How much would you invest (time and money)

[Chim Chiminy]

Some background info....we are a military family so we know a move is in the future, when though is the question. We will be here for at least 2 1/2 to 3 more years. We live in a "manufactured home community." That's fancy words for trailer park. This is certainly one of the nicest ones we have ever seen though.
Our lot is quite big, home itself is 1600 sq. feet. I would estimate the lot size at 1/4 acre. Corner lot. Front of home is all grass, back of home is treed.
I love to garden and work outside. Haven't really had the opportunity in four years though. Last duty station, same living situation, our lot was very small and mostly rocks. We tried fixing it up within limits of "park" but really felt our hands were tied. So you can imagine I am raring to go!

I am eager to get some nice beds around the house and a small vegetable garden, but at the same time a little hesitant about investing time and money knowing we will be moving.

What would you do?
Go ahead, plant and design away, enjoy it while you can??
Plan to give away plants or take what you can when the time comes?

 

[amid chaos]

I would choose a couple smaller areas, buy some compost and amend the soil and then plant and enjoy! If it's something you enjoy then the time and money is worth it! In a community such as yours, you won't be the only one to enjoy your gardens, I'm sure your neighbors will appreciate the life and color you have added to the community.

 

[nocnurse]

Garden in containers. Annual flowers, veggies, herbs, whatever. When you move, just bring the containers with you. Here's a link for some good sized containers that you can grow tomatoes in. http://www.gardeners.com/Shopping/sell.asp?ProdGroupID=11733&DeptPGID=19689&lstCategory=19740&RecGroupNum=1

 

[FroggyinArk]

i think i would go ahead and do some minor landscaping, maybe even go for perinial beds , three years would make it worth it, work around containers you can transport, and spend what you arte comfortable with, we have added veggie "gardens" to several rentals we were in, added a lot of trees/beds that we left, and now are on the third landscape layout in 6 years here

 

[grlpwrd]

I agree with investing in a garden. Herbs, veggies, fruits, flowers - those are good things to enjoy by sight or taste.

I would use either cheap or free materials (ie used boards or free stone or bricks) or materials that you can take with you (ie containers for container gardening) to keep costs down or at least be able to take them with you. I wouldn't invest too much $$$ if you're only there temporarily.

Yes, by all means enjoy while you can. Your next post might not be such a nice place or be very garden-friendly.

 

[Chim Chiminy]

Thanks everyone.

Love your siggie grlpwrd! I am a Daisy Girl Scout leader and I love it!

 

[Crankyshank]

If you know you're going to be there at least a couple of years, I would go ahead and do some small projects