Landscaping on a Budget

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There are two ways to save money when landscaping:

First—do it yourself. Not only will you save on labor costs, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that you invested the time and energy to see the project through, from planning to planting.

The other way to save is to shop for bargains on your landscape tools, materials and plantings (just remember, never sacrifice quality for a cheap price).

Here’s a list of tips that can help you plan, prepare, purchase and plant while preserving pennies in your pocket.

Save Money Planning

• Use landscaping software to play with design ideas before-or instead of-consulting a professional landscaping service
• Plot your plan out ahead of time, but be flexible enough to change gears if a quality bargain comes along

Save Money Building

• Create your own patio furniture from extras, such as scrap lumber, bricks or even logs
• Instead of hiring a concrete contractor to put in a sidewalk, make your own garden walkways using flat rocks
• If it matches your theme, recycle—find old barn lumber to use for fences and accents instead of buying new at the lumberyard
• Use materials that your property offers naturally—if your yard is littered with rocks, build a rock wall using brick mortar

Save Money Planting

• When putting in a lawn, shop around and use the method that is least expensive for your area: seed grass, hydro seeding, or laying sod
• Create your own organic compost from leaves, grass clippings and produce scraps (refer to a compost book for detailed instructions)
• Build your own landscape potting containers from wood, pored concrete or even painted, inside-out auto tires
• If your property is wooded, consider investing in (or renting) a chipper to make your own decorative wood chips from tree trimmings

Save Money Shopping

• Order in bulk and ask for a discount on large orders
• Use materials that weren’t designed for landscaping but work just as well—concrete test plugs work for garden borders, old railroad ties make excellent steps, walls and fence posts, and military shipping containers make unique fish ponds
• Shop in unusual places for landscape bargains—estate sales, military surplus stores, thrift stores and local, online auctions are all good sources
• Shop out of season—buy gardening tools in the late fall when stores put them on sale to make room for holiday merchandise

An often-overlooked perk to smart shopping—bargain hunters have powerful boasting rights when showing off their great landscape finds to friends and neighbors. So, shop smart, work hard and think outside the box; your wallet will be happy you made the effort.