The nice weather may have you looking at your yard with a critical eye. Do you need to make some improvements to your landscape? How can you do this inexpensively? Here are some ideas.
Free materials
All sorts of free materials can be had if you look around an ask. You can find plants, trees and bulbs through freecycle or through your neighbors. You can even ask your town if you can harvest some volunteer plants and flowers from town woods or fields.
Also, check with garden centers at the end of the season. If you have a green thumb, you may be able to rescue plants that were going to be tossed out and then use them in your garden.
For hardscaping materials, look to construction sites. They often have rocks, stone and even chunks of concrete that can be made into walks, paths and walls. You may even get lucky and find some reclaimed brick.
Check with landscapers. They may have plants that they have pulled from someone’s yard, free for the pick up.
Do you neighbors or friends have mature gardens? Ask if you could have extra plants or cuttings to start your own garden.
Make your own pavers by filling molds or buckets with cement mix.
Free service
If you live on a busy street consider bargaining advertising for free or reduced service. A company that is just starting out may be willing to do your yard in exchange for a large sign on your property or word of mouth referrals. We were able to get some lawn cutting done for free when I agreed to pass along the company’s card to a dozen friends.
Find ways to barter for lawn service. Do you have a talent that you can exchange?
Learn how to do much of the design and the work yourself. Many local garden centers and home improvement stores offer free classes in landscape design.
You can read more blog posts by Mary Ann Romans here!
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