Finding affordable landscaping is tough. You are better off tackling easy backyard projects that you can do yourself rather than paying a professional. Here are a few frugal landscaping ideas that will allow you to upgrade your yard on a budget.
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These landscaping ideas on a budget mean more money YOU!
My husband and I are passionate about our outdoor space. From the patio and fish pond to the pots of jalapenos and pretty flowers by the mailbox. It makes us happy to see an area that is both comfortable and attractive.
However, with two teens who have college aspirations, our budget is limited. That means there is no hiring a gardener or spending a fortune on decorative lawn accessories. We have found, over the years, that it is possible (with a little work!) to keep your yard looking nice without going broke. Frugal landscaping ideas abound if you are willing to put in the time and effort
If you don’t want to be doing yard work every week, though, look for low maintenance landscaping ideas. Don’t bite off more than you can chew if you have little kids, a job, and not much free time to tackle pruning and weeding your lawn.
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Frugal Landscaping Ideas
When looking for new ways to upgrade your yard on a budget, you need to be realistic. It won’t be as easy as just picking up the phone and calling in a professional.
You will need to use a bit of creativity and hard work to achieve the look you want but the results will be worth it in the end. Try these frugal backyard landscaping ideas before throwing in the towel and hiring help! Because ‘help’ comes at a steep price!
Plant Perennials
Planting annuals every year gets expensive. Yes, they are usually pretty and show off with lots of colors. However, there are lots of perennial plants that attract bees and butterflies, that also make pretty flowers and will save you a ton of money in the years to come. (if you are looking for low maintenance landscaping plants, perennials are a great choice!)
Try planting bulbs like:
- tulips (you can easily buy tulip bulbs on Amazon)
- hyacinths (my favorite!)
- tiger lilies, and more.
They all create showy flowers and will come back year after year without any additional money coming out of your pocket. More ‘show’ and less ‘work’ is one of my favorite frugal landscaping ideas!
Hyacinths (shown above) also smell amazing when you cut them and put them in a vase on your counter! To save money, find cheap organic gardening solutions right in your pantry! Organic gardening lets you skip the chemicals and save the pollinators.
Get mulch in bulk
When you buy mulch in bags at your local hardware store, you are paying for convenience. Call up your local tree trimming place and ask if they offer free mulch for delivery. Or even CHEAP mulch!
The places we have around here are happy to dump a truckload of shredded trees into our driveway for free because it means they don’t have to store it somewhere. We then spend the next 2 days working our behinds off in the sun spreading it out in the landscaping.
Mulching also helps save money on your water bill because you reduce your outdoor water usage, which is another frugal perk of free mulch!
Learn to do it yourself
Tackling DIY yard projects may seem daunting but it can save you a ton of money. When my husband wanted a fish pond with a waterfall in the backyard, he bought a few books and started reading.
He went to pond supply stores and talked to the manager. There was definitely a bit of trial and error involved. There were a few frustrating leaks and slightly crooked rock placement. But, over the years we have learned, fixed, and upgraded so that we have an outdoor water feature that he really loves.
If we had hired a professional, it would have cost us thousands of dollars and it would not have been anywhere near as satisfying. We now have a peaceful backyard space that he is very proud of.
Invest in yard ideas that save money
Just like mulching saves you money on water, other backyard DIY projects can also save you money in the long run. Invest in landscaping projects that will shave money off your monthly expenses.
Plant fruit trees in your yard and learn to preserve your harvest. Plant an edible garden full of tomatoes and jalapenos and sell some homemade salsa at the farmer’s market. Invest in a rain barrel and save money on your outdoor water bill.
Consider outdoor solar lighting for your patio. Any solar panels you install around your home will help you save money on your electric bill.
Look for frugal landscaping ideas ONLINE
Impulse buys during the height of the gardening season are rarely a good idea for your budget. Here are a few ways you can shop smart:
- Be patient and wait for good deals at the end of the season and then shop for next year.
- Use reclaimed items like leftover bricks, cinder blocks, or wooden beams.
- Check out garage sales for second-hand items or look on Craigslist for things people might be giving away. I have seen lots of people in our neighborhood Facebook group who offer free plants every spring when they divide their perennials.
- Look for deals online There are a ton of ways to save money on your outdoor projects when shopping online. Often, signing up for a company’s email list will get you a discount code in your inbox.
Affordable landscaping earns you money!
Learn how to landscape a yard on a budget and spend your pennies wisely! It is definitely possible to upgrade your yard without spending a fortune. And, in the long run, a well cared for yard will MAKE YOU MONEY. If you are considering selling your home in the near future, you will have much better luck if your yard offers a bit of curb appeal for your property.
Like this post about frugal landscaping ideas? Try these tips for homeowners as well:
- How to be an Eco Friendly Home Owner : Here are a few green ideas for home owners to tackle in the coming months.
- Foodscaping Ideas for Beginning Gardeners: Edible gardening is the perfect way to create an attractive yet functional collection of plants.
- Cool Things to Do with Old Tires : There are plenty of cool things to do with old tires if you want to be creative. If you are looking for yard ideas on a budget, upcycling is awesome!
And there is no reason to wait until you decide to sell to upgrade your outdoor space. Create an attractive outdoor living area and learn to relax and absorb the peace and quiet on a warm Saturday afternoon! Check out my post about sustainable backyard design ideas for more inspiration.
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Diane is a professional blogger and nationally certified pharmacy technician at Good Pill Pharmacy. She earned her BS in Microbiology at the University of New Hampshire and has worked in cancer research, academics, and biotechnology. Concern over the growing incidence of human disease and the birth of her children led her to begin living a more natural life. She quickly realized that the information she was learning along the way could be beneficial to many others and started blogging and freelance writing to share this knowledge with others. Learn more about her HERE.
These are such cool ideas! We live in the city so it not possible for us to have a huge garden but my mom loves to have a little bit of greenery around the house!
There are so many things you can grow indoors! Windowsill herb gardens are always fun.
Those looks like such great tips when trying to do outdoor work on the cheap. I really wish I were better at some of that DIY stuff. I know that my dad was always that guy and it was very admirable.
My dad is an amazing DIY guy. I didn’t inherit much of it but am happy my husband is willing to tackle a few projects!
It’s times like these I wish I didn’t live in an apartment lol. I’ll definitely share this with my parents though. They have a huge back yard.
We did the apartment living for a while and it was rough not having some green space!
Where did you live? Our apartment has a front and backyard, three playgrounds and a park!?
We lived in a ground floor apartment in Houston. We had a cement balcony area and that is it. All we could fit out there were a couple of potted plants!