Looking for affordable, sustainable garden design solutions? The two don’t often come hand in hand, but that’s not to say that sustainability has to cost a fortune.
In this guide, we’re sharing 5 practical tips for designing a sustainable garden on a budget.
1. Use Local Plants
First, when you’re deciding on the greenery for your garden, don’t look too far afield. Using plants native to your area means you won’t need to water or fertilize your garden as much.
Native plants are already adapted to your climate, so they’ll grow with minimal intervention from you. Visit your local nurseries to look for budget-friendly options. Or, if you have green-fingered neighbors, you can even swap seedlings with them to save even more.
2. Install Artificial Turf
Staying on the subject of greenery, if you want to avoid the hassle and environmental impact of maintaining a real lawn, artificial turf is an alternative worth considering.
Synthetic grass doesn’t grow, so it doesn’t need to be mown—and that means you can avoid using environmentally unfriendly fuel-powered machinery. You can also save water as you won’t need to water it during dry spells. You’ll only have to keep it clean, and a responsible turf cleaning company like Dirty Turf should use eco-friendly cleaning solutions. Click here for service area details.
3. Collect and Reuse Rainwater
If you want to reduce your reliance on your garden hose as much as possible, you should incorporate a rain barrel to collect water into your sustainable garden design.
Rainwater has the obvious benefit of being completely free, and plants love rainwater because it doesn’t contain the disinfection chemicals found in tap water. You can use the collected water to water your garden during dry spells without increasing your water bill or putting pressure on your local water system.
4. Create a Compost System
A sustainable design solution for your kitchen and garden is to create a compost system. Keep hold of your kitchen scraps and yard waste so you can turn them into a nutrient-rich compost.
Setting up a compost system in your garden is an affordable way to improve your soil and reduce how much of your waste ends up in landfill. You don’t need to go all-out, here; making a simple compost bin or even dedicating a corner of your garden for a compost heap can make a big difference.
5. Use Recycled Materials
Don’t want to invest in brand-new garden features? These aren’t only expensive; they’re also environmentally unfriendly—especially those made from plastics and other non-recyclable materials.
An eco-friendly alternative here is to reuse materials to add some character to your garden while saving money. You can use old bricks, wood, or stones to create pathways, raised beds, bird tables, or planters. If you don’t have any old materials at home, check out your local community groups for free materials that other people are giving away.
So there you have it: some simple design tips for creating a sustainable garden without breaking the bank. Hopefully, this guide has shown you that even making small changes can help you establish a space that’s good for the planet and your pocket.
