5 Inexpensive Landscaping Ideas When You're on a Tight Budget (2023)

FAQs

What is the least expensive landscaping material? ›

But what are the cheapest landscaping rocks? The cheapest landscaping rock available is pea gravel. This is a versatile landscaping rock that looks great for many types of landscaping, including driveways.

Speaking of gravel, pea gravel is one of the cheapest and easiest ground covers to lay and complements all styles of plot.

Landscaping costs $4 to $12 per square foot, on average, for basic and intermediate services. A full makeover including landscaping design and remodeling can cost up to $40 per square foot. Basic and intermediate services may include planting grass or flowers, lawn care and thatching.

Lower Cost: Because they're longer lasting, it is generally less expensive to mulch with rocks.

In addition to its fragrant spring blooms, lily-of-the-valley is one of the easiest groundcovers to grow. It's perfect in a shady spot under a big tree in your backyard because it tolerates dry conditions well.

Plastic edging

Additionally, plastic is one of the most affordable edging options, making it a good choice for temporary gardens.

A landscaping professional can help you maximize your landscaping budget and provide expert help with your landscape planning. The cost of services from a landscape pro can range from $50 to $150 per hour.

What is the most profitable part of landscaping? ›

“The general rule of thumb with this strategy is to strive to break even on maintenance and then make the most profit from enhancements, irrigation, and lawn care. Traditionally, mowing and mulching are the two least profitable landscaping services—and at the bottom line may actually be unprofitable.”

Landscape labor costs range from $50 to $100 per hour. If you plan to work with a landscape designer or architect, your labor cost may approach $200 per hour. Landscaping pricing per square foot can range between $4 and $12.

BAG. WILL COVER APPROXIMATELY 3 SQ FT OF COVERAGE, 2" DEEP. AN AVERAGE OF 50 BAGS EQUALS A CUBIC YARD.

The best materials to landscape around a foundation will inhibit weed growth, provide a proper water drainage system, and won't attract pests. With years of landscaping experience, we have determined that the four best landscaping materials around foundation are gravel, rubber mulch, concrete, and brick masonry.

Does Mulch Attract Termites? While the material itself does not draw termites to the area, mulch spread over three inches deep creates an inviting habitat for the pests. Layers of organic matter trap heat and moisture next to the ground. Termites use this thick mulch as shelter from harsh weather.

Rock, gravel, pebbles and other stones can be applied to landscaping features such as flowerbeds to suppress weed growth and retain moisture. Rock is economical and seldom needs replacement. It also complements modern architectural features and more minimalist landscaping.

Vinca minor, commonly referred to as periwinkle, is a popular trailing groundcover plant. It will choke out weeds while gracing a garden with dainty, periwinkle blooms in the spring and a mat of shiny, ivy-like foliage all season long.

Use mulch (shredded leaves, brown cardboard, straw, or wood chips) to cover the soil around your plants! This covering blocks weed seeds from sunlight so they don't germinate, inhibits growth underneath itself, and retains moisture.

Ferns come in an array of shapes, sizes, and colors. Planted in groupings, it makes a lovely ground cover. It prefers moist ground, drought-tolerant once established, and needs full shade. The petite white star-shaped flowers provide a nice contrast to the deciduous green foliage.

What is the cheapest thing to replace grass? ›

Mulch is a low-cost, low-maintenance, attractive alternative to grass that adds color to your yard, limits weed growth and helps to control erosion. You may be able to find free or low-cost mulch through local programs or from tree trimmers in your area.

Creeping Perennials

Ground-hugging perennials like vinca, thyme, and creeping Jenny make an excellent no-mow lawn cover. If you plant a mixture of spring and summer bloomers, you'll have changing color throughout the season—a feast for the eyes.

Give it a personalized and trendy vibe with perfectly hued walls. Why not move beyond boring browns and beiges and add a luxurious feel with pops of contrasting color -smoky charcoals, sharp black, and even a pop of a saturated red or blue!

Some have been mentioned previously, such as having a lawn instead of flower beds. Other landscaping ideas to reduce maintenance are: Mulch planting beds heavily with fall leaves. As the leaves decompose they will enrich the soil and help reduce weeds.

Tall garden phlox (​Phlox paniculata​, zones 4-8), delphinium (​Delphinium​ spp., zones 5-9) and bee balm (​Monarda​ spp., zones 4-9) are all fast spreaders, especially if the soil conditions are right. A good way to encourage perennials to spread fast is to top dress the soil with 3 inches of compost in early spring.

