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Why these 6 cheap landscaping ideas may save you money long-term

Veronica Sparks
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If your home’s outdoor space is looking a bit drab, it’s time for an upgrade. Landscaping can cost a pretty penny, though, so beautifying your yard may not fit into your budget. You’ll be happy to know, however, that there are some inexpensive landscaping ideas out there that can boost your yard’s appearance and even save you money in the long run. Take a look at these six budget-friendly landscaping ideas that are sure to beautify your outdoor space.

lawn landscape with tree and river
Mike/Pexels

Plant your grass from seed

Beautifully manicured lawns can pop up overnight with a little bit of sod. While this method certainly gives instant gratification, it is definitely the pricier route to a lush, green yard. Consider planting your grass from seed instead, and save a bunch of cash in the long run. It takes a bit longer to see results, but with great care and maintenance, you’ll eventually have a great-looking lawn at a fraction of the cost.

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Avoid cutting grass too short

Speaking of maintaining your grass, it can be tempting to cut those blades as short as possible so you don’t have to mow as often. The truth is, however, that overcutting your grass will likely lead to a yard in need of extra maintenance. If you keep your grass a tad longer, it takes root better for a more lush appearance, and the longer blades actually prevent weed growth, saving you (and your lower back) from a weekend of weeding.

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Use organic mulch in your flower beds

Mulch is a great material to use in your flower beds as it’s aesthetically pleasing, keeps the soil healthy, and keeps weeds at bay. Laying mulch also ensures the soil stays moist for longer, saving you big money on watering. If you invest a little more and opt for organic mulch, its natural materials will eventually break down and add nourishment to the soil, reducing the need for fertilizer.

Choose drought-resistant plants

Do a bit of research before buying plants for your yard or garden and select varieties that are resistant to drought. This will save you a lot of money on your water bill, particularly during very dry seasons.

Start a compost bin

Fertilizer is a major cost when it comes to lawn maintenance and gardening. Try starting a compost bin instead and add in your organic kitchen scraps regularly. In a few weeks, you’ll have organic fertilizer on hand that costs you almost nothing.

Boost your curb appeal with cheap upgrades

With these cheap outdoor space upgrades, you’ll create aesthetic appeal on a budget and give your curb appeal a boost, possibly even adding value to your home.

Beautify tree trunks and stumps

Trees are beautiful additions to your landscape, but the area around their trunks is often bare and unsightly. To beautify this area, add mulch or build a DIY tree trunk bench. If you have any ugly tree stumps around your yard that you don’t want to remove, use this same method to beautify these spaces. For a slightly bigger project, sand the stump down and turn it into a table by adding chairs around it, or gut it and turn it into a flower bed.

Install a retaining wall

Retaining walls give your yard some character and aesthetic appeal, but they have more functional benefits as well. These walls prevent water run-off and flooding as well as soil erosion. You can build your own retaining wall without breaking that bank using wood, brick, concrete, or stone from your local home improvement store.

Add walkways through your yard

Adding a walkway or two through a larger yard visually breaks up the space and adds more visual interest. You can use stepping stones, cement slabs, or less expensive materials like gravel or mulch.

Install a DIY fire pit

Sure, you can purchase a brand new fire pit to install in your yard, but you can also create your own at a fraction of the cost. All it takes is a bit of elbow grease and a few simple materials. You just need to dig a hole at a safe distance from any structures, pour in gravel, and set up cinder blocks, stones, or bricks around the edges.

A pristine yard is many a homeowner’s dream, but the cost of hiring professionals is often the largest roadblock to obtaining this outdoor oasis. If you’re willing to put in some hard work, however, you can have a gorgeous outdoor space that you and your family will love to spend time in.

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