Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Transform your yard this season with smart landscaping ideas. Discover how to keep your landscaping project budget-friendly.
Landscaping your home needs to start with a plan and budget.
Unfortunately, landscaping a home can be costly if you make unnecessary purchases and mistakes.
Today, I’m going to share with you my expertise as a landscaper with al of you so you’re better equipped to make decisions.
Find out what tips homeowners can use to keep their landscaping project on budget.
Landscaping Your Dream Home Without Stress
The mere thought of doing landscaping can lead to sleepless nights and visions of empty bank accounts.
Over the years, I have worked with many clients who have fallen into this category; they want to bring their yard to life but are worried about the costs associated with undertaking the project.
In many cases, they are first-time homeowners who have never landscaped before and have heard stories from friends and family of how much their backyard retreats have cost.
They may have wandered into a garden center only to be overwhelmed by names and price tags.
On top of that, many folks today are both budget-conscious and “green” conscious, wanting to bring these items to the table when beautifying their property.
Landscape Design: Planning
As a landscape designer, I first ask my clients about their budget – right away, you need to know how much you want to spend on the project initially and long-term.
Related: Curb Appeal Landscaping For First-Time Homeowners
When you undertake a landscape project, knowing how much money you want to spend on the project is essential when you are done putting everything in the ground (no pun intended).
Some people plan to approach the project over several years and allot “x” dollars each year.
Other people may prefer to approach the project as a “one-time shot.”
Either way, write those numbers down, as that is your initial budget.
Basic Tools For Landscaping
If you have never gardened before, you will need some essential tools to get you started.
For landscape newbies, I suggest visiting Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, or going to garage sales.
Keeping your costs low means finding the tools for a fraction of the cost.
This can be a significant investment and worth buying the right tools the first time rather than replacing them year after year.
- Shovel
- Rake
- Lawnmower
- Garden Hoe
- Spade
- Garden Hose
- Gardening Fork
- Spade
- Pruning Shears
- Garden Gloves
- Wheelbarrow
- Garden Hand Tools
- Ladder
- Garden Water Can
- Twine
- Lawn Spreader
Related: How To Source Free Landscaping Supplies.
Home Before Landscaping
How To Determine A Landscaping Budget
Now in terms of long-term landscaping budget, ask yourself –
- Do you plan to plant annuals in your garden each year? Yes – that will cost money each year, so you need to budget for that.
- Do you want to use city water to irrigate the gardens? If so, that will impact your water bill, so you will want to consider that. If you don’t plan to water or want to rely on rain barrels, you will also want to consider plant materials that are more drought-tolerant or native.
- Do you plan to use decorative mulch in your beds? If so, this will need to be topped up every year to keep it looking fresh and maintain its garden-friendly properties.
- You will also want to budget for regular maintenance costs such as fertilizers.
Related: How to grow beautiful flower beds for your property.
Landscape Design Phase
Understanding Needs vs. Wants
Once you have developed your budget, I suggest drawing up a list of “needs” and “wants.”
This is important because many people get the two confused, especially when planning something as exciting as a new entertaining space, and it is easy to blow through your budget with things you “want” while forgetting the things you “need.”
Sure, you might “want” that lovely fountain, but you really “need” a patio to accommodate your extended family on a long weekend Backyard BBQ party.
Determining what area of your property you want to landscape first is essential.
Is your front yard the area that is most important to you?
This may be true if you are planning to sell soon or if the entrance is a safety hazard), or is the backyard the most important because it will be your “staycation” spot for summer weekends?
Related: How To Get Rid Of House and Garden Ants
Involve the entire family during this process; it can be a lot of fun coming up with ideas and searching out photos!
During this phase, one of the biggest things I advise people to do is to seek professional advice.
Related: How To Build A Rock Garden With Weed Prevention.
Should You Hire A Landscaping Professional?
By seeking out a professional’s advice, you will likely save yourself money.
I know this might sound backward, but spending money to save money?
Listen to this – spending the money to have a consultation or have a landscaping plan completed by a professional is worth it.
The landscaping profession knows what plants will do best in a specific area (ie: in that dark, dry shady corner or beside the driveway where you pile your snow).
The professional will also show you how best to design a patio around your windows and doors, saving you both the time and the hassle of trial and error.
I have met people who have spent thousands of dollars on plant material, only to have it repeatedly fail because they had planted it in the wrong space.
A quick 1-1/2 consultation could have saved some of that money and let them spend it on something else.
Landscaping A Home For Resale Value
Landscaping is an excellent asset to your home and will often retain its resale value more than a bathroom or kitchen renovation.
Curb appeal is a significant factor for many people when looking at homes, so many people can’t see a home’s potential when they pull up and see nothing.
When you read house listings, do you notice realtors always mention landscaping?
It’s an important selling feature for any home and why keeping your property tidy is essential.
Client Project
The project below is a simple front yard landscaping renovation that was completed in one day for a client.
