The cost of landscaping can vary greatly depending upon the size of your yard, the amount of plants and trees you add, and how much work you do yourself. As with any home renovation project, it pays to be prepared.

There are a few ways to approach the budgeting process. Create a master plan and then plant in stages as your budget allows. Or, start with the dollar amount you have to spend and find out what you can buy with it.

Trees and shrubs cost from $20 for a five gallon tree to a few hundred or even thousands of dollars for a medium to large shade tree. Smaller perennials range from $2-$3 to $15 and more. Flats of popular annuals, such as impatiens and geraniums, typically are priced from $10 to $20. 

Here are budgeting tips:

Do at least some of the work yourself – the old sweat equity routine works well in the garden. Perhaps you can hire a landscape designer to create a plan, then do the planting yourself. Expect to pay $50 to $100 per hour for their time, depending upon what area of the country you live in.

Or, consider bartering services with a neighbor who has a good eye for laying out flower beds. You’ll plant her trees if she provides a plan for your yard.

Change the yard in stages – this will spread out the cost and allow you to see how each section and each plant grows before expanding into other areas.

Buy small trees and shrubs – Patience can be a virtue here, because you’ll save money by buying smaller plantings. Make sure you take their mature growth into consideration when spacing them, however.

Trade existing plants with a neighbor – If you loath daylilies, but your neighbor needs some shade-loving plants, trade off for a batch of her ivy.

Look for sales near the end of the season – This is a great way to pick up overstocked or unusual plants at a discount.

Don’t buy too many plants that are new to you or your yard– Try out a small section until you know how the plants will adapt to your soil conditions. They also may require more maintenance than you would like.