45 Money-Saving Landscape Tips
1. Do your research. County extension agents and horticulturists at local universities offer free advice that can save you from making costly mistakes. Learn from your favorite books, magazines, and gardening Web sites, too.
2. Trust your instincts. When it comes to free advice, you sometimes get what you pay for. Keep in mind that profit motives may make some landscapers or garden-center staff overzealous. If you're not sure about something, don't buy it.
3. Comparison shop. Nurseries may differ drastically in price and quality. You may find great deals from online garden centers, too.
4. Avoid impulse buys. Make sure you have an appropriate spot for a plant before you purchase it. Otherwise, you may end up watching it die.
5. Shop cooperatively. Buying in bulk is less expensive if you share the costs with gardening friends or neighbors. The same goes for renting equipment such as tillers, lawn aerators, etc. Likewise, combine mail-order purchases with friends to cut down on shipping costs.
6. Buy used when you can. New isn't always better. You can often find great deals on plants or tools at garage and estate sales.
7. Don't overplant. Landscape with mature sizes in mind, or you may end up paying to move crowded plants.
8. Collect inspiration. Instead of hiring a professional, clip pictures you like from gardening magazines, books, and Web sites to get ideas before you start a new garden bed or landscaping project.
Here's a hint: If there's a landscape in your neighborhood that you really like, don't be afraid to knock on the door and ask the homeowner if you can take pictures for your inspiration book. The homeowner may be end up giving you tips on getting the look.
Also, an appraiser told me a densely planted arborvitae hedge yields the same increase in property value as a solid board fence. He said a board fence will give 100% return on the cost of installing one, so if a person has time to start with smaller stock the hedge is a much cheaper way to go.
3/19/2010 08:08:52 PM Report AbuseIf your goal is privacy, bushy fast growing trees are a great investment if you have the resolve to cut them down before they become a problem. Plan out the permanent bones of the garden with slow growing varieties, then fill in with with disposables. My sumac and willow are a joy to view instead of my neighbor's deck. I'll know it's time to remove the willow when it either impede's the maple's growth or form and/or the willow becomes too messy to deal with.
3/19/2010 08:07:34 PM Report Abuse