Unless you have endless funds and employ a gardener, it’s pretty impossible to achieve an outside space that looks fantastic throughout the whole year. The truth is, yardwork can be expensive, which is why it helps to know the secret tricks to cut costs and save money.
Now that outdoor season is in full swing, it’s likely you’re spending more on your outside space, buying new plants, updating your outdoor furniture, and choosing decorative accessories, like solar lights.
To help you know where to splurge and where to save in the garden, I asked Chris Bonnett, founder of GardeningExpress, to share his top tips.
Being savvy when you spend
“Freshening up the garden ahead of the warmer months can be an expensive task if you’re not careful,” says Bonnett.
While you can pick up deals on garden tools and garden furniture, share plant cuttings with neighbors and grow plants from seeds or bare roots to save money. There are some areas in the garden where your money will always be well spent, and it’s worth the splurge.
Anything that is going to help maintain your garden’s health is generally worth purchasing
Chris Bonnett
“Anything that is going to help maintain your garden’s health is generally worth purchasing,” says Bonnett.
And he adds, “You’ll notice the difference in quality when buying premium things like garden tools and soil. They don’t have to be super expensive, but choosing well-made and reliable options will pay off in the long run and prevent you from having to repurchase.”
Where to splurge in the garden
1. Tools
It’s tempting to buy a cheap pair of pruning shears or a garden rake to save money in the short term, but garden tools are one area where Bonnett suggests spending out.
“Quality tools that are properly taken care of can last for years,” says Bonnett. “They are more comfortable to use and well-made, which also ensures cleaner cuts on plants, less strain on your hands and body and more efficient gardening overall.”
And if they are well-maintained, cleaned, sharpened and stored correctly, you’ll be doing all the right things to extend their working life.
2. Structural and statement plants
Although you can save money on plants, Bonnett suggests splurging on those that add structure and form to your garden.
“Things like shrubs, trees and perennials are the backbone of a beautiful garden. Investing in these will give your space structure and year-round interest. As they establish well and continue to grow, you’ll save money in the long run.”
So, before you rush out to buy plants to fill containers and hanging baskets, think about the bigger picture, and how a hydrangea or small tree, like a Japanese maple, could add structure to your outside space.
3. Soil and compost
Just like good food nourishes our bodies, quality soil benefits our plants.
“Healthy soil is the foundation of a great garden as it helps provide nutrients and improves growth and drainage,” says Bonnett.
Buying a budget soil to enrich your plants could be a false economy. “Purchasing cheaper soil can weaken your plants and cause you problems down the line,” he adds.
Where to save in the garden
1. Avoid expensive plant nurseries
Shop around and think carefully about where you buy your plants, as you could save money by being savvy. Bonnet suggests shopping online or purchasing bare roots, which he says, “come without soil and pots, and they are cheaper to buy.
He also adds that bare roots outperform potted plants in the long run because they grow fast and establish stronger root systems.
Another way to save is to grow plants from seeds or by taking cuttings. It will require more work and patience, but you can put the money you save back into spending more on the splurge items.
2. Garden decor
Garden decor can be pricey, but Bonnett suggests making decorative outdoor items at home instead. But if you do want to buy garden decor, he says, "Try to increase your collection over time rather than buying everything all at once.”
Instead of buying new, there are lots of ways to bring used items back to life. Wooden furniture can be painted to give it a fresh look, unwanted interior mirrors can be hung to add reflected light, and silverware can be turned into a wind chime.
Stores like IKEA also offer an excellent range of items to transform your backyard, including outdoor lighting.
3. Mulch
Although Bonnett says it’s not a good idea to skimp on soil and compost, he says you don’t need to be as careful with mulch.
Rather than buying pre-made mulch, he says, “make your own using a mixture of materials such as grass clippings, fallen leaves, straw and wood chippings.”
Making your own mulch is a cheap way to maintain soil moisture, suppress weeds and recycle garden waste.
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