12 Money-Saving Landscaping Tips: Smart Shopping & Planning

Estimating Costs

Prices vary wildly by source, region, and season. These tips help you shop smarter for plants, soil, wood, and rock.

Plan Before You Buy

Sketch your design on paper first. Knowing exactly what you need and where it goes avoids waste.

Decide How Much Design You Want

A square patio is cheaper, but if you hate it, it's no bargain. A designer consultation ($50–$100) can prevent costly mistakes.

Talk to a Pro

Even an hour consultation saves money later.

Buy in Phases

Few can landscape all at once. Phase the project, pay as you go, avoid loan costs, and adjust plans between phases.

Don't Assume Cheaper Is Always Better

Big-box stores have low prices on common plants and lumber but may lack selection, quality, and expert advice. Specialty nurseries offer guarantees and guidance—worth it for ponds or trees.

Accept Cheaper When It's Good Enough

For common annuals, perennials, mulch, pavers, containers—big-box volume buying works. Inspect plants closely.

Time Your Purchases

Lumber cheaper in winter. Trees, shrubs, perennials, soil, mulch cheaper late season. Avoid newly released varieties—prices drop in a few years.

Shop Online and Mail-Order

Catalogs/websites expand choices for rare plants and specialized products. Include shipping in price comparison.

Check Alternate Resources

Arboretum/botanical center plant sales, neighbor divisions, free municipal mulch/compost, construction sites for brick/stone.

Be Sociable

Share rental fees for tillers, chippers with neighbors.

Determine Your Materials

Loose materials sold by volume (cubic feet/yards) or weight (tons). A ton of dense material (sand, soil) covers less than you think. Guidelines:

• 1 cubic yard soil/compost/mulch covers: 320 sq ft at 1", 160 sq ft at 2", 110 sq ft at 3", 80 sq ft at 4".
• 1 cubic yard soil >2,000 lbs; sand/gravel ~3,000 lbs.
• 1 ton ¼–¾" decorative rock at 2" deep covers 110–120 sq ft.
• 1 ton sand/pea gravel at 2" deep covers 100–120 sq ft.
• Full-size pickup: 2–3 cubic yards (weight may limit). Single-axle dump truck: 5–7 cubic yards.