The 10 Best Inexpensive Landscaping Options
Anyone who is trying to get more bang for their buck out of the outdoor areas of their home is going to want to pay a bit of attention to this article. That’s because we have several tips for sprucing up the backyard or the front yard of a home. Many people avoid thinking about doing too much with their landscaping because they’re worried that it’s going to cost them an arm and a leg. That certainly doesn’t have to be the case, however, as we show below with the following tips. Below are the best inexpensive landscaping options that homeowners have available to them.
1. Driveway Planters
A simple idea that can provide a whole lot of visual return is to use driveway planters. Using large terracotta planters with small trees such as dwarf apples, dogwood, or California Juniper. They’re easy to set up and as the outdoor décor is changed, they can be easily moved around. And terracotta pots and small trees aren’t that expensive either. And since they’re in planters, you don’t have to worry about all the hassles that come with digging into the ground such as contacting the utilities to mark their underground lines. Of course, other types of planters can be used besides terracotta, but those are our favorites so far.
2. Victorian Garden Gazebo
Another great idea for transforming an outdoor space cheaply is to create a Victorian Garden Gazebo. This is basically a gazebo that’s covered with Japanese Wisteria or some other climbing plant. These gazebos can really add a sense of style to a patio away and they can be as simple or elaborate as a person wants to make them. We’ve seen people use PVC pipe to create a basic gazebo structure and once the plants grow over it you wouldn’t even be able to tell. Of course, you can always buy a premanufactured gazebo and have it installed if you want to up the “wow factor” a little more.
3. Garden Fish Pond
Anyone who thinks that fish ponds are a thing that homeowners have created in the past but aren’t currently in fashion needs to think again. It seems like fish ponds are coming back in a big way and there’s a good reason for that fact. It’s because building a fish pond isn’t all that expensive and it isn’t all that difficult. As long as you make sure to have utilities mark the area before you begin digging, and make sure that you follow proper pond building techniques, you too can have a nice fish pond for either your front or back yard.
4. A Backyard Zen Garden
Everyone could use a little more tranquility in their lives, especially during these stressful times. In our estimation, that can be done in two ways. A person could either attend a meditation class or they can build their own backyard zen garden. We think the latter is the way to go and not only gives people a place to meditate but also creates a great area for people to get together and socialize. And it can all be created using a few simple materials such as gravel, pebbles, and rocks.
5. Natural Backyard Meadow
Anyone who has a considerable amount of space may want to build their own backyard meadow. This can easily be done by changing your mowing habits and planting a few varieties of plants. The plants and flowers that most people like to plant include coneflowers, wild bergamot, foxglove beardtongue, New York ironweed, and Virginia rose. Of course, there are other plants and flowers that can be planted, depending on where you live. We recommend black-eyed susans, Amsonia hubrichtii and marigolds. Those are plants that butterflies really love.
6. Driveway Garden
This tip might not be one that everyone can use. Especially if you actually use your driveway and garage. However, there are plenty of people who don’t use their garage or driveway, so it’s just wasted space. Instead of just leaving that area empty, why not transform it into a driveway garden. This can easily be done by using containers of flowers, or by edging the driveway with flowers. This makes it easy for people to really make a statement. As the seasons pass by, different plants and flowers can be used to keep the look of the driveway ever evolving.
7. A Desert Border
This tip is particularly well suited for people who live in more arid environments. We’re talking about people who live in the Western or Southwestern U.S. Desert succulents and cacti require very little water, are easy to maintain, and give driveway or fence borders a unique look. Some of the desert plants that we enjoy include agave, Kalanchoes, lemon thyme, Sana Rita purple prickly pears, and various cacti. Using a combination of these plants, you can create interest in just about any area of your property and you don’t have to spend a long time gardening.
8. Open-Air Patios
Another thing that can really improve a patio or a backyard is to use an open-air enclosure. Depending on your budget, this can be something as simple as using umbrellas, a gazebo, or a pergola. It all depends on how much you want to spend. Using just umbrellas and a few other design elements, an outdoor patio area can be created on the cheap. The advantage is that it shades the sun but allows everyone underneath it to get air. Add a few plants to the area and it can become a real oasis as well.
9. Evergreen Shrubs
Evergreen shrubs are another option for people who don’t want to spend a lot of money or time on their landscape. These shrubs can last a very long time and they require very little maintenance. Every once in a while they require some trimming and maybe some additional water if you live in a dry climate. They’re easy to plant, easy to maintain and they’re easy on the eyes. And their size can be used to hide cosmetic defects in the look of the home. All good reasons to add some green shrubs to your property.
10. A Corner Garden
Another inexpensive landscape design element that you can add to your home is a corner garden. These gardens are easy to create and require very little maintenance, especially if you use plants and flowers that don’t require a lot of attention. Another thing that’s great about these gardens is that they can be used to hide cosmetic defects in a fence or side of the home. They’re also perfect for hiding the sides of irregularly shaped homes to make them appear to be more symmetrical. You can start a small corner garden and as time goes by you can add to it. This makes it a whole lot easier on the budget.
