20 Low-budget, low maintenance DIY landscaping ideas (Part 2)

2.  Construct a pergola

Install a DIY pergola to turn your outdoor living space into a calm retreat. You may add a dramatic architectural feature to your backyard with a pergola that will shield you from the weather, plus you can decorate it with hanging pots, vines, or string lights. A pergola will provide variable amounts of shade depending on the time of day, but installing a pergola shade cover can give you more reliable shade.

3. Build a water feature

Whether you choose a classy backyard pond or a softly flowing cascade, these elements will unquestionably provide calming, sensory advantages to your plot. Water fountains, unlike other forms of garden art, also provide an aural component. The slightest drip of a strategically positioned fountain is sufficient to divert the ear from external noises like traffic. Additionally, the sound of running, splashing, or dripping water attracts birds and other species that you may like to have in your backyard sanctuary. They don't necessarily have to be expensive, particularly if you create them yourself. They may be dug directly into the ground and lined if you have the space. For an organic impression, use a lot of stones and plants on each side. If room is limited, you may also use a huge container to make a smaller display. If you add a pump, you may also unwind close by and take in the sounds of trickling water.

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4. Make DIY planters

Large outdoor planters may be pricey, but container gardening gives your backyard unique colour and depth. Make your own geometric planters to save some money. The inexpensive corrugated plastic used to create these simple containers may be found at local hardware stores. 

5. Make a rock garden

A rock garden emphasizes diverse stones, boulders, and pebbles. It is often referred to as a rockery or alpine garden. Your rock garden will showcase a variety of forms, sizes, and colour palettes whether it is little, large, grey, or brown. Rock gardens provide variety to your yard and provide an eye-catching contrast to the surrounding vegetation. You won't have to spend a lot of money on the upkeep of these gardens since they are drought-tolerant and low-maintenance.

Cost: The typical cost of landscaping rock projects is between $600 and $700. Rocks, stones, and boulders may cost homeowners anywhere from $460 and $1,000 to purchase and install.

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However, there are several methods for obtaining free rocks for your rock garden so you may forego writing that cheque. Large boulders are generally an annoyance on farms and construction sites. Asking a farmer or construction worker if they have any rocks they intend to toss out could be a good idea. You can end yourself returning home with a huge, brand-new rock.

6. Take a look at Low-Maintenance ornamental grass

Many ornamental grasses are attractive and need little upkeep. Walking on these grasses is not recommended. Instead, they enlarge a room with their texture, height, leaf hues, flower arrangements, and other features. You can pick a species appropriate for your yard since they have a broad range of looks and growth needs. For instance, blue fescue is a short, drought-tolerant type for zones 4 to 8 that seldom suffers from major insect or disease issues.

7. Implement hardscaping

All of the landscaping's non-living elements are referred to as hardscape. This comprises gravel beds, concrete walks, stone walls, wooden fences, and patios made of brick or concrete. Even water elements like a stone fountain are part of it. Hardscape components need some upkeep. For instance, you'll need to clean and reseal any wood decking, and you may need to fix or replace any pavers that are damaged. They don't, however, need as much maintenance as the soft scape or the live components of landscaping do. So don't feel obligated to plant your whole yard. Trade some grass for a concrete patio for less maintenance. By doing so, you'll increase some useful outside living areas and reduce garden upkeep. 

Cost: Varies depending on the types of hardscape.

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8. DIY outdoor seating

Backyard furniture might be a costly purchase, but there are inexpensive backyard patio ideas that can look stylish and current. Use inexpensive DIY outdoor furniture, such benches, seats, and tables, to outfit your garden. One of our favourite low-cost backyard design ideas involves dry-stacking inexpensive concrete blocks and covering them with a foam cushion. The home-made bench provides a lot of sitting in a busy area outside the rear door.

9. Enhance your landscape beds with colourful gravel

If your garden beds already have mulch in them and you want to boost the appearance, adding a layer of multicoloured gravel on top may do the trick. Also, you'll use gravel more often because gravel lasts longer than mulch. To add additional interest, you might also add a fresh colour to your current gravel. Simply combine the two colours with a rake.

Cost: varies depending on the rock that you choose. Prices for popular decorative rocks range from $105-375/yard

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10. Select the ideal BBQ.

Invest in durable equipment for an outdoor cooking area that requires no upkeep. Rockland advises choosing a built-in BBQ area with stone veneer on the front if you want something that will last for a long time. Additionally durable and well-suited to withstand a variety of weather conditions is a strong granite countertop.

Cost: The price varies according to the project's size and the material you choose.

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