Landscaping on a Budget
Stittsville
May 14, 2021
Waterfront Stays in the Ottawa Valley
May 28, 2021
Landscaping on a Budget
2020 & 2021 have been all about the latest fad – staycations and creating the perfect at-home space that you never want to leave! With these warmer temperatures we are enjoying as of late, what better place to spend the weekend than in the great outdoors! There are tons of awesome ways you can create the perfect outdoor space. We have articles that explain how to build your own firepit as well as the top outdoor design trends of 2020! If you have a smaller outdoor area, you may want to check out our outdoor inspiration for any space.
A great way to spruce up your outdoor space is by adding a little bit of landscaping. Landscaping can come in all sorts of forms and price points. It can be as easy as adding a flower bed to bringing in a backhoe and excavating for boulders and a retaining wall. Perhaps price isn’t an issue, in this case be sure to check out this awesome article with some gorgeous luxury landscaping! In this post, it’s instead all about landscaping on a budget.
Check out these great landscaping ideas that’ll have your yard looking fabulous for less money!
Showy Flowerbeds
An easy way to add pops of colour to your yard is by adding a flowerbed. Choose vibrant colours you like and go crazy! If you want a low-maintenance garden, you may want to plant perennial flowers so that you don’t have to replant them year after year. Affordable planters and pots can be purchased from hardware stores and flowers from garden centres. You can also plant your flowers from seeds, but be sure to check out the back of the packet for the best time of year for planting. A few notable garden centres in the Ottawa area include Ritchie Feed & Seed Inc, Green Thumb Garden Centre, Manotick Gardens & Landscaping Supplies, Carp Garden Centre and Brantim Country Garden Centre. If you aren’t sure where to start when it comes to choosing your flowers, ask the staff at the garden centre. They will be happy to help you out!
Mulch it Up!
Mulch is great for many reasons! It can save you money and time. You won’t need to water your garden as much when it has been mulched. Another benefit is that you won’t need to mow as much of your lawn when parts have been mulched. In addition, mulch also helps add nutrients to your garden, keeps weeds at bay, is more resistant to pests, helps retain moisture, regulates soil temperature… the list goes on! It can be a variety of colours including black, brown, red and gold. You can choose a colour that you think will go best with your flower choice (be sure to ask your local garden centre staff if you have questions!). Want to add a fun feature to your yard? Try mulching around a stump or tree and adding some plants and flowers!
Maintain Your Grass
What looks better than a beautiful green and perfectly cut lawn. In either the spring or fall, it is a good idea to aerate your lawn. Aerating improves the passage for water and nutrients to reach the grass roots when watering is limited. Once you have aerated, you will want to seed your lawn. Seeding is best done in the late summer or early fall. There are many different types of grass seeds you can buy, and you will want to pick one that best suits your home. Check out this post to help you choose the right seed for your lawn. Don’t forget to fertilize, this time of year (spring) is the best time for fertilizing. Regular watering with a sprinkler or rainwater is also a great idea for keeping your grass looking fantastic! Be sure to keep it at an even length and mow regularly.
Plant Trees
Planting trees in your yard can add so much curb appeal. They also offer well-needed shade, privacy from neighbours as well as a natural habitat for birds and squirrels. Choosing the best trees for your yard depends on a few different things. Where is the best place to position the tree? How much sunlight does the tree need to grow? Would you rather have a coniferous or deciduous tree? What about a tree that blooms and blossoms in the spring. Be mindful of leaf, flower, sap and needle cleanup. Some trees are also hardier than others, so be sure to choose an appropriate tree for our colder winter climate. You will also want to consider how large the tree will grow. Will it grow out with lots of branches? Are there hydro wires above? All great things to consider when choosing a tree for your yard.
Add Budget-Friendly Decor
There are lots of great budget-friendly outdoor decor options you can choose from! A few of our favourites include citronella tiki torches – these not only look amazing but also offer some relief from those pesky mosquitoes! String lights that can be easily hung over a deck or patio, check out this awesome DIY to create an attractive pole for hanging. Solar lights are another beautiful way to add decor to your gardens and flower beds. Adding an outdoor woven mat to a deck or patio is another beautiful way to add some colour and style. Vertical gardens are a fun new trend that adds a unique look to your yard as well. Bright throw pillows will certainly also add nice colour pops!
Garden Bed Edging
Adding an edging border around your gardens adds a particularly beautiful finishing piece that significantly tidies up your yard. There are tons of great ways you can add edging. For instance, you could use wood, cinder blocks, bricks, patio stones, even clay pots can make a nice border! You can be as creative or eclectic as you’d like when making your edging, we have seen everything from bicycle wheels to glass bottles. If you are looking for a more traditional look, try something like paver stones or river stones. This is sure to add a nice sleek look to your garden’s edge!
Create a Path or Walkway
Much like the garden edging, you can make a backyard path out of basically whatever you want! Patio pavers, gravel or small stones are always a favourite. An interesting thing you can do is create a wooden path from one area to another. This looks amazing when leading from your deck to your patio or gazebo. Pair your wooden path with some gravel between the planks and with mulch and flowers around the outside. Now you have created a landscaping masterpiece!
*BONUS* DIY Patio Furniture
Purchasing new patio furniture can be surprisingly expensive. Not to worry, there are lots of easy DIY plans on the internet so that you can make your own! Because lumber has been quite expensive this year, you can instead try to find some old pallets. Check out Kijiji or the Facebook Marketplace to see if you can find some free pallets or inexpensive wood! Once you have your wood, why not try making a chair, couch, daybed or even a sectional? With all of your seating, you are going to also want a coffee table or end tables. Want to spruce it all up with some custom pillows? Check out this great throw pillow DIY!
In conclusion, you can easily boost your curb appeal affordably with these simple steps! We hope you have enjoyed our post and have found a few ways to do your own landscaping on a budget. We want you to enjoy your home to the fullest, inside and out. Have fun in the outdoors this summer and stay safe!
Looking for a home with a larger outdoor space? Contact us! We would love to help you find your dream home!
