Cheap Landscaping Ideas to Enhance Your Yard on a Budget
Cheap Landscaping Ideas to Enhance Your Yard on a Budget
Cheap landscaping ideas
Creating a beautiful landscape doesn't have to bankrupt you. With some creativity and strategic planning, you can transform your outdoor space using cheap landscaping ideas that are both aesthetically pleasing and budget-friendly. Here’s a comprehensive guide to give you inspiration and help you get started.
| Update | DIY (material cost only) | Cost with installation |
|---|---|---|
| Individual flowers | $5 – $20 per pot | $10 – $30 per pot |
| Garden bed / flower bed | $5 – $15 per square foot | $20 – $65 per square foot |
| Drip irrigation | $0.50 – $1.00 per square foot | $1.50 – $4.50 per square foot |
| Gravel ground cover | $1 – $3 per square foot | $40 – $50 per hour to spread |
| Add or refresh mulch | $15 – $30 per cubic yard | $35 – $70 per cubic yard |
| Stone walkway | $7 – $18 per square foot | $16 – $35 per square foot |
| Landscaping rocks | $50 – $160 per cubic yard | $85 – $310 per cubic yard |
| Landscape edging | $2 – $7 per linear foot | $5 – $18 per linear foot |
| New mailbox | $100 – $340 | $500 – $1,500 |
| Water fountain | $150 – $400 | $200 – $700 |
| Outdoor lighting | $50 – $200 per fixture | $80 – $300 per fixture |
Install garden beds or boxes
Garden beds and boxes are excellent for organizing plants and adding structure to your landscape. Use affordable materials like reclaimed wood or pallets to build your own. You can use them for flowers, vegetables, or herbs, enhancing both beauty and functionality.
DIY garden bed kits cost $5 to $15 per square foot, or $20 to $65 per square foot for a custom-built installation.
Use flattened cardboard boxes instead of landscaping fabric for your weed barrier to save even more.
Get rid of the grass
Replacing traditional grass with low-maintenance ground cover can save time and money. With little to no mowing or watering, these alternatives are perfect for landscaping on a budget:
For a yard with trees that lose their leaves each year, using a mulch or gravel ground cover makes for easier leaf-blowing when needed and needs no watering. Gravel costs $2 to $8 per bag covering up to two cubic feet.
If you don't have shedding trees, consider planting drought-resistant clover or adding fragrance and color with beautiful creeping thyme.
A 1-pound bag of clover seeds costs $10 to $20 and is more than enough for most homes.
Refresh or add mulch
Mulch is an affordable way to enhance your garden's appearance while providing practical benefits. It helps retain moisture, control weeds, and improve soil health. You can use organic wood chips, straw, or shredded leaves, or inorganic options like stones or rubber.
Economy mulch prices average $2 to $6 per bag, or $15 to $30 per cubic yard if you pick it up yourself.
Add vegetables & herbs
Growing your own vegetables and herbs is both economical and rewarding. Use garden beds or containers to cultivate plants like tomatoes, basil, and lettuce. This not only enhances your landscape but also provides fresh produce for your kitchen.
Stay native
Native plants are adapted to the local environment, so they need less water, which translates to lower maintenance costs for you. They also support local wildlife, making them not only cost-effective but environmentally friendly. Pollinator-friendly and bird-friendly native plants bring both color and activity to your yard.
Use the National Wildlife Federation's Native Plants Finder tool to find the best plants for your region. Plug your zip code into the National Audubon Society's Native Plants Database to find bird-friendly plant options!
Embrace xeriscaping to save water
Xeriscaping focuses on conserving water and reducing maintenance costs with drought-tolerant plants, efficient irrigation techniques, and strategic hardscaping. In addition to native plants, consider gravel or stone walkways, dry creek beds, and drip irrigation to achieve a budget-friendly and sustainable landscape.
A drip irrigation system costs $1.50 to $4.50 per square foot if you hire a pro and only $0.50 to $1.00 per square foot if you install it yourself.
