Garden recommendations -

- put down landscaping fabric and cover it with bark - will control the weeds.

- plant perennials, mostly - annuals have to be replaced all the time (although they can be grown easily from seed, which is cost effective).

- ask friends and neighbors for cuttings, or bulbs from plants that have to be thinned out. You can get a lot of plants for free if you ask around.

- look around at neighbors' yards for ideas of plants that seem to do well in your area.