tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600547016363116211.post7521379433948356482..comments2024-03-05T04:53:05.648-04:00Comments on Canoe Corner: Garden Plans and BudgetingMargueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14377516887669269657noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600547016363116211.post-47619645200689601422011-12-21T22:15:30.198-04:002011-12-21T22:15:30.198-04:00Marguerite, I'm finally catching up with some ...Marguerite, I'm finally catching up with some blog reading, and I've been interested to read about your planning and budgeting strategies. I'm an inveterate budgeter -- a habit I learned literally at my father's knee. When I was a child, he got paid every Thursday. On his way home from work, he would stop at the bank and cash his paycheck. Then in the evening, he would sit at the desk and count out money into budget envelopes, a separate envelope for each budget category. At the end of the whole process, a little pile of coins would go at the back of the desk for each of us children -- our weekly allowances. Since I was eager to get my allowance, I would stand riveted through the whole budgeting process; it occurs to me now that this was a great way of providing children with some financial literacy. So I have a monthly budget amount for gardening. I love the way it piles up through the snowy months of garden dormancy, allowing me to splurge on some new plants in May and June. I must admit, though, that I've never had to buy trees -- which means that I can make my budget spread much further. -JeanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600547016363116211.post-10048094766903903152011-12-21T20:43:06.121-04:002011-12-21T20:43:06.121-04:00Jennifer - I'm lucky to be able to get trees a...Jennifer - I'm lucky to be able to get trees at that price but keep in mind these are small trees, only 1 - 2 feet high. I can't afford large trees but the small ones don't require staking so it all works out. A whole package! wow, now I"m intrigued.Margueritehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14377516887669269657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600547016363116211.post-49917918929781458322011-12-20T21:27:29.296-04:002011-12-20T21:27:29.296-04:00Hi Marguerite, I admire your determination to set ...Hi Marguerite, I admire your determination to set a budget and to stick to it. I am surprised that you are able to purchase trees for $10 and $20. Prices here are quite a bit higher. <br />I think you are wise to focus of the bones of your garden and spend most of your budget on larger items/trees. I look forward to following your progress in 2012!<br />I have a package for you that I will be sending shortly. Have a great Christmas and all the best for the new year!Jennifer@threedogsinagardenhttp://threedogsinagarden.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600547016363116211.post-53014135765572569212011-12-20T20:06:23.501-04:002011-12-20T20:06:23.501-04:00Kentish - it really is a huge space, almost 3 acre...Kentish - it really is a huge space, almost 3 acres. Nice to have so much room to spread but I'm realized a lot of work to keep up with.<br /><br />Jen - Happy holidays to you too!Margueritehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14377516887669269657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600547016363116211.post-76819024397735557052011-12-20T20:05:02.144-04:002011-12-20T20:05:02.144-04:00Tammy - from what I've heard hollyhock rust is...Tammy - from what I've heard hollyhock rust is likely a battle I'm not going to win. That's why I decided to put a little money aside should I pull them. I have some plants in the front garden that might be pulled into this bed, I was thinking about the Monkshood but I also have two lilacs up there. Maybe a lilac should be moved to this spot?<br /><br />Donna - thanks for the vote of confidence. At first I was a bit attached to the idea of a meadow but the trees will add so much more value I think. <br /><br />Frances - I've been told my island soil is definitely acidic and apparently the effects of acid rain only compound the problem. You can definitely tell a lot about your soil by what grows there. One of the reasons I like to try and identify wildflowers is they give me an idea what my soil is like. I've done so well with herbs in my garden I can only assume the soil is quite lean, which is why the big load of manure required.