A stone walkway costs $16 to $35 per square foot installed or $7 to $18 per square foot on average for just the stone pavers.
A budget-friendly rainwater system can help reduce your landscaping maintenance costs even further. A single recycled plastic rain barrel costs $80 to $120, and some water districts even offer them for free.
Plant perennials
Perennials are a smart investment for budget-conscious gardeners. They return each year, reducing the need for replanting to keep your landscape looking fresh and colorful. Popular choices include daylilies, lavender, and hydrangeas. These plants provide consistent beauty with minimal effort.
Opt for seeds or saplings
Purchasing seeds or saplings instead of mature plants can significantly cut costs. While they require more time to grow, seeds and young plants offer a budget-friendly way to fill your garden with greenery.
Add a rock garden
Rock gardens are low-maintenance and add a unique aesthetic to your landscape. Use a variety of rocks and pebbles to create visual interest.
Landscaping river rocks costs $50 to $160 per cubic yard with DIY installation.
Individual landscaping boulders cost $3 to $650+ each, depending on the size.
Give your mailbox a makeover
Enhance your curb appeal by landscaping around your mailbox. Plant flowers or small shrubs to create an inviting entrance. This simple project can make a significant impact without a large investment and can often be done on a weekend.
If the mailbox itself is looking a little worse for wear, an upgraded brick, stone, or stucco mailbox costs $500 to $1,500 installed.
Add a water feature
Water features can add tranquility to your garden without a hefty price tag. A small rock water fountain costs $150 to $400 alone or $200 to $700 with installation. Alternatively, a simple birdbath can also serve as an attractive focal point for as little as $40.
Give your yard an edge
Landscape edging costs just $5 to $18 per linear foot and adds definition and organization to your landscape. Use materials like bricks, stones, or metal to create borders around garden beds and pathways. This helps keep plants contained and gives your yard a polished look.
Add ambience with outdoor lighting
Outdoor lighting can transform your landscape into a magical space at night. Use easy-to-install solar-powered lights to illuminate pathways, highlight plants, or create ambiance without adding to your electric bill.
When hiring a professional, new low-voltage outdoor lighting costs $100 to $150 per fixture installed.
FAQs about inexpensive landscaping
Does landscaping increase home value?
Yes, updated landscaping is a home improvement that can significantly increase a home's value by enhancing curb appeal. A beautiful yard can attract potential buyers and provide a return on investment (ROI) of up to 95% or even 100%, depending on the location and the specific updates you make.
What are the best affordable landscaping materials?
Some of the most budget-friendly materials include mulch, gravel, rocks, and recycled bricks. These materials are versatile and can be used in various landscaping projects.
Where can I get cheap landscaping rocks?
Check local quarries, landscaping supply stores, or online marketplaces for affordable rocks. Some companies may offer discounts for bulk purchases.
What are the cheapest flowers to plant?
Annuals like marigolds, zinnias, and cosmos are inexpensive and provide vibrant color. Perennials like daylilies and purple coneflowers are also cost-effective options.
Where can I buy cheap plant containers?
Look for sales at garden centers or consider repurposing items like buckets or old pots. Thrift stores and online marketplaces can also offer affordable container options.
Getting estimates from landscapers
When searching for a landscaper near you, be sure to:
Get at least three estimates to compare prices and services.
Consider the scope of the project and any specific requirements you have.
Read company reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Hire a licensed, insured, bonded company with over 5 years of experience.
Make sure you understand all the associated project costs before signing anything.
Have a contract and warranty in hand before the work begins.
Don't make the final payment until the project is complete.
Questions to ask landscaping professional
Asking the right questions can ensure that you choose the right professional to enhance your outdoor space while staying within your budget:
How long have you been in business?
What is your experience with budget-friendly landscaping?
Do you have a portfolio or website with photos of past projects?
What materials do you recommend for cost-effective landscaping?
How long should this project take?
Can you provide a detailed estimate that includes all materials, labor, permit fees if needed, and any other fees?
How do you handle unexpected costs or changes in the project?
Does this job require a permit, and do you handle the permitting process?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.