-landscaping-project-finished-on-a-dime-before-and-after-photos/

33 Comments Displaying 25 of 33 comments | See Previous

Old World Garden Farms Newark, OH

Jan, Thanks for the compliments! I bet your pool and front yard look amazing! It is very satisfying to get things done for little to no cost.

on Sep 10, 2012 · Like 0
Old World Garden Farms Newark, OH

Trish you are right....we try to dig them out every two or three years....the older they get, the harder it is.

on Sep 10, 2012 · Like 0
Old World Garden Farms Newark, OH

Great Idea Vicki!

on Sep 10, 2012 · Like 0
Old World Garden Farms Newark, OH

Gretchen - we do the same thing!!! Our family and friends have enjoyed the benefits of our digging :)

on Sep 10, 2012 · Like 0
Old World Garden Farms Newark, OH

Yes Therese - there was a lot of sweat, but looking back at it now, it was well worth it! Thanks for the compliment!

on Sep 10, 2012 · Like 0
Old World Garden Farms Newark, OH

Surprise Danielle -- even from North Carolina you have a chance to see the farm. I hope you can make it up some time to see it!

on Sep 10, 2012 · Like 0
Harlee Jenkins Charlotte, NC

I do the same wherever I live, and do grass 'plugs', too. I mostly replant perennials so once they are moved they only spread. If they get too thick, I put an ad on Craigslist and let people come thin them out for free. I refuse to pay for plants @
big box stores.

on Sep 10, 2012 · Like 0
Sondra A Janesville, WI

Very beautiful and a good cost affective way to go about it. I love sharing and dividing up plants also. Since we moved into our present home 5 years ago I had to do a lot of purchasing and begging for transplants as there was nothing but grass here. It is finally filling in although the dog is doing her darndest to keep things at a minimum by running through and laying in my plants. lol Love your pergola.

on Sep 10, 2012 · Like 0
Bea F Corpus Christi, TX

All this ideas are so wonderful.

on Sep 10, 2012 · Like 0
Deck and Patio Company "O... Huntington Station, NY

This is a great way to create a full lush landscape on a budget!

on Sep 11, 2012 · Like 0
Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

Divisions are a great way to get more plants, and many decline without it. And I always tell people that the best way to save money is to start out with small plants. You're the proof in the pudding.

on Sep 11, 2012 · Like 1
Geraldine Doudakian

GERALDINE DOUDAKIAN...ENGLEWOOD FLORIDA...............at the ripe age of 70, I am still battling the out-of-doors ......Florida...old Florida is being consumed by ....non native growth....making it a jungle....the vines croak the trees which sniffles the breeze..... it is like sitting in a hole with the wind going over top of your head...never to catch a breeze......for many years I removed Brazilian peppers trees....what monsters....I have been tacking this since 1978.....never give ...»
up.....it is really worth the work....I will keep in touch an I had become motivated when I saw your landscape on the cheep.....what a great gate page.....for the people that love this great land of ours.......if every one just did a little.....we...could clean things up in no time at all.........in my youth ...the world had a bright clean look an I wish to see it again....MY BEAUTIFUL AMERICA....and it is 9-11-12 ......I was born in 1943....

on Sep 11, 2012 · Like 2
Becky H Tampa, FL

Douglas, another reason to buy small plants is they take far less digging to install. Our lot is well treed, so that almost everywhere I plant, I have to consider tree roots will lengthen the amount of time it would normally take, and I'm not in to cutting major tree roots in fear of weakening my trees. For me, buying and installing small plants works far better, as the plant roots will work themselves into the available soil without my help. Then again, sometimes the planting pattern I ...»
wanted does not come to fruition, because there are major roots I will not tamper with. When that happens, I just figure the tree didn't need anything planted near it. I thin plants every 2 years, and give all the babies away. Others are very happy to have them, and I'm glad to know they'll thrive elsewhere.

on Sep 12, 2012 · Like 0
Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

You're so right, Becky. Although I have to say that, having gardened for a number of years in soil that was full of shale and almost everything, even a single daffodil bulb, had to be dug with a pick axe, digging in Florida sand seems like a gift.

on Sep 12, 2012 · Like 0
Therese C Greenfield, IA

I know this sounds terribly cheap of me, but the area stores here put their dying or "non-purchased" plants out back of the store for anyone to grab. I got a bunch this year..took them home..and there was no tags in them. I said, "Hmmmmm..should be interesting landscaping." I planted them and lets just say this....Does anyone need A LOT of sweet basil? Well they looked good anyway...very bushy and full...lol

on Sep 12, 2012 · Like 3
Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

Time to make pesto, Therese!

on Sep 13, 2012 · Like 1
Harlee Jenkins Charlotte, NC

@Therese:I am right there with you in taking home sad, "dying" plants that quickly pop back to life with a little TLC. I don't think I have ever tossed a plant that I bought "dying" at the local big box stores! Most times, they are either under or over watered. I love these finds the most and the big box stores love letting me take them away.

on Sep 13, 2012 · Like 0
Therese C Greenfield, IA

I hate seeing plants go to waste. Even if you don't harvest all of them, herbs make beautiful borders and landscaping plants. They fill out nicely and grow fast. I have sage, thyme, oregano, parsley, rosemary, and wild mustard. Very hardy plants and naturally control mosquitoes! I love growing things..next year I am planting black bamboo and banana palms. They actually grow quite well in southern Iowa!

on Sep 13, 2012 · Like 0
Geraldine Doudakian

I WAS INSPIRED....After reading your creative look at..... what was hanging around the house...... i went to the garden to pray......my Garden...needs a lot of prayer.....and after a visit to my ex..doctor....stopped and bought some ..flowers....work in progress....Geraldine Doudakian...fl..
on Sep 14, 2012 · Like 2
Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

It's a great feeling to be planting, isn't it Geraldine?

on Sep 15, 2012 · Like 0
Sondra A Janesville, WI

Gardening is great therapy. I get lost in the yard and always find something to do. And every year I cant resist buying more plants and then try to find a place to put them. lol. I probably wont stop until all the grass is gone and there is nothing left to mow.

on Sep 17, 2012 · Like 2
Joyce J

I love gardening

on Feb 02, 2013 · Like 0
Sharon @ mrs. hines class Spring, TX

This is the best way to garden!

on Feb 03, 2013 · Like 0
Harlee Jenkins Charlotte, NC

Add to this post...RE:gardening as therapy: when I divorced I moved us to an affordable home with NO yard, only rocks under huge oak trees. The landlord agreed to paying for any supplies if I wanted to make improvements. I rented an 8hp gas tiller and spent 3 long days hanging onto it for my life tearing up that front yard. Neighbors came to beat witness, men stopped and offered to help, but I kept hanging onto that tiller and when my Hans had blisters I cussed my EX for being such a ...»
@*#%!..and cried. BEST therapy for anger I ever had!! I planted shade loving blue fescue and a year later won YARD OF THE MONTH for that yard!

on Feb 03, 2013 · Like 2
Sondra A Janesville, WI

Harlee, what a cute story and such a positive way of dealing with your emotions. And what a great reward in the long run!
Therese, I have done that also (pick up thrown away plants) but some places are aware of those of us that do that and make sure no one can dig in their trash or they keep their mostly dead plants on the shelf and sell them for cheap, hoping to get the last 2cents they can get for them so that ...»
they truly are dead by the time they are tossed.
As far as planting small, I have always done that as it is much more affordable, easier to plant, and it is not as hard on the plant. I have heard how it is much more difficult for a larger, older plant to adjust to being transplanted. And if I end up losing the plant then I am not as upset losing a small one.

on Feb 03, 2013 · Like 0