Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck What to Consider When Budgeting for Landscaping Costs

DIY gardening and decor can be a great way to add a unique flair to your home's outdoor landscape. Whether you're just starting out or more experienced with gardening and landscaping, these DIY garden projects can help bring your outdoor space to life. From outdoor lighting design and installation to creating a pollinator-friendly garden and designing a child and pet-friendly garden, there are many ways to make your outdoor space your own. Plus, you'll be surprised how much you can save on the cost of landscaping when you do it yourself.

Outdoor Lighting: Design and Installation

When it comes to outdoor lighting, design and installation is key. By adding ambient or task lighting, you can create a unique and inviting outdoor space. Consider adding solar-powered lights along pathways or staircases to brighten up the area while adding some decorative elements. You can also install electric lighting around decks and pergolas to really spruce up your outdoor area.

Creating a Pollinator-Friendly Garden

Encouraging and protecting pollinators such as bees, butterflies and hummingbirds is an important eco-friendly goal that you can support by creating a designated outdoor space. When creating a pollinator-friendly garden, consider adding colorful pollinator-friendly plants such as sunflowers, coneflowers and herbs. You can also add a shallow dish or tray of water to provide a watering area for pollinators.

Designing a Child and Pet-Friendly Garden

Creating a garden that is both child and pet-friendly can be a bit of a challenge. But with some planning, you can create an outdoor space that everyone in the family can enjoy. Choose colorful, safe paving materials for walk paths and outdoor play areas. You'll also want to avoid adding anything potentially toxic to your garden, such as certain kinds of mulch and fertilizers.

Building and Maintaining a Compost Pile

Creating a compost pile is a great way to turn kitchen scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich soil that can help your flowers and vegetables grow. Building a compost pile is easyall you need is soil, water, air, and organic material such as food scraps, yard trimmings, and shredded newspaper or cardboard. Once you've built your compost pile, make sure to water it regularly and turn it every now and then for the best results.

DIY Garden Projects: Trellises, Raised Beds

Adding trellises and raised beds to your outdoor landscape can be a great way to add height and visual interest. Plus, trellises and beds provide additional growing space for flowers, herbs, and vegetables. Again, making these DIY garden projects is easy and inexpensive. All you need is some wood, a saw, and some screws or nails to get started.

How Much Does Landscaping Cost?

The cost of landscaping varies, depending on a variety of factors, such as the type of materials you use, the extent of the work, and any additional services needed. Generally, you can expect to spend between $2 and $10 per square foot on basic landscaping. However, if you opt for more involved landscaping projects such as installing outdoor lighting, building raised beds, or creating hardscaping features, you can expect to pay more.