Emily Flores
You don’t need a huge budget to enjoy a yard that looks cared for. What you need is a fresh way of seeing where your money goes. Extra bags of supplies, forgotten tools, or heavy watering all add up. By paying attention to small choices, you’ll discover savings hiding in plain sight. Coming up are 20 straightforward hints to help you spend less while still keeping your lawn and garden flourishing.
Regular Maintenance Schedule
Sticking to a regular maintenance schedule for the lawn keeps it looking aesthetically appealing year-round and also curbs escalating costs. Consistent care, including mowing, watering, and weeding, can prolong the lawn’s lifespan. Additionally, it helps detect pest or disease problems early.
Invest In Quality Tools
A savvy way to save money on lawn care is to invest in durable tools. They reduce the frequency of repairs or replacements. Plus, quality tools offer better performance and longevity. Consider electric lawn mowers with interchangeable batteries for other yard tools, or manual reel mowers that are cost-effective.
DIY Lawn Care
DIY lawn care is about the joy and satisfaction of taking care of your own space. You can save significant labor costs and tailor your schedule and methods to the lawn’s unique needs. Moreover, each mowing session saves you between $50 and $150 compared to professional services.
Water Early In The Morning
Adopt the habit of watering your lawn in the morning. This practice not only curbs evaporation to ensure every drop counts towards hydrating the lawn, but also curtails the water bill. It also helps to keep fungal diseases at bay that thrive in damp, overnight conditions.
Use A Rain Barrel
Using a rain barrel is a win-win for your garden and wallet. It provides free irrigation, reduces utility bills by lowering dependence on municipal water, and is a boon for the environment by conserving water. Plus, barrels with spigots make watering your lawn and garden even more convenient.
Group Plants By Water Needs
If you’re looking for a cost-effective way to maintain a garden, consider the “hydrozoning” method used by professional landscapers. By grouping plants with similar maintenance and water needs, you can reduce water usage and simplify care. It’s an approach that benefits your plants and schedule.
Edge Your Lawn Naturally
Forget costly plastic or metal edging for your lawn borders. Natural alternatives like stone and logs create beautiful boundaries that stop grass from invading garden beds. These rustic DIY solutions save money while reducing maintenance time.
Water Once A Week, Deeply
Watering less often may feel counterintuitive, but it works. A single deep soak each week encourages roots to grow stronger and deeper. That means less water overall, better resilience during heat, and safe dormancy in dry spells. Come fall, the lawn reliably greens again.
Leave Grass Clippings
Let’s talk about “grasscycling,” an effortless way to save time and money on lawn care. By leaving grass clippings on your lawn, you’re returning valuable nitrogen to the soil. Interestingly, this simple practice can provide up to 25% of the lawn’s annual fertilizer needs, according to BioAdvanced.
Don’t Over-Fertilize
Your lawn doesn’t need monthly fertilization; once or twice a year is sufficient. Over-fertilizing is detrimental to both your lawn’s health and finances. A cost-effective alternative is using homemade or all-purpose fertilizers. Plus, applying fertilizer in the fall helps cool-season grasses develop stronger roots.
Use Mulch
Adding mulch is a small task with lasting results. That 2–3 inch layer prevents weeds from taking over and reduces how much water the soil loses. Select organic mulches, like shredded bark, and you gain the added benefit of long-term soil improvement.
Repurpose Hardscape Materials
One smart strategy for landscaping on a budget is reuse. Old pavers or stones can be repurposed instead of being discarded. Salvage yards extend the options further. Whether used for garden borders or seats, they combine thrift with functional design.
Reduce Lawn Size
Economize by downsizing your lawn, thereby reducing mowing, watering, and fertilizing expenditures. It’s also an eco-friendly step. Moreover, swapping lawn for ground covers or native plants is a win-win. Smaller lawns are less of a chore and can be optimized by focusing on play or gathering areas.
Choose Low-Maintenance Plants
It’s a wise move to choose drought-tolerant and pest-resistant plants, which use less water and fewer chemicals. Native plants, which are adapted to local conditions, are also a smart choice. These selections save money and attract beneficial pollinators. Moreover, grouping plants with similar needs simplifies care.
Plant Windbreaks For Energy Savings
Strategically planting shrubs or trees as windbreaks can reduce heating and cooling costs for your home. These natural barriers shield your yard from harsh winds and sun exposure, creating a more stable microclimate that benefits both your garden and your utility bill.
Soil Testing
Healthy lawns start below the surface. Soil testing reveals nutrient gaps, so fertilizer is used only where it’s needed. DIY kits make the process quick and inexpensive. Over time, balanced soil strengthens grass, minimizes pest issues, and reduces overall maintenance costs.
Homemade Fertilizer
Your lawn’s health and budget both benefit from homemade fertilizers. By using coffee grounds and eggshells, you can create an affordable and tailored solution for green spaces. This DIY approach also cuts down on packaging waste, which adds an eco-friendly twist to the gardening routine.
Aerate Your Lawn
Aeration is a thrifty gardener’s secret weapon. It helps water and nutrients get to the roots by improving soil structure. Moreover, it minimizes soil compaction for healthier grass. High-traffic areas stand to benefit the most. Instead of buying, you can rent aerators from garden centers to save money.
Use Ground Covers
If you’re tired of fighting with patchy grass, ground covers provide a smart alternative. They cut down mowing and watering while flourishing in areas where grass typically fails. Many species remain evergreen for constant color. And certain types, like creeping thyme, add both fragrance and pollinator appeal to the area.
Limit Irrigation Zones
Reducing the number of irrigation zones cuts installation and maintenance costs significantly. While it may limit tailored watering for specific plants, smart irrigation controllers can compensate by adjusting schedules based on weather and soil conditions.