Derby Mowers

A lush, well-maintained landscape from Y&L Landscaping can increase a home’s overall value. However, it can also be expensive to create.

Luckily, there are several cost-effective landscaping ideas that will give your lawn the curb appeal it deserves without breaking the bank. Some of these include using mulch, purchasing plants during sales, reusing materials, and adding lighting.

Use Perennials and Filler Plants

Perennials, or plants that live for more than one year, are a great way to add color and life to your landscape without the need for annual replanting. While perennials often cost more initially, they save time and money in the long run. In addition to making a beautiful, lasting contribution to your garden, perennial flowers also attract bees and butterflies, providing a natural food source for wildlife in the area.

When choosing perennials for your yard, be sure to choose varieties that thrive in your specific climate and soil type. Many perennials need regular maintenance like pruning and deadheading to encourage regrowth, but others require very little in the way of care. Perennials that grow in the shade are particularly low-maintenance, including hydrangeas, lilies and yarrow.

In addition to adding beauty, perennials can also serve as a foundation for other outdoor features. For example, tall grasses like switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and beak grass (Diarrhena obovata) provide texture to front yards while softening hardscape elements and creating visual interest.

Many perennials are able to withstand drought conditions, reducing the need for irrigation and watering. Additionally, they help to control soil erosion and reduce the amount of nutrients washed away by rainfall or wind.

If you are unsure which perennials to plant in your landscape, consult a professional. They can help you choose the best plants for your space and recommend species that are adapted to your region. They may be able to divide your perennials for you or give you tips on propagating them with tip cuttings*. Perennials with shorter blooming seasons can be planted alongside perennials with longer flowering periods to create a beautiful garden that evolves throughout the year.

Purchase Hardscaping Materials in Bulk

If you’re working on a large-scale landscaping project, purchasing bulk landscaping materials can be a major money saver. Bulk landscape supplies allow you to buy larger quantities of soil, mulch, gravel, sand, or other products at a lower price per unit. These savings can make a big difference in the overall cost of your project and help you stay within budget.

Buying bulk landscape materials can also provide consistency in product color and texture. This is because you’re able to purchase all the necessary materials in one swoop rather than over time. Using this method can also prevent you from running out of materials halfway through your project. Local garden supply centres can also give you expert guidance on how much bulk materials you’ll need for your specific project.

In addition to being cost-effective, purchasing bulk landscaping supplies can also be environmentally friendly. Bulk soil bags typically contain less plastic than individual bagged products, reducing waste and helping the environment. Additionally, purchasing from a local supplier promotes economic growth and sustainability in the community.

Another way to keep costs down is to use edging materials that can keep your landscape materials in place, preventing your plants and garden beds from getting overgrown or sloppy. These edging materials are available in many different styles and sizes and come in a variety of budget-friendly options.

If you’re ready to transform your yard this spring, it pays to shop for bulk landscaping supplies in Pittsburgh. Buying in bulk can help you reduce your expenses while ensuring that your landscaping projects look great and are completed on schedule. So get out there and start saving! Whether you’re planting flowers, laying mulch, installing a patio, or building a walkway, the right bulk landscape supplies can ensure that your projects are done on time and on budget.

Repurpose Old Materials

A nice yard is not only a source of pride for homeowners but also offers them a great place to cool down in the summer and relax with family and friends. However, having a beautiful landscape doesn’t have to mean shelling out wads of cash. Instead, many affordable landscaping ideas can be used to enhance the look of any lawn without breaking the bank. Some of these include using low-cost annuals or long-lasting perennials, utilizing mulch, and creating natural borders.

Another way to keep costs down is by repurposing items around the house. For example, old watering cans can be used as unique planters that add a pop of color and texture to any garden or front porch step. Additionally, old barrels, wheelbarrows, tubs, and even pianos can be turned into unique planting containers that provide a rustic, personal touch to any landscaping.

Finally, buying materials in bulk is a great way to save money on landscaping. It is especially helpful if you buy in conjunction with gardening friends or neighbors. For instance, purchasing mulch in bulk and sharing it between several yards is much cheaper than buying bags of it at the local home improvement store.

In addition to cost-saving tips, it is important to consider the maintenance requirements of any landscape. For example, if you decide to use native plants and drought-tolerant varieties, it will reduce the amount of watering and fertilization required to keep them healthy. Furthermore, reducing the amount of time you spend tending to your landscape can also lower its overall cost. This is because fewer plants require frequent pruning, watering, and fertilization. Moreover, you can also reduce maintenance costs by choosing a low-maintenance turf or paving material like gravel or mulch.

Add a Focal Point

Focal points draw the eyes and direct people throughout a landscape, making them an important element in designing your garden. Whether you choose a hardscape feature like a fountain, statue, or bench or a living plant such as a large tree or exotic flower, focal points add interest to your landscape and set it apart from the surrounding green space.

When you consider adding a focal point to your landscape, it is important to think about how often you will use it. For example, if you plan to be sitting in front of the focal point frequently, it should not be too large. Conversely, if it will be used less frequently, a smaller focal point may allow the eye to move easily around it.

A good way to start determining your focal point is by looking at the natural pathways in your landscape. These can be your pathway to the front door, your path into your backyard, or even the view from your windows. These pathways are great places to locate a major focal point and provide opportunities to include minor focal points along the way.

When choosing a focal point, try to incorporate something that will be visually interesting in every season. For instance, a grouping of colorful flowers might look striking in the summer but will lose its appeal in the winter. It is also important to incorporate a variety of plant heights and textures to maintain visual appeal. Incorporating multiple focal points in your landscape can be effective, but make sure that they are framed with a variety of different plants and shrubs so that the eye is not overwhelmed by design elements.

Water Wisely

In an era of water scarcity and environmental awareness, utilizing water-wise techniques when landscaping can save money and help the planet. Using smart irrigation systems, drought-resistant plants and implementing proper lawn care practices are just a few of the ways homeowners and property managers can cut back on their outdoor water use.

Another great way to conserve water is by ensuring that your plants and trees are planted in the right place. You can do this by developing a plot plan and identifying environmental assets or constraints that might influence your design. Having this information will help you fine-tune your landscaping for maximum efficiency and effectiveness.

For example, if you live in an area with clay soil, consider amending it with organic material before planting so the roots are better able to absorb and hold water. Also, make sure to avoid placing plants in sunny spots where evaporation loss will occur. Finally, don’t allow irrigation to run off your property into sidewalks or patios – these surfaces will deteriorate more quickly when constantly washed by water.

It is also important to plant in the spring instead of the summer. Not only will the cooler weather be kinder on the new plantings, but it will also prevent unnecessary watering due to the summer heat. It is also best to mulch areas immediately after planting to prevent weeds and evaporation loss.

Also, choose the right type of mulch for your landscaping needs. Organic mulches (such as straw, grass clippings or leaves) are often the best choice for gardens or vegetable plots since they offer nutrient absorption benefits. On the other hand, inorganic mulches are often more effective for pathways or open spaces as they provide a barrier to water runoff and erosion.