| The cost of landscaping depends a lot on the | | | | for the organization. Much of what they've been |
| elements you want and the types of materials | | | | donated is used, but they also receive a number |
| you plan to use to create them. Looking at some | | | | of donations that are overruns from larger |
| of your neighbor's beautifully meandering | | | | commercial jobs. Prices in these outlet stores are |
| pathways, flowering ground covers, and perfect | | | | really great and the merchandise turns over so |
| lawns can make you feel that a classy landscape | | | | often that you're bound to find just what you're |
| is out of reach. For most of us that may be true | | | | looking for if you look often enough. |
| if we had to do the entire project all at once. | | | | There are also fantastic deals to be found right in |
| However, it is possible to have an enviable yard | | | | your own neighborhood. Check out garage sales |
| and landscape even if you are on a budget. | | | | for things like pots, toy wagons and decorative |
| Let's begin by looking at what it takes to really | | | | items like weathered wooden benches. These can |
| pull your yard together. Truly beautiful landscaping | | | | either be spruced up with a coat or two of paint, |
| includes a balance hardscape which might include | | | | or left as is depending on the look you want to |
| pavers, fountains, gates and softscape; vines, | | | | achieve. You'll also be able to find gardening tools |
| shrubs, trees, ground cover and anything else that | | | | and if you ask, your neighbor just might have |
| grows. It's usually the hardscape that most people | | | | some left over bricks or supplies from their own |
| on a budget think they can't afford. | | | | landscaping project. |
| There are a lot of resources available where you | | | | Great prices can be found for the softscape as |
| can get inexpensive or free building material if you | | | | well, but you have to have your timing right. Look |
| have a little patience and perseverance. If you | | | | for sales at your local large hardware stores. The |
| search on under the heading "free" you'll discover | | | | best sales, as well as the largest selection of |
| all kinds of treasures people need moved off their | | | | merchandise, are usually at the beginning of the |
| property. You can find everything from stone and | | | | growing season. Also, look on the internet for |
| brick to hoses and lawnmowers. Of course some | | | | nurseries. You can find sale items at all times of |
| of these freebees might come with a small price. | | | | the year. Request catalogs and very often you |
| You may have to dig up the stones or remove | | | | will find pages and pages of sale items that can |
| the bricks from their backyard. You can also | | | | be delivered right to your door. Plant bulbs! |
| search Craigslist under the heading "materials" | | | | They're cheap! And many come back year after |
| where you will most likely have to pay something | | | | year. |
| for the brick or stone, but you might have some | | | | Budget minded landscaping is a labor of love. It |
| help from the seller loading it into your vehicle. | | | | requires patience, persistence and ingenuity. But |
| Habitat for Humanity can be found in most major | | | | over time and with a little tenacity, one day your |
| cities and they have outlet stores dedicated to | | | | neighbors will tell you how much they envy your |
| selling donated building materials to raise money | | | | yard! |