DIY Sustainable Landscaping on a Shoe-string Budget?
A small bungalow front yard is reborn as a shady woodland oasis of natives centered by a naturalistic fountain accented with metal sculpture. As you’ll read on, you’ll notice from the photo tour that this new garden shows that sustainable landscaping can be accomplished through DIY talent and on a shoe-string budget when working closely with a professional landscape designer.
The home owners of this Craftsman style home in College Park area of San Jose already prided themselves living a green and sustainable life style. But there was still some unfinished business – their water thirsty lawn. So they decided to say goodbye to their front lawn and concrete hardscape and figure out a way to design a new, water wise yard on a budget. They were receptive to many sustainable suggestions including: turf rebate programs, lawn removal, water-wise irrigation, flagstone installation, planting natives and storm water management.
Fact is, if you have the time, patience and willing to learn, you can do a lot on your own. Here is what I mean… Size of the lawn was 900 square feet. For about $5 a square foot, I designed the plans and coached my clients through their installation. They did the install themselves but I helped them locate materials and assisted them in receiving an $800 water rebate by removing their lawn. Total cost? (more…)
