Every garden design requires some level of upkeep in order to look its best, yet with some careful planning and smart choices you can significantly decrease the time and effort necessary to keep your landscape in top condition.
Step one in creating a low maintenance landscape is to identify which parts of your garden require attention. What parts are prone to weeds or need regular trimming, where plants don’t thrive due to lack of sunlight or poor soil? Once identified, coming up with solutions can become much simpler.
Integrating more hardscape elements into your landscape can reduce the need for mowing and weeding. Patios, decks, fences, stone walls and fences all add visual interest while decreasing grassy area that needs to be maintained. Plus, using permeable materials for pathways enables rainwater to soak into the ground instead of running off into paved areas – saving both time and effort on maintenance duties!
Assigning watering duties more effectively reduces time spent gardening. Select plant species that thrive in your climate and soil conditions – for instance, in hot, dry conditions choose drought tolerant perennials like Russian Sage or Lavender; shade-loving shrubs like Rhododendron or Hydrangea would do nicely here; avoid planting invasive plants which require extra care in order to thrive –
Mulching garden beds is a great way to reduce weed growth and save time on lawn care; plus it helps the soil retain moisture during hotter summer months – two things which are vitally important.
An easy and low maintenance landscaping idea is to create a meadow garden or other naturalized area of your garden that features flowers and grasses that self-sow throughout the season, providing a soothing retreat in your outdoor living space. These kinds of gardens also look more natural.
If you want a classic garden, select perennials and shrubs that require minimal pruning. Hybrid tea roses can be high maintenance; therefore, opt for hardier species instead.
Last but not least is to choose native plants. Natives adapt perfectly to your climate and soil conditions while often being hardy enough to withstand insects and disease naturally, leading to reduced maintenance costs and creating an ecosystem which supports pollinators species as well as wildlife.