Finding Savings In Our Garden

Posted by Christine Eirschele Oct 8, 2008

No, there is no buried treasure in my garden but we are all in the same boat with the rest of the world. We need to save money. So creating gardens now days calls for some gardening techniques that saves all our resources. We have heard the words sustainable gardens, native plants, wildflower or prairie plantings and, now, rain or xeriscape gardening

Essentially, rain and xeriscape gardening are 21^st century terms. Not that they were not around before, but they are far more mainstream these days. Now you are not apt to get labeled a “tree hugger” by using them. I never minded being thought of as a tree lover, but sometimes it put other gardeners off, you know, being cubby-holed with granola munchers.

Rain and xeriscape terms are related to conserving water, as in desert gardens of the southwest growing drought tolerant plants or preserving ground water quality by growing native plants in a rain garden. I think sustainable gardening is a broader term directed at conserving resources, requiring less intensive maintenance by us and attracting wildlife. I am seeing sustainable gardens everywhere planted with some forms of natives, because conserving is everyone’s issue.

Using native plants is not only for wildflower gardens or prairies. Try using some natives in manicured garden beds or containers. You can do this by planting the cultivars of the native plant, developed especially for small garden spaces. In parts of Wisconsin and Ohio, the prickly pear cactus has species considered a native plant able to withstand cold regions, is drought tolerant and attracts pollinating bees, a great starting point when developing a sustainable garden in the north.

So, use whatever term you want. Now is the time to plan a garden that uses regional plants equipped to readily conserve water and fertilizers, require less up keep and attract wildlife that will pollinate and thrive, this is the meaning of a cost saving garden.