General Info

Landscaping on a budget doesn't necessarily mean you have to sacrifice all your landscape design dreams and set that chevy up on blocks in the front yard. It just means you're going to have to work harder to find what you're looking for at a better price, or be willing to comprise a little.

Have you ever seen that home design program that shows you an exquisitely designed room costing $10,000 dollars or more, and then they show you how to duplicate the feel of the design, while spending a fraction of the cost? You can apply that same mindset to designing your landscape on a budget.

Step one. Sketch out a basic landscape design plan for your property, get on the internet or go to your local library and do your own research on plants suitable for your zone. Even a trip to that professional nursery will teach you what plants are commonly available in your landscaping region. You can get a feel for what plants you 'd like to include in your landscape design, and check the tags for price and growing requirements. Planning and researching on your own will save you the cost of a professional design plan right off the bat.

Step two. Begin comparison shopping for your landscape materials. Flexibility at this stage could save you hundreds of dollars. Perhaps the landscape section at the local discount department store doesn't have the exact evergreens you had set your heart on at the landscape nursery, but they do have decent junipers on sale that will still fulfill your design requirements. If you are able to compromise and go with the junipers in your landscape instead, then you understand the necessary mindset needed to recreate your dream landscape on a realistic budget. As long as these landscape plants are healthy, you are still getting value. Continue to apply this theory to all your plant purchases and you should arrive at a respectable, attractive landscape that you will still enjoy.

Step three. Architectural elements for your landscape. Benches, birdbaths, trellises, statuary, and other ornamental landscape elements can really add individual character to your budget landscape design. Again, if you can set aside your preconceived notions of what you want and be open to what's available, and hopefully on sale, you can adjust your landscape design ideas and create slightly different space within your landscape, maybe one that you like even better than your original choice.

Step four. Installing your new landscape. Yes, digging those pits for your junipers and bedding plants, hauling that stone bird bath, and mulching everything by yourself can be hard, dirty work. Maybe it's worth it to throw a landscaping party and invite your friends to come share the "fun" with the promise of a barbecue dinner and cold beverages when it's over. It's definitely less expensive than hiring landscape professionals to do the heavy work, and probably a lot more fun.

Remember, you can substitute landscape professionals in any of the four steps, but you'll be raising the cost of your landscape budget. However, it may well be worth the extra cost in exchange for the wealth of experience you'll be gaining. In the end, all that matters is that you get the best value for your money, and wind up with a great landscape you'll love to spend time in.