There are many reasons why people opt for low-maintenance gardens. Maybe you are short on outdoor space and want to make it look and feel bigger. Or you could be too busy to keep up with the demands of keeping your garden looking neat and tidy, or your health doesn’t allow you to spend a lot of time looking after your garden.
Whatever your reason for wanting a low-maintenance garden, there are so many ideas you can choose from to create the perfect outdoor space for you. Low maintenance doesn’t mean dull or bare. Far from it, you can get creative with the space you have by using items that don’t need constant care and attention.
What are the top tips for creating a low-maintenance garden?
- Choose more hard landscaping for a more low maintenance look
- Choose hardwood over softwood as it requires less maintenance
- Limit plants or shrubbery
- Try raised beds if you want to place plants or plant pots to help you limit plants.
- Decking can add a defined space without overcomplicating the garden
- Use accessible storage
- Create a seating or eating area
- Choose slabs over gravel or even decking for an even more low-maintenance garden.
- Opt for a color scheme that compliments your interior design
- Keep tools to hand to help you remove debris quickly and keep things neat and tidy
This post looks at some