The clients had a landscaping budget that they wanted to stick to.
By telling me their landscaping budget and meeting with me to discuss what they wanted to accomplish (give the house curb appeal without having to add annuals each year, wanted year-round and some “feature” plants), I was able to take their budget and make it work for them.
In fact, we came in UNDER budget and included all the features they wanted!
The 2-hour consultation had paid off as they weren’t left guessing which plants to select and where they should be planted.
Related: How to Build A Rock Garden With Weed Protection
After Landscaping The Property
The AFTER- After landscaping, what an Impact on the home!
© Landscape Designs by Jodie Munshaw 2012
Contribution Post By Jodie Munshaw is a Certified Landscape Designer providing her clients with custom landscape designs and garden consultation services that meet both their needs and their budgets.
Landscaping and Gardening Series
- How I Turned My Passion and Skills Into Making Extra Money
- Free Plants And Easy Ways To Save Money On Gardening
- Protect Your Investment: Planting Tips For Your Vegetable Garden
- Garden Growing Guide
- Starting Our Frugal Garden From Seed
- Growing A Garden In A Small Space
I think before I go about making a budget, I need to pick up a “Gardening For Idiots”, I think it would be easier to create my “need” list of items with a handy list somewhere near by 🙂 That is a good idea to get someone who knows what they are doing to come look,tell you what you are working with.
Is there such a book lol.. you are so funny Melissa! A list is just as important as it is when budgeting.. you need to know all the information. Hiring a professional to give you their opinion and design is ideas is better than overspending, getting the wrong types of plants etc. If you are going to invest in your property do it once the right way. If I can avoid spending money twice on the same thing I’m well ahead. Cheers
Love that you started out with my new favourite word “budget.” I am one of those who gets lost in the garden centres loving everything but then getting totally confused about what kind of plants to get for my different lighting/moisture areas of my property. The other point that I am going to start right now is a need vs want list! Our landscaping is not going to be a one shot deal but I want to make the most out of each addition. Time for hubby and I to sit down, create a budget and then a prioritized list. Thank you for your post and I look forward to the rest of the series 🙂 ~ Sandy
Hi Sandy,
I’m glad you liked Part 1 in the Series, I knew you would. Budgeting is so important when investing in your property. I really want to stress making a plan and list of wants and needs and then budgeting the money. Like I mentioned before if its worth it to you, spend the money to get a pro in for their advice. It’s best to spend your money once~ rather than twice or too much for that matter. Cheers Sandy~ Hope your husband enjoys the article!
Great advise about talking with a professional, especially for someone with little gardening knowledge. They certainly could help suggest which plants would work best where and help decide what to prioritize when working with a budget. Thanks for the post and looking forward to reading the next one.
That’s just it Joanna, it’s knowing what plants to pick and not wasting money twice or even more. I’m glad you enjoyed Jodie’s first post as much as I did. I’ll need to learn everything I can. Happy Easter Joanna!
Mr.CBB
Thank you for this article! I managed to do a lot of my garden affordably as my Aunt split a lot of her plants for us to use but it would have been great to have someone come over like you mentioned to tell us where to put everything. Sometimes I feel like my garden could use some organization! lol
We split a tonne of flowers last year and gave them to friends. That’s a great way to save money in the budget. Good Luck Jen and thanks for posting. Mr.CBB
I used do my landscaping each year by going out and pulling weeds and planting annuals, then consider my gardening done. I have started buying perennials so that I don’t have to buy flowers each year and swapping plants with friends is a good way to keep the cost of new plants down.
Yes the cost of replacing flowers every year can skyrocket not to mention bust the budget. We are aiming for shrubs and greenery, grasses in the front and perennials in our back yard. We also swap flowers with our mates. Good Luck Tania and thanks for reading.
I’ve been guilty of just buying the plants I like and planting them in the wrong areas of my yard. I think at the new house we’re going to hire someone first and plant second!
I know how tempting it is going into a gardening centre and seeing plants upon pretty plants with gorgeous blooms and wanting to buy them. Actually the wife is just like that. I have to control her feminine urges to want to buy every one she goes all fluttery over lol.. it’s best to hire a pro to give you all the advice, then plant.. that’s the best route.. do it once, save the money. Thanks for reading. Happy Easter Elizabeth.
I also found out the hard way that a lot of the people who work in garden centers (around here anyway) aren’t always knowledgable about plants/flowers! I have an area that is very shady and wet. I found a few flowers that they said would be ok in the shade and they didn’t do well…I’ve been getting to know Jodie through a coupon group and some chats and hope she’ll be able to offer me some “online” advice in the future (a bit far for her to come here) for this problem garden area!
