Add a walkway

If you need to break up space in a big backyard or want a smoother transition from turfgrass to garden, consider a walkway. A path made of stepping stones or pavers is an easy, budget-friendly project that combines style and functionality. 

To elevate the design, add some moss or ground cover that can take foot traffic like sedge. A gravel pathway will add a more seamless look.

Build a rock garden

Why stop at a walkway? A rock garden is an area where boulders, stones, and rocks are arranged in unique designs. Rock gardens don’t require much care and provide a calming sanctuary to enjoy alone or with friends and family. 

They’re especially great landscape features for locations prone to drought. With a rock garden you’ll save on the cost of water and fertilizer compared to having a traditional lawn.

Rock gardens also make your yard appear larger and increase your home’s curb appeal. And rock gardens are an investment that can increase your property’s value by up to 14%.

Get creative with edging

Is your landscape trying to establish boundaries? Edging can help. The best way to save money is to work with what you already have. Think of all the possibilities on how to design with:

• Stone
• Brick
• Wood
• Concrete
• Cinder blocks
• Metal
• Plastic
• Rubber
• Garden fencing
• Iron fencing 
• Pebbles

You can use any of those edging materials to contain mulch, highlight a tree, or make any landscape feature stand out. Edging also helps prevent erosion by interrupting runoff. 

Cost: Professional installation can cost between $70 and $1,500, depending on the scale of the project. You can use scrap wood or leftover stones to cut costs and do this project yourself. 

Raise your garden bed

If you would love to grow a garden but don’t have a green thumb, a raised garden can help. How is it different from a regular garden? A raised garden is off the ground and isolated, so you’re less likely to deal with weeds and pests. If you don’t have weeds and pests, you don’t have to spend money on pesticides and herbicides. 

You can use a number of materials to create a raised garden bed including wood, cinder block, and brick. If you’re comfortable with a drill, you can easily create one yourself using cedar boards. 

Cost: A DIY raised garden bed can cost as little as $35.

Repurpose found objects for planters

Who said every plant needs to be in a 12×12-inch terra cotta pot? Anything that can hold soil can be repurposed into a planter. Not only does it save you money buying planters, but it also gives your yard a unique flair.

Here are some things you can find around your home to use as planters to create garden centerpieces:

• Old tubs
• Pianos
• Wheelbarrows
• Tires
• Tin cans
• Water cans
• Glass jars
• Baskets
• Vases
• Wooden boxes
• Fish bowls
• Paint cans

If your object doesn’t have drainage holes, pick plants that don’t mind sitting in a little moisture. Otherwise, you can drill in a few holes yourself. 

Cost: Your only cost is soil and the plants themselves. A 50-quart bag of potting soil costs $15 while plants will be between $3 and $50.