How to Landscape the Backyard on a Budget

  • By: Mike Hale
  • Date: July 17, 2022
  • Time to read: 3 min.

Your backyard is a very important part of the house; not only is it the extension of your home, but it is also where you spend most of your time during the summer season. Furthermore, you can do so many fun things in your backyard with friends or family. If you can’t think of any, here are some activities to do in your backyard.

 And if these activities weren’t enough— here is another idea; you can transform the look of your yard by landscaping it!

 Compared with other parts of your home, a backyard is the only space that allows you to be as colorful and creative as you can be without fear of messing up or judgment.

If you are tired of your backyard’s design and want to change it up but don’t have the budget for it, you’ve come to the right place. You don’t need to have a big backyard if you want to landscape it; there are many ways you can also landscape small backyards to make them cozier and cuter. 

Keep reading this guide that will tell you how to landscape the backyard on a budget.

How to landscape your backyard

What Does Landscaping the Backyard Mean?

Before we dive into how to landscape the backyard, it is important to discuss and clarify what landscaping means. In simple terms, landscaping means changing your garden or backyard’s overall design and physical features to make it look more appealing, beautiful, and eye-catching. 

This is done by making the place lively through gardening and planting flora and fauna.

How to Landscape the Backyard on a Budget

With some effort, you can transform your outdoor space and make it lively without spending too much money. Here are some steps you can follow if you wish to landscape your backyard:

1. Determine What Your Backyard Needs in Terms of Design

Take out some time and sit down to determine your needs and wants in terms of design for your backyard. Just jot down what comes to your mind. This will lay the groundwork for your design plan, as by the end, you will know what your yard is lacking and how to fix it.

If you don’t know where to start from, consider these questions:

  • Do you want to plant vegetables?
  • Do you need a herb garden?
  • Is it flowers that you want to plant?
  • What is your budget?
  • Do you want to design your backyard with a patio and shaded areas?
  • What style do you want to go for in your outdoor area?

Once you have answered these questions, you will have some idea about what you want.

2. Think About the Location & Focal Point

It is important to note and consider the space before beginning your landscaping project. Take a few days to study the sun and wind patterns in the backyard or outdoor area you intend to design. If you are planning to install a fire pit, this step becomes even more crucial as you will need to ensure the pit’s location does not allow smoke to enter the house.

Similarly, if you intend to plant flowers or vegetables, you will need to consider a spot where the sun shines.

3. Make a Plan

At this stage, finalize what you want. You can build a DIY fire pit if you are looking to make your backyard cozier. But, if you have a large area, you can build an outdoor kitchen.

Furthermore, determine a timeline and create steps that you will take when you begin landscaping.

4. Begin Planting but Start Small

Start planting and making the required changes; however, take it slow. Start from the focal point and then work your way out from there. You will need to research how to properly plant shrubs and trees because they require a bit of prior planning and careful steps. Here is an easy guide that might be helpful.

Bonus Tips

  • Plant inexpensive perennials as alternatives to shrubs
  • Buy or build low-cost chairs and seating.
  • Add stones to walkways.
  • Build a DIY fire pit with stones and rocks
  • Add some garden wall art