Each year, when the mild weather returns, many people dream of a green space to recharge their batteries. Whether you have a small balcony in town or a large garden in the countryside, maintaining an outdoor space has a cost.
But then, what budget should you plan for the maintenance of your garden? Because yes, it is important to understand this concept before launching, under penalty of seeing its beautiful plantations perish for various reasons. In order to understand all this as it should, here is a guide to estimating these costs.
The key elements of the maintenance budget
Maintaining a garden, whether small or large, necessarily involves a series of key expenses. Understanding them in detail is key to properly anticipating costs and ensuring a thriving garden.
1. The initial layout
The landscaping stage often represents the most substantial investment in the life of a garden. It lays the foundations, determines the configuration and strongly influences subsequent maintenance.
Preparing the ground : Every garden begins with the earth. Soil preparation, which may include tilling, leveling, and adding amendments, is crucial. Depending on the quality of the existing ground, the cost of this step can vary between €10 and €50 per m². Clay or sandy soils, for example, may require specific treatments to optimize their fertility.
The plantations : The costs associated with plantations depend largely on the variety and maturity of the plants chosen. Mature trees, for example, cost significantly more than young plants or seedlings, but offer an immediate effect. Thus, depending on the strategy adopted, the budget allocated to plantings can vary considerably, ranging from €5 for a young plant to more than €50 for rarer or more mature specimens.
2. The necessary tools
A good gardener is often recognized by the quality of his tools. Buying quality tools can be a high initial cost, but they will usually last longer and deliver better results.
Basic tools : The fundamentals like the shovel, the rake and the secateurs are essential. It is recommended to invest in robust and ergonomic tools, which will offer comfort of use and long-term durability. Their cost generally varies between 10 € for the simplest models and can go up to 100 € for high-end tools.
Electric and motorized tools : For large gardens, tools such as mowers, hedge trimmers or tillers quickly become essential. Their cost varies, ranging from 100 € for entry-level models to more than 1000 € for professional equipment. It should be noted that these tools, although more expensive, can represent long-term savings in terms of time and effort.
3. Regular maintenance according to the seasons
A living garden evolves with the seasons. Each time of year brings its own set of specific tasks and challenges.
Spring : It is the season of rebirth. Sowing, new plantations, pruning plants after winter, purchasing quality soil and suitable fertilizers are all expenditure items. For an average garden, the cost of these activities can amount on average to 200 €, although this amount may fluctuate depending on the specifics of each garden.
Summer : Under the summer sun, watering becomes a major concern, as does the fight against pests and diseases. Irrigation systems, phytosanitary treatments and specific fertilizers can represent a cost of approximately 150 € for the season.
Autumn : The approach of winter requires careful preparation. Pruning trees, purchasing bulbs for the following spring flowering and protecting cold-sensitive plants are the main tasks during this period. The necessary budget is generally around €100.
Winter : Although often considered a rest period for the garden, winter requires minimal maintenance. Plant protection, particularly with the purchase of winter sails, as well as the maintenance of tools, may require a budget of around €50.
Each of these elements, considered individually, affects the overall cost of maintaining a garden. Precise anticipation and good knowledge of the specific needs of each garden will allow these expenses to be optimized.
Unforeseen expenses
Even if you love your garden and take care of it like the apple of your eye, unexpected expenses can arise. It is crucial to consider these potential costs to ensure the sustainability and beauty of the garden all year round.
1. Diseases and parasites
Nature is complex and dynamic. Unfortunately, this means that gardens can sometimes fall victim to unexpected attacks by disease or pests.
Fungal diseases : These diseases, such as downy mildew or powdery mildew, can affect various plants, requiring the purchase of specific fungicides. Depending on the severity of the infection and the size of the garden, the cost of treatment can vary between €20 and €150.
Parasites : Pests such as aphids, slugs and even caterpillars can cause significant damage. Insecticides and biological treatments, such as nematodes, can cost between €15 and €100 depending on the product and the surface to be treated.
2. Climatic hazards
Climate is inherently unpredictable. Events such as late frosts, storms or heatwaves can result in unforeseen expenses.
Frost protection : Even if some plants are prepared for winter, an unexpected frost can damage unprotected plants. The purchase of protective equipment, such as winter sails or greenhouse heaters, can vary between €10 and €200 as required.
Repair following storms : High winds or heavy snowfall can damage structures such as pergolas, fences or trees. Repair or replacement costs can vary greatly depending on the extent of the damage.
Drought : With recent climate changes, it is more and more common to have heatwave episodes. This type of period encourages more watering and indirectly, a higher water consumption.
3. Wear and replacement of tools
Even the most robust tools have a limited lifespan. Natural wear and tear, accidents or malfunctions may require repairs or replacement.
Repair : Depending on the tool concerned, a simple repair could cost between €20 and €150. For example, replacing a damaged mower blade or sharpening a secateur.
Replacement : When a tool can no longer be repaired or its performance is significantly reduced, replacement becomes necessary. Costs may vary from 10 € for a basic tool over 1000 € for high-end motorized equipment.
As you have seen, it is imperative to provide a budgetary margin to deal with these unforeseen events. A annual envelope of €100 to €200 for a medium-sized garden can be a good starting point, but this amount will need to be adapted depending on the complexity and sensitivity of the garden in question.
Tips for saving on garden maintenance budget
Optimizing expenses related to the maintenance of your garden is not only an economic necessity for many, but it is also a way to be part of a ecological and sustainable approach. To give you some ideas, here are our tips for saving while ensuring your green space gets the care it deserves.
1. Home composting
Producing compost at home is a doubly beneficial solution: it reduces household waste while providing a rich natural fertilizer for the garden.
By avoiding the purchase of fertilizers and soil conditioners, you can save between €50 and €150 per year depending on the size of the garden. In addition, there is also less garbage that will be collected during daily collection.
Installing a composter, whether purchased or made at home, allows organic waste (peeings, dead leaves, grass clippings) to be transformed into a rich fertilizer.
2. Rainwater harvesting
Water is a precious and sometimes expensive resource. Installing rainwater harvesting systems not only saves money but also provides fresh water, ideal for plants.
Depending on the region and consumption, savings can vary from €30 to €200 per year. The use of barrels or tanks to collect rainwater is simple to set up and can be adapted to the size of each garden.
3. Collaborative gardening
Pooling resources and efforts can lead to significant savings. By sharing the costs of tools, seeds and plants, expenses can be reduced by 20% to 50%.
Create or join communities of local gardeners, exchange plants, seeds, or pool the purchase of more expensive tools.
4. Opt for endemic plants
Native or endemic plants are adapted to the climate and soil of the region. They therefore generally require less maintenance, less water and are less susceptible to local diseases.
Reducing the consumption of water, fertilizers and phytosanitary treatments can lead to savings ranging from €50 to €200 per year. To do this, look for plants native to your region and incorporate them into your landscaping.
5. Preventive maintenance of tools
Regular maintenance of gardening tools prolongs their life and avoids premature replacement. By avoiding the replacement of tools, savings can amount to €20 to €150 over several years.
So clean, sharpen and store your tools properly after each use. A protective oil can also be applied to the metal parts to prevent rust.
