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