Landscaping can significantly improve the appearance and functionality of any outdoor space but is often considered an expensive investment. Fortunately, beautiful landscaping doesn’t have to be a financial burden.

You can achieve extraordinary landscape results with planning, smart plant choices, and creativity. The following are seven practical and budget-friendly tips to help you create a beautiful oasis without breaking the bank.

1. Consider Energy-Efficient Landscaping

During the summer, your water and electricity bills can soar, and your garden might be one of the reasons why. Even though enjoying a beautiful garden is something to be proud of, it can also use energy.

For example, landscaping can both beautify your home and lower your heating and cooling costs. Something as simple as well-placed trees, shrubs or vines can provide useful shade, act as a windbreak and lower your energy bills by reducing your reliance on your home’s air conditioning.

Energy efficiency extends beyond looking at how to compare energy suppliers, replacing your appliances with energy-efficient ones, or even switching out your lightbulbs. Using energy-efficient lighting outdoors, such as solar lighting, motion sensor lighting, or energy-efficient LED garden lights, can significantly help reduce costs.

2. Plan Your Garden

Many of us dream of a garden that has various textures and colors where we can unleash our inner Monty Don and create a backyard version of the Chelsea Flower Show. Most gardeners always stress the importance of planning your garden. Without a plan, you could overspend at the nursery and go over your landscaping budget.

Researching which flowers and plants thrive in your particular environment or whether your garden is in full shade or sun is essential to creating a successful garden. This information lets you select the plants best suited to your garden and location. A recommended approach is to select plants that bloom at different times, resulting in a gradual blooming effect throughout the season.

3. Invest in Organic Mulch

Adding mulch to flower beds enhances their aesthetic appeal, benefits the soil, and prevents the growth of weeds. Additionally, it aids in soil moisture retention, lowering the need for frequent watering and ultimately saving you money.

Keeping the garden weed free is the goal of many gardeners. A practical method is to use a layer of mulch that helps prevent the growth of weed seeds. Mulch prevents light from reaching the seeds; if any seeds germinate, the mulch will smother them. Organic mulch is a good option for those willing to invest a little more.

4. Boost Curb Appeal with Low Maintenance Shrubs

Buxus, Red Robin, or evergreen shrubs like Fatsia japonica are good low-maintenance plants. These compact, bushy shrubs add texture and color to your garden while requiring little-to-no maintenance, making them the perfect choice for people to whom time is a premium.

Alternatively, shrubs like boxwood are great if you enjoy trimming and pruning plants. Despite having a straightforward design, you can manipulate the shape by pruning and improving the overall aesthetic.

It is unnecessary to prune boxwood often. However, it takes a skilled hand and a creative eye to trim and prune without damaging this versatile shrub. When the plant develops into a large, strong, and healthy shrub, you’ll be able to see the benefits of pruning.

5. Add Privacy Using Plants

Many of us find that gardens offer a welcome break from our hectic schedules. But it doesn’t help if we have nosy neighbors, and we don’t want them to be able to see right into our backyard.

The good news is that plants can effectively block nosy neighbors, unwanted noise and unsightly views, making them excellent privacy screens. Additionally, they provide seasonal interest and color, texture, and additions that improve with each growing season.

The following are some great plants you can use to increase privacy.

• English laurel
• Fish Pole Bamboo
• Common Box
• Clematis
• Dogwood

6. Small Space? Consider Container Gardening

Containers are a quick and simple way to enhance your outdoor area. You can express your creativity with them because they come in various colors, shapes, sizes, and textures. They can add structure and color to flower beds, vegetable gardens, terraces, decks, and porches.

These outdoor decoration ideas can be customized to your needs, whether you have a tiny balcony or a sizable backyard. They are simple to install, low maintenance, and allow you to customize your outdoor area.

7. Start a Perennial Garden

If you want to add perennials to your garden without spending too much money, consider choosing affordable options that bloom annually. Choose perennial plants you find attractive rather than ones you are overly concerned with due to their color, size, shape, or smell.

Buy perennials according to their needs for sunlight and water, classify them. Consider combining bulbs, perennials, annuals, and shrubs for year-round beauty. Good choices are sunflowers, petunias, and zinnias for the lazy gardener.

With native plants, you can expect low maintenance, resilience, and fewer insect and disease issues. Compared to exotic plants, they require less maintenance once established.

Conclusion

Saving money on landscaping means you don’t have to sacrifice the beauty and functionality of your outdoor space. Start by creating a well-planned approach that prioritizes your needs and carefully consider your choices about the type of plants and materials that help save money in the long run.

Looking for the best landscape fabric for your outdoor garden? Check out ECOgardener’s Professional Grade Weed Barrier Landscape Fabric to make your gardening easier and 100% hassle-free.

Whatever your gardening preferences, know that there are affordable solutions to help you create a relaxing outdoor oasis. Visit us often for more garden ideas and information.