Landscaping on a Budget

By Alyssa Laffitte on June 1, 2020

As a property owner, you know how important the external appearance of your rental property is. A property with an aesthetically pleasing appearance will definitely attract tenants, while an unkempt property will not. In this article, we will discuss landscaping your rental property on a budget to attract tenants.

Image via Isorepublic.com

How to Cover Ground

The first step to landscaping on a budget is to cover the ground. The landscaping will be incomplete without a good base. Once the ground is covered, you can start to build on it. Ground can be covered with rocks or paving stones. The beauty of these stones is that you can arrange them in whatever pattern you want. You can even use stones of different colors or textures to create a mosaic look.

Another way to cover ground when landscaping on a budget is to add lawn. Although it is aesthetically pleasing due to its vibrant, lively color, it is more expensive because it requires more maintenance than rocks. For example, a lawn needs to be cut and watered every once in a while. Additionally, you’ll need to pull weeds from a lawn. If you would like to use something other than grass on your lawn, you could use thyme or lamium, since they are less expensive. On the other hand, you can use mulch to fill in empty space. Adding mulch allows the dirt to retain water, meaning you won’t need to water those plants as often and will save money. Now that you have covered ground, you can begin planting!

How to Choose Plants

The next step in your landscaping project is to choose which plants you want. Start by looking for plant species that are native to your area. Plants that are native to your area will be easier to care for because they will do well and thrive in your area’s climate. Similarly, be sure to plant them during the right season. Planting at the right season will give your plant the best chance at surviving and growing. You can save money on your plants by shopping around since one place might offer you a better price than another.

When choosing which plants to buy, perennials are better than annuals. Perennials will flower again every year, while annual plants die every year. Although perennials are more expensive, they are worth investing in, because you won’t need to buy them again next year. Some examples of perennial plants and flowers are mint, goldenrod, strawberries, sage, basil, oregano, tulips, peonies, and lilies.

Aside from small plants, you can also grow trees. Trees will add much value to your property and are good for the environment. If you are just starting out with trees, you can choose younger ones, as they are cheaper than older ones.

Plants are an important part of your property’s landscape, so be sure to include a lot of them!

How to Add Living Space

Landscaping does not need to be strictly about the plants, trees, flowers, and lawn. Your property’s landscape can also provide additional living space for your tenant to enjoy. Not only does this make your rental property more aesthetically pleasing, but it also makes it more enjoyable for the tenant. This means your property will be more desirable, and thus, more valuable.

One way to add living space to your landscape is to add seating areas. You can add a bench, or even a table and chairs set. Additionally, in the backyard, you can add a firepit or a designated area for grilling and cooking (especially if there is already a pool or a big yard on your property). If your rental property is geared toward families, you can add things a family would enjoy. For example, a tire swing.

Incorporating living space into your landscaping is an investment, but it will make your property more desirable to tenants in the end.

How to Add Finishing Touches

If you want to take your landscaping to the next level, you can add some finishing touches to it, all while still sticking to your budget. You can use certain design ideas to make the most of your lawn. For example, you can limit your landscaping color palette. Of course, multicolor also looks great. But using only one or two colors, with pops of other colors, makes your landscape look more put together. It will give it a cohesive look throughout your rental property.

Additionally, you can use plants to your advantage by planting ornamental grasses. For example, you can plant Flax, blue oat grass, or zoysia on the perimeter of your property. These grasses are easy to maintain, but also add the designers’ touch to your property.

Finally, you can choose to DIY your own decorations for your rental property’s lawn. For instance, this article will teach you how to make planters out of old tires, which is not only inexpensive but also add a personal, unique touch to your lawn. These finishing touches will tie your landscape together and will make your rental property attractive to potential tenants.

If you follow these tips, you will have a beautiful property that’s ready for a tenant!

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