What are some of your favorite garden ideas?

I love taking an old piece of furniture and turning it into a flower stand.

I have so many I will try to keep it short. 1)We put shredded papers around our cabbage and other plants to keep weeds down to zero! Shred all papers like envelopes, old bills, junk mail, ads, everything into bucket of water and soak through. Place in thick layers around all plants. NO WEEDS, helps hold in moisture and can be tilled into the garden in fall. 2) flower garden: put banana peels around roses to keep them blooming abundantly all summer. They love the potassium. 3) tomatoes do not like grass mulch, give them coffee and tea grounds instead , this they love.

depends on Veggie or Flowers- I love both, and I want something year round - so I plan my veggie garden for all seasons -- we can grow almost all year here in zone 8.5; my flowers - I prefer reliable perennials that provide flowers all season - and shrubs that have interesting foliage color in the fall /winter. There are LOTS of great gardening 'how to' sites on the internet -- just do what YOU love and You'll love it!

when selecting plants, buy 3 of the same to create impact grouping. Your plants will show better in a garden or a container garden.

I love a trellis with plants growing up it or if you have small children around a fairy garden is a lot of fun!

Always buy your plants locally since you not only get plants that grow and thrive where you live but also can get expert advice from the sellers that is so helpful.

I love Border Grass! We have it on both sides of our walkway and around the pine islands and front for the yard and front of the house. It saves a lot of time having to edge it. I started out with about 10 clumps given to me by a friend and it took 7 years to sprig it all the way up the wak...71'!!!

If you are on a budget, always check out the big box stores with garden departments. They often have clearance tables. Check the plants. Many of them are just being sold reduced as they are not currently blooming. Sometimes a little liquid fertilizer at home perks them right up. I have even purchased small "Knock Out" roses for $3.00 a piece. Pre-planted annual planters can be as little as $2.00 - $5.00. You have to have an open mind, being open to whatever color they surprise you with.

Vinegar , salt and a squirt of dishing liquid in a spray bottle. Spray on stubborn weeds on a hot day. Kills them, without harm to pets or wildlife. Works great on a brick patio. Cheaper then chemical weed killer too! Use 5% acidity vinegar, it is on the label. Otherwise store brand for all the ingredients is just fine.

Start with amending the soil. This provides nutrients for the plants, assures a good balance to keep down weeds, pests and fungi.I am a huge fan or steer manure. By the bag or have a good four way soil mix delivered.

The best gardens have variety without being cluttered. It has been mentioned to purchase plants in numbers, keep this odd 3,5,7, etc.

Repeating plants calms the eye. A color theme does too. Have the majority of your planting in just a few colors- I currently have dark purples, wines and blacks. White flower gardens are amazing too.

Before you get to far, pick some hardscapes. These can be walls, paths/patios, arbors, ponds, bird bathes, raised vegetable beds, etc. Always have at least one water feature!

Pots:containers are a must have! Either side of a front door or in odd number groups!

Dont forget vertical interest with wall gardens and climbers (my favorites are climbing hydrangea and star jasmine.

And find a theme that you like and carry it out. I have a large woodland shade garden in one area that is easy and people love it!

Be sure to plant for your microclimate. Plants don't do well with the wrong orientation. If the tag says shade, it does mean it.

Take some time to observe what your property and remember that gardens evolve over years. Purdue websites and get library books and magazines to define your style and to see what works. Local nurseries have classes and usually have plants that thrive in your climate (but remember to know your zone- tags tell you.) Ask them your questions, these places are full of plant nerds!

Choose plants with year round interest. Conifers are great for this. Perenial garden can be rather stark half of the year. I usually work though one area of a yard at a time once the soil is amended.

Lastly, sometimes you have to be unmerciful and remove what doesn't work and start over.

Best thing ever invented by man or woman: the hoses that weigh less than a pound and look like slithering snakes when I turn the faucet on..after putting cone cage over tomato plants I brilliantly came up with the idea of also weaving metal plant rods through the cage and into the ground...bought teeny paint brushes to tickle tomato flowers...putting honey jars outside so honey bees can lick up what's left...

Little secret fairies or rabbits. Hidden things.