Yes it’s best to have someone come and and actually look at your space. I’m glad you have gotten to know Jodie. I’m sure you know by now how lovely she is. Happy Easter Shelley! Mr.CBB
Great advice!!! I have a small back yard at the bottom of a hill. We found raised beds work great here. I have perennials in them and from the looks of things I’ll be dividing the daylilys again, and digging up the shastas to re-plant. I’ll empty out the composters for the gardens when I do the digging. I still would like a couple of pink daylilys so I’ll keep looking there, then figure out where I can put the dears. Last year I dug out a stretch beside the driveway that had some rather aggressive weeds and perennials in there. There are a number that came back this year, so I know I’ll be digging them up again…. My plan is to put in annuals along there for the next few years until I can get rid of those nasty beasties. I’m thinking pink cosmos, pink cleome and some white nicotaina. Other than that my annuals go in hanging pots around the porch and the two big blue pots I got 3 years ago. I think if we ever moved I’d be digging up most of the garden to take with us…. the new people could then plant what ever they want and I have my favorites with me to save money at the new address….
Hi Christine, sounds like you have a beautiful yard. We have a small back yard as well and are still trying to sort out what we like and don’t like. I’m hoping this is the last year! Happy Easter! Thanks for posting and subscribing! Cheers Mr.CBB
great article! Look forward to reading more:) It is definitely a great idea to talk to a professional first. I usually get some plants from my mother, which cuts down on the costs, because buying flowers/trees can get very expensive. BTW very great job on your before & after pics.
Aren’t they awesome Wendy! I would love for her to make that kind of magic happen in our front yard. Thanks for posting.. Happy Easter. Mr.CBB
Hi. Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your blog! I nominated you today for the Versatile Blogger Award. Check out my post for the details. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and ideas!
Yes I just noticed and left you a lovely comment. I appreciate you thinking of me and reading my blog. It means alot as a new blogger to have other fellow bloggers recognize me. Thanks again and I’m gong to get working on my nominations! Happy Easter
Mr.CBB
Thank you for sharing your tips. I like to create my backyard into a garden of tranquillity with flowers as most years I cannot afford a vacation away and sharing this space with my family when we swim or bbq is the best vacation of all. I have started doing container gardening for veggies. I am going to expand what I plant this year. Last year was tomatoes and peppers. I am going to try cucumbers this year. Look forward to the next post.
Funny you mention that because more and more families are retreating to their backyard each year for a family vacation as they simply can’t afford one. I think it’s a great idea but you need to keep the space tranquil as you mention. IF no one likes to be out there than no one will want to spend time in the yard. We plant tomatoes and peppers as well but haven’t the space for cucumbers. Would love an update on how you make out this year. You can taste the difference that’s for sure! Thanks for your post. Mr.CBB
I am pretty sure you can get cuttings off of other plants. I would go around your neighborhood and as your neighbors for some from the plants you like.
I think that’s a great idea to ask your neighbours for cuttings although I’m not looking for any flowers myself. I really want to keep the front yard neat and maintenance free. We’ve given away so many flowers I lost count and posted them on freecycle. We hate to waste anything that others may use. Thanks for your comment as always! Cheers Mr.CBB
Great post! Lots of things to think about before you even get started. I look forward to more from this series!
Thanks for your comment Melissa. I look forward to what Jodie has next for CBB fans!
I never truly thought about budgeting for gardening because I didn’t think it costed that much…but it all adds up! thanks for saving many people from wasting money by not really knowing! 🙂 I’ll be sure to come up with a “needs” and “wants” list this year, for my yard!
Wow, landscaping can be very costly if we don’t plan and plan right for that matter. I’m glad I’m budgeting and taking the time to research and call in the professionals for advice. Thanks for your lovely comment Romana! Mr.CBB
Thanx everyone for your positive comments! I am not sure how I didn’t find THIS comments section earlier so I do apologize! Gardening is a place where so many people “throw away money” that they don’t need to. By properly planning your garden you can get plants in the RIGHT place so you get color at the RIGHT times and get the RIGHT look to suit YOUR style and BUDGET. There are some great books out there, I’ll point you in the direction of some of my favorites in a future post as well as websites and apps. In the meantime stay tuned for part two!
Just found your blog through Save Big Live Better on Facebook. I was excited to read the landscaping post, we just moved into a recently built house without any landscaping. I’m looking forward to reading more on this topic. Any idea of what it would cost to have a landscaping consultation?
Hi Pam,
Thanks for commenting first off. The landscaping Series is a 3 part series and I will post this post on FB again and tag our in house landscape specialist Jodie Munshaw.. she will give you all the details.. she’s amazing at what she does. We are landscaping our home right now and she has given us great ideas!! Mr.CBB
Pam…. my experience with landscape pros is that they might charge what seems like a lot but if they are with a company you will get a discount on any stuff you buy from the company… Think along the lines of places that charge….say $5.00 for a catalogue, but you get $5.00 off the first order so it is worth it. Be honest… if you want a multi year plan…. tell them, they will be happy to work with you on that…
Thanks for giving us the chance to read this blog it’s nice blog and good to see.
I”m glad you enjoy it Raj!
Good to see this type of blog and we are thankful to you after read this