Makeovers from the Budget Gardener: Transforming Your Garden in Just One Season

Under the battle cry of ""fast and cheap,"" this guide leads do-it-yourselfers in a strategic attack on tired and neglected outdoor living spaces. Gilmer (The Budget Gardener) stresses ""short-term, low-cost, high-impact change"" through ultra-dependable, commercially-popular plants paired with moderate renovation and redesign of existing landscapes. Descriptions of 27 annuals, 10 perennials and seven ""fast vines"" are enhanced by well-edited lists of compatibles for sun/shade and combinations for containers. However, ""cheap"" isn't entirely cost-free, and to cut waste and speed physical labor, especially in longer term projects, Gilmer's approach demands heavy spending of time in planning: measuring the landscape, drawing plans with an architect's scale, pre-calculating quantities of mulch or container soil, estimating plant costs, mapping out ""color zones,"" charting bloom time. Gilmer's ""fast"" may not be quick enough for gardeners who would rather wield a spade than push a pencil. Nor are there ""before and after"" photographs or drawings that might help to inspire such a planning process. The orderly counsel will be welcomed by home-sellers who need to bump-up curb-appeal, while the chapter ""Party Tricks"" offers some quick, clever fixes for hosts of special outdoor occasions. (May)