With an unlimited budget, it’s fair to assume that any gardening fan would willingly lavish hundreds of thousands of pounds on their outdoor areas. Unfortunately, unlimited budgets are rarely available, which tends to mean that most keen gardeners have to make savings where they can.
Thankfully, gardening on a budget can produce genuinely outstanding results; it might be nice to have unlimited funds to spend on your garden, but it’s far from necessary. If you, like most people, are seeking to improve and manage your garden with one eye firmly on the bottom line, here are a few tips you might want to keep in mind.
Be willing to DIY landscaping projects
Learning to DIY certain landscaping projects, such as constructing a gravel pathway or even building stone steps, can make a huge difference to the amount you’ll spend when seeking to develop your outdoor space. Interior DIY is often troublesome due to the risk of electrical cables and structural damage, but there are few such concerns when seeking to revamp your outdoor space. So, while you should always stick to a “safety first” motto, attempting to DIY basic landscaping projects is a great way of keeping your costs under control when seeking to develop and improve your garden’s aesthetic appeal.
Use what you have
Did you know that eggshells make for a great natural fertiliser? Or that you can collect autumn leaves and use them as a home-made nutrient-rich compost? Or that the herb citronella can be planted in order to deter pests?
The examples above are just a glimpse of the many ways that you can cut your costs when trying to ensure that your plants and flowers are in the best possible condition. It’s therefore worth checking online to see if there is a homemade alternative for any product you are tempted to buy; while the efficacy is not guaranteed, it’s worth giving these options a try in an effort to keep your costs reasonable.
Avoid the temptation of gadgets and tools
There is a variety of tools and gadgets on the market that are designed to make gardening as simple as possible. While the existence of these gadgets is understandable - life is busy, and many people simply don’t have the time required to dedicate to their garden - it’s helpful to note that no gadget is actually necessary to tend a garden. Sure, they may be nice to own and use, but if you’re gardening with an eye on your costs, expensive gadgets can be a drain on your budget that could be better spent elsewhere. If you have a rake, a hoe, a spade, a garden hose, and a trowel, you already have all the essentials you need.
In conclusion
Gardening is often seen as an expensive hobby, but the truth is that gardening is what you make of it. A garden does not need a huge amount of investment to look fantastic; with a little time, thoughtful design, and the occasional cost-cutting measure, you can build and maintain a delightful garden regardless of the size of your budget. Enjoy!