Thrifty garden style

In the latest of our budget-savvy series, Tom Massey shares design tips that needn't cost the earth

- Tom Massey

With creative thinking, clever use of materials and sourcing of plants, you can add design elements to your garden that won't break the bank. Some items, such as belowground drainage and structural work, are probably best left to expert landscapers, but there are plenty of ideas that you can try out yourself. These design tips are intended to be cost effective, but also good for the environment and great for supporting local wildlife.

Cost-effective garden updates

Three ways to stretch your budget, while helping the environment

Hard landscaping

Hard landscaping is a key feature of any garden design as it forms the bones of the garden and is generally the most expensive element. However, there are still many ways to make it thrifty.

Think about what you're removing - can you re-use old slabs? A crusher can be hired on a day rate and used on unwanted hard materials to lay as sub-base (essential for a stable installation) or even to use as decorative stone chippings. This is cheaper than buying freshly dug aggregates and more sustainable, too.

If buying new paving, particularly if it's very cheap, do check it has been ethically sourced. You can also search online marketplaces or reclamation yards for reclaimed stone. Then think about how you could enhance the materials - concrete slabs can be polished to create a terrazzo-like effect, or you could cut larger pavers and lay in a herringbone pattern for added interest. Also consider leaving gravel channels or planting pockets between slabs this reduces the cost and aids drainage.

Decking is often cheaper than paving, especially around tree roots or on slopes where it is more practical to install. Reclaimed timber is widely available, or you can prolong the lifespan of softwoods by using thicker grades, which will still be a fraction of the cost of tropical hardwoods.