Everyone has a budget when they’re landscaping. Some are modest. Others are big enough to feed and house several families for a few years. The first step is to identify how much money you can afford to spend without stress. Then, reserve 10 to 20% for unexpected expenses that can occur. Identify your ultimate vision and how you want your landscape to look. It’s important to consider any future costs and the time you’ll have to spend when analyzing whether your vision is realistic.
Break your plans down into two categories.
If your budget is less than your dream landscape, divide your dream landscape into sections and prioritize. Maybe your lawn is nothing more than a large area that switches from puddles to weeds, depending on the season. Start there and put your efforts into the lawn. If you want to add color, use containers to hold flowers, foliage, or vegetables and herbs.
Use affordable materials.
If you want a pathway from your house to a garden, instead of pouring concrete, use premade concrete stepping stones laid on pea gravel or sand. You can also use flagstone on mulch or cover an edged walkway with pea gravel. Buy in bulk to save money. Use inexpensive plants and annuals for filler, choosing a few more expensive perennials to add each year. If growing plants from seeds, select perennials since the seeds all cost approximately the same. Growing native plants and flowers cost less. They are easier to grow since they’re suited to the climate and soil conditions.
Consider using a landscape designer for help.
Consulting a landscape designer could save you money. Ask questions upfront before scheduling an appointment, including whether he provides consulting services and the price it costs. If the designer works with a company providing the work to make the design a reality, see if you can use some of the services and do others on your own. Clearly state your vision, problem areas of your space, and plants that you do or don’t want due to allergies or other reasons. The more accurate information you can provide, the better.
- Landscape designers can create a cohesive lawn plan. If your vision is bigger than your budget, a landscape designer can create a plan that you can build on that will look amazing every step of the way.
- Get creative. You don’t have to build a raised garden when you can fill a wheelbarrow with dirt and plant an array of beautiful flowers. Cut out the center of the seat of an old kitchen chair and use it as a planter or repurpose a cable spool to add flowers and a splash of color.
- Go old school. Start your plants from seed and create your compost to rejuvenate the soil. You’ll eliminate waste as you create nutrient-rich soil that has the necessary microbes to aid plant growth.
- Get more bang for your buck. Many herbs and vegetables are gorgeous. Fennel can be a showpiece with its soft fern-ish leaves. Sage, nasturtiums, scarlet runner beans, and kale are stunning show plants you can eat.
For more information, contact us today at Mason Prociw Landscape