I now see you did post pics lol. Very nice, what a find of the walkway!

Wonderful progress and nice use of found objects and making the tutuer.

One way to the increase your plants is to divide the phlox? and other large plants in the fall. Or start cuttings now.

Winter sowing was the easiest and least expensive way I found to add perennials to my garden. If you are not in a higher zone you can use ws techniques to start perennials any time. Maybe start some quick growing annuals now. Zinnias, rudbeckia, alyssum, etc. by ws or directly in the garden.

Also plant swaps. I go to both spring and fall swaps to share plants through city sponsored swaps. They welcome new gardeners from all over and don't require a one to one swap. Some will accept garden equipment, accessories, and magazines/books as well.

A quick space reducer is to add a small chair and table, just for looks. You don't have to use it compacting the soil in your bed. Or a piece of garden art, old bike, farm equipment etc.

A great start! Keep us updated

Sherry

Coming along nicely!

Very nice - great walkway find, and I love your tuteur! I am also starting out and on a budget - my money saving suggestion is to haunt the clearance rack of garden centers. Many people won't shop big box stores for various reasons, and that's fine, but if it doesn't bother you, you can find some pretty good deals and fill in your garden quickly. For example, today I got two feather reed grasses for $1. Sure, they're small, but so were the ones I planted last year, which are now 5' tall. Now I just have to store them in the bright shade until fall, pop them in the garden, and next year, they'll already be raring to go. The big stores will put perfectly fine plants on clearance to make room, or because the leaves are a bit droopy, or they are done blooming. I have a hydrangea in my yard that was on clearance for $6 when I found it earlier this year (I think it's crime was droopy leaves), and it has been blooming since May. I second the zinnias, too - you have just enough time to get them to bloom before frost, probably, and you basically just have to drop the seeds on the ground. (At least, that's how I do it.)