Sedum. Heat- and drought-resistant, sedum groundcovers are ideal for sunny, exposed locations. These tough-as-nails plants require very little attention and are strong enough to handle foot traffic.

You can choose from evergreens such as prostrate junipers (Juniperus horizontalis) and heathers (Calluna vulgaris), and deciduous types (that lose their leaves in autumn) such as Cotoneaster horizontalis. Ground-cover shrubs suppress weed growth with their dense stems and foliage.

Aluminum or steel edging is great for straight-line areas; it won't rust, rot or become brittle. It's installed with stakes and can be molded into shapes and curves.

No-dig edging is the easiest to install, since all you typically have to do is pound stakes into the ground. On the other end of the spectrum, stone or brick edging will require using mud mortar and sometimes even cutting the stone with an angle grinder to make the joints fit together.

Other Alternatives

"Sunset" recommends planting attractive edibles along sunny garden paths. Alternatively, gardeners can mix edibles such as herbs, eggplant or peppers with native plants or grasses. Groundcovers can also be used as natural edging since they help suppress weed formation and prevent soil erosion.

Can you negotiate price with landscapers? ›

Negotiating is reasonable. It's good business. And no contractor that is in business for the long haul should be offended by the questions or negotiating of a price. But you need to be careful that you don't lose a good project over a few dollars.

Don't Be Afraid to Discuss Your Budget with Your Landscape Contractor. Discussing a realistic budget is usually the most awkward part of a meeting with a landscape contractor. Mostly because of not knowing what landscaping costs are and the hidden hear that a $ figure could possibly inflate a quote.

How Much Does a Landscape Gardener Cost in 2022? Most landscaping specialists quote on a per-project basis after viewing. The ones working hourly on average charge £25-£50 an hour per person with an average daily rate of £200-£400.

Landscaping not only increases curb appeal, but can give real estate properties a 15 percent increase in value, says a Virginia Tech study. The study discovered that the perceived value of a home is affected by plant size, type, and design in landscaping.

Lawn care workers and landscapers

It's impractical and unnecessary to tip the guys who mow your lawn every week, though it's nice to put a pitcher of cold water out for the workers. If the same crew arrives every Thursday, at the end of the season you can show your appreciation with $20 to $50 cash tip each.

A landscaper is often worth the money, especially for projects that involve both time and talent. Here are the best and worst projects for hiring out. Hiring a landscaper can remove a major headache from both ongoing lawn maintenance and one-time makeover projects in your yard.

Rock is more expensive than bark mulch. The cost of rock mulch varies, depending on the type and size, but generally costs two to three times more than an application of mulch. But remember, it doesn't break down and disappear into the soil like bark mulch does.

What is the cheapest fill rock? ›

Pros and Cons of Pea Gravel

The most significant benefit of pea gravel is the price. It's the cheapest option compared to other types of landscaping rocks. It's also easy to find and doesn't require professional installation. Pea gravel is versatile and can be used in many different ways.

Using Bleach to Kill Weeds Permanently

Apply one cup of bleach, undiluted, to the afflicted area. Wait until the weeds turn brown before pulling them out of the ground. Run water around the area to flush the bleach, especially if you are trying to grow plants or grass in that area.

Landscape fabric creates a barrier between the rocks and soil. When it comes time to remove the stones, you can quickly shovel them off the fabric instead of digging them out of the ground. The fabric also prevents weeds from cropping up between the small stones.

Succulents and gravel are a low-maintenance match made in heaven. Cimino often incorporates succulents, which require significantly less maintenance compared to other plants, but still offer a vibrant pop of green. Succulents also give your landscaping a sculptural quality that you can't get with regular grass lawn.

Landscape Edging Using Edging Materials

These materials can include natural stone, cobblestone pavers, wood, metal, plastic, concrete, and brick. Each material gives a different look and has different pros and cons.

When Gravel or Dirt suppliers ask how many yards you need they are talking about a cubic yard. A cubic yard is a measurement that is 3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet. A cubic yard measures volume where a ton measures weight.

Three of the cheapest landscape rocks on the market are crushed granite, pea gravel and river rocks. Each one has multiple functions while improving the look of your landscaping design. If you're planning a DIY project on a tight budget, these are great hardscape options for beauty and function.

Fill dirt is one of the most affordable materials for construction and landscaping that is available on the market.