Creative Garden Expansion - Budget-Friendly Garden Projects

 

I've embarked on a new garden project, and while it feels a bit overwhelming, I'm embracing the challenge. Despite working on a tight budget, I've gathered some helpful tips over time for gardening economically.

Gardening isn't just a hobby; it's a therapeutic journey that occasionally presents the daunting task of starting from scratch. To tackle this, I've learned to break projects into smaller tasks and celebrate each milestone.

Creating a beautiful garden doesn't always demand a large bank balance. In fact, some of the most satisfying transformations can be accomplished on a limited budget. Let's explore some cost-effective ways to enhance your garden:

• Repurpose and Upcycle: Before rushing to the store for new pots or garden decor, take a look around your home for items that can be repurposed. Old buckets, tin cans, or wooden crates can be transformed into planters with a fresh coat of paint. Get creative with unconventional containers to add character to your garden while saving money.

• Propagate Plants: Instead of splurging on new plants, why not propagate your existing ones? Many plants, such as succulents, herbs, and certain flowers, can be easily propagated from cuttings or seeds. Not only does this save money, but it also allows you to expand your garden while fostering a deeper connection with your plants.

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You can check out an Additional 3 ways on my Free Patreon post - You can check it out HERE

So, come and join me in the garden I will be taking small and steady steps to achieve what I imagine in this new space. Happy gardening!

Creative Garden - Creating a Bird-Friendly Haven in Your Garden

Creating a Bird-Friendly Haven in Your Garden

Welcome to my garden, a sanctuary where creativity meets nature. One of my primary goals is to provide a comfortable environment for birds, allowing them to thrive and build their nests. In today's video, I'll take you on a tour of the birds favorite spots. 

One of the key elements in attracting birds is offering trees of varying heights. By doing so, I provide them with options for nesting. The diversity of trees in my garden ensures that different bird species can find their perfect nesting grounds.

Apart from providing trees of varying heights, offering a plentiful food supply is another crucial aspect of attracting and sustaining birds in the garden. In my garden, the tall pomegranate trees have a unique purpose. Some of them have split open, rendering them unsuitable for human consumption. However, these fruits make perfect feeding stations for the birds. Their high water content makes them a refreshing treat, especially during hot days we have been getting - with more to come!.

Observing the birds enjoying the environment as they build their nests is also a fascinating process, and you can witness some of the materials birds use from the garden. They incorporate cotton and grass, both of which I have intentionally placed in various spots and every so often they find some strips of fabric that are also added to the nest. 

The birds also aid in insect control. Birds are natural predators, and their appetite for insects helps maintain the balance in the garden. I am grateful for their presence as they munch on insects, keeping their populations in check. Without them, I would likely encounter more issues with pests in my garden.

Birds aren't the only garden helpers - we have lizards, toads, and at dusk the bats come out. Lizards also play a vital role in insect control. I'm fortunate to have a diverse array of lizard species residing in my garden. They diligently feast on insects, including moths, contributing to the overall harmony.

I am privileged to host an array of bird species, including wood pigeons, hummingbirds, parakeets, and several other varieties. The bird song creates a symphony that resonates throughout the garden in the early hours of the morning.  It's a joy to witness these birds in their element, congregating and making themselves at home.

Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. I look forward to sharing more delightful moments from my garden with you in future blog posts. Until then, remember to take a moment to appreciate the beauty and diversity that surrounds us in the natural world. Happy gardening, and may your garden become a thriving sanctuary for both humans and feathered friends alike.

A Garden of Imagination: Taking a Tour of the Creative March Garden

Check out my latest gardening video, I am excited to take you on a tour of the garden. Here are some highlights:

I currently have growing five papayas trees, one male and four female, but I am having some issues with slugs, snails, and even a monkey is taking bites out of the fruit  The male Papaya has a beautiful scent, and yellow flowers.

You will get to see some other plants in the garden, including, guinep, cassava, and five-fingered fruit. I am doing my best to keep them all healthy despite the challenges of the drier season and pests.  

The Suriname Cherry is in full bloom and looks gorgeous - I expect to see some fruit either later during the year or next year, and the mango tree has been flowering - so we should see some fruit in September, 

Despite the challenges and being on a budget there are so many lovely areas of the garden that helps you appreciate the work you put in.  

Join me in the video and stroll with me around the garden.

Gardening Behind the Scenes and Planning

In today's video I share some plans in the garden.  I will be sharing the update as this video was taken 

Welcome, you get a bit of the behind the scenes in the Garden today. This are of the garden was a space that I am working on creating a hedge. It is besides my recycled tires in the garden and want to create an area that I can possibly place a bench and relaxing area as well. It is a work in progress and all the projects take a while to come to fruition. I will be sharing an update to this area of the garden next week.

You can check out the video below

If you would like to check out some of the things I am working on in the garden that was seen or mentioned in the video: Yard and Garden Furniture - check out this book to create your own - https://amzn.to/3NksXUN DIY Garden projects - https://amzn.to/3SRKTqT Composting made easy - https://amzn.to/3UeBOcU Wheel Barrow - (on my ideas list) - https://amzn.to/3DqBQHz Lattice Fencing - https://amzn.to/3Ds6Nv2 https://amzn.to/3SOYSh3 https://amzn.to/3Fw5bmI The Secret Garden book - https://amzn.to/3DnfDKM

Because the garden has practically no budget, it is important to look at ways in which I can either use what is growing, found objects and swaps. I have found some of the trees that grow really fast, like the 'river tamarind' - can be cut and the branches used for projects, pallets are things that my local hardware store gives away, so I may be able to make use of the wood - it would need to be treated as we have an issue with termites in the garden.

Do let me know if you have any queries or comments about the garden and stay blessed. You can check out some of the other gardening videos - HERE

Previously on Creative Gardener......

Creative Gardener - Harvesting Cassava

Come and join me in the Creative Garden this week as we look at harvesting Cassava from my garden.

You can see more images on my Patreon Blog

Creative Gardener - New Posts

Check out the Patreon Blog

I would love you to come and join me on my gardening Patreon Blog where I share my new post about working in the garden.  I hope that it goes on to inspire you to decide what you want to do in your garden space and bring your creative flair into growing your plants

Also Check out some creative projects made from the

wood in my garden,

Come and check out my Patreon Blog and see see some more information and some of the tiers on offer.

Creative Gardener

You can also check out my arts network

Check it out here

Agrofest - Yearly Agricultural Event in Barbados

Agrofest is an annual agricultural event held in Barbados

Join me in the video below and check out some of the other videos available if you would like to start 'Growing Your Own on a Budget.

I only got a snippet of Agrofest as my main focus was getting some plants which I did.  Namely - Breadnut, Pommerac, Red Ginger Lilly and Sea Grapes.  All apart the breadnut is doing well - (those pesky slugs)

Recycling initiative taking place

Lots of different animals and plants on display and it is definitely well worth visiting over the 3 days of events.

Come and check out some of the other videos that I have available HERE

Creative Gardening - New Posts - What are you Growing?

Come and check out what I get up to in the Garden - my Tropical Garden

The New Normal

Things are looking very different for many around the world, how is this impacting on you.

What Food are you growing

Now might be the time that you consider growing your own food regardless of the type of space that you have, from a garden to a plant pot.

Stay blessed and be a blessing