<br /><br />Joy - a few people have noticed those shrubs and they haven't escaped my eye either! They are definitely going to be taken down in the future as there are plans to create a larger porch area around that front entrance. I love hollyhocks so I'm tempted to try the sulphur but part of me also thinks it's just more work to keep a plant that won't cooperate. I pulled my phlox this summer when the mildew got so bad. With such a large space to manage I'm trying to keep it as simple as I can.Margueritehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14377516887669269657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600547016363116211.post-61259648719034084802011-12-20T15:29:32.265-04:002011-12-20T15:29:32.265-04:00Wow, great planning Marguerite! I wish you all the...Wow, great planning Marguerite! I wish you all the best for the holidays!!SeaBlushhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14767185216061370316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600547016363116211.post-62969561290946687192011-12-20T13:49:29.781-04:002011-12-20T13:49:29.781-04:00You must have a very large garden.You plans sound ...You must have a very large garden.You plans sound very exciting and as you say manageable.How fantastic to have space for all those trees.Kentish Keg-Meghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15429517170768389927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600547016363116211.post-15261757546802135502011-12-20T07:52:03.621-04:002011-12-20T07:52:03.621-04:00Marguerite girl .. If truth be told I would be afr...Marguerite girl .. If truth be told I would be afraid to figure out exactly how much I have spent each year .. I always say "budget" but it seems to run all the way through the garden season ? LOL<br />I have a thing I do when handling "rust"... at the end of the season and annuals are cut down that have had rust(even in perennial areas) .. sprinkle garden sulfer over the soil, so all winter it works at the bacteria. It seems to help.<br />You have such a pretty house .. I would think of cutting down those shrubs and replacing something that is light an airy or a special planting to mirror each side ?<br />I know you have so much area to cover it can be truly daunting but you are doing a fantastic job girl!CanadianGardenJoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18130452541076704075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600547016363116211.post-86686456203486303592011-12-20T01:00:16.169-04:002011-12-20T01:00:16.169-04:00Marguerite, I only assummed my soil was acidic bec...Marguerite, I only assummed my soil was acidic because everything I read says peaty soil is acidic but then I realised that the wild flowers were almost all ones that grow on acidic soil, I have since read a good indication of the type of soil is to look at the native plants growing and your wild flower meadow has several of the same wild flowers I have, the sheeps sorrel we both have aparently only grows in acidic soil, one day I might buy one of those soil testing kits, FrancesIsland Threadshttp://islandthreads.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600547016363116211.post-32704658790342465862011-12-19T22:55:40.094-04:002011-12-19T22:55:40.094-04:00You are so right on adding trees. They will add so...You are so right on adding trees. They will add so much value to the property, both monetarily and aesthetically. Also as you mentioned, for the birds and the enjoyment you will get from having them visit and nest. My tiny lot has five big trees. It is probably too many, but, one is scheduled for a new home. They are invaluable in winter for the birds for food and shelter. A few nests were built this summer too. 100 new trees should be wonderful to have.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600547016363116211.post-3881918369538068442011-12-19T22:08:59.814-04:002011-12-19T22:08:59.814-04:00Good luck battling hollyhock rust. I quit growing ...Good luck battling hollyhock rust. I quit growing them because the rust came back every year. You're wise to budget. The garden will be more enjoyable if you're not stressed about paying for it. Do lilacs do well in your climate? They would be a beautiful addition.Casa Mariposahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16647089868277238456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600547016363116211.post-50973125916339712302011-12-19T20:39:13.700-04:002011-12-19T20:39:13.700-04:00Holley - I feel like my garden consists solely of ...Holley - I feel like my garden consists solely of plants that 'caught my eye' right now. I need to focus on finding plants to complement each other now.<br /><br />Laurrie - I think that katsura is going to win out, they are just such stunning trees. There's certainly room for more than one and it will be hard to come home with just one so we'll see how my willpower holds up.<br /><br />Melanie - I had no idea how much time I would spend watering trees, that's one reason to cut back on other garden plans right now. There have been days where all I did was water trees in the back field but after a couple years they will survive on their own so I'm willing to spend the time there right now. Eventually they will make their presence known and I'm hoping it will be worth the wait.Margueritehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14377516887669269657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600547016363116211.post-8328038683029090332011-12-19T20:30:35.155-04:002011-12-19T20:30:35.155-04:00Brenda - Merry Christmas to you too! I hadn't ...Brenda - Merry Christmas to you too! I hadn't thought much about the ajuga spreading into the lawn but that wouldn't necessarily be such a bad thing. The lawn is already full of weeds and the grass does miserably in that area so this might be an improvement? I loved the dark colour against the various evergreens and a yellow tinted variety would be a great addition.