When you first walk or drive up to a home, one of the first things you notice is the landscaping. Are there a lot of plants in the yard, or does the homeowner go for a more minimalist approach? Is there a stone walkway that leads to the front door? Your eye will be naturally drawn to any trees, flowers, or shrubs along the perimeter of the property, and at night you’ll notice outdoor lighting or LED lighting.
We may not always realize it, but landscaping can reveal a lot about our homes and ourselves. If you’re interested in improving the landscaping of your home but can’t afford to hire an overly expensive landscaping design company, there are countless ways to improve the look and curb appeal of your home, even if you’re on a tight budget.
Here are some affordable landscape ideas that will work with any budget.
Grass Can Be Overrated
First, consider ditching the grass. A shocking proposal from a landscape design company, we know. But fresh grass sod can cost up to 35 cents per square foot, and if you have a big yard, that money adds up quickly. Instead, consider replacing the grass with low-maintenance ground cover such as thyme, bishop’s weed, or lamium. These plants grow quickly and are not majorly affected by the weather. Buy five or ten of these, plant them around your yard (they work best in places that are difficult to maintain) and watch them germinate and spread gorgeous flowers and leaves throughout your yard.
Start a Compost Bin for Free Fertilizer
Another great money-saving idea is to mix your soil with homemade compost. The benefits of this are twofold: first, homemade compost is nutrient dense and will help your yard flourish. Second, composting keeps organic matter out of the trash and puts it to good use. Although composting requires some time and effort, the results are well worth it. If you don’t have the time for full composting, you can simply mix the soil with coffee grounds as an alternative.
Think Small, Grow Big
Instead of buying bigger plants to take up more space, buy smaller plants and give them time to mature and grow. Smaller plants cost much less, and you might be surprised at how quickly they will mature when properly maintained.
Even Garden Stores Have Sales
Finally, one of the best ways to save money during any landscaping project is to wait until the end of the season to purchase plants and other landscaping supplies. This is when stores are most eager to rid their shelves of plants. Some plants on clearance may not look the healthiest, but they are easily salvageable if planted promptly and watered efficiently. The end of spring and the end of summer are generally when the highest discounts are available. A landscaping design company could charge you through the nose for plants of the same quality, but buying at these times of year could save you up to 90%.
Landscaping on a budget isn’t easy, but it is entirely possible, and definitely worth it. Remember: spending 5% of your home’s overall value on landscaping can increase the resale value by 15%. To maximize your investment, work with a local landscaping design company that understands your budget. Let your landscapers know that you want to try some of these tips to keep your home looking as fresh and welcoming as possible.
