Overview
Landscape gardening can be divided into two basic
categories: hardscaping and softscaping. Hardscaping deals with brick walkways,
patios, xeriscaping, and the like. Softscaping defines living features that
include flowers, shrubs, trees, and more. However, the leading landscape
gardening designs are those that hit a balance between hardscaping and soft
scaping. Moreover, for astute homeowners getting a balance between budget and
impact by incorporating cheap landscape gardening ideas is the main concern.
Most homeowners go to the DIY route as one of the best
possible ways to save as much money. On average, the cost of a ¼ acre of land
is around $10,000. This includes landscaping design by professionals, grading,
grass seeding, plants, and hardscaping. Still, the cost does not stop there.
The costs could rise considerably as the work goes on! But, to keep the budget
in check, we have come out below several ways to save money while still
achieving fantastic curb allure.
1. List What You Want
Make a list of the landscape gardening improvements you
actually would like. First, think in terms of lifestyle, meaning how you would
want to enjoy your property. Then, list down how much area and landscaping
features you want for this lifestyle.
Thinking of this lifestyle.
> Are you
considering an outdoor kitchen or a grilling station with an optional wet bar?
> Love hanging
out in your outdoor living room or hanging around with your fire pit?
> Do you perhaps yearn for privacy from the outside
world? You all want a suitable assortment of plants or hardscaping for privacy
and aesthetic appeal.
> Or you want to grow your vegetables.
Remember, this is a just list. So, list down all you want!
You will decide later what is essential and what is realistic for your
landscape gardening.
2. Set Your Budget
Decide how much you are willing to spend. But keep in mind
that landscape gardening improvements will also improve the value of your home.
A 12- 15% of your home value is reasonable, but ultimately that amount would
depend on your finances. This will take you further on how you plan to use the
property aside from the quality of life it brings to you.
3. Planting Perennials Plants
 |
| Sidewalks are a common form of hardscaping |
The beauty of perennial blossoms and shrubs plants is that you can just buy it once and enjoy it year after year! Choosing perennial plant varieties would offer you several colorful options in just about any climate. Many perennial plants will spread to fill more space, over time. The result is that it can give your landscape garden a great way to add a burst of color.
Although, there is an upfront cost with planting seedlings
or blooming flowers. But to save money, consider starting flowers and plants
from seeds rather than seedlings. And since it is not likely that all of the
seeds will flourish, but even then, with a less-than-green thumb, most landscape
gardeners will surely have more success getting some of those flowers to bloom.
4. Add Mulch to Freshen Up your garden
Lay mulch in the yard or flower beds to add some visual
charm at a reasonably low cost. Mulch can help maintain the good moisture that
the plants need to flourish while also insulating the roots. It will cost you
around $250 - $275 per 3 cubic meters, delivered and installed or you can save
by doing it yourself! For smaller spaces, less than $4 per bag
of mulch will do the trick. Mulch has real benefits for your garden as well as
saving on your water bill.
5. Plant Native Plants
The advantage of planting plants native to a place is that
1) it won’t stretch
your water bill.
2) it can save you
money while helping the environment
The reason for this is that native plants are organically
compatible with the precipitation in your area, so less money to water the
plants. Accordingly, native plants help reduce the need for fertilizers, help
stop erosion, and keep the local ecosystem in check. Especially in water
scarcity-prone regions of the country, this is a strategically sound approach
that can maintain your landscape garden colorful even in dry times.
6. Build Edging Around your Patio
The most economical alternative is to dig out a trench
around the existing patio and fill it with mulch. Additionally, landscaping stones could add more than a refined touch, with the added benefit that they do
not need to be replaced regularly, as mulch. Available in an assortment of
shades and sizes, landscaping stones may be cheaper than you would expect.
Though, with the lifelong effect that it will give on your landscape garden,
rocks are a fairly cheap landscaping project that will ultimately pay off for
many years.
7. Integrate Xeriscaping
Xeriscaping is an appealing landscape gardening alternative
for anybody looking to cut down on water usage. Elegant xeriscaping projects
could cost a fortune; however, it should not have to be all-or-nothing to feel
its benefits. Integrating some xeriscaping features into a segment of your
landscape gardening, you can expect significantly lower watering expenses while
having a low-maintenance garden. A small number of low-priced and DIY-friendly
xeriscaping plans include adding a gravel footpath, constructing a dry creek
bed with river rocks, and enlarging the mulched area of your garden. In return,
these can look good for your garden and do better for the ecosystem.
8. Highlights
Now, you should have a clear-cut concept of what you need
and what you want. So, it is now the best time to sit down and agree on what is
most important to your garden and you. Foremost is the safety and security of
people, pets, and property. Then, make a list in order of the things you want.
