Landscaping On A Budget

When there's landscaping work to be done, if you're hiring a landscaper, make sure you get one of the best landscapers Boise has to offer (ahem ahem, us).

But when you’re looking to do landscaping on a budget, there are actually many ways to keep costs down.

From DIYing where you can to recycling materials, here are all the ways you can spare your wallet when giving your outdoor space a makeover.

1. Planning and Design

Starting without a plan can result in many additional costs, from buying too much of a material (or buying too little and having to buy more which would cost more than if you had bought a larger quantity in the first place), to having to redo certain installations.

Start by getting an idea of what your space can accommodate:

1. Measure your yard’s dimensions
2. Observe and note down sunlight patterns and intensity, including which areas are in the shade
3. Find out what your soil type is by collecting some samples and sending them to be tested for their pH level as well as what type of soil it actually is.
4. Observe the water drainage. Waterlogging can be a serious issue, so make sure that your soil drains well, and if not, you’ll need to consider solutions like raised beds.

Then, use free online tools or apps like SketchUp or My Garden from Gardena to create the design.

2. Budgeting Tips

The next step is to decide how much you want to spend and where to allocate it to. It’s not as simple as being frugal and only spending where necessary or buying subpar materials to save money. It’s about prioritizing your needs and wants and ensuring your money is spent well and wisely.

Setting your budget:

• Take stock of your finances and consider how much you can realistically spend without stressing your finances too much.
• Get multiple quotes from different landscaping companies. Of course, you will be trying to DIY where you can. But for installations or tasks you can’t perform, make sure to check out different companies and get multiple quotes to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
• Have some buffer. Never budget just right. Always ensure you set aside 10-20% more money than you estimate you’ll need and be prepared to spend it in case of unexpected costs like soil amendments and drainage issues.

If you still find that you don’t have enough to complete the entire project, here are some ways to get around it:

• Prioritize the needs. Look through the various installations and see which ones are needs and which ones are wants. Needs are going to be things like walkways and essential plants, while wants are going to be things like decorative statues or water features.
• Consider which features will be most impactful. Certain installations and features are bound to have more of an impact. For example, mulching has significant health benefits for your plants and enhances the aesthetics of your garden.
• Split your project into phases. If you don’t have the funds to complete all the installations needed, simply work out your budget for the next few months and split the project up accordingly.

3. Cost-Effective Plants

When selecting the plants to use, we strongly encourage that you go with native plants, because they require the least watering, fertilizing, and pest control, all of which mean reduced maintenance costs (and less effort too).

Regardless of which plants you eventually decide on, it’s always cheaper to start from seeds than to have grown ones installed. You will also want to collect the seeds from existing plants at the end of each season for future use. Growing from cuttings is also another cost-effective alternative.

Alternatively, you can also grow plants for cuttings, which are faster and still very cost-effective.

You don’t always have to spend money to get the plants you want either. Plant swaps are a great way to obtain new plants by offering the plants you already have in exchange.

You can do this through your friends, neighbors, local gardening clubs, and online communities like forums and social media groups that are specifically created for the purpose of plant swaps.

4. DIY Where Possible

When you hire a professional, you’re paying for the manpower and labor costs, and even some markup on the materials. As such, DIYing will always be cheaper, which is why it makes sense to DIY where you can.

Most installations can actually be done on your own, from paths and walkways to raised garden beds. Here’s our complete guide to DIY landscaping.

5. Recycled and Repurposed Materials

Recycled and repurposed materials can also be used for certain installations and features to cut down on material costs.

Here are some examples.

Garden beds: Unused wood pallets, discarded bricks, and surplus concrete blocks can all be used to make solid raised garden beds.

Planters: Old tires can be used as planters.

Borders: Leftovers bricks, stones, and tiles can all be used to make nice garden borders.

Once again, even if you don’t have these materials yourself, groups and forums like Freecycle and Nextdoor often have people giving away these items for free.

You can also find these items for free or at a very low price on marketplaces like Craigslist or eBay and even Facebook Marketplace.

Another place you can try is local construction companies. These companies often have surplus materials from their projects that you can get for free for at nominal cost.

6. Low-Cost Lighting

When choosing the lighting to use, make sure they are energy-efficient, so LED lights are a great option. While in the short run they may cost more, they will save you money on utility bills in the long run.

You can also opt for solar lights that will save you even more on the utility bills in the long run.

7. Water-Saving Strategies

Native plants aren’t the only way to use less water. From irrigation systems to rainwater harvesting, there are plenty more ways to cut down on the water bills.

Drip irrigation systems do cost a fair amount in the beginning, but their water efficiency will save you more money on the water bills in the long run. And the best part is that they can be installed on your own with kits from DIY stores.

Using rainwater for watering your plants is another great way to immediately cut down on water use. It’s as simple as putting a bucket out to collect rainwater, or you can use rain barrels to collect more water and greater convenience.

8. Mulching and Soil Improvement

I’m sure you already know that mulching is great for plant health, but I’m guessing you didn’t know that it saves you money too.

Mulching helps retain moisture in the soil, reducing the need for watering. On top of that, mulching also inhibits weed growth, which translates to lesser spending on weeding, whether it’s herbicides or professional maintenance.

As for soil improvement, you can actually enrich your soil without having to touch your wallet.

One such way is to create your own compost so that you don’t need commercial fertilizers.

You can easily make a compost bin by filling a bucket with items like fruit and vegetable scraps, eggshells, leaves, small branches, and grass clippings.

Then, stir it once every 2 weeks or so. It should be moist, but not too wet. If it looks soggy, add some dried leaves or twigs, and if it looks too dry, add some water.

After a few months or so, it wil turn into a dark, rich, and crumbly substance that resembles good-quality soil. It should have a earthy smell too. At that point, it’s ready for use, and you have your very own DIY fertilizer that cost nothing additional to make.

As for mulch, you can make your own too using many different things. This includes leaves, straw, wood shavings, pine needles, and so on. Once you’ve gathered a good amount, simply shred them to turn them into mulch.

Many communities like city park departments and waste management departments also offer free mulch made from wood chips, Christmas trees, or leaves.

9. Lawn Alternatives

Since lawns require a fair bit of maintenance, opting for alternatives that require less maintenance can help reduce expenses significantly.

Some of these alternatives include ground covers, gravel, and meadows.

10. Maintenance and Upkeep

To end off, make sure to diligently maintain your landscape. Regular maintenance is key to preventing small problems from escalating further and requiring more costly intervention.

For example, small leaks or clogs in your irrigation system, if not fixed, can lead to larger breaks or failures that may then require professional attention.

The same goes for pests. Early detection and treatment can prevent them from getting out of hand.

All in all, ways to keep expenses low when landscaping are aplenty. This list isn’t exhaustive, so make sure to apply your own ingenuity and thinking to find more ways to spare your wallet!