Save Money on Landscaping

Here are a couple money saving tips from MSN on how to save on landscaping costs:

• Time your purchases: Buy trees, shrubs, perennials, soil and mulch late in the season when retailers want to be rid of them. Depending on your region that could be early fall, a great time for planting because it gives the plant time to develop roots before the summer heat arrives.

• Divide: Look around your yard for any perennials that can be divided and used elsewhere in the landscape. A one-gallon perennial can cost about $9 at a nursery, but you can easily divide the one you planted last year into four plants, saving $27.

Timing your purchases can be used on many types of products. People regularly use this method to save on clothing, household goods, and the like and you can even save money by planning your home improvements in the off-season.

I'm not sure about the dividing thing. I know people who do it -- and do it well -- but I'm not sure I could pull it off. I'm happy when the plants I buy at the local garden supply place grow. "Dividing" just seems like another word for "dead plant" to me. ;-)

Comments

[JB]

Dividing applies mainly to certain kinds of perennials, many of which actually benefit from periodic dividing. Such plants that can be divided *easily* include hostas and native grasses. It's good advice, but limited in its applicability.

[Greg Burdick]

Another good idea to save money on landscaping is a landscape plan. While a plan will generally cost you $200 - $300 it will save you money in the long run. How often have you seen you neighbors sod their new lot right up to the foundation of the house, only to rip out a significant portion of it in the next year or two when they decide to landscape. And how often have you seen someone pick a shrub or tree out plant it in their yard and have to cut it out or down because it grew too large for where they planted it. A landscape plan will save you mistakes such as these.

A well proportioned landscape (plan) will not only save you money on materials, but provide for less maintenance. Why plant more grass than you're going to want to mow? Landscaping only requires infrequent maintenance, requires less water and fertilizaton, and when done properly will not only enhance the value of your property, but also provide more enjoyment of it.

There are many other ways to save on landscaping as well. Instead of buying larger more expensive plants, buy the smaller ones. They'll generally double in size within the first season. Also, buy from reputable suppliers who will generally offer a guarantee of some sort. You should have every expectation that with a recommendation for the right plant in the right location from a reputable supplier, a plant should thrive and add value to your home.

Grass seed costs a fraction that sod does and is much less work to put down. If you can wait a few weeks for the green to appear you can save some significant money and have a more disease resistent lawn in the long run. Grass seed usually comes as a blend of different varieties of grass specifically bred for disease resistence. Sod does not - it is a monoculture of bluegrass.

Don't automatically assume that you'll have to put down a thick layer of black dirt either. Many soils are quite fertile without the addition of any black dirt. However, be realistic in your assessment of your soil. Many lots get quite compacted with all the construction equipment driving around as the house is built. The best time to address soil fertility and culture is before the lawn is put in. After the lawn is growing, you're always trying to get the fertilizer and any other soil ammendments into the root zone. If you think your lawn will need it, add it to the soil before you put your lawn in and you'll have much greater success. Make whatever additions to the soil you will for a specific reason though.

Many independent garden centers are staffed with people with just these types of suggestions and more. Often, if it's not too busy (think late summmer, fall, or winter) such horticultural professionals will be happy to discuss your landscaping wants and sketch an informal 'plan' (diagram) for free.

Take the money you save on landscaping and put it towards a nice deck, or pay down your mortgage, or put it in your kids college fund, or save it for Christmas, or...