<br /><br />Ms.S - Although I have tons of ideas for more expansion I'm trying to sit back a little and take care of what I've already done. I found the garden a little overwhelming this year so felt the need to step back. <br />Fine tuning is a great way to express what I'd like to see this year.<br /><br />Frances - there are both pot grown and field grown native trees available here and the prices are actually almost the same. I understand the potted stock is done by the province and sold essentially at cost so that's why it's relatively cheap. I find the field grown<br />trees healthier but it's a long drive to get them. The potted trees have some good buys if you buy early and pick through. I really didn't think my soil was that acidic but it seems the likely explanation. This<br />island is known for potatoes, obviously the acidic soil is no trouble for them! I have been rotating and after having blight this year will definitely continue the practice. Will be interesting to see how my tomatoes do this year.Margueritehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14377516887669269657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600547016363116211.post-82063044829882461002011-12-19T18:24:35.773-04:002011-12-19T18:24:35.773-04:00That is a big task you have set yourselves plantin...That is a big task you have set yourselves planting all those trees. Apart from the expense it is lots of work looking after them, watering, until they have settled in and can look after themselves. :) But it is great that you are doing it.Melanie J Wattshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03265452434129642917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600547016363116211.post-77922147014107192912011-12-19T17:29:13.332-04:002011-12-19T17:29:13.332-04:00Yess!! on the katsura for your specimen tree. It ...Yess!! on the katsura for your specimen tree. It grows quickly, so your $20 will be rewarded. The persian parrotia is also a grand choice. Can you plant one of each? <br /><br />I too have planted Ajuga Chocolate Chip to cover some bare garden ground, so I'll be interested to see how yours spreads.<br /><br />You are making good choices with a limited budget. I particularly like your plan for trees. So many gardeners don't focus on the bones of their gardens, just on the blooms. I will want to see updates on your tree plantings next summer!Laurriehttp://laurries.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600547016363116211.post-46738651508194597132011-12-19T13:45:34.514-04:002011-12-19T13:45:34.514-04:00Very smart of you to budget - it makes you priorit...Very smart of you to budget - it makes you priorities what's most important to you in your garden. I've often thought I need a budget, just to keep me from buying plants that catch my eye that I really don't need!HolleyGardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14892421871044249940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600547016363116211.post-69392315477115484572011-12-19T05:26:30.500-04:002011-12-19T05:26:30.500-04:00Marguerite it sounds as if you have been very thou...Marguerite it sounds as if you have been very thoughtful planning your garden for the coming year, I love the idea of your wooded acre, the trees you buy locally are they pot grown larger trees as I have found it much cheaper to look for bareroot 1 - 2 year old trees, <br />I'd not heard of either Katsura or Persian Parrotia so just did a search they are both beutiful trees I can see why you would chose them, <br /><br />re the veggy beds and lime, I learnt early that most (not all) veggies like a bit of lime but not potatos as it increases the possibility of scab, are you using a rotation system with your veggy beds most of the experts seem to recommend it? <br /><br />good luck with your plans, FrancesIsland Threadshttp://islandthreads.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600547016363116211.post-76215632391947055962011-12-18T23:58:31.738-04:002011-12-18T23:58:31.738-04:00Sounds like you are moving into a less expansive p...Sounds like you are moving into a less expansive phase of your gardening. Nice to sit back and fine tune a little. :)<br /><br />Looking good!Northern Beauty Seekerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07805215769692200647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600547016363116211.post-72194545121420231682011-12-18T20:02:41.748-04:002011-12-18T20:02:41.748-04:00Such a large property, how wonderful. You made gre...Such a large property, how wonderful. You made great strides this year and should be congratulated. YAH! My heart did do a little jump though, when you wrote about planting Ajuga in the round bed as I would say, I love it love it, but M, expect to see it in your lawn and all around in four or five years. It just can't help itself ;-). How I regret being seduced by it's beauty but not always. The bees love it and the blue flowers, look gorgeous under any yellow hue plants.<br /><br />Again, Bravo...great job and great progress. Have so enjoyed reading your blog all year and wish you and your family the very best East Coastie Christmas.Gardeningbrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10709940044197929905noreply@blogger.com