If you recently bought a house, you probably can’t wait for spring to come. You’ve already personalized the home itself- when the snow and ice disappear for another season, you can start planting flowers and adding some landscaping touches that make the place even more ‘yours.’
Like many new homeowners, you may be on a budget after putting down a deposit and moving your entire family. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself to a show-worthy yard. In this blog, the team at Green Collar Landscaping shares six budget-friendly yard upgrades that can make the property look like a million bucks.
1. Vertical Gardening- the Art of Growing Up
Vertical gardens have been around for over 80 years. They started out as a unique form of outdoor architecture and are now used by thousands of homes and businesses to incorporate plants and greenery indoors as well as out. A vertical garden can be as simple as vines growing on a trellis or as elaborate as an entire living wall.
If you are looking to create a budget-friendly vertical garden, you can use simple and inexpensive materials such as PVC pipes, gutters, or pallets as the backdrop. These materials can often be found for free or at a low cost, making them a great choice for those on a tight budget.
Selecting low-maintenance plants that will thrive in your climate and growing conditions will help you save additional money. These plants are typically easier to care for and require less water, fertilizer, and maintenance than more delicate or exotic varieties, making them one of the most budget-friendly yard upgrades.
2. Get Creative- DIY to Save Money
While some landscaping projects, such as a retaining wall or outdoor kitchen, call for professional installation, other budget-friendly yard upgrades can be easily accomplished with some low-cost supplies and a lot of creativity!
For example, you can:
- Make your own mulch from grass clippings, fallen leaves, and tree branches collected from your yard. Mulch keeps your plants healthy when added to your flower beds and tree edges.
- Create a ‘dry stream’ by digging a small trench, lining it with landscaping fabric, and filling it with gravel, stones, or rocks. This simple trick makes it look like a stream once ran through the yard.
With a little creativity, you can come up with similar budget-friendly yard upgrades!
3. Use Stone- Nature’s Building Component
Rocks and stones can enhance your outdoor space by adding a natural, earthy element. Here are some ideas for incorporating these budget-friendly yard upgrades into your landscaping:
- A stone pathway can connect the different areas of your yard while adding a natural look overall.
- Retaining walls or decorative walls made from stone can serve as a focal point in your landscape design.
- You can use various sizes and types of stones to create a natural-looking rock garden.
- Stones can be used as edging around flower beds, trees, or other landscaping features to create a defined border.
- You can use large stones to create seating areas or benches in your garden or yard.
Remember to consider the size and placement of the stones to create a balanced and visually appealing look.
4. Plug and Play- Use Outdoor Lighting
Adding outdoor lighting to your landscape design can enhance its beauty and functionality. When you purchase lights designed specifically for outdoor use, you can use it in the following ways:
- Highlight the unique features of your landscape, such as trees, shrubs, flowers, and other architectural elements. You can use uplighting to illuminate a tree from the ground up or downlighting to cast a soft glow on a garden.
- Draw attention to a focal point in your landscape, such as a water feature, a statue, or a seating area, and make it more inviting.
- Improve the safety and security of your home by illuminating walkways, stairs, and other potential hazards.
- Create a warm and inviting atmosphere for your outdoor entertaining areas.
- To create depth and interest in your landscape, use a variety of lighting types, such as pathway lighting and string lighting.
5. Group Planting for Outdoor Staging
Grouping plants can help create visual interest, provide structure, and make it easier to care for your garden. When done with creative flair, grouping creates such an impressive visual effect that you can actually buy fewer plants and save money.
Here are some tips for successful grouping:
- Group plants with similar water, sun, and soil requirements. This will make it easier to care for them and ensure they thrive.
- Go for similar textures in each group to create contrast and interest in your garden. For example, you might group plants with fine, feathery foliage or plants with large, bold leaves.
- Use groupings to create focal points in your garden. For example, you might group a cluster of brightly colored flowers together to create a focal point in a corner of your garden.
- Group plants of different heights to create depth and interest in your garden. For example, you might group taller plants at the back of a border, with medium-height ones in the middle, and shorter ones at the front.
With a little planning and consideration, you can create beautiful and functional plant groupings that enhance the beauty and enjoyment of your garden. A few plants can make a huge impact, making this tip one of the most effective budget-friendly yard upgrades.
6. Shop for Clearance Items
Using clearance items in your garden can be a great way to save money and add some unique character to your outdoor space. These items are often sold at a discounted price because they are out of season, slightly damaged, or have been discontinued. These budget-friendly yard upgrades include:
- Plants: Many nurseries and home improvement stores offer discounted plants that are slightly damaged or out of season. These plants may have some brown leaves or be wilted, but they can still be revived with proper care.
- Containers: Clearance containers, such as pots or hanging baskets, can add a pop of color or texture to your garden.
- Garden decor: Clearance garden decor can include everything from statues to birdhouses to wind chimes. These items can add personality to your garden and create a unique focal point.
Remember to always inspect clearance items before purchasing to ensure they are in good condition and will work well for your specific gardening needs
Which Budget-Friendly Yard Upgrades Are on Your To-Do List?
By looking for deals on plants, trees, and other landscaping materials while doing as much of the work as possible yourself, you can create a beautiful outdoor space that fits your budget. If you’re especially creative, no one will ever know you used a budget in the first place.
At Green Collar Landscaping, we hope you get the most out of your DIY landscaping projects this spring. If you decide you want a feature that calls for a professional touch, such as an outdoor kitchen, fountain, or backyard pool, we’d be happy to help! To learn more or get a no-obligation quote, call us today at 289.204.7621.