Backyard Makeover on a Budget

If your backyard could be declared an official disaster area but you don't have federal government funds available to fix it, what can you do?  How can you do that much needed backyard makeover on a budget?

The costs of any renovation project boil down to labor and materials, and backyard landscaping is no exception.  To get the job done on a "shoestring" budget, the most important commodity you need is time.

If you have the time to do it on your own, you can save a bundle of money.  Note we said nothing about talent; you can learn what you need to know if you're willing to read and ask questions of the right people.  If you can't do everything on your own, you can hire out portions of the project.

If you plan your purchases properly, you can save hundreds of dollars by buying at the right time.  Sales, discount merchandise, and bulk purchases are the keys.  Plants, paving stones and blocks, landscape timbers, outdoor swing sets and furniture are all difficult products for major retailers to gauge just how much they should purchase.  

For areas with seasonal swings in temperature there is concern about holding items in inventory as one season shifts to another.  An excessively hot summer will keep many people indoors relaxing in front of their air conditioners instead of working in their yards, severely impacting sales of seasonal items.  Because of this, retailers of all sizes have both pre-season and end-of-season sales, with merchandise discounted as much as 70%.   In addition, sales during the season can also be significant on merchandise that is slow moving.

When it comes to wood, brick, and stone, you can buy anytime.  When it comes to live plantings the time of purchase makes a big difference.  For one thing, you have to ready for your plantings when you buy.  If your area is not yet ready for planting, you're going to have to store and maintain what you buy while you finish preparations.  Most plants do better the sooner they get into the ground.  Buying plants in the early spring sales might get you a nice look to your backyard before season's end, but it's going to cost you more.

Generally speaking, the biggest savings can be found at the end of the season.  While that is a significant upside for those on a tight budget, its downside is availability of materials and plant varieties.  You may not be able to get exactly what you want.  And when it comes to plants, timing is even more crucial.  Plants need to have enough time to set before the extreme cold weather sets in to be able to survive during winter months.

To take advantage of end of summer savings you need to be ready to install and plant what you buy right away; or be willing to prolong the project till the following spring.  

In addition, you have to anticipate that the specific plants and materials you need might not go on sale.  All backyard makeovers need to start with a precise plan.  Including multiple options in your planning will make it easier for you to take full advantage of the cost savings of end of season sales.  Good luck with your makeover!