Loading...
Landscaping Ideas

Landscaping Ideas on a Budget to Improve Your Yard – Part 1

Landscaping is a term that refers to a group of elements that come together to create an inviting yard. On a fundamental basis, landscaping can be categorized as softscaping and hardscaping. Softscaping includes flowers, bushes, trees, and other living features, whereas hardscaping includes brick walks, rock xeriscaping, patios, and other hardscaping elements.

Regarding keeping the landscaping budget in check, several ideas exist to save money while maintaining excellent curb appeal. Let’s look.

1. Cool Off in an Above-Ground Pool

Above Ground Pool

Above-ground swimming pools offer all of the benefits and fun of an in-ground pool for a fraction of the price, with significantly less hassle and installation time. An above-ground pool may be set up and filled with water in as little as a day, but an in-ground pool can take up to three months and cost tens of thousands of dollars to install. Above-ground pools are less expensive than in-ground pools.

  • Type of Above-Ground Pool: Above-ground swimming pools are classified as inflatable, metal or resin frames and rigid walls.
  • Inflatable Pools: An inflatable pool is a cheapest and easiest pool to set up. Most of them are restricted to a height of 42 inches.
  • Metal or Resin Frame Pools: These above-ground pools rely on an outside framework to keep the pool liner in place. They are more affordable than inflatable pools and can last for years.
  • Rigid Wall Pools: The pool’s basin is formed by the sturdy metal walls of rigid wall above-ground pools. A waterproof liner keeps the water in the basin. They are the most expensive above-ground pools with strong walls, but also the most durable.

Swimming pools constructed above ground are significantly easier and faster to build than pools constructed on the ground. Starting with a prepared pool base, you can build an above-ground pool in a day or two, if working with two or three other people. A professional can install a larger pool, but most people prefer to do it themselves.

Although it varies on location, the best time to build an above-ground pool is usually in the spring or early summer. 

The size and design of a pool determine its price. A larger and taller pool will usually cost more than a smaller one, so shop around to find the best offer. A pool can be round or rectangular. Pool kits range in price from $720 to $8,240, depending on the size.

Talk to your local building inspector to find out which permits you’ll need to install the pool. 

2. Invite the Birds With a Birdbath

Birdbath

A birdbath in a garden area gives a decorative feature while supporting wild birds. Birdbaths provide water for visitors to the garden, such as birds and other animals. The landscape around a birdbath provides a safe setting for visiting birds while also improving the beauty of your yard.

The location of your birdbath should be near trees and plants. Because of its new placement, the feature will be more accessible to the wild birds that will visit and use it. You can grow various plants around the birdbath if it’s in a sunny spot, but an area that gets a mix of full sun and partial shade the whole day is ideal.

It’s a great idea to put the birdbath on a pavement stone. Placing your birdbath on a paving stone or a paver will provide stability and a flat surface and keep weeds away from the birdbath base.

If you build a walkway around your birdbath, you’ll be able to easily clean and maintain it. Arrange paving stones around the birdbath, and if you want the stones to be level with the ground, dig a little indention in the shape of each stone. 

Grow some of your favorite plants to provide food and shelter for wild birds. The most common flowers are sunflowers and lilac shrubs. Sunflowers will offer the seeds, while lilac bushes will provide shelter. Plants that will thrive in the sun near your birdbath should be chosen.

3. Add a Walkway

Walkway

Using stepping stones or pavers for walkways is an excellent way to save money. They draw guests’ attention to specific sections of the yard that you want them to explore, and the walkway encourages them to do so. Pathways help keep visitors off the grass and give them a sense of direction as they go from one part of the yard to the next.

When planning your walkway, consider the distance, height, amount of traffic it will receive, and your home’s overall style and aesthetic. By designing your walkway in sections, you can quickly address any elevation changes.

4. Mulch the Area

Mulch

Mulch protects a plant’s root system while simultaneously giving nutrients to the soil and preventing erosion of the top layer of soil.

You should not apply mulch too early in the growing season. Give the soil time to warm up. Mulching too soon can hinder the process of warming. The best time to put mulch is usually in mid to late spring.

A little mulch can allow seedlings to flow through, whereas a dense layer of mulch may be impenetrable. Allow your plants to have an early start. You can always add extra mulch when the plants have established themselves.

You may need more mulch in the summer to keep the moisture in, and you may need more mulch in the winter to keep the cold out.

When the weather heats up, gently remove any winter mulch applied to your garden. A late-season cold snap could destroy the sensitive, fresh growth if you remove it all at once.

Consider the size and style of the area you’ll be mulching from an aesthetic standpoint. Pine bark nuggets, for example, may be too large for an annual flower garden but are ideal for an area around trees or shrubs.

5. Window Boxes Can Be Hung

Window Boxes

A home gardener needs to stay on top of emerging trends because they’re an excellent way to add more variety and life to the garden. The window box garden is a great place to start if you want to try something new. It allows you to reach the window sill, which is often vegetation-free. It’s also a fun and unusual way to grow more appealing plants without wasting too much space.

