As we move into February, it’s the perfect time to start planning your landscaping budget for 2023. Whether you're looking to make a few small changes to your landscaping or completely overhaul it, having a clear plan and budget in place will help ensure that your landscaping projects are completed at the right time and at a cost that fits into your budget.
One of the first things to consider when planning your landscaping budget is the scope of the project. Are you removing plants or trees? Adding plants, trees or turf grass? With landscaping, there are specific time windows for most tasks involving anything other than the ‘’hardscapes” in your yard. Basically, if it is living, it needs to be dealt with on its schedule for the best results.
Hardscapes
The objects in your landscaping that are not living. Items like pavers, rocks, lighting and water features.
Softscapes
The objects in your landscaping that are alive. Items like plants, trees and turf. Organic material like mulch is generally included in the "softscape' category.
Turf Grass
Grasses that are designed to grow together tightly, be mowed consistently and stepped on repeatedly. Lawns are generally comprised thousands of individual turf grass plants.
If you are planning a big project or series of projects, it might be beneficial to break it down into phases based on the ideal time of year for each task to be completed. Planning these phases in advance can help you save money by timing your material purchases and ensure that professional help is available for any of the tasks that exceed your DIY abilities or motivations.
Speaking of professionals, it is a good idea when laying out your plan for the year to have an honest conversation with yourself about what tasks you have the ability to perform on your own and which tasks you need to hire out.
Key questions to ask yourself include:
Do I have time to do all the manual labor myself? (Remember, timing windows for certain tasks can be relatively small.)
Is there any special machinery that I would need to rent for certain parts of the project? Are those machines available in my area and do I have the ability to run those machines myself?
Do I have the technical skills and expertise to do this job right? (Miscalculations can kill newly planted softscapes or worse – kill existing softscapes and make larger overhauls necessary in the future.)
If you think you might need some professional assistance with your project, have a professional landscaper come out early on while you are still in the planning stages. This will not only allow you to get a professional opinion on timing and scope but getting quotes will better inform your decisions on what to hire out and what to DIY.
Finally, don't forget to factor in ongoing maintenance costs. While it may be easy to focus on the initial cost of a landscaping project, it's important to remember that maintaining your yard will require ongoing effort and expense. Consider the cost of watering, fertilizing, and pruning, as well as any other maintenance tasks that will be required to keep your yard looking its best.
Overall, planning your landscaping budget for the new year is crucial in ensuring that your projects are completed on time and within your financial means. With a clear plan and budget in place, you'll be able to make informed decisions to create the sanctuary of your dreams in your own backyard.
Summary
Determine the scope
Break into phases
Time your softscapes on their schedule
Assess your DIY limitations
Consult a trusted professional
At S&H Landscaping, we would love to be your professional partner on your landscaping projects. Reach out to us now to discuss your plans for this year and see how we can be of service in the pursuit of your landscaping dreams!
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