Wendy’s Wanderings for November 2024

Making Do

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” This proverb often comes to mind during garden projects, especially when I’m tempted to dash off to the big orange or blue store for the “perfect” tool or material. If I snap the handle off a shovel or my fountain pump breaks (again), yes, I might head to the store. But more often than not, I embrace the challenge to “make do” with what I already have.

For instance, if I run out of landscape fabric while setting up a new bed, I check the recycling bin for cardboard. Usually, I have a few boxes that can be flattened and used as weed barriers. Covered with three inches of leaf or pine-needle mulch, the cardboard works just as well as fabric—and it saves me a trip to the store.

Garden beds often need edging to keep them distinct from the lawn or surrounding ground cover. There are various edging materials available—aluminum, plastic, stone—but I often find myself running out before I finish a bed. When that happens, I start hunting around the yard or shed. Sometimes I can find a few natural rocks or branches that work perfectly. If I’m feeling especially artistic, I take inspiration from my sister’s garden and create a wattle edge by weaving long branches through upright stakes. This gives the bed a charming, rustic look without costing a penny.

Sometimes, when I’m planting a bed, I realize I just need one or two more plants to complete the design. Instead of buying new plants, I look around my garden for side shoots or divisions that can fill the gaps. This “make-do” approach often results in a beautiful display—and it’s free!

When I plant something new, I like to keep a tag with it for a few reasons: 1) so I can remember its name, 2) to remind myself that the spot is taken if it’s a plant that disappears seasonally, and 3) to remember it if it doesn’t survive. If a tag isn’t included, I improvise with a strip of old Venetian blinds or a popsicle stick.

My favorite make-do trick comes from veteran Master Gardener Volunteer Laurie Sheldon. When we worked together in the bromeliads or roses, she didn’t bother with expensive rose gauntlets. Instead, she simply cut the toes off a pair of tube socks, slid them over her forearms, and put on her regular gloves—a simple, effective hack!

Many gardeners have their own “make-do” tricks. Next time you’re with a Master Gardener Volunteer, ask for their advice. With a little ingenuity and the wisdom of fellow gardeners, you can save yourself time, money, and another trip to the garden center.

— Wendy Wilber