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3 Inexpensive Backyard Landscaping Projects You Can Do

Written by Posted On Thursday, 26 May 2016 07:03

Backyard landscaping is the practice of changing the natural appearance of a house or residence’s backyard. The purpose for this could be for aesthetics and functionality. It is mainly done through gardening, but it can also be done through fencing, statue installation, or wall building. In a nutshell it is done to make a backyard more functional, beautiful and attractive.

In this article, we have featured three backyard landscaping projects that you can do in just a weekend to bring beauty and neatness to your outdoor backyard spaces and make them standout throughout the year. There is no need for expensive materials or tools for these three projects. These DIY projects will transform your backyard space entirely and will encourage you and your family to spend your time outside surrounded by a good environment full of life and greenery. If you've never tried any of these landscape projects before, you might be pleased with the ease and inexpensive nature of each one.

Continue reading each project below to find out more about their setup, installation, tools needed and the estimated overall cost of each project. 

Project #1: Installation of Rigid Flower Bed Edging 

Rigid Flower Bed Edging is one of the backyard landscaping projects that is popular among many homeowners. A crisp edge where the flower beds meets the lawn looks great and eases the backyard mowing.

rigid edging

Installation 

You can opt for inexpensive semi-rigid plastic edging that looks neat and clean and will not rot. You can use a charged garden hose to help lay out a smooth curve. On the flower bed edging, choose low maintenance plants such Rose Glow Japanese Barberry, Velvet Cloak Smoke Tree, Variegated Ribbon Grass, Grey Owl Juniper, Elijah Blue Fescue and Winter King Hawthorn, Bloody Cranesbills, Jules Verne Peony, Thornless Common Honey Locust and the Burgundy Carousel Japanese Barberry.

Of course, make sure you consult with your local horticulturist or garden store for plants that will thrive in your area.

Always use a charged garden hose to water the plants and to lay out a smooth curve.

Tip

A charged garden hose containing plenty of water can help you make a smoother curve. To achieve this, charge up the garden hose by turning on the spigot but make sure the sprayer is turned off. Using the garden hose as your guide, use a spade or lawn edger to prune excess grass growing on the surface and to make an incision for the edging. Using a rubber mallet, tap in the edging and add the stakes. Proceed to trim the edging using a hacksaw. It’s recommended to use a speed square to outline areas where you are going to cut.

Tools, Specs and Cost

The tools you need to accomplish this project include garden hose, lawn edger or spade, shovel, speed square, flour or powdered chalk, hacksaw, hammer and rubber mallet. The specifications and cost of the project includes aluminum ($2.25 per lineal foot), Steel ($1.25 per lineal foot) and fiberglass or rigid plastic ($1.65 per lineal foot edging. All costs are approximate.

Time

You need approximately one day to build a typical rigid flower bed edging.

Project #2: Installing an Earth Berm

An earth berm is one of the backyard landscaping features that adds interest to a flat landscape, creates a barrier and improves drainage. 

Installation 

You can create an eye-catching backyard earth berm by shaping a few cubic yards of soil into an attractive berm. Topped off with pruned bushes, groundcover and mulch, earth berm adds interest to a flat backyard space, improves drainage and buffers street noise. Use a charged hose to make the outline of your earth berm (see details above). Also ensure that the pieces of grass in from the perimeter is removed. Proceed to add a few mounds of soil up to 3 feet high.

Tip

Don’t be tempted to use those bags of topsoil at the home center. If you don’t know, at $2.50 per cubic foot, 27 cubic feet (a cubic yard) will end up costing you more around $67.50.

It will be much cheaper to get a pickup load of topsoil from your local materials supply company. If you don’t have a truck, have the topsoil delivered.

Tools, Specs and cost

The tools you need to accomplish this project include a wheelbarrow, shovel, spade, garden rake and a trowel.

To install a good sizing earth berm, you will need three cubic yards (81 cubic feet) of soil. Expect to pay around $15 to $20 per cubic yard of soil plus additional $20 to $40 for delivery. So in total, you will need approximately $60 to get the soil ready. 

You will also need a cubic yard of mulch as well. Depending on where you purchase it from, a cubic yard of much cost from $15 to $20. Last but not least, you will require a dozen periwinkle starts, few evergreens and boxwood bushes. To purchase all these, you need approximately $140. 

The entire project of around 18-foot-long berm can be as little as $280.

Time

Typically, you will need a day or two create the berm, another day for planting and placing mulching.

Project #3: Build a Wall for a Raised Flower Bed

Building a wall for your raised flower bed gives your backyard a new look. One interesting thing about this project is that you don’t need to be a professional stonemason to build one. 

raised flower bed

Installation

Begin by laying out a raised wall with masons line and stakes. For the first level, fill in a level bed of sand. As you continue to add more courses or layers, make sure you have staggered stone joints 3 at inches or so. Also make sure that each course is set back a quarter an inch to make the wall lean backward slightly. On the topmost course, back the wall with landscaping fabric and then proceed to adding topsoil.

Tip

Permanent retaining walls on the backyard should be backed by pea gravel for enhanced drainage. In some locations, building retaining walls taller than three feet high require you to obtain a building permit from relevant local authorities. To be sure, check with your local Building Department or equivalent.

Tools, Specs and cost

The tools you need to accomplish this project include a spade, shovel, stakes and mason’s line, a 4-foot level, tamper and a garden rake. It is recommended you use stones of consistent thickness. A raised wall might be made of shale, sandstone, limestone or any rock that splits into slabs. 

Choose a 2-inch-thick stone for a wall that is 12 inches high and 10 feet long. You will need around $300 to purchase enough stones and sand for such a wall.

Time

You will need a day to build a 12 inches high raised wall of 10-foot-long. 

Conclusion

 

Whether your home’s backyard needs an upgrade in appearance or a completely new look, these three easy landscaping projects that we have featured above will make your backyard a sensation in the neighborhood, and a much more enjoyable place for you to relax in over the years. 

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Jeffrey Fedie

Jeff Fedie is the owner of Four Seasons Landscaping Inc., a Colorado Springs landscaping company. Jeff has been designing and building beautiful landscapes, retaining walls, water features, artificial turf installations and artificial turf putting greens in Colorado Springs since 2006.

fourseasonslandscaping.org/
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