My Water Friendly Backyard

To save on water, we converted most of our backyard into a rock garden. It was a back-breaking project but we did it and survived.

Then on the farthest back, there was an old swimming pool that was too damaged and would cost too much money to repair. It was an eyesore for a long time, not to mention dangerous. To make it useful, we put a wood deck on top of it and converted it into our "mini resort".

On the side, we planted drought tolerant plants. It only needed to be watered occasionally.

The only part that needs regular watering is the narrow strip where I grow my vegetables.

After doing all these, our water bill dropped significantly.

Easy and Low Cost Gardening

I was talking to a friend about home gardening and she was very frustrated that she spent so much money on soil, fertilizer, pesticide and pots last year but she only was able to harvest 6 tomatoes. 

Gardening does not need to be expensive. I compost all year long and use it to amend soil in my vegetable garden. I do not even have a real compost bin. I use the big trash can that has been sitting inside our garage for years. I poked holes around it and I roll it on the ground once a week.

My improvised compost bin.

I also save used ground coffee and eggshells. I crush the eggshells into small pieces and mix it with ground coffee. I then put it around the base of the vegetables. It protects my vegetables from the slugs and provides the nutrients that they need.

Ground coffee and eggshells are good for your garden.

Lastly, I practice companion planting. I personally do not like using pesticide in my garden. I strategically place my vegetables where each kind can benefit from the other. An example, I plant tomatoes with garlic, marigold, and nusturtium. Garlic repels spider mites, marigold repels nematodes, and nasturtium deters aphids, whiteflies and squash bugs. I let my vegetables help and protect each other.

I never had to buy fertilizer or use pesticide. All I do is water my plants regularly and wait for the harvest. 

My husband said I give to much caffeine to my plants and that is why they are hyperactive that they could not stop producing. 

Too much caffeine? This is a photo from last year when my kabocha squash took over the backyard.

A Savory Saving

We love herbs. Every time we cook, it will not be complete until we put some fresh herbs on it. Our favorites are basil, oregano, parsley, rosemary, thyme, and lemon grass. If you buy those, a small pack would cost $3 to $4 each. We try to save the leftovers but most of the times, they end up in the trash can.

I always feel bad everytime I throw away the wilted or dried herbs. It is like throwing money in the trash can. 

Since we only like using fresh herbs, I decided to plant my own to eliminate waste. I bought two large pots and planted basil and parsley on one, and oregano and thyme on the other. I planted the rosemary and lemon grass on the ground. 

The ones that I planted on the pots are the ones that cannot stand very cold temperature. During winter, I move them to a protected area or inside the house. I even transfer some in a smaller pot and place it on the kitchen counter. In that way, I would have an endless supply of herbs. 

If you live in an apartment and do not have a yard, you can always plant your favorite herbs on small pots and have a little herb garden in your kitchen.

I let the herbs flowers and produce seeds, then let the seeds fall in the pot and grow. They reproduce themselves pretty well. It has been three years since I planted my herbs and I have not yet had to buy any new seeds.

Not only the herb adds beauty to the landscape, it also provides soothing aroma. What a way to save!