We all want our gardens to look fresher and visually appealing. What landscaping ideas will work for your Calgary garden depends on the size of your lawn, the environment, the soil, the existing flora and fauna, the climate, and many other vital factors. The aesthetic features you’re trying to achieve for your landscape also plays an integral part in the planning process.
Other than the climate and the square footage, the most obvious concern for landscaping is the cost of the entire process. The cost of landscape supplies and labour can quickly add up to a significant expense. Landscaping this summer might just prove to be too impractical if you have to break the budget for it.
The good news is that you can easily landscape your lawns and yards without breaking the bank. There are many different affordable, brilliant, and fun ideas to renovate your garden. You can create some amazingly rustic or contemporary vibes using these money-saving ideas. All it takes is a little out of the box thinking.
1. Stepping-Stones
A very intuitive yet inexpensive hack to the landscaping game is stone pavers in the form of steps. Usually made to connect different house segments to the gardens, stepping sones will add a contemporary and artistic feel to your landscape, especially if they are geometric pavers.
You can find these geometric pavers used as stepping-stone style walkways in many urban homes in Calgary. These stones are inexpensive and go well with a modern version of a garden aesthetic.
2. Perennial Plants
Adding perennial plants to the garden’s flora is an affordable and efficient way to incorporate nature and colours into your yard. Perennial flowering plants are low maintenance and come back twice in a year, unlike annual plants. Native perennials will work best only if you choose your soil and garden mix carefully since Calgary’s natural soil has high clay content.
Perennial plants native to humid and hot climatic conditions are a big plus since they will save you more watering costs than regular ones. Landscaping with perennial plants is ideal for the continental atmospheric conditions of Calgary.
3. Decorative Rock
Pavers and plants are not the only cost-effective options to renovate your gardens. It is also a good idea to add affordable decorative rock designs and structures to your landscape. Decorative rocks will incorporate a rustic and modern feel to your garden, depending on how you use them.
Pair tall planters with underlying gravel to add a very contemporary look to your garden or driveway. This works exceptionally well near walkways leading to the main entrance.
You can even go with boulders. Combine them with patches of dense foliage, and you’ll achieve a very earthy and natural vibe.
There are countless ways to use decorative rock to lift your landscape’s aesthetics to an entirely new level. Some ideas can get really expensive, while others discussed here are cost-effective.
4. Upcycling Old Items
Being creative with old stuff and using them to enhance your landscape will not only save you money, but it is also sustainable. With some hard work, you can add a touch of class and creativity to your home without spending even a dime.
There are plenty of great ideas for upcycled decoration items made from everyday stuff. Make hanging gardens with old jars and threads, plant containers with painted old tires, and even make bird feeders out of old bottles. The possibilities are endless.
5. Garden Hangout
If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to add utility to your backdoor lawn, consider putting some garden furniture out there. Plastic garden chairs are affordable, but they offer little aesthetic value. Again, you can get creative here and use recycled stuff found lying around the house as a landscape supply for your new project.
Head over to your neighbourhood garage sale to find some cool landscape materials, including garden chairs and tables. You can use your creativity with such stuff to make a beautiful garden hangout, which is a lot more exciting than a pair of plastic garden chairs.
Other affordable ideas for your garden hangout include:
- A couch made of cinder blocks and planks with underlying seating cushions
- A firepit made from just bricks and cement
- Tables and benches made from recycled fencing
- An entire treehouse
Conclusion
Let your creativity flow without worrying about the resultant costs to make your garden a canvas this summer. Implement these affordable landscaping ideas in your Calgary home, and the results are sure to impress onlookers. There’s no harm in experimenting with your own ideas; you never know you may end up creating something incredible.