Get matched with top landscapers in Butternuts, NY

The truth is, there really is no such thing as a 100% deer-proof plant. Deer will decimate even the prickliest flora if they’re hungry enough. However, there are plenty of beautiful plants that deer don’t necessarily enjoy. These include thistles, wisteria vines, sword ferns, and beautyberries.

Deer are herbivores, and they love vegetable gardens as much as Peter Rabbit. If you don’t want to fence in your entire property, consider creating an attractive raised-bed veggie garden with mesh fencing around it to keep out deer and other critters.

Pavers are one of the most affordable methods of creating an elevated outdoor space. Gravel is an equally affordable alternative. If your budget permits, you can look into building a permeable driveway to ensure proper drainage. Grid pavers, pervious concrete, brick, and brick pavement are all effective materials. Permeable driveways are great options, especially if you live in an area with heavy rainstorms.

The average cost for landscaping is around $3,500, but prices can range from as low as $200 for simple DIY projects to $14,000 or more for extensive work. Several factors influence the final price, including your geographic location, yard size, project scope, chosen materials, site preparation, and the type of landscaping involved. Professional landscaper labor costs typically range from $50 to $100 per hour.

For a smaller budget, you can focus on softscaping projects like adding mulch, flowers, and shrubs, which might only cost a few hundred dollars if you do the work yourself. A budget of around $5,000 could cover projects like a simple patio, new plants and tree trimming, or a water feature. More extensive hardscaping projects, such as pergolas, patios, and walkways, can push the budget to $14,000 or more. For example, a flower bed installation averages between $800 and $3,000, while landscape lighting installation can cost from $2,000 to $6,000.

Plant privet hedges at least 1 foot apart in a trench about 2 feet wide and 2 feet deep. It’s important to space privet hedges relatively far apart due to how quickly they grow to significant sizes and heights. You don’t want to crowd privet plants, or they could overcrowd each other, causing unwanted damage.