Backyard Landscaping: 5 Landscaping Ideas On A Budget
The backyard is one of the most important aspects of any home. Property owners everywhere take pride in the appearance of their lawn to visitors. It is a site for family meetings and events, where you meet with your loved ones to recognize important achievements. It takes some investment in time and financial resources to have a proper backyard landscaping design, but you don’t have to clear out your 401(k) to make your lawn look like it was done by a professional. There are several things you can do on a budget to keep your plants looking great.
Take advantage of the gifts
Cities often give away trees, mulch, and compost, while demolition sites are great for bricks and stones (you should always get permission before removing anything). If you look close enough, you can find a lot of great free plants out there.
Know when to hire a professional
There will be times during your project when it will be easier for you to hire a professional landscaper. Get help for jobs that may require more strength or design skill than you have available. You should not be afraid to ask for help. While there’s a great deal of pride in doing the job yourself, you don’t want your yard to look like it needs help.
Put the project in your phases
Don’t buy everything at once as it will only drain your bank account. Dividing the project into phases will allow you to review your progress and adjust plans, as well as save you costs. It will also save you the stress of thinking, “How am I going to do all this?” Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your garden shouldn’t be landscaped in 24 hours. Take your time to make sure the job is done right.
find other resources
Look beyond the stores and check out botanical centers, plant societies, and other organizations that often do plant sales. You can usually find a good deal on perennials and other plants. Schools often hold plant and tree sales, and not only will you get them at a great price, but you’ll also be supporting great causes.
make your own compost
Use yard waste and food scraps to save on the cost of fertilizer. You can easily make compost piles from recycled 2x4s and chicken wire. Retail stores charge an average of $5 per bag of small fertilizer, and it will take many bags to properly fertilize your plants. With your own scrap items, you can save the funds.
Remember: it is your property, so you have the possibility to try different things. You might even discover a cheap way to fix up your property that isn’t listed here. Backyard landscaping should be fun and not stressful, so avoid stress by saving money.