Anyone with experience in the world of design knows that landscaping is as important for setting the tone of your home as your interiors are.
Not only does the right landscaping give you a cozy oasis in your own yard, for family fun, or backyard get-togethers. The improvements to your curb appeal and added resale value of your home explains why you should take your landscaping seriously. But not everyone has the funds to hire a professional or tackle a huge exterior design project.
Luckily, we’ve got tips and tricks from the experts to save you money on your garden redesign
1. Make Landscaping On A Budget Part Of The Plan
The best way to save money is to plan ahead and budget before you start. If you’re a beginner when it comes to landscaping, it’s a good idea to tackle your backyard space one job at a time.
According to LandHub, “It’s still wise to know what you’re going for overall and set a reasonable budget for what you’re going to spend. Get the whole family involved, and work out what you’ll need the space for, and how you’ll use it to best effect. A cozy seating area here, a vegetable patch there, and rock garden in that corner, and together, you’ll craft the perfect space for your family, with a plan on how to carry it all out!”
2. Flex Your DIY Muscles
If you’re skilled at carpentry or gardening, cut costs by doing the bulk of the work yourself. If you’re new to DIY landscaping, there are plenty of resources available, from the internet to your local home and garden center.
They can advise you how to prune back stubborn shrubbery, which power tools you absolutely need to get the garden you want, and which are the best chainsaws for firewood, or log removal. You can even learn to build your own irrigation system, to ensure your plants always get the water they need to thrive.
3. Use Alternatives To Mulch
Speaking of your home and garden center; landscaping on a budget means avoiding expensive and ultimately pointless luxuries like store-bought mulch and plant food.
You can save money on mulch, by using natural mulch like grass clippings, leaves, discarded branches roots, and other garden debris. Instead of buying plant food and nutrient-rich soil, you can start a kitchen compost of plant matter, that will help keep your garden growing strong, and help you give back to the environment, without costing you anything.
4. Make Use Of Space: Go Vertical
Instead of spending money to clear the small corners of your garden, make better use of the space that’s easier to access, by going vertical. Like hanging shelving on an indoor wall, a trellis can help give you some privacy, and offer space for vine plants to grow up, instead of out. That means they won’t get trampled, or make the backyard feel scattered and crowded. Drawing the eye upward also helps you make the space feel bigger and more inviting.
5. Upcycle Where You Can
Even if you’re not a DIY expert, landscaping on a budget gives you a great opportunity to get creative. Upcycling glass bottles to make lanterns is a great way to get cheap lighting in your garden. Repainting old wooden chairs or tables for the backyard saves you money on furniture, and using an old tire as a hanging planter means it doesn’t end up in a landfill, and instead adds some rustic charm to your outdoor living space.
If you’ve completed a recent renovation, use the leftover wood to create quick and easy “bloom boxes” with a handful of wildflower seeds or your favorite herbs. These smaller boxes are a great way to utilize space, and also make great starter beds for delicate young shoots. Leftover terracotta or ceramic tile from a kitchen or bathroom job makes for great stepping stones to decorate a yard.
Visit flea markets and antique shops for quick and easy finds you can work with for those personal, creative touches that will make your outdoor space feel uniquely yours.
6. Plant Trees
Planting trees is more than just good for the environment. Trees offer a barrier between your yard and the weather.
Plant a tree as a focal point in your yard, or a row of small, hardy trees to act as a shield against high wind and rain. Plant smaller flowers and plants at the foot of the trees so you make the most of the ground cover and protection offered by the trees. This way the tree’s roots won’t crowd out other plants and flowers. Smaller trees like Dogwood or Witch Hazel work best in a smaller space, and a silver maple works best in urban areas with a medium-sized yard.
7. Don’t Overgroom Your Lawn
It sounds counter-intuitive, but if you’ve got a lawn and yard to show off, try not to get obsessed with the weeds. Weed and crabgrass killers can get expensive, and often have an adverse effect on the local wildlife. It’s better to use weed whackers and strimmers if you’re worried about weeds. Experts advise that you shouldn’t get too hung up about the odd dandelion or patch of long grass.
Long grass actually protects your garden from weeds, by providing more adequate shade and crowding out weed growth. Dandelions are inviting for butterflies and bees, which will help your garden. Keep your edges trimmed with a strimmer, and minimize cutting the grass. Stay away from the herbicides that kill crabgrass, and choose natural options, such as planting near shade and under cover of other plants.
Landscaping can be one of the most creative and rewarding aspects of design for your home, whether you’re a first-time buyer or a veteran homeowner. Your garden can be enjoyed by the whole family, and, though it takes some hard work, and a bit of DIY know-how, you can create a comfortable family space in the great outdoors, without breaking the bank.