Turning your garden from a barren patch of land into a sprawling oasis can seem like it will cost more than you can afford. However, there are plenty of ways to make gardening more affordable without compromising on your vision for an outdoor space where you can confidently entertain guests. If your garden is bigger, you may have to tackle small areas at a time, but smaller yards can be transformed much more quickly. Regardless of the size of your garden, this list of tips will help you to transform your garden on a budget by pushing you down the right path and kickstarting your outdoor transformation.
Invest In Hardy Plants
Plants that require a lot of care and are prone to wilting when weather conditions aren’t ideal will cost you a lot of money in the long run, especially if you don’t have much of a green thumb. Buying the true needlepoint holly, evergreen shrubs and crab apple trees will help you to keep your garden looking lush and vibrant year-round, as these plants are known for being particularly resilient. Of course, the types of plants that will thrive in your garden will depend on the kind of climate you live in and the soil you have available. Chat to someone at your local garden center if you feel unsure.
Put In Some Elbow Grease
One of the biggest costs of renovating your garden is labor. If you’re willing to put in a bit of work yourself, you can save a lot more than if you’d hired someone to do the work for you. It’s easy enough to handle tasks such as weeding, mowing the lawn, and giving fences a lick of paint, so if you have the time, it’s definitely worth thinking about. Alternatively, ask a handy family member or friend to come and show you the ropes before you get stuck in yourself.
Embrace Upcycling
Buying new garden furniture, pots and fences can cost a lot of money. If you already have some chairs and a table that are looking weary, consider upcycling them. There are lots of ways you can make old things look new again and will certainly help you to transform your garden on a budget. For example, you could learn how to sew new cushions for a swing seat or use paper mâché to give plant pots a new lease of life. If you don’t have anything for your garden, pick up some cheap pieces in second-hand stores and see what you can do with them.
Borrow Tools
Gardening tools can be expensive and if you know you’re never going to use them again, buying them might not be worth the money. Ask your neighbors and friends if they have some tools they’d be willing to lend you for a few days, most people will be more than happy to help out. For bigger tools like drills and power washers, you may want to ask around local hardware shops to find out whether they have any for hire. Alternatively, your garden renovations could inspire a love for DIY, so buying tools could be seen as an investment in future projects that will save you money.