With planning and effort, you can garden on a budget while adding beauty and value to your home.
Gardening is a great hobby for many Australians, and a well-maintained garden can add beauty and value to a home. However, keeping a garden in top condition requires a significant amount of time and money. The good news is that with a little planning and effort, it is possible to maintain a garden on a budget.
In this article, we will provide tips for managing the budget for garden maintenance and help you make the most of your gardening dollars.
Assessment
The first step in budgeting for garden maintenance is to assess the size and type of garden you have. Consider factors such as the number of plants, trees, and flowers, as well as the type of soil and climate. This will help you determine the resources you will need, such as water, fertilisers, and tools, to keep your garden healthy and beautiful.
Set a Budget
Once you have assessed your garden, set a budget for maintaining it. This should take into account all of the costs associated with garden maintenance, including soil, seeds, plants, tools, water, fertiliser, and labour. Consider setting aside a portion of your budget for unexpected expenses, such as repairs or replacement tools.
Spending priority
When it comes to garden maintenance, it is important to prioritise your spending. Focus on the most important aspects of your garden first, such as watering, fertilising, and pruning. These tasks will keep your plants healthy and will ensure that they continue to grow and produce flowers.
Save on Tools and Supplies
Tools and supplies are among the biggest garden maintenance expenses you can incur. To save money, consider purchasing used or refurbished tools and supplies, or look for deals and discounts at local gardening stores. Additionally, consider investing in durable, high-quality tools that will last for many years instead of cheaper tools that might break after short use.
Going DIY
Performing the garden maintenance yourself can save you a significant amount of money. Simple tasks such as watering, pruning, and applying fertiliser can be done easily and quickly, without the need for a professional gardening service. With a little effort and practice, you can become an expert at budget gardening.
Think of this scenario: your garden needs a lot of mowing and you have ample time to get it done. According to our friends at HiPages, the national average for lawn mowing fees per-hour range from $60 to at least $120 for a professional lawnmower using the larger, ride-on units. Considering that a lawn mowing job lasts between two to six hours depending on the size of the garden property and the amount of grass growing, the money spent on hiring a specialist can be redirected for other matters.
What about the grass clippings? They can be repurposed as mulch or sent to your council’s green-bin waste removal service.
Friends and Loved Ones
Another way to save money on garden maintenance is to get help from friends and family. Enlist the help of family members and friends who enjoy gardening or who have a green thumb. This can be a fun and social way to maintain your garden and reduce your costs. If you have neighbours who also tend their own gardens, the team at Jim’s Mowing suggest asking them for cuttings from their own plants so you can plant them in your own pots. Some plant specialists agree that planting existing cuttings reduces the growing time than seeing a plant grow from a seed.
Reuse and Recycle
Reusing and recycling is a great way to save money on your garden budget. For example, you can reuse old containers for seedlings, or use compost to fertilise your garden. Additionally, consider planting drought-tolerant plants that require less water and maintenance.
Get Creative
Finally, get creative with your garden design. Consider using low-maintenance plants and hardscape elements, such as rocks and stones, to add interest to your garden without the need for costly maintenance. Additionally, consider planting native plants that are well-suited to the Australian climate and require less care and resources.
Conclusion
Maintaining a garden can be expensive, but with a little effort and planning, it is possible to do it on a budget. Consider assessing your garden, setting a budget, prioritising your spending, and doing as much of the maintenance yourself as possible. Get creative with your garden design and consider using low-maintenance plants and hardscape elements, and don’t be afraid to get help from friends and family. By following these tips, you can enjoy a beautiful garden that looks wonderful whether viewed from inside the house from the curb.
DISCLAIMER: 2 Ezi has no working relationships with any service providers mentioned in this article.
