by Todd Pheifer

Created on: September 08, 2008

Working out in the yard can be therapeutic for some people. In addition, the well-landscaped yard can be a source of pride because it is the first thing that people see when they drive by the house or come for a visit. This is why people spend a great deal of money on grass, plants, fertilizer, and watering. Still, the yard can also be a huge cash drain because a well-manicured yard can include a lot of elements that financially add up over time. Therefore, it can be prudent to look for pieces that do not cost so much money. Here are a few thoughts on some inexpensive landscaping ideas.

START WITH SMALL PLANTS AND BE PATIENT

One particular way to save some money is to start with smaller items for the yard. For example, plants and trees can be bought in various sizes. It may be more tempting to buy a full-sized shrub or bush because that will fill in spots more quickly. However, it can be a good deal more expensive to buy a fifteen-gallon plant rather than a one-gallon plant. Therefore, start with smaller foliage and be a little patient.

BUY PLANTS WITH A WIDE POTENTIAL

Related to this is the growth potential of plants. It can be much cheaper to buy items that will fill in large spaces than have to buy multiple pieces. Therefore, reading the labels on plants and evaluating their eventual size can be a good way to save money. Granted, this might limit the variety in a yard, but sometimes cost-savings is a higher priority. Also, fast-growing plants fill in nice but they do require more pruning and maintenance.

PAVERS

Paving stones can be a nice element in a garden or flowerbed. These can come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The benefit is that they take up some space, they cover ground that might grow weeds, and they are a nice change of pace from foliage. The same can be accomplished with large stones or rocks. Granted, one has to hunt around to find affordable rocks, but they can be found and they are a nice addition to the landscaping scheme.

DO THE WORK YOURSELF

Another way to save money is to cut down on labor costs. Granted, this is not necessarily a specific landscaping piece, but sometimes saving money is about not spending in other places. Some people pay services to mow their lawns or clean their flowerbeds. If the individual does more of the work, they have more money for landscaping items like plants and other decorative items.

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