A beautiful garden doesn’t have to break the bank but it can look like it does.
There are a lot of benefits to taking charge of your garden and outdoor living space. Gardening is one of America’s most popular hobbies because a little do-it-yourself outdoors relieves stress, yields satisfying results and saves money.
If you’re looking for ideas to help spruce up the yard and slash costs, check out this list.
1. Grab Some Paint
Instead of purchasing new furniture, why not give existing wooden furniture a life with a fresh coast of paint. Consider going with a brighter color versus wood tones.
2. Change Out Throw Pillows
We’ll say it again… switching out throw pillows can make a huge difference in both the look of your hard and how you feel about it. Sunbrella fabrics are weather-resistant and repel stains better than indoor fabrics.
3. Buy Goods When Seasons Change
Pay attention to the times when retailers change over inventory. The end of summer, for example, is a fantastic time to score a deal on outdoor furniture and accessories. Check outdoor living sections during the winter, too, when buyers aren’t as focused on entertaining in the cold–though we can do it here in San Diego year-round.
4. Incorporate Vintage Pieces
A sure way to add flair to your yard is by adding a vintage piece as a focal point. As we’ve mentioned earlier, retro is a hot trend when it comes to outdoor vintage. If going with multiple pieces, stay cohesive by sticking to one color or theme. Scour estate and garage sales for finds (be patient, it may take a while).
5. Decorate with Container Gardens
Big retailers sell ready-made container plants at discounts though making your own containers is easy and can be inexpensive. Give yourself a budget. Opt for terracotta or plastic pots. Yes, some plastics actually look like terracotta or ceramic so very few people will be able to tell the difference. The focal point is the flowers, anyway.
Use container gardens to conceal concrete stains and other unsightly areas in the yard.
6. Repurpose Household Items
Grab that old wooden pallet and create a vertical succulent garden. Or, use it as layers for a bug hotel, a trending strategy that accommodates healthy insects to create balance in the garden. Convert empty yogurt containers or toilet paper rolls to seedling pots. Use layers of newspaper to smother weeds and much more.
7. Plant Herbs and Vegetables
Place emphasis on money-saving plants. For example, if you spend $5 a week on fresh herbs, plant some in the yard. While potatoes are fun to grow, they don’t cost much to purchase. The cost of salad greens can add up, so it may be wise to use valuable gardening space on lettuce should your conditions permit.
8. Make Compost
Fertilizer for the entire yard can add up to significant cost. Plus, boosting soil conditions around the yard leads to healthier plants, robust crops and thriving eco-system. Adding acceptable garden waste and kitchen food waste to a compost bin to make compost is growing in popularity.
9. Buy Recycled Compost and Mulch
If you have access to a pick-up truck, a great way to buy compost and mulch for less is by filling up a load at Miramar landfill. The green and construction waste transported to the dump is repurposed into these garden helpers and accessible to San Diego residents with valid ID. You’ll pay a fraction of retail value and support local recycling efforts at the same time.
10. Start from Seed
Patience pays off. Starting vegetables and flowers from seed is the most cost effective way to purchase plants. Seeds also allow you to grow unusual plants that can’t be found in commercial centers and help get kids interested in gardening. Not only can they plant the seeds themselves, but it’s fun to watch them grow.
11. Buy small plants
Plants in one gallon containers cost significantly less than those in three or five gallon containers. If you’re feeling impatient, focus on fast-growing one gallon plants that suit your purpose–ask your local nursery for recommendations.
12. Divide and conquer
Do a little research to determine if your grasses, agapanthus, daylilies and other plants can be divided into smaller plants and relocated or propagated. Cuttings from succulents are very easily relocated and a great way to fill in gaps as well as transition to a water-wise landscape.
13. Redirect Water
Xeriscaping is the art of repurposing and using water where it already exists in the yard. Rain barrels may help slice water costs down the line
14. Install Drip Irrigation
Drip tubing and parts are incredibly inexpensive, not to mention the low flow of water will reduce your household bill. Once the backbone of a drip irrigation system is in place, you can tweak it by adding, removing or rearranging the drip lines without the help of a gardener.
15. Buy Tools at Yard Sales
It may seem like an odd tip, but garden tools are often picked up for pennies on the dollar at yard sales. No need to go out of your way, but if you happen to pass one happening, pull over and take a look to see if you can make use of items someone doesn’t need anymore. It’s eco-friendly, too.
16. Keep Weeding
Though they may seem like small threats, weeds are both unsightly and compete with your plants for water and nutrients. Plus, the faster you pull them, the easier it is to prevent them from spreading.
17. Test Your Soil
Knowing the pH of your soil and whether or not you need to amend it could prevent any unnecessary plant death, wasting money spent at the nursery as well as time. Plus, healthy soil equals thriving plants that will grow faster and look nicer. It’s a win-win.
18. Plant Annuals
Annuals are plants that complete their life cycle in typically one year, but they are less expensive to buy on average than a perennial. Example annuals include zinnias and marigolds, both which can be planted from seed and add significant color to any garden. While some annuals will die and need to be replaced, poppies (beware, some are invasive) and cleome reseed themselves every year.
19. Consider Lawn Replacement
While replacing your lawn requires initial outlay, the long-term savings of using an alternative such as low-water groundcover, artificial turf or increased hardscape using interlocking pavers might be worth the short term sacrifice. We can help you figure this out.
20. Don’t impulse buy
It’s really easy to fall in love with a pretty plant on display or buy during an unbeatable sale. If you don’t have a good place for the plant, walk away from it.
Your Turn…
How do you cut down the cost of your garden?
Photo credit: top, Flickr/brewbooks; recycled pots, Flickr/45605988@N03; marigolds, Flickr/dmatos
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