Tips for Landscaping on a Budget
Breathing new life into your landscape does not have to be an expensive project. In fact, there are many exciting and creative ways to spruce up your property without spending a lot of money.
No matter what type of budget you have set aside for your landscape, you always have options. Whether you are working with a professional company or getting your own hands dirty, this blog post should provide you with inspiration and a great starting point for your landscaping project.
Plan Everything Before Getting Started
It can be easy to overlook things when you rush into a landscaping project. By taking the time to plan your approach carefully or working with a professional landscape designer, you will be able to avoid issues that add to the cost of your project. A well-laid plan will also ensure that your job can be completed efficiently, which may also help you save money.
Work with What You Have
If you are trying to come up with ideas for a landscaping project, the solution might be right in front of you. Rather than spending your entire budget on a new addition to your landscape, expanding your existing features is a great way to make the most of your finances. Adding plants to your garden or extending your patio are great ways to enhance the appearance of your landscape without a huge investment.
Use Eye-Catching Plants to Create Focal Points
Skilled landscape designers will be able to use the layout of your property to your advantage. By using plants of a variety of sizes or colors, you can draw attention to key areas of your landscape and complement the rest of your property. If you have a small area to work with, or you can’t afford to give your entire landscape a makeover, then it helps to get deliberate about where you add things.
Grow Your Own Grass
If you need a new lawn, or your existing lawn is looking patchy, then you can save money by seeding it. Although laying sod is a popular method of getting a new lawn quickly, it also comes with increased expenses. Although growing your own grass takes a bit longer and requires more work, it can also significantly reduce the cost of getting a full lawn.
A Healthy Lawn Is an Attractive Lawn
When it comes to making your landscape look its best, a little care goes a long way. Spending your entire budget on a new hardscape or water feature will not cover up dead or patchy grass, so it makes sense to focus on basic tasks before spending money on larger additions. Lawn maintenance services, such as fertilization and aeration, are a cost-effective way of increasing the appearance of your landscape.
By maintaining the health of your lawn, you will also be able to avoid expenses going forward. Regularly tending to your landscape will deter pests from making their home on your property, and it is typically much easier to keep your lawn healthy than it is to revive dying grass.
Recycle Old Materials
You don’t need to invest in expensive landscape features to give your property character. If you have extra building materials sitting around, why not get creative and turn them into landscape decorations? Materials such as old tires or wood can look amazing with a coat of paint, so keep an eye out for materials that you can repurpose for your landscape.
Plant Perennials
Perennials are plants and flowers that regrow year after year. This is in contrast to annuals, which only bloom once before dying. If you are looking for a smart investment in your landscape, then choosing perennials is a great way to cut down on annual expenses. There are many amazing perennials that can add a splash of color to any property, so do some research into what you would like for your beds.
Look for Cheap Landscape Lighting
Installing landscape lights is a great way to brighten up your property and allow you to spend time outdoors in the evening. That being said, you don’t need to invest in high-end landscape lighting to enjoy these benefits. There are many affordable methods of brightening up your property, so you should consider adding some LEDs to your backyard.
Build a Fireplace
Just like landscape lighting, a firepit will allow you to get cozy outside in the evenings. You can build outdoor firepits out of a variety of affordable materials, such as rocks or metal, which make them a fantastic investment in any landscape.
Grow a Vertical Garden
Creating a garden is not just for spacious backyards. If you are short on space but still want to grow a garden, then you should start thinking upwards. Building a vertical planter or attaching plants to walls is a great way to maximize your use of space. Going vertical is also a great opportunity to use the materials you recycled for your landscape, allowing you to save money with a fun DIY project.
Use Mulch
Laying mulch on your flowerbeds and exposed soil is a great way to make your landscape look unified and complete. Not only will it look great, but it will also help maintain the health of your plants and soil. Mulch comes in a variety of colors to match the appearance of your landscape, and there are also affordable alternatives to mulch if you are looking to save even more money.
Landscaping on a Budget? Contact SML Services!
If you are looking for even more ideas on how you can improve your landscape without overspending, the landscape experts at SML Services are here to help. We offer a variety of personalized landscaping services for all price ranges, so we guarantee we can help you design a landscape that matches your budget.
Get in touch with us today by calling us at (202) 972-0750 or emailing us at quote@smldmc.com. One of our staff members will be happy to discuss your ideas and provide you with a trustworthy quote.