Landscaping Without Breaking the Bank

by Lani Francisco

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As you make your way around the block for your morning jog, a beautiful landscape often stops you on your tracks, right? With the colorful foliage and the brilliantly arranged cobble stone walks---wow! One may assume that this landscaping design costs a lot. Looking at your own yard (and pocket), you were discouraged.

Everybody wants to have a prized lawn, however, only a few can really afford a decent contractor that will dress up their yards. The question now is, ‘How can one transform a bare land into a breathtaking wonder on a budget?’ The materials alone may prove expensive, what more the labor and the expertise?

Simple. Here are a few tips. Not only will you save money, but time as well.

Planning. Identify what you want to do with and what you need for your outdoor space. Landscaping construction need not be a detailed blueprint, but one must have at least an idea, a rough draft of what will be installed, planted and severed. This is a must whether you’re going to hire a contractor or DIY. Within the planning stage, there exists a handful of topics. One would be the budget. This is one of the factors that will set the perimeters of your project. Actually, the whole budget would likely depend on the size of your budget. Make sure you note the figure that you’re willing to part with. Hundreds? Thousands? May be a couple hundred less or a couple thousand more. Be faithful and stick to your budget. Another would be choosing the right flora for the right area. I advise that you scour your local library for gardening topics and ‘how to’ books regarding landscaping plants or landscaping trees. I’m certain you’ll find the ideal landscaping, be it an herb garden, a rock garden, a vegetable or flower garden. Take note that each possesses different growing patterns. Others grow well in a specific season, while some strive on shade instead of full sunlight. Accessories. Would you need to rejuvenate your patio? Then visit your nearest hardware store and purchase the high-quality latex sealer. Believe me, though this is a little expensive, it will serve its purpose in the long run. Not only will your patio look good, it will be protected as well. A slide and swing for the kids? A few seats beneath the shade? Some water works, perhaps? How about a couple of lightings? But before going overboard, remember, stick within you budget. Start with those under the priority column. If you still have some spare cash, then go crazy by adding a little something-something.

Use what you have. This I got from my granma. She uses blocks and tiles (excess from when she had new flooring installed) to elevate some of the plants to create a dimensional feel. The usual plastic containers transformed into flower pots are ever present in her backyard. Crocked gardening materials, keep it. It’s not broken, right? The rule with my granma is that when something is shattered beyond repair, then that’s the only time it'll take a trip to the trash bin. Speaking of trash bin, I think she turned a pail (with broken handle) into a makeshift trash bin. Trust me, these items don’t seem damaged when arranged properly and showcasing Nature’s beauty.

Start small. If you’re really tightening your belt, start purchasing small plants. This doesn’t cost as much as buying huge ones. Plus you can buy a lot of small ones, preferably perennials like asters, iris, phlox and day lilies; or annual plants like sunflowers, blue poppy, geranium, African and Signet marigold. I prefer the latter for you can change the look of your garden every year. These small plants may be used to fill the gaps in between shrubs and trees that have yet to reach maturity. Remember, your yard will fill in all through the next season, don't overdo it during the first season.

Swap (or just ask). What’s a little swap between friends? You can even ask them for cuttings and seedlings. Again, my grandma is a pro with swapping, well, actually in giving. Whether small or otherwise, she gives them to friends and neighbors alike. A couple of times I saw her giving birds of paradise as a gift, sometimes it’s orchids. Probably, she gives whatever plant is in season.

The effort you put into the initial planning will pay you back big time in the end. And knowing that you did everything with a limited budget makes it more rewarding. Imagine being able to stretch the value of a dollar. Give yourself a pat on the back, good job!

For more information, check out this site for the ideal landscaping plants.

Lani Francisco is a web copywriter for a web design company associated with a California-based company providing the ideal landscaping plants.



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