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5 tricks for doing up your garden on a budget

Gardens can add a lot of value to a home — and just make it a nicer place to live. If your garden is feeling neglected, try these easy tips for doing up your garden on a budget.

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Cheap ways to make your garden looks its best on a budget

It’s really easy to forget about the state of our garden — until summer rolls around. Suddenly, you want to be outside soaking up the sun and you realize that you’ve got a lot of weeds, dirt, and maybe even some random furniture to contend with. 

But gardens are important. If you’re looking to sell, they can add a lot of value to your home — especially with more people understanding the value of green space. And if you’re looking to stay put, well, you want to make the most out of your home.

Luckily, you can make some real improvements to your garden without breaking the bank. Try these easy, cheap tricks to getting your garden in shape. 

Add some colour

A lot of gardens can end up looking a little dusty — wood furniture and fences look worn out, nothing really seems to pop. If this sounds like your garden, time to grab a can of paint. You can spruce up fences or any wood furniture — even painting small planters in a bright colour can really cheer up a place.

Of course, if you don’t feel like painting you could invest in some colourful decor — either way, adding some colour can make your outdoor space come alive.

Embrace upcycling

If you find that your garden is lacking a little something — maybe it could use a nice table to sit around or a few chairs for sunbathing — you don’t necessarily have to dig deep into your pockets.

Upcycling is a great way to do up your garden on a budget, so be sure to check out places like Freecycle and Freegle if you’re looking to save those pennies. Plus, it’s always nice to go green.

Try some (vertical) gardening

Many of us feel like our gardens aren’t big enough to make use of, especially if we live in cities. But one great way to make your garden really shine is to plant some flowers, vegetables, or even a handy herb garden. If you don’t feel like you have enough space for that, try vertical gardening.

It’s easy to make with some old shelving or pallets — throw in some cheap terracotta pots and you’ll be on your way. You can grow from seed if you really want to get into the gardening spirit or just buy some potted herbs or flowers if your thumb isn't the greenest of green.

Clean and declutter

It may not be fun, but it works. Don’t underestimate the power of simply giving your garden a good scrub. Wash any furniture or flooring you might have and, of course, start weeding. If you want to make upkeep easier, you could even roll out the astroturf.

An overgrown garden feels unloved, so make sure to keep it looking clean and tidy. 

Let there be light

Adding some lighting to your garden can really add to its appeal. Firstly, it can set a nice ambience to the area and make it feel more loved. Secondly, you’re more likely to use it in the evenings if you feel like there’s the right lighting. 

There are a few ways you can add a little light to the area — you can add floodlights to really brighten things up, but they can be expensive. (Plus, if you use motion-sensor lights they might pick up every critter running by.) You might find that you want to set the mood with some fairy lights or lanterns that can be much cheaper. Do some research, because this can be a really easy fix that has a big impact.

Gardens really come into their own in spring and summer — but they deserve a little attention all year round. It doesn't take a lot to keep your garden looking its best or to give it a little upgrade, so make sure not to overlook this important area of your home.