How to Landscape Your Front Yard on a Budget

Curb appeal is important for a number of reasons. You obviously want your home to look good and the front yard is the first impression. And, if you happen to be selling your home, you definitely want your front yard to wow buyers. But what if money is tight? Let’s look at how to landscape your front yard on a budget.

Clean Up Any Debris

First things first. Take the time to clear any debris from your yard. Pick up fallen branches from trees, rake up leaves, etc. This one step will make a huge difference. Your yard will begin to look fresh and clean.

Mow

Once your yard is clear of debris, take the time to mow. Never mow your lawn too short as it will allow the sun to kill your grass. If the lawn is too short, you can’t protect it from the sun’s heat. Water will evaporate before it has the chance to reach the roots.

You can consult this guide for the height to set your mower blade depending on the type of grass in your yard.  It varies widely between grass types.  We found out that we were leaving our Texas Bermuda grass too tall, since we were used to our northern grass in Michigan.

Invest in Rubber Mulch

Rubber mulch is more expensive than traditional mulch. However, rubber mulch can last up to 10 years before you need to replace it. With traditional mulch, you’ll need to replace it every year. Mulch not only makes your yard look good, but it also helps prevent weeds. You can find rubber mulch in a variety of colors.

Hit the Clearance Section for Plants That Need Extra Care

Walmart and home improvement stores that sell plants will often have plants on clearance. These are plants that need some extra love. However, with the proper care, you can revive these plants. Buying plants on clearance can save you up to 75% off the original cost.

Shop for Plants in Unexpected Places

Last, but not least, don’t stick with plant stores or home improvement stores to purchase plants. You can often find plants in grocery stores or even Costco. You can also find plants being sold at flea markets and produce stands. Keep your eyes peeled for plants at great prices.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to landscape your front yard. With a bit of work and creativity, you can make your front yard look amazing. Just remember that spending a bit extra on mulch this year can save you a lot of money in the future. You can also save a lot of money by buying plants that need a bit of extra care to help them thrive.