8 Backyard Projects That Will Save You Money in the Long Run
With inflation, tariffs, and rising costs hitting everyday goods, many people are rethinking how they use their space—and their spending. The good news? Your backyard can become a powerful tool to help you save money, gain independence, and live more sustainably. Whether you have a tiny yard or several acres, these practical backyard projects will pay you back over time.
Let’s dig into the projects that offer the biggest long-term savings (and serious satisfaction).
Jump to:
- 1. Raise Backyard Chickens for Fresh Eggs
- 2. Build Raised Garden Beds for Fruits & Veggies
- 3. Set Up a Simple Composting System
- 4. Install a Rain Barrel for Garden Watering
- 5. Grow a Pollinator or Medicinal Herb Garden
- 6. Build a Fire Pit or Outdoor Cooking Area
- 7. Hang a Clothesline to Dry Laundry
- 8. Plant Perennial Food Crops
- Bonus Idea: Create a Community Tool Shed or Share Group
- Final Thoughts: Save Money and Create a Life You Love
1. Raise Backyard Chickens for Fresh Eggs
Raising chickens is one of the most cost-effective backyard projects you can start. After the initial setup of a coop and some supplies, you’ll enjoy a steady supply of fresh eggs—often with better flavor and nutrition than store-bought. The initial set up can be a lot, but if you start small with a small coop for a couple chickens, you'll find it can be quite affordable.
Estimated Initial Cost: $200–500
Money-Saving Potential: Up to $10/week on eggs alone
Bonus Perks: Natural pest control, compostable bedding, and fun for kids
2. Build Raised Garden Beds for Fruits & Veggies
A raised bed garden gives you better soil control, fewer weeds, and more yield in less space. You can grow salad greens, herbs, tomatoes, and more for a fraction of grocery store prices. This is one-time cost, since you can reuse the beds annually. If you pair it with some homemade compost and saving seed, you'll be golden for a long time.
Estimated Initial Cost: $50–150 per bed
Money-Saving Potential: $300–500 per season on fresh produce
Best Crops to Start With: Lettuce, herbs, tomatoes, zucchini, radishes
3. Set Up a Simple Composting System
Speaking of turning kitchen scraps and yard waste into rich compost reduces your need for store-bought soil, fertilizer, and trash bags. It’s a low-cost, low-effort way to create a healthier, more productive garden.
Estimated Initial Cost: Free–$50
Money-Saving Potential: $50–100/year on soil amendments
Quick Tip: Start with a plastic bin or build a 3-bin system with scrap wood.
4. Install a Rain Barrel for Garden Watering
Collecting rainwater lowers your water bill and gives your plants untreated, natural water they love. It's especially useful in dry seasons or if you're on a metered water system. I'll be looking this spring into setting up a rain barrel to give my chickens fresh water, saving costs there as well.
Estimated Initial Cost: $30–100
Money-Saving Potential: $50–150/year, depending on garden size
Bonus: Eco-friendly and easy to set up with most downspouts
5. Grow a Pollinator or Medicinal Herb Garden
Planting herbs like lavender, chamomile, mint, and calendula can replace store-bought teas and herbal remedies. You’ll also attract pollinators to help your veggies thrive. The great thing about these herbs is that they are generally very container friendly, so you can potentially grow them indoors or on a balcony patio.
Estimated Initial Cost: $20–100
Money-Saving Potential: $100+/year on teas and healing salves
Popular Herbs to Try: Echinacea, lemon balm, thyme, calendula
6. Build a Fire Pit or Outdoor Cooking Area
An outdoor fire pit creates space for meals, gatherings, and even cooking—reducing your indoor utility use during warmer months.
Estimated Initial Cost: $100–300
Money-Saving Potential: Reduces energy bills and offers free entertainment
Add-On Ideas: Try a DIY brick pizza oven or grill pit for next-level savings
7. Hang a Clothesline to Dry Laundry
Ditch the dryer and hang your clothes to dry—especially in spring and summer. You’ll save on energy and extend the life of your clothes. If you don't have the space, consider getting a drying rack to keep outside if you have a balcony. Same idea but smaller footprint!
Estimated Initial Cost: $20–50
Money-Saving Potential: $50–100/year on electricity
Bonus: Smells better and reduces wear-and-tear on fabrics
8. Plant Perennial Food Crops
Unlike annual vegetables, perennials like asparagus, rhubarb, berries, and fruit trees come back year after year with little input. They're a low-maintenance, high-reward investment.
Estimated Initial Cost: $5–20 per plant
Money-Saving Potential: Ongoing harvests for 10+ years
Great Choices: Strawberries, blueberries, rhubarb, grapes, fig trees
Bonus Idea: Create a Community Tool Shed or Share Group
Sharing tools with neighbors cuts down on clutter and cost. If you build a small tool shed or join a tool library, you can borrow items you only need occasionally—like tillers, mowers, or post-hole diggers.
Estimated Initial Cost: $0–200 (shared or DIY)
Money-Saving Potential: Hundreds on equipment you don’t have to own
Community Perk: Builds connection and reduces duplicate purchases
Final Thoughts: Save Money and Create a Life You Love
Your backyard isn’t just green space—it’s a money-saving, resilience-building goldmine. Whether you're raising chickens or planting herbs, each project helps you cut costs, reduce reliance on imported goods, and live more intentionally.
Which project are you planning to try first? Let me know in the comments or tag me in your backyard transformation photos!
