For some people, getting out into the garden and getting their hands dirty, pulling up weeds, and tending their plants is heaven. But if your idea of relaxing in the garden is less getting grubby and more relaxing in the shade with a book and cool drink, a low-maintenance garden is for you. There are plenty of different ways to create a low-maintenance outdoor haven, depending on how hands-off you want to be and what look you want to achieve.
Get Designing
Before making any significant changes to the layout and look of the garden, it’s crucial to come up with a design plan. The reason for this is so that you can have all the work done in one go, ending up with a cohesive, usable space. If you’re feeling confident about making the design yourself, easy-to-use graphics programs are available. Otherwise, a garden landscaper can use their expert knowledge to help you design a plan that incorporates your needs.
Irrigation
When laying out your new low-maintenance garden, it’s the ideal time to install garden watering systems. An incorporated irrigation system takes the fuss out of remembering to water your plants. The ultimate in hands-off watering is to use an automated irrigation system, which will use advanced features to control how much water the garden receives. The use of such a system can save you time and water wastage, which is ideal in areas with water supply issues.
Mulch
An integral part of a low-maintenance garden is the use of mulch around garden plants. Mulch has many benefits to both you and the plants as it suppresses weed growth, reduces moisture loss from the dirt, and can add nutrients back into the soil. In turn, this means you need to spend less time pulling weeds, watering the plants, and adding fertilizer to the soil. All of which are ideal for the low-maintenance gardener.
Artificial Grass
A grass lawn is lovely when it’s in excellent condition, but it takes a lot of work to keep it gorgeous. A modern, easy-care substitute is a good quality artificial grass. The latest artificial grasses are designed to better replicate the look of natural grass, with natural-looking variation in the blade coloring and hights. And unlike the artificial surface found on sports pitches, artificial grass intended for domestic use is soft, like natural grass. These features mean your garden can look and feel close to the real thing without the required upkeep.
Paving
A more traditional option for grass replacement is to lay paving stones to create a large patio or courtyard area. Pavers can allow you some creativity when set in such a way to create pleasing patterns and brings visual interest to the space. There is some maintenance required with paving as, over time, weeds will come up between the slabs, and the slabs themselves will become discolored. Thankfully it’s easy to remove weeds by hand or with a hoe, and pavers can be power washed every few years to remove buildup and grime.
Potted Plants
Potted plants are beneficial if you’ve chosen to go with paving, as the pots can rest directly on the paved surface. Use a mix of permanent potted shrubs for year-round greenery and pots of flowers for seasonal color. A good size pot can hold various flower types extending the season of color with minimum effort and care. Another feature of having a variety of plants in pots is that pots can be moved, allowing you to change the garden’s look easily. It’s also useful for winterization purposes.
Pay Someone Else To Do It
Hiring a garden professional can allow you to enjoy a higher-maintenance garden as if it’s a low-maintenance one. With your lawns regularly mown, trees cared for, and heavy weeding being taken care of, you can potter about in the flowers at your leisure. Garden companies range from essential lawn mowing services to complete garden maintenance, allowing you to choose the level of service to best suit your needs. If the lowest maintenance garden doesn’t bring you joy, but you can’t or won’t maintain the garden yourself, pay someone else.
With careful planning, you can create a low-maintenance outdoor oasis where you’ll spend more time relaxing and almost no time weeding. Come up with a design, choose your materials, and before you know it, you’ll have a garden to relax in, even if it means having someone else do the hard work. For more information on removing a tree stump be sure to visit Trav’s Trees
