===== [srform] Starting a garden has plenty of benefits. But have you been worried about the costs? Or maybe, you’re looking to spice up your cu...
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Starting a garden has plenty of benefits. But have you been worried about the costs? Or maybe, you’re looking to spice up your current garden on a budget. Either way, there’s plenty you can do, often with items you have around your house.
While you will have to invest some money into a successful garden, trying to DIY some areas can save you money and even time in the long-run. Here are some DIY ideas you can use for your garden.
From mulch to getting rid of weeds, sometimes you might need the help of a pro to really help your garden thrive. Contact a landscaping pro today for quotes from contractors in your area, for free.
DIY Garden Ideas
Gardening is an awesome way to get outside in your backyard and grow flowers, produce and more. It has benefits that extend beyond just growing. Gardening for 2 and a half hours a week can help reduce stress, prevent high blood pressure, improve mental health and more, according to the Center For Disease Control.
Gardening is not a hobby that you can easily come and go from. It requires time to make it look great and grow properly. Here are a few ways you can actively take care of your garden.
- Install Raised Garden Beds
- Planting
- Mulching
- Soil Testing
- Herb Gardening
- Make Garden Accessories
DIY Raised Garden Beds
If you’re planning to start your garden, one of the best ways to do so is to build a garden bed. You’ll be able to control the soil, drainage and space you have for your plants. They’ll also make your yard more stylish. The good news is that you can do this yourself for cheaper than what it would cost to buy them. DIYing your raised garden bed also allows for more customization. Make sure you choose wood that has not been treated, so chemicals don’t get into the food you’re growing. Here is a great tutorial provided by Ana White.
The soil you fill your garden bed with can help determine the outcome of your plants and flowers. Add organic matter to your soil, such as compost, to give it the optimum amount of nutrients your seeds need to grow! You have the option to DIY your compost from food scraps, but you can also buy compost if you decide that’s an easier route. The average cost of compost is between $25 to $33 per yard.
DIY Planting Tips
Once your garden is ready to go, it’s time to get planting. The process of when you plant your flowers, vegetables and herbs can determine the outcome. Here’s a quick seasonal planting guide:
Fall
- Bens
- Squash
- Green Onions
- Mums
- Salvia
- Tulips
- Daffodils
Spring
- Lettuce
- Kale
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Beets
- Tomatoes
- Bell Peppers
- Sunflowers
- Pansies
- Snapdragons
For many of these, you’ll want to start them from seed indoors before transferring them outside. The only exception is if you’re transplanting them from a home-garden store where they’ve already done so for you. You can start your seedlings for next to nothing with these DIY tips from Imperfectly Happy.
DIY Mulch
Mulch will be essential to your garden. It helps to block out weeds, retain moisture and it helps make your garden look beautiful! You have two options if you want to use mulch in your garden. You could buy mulch and spread it yourself. The average cost of mulch is between $200 to $2,000 depending on how big the area is you want to fill and the type of mulch.
You also have the option to DIY your mulch. Yes, you may not have considered it before but the organic cuttings and scraps from your yard can actually become mulch. It might not give you the same clean look however, but it will do the job of keeping your garden healthy. See Home For The Harvest for a tutorial on how you can do this yourself.
DIY Soil Testing
For the more experienced gardener, you may want to test your soil. It’s a good idea to know what’s in your soil so your plants have successful growth. Depending on how detailed you want to get, a simple DIY soil test might get the job done. The best part is, you likely have most items around the house right now. To see how you can do this, see this tutorial from The Balance Everyday.
However, basic tests such as the one above can only tell you about the soil’s acidity and alkalinity. While important, if you want to know more about the components of your garden soil, you’ll want to have it professionally tested. The average cost to test soil is $1,142, with most homeowners spending between $949 and $1,550.
DIY Herb Garden
For homeowners with smaller backyards, the idea of building your own garden might not be best in the space that you have. However, if you still want to get the benefits of gardening, try growing herbs! Herbs such as basil, thyme, cilantro and lavender grow great in containers. You’ll need to utilize many of the tips above, such as soil testing and starting your seeds to ensure your herb garden grows properly.
DIY Garden Accessories
To spice up your garden just a bit further, add a few accessories! Large stones are a great way to mark the start and end points of your garden rows. Get out your paint add a little design to each stone to make it stand out. Speaking of paint, one of my favorite garden DIYs is plant markers, these are both functional and stylish. Here’s a great DIY for making plant markers out of wooden spoons and paint from The Crazy Craft Lady.
Conclusion
Gardening doesn’t have to be an expensive backyard hobby. By DIYing some aspects of your garden, you can enjoy all the benefits it brings, without hurting your wallet!
Looking for more DIY inspiration? See our DIY Gardening Pinterest board for more ideas!
