5 Tips for Landscaping on a Budget
Landscape costs vary based on many factors, including the scope of the project, the size of the property, the cost of materials and labor, and the ongoing cost of maintenance. In general, according to HomeAdvisor, the cost of landscape installation averages around $3,505 and ranges anywhere between $1,255 and $6,042 or more.
In general, installing and maintaining soil, lawn, and plants (called “softscaping”) is less expensive than installing hardscaping features such as patios, walkways, terraces, retaining walls, gazebos, etc. In addition, the price for new home landscaping installation is markedly higher than updating existing landscape features. The need to bring in topsoil, install walkways, patios, and retaining walls, flowerbeds and more will generally cost a newly built homeowner upwards of 10% of the property’s value.
The following are some ways to save yourself some money as you beautify the outside of your home. Hint: a lot of cost can be saved if you do it yourself.
Plan Ahead
The amount of maintenance and, ultimately, cost a garden requires, “depends precisely on how the garden was designed or planned,” says noted horticultural designer, Tracy DiSabato-Aust in her book The Well-Tended Perennial Garden.
According to DiSabato-Aust, questions to be asked before the design stage include: “How much time and money can be devoted to the upkeep? Who is going to do the maintenance—the owner, a professional crew, or a combination of the two?” Site locations, light and soil conditions, and watering needs should all be taken into consideration before any digging or planting begins.
2. Plant Easy-to-Care for Perennials & Native Species
Perennial flowers are plants that come back every year. Easy-to-care for deer-resistant perennial flowers like Russian sage, bleeding heart, or creeping phlox will help you save money and time because you won’t have to replant in the spring.
For even easier care and less expense--andthe added-bonus of protecting the health of your local ecosystem--opt for native plants. Native plants are plants that are indigenous to or have been naturalized (evolved over centuries) in your area. Because of this, they are well-adapted to local growing conditions. They are generally disease and pest resistant and thrive in a garden without needing as much attention, water, pruning, or fertilizing as do non-native plants.
3. Opt for Affordable Hardscaping
While the plants and living elements in your landscape and gardens are known as “softscapes,” non-living elements--like stone, brick, pavers—are known as “hardscapes.” Some of the most affordable hardscaping materials include mulch, pea gravel, bark, rocks, shredded leaves, brick chips, and sand. In addition, purchasing hardscaping material in bulk is much less expensive than buying bagged mulch or rocks at a home improvement store.
For free mulch or woodchips, you can try contacting local arborist companies or use ChipDrop, which works with local companies to deliver woodchips directly to you for free. First you create an online user account. Then, once a participating company working nearby has a truckload of chips, they will drop them off to you. ChipDrop states that it has a “basic quality control process,” however if using ChipDrop or any bulk mulch delivery service, it’s a good idea to ask questions about their sourcing and quality control. Realize that if a tree is being cut down because it is diseased or dying, you may want to think twice about adding woodchips from that tree to your garden. However, using these woodchips for patio areas or playscapes should be fine.
4. Reuse Materials and Plants
One great way to save on costs is to reuse materials and plants already on your property. For example, turf removed to create walkways or garden beds can be used to fill in patchy areas of lawn. Sun-faded mulch that’s still in good condition can be moved to and spread on less visible parts of your property. Rocks uncovered while digging up a garden bed can be used to create retaining walls or to outline paths. Even plants can be reused and moved.
5. Do Some Work Yourself
As already hinted to, a lot of the cost of landscaping can be reduced by doing projects yourself. Landscapers generally charge between $50 to $100/hour, depending upon the market and your property’s location. Laying mulch, weeding, planting flowers, raking, etc., are tasks that are not only simple to do, but will save you money if you do them yourself. Even adding hardscaping elements like stone or brick patios or walkways can be a DIY project if you do simple projects, such as laying down a brick walkway using sand rather than concrete as a base.
However, doing a landscaping project yourself will not be cheaper in the long-run and, in fact, could be quite costly if the project requires a lot of time, expertise (such as dealing with drainage issues), or the use of special equipment that you simply don’t have.
Beyond saving on cost, the physical benefits of doing your own gardening and landscaping activities are priceless. Gardening involves plenty of movement, burns calories, and is considered a good exercise option. For example, a 175-pound person can burn approximately 180 calories after thirty minutes of weeding, raking, planting, or pruning. Plus, creating and taking care of your outside space not only increases the curb appeal of your property, but for many people, imparts a sense of great satisfaction, too.
Article Sources:
How Much Does Landscaping Installation Cost?, Home Advisor
The Well-Tended Perennial Garden by Tracy DiSabato-Aust. ** Please note that when you buy through this affiliate link, I may earn a commission.
Growing conditions for Russian sage, bleeding heart, and creeping phlox, The Spruce
What is Hardscraping?, Realtor.com
For Gardeners & FAQ, ChipDrop
The Ultimate Guide to Masonry & Concrete by Creative Homeowner Series ** Please note that when you buy through this affiliate link, I may earn a commission.
Weeding is Good Exercise, Purdue University