5 Ideas for Beautiful (but Frugal) Landscaping

Who doesn’t want one of those gorgeous, fancy yards you see in the pages of magazines or featured on TV? Unfortunately a lot of those lovely features come with a not so lovely price tag attached. Don’t lose hope though! There are plenty of frugal ways to spruce up your yard when you’re living on a budget!

Here are a few tips to get you started followed by some specific tips for staying within budget!

Step One – Choose Your Vision

Whether you find an example in a magazine or online, it really helps if you have a rough idea of what you’d like to do. You don’t need specifics, but having a set idea or goal can keep your costs down by preventing pointless spending. Consider researching your particular house style to see what other people do for gardens. Don’t be afraid to take a peek at what your neighbors have done.

Step Two – Plan and Set Manageable Goals

Research will be crucial. Many homeowners make the mistake of planting flowers and shrubs at the wrong time of year or choosing plants not suited for their environment. Do some research on what plants fit your climate. Consider the pros and cons of annual v. perennial planting. Also research proper care of the plants you’ve chosen and how much maintenance is involved. Keep in mind, sometimes LESS is better.

Step Three – Make A List and Budget

Lists can help prevent splurges and unintended purchases. Use your research to plan your purchases carefully. Keep in mind that not all plants are available at all times of the year and that some items drop in price depending on the timing. For example, plants you may not have access to all spring and summer, however, often times decorative stones, benches, and figurines are often discounted during the fall months. You could always purchase items for NEXT year, assuming you have somewhere to store them.

Okay, you’ve done your research. You’ve made your plan. Perhaps you have even started purchasing items on your list. What else can you do to save money?

1. Mulch or stones – You could easily pay a great deal of money for the perfect color mulch or perfect sized stones. If you are looking for this landscaping materials, try contacting your local Department of Works or Highway department. In some cases they will either drop off or let you come and get wood chips or stone as a courtesy for being a resident. It may be worth a shot. If all else fails, try to choose a color or style that is fairly common.  That way you can either gradually purchase it or comparison shop.
2. Decorations – Depending on your chosen inspiration there may be no need to spend a lot of money on decorations. Keep your eye out for interesting pieces of driftwood or spare wood, antiques, or even rocks. You could even purchase some inexpensive paint and paint the rocks or wood.
3. Do-It-Yourself Projects – Not all do-it-yourself projects need to be scary. The internet has many great and simple ways to landscape your yard or garden. Consider using materials you already have. For example, old tires can be painted and turned into pretty center pieces for a rustic garden. Keep your eye out for items that could be easily rehabbed for your yard such as old benches, bird houses, lawn ornaments, and more. Many of these items can be re-painted or re-purposed. There are even directions for making your own mosaic stepping stones! 
4. Shop the Sale Rack – After the peak of the planting season many stores will put their plants on super sale to try to get them cleared out. Particularly if plants start looking scraggly and unkempt. In many cases some TLC will bring these plants back to life. Keep in mind that annual plants may be cheaper but need to be re-planted yearly while perennials will (hopefully) come back year after year but are more expensive. Figure out which suits your needs and the type of care each requires.
5. Take Your Time – This may seem like a no-brainer. Seriously, we are all human. You may not complete your perfectly landscaped yard the first season of working on it. And you know what? That’s OKAY. Do not stress out about it and definitely do not break your budget for it. Have patience and keep your eyes peeled for good deals. One of the biggest problems you can run into is getting impatient and breaking your budget.

These are just a few tips to help you landscape your yard without breaking the bank! Most of all have fun and enjoy the nice weather.