7 Ideas For An Incredible Garden On A Budget

When you move into a new home the first things you tend to personalise are its interiors – decorating, accessorising and maybe doing a bit of building work. But all too often, this kind of activity doesn’t extend past the back door, and the poor old garden is left as an afterthought.

We can’t blame you – for most people, the priority is firmly indoors – but wouldn’t it be nice if you could get your garden looking great, and without breaking the bank? Read on to find seven ways to give yourself a better garden that cost very little – or even nothing.

How do I make my garden look better on a budget?

To make your garden look better on a budget, follow these simple tips and tricks:

1. Repurpose indoor furniture

It’s easy to get in the mindset of some things being “for the garden” (plant pots, outdoor furniture, bird tables – you know the sort of thing) and others being for indoors. But this is usually down to nothing more than tradition and, frankly, the things they sell in garden centres. Let’s burst the bubble!

Furniture designed for indoor use can look really great out in the garden. Chairs, tables, even dressing tables and chests of drawers can be given a new life outdoors. All you need to do is weatherproof them with varnish or paint. Even if you don’t use them as furniture, they can make great display pieces.

2. Grow perennials, evergreens and self-seeders

If you want a garden that’s full of colour, you probably want to head off to the garden centre and fill your trolley with plants. But before you do, try thinking about the types of plants you’re buying. Some flowers only last a year, whereas others will keep on blooming summer after summer. Know the difference and you’ll get better value for money.

Perennials

“Perennial” literally means “through years”, aka something that has a long life. Some of the most popular perennials are delphinium, clematis, geranium, lavender and aster, but there are dozens of beautiful varieties to choose from.

Self-seeders

Each individual self-seeder might only live for one summer, but as the season ends, they’ll drop seeds and next year their offspring will sprout up to delight you. Just make sure you don’t pluck them when you’re weeding! Some of the best-loved self-seeders are cornflower, poppy, gladioli and marigolds.

Evergreens

The last of this very self-descriptive trio is the evergreen, which (surprise, surprise) is always green. That means it doesn’t lose its leaves in the winter. You can use small conifers, holly, or shrubs like hebe for 12 months of verdant display.

3. Plant your greens

If you have a patch of soil and like the idea of cutting down on your food bill, why not get some veg in there? Potatoes, carrots, sweetcorn, sprouts, cabbage, radish and turnips are all really easy to grow, and the seeds cost a few pounds for a pack of dozens. Imagine popping out on Christmas morning to pick the freshest sprouts you’ve ever tasted! There’s nothing quite like it. 

You don’t always need to plant vegetables in the ground, either. Most will thrive in a large pot or window box. You can also get some strawberries going in time for Wimbledon, and how about a herb garden to add super-fresh flavour to your favourite dishes?

4. Dive into a pond

A pond is a great addition to any garden, and it doesn’t have to cost much. Set out the perimeter, dig a bowl shape to about 30 cm depth, put some plastic sheeting down and fill it with water. A pump with a filter can help clean and oxygenate the water, and a few pond plants like water lilies will finish the effect. Hopefully you’ll start attracting frogs, toads and newts, which will help keep down the insect population in your garden. Of course, if you’ve got young children you’ll need to take precautions and make sure the pond is covered.

5. Mirrors work wonders

Mirrors serve multiple functions in a garden. They reflect light, making it a brighter place as the sun moves around; they can make your garden feel double the size and they can cover up blemishes on walls.

Special garden mirrors are available, but have a look around charity shops and car boot sales and you’re bound to find some great vintage options. It doesn’t matter if it’s not in perfect condition; in fact, if it’s rough around the edges it’ll give it a rustic, artisan feel. Paint the frame in outdoor paint and you’re good to go.

6. Get composting

 Through putting all your plant cuttings and green kitchen waste in a compost bin, . within a year or two you’ll have some excellent quality compost to make your garden grow, saving you money on soil and helping you do your bit for the environment.

7. Lighten up!

Solar-powered outdoor lighting is more than affordable these days, , with most major supermarkets, homeware stores and garden centres selling them. And because they’re solar powered, you can have to fit them and forget – no wiring or batteries to worry about.

Fitting them around your garden can enhance all those outdoor gatherings in the summer, and also look lovely on dark winter nights – creating a twinkly aesthetic than can be admired from indoors.

Whatever you decide to do with your garden, all it takes is a bit of imagination and creativity to achieve a whole new look without spending the earth. Good luck!