As the weather continues to warm you may begin thinking about getting your yard ready for the summer. Whether that’s prepping your garden, planting flowers in containers, or all new landscaping, it can eat away at your budget. Here are some tips for landscaping your yard this year so that you don’t break the bank.
Plant Perennials
Save your green by choosing plants that flower year after year. There are two plant options: perennials and annuals. Both are beautiful, but only one comes back every year, and surprisingly, it’s not the type called "annuals." You’ll have to pay more out of pocket when you first plant your perennials, but not purchasing plants again each year after, will more than make it worth the price. Consider adding perennials like allium, coneflower, and sage.
Choose Plants That Are Natural to Your Region
For lower-maintenance plants, choose species that grow naturally in your area of the country. Plants native to an area are more likely to establish quickly and will naturally be hardy and healthy. They’ll save you many as they require much less watering, fertilizer, and pesticides. Also, they can even prevent water run-off and improve air quality.
Grow And Trade
For a colorful variety of flowers, plant perennials that grow and multiply quickly, like hostas or daylilies. Within a few years, you should have more of these flowers and plants than you need. Then, you can trade them with friends and neighbors for the different plants they have too many of.
Make Your Own Compost
Mulch and other soil products may keep your garden healthy, but they’re not as kind on your wallet. Save money by DIYing your compost. All you need is a designated outdoor bin to collect your old fruit and veggie peels, plant clippings, and dead leaves. After a few weeks, you should have a pile of nutrient-rich soil ready to give your garden the boost it needs to grow.
Don’t Cut Your Lawn Too Short 
Shorter grass attracts more weeds and will need more herbicides. Higher grass will shade out those pesky weeds while also developing a deeper root system, thus requiring less watering. Keep your grass at 2- 2 ½ inches for best results.
Choose A Grass Alternative
Lawns can be expensive to maintain, especially depending on the climate you live in. Grass requires high amounts of water, plus fertilizer, and weed treatments. Plus if you don’t maintain it correctly you may need to re-sod it, which can be costly. Grass alternatives, such as creeping thyme, bishop’s weed, and clover can spread quickly and survive through tough times, such as drought and low temperatures.
Shop End-of-Season Sales
Plan early for next year! When fall comes back around, hit up the end of season sales. Stores will often cut prices by 50 percent or more to clear inventory at the end of the growing season. Stock up on large pots and planters for spring planting.
Gardening is fun and rewarding, and it doesn’t need to cost a lot of money! Use our tips to cut back on landscaping costs without missing out on the much-needed yard refresh. With all the money you’ll be saving on landscaping this year, consider opening one of our interest-paying savings options.