Choosing which window box planters will work best in your garden can be tough if you’ve never done it before. We want the best for our plants since we put in so much effort as gardeners. It is where having the right information comes in handy. So, to get you started with window box gardening, here are a few suggestions.

  • The first thing to remember is that your window garden planter must be the same size as your window sill. It shouldn’t, however, get in the way of the window. Another crucial consideration is the planter’s depth, which should be around 18 cm. Finally, make some holes at the bottom of the planter’s surface to guarantee efficient drainage.
  • The selection of appropriate plants is important to the project’s success. You must consider the amount of sunlight the area receives, the amount of water it will receive, the pests that may have access to it, and so on. To proceed, combine pansies, sage, thyme, strawberries, spinach, and basil in a large mixing bowl.
  • Plastic planters are the most cost-effective alternative for window garden planters. They are rot-resistant, moisture-retaining, and lightweight. On the other hand, constant exposure to sunlight can cause damage to them.
  • Wooden window boxes are undoubtedly the most popular option for planters since they are functional, strong, and appealing. Choose only those made of durable woods like teak, elm, oak, or ash, which last longer and require less preservative paint.
  • Terracotta, simply known as stone planters, are also available; however, they are less common. They are generally impractical due to their weight and short lifespan, even though they are strikingly lovely. These can be beneficial if your window looks like a more traditional backyard garden.

6. Decorate Your Mailbox With Flowers

Mailbox With Flowers

The yard’s mailbox zone is often considered as an afterthought when new homeowners explore how to enhance their curb appeal. But make no mistake: a house’s first impression always begins on the street, and if the mailbox area is an eyesore, it might give a negative vibe.

One of the most important things to consider when creating a mailbox is to follow the postal system’s specifications for height and distance from the curb. You don’t want to hire someone to put up a mailbox, only to take it down later because the variance was off.

Clematis is a flowering climbing vine that can be used as a natural mailbox decoration because it is inexpensive and easy to maintain. The only worry is that if they thrive in that area, they will require some maintenance due to their quick growth and the need to tie them up so they don’t cover the mailbox. Clematis varieties such as ‘Albina Plena,’ ‘Blue Dancer,’ and ‘Pink Flamingo’ are winter-hardy and disease-resistant.

If you prefer to maintain your current mailbox, clean it thoroughly and repaint it. If you want to keep your mailbox area as low-maintenance as possible, skip the plants and grass and landscape it with a tiny rock garden of various pebbles, stones, and gravel. 

7. Outdoor Dining Is a Great Way to Show Off Your Surroundings

Outdoor Dinning

Whether your outside space is a city balcony or a large ranch with gorgeous acres, dining outdoors is a much-anticipated tradition throughout the warmer months. And transforming your patio or backyard into a dining area requires less effort. The goal is to create a welcoming and enjoyable outdoor dining area.

If you want to entertain, you may want to invest in a dining table that is as spacious as possible. However, if your own family will mostly use the area, you can make it cozier. Make sure there is enough room for people to move around the dining area comfortably.

If your house has a well-maintained swimming pool with room nearby for a table, dining by the pool can be peaceful and beautiful. Color-changing lighting and pool waterfalls can help make your outdoor dining experience more enjoyable.

8. Take a Seat on a Bench for a While

Bench

A bench is a nice addition to a garden. It offers a peaceful environment for resting and taking in the view, and a variety of additional amenities. Garden seats are more than just furniture. You can ensure that the bench is put in a dry, solid location so you can use it all year. You may encircle it with gravel, pebbles, or large rocks and even cover it with a roof. 

You should place the bench in a shady area throughout the summer. You can use it to form a more permanent structure, such as a trellis roof or another structure, by putting it under a tree or an umbrella. Avoid putting up barriers or dividers that will block the view and detract from the freshness of the environment. You could add some cushions to the mix to make the place cozier. Just make sure they’re kept dry and safe from the weather.

9. Plant a Seedling Tree

Seedling Tree

A seedling is a young tree typically less than three feet tall. It is simply a tree planting event in which young trees are planted. The two types of seedlings available for purchase are bare root and potted seedlings. The procedures used in seedling tree planting differ from those used in burlap and balled tree planting. Seedlings are planted in greater quantities than balled and burlap trees since they are not expected to survive.

Planting seedling trees help prevent soil erosion, runoff, flooding, and nonpoint source pollution (water contamination that cannot be traced to a single source, such as contaminated runoff from highways). Trees also help keep watersheds healthy by recharging groundwater and steam flowing.

10. Repurpose Old Watering Cans

Old Watering Cans

While automatic sprinkler systems are employed for larger yards and lawns, aesthetically pleasing watering cans have probably replaced your old ones. 

But if you are someone who encourages even small steps of recycling to protect the environment, then Eden suggests you repurpose those vintage watering cans instead of throwing them away. 

The landscaping prices can vary from one property to another, depending on the size of the property, the landscape’s condition, the number and types of services requested, and the type of contract involved. 

The team of Eden does not engage with their customers on a contract basis. You only have to pay for your chosen services. To know more about different yet simple landscaping ideas, contact Eden today!

From selecting the right seasonal plants to installing an outdoor kitchen, our landscaping services can do it all for you. Contact us today for a stunning landscape!