Do you want to add more value to your house and need to make your backyard more relaxing? Why not try these Arizona backyard ideas on a budget if you live in Arizona or a desert area?
Owning a home is a dream come through for many people. And also personalizing your home and property allows you to showcase your personality without even trying much.
There are many ways to beautify your backyard without spending too much money, no matter where you live. We will explain the plants that grow well in this area and how to manage them.
Arizona is regarded as a desert because it’s the only state that contains parts of four North American deserts.
Therefore, these Arizona backyard ideas on a budget that we have prepared for you can be also taken as inexpensive desert landscape ideas and simple desert backyard ideas.
Are you having difficulties landscaping your sloped backyard? Or need ideas on sloped backyard designs? Check out these DIY Sloped Backyard Ideas On A Budget.
Simple Desert Backyard Ideas Tips
There are a lot of things that you need to put in place if you want to be able to landscape your desert backyard if you are on a budget.
Below, we’ll provide you with tips that will help you turn your desert backyard into a cool one;
Make An Inspiration File
Before you start with our Arizona backyard ideas on a budget, make a quick trip in research and choose a particular design you want.
Consider going through some designs on websites and magazines to get ideas that motivate your landscape dream.
This will help you make proper budgeting and know the cost of all materials that will be used and the duration it will take to get everything in order.
Visits Different Shops
This is also called a comparison shop. That you are looking for Arizona rock garden ideas does not mean you should shop at the first shop you see.
Before you buy items for your landscaping, check various shops that plant and other materials and do a comparison check. Choose the one with the highest discount but with good quality.
Hide Emotions
If you want to get an elegant backyard after landscaping, consider keeping your emotions in check. Don’t buy exotic or colored plants because they remind you of a vacation or person.
Before you plant anything you should first consider the plants that grow in your zone.
Keep It Simple
When landscaping your Arizona backyard, do not think every part of your house needs to be covered with plants because you need to keep it natural.
Know how much to plant and learn the mature size of the plant to avoid overcrowding.
Buy Used Materials
Do you know you can buy some used gardening tools or materials and use them to landscape your backyard and still make it spectacular?
You can get a lot of cheap gardening deals from a garage and estate sales. At times, you can even get deals on plants too.
Do It Yourself
To reduce cost, do some of the landscaping yourself and also invite friends and family to come and help when they can.
With just a barbecue and some drinks, you will get a lot of work done in your backyard. Although you will be all sweaty and tired it will be worth it because your backyard will look great at the end.
Flowers And Plants That Grow In Arizona
You have to know the type of plants that will survive in your area to avoid nurturing plants that will die at the end of the day.
Plants that grow in a desert or in Arizona are Drought-tolerant plants.
Drought-tolerant plants are generally any plant with low water requirements, including plants that have adapted to arid climates, and there are plenty that will grow well in your own back (or front!) yard.
Some of these plants will be listed below according to their categories;
Perennial Plants
Perennial plants are great low-maintenance plants that are suitable for areas that have a low water supply. Some of them are listed below;
- Agastache
- Echinacea
- Lantana
- Lavender
- Penstemon
- Salvia
- Russian sage
- Veronica
- Yarrow
- Yucca
Annual Plants
With the annual plants we will list below, you are sure to get plant ideas for your simple Arizona backyard landscaping that every member of your family will get a chance of growing.
- Cosmos
- Dusty miller
- Marigolds
- Portulaca
- Zinnias
Edible Plants
For you to make do with our Arizona backyard ideas on a budget, you need to know some edible plants. Even if you have zero gardening experience, you can easily plant edible plants with your kids.
Some of these plants include;
- Beets.
- Bell peppers.
- Cabbage.
- Carrots.
- Cauliflower.
- Cucumbers.
- Eggplants.
- Green beans.
- Lettuce.
- Onions.
- Peas.
- Potatoes.
- Pumpkins.
- Radishes.
- Spinach.
- Tomatoes.
- Turnips.
- Zucchini.
Arizona Backyard Ideas On A Budget
Below is some Arizona backyard makeover on a budget that is very realistic with just simple material.
Go Vertical with Gardening
Vertical gardens are a good way of sprucing up your simple backyard to have a natural feel. Vertical gardening simply means growing up, or the opposite of your normal horizontal system of growing a garden.
They are very appropriate if you are looking for small inexpensive desert landscape ideas because they help you utilize small space and also allow the use of old materials.
You just need to know some things if you want to go for vertical gardening.
- Don’t overlook your garden entrance.
- Permanency of a vertical structure.
- Check the shade factor.
- Choose your plant wisely.
- Make the best use of vertical structures.
- Height and strength of the structure.
- Use Window boxes and hanging planters.
- Learn the mature plant height of each plant you will plant.
Install Interlocking Pavers
If you are up for DIY Arizona Backyard ideas on a budget, then installing interlocking pavers is an option for you.
Although you can contract a company to do it for you, doing it yourself is also easy and simple. We will give you a detailed step to follow in other to do it yourself.
Lay Bedding Sand
A bed of sand does the trick of keeping the pavers in place. For this you will need clean, sharp concrete sand 1-inch deep, and 1 cubic yard of sand per 300 square feet of the project area.
Install Edge Restraint
Installing an edge restraint will help stop any form of lateral movement of the pavers and sand bedding. An edge restraint can be vinyl molded restraints or concrete restraints.
Lay The Pavers
Carefully lay the pavers on the sand bedding following a particular sequence mostly forward motion.
