It is possible to have an appealing yard without investing thousands of dollars every year in order to do so. By practicing some basic conservation rules, you can save money and still make your landscape look great.

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Here are just a few ideas for landscaping on a budget.

• One great new innovation that is all the rage is the art of xeriscaping. As water becomes ever more valuable a commodity, many homeowners are seeking to conserve their water costs by choosing plants that do not need very much water in order to survive. These plants are available in many different varieties, and they will add a splash of color to your yard while still saving you money. Do your research and know which plants tend to use a lot of water.
• Include a material in your planting that has good water retention qualities. Peat moss, for example, is very cheap. When you mix it in with the dirt and bone meal while planting your new flowers or hedges, any water that goes near the area will be soaked up and retained for later use as the plant’s needs dictate.
• Do the job yourself. This means everything, from choosing your plants to weeding and pruning. With the internet at your fingertips, though, it is not hard to educate yourself well on all the different tasks specific to your yard.
• When it comes to weeds, you are probably going to have to expect a few. Be content with some weeds on your lawn, particularly if they have some aesthetic appeal such as clover.  If you wage a campaign against your weeds, you are going to end up spending a lot of money and time on various treatments and/or chemicals.  These are processes which, in the end, may do more harm than good.
• Don’t be afraid to start your plants from seeds.   All you need is a place to start your seeds (use egg shells, empty milk cartons, scrap paper, and other types of biodegradable materials).  Find a sunny spot to let them germinate.  Transfer them to the soil after your area’s last frost.  If you’ve used an heirloom seed to start your plants, be sure to collect the seeds and preserve them for next season’s garden.
• One of the best ways to keep a low budget in your landscaping is to limit your green space. Smaller lawns, and less flowers mean less materials needed for the upkeep. Watch what you use as your replacement, though.  Some types of landscaping rocks (such as lava rock) can be incredibly overpriced. Bark mulch is a fairly inexpensive option, but again, you have to be willing to invest a little extra time into its containment and maintenance.

What are some ways that you have beautified your lawn or yard on the cheap?