Know When to *Spurge*

I've talked a bit in earlier posts about ways to cut costs on landscaping; such as only buying tools you really need, reusing items that may have been left over in your yard from the previous owner, and shopping the "orphanage" section of your local nursery (if you are lucky enough to live near one).  But it's also good to know when to splurge on that one item you really want for the yard (a bench, a fancy shrub, new deck, etc) and with the money you have saved from all your other cost cutting activities, perhaps you can buy more than one.

Another good way to save is to go to a nursery, farmers' market, or other place where they sell plants with a specific list.  Otherwise, it's like visiting the grocery store when you are hungry-everything will look good and you'll buy on impulse and consequently overspend. Plus, if you go without a specific plan you may end up with all spring bloomers, all summer bloomers, too much of one color, etc.  To make a comprehensive list, it is best to begin by thumbing through a few books that profile plants for your region (the hardiness zones are in practically every book, so it should be easy to discern what plants are appropriate for where you live).

Then from the list you've compiled you can further downscale it (if you want) to drop off those plants that might be susceptible to pests (in Maine Japanese beetles and Lily Loving beetles are real concerns) and diseases (unless, of course, you love the plant so much that you are willing to do the extra work).  You may also want to avoid any plant in which the description reads as "may be invasive" (but again, you can find ways to control an invasive plant but it will require extra attention).