Landscaping your yard on a budget can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. While the typical advice for saving money on landscaping is to buy smaller plants, shop end-of-season sales, and do the labor yourself, there’s a second tier of savings that most people never tap into. This hidden realm of affordable landscaping is all about finding free or near-free material sources, discounted plant inventory, and cheap and easy-to-grow seeds that make nursery starts look like a bad deal for certain plants.
1. Check Municipal Mulch Programs
A lot of cities and counties give away free compost or double-ground mulch through recycling centers or public works facilities. They collect the material from yard waste pickup and then process it on-site. It doesn’t cost anything and quantities are often large enough to cover a full yard’s mulching needs in one trip. The catch worth knowing about, though, is that municipal compost sometimes comes out of the pile before it’s fully finished. Incomplete mulch material can carry viable weed seeds, so let it sit in a heap for a few extra weeks before you put it anywhere near your beds.
Seeds that are going to germinate will do so in the pile rather than your garden. To find free mulch programs near you and whether they offer pickup or delivery, give your local public works or sanitation department a quick call or check your local city or county website. Some municipalities also offer a limited number of free mulch pickup days, where residents can bring their own containers to collect the mulch. Be sure to check with your local government for specific details.
Another benefit of municipal mulch is that it’s often made from a mix of yard waste, including leaves, branches, and other organic materials. This blend can create a nutrient-rich mulch that’s perfect for your garden beds. Just be sure to mix it well before applying it to your garden to avoid any lumps or uneven distribution.
Pros and Cons of Municipal Mulch
Pros:
- Free or low-cost
- High-quality mulch made from a mix of yard waste
- Environmentally friendly
Cons:
- May contain weed seeds
- Needs to sit for a few weeks before use
- Quantity may vary
2. Search Curbs & Plant Share Sites
Spring garden cleanup produces a staggering amount of perfectly healthy plant material that often ends up composted or curbside. Neighbors may be dividing overgrown hostas, thinning out daylilies, or pulling volunteer plants to make room in garden beds. This leaves mature, root-established stock that would normally cost money, but is now free for the asking. Nextdoor and local Facebook gardening groups are where much of this free plant material surfaces.
Low-maintenance plants like hostas, ornamental grasses, black-eyed Susans, and shrubs appear in a consistent stream, if you’re watching for them. A plant dug up from a neighbor’s garden is often larger and better rooted than a quart pot from the nursery. That translates directly to faster establishment. The end of the growing season is a time worth monitoring too, not just spring. Fall garden cleanup moves a lot of free plants from neighbors.
When searching for free plants on Curbs & Plant Share Sites, be sure to check the condition of the plants before taking them home. Make sure they don’t have any signs of disease or pests, and that the roots are healthy. You can also ask the owner if they have any specific care instructions or recommendations for the plant.
Benefits of Using Free Plants
Using free plants can save you money and reduce waste. It’s also a great way to get established plants that will require less maintenance and care. Plus, it’s a great way to build relationships with your neighbors and community.
3. Ask Landscapers for Leftovers
Landscaping and hardscaping crews end jobs with leftover material regularly. It could be partial sod pallets, extra stone, more mulch than the job used, or landscape edging they didn’t need. You can also find cheap, almost invisible landscape edging from retailers like Lowe’s, if you’re not able to find enough leftovers to surround your whole garden.
Getting it back to their business or to a disposal site costs money and time and a lot of crews would rather hand it off than deal with it themselves. If there’s a crew working nearby, asking about leftovers only takes a minute. The worst answer is no. The best is a pallet of free landscaping stones or a truckload of sod for free or close to it. Bulk mulch jobs are especially reliable for free landscaping materials.
Larger hardscaping jobs – driveways, paver patios, retaining walls – are also good ones to approach, since they tend to involve a lot of leftover material as well. Just be sure to ask the crew about the condition and quality of the materials before taking them.
Benefits of Asking for Leftovers
Asking for leftovers can save you money and reduce waste. It’s also a great way to get high-quality materials that would normally be discarded. Plus, it’s a great way to build relationships with local landscapers and crews.
4. Check the Nursery Back Lot
Many plant nurseries and larger retail garden centers have a back lot where they store plants that are not saleable due to cosmetic issues or damage. These plants are often still healthy and can thrive in your garden. Trees and shrubs with cosmetic issues, such as a lopsided canopy or damaged branches, can be pruned or trimmed to fix the problem.
The nursery back lot is a treasure trove of affordable plants. You can find trees and shrubs that are 30-50% off top-grade specimens. Just be sure to inspect the plants carefully before purchasing and ask the nursery staff about any potential issues or concerns.
Benefits of Shopping the Nursery Back Lot
Shopping the nursery back lot can save you money and reduce waste. It’s also a great way to get high-quality plants at a discounted price. Plus, it’s a great way to support local businesses and reduce your environmental impact.
5. Consider Larger Hardscaping Jobs
Larger hardscaping jobs, such as driveways, paver patios, and retaining walls, often involve a lot of leftover material. This can include stone, gravel, and other landscaping materials. By asking the crew about leftover materials, you can save money and reduce waste.
Another benefit of larger hardscaping jobs is that they often require a significant amount of material, which can be difficult to find. By asking the crew about leftovers, you can get materials that might be hard to come by otherwise.
Benefits of Larger Hardscaping Jobs
Larger hardscaping jobs can save you money and reduce waste. They also offer a unique opportunity to get high-quality materials that might be difficult to find otherwise. Plus, it’s a great way to build relationships with local landscapers and crews.
6. Look for Discounted Plant Inventory
Many nurseries and retail garden centers offer discounted plant inventory at the end of the growing season. This can include trees, shrubs, and perennials that are still healthy but won’t sell for full price. By shopping for discounted plant inventory, you can save money and get high-quality plants for your garden.
Some nurseries may also offer a “scratch and dent” section, where plants that are slightly damaged or imperfect are sold at a discounted price. These plants can still thrive in your garden, but may have cosmetic issues that make them unsellable.
Benefits of Discounted Plant Inventory
Discounted plant inventory can save you money and reduce waste. It’s also a great way to get high-quality plants at a discounted price. Plus, it’s a great way to support local businesses and reduce your environmental impact.
7. Use Cheap and Easy-to-Grow Seeds
Many plants can be grown from cheap and easy-to-grow seeds, making nursery starts look like a bad deal. By using seeds, you can save money and get high-quality plants for your garden.
Some plants, such as zinnias, marigolds, and sunflowers, are easy to grow from seed and can thrive in a variety of conditions. By using seeds, you can save money and get a head start on the growing season.
Benefits of Using Seeds
Using seeds can save you money and get you a head start on the growing season. It’s also a great way to get high-quality plants that are tailored to your specific needs and climate.
Conclusion
Landscaping your yard on a budget doesn’t have to be a challenge. By following these 7 surprising ways to save money, you can get the high-end look you want without breaking the bank. From finding free or near-free material sources to using cheap and easy-to-grow seeds, there are many ways to save money on landscaping. So next time you’re planning a landscaping project, be sure to consider these tips and see the savings for yourself.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, these tips will help you create a beautiful and thriving garden without spending a fortune. So why not give them a try and see the difference for yourself?
