Landscaping an entire front yard may seem like an expensive project, and that’s because it usually is! Fortunately, you can make your front yard look perfect with these low maintenance landscaping ideas. Which one will you pick?
Low Maintenance Front Yard Budget Landscaping Ideas: Flower Beds
Looking for an easy way to landscape your yard without putting too much money in? Why not plant your own flower bed? Though flowers can be an expensive investment, I recommend either growing from seed or waiting until your nursery has cleared out some of the plants from earlier in the season. You’ll really appreciate the money saved. Here’s what you should be planting in your flower bed, depending on if it is in an area of full sun or shade.
Full Sun Flowers
For full sun areas, plant Snapdragons, Vinca, Mexican Sunflowers, Zinnias, plenty of Marigolds, as well as any variety of Dahlia. These all do wonderfully when grown in areas of full sun.
Full Shade Flowers
Calendula, Fuscia, Impatiens, Bleeding Heart, Hydrangea, Astilbe, and Violets all thrive where there is little to no sun. Put these flowers in your shade flower gardens.
Low Maintenance Front Yard Landscaping with Rocks
I’ve always said that adding a bit of river rock is all a home needs for seriously chic landscaping. However, purchasing rocks and gravel from a store who specializes in landscaping could end up being a bit pricey.
To save some hard-earned dough on your rock landscaping accents, I recommend visiting construction and contracting sites to see if they have any extra. You can also visit a local farmer and offer to take some rocks off his hands. After all, farmers HATE rocky gardens!
Additionally, sites like Craigslist has postings for rocks on occasion.
Mulch for Low Maintenance Front Yard Landscaping
Mulch is necessary if you want your plants to grow and thrive as best as they can. However, like rocks, mulch can get pretty pricey to install in your own backyard!
To save money on mulch, use biodegradable materials such as like lawn cuttings, compost (learn how to make your own at home here), shredded newspaper, autumn leaf cuttings, or cardboard sheets. While none of the above looks quite as beautiful as mulch does, its a great way to save money on things that matter to your plants.
Low Maintenance Landscaping with Plants
A well-landscaped yard always has a variety of absolutely stunning plants! Fully grown, adult plants, however, can be ridiculously expensive.
If you don’t have hundreds of dollars to spend on brand-new adult plants, I highly recommend you try out the art of propagation.
Simply put, you can ask your neighbor for a plant cutting of theirs in return for a plant cutting of yours. It’s like a plant barter system!
Place the cuttings in a few inches of water, until new roots develop. As soon as the roots have reached 5-6 inches long, you can go ahead and transplant your propagation outdoors. This is a great way to double your plant collection at virtually no cost! Learn everything there is to know about propagation here.
Landscaping with Grass
Grass is CRAZY expensive in the world of landscaping. Not only is sod or seed pretty pricey, but grass also takes a lot of water in order to grow, which costs quite a bit of money.
To save money on grass, try getting rid of it altogether! Replace your grass with native flowers, trees, and shrubs, that all will receive enough water from rainfall. Additionally, you could swap grass for a low maintenance ground cover. However, if you MUST have grass, a great way to save money is to pick it up and install it yourself. It really isn’t hard at all!
Bonus Landscaping Idea: a Living Fence
Living fences are terrific ways to improve your landscaping while getting some much-needed privacy from the neighbors! Read our guide to living fences for ideas to get you going.
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