It's time to tend our yards and gardens again. For those thinking of larger ticket items, are you looking at more frugal alternatives?

Fencing is one that can be expensive but are there ways to get some privacy without the big price tag?

I got some blackberry starts from a colleague at work who was getting rid of them.  Between those and the red raspberries it's growing into a reasonable hedge (it also deters teenagers from crossing the lawn because the blackberries have nice big thorns)