Most of the country is getting its first hints of color as spring bulbs poke their heads out of the ground. In many parts of the U.S., the weather has gotten warmer, and your yard looks a little unkempt. Try some of these cheap spring landscaping ideas instead of spending a lot of money to get it in shape.
Plan out your moves
Before you go to the nursery with your credit card or checkbook, draw what you want to change or add to your landscape. When you know exactly what you need, you can shop for it and not waste money on extras you might not use.
If you want to do a big project, like building a deck or patio, an hour-long consultation with a professional might help you avoid making mistakes that will cost you a lot of money.
Then find out more about where you live. Where do you live, and what plants do well? What grows there on its own? Which ones fit your way of life? Can you take care of plants that need a lot of work? Which pests should you watch out for, and can you plant something to keep them away?
Walk around your neighborhood at night to see what other people are growing. Try to find ideas.
Once you’ve drawn on your plan the plants, xeriscaping, grass, and decorations, you can start looking for deals.
Look for plants that are free or cheap.
If you ask to take cuttings from plants that friends, family, and neighbors have, you can get free things for your garden. This works for bushes and trees, too. Make sure to give the person something from your yard in return.
You can buy seeds with very little money. As soon as the last frost of the season is gone, plant them in the ground or in pots. Bachelor’s Buttons, Calendula, and Nasturtiums are some that do well in most growing zones.
Another great place to find healthy flowers and plants is at plant sales held by arboretums, botanical centers, and garden clubs.
When the spring planting season is almost over, your local nursery may have a table with items that are on sale.
Look for supplies off the beaten path.
You can save money by going to dollar stores, yard sales, and thrift shops instead of garden centers to buy pots, accessories, or anything else you need to make your yard look better. Most of the time, these places have nice containers, decorations, and gloves.
Or, use the weekly coupon from Michael’s, Jo-Ann Store, or Bed Bath & Beyond to find something that will make your landscaping shine.
Don’t forget about what you already have in your basement or garage. You can plant it in many different kinds of containers, like wheelbarrows, tires, buckets, shoes, and so on.
Some cities offer mulch, compost, or fertilizer like Zoo-do for free or at a low cost.
Bricks and stones can be found at construction sites that are being torn down.
Talk with your neighbors.
On those walks, you get ideas and say “hi” to people who are working in their yards. Learn about them.
You can ask to borrow a specialized tool they have in the future. Or, if you want to rent some big equipment, you might be able to split the cost with a few neighbors.
Buy a lot of topsoil or gravel and share it with the new people you’ve met.
Ask if you can take cuttings if they have healthy, beautiful trees or bushes that you’d like to grow in your yard. Cut a few woody stems at an angle, bring them home, and dip them in a powder that helps plants grow roots. Put in a small pot with good soil. In a few weeks, they should grow roots, and in a few months, you can plant them.
Soon, everyone will be coming to you to ask how they can make their spring landscaping look as nice as yours.