Vibrate Pavers
After laying the pavers, it doesn’t stop there because you don’t want your pavers to spoil in a few days. You have to vibrate the pavers by spreading small layers of sand on the laid pavers.
And then run a vibrating plate contractor to begin the interlocking process.
Next spread dry paver joint or masonry sand over the surface of the paver area and run the vibrating plate contractor on it again to fill the void in between the pavers.
Repurpose Old Tires
This is another simple desert backyard idea on a budget. Those old tires that you don’t know how to get rid of, why not put them to good use?
If you don’t have these tires too don’t worry because they are easy to find and are inexpensive. There are a lot of things you can use your tire for.
One of them is setting up a tire garden by filling a used tire with soil and then planting seeds or plants of your preference.
You can stack these tires to create raised beds or use single tires as separate and contained planters. It is also advisable to add color to the surface of your tire if you so wish.
Below I will list other amazing ways you can repurpose old tires;
- For Tire Climber in a playground in your backyard.
- Hose Caddy.
- Rope Ottoman inside the house or outside.
- Horse Swing.
- Beautiful Planters in your backyard garden.
- Great Table in your seat out space.
- Tube Seat.
- Tire Totter.
Install An Outdoor Pit Fire
This particular Arizona backyard idea on a budget is not only budget-friendly but also adds elegance to your backyard.
If you are handy, this can be a simple DIY project that can be done with just a trip to a home improvement store.
You can build a perfect pit fire with these simple steps;
- You need to first plan the location and Layout. Note that a fire pit should be built at least 15 feet from any structure and preferably close to a water source.
- Determine the Size. Choose a style that works for you.
- Then dig a hole about the size of the desired pit.
- Line Hole With Sand.
- Add Base Row.
- Place Metal Ring.
- Insert Bricks into the Fire Pit Floor to cover the sand around the dug pit.
- Add Pea Gravel or sand to the floor of the pit.
- Add chairs around the surrounding of the backyard. This can serve as a seat out for relaxing or for a barbecue party.
If you don’t want to dig a pit for your outdoor fire pit, you can as well use concrete tree rings. Concrete tree rings make for a brilliant fire pit.
All you need to do is stack two or more tree rings on top of each other and also make smaller circles using smaller concrete rings on the inside.
You can place some stones or pebbles in between the two rings to make it look nicer and to give it a good finishing touch.
Plant Trees
This is very easy and you can also do it yourself. In fact, this is the best inexpensive desert backyard idea on a budget.
The presence of trees allows the abundance of natural air and cool environs. If you plant trees in the right places, you will end up saving more.
All you need is the tree and a few digging tools. For tree ideas, scroll up to get an insight into perennial plants that grow in Arizona.
Add Affordable Lighting
Lighting creates a great dreamy illusion. A lit backyard is classic, has a polished look, and adds elegance. Don’t you want a light to grace your backyard during a gathering?
All you need to do is add a bit of light to it by hanging tiny or big bulbs on the trees or the pathways.
Some other light ideas are listed below;
- Mix Up Different Lighting Styles.
- Uplight Trees to Create a Moonlight Effect.
- Illuminate Walkways.
- Sprawl Light Orbs Across the Fence.
- Light Up Water Features.
- Plant Tiki Torches.
- String Lights Up Tree Trunks and Branches.
- Create Shadows with Spotlights.
FAQ On Arizona Backyard Ideas On A Budget
Below are some frequently asked questions on simple desert backyard landscaping ideas and will research answers to them;
How Can I Make My Yard Look Nice Cheap?
It is easy you can simply recycle an old watering can, lay down free mulch, hang some string lights and you can create a charming, cozy yard at little to no cost.
Some Other Cheap Landscaping Ideas are;
- Add a walkway.
- Save with perennials.
- Spread some mulch.
- Plant flowers around your mailbox.
- Plant a tree sapling.
- Raise your garden bed.
How Much Does Backyard Landscaping Cost In Arizona?
Custom landscaping typically costs about $5,000-$25,000 when being built from the ground up. The exact cost can be higher or lower, all depending on the type of landscape features you’re looking to install.
How Do You Landscape A Backyard In Arizona?
To get the look, create a subtle grade change in your desert backyard with mounds of soil and low-lying areas to mimic a natural stream.
Fill the “valleys” with stones and gravel, and plant the “hills” with drought-tolerant shrubs and ground covers. Pergolas and shade screens.
How Can I Quickly Transform My Backyard?
7 Amazing Ways to Transform Your Backyard
- Go for a Total Yard Makeover. Before After.
- Dump a Dying Deck for a Pretty Patio.
- Swap Dying Grass for an Outdoor Room.
- Turn a Tiny Condo Yard Into a Mini Escape.
- Clear the Bramble and Make a Yard.
- Upgrade Your Pool Patio.
- Plant a Petite Patio in a Flower Bed.
What Is The Least expensive way To Landscape?
Plant Trees: This is very easy and you can also do it yourself. In fact, this is the best inexpensive desert backyard idea on a budget.
The presence of trees allows the abundance of natural air and cool environs. If you plant trees in the right places, you will end up saving more.
Conclusion
With this article on Arizona backyard ideas on a budget, it has all come to your knowledge that you don’t necessarily need to break your pockets to get a beautiful backyard.
These ideas are solely DIY. You can do it on your own or with the help of friends and family. Do not wait till you have thousand to make your house a home.