Your landscaping budget doesn’t have to be sky-high in order to maintain a beautiful lawn and garden. With a little bit of creativity and careful planning, you can keep your costs down without sacrificing style or function. Here are four tips to get you started.
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Recycle Water
The water bill from watering your lawn and garden can be one of the biggest expenses associated with landscaping.
To reduce this cost, consider recycling wastewater or water from sources like rain barrels. This recycled water is free and can be used to keep your plants healthy without breaking the bank.
When recycling water, be sure to use an appropriate filtration system that removes any impurities that harm plants.
Use Native Plants
Native plants are those that naturally grow in your area and require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides than non-native varieties. Not only are they easier on your wallet, but they’re also better for the environment.
To find out which plants are native to your area, check with your local nursery, or gardening groups. Or, you could try using a landscape designer that specializes in native plants.
Here are some plants and the areas they’re native to:
- Desert Willow (Southwestern United States)
- Prairie Dropseed ( Great Plains)
- American holly ( Eastern United States)
- Sunflower ( Great Plains)
- Lavender (Europe, Africa, the Mediterranean)
- Echinacea or coneflower (North America)
- Sedum (Northern Europe, Siberia, North America)
- Gaillardia or blanket flower (North America)
- Lobelia (Australia, New Zealand, South America)
Choose Low-Maintenance Plants
After choosing native plants, opt for low maintenance plants too. Some plants require more care than others, which can end up costing you more money in the long run.
So to save yourself some cash, choose low-maintenance plants that don’t need to be pruned or fertilized as often.
Some examples of low-maintenance plants include succulents, cacti, and flowers like daisies and coneflowers.
Create Mulch
Mulch, the layer of material (such as leaves, bark, or compost) that you spread over the soil around your plants, helps to retain moisture, prevent weeds, and keep the soil temperature consistent – all of which can save you money in the long run.
You can create your own mulch instead of purchasing it from a gardening store. This way, you can get the benefits of mulch without spending a lot of money.
Here’s how to get your own mulch:
- Start by mowing your lawn and collecting the clippings.
- Leaves can also be collected and shredded using a lawnmower or leaf blower.
- If you have any tree branches, you can chip them into small pieces using a chipper.
By following these tips, you can trim your landscaping budget without sacrificing the beauty of your lawn and garden. So recycle water, use native plants, choose low-maintenance plants, and make your own mulch to keep your landscape looking its best.