Tending to your outdoor space is something that many of us in Britain love to do. However, shaping your garden in the way that you’d like it can cost a fair amount of money. Even if you take on a landscaping project yourself, costs of materials can mount up.
In this article, we look at some useful tips for reducing the cost of developing an amazing outdoor space.
1. Pair up
Buying your plants and materials in bulk is the best way to go, and if you can work together with a friend or neighbour to purchase what they need at the same time, you can significantly reduce costs. If you are buying items online, purchasing them in bulk can cut down on shipping costs. If you decide to rent equipment such as lawnmowers, or even diggers, it is worth seeing if anybody else would like to go halves on the cost for their own benefit.
2. Inspire Yourself
You don’t necessarily need to hire a landscape architect to create the garden of your dreams. There is so much inspiration out there on the web to consume, and sites such as Pinterest and Twitter are full of amazing examples of outdoor spaces. There is nothing wrong with taking inspiration from other sources, so take a look around.
3. Know When To Hire
Although it is always a good thing to inspire yourself, you also need to bear in mind that there is a time and place to hire a professional. If you need expert advice about construction of decking, paving, or even a pond or water feature, it is always worth getting an experienced professional in for help and advice. Even if you will attempt the work yourself, paying for a brief meeting with an expert could be worth its weight.
4. Don’t Throw Away Seeds
If you are planting a number of different plants and flowers, you may not need all the seeds in the packet – especially if your garden is quite small. Many seeds will stay healthy for years, so even if you don’t need them one year, you may want to use them down the line. Although this is only a small saving, every little helps!
5. Buy Well
Remember, in most cases you get what you pay for. Although some materials might seem too cheap to turn down, you may regret skimping further down the line when more money is needed for repairs or replacements. Plan properly and invest in quality and your landscape design will last for a long time without the need for major repairs to decking, walling, or paving.
6. Create Your Own Compost
Creating your own compost can be a massive money-saving tip. By using your own garden waste and food scraps, you can stock up on nutrient-rich fertiliser for your plants. If you have a fairly large garden, buying multiple bags of compost can really add up.
7. Recognise Consequences
Whilst digging up and re-shaping our whole garden may be the approach you wish to take, you need to be aware that what happens within the confines of your fence can have effects on constructions outside that boundary. Trees need to be planted a certain distance away from building foundations and public pathways. Taking a responsible and considerate approach will save stressful and costly repair work in the future.
8. Use What You’ve Got
Although you may be in the market for a complete outdoor re-design, remember that there might just be some amazing things in your garden already. Try to envisage your current features, plants, or garden furniture in your new setting. If you believe that these may have a second wind in a re-vamped setting, keeping hold of them might save you a lot of cash.
9. Communicate With Fellow Enthusiasts
Striking up conversations with other landscaping enthusiasts can reap all sorts of rewards for both parties. You may well end up trading seeds, plants, or materials – which is a much more cost-effective method than buying everything from the local garden centre. There is always the chance that in re-working your existing space, you may have some items that they’d like to take off your hands.
10. Plan Ahead
Big mistakes cost a lot of money. If you are installing a large water feature or a pond, think about how it might impact your home. Ponds attract different kinds of wildlife throughout the year, which might affect your enjoyment of the outdoor space.
If you would like to know more about the products and services that we offer to improve your garden, get in touch with Minster Paving today by calling 01865 300252. Alternatively, you can contact us online.
