Part 3: The Budget (taking gardening dreams into reality)
In parts 1 and 2 we covered everything from listing all our dreams, choosing the location, determining your climate and finally sketching out our plans.
Today we’ll further break down your budget and how you’ll be spending your hard-earned money.
What do plants cost?
Here are some average prices for plant materials in your local garden centres or nurseries. Price is determined by pot size and plant size (the lower the price, the smaller the plant).
Perennials: $6-25+/plant
Shrubs: $35+ each
Potted trees: $60-$200+ each.
Trees in baskets: $200+ each
Hardscaping items like brick or fences are a much harder item for me to determine. The best way to do this is to call the big box stores that carry those items and have them talk you through your ideas. They will likely cost $1000 or more.
Trees for sale at a Garden Centre
Before you spend a single dollar, it's important to figure out what type of gardener you are. Each type of gardener will dictate how you spend your money.
What type of gardener are you?
Option 1: The frugal gardener (AKA the super patient gardener)
This gardener is very money conscious. They would rather buy small starter plants and allow them time to grow over the years.
They will buy the smallest perennials, potted trees and shrubs in the garden centre, understanding it will be years till their garden is mature.
They will push off most, if not all hardscaping plans till years in the future.
Option 2: The semi-frugal gardener
This gardener is still money conscious, but not quite as patient.
They will still buy the smallest perennials and shrubs but will invest more money into their trees. They may choose to purchase larger potted trees that have good height but can still be handled without equipment.
They will push off most, if not all hardscaping plans till years in the future.
Option 3: The Long-Term Planner
This gardener cares about trees and shrubs, knowing that they’re the backbone of all landscapes.
They will invest in trees and shrubs. They know that perennials are quick to establish and easy to fill in later, but trees take longer to grow.
They may invest in larger basketed trees that give a yard a more established feel.
Perennials may or may not be purchased in this plan. All hardscaping will also come later
Option 4: The Hardscape Gardener
This gardener is focused on outdoor living. They will use their budget for all things non-plant-related.
Their concern is to get the expensive project done first. Often a hardscape gardener may need these steps in place before any plant material can be brought in. Ex. retaining walls or major restructuring of a yard.
Option 5: The do-it-all Gardener
This gardener has chosen to save for many years until they could do it all at once or is willing to invest in a turnkey landscape no matter the cost.
Option 6: The Hybrid Gardener
This gardener will be bits and pieces of all the options.
They may splurge on 1 giant tree or a small patio. They might put up a deck but still want a perennial bed.
Mix of hardscaping (retaining wall & pergola) and flower beds
Can you see yourself in one of those options?
Take some time to really think through who you are. There are no right or wrong answers here. Often the size of the project will determine the option as well.
In year one of setting up our farm yard we were 100% option 1. I knew I couldn't deal with planting more than the tiniest trees. I’m a long-term planner though.
Getting those trees into the ground in year 1 was the most important task that first year. I knew that as we worked through our yard, projects would come up and money would be pulled elsewhere.
Think about your finances this week and come up with your priorities for spending.
Next time…
Next time on the blog I’ll be covering plant material to help you fill out that garden design. I’ll cover trees, shrubs and perennials to create that yard you’ve been dreaming of!
Happy Planning!
Heidi
CLICK HERE for Part 1 in this series
CLICK HERE for Part 2 in this series
