For many people, having an amazing landscape is either expensive or high-maintenance. However, there are many ways to make your backyard look amazing without spending a lot on supplies, maintenance, landscaping services, or even outdoor water features. Here are some cheap and low-maintenance landscaping ideas for your outdoor space.
Consider Using Fake Grass – Let’s be honest; taking care of your lawn is hard work. You’ll need to put a considerable amount of time and effort to maintain it. If you think it’s too much for you to handle, why not consider using fake grass. It doesn’t require as much maintenance, can be as natural-looking as the real thing, and can last for decades, depending on the quality. Sure, it’s more expensive than the grass, but it’ll pay off after a few years. You can also opt to use fake grass on certain areas of your lawn to reduce your grassy areas, which means less maintenance.
Add a Composite Deck – Like fake grass, composites are quite expensive compared to other types of decking. However, composite decking is one of the lowest-maintenance options available. It’s also resistant to moulds, fungi, and moisture, which makes it an excellent pair with any type of garden. It can also last 25 to 30 years, making the added cost worth it.
Try Planting Perennials – Perennials are some of the easiest plants and flowers to grow and maintain. Perennials wilt during the winter, keeping their roots in-tact, but grow back during springtime. Some perennials can last for at least two years, while others can live decades. Coneflowers, ferns, hibiscus, and a few varieties of geraniums are some excellent options. With perennials, you won’t need to continue to replace flowers and plants every time some of them die in your garden.
Go With Local Plants – If you want plants that can take care of itself with little maintenance, you’ll want to get domestic or local plants. They don’t require as much water, fertilizer, and care as other plants. They’re also cheap and readily available. You may need to ask around to know what types of plants grow in your place. You can also find your answers using a quick internet search.
Use Pots and Planters– After selecting the best plants available, you may also want to consider incorporating pots and small planters for your garden. You can place them anywhere in your backyard. You can also store or bring out plants that will match the season. If you have a smaller outdoor space, you can store your potted plants to make more space. They are also easier to protect during harsh seasons. Depending on where you live, you may find clay pots expensive. If so, you can use large milk cans and iron buckets for planters. You can also convert old furniture into plant boxes.
Create Stone Paths and Pavements – Stone paths and concrete pavements are excellent low-maintenance additions to your yard. Like grass, you can also use them to decrease the area of your grass lawn. Doing so will require less upkeep. Stone bricks and concrete are relatively cheap and can be used by anyone.
Introduce Mulch to Your Garden – Mulching will improve your landscape in so many ways. For one, it will improve the soil quality. It traps moisture and keeps weeds and grass from growing. It also regulates the temperature of the soil, which is beneficial for most plants. Aside from providing a healthy garden, you can also make your garden look amazing. For mulch, you can either use organic or inorganic materials. Organic mulch has more advantage, as it will decompose and become nutrients for the soil. However, you’ll need to refill it after a while. On the other hand, inorganic mulch can be more expensive but doesn’t require refilling.
Install Lighting – One of the most overlooked aspects of landscaping is lighting. Pairing effective lighting designs with excellent landscaping can make your outdoor space stand out among the rest. Without it, your effort for a beautiful yard goes away as soon as the sun sets down. There are many ways to incorporate lighting with landscaping. For instance, you can use uplights to highlight some of your best flowers and plants. They can also illuminate pathways and pavement and make them safer.