Sprucing Up Your Yard on a Budget by Kendra Winniberg

For many homeowners, making major changes to your home’s appearance is simply an unaffordable dream that has no priority on your list of things-to-do. Even if you know your yard needs some serious care, it can be hard to make it a priority.

Although it may be expensive to give your yard a makeover, there are affordable ways to spruce up your yard and provide your home with the extra charm it needs to make anybody jealous.

Of course, if buying a set of new patio furniture or installing a sprinkler system is on your list, you may have to wait for a different day if you’re on a tight budget. However, if you’re looking to throw some color in your yard and keep it looking sharp, then there are several ways to do it.

Adding a Garden

One of the cheapest and easiest ways to add color and fun to your backyard is to plant a garden. Depending on the size of your yard, you can make your garden big or small. If you prefer vegetables and herbs to flowers and plants, you can choose either to satisfy your needs. If you're planting your garden in the right season, many stores offer sales on seeds, plants, and mulch, so that you'll have everything you need to keep your garden alive and healthy.

Once the garden is planted, be sure to keep it properly weeded and watered. A garden can sometimes feel like a lot of work but once the plants or vegetables begin to grow, your backyard will look better than ever.

Care for the Vegetation

The vegetation in your yard, whether you planted it yourself or it was there before you moved in, needs to be taken care of. Unless you plan on cutting down a tree or ripping out the bushes in the front of your home, you’re going to have an unattractive yard if you leave these plants ignored.

Trimming any drooping branches, shaving the bushes, and ripping weeds from the grass are going to keep your yard looking its best. Another way to keep the vegetation alive and looking is sharp, is by adding mulch around any bushes or trees. Using red mulch is a great way to pizzazz to a dull-colored yard.

Add Yard décor

Maybe you can’t afford to add a waterfall to your backyard, but this doesn’t mean that yard decor is off the table. There are many lawn ornaments and cheap ways to decorate your backyard so that it is comfortable enough to enjoy.

If you’ve already planted a garden or have a section for the kids to play in, adding a stepping stone path can be a nice touch to make your backyard look elegant. If you prefer adding ornaments to your yard, adding posts to hold flower baskets or bird feeders can also be a great way to connect with Mother Nature.

Updating the Items You Own

In some cases, you don’t need to add anything or buy anything new for your backyard. Simply updating the items you already own may be just what your yard needs to look fresh again.

Updating the items you own can be re-staining your deck or porch; painting the patio furniture; or power-washing everything in your yard so that it looks new. When buying new things isn’t an option, you can still take care of the items you already own to create a freshly-bought look.

Before you underestimate what you can do on a budget, make a list of the things you want to do or update in your backyard. This is a great way to figure out what kinds of things you can do on your own and what items need immediate attention or can wait for a later date when you have a larger budget.

About the author: Kendra Winniberg and her husband wanted to update their yard, but couldn’t afford the costs that come with home improvement. After visiting R Rock Yard, Inc. they found some landscaping materials for a reasonable price and with a little hard work, they made their backyard (and front) look better than when they first moved in.