mini gardens?

[michael clubb]

I'm thinking about putting very tiny gardens all over the area where I live. Probably about 3'X3'. I need a point of focus probably in the center and easy care plants and flowers for the balance. Since this is a commmunity project and I will have to do it about of pocket and expect to do about 20 of then in this 10 square block ghetto I need inexpensive plants and flowers. Do, do any of you gardeners out there have any design and planting ideas? Oh, and I live in tacoma washington (lots of rain) if that's of any help.

[Bob Stepp]

There's quite a few around here. They're called xeroscapes. Yards planted with native grasses, shrubs and trees. Requires less water and fertilizer...and little if any mowing at all.
Course in some of the snooty, uppity gated communities the home owners associations have tryed to get 'em outlawed cause they're "ugly."

[Stir Young]

Heck, I've been doing one of those in my yard for 19 years now. Some people say I'm "lazy"!

[d's girl]

Well... how many is "some," Stir? 'Cause if 3 people tell you that you have a tail, you better turn around 'n look. But if it's only 1 or 2 people, screw 'em, what do they know? '-)

[d's girl]

I love the idea, Michael! bulbs & perennials would be the easiest to maintain, and not have to be replenished.
How about checking out your local Freecycle.com? Also, how about creating a flyer saying if anyone has anything to 'split' or share that you're interested, and will do the thinning/splitting yourself, w/the owner's direction? You can put them up all over town - grocery stores, coffee shops, offices like Chiropractors, Massage Therapists, etc. Gardeners are a very generous people, I bet you'd get an abundant supply of things. You may wish to plant things that bloom at different times & try for seasonal blooms. For example, crocus bloom in late winter/early spring; tulips, hyacinths, jonquils & daffodils are spring blooming; all kinds of daylilies, black-eyed Susans, coneflowers bloom in the summer. A few of each in each splash garden would provide something new w/each season.
hey! how about contacting landscaping/lawn care companies? They probably thin/split things & would give you what they would otherwise throw away.

[michael clubb]

Hey d's girl, thank you for the very enthusiastic reply! I'm gonna check out Freecycle.com right now.

[d's girl]

you're welcome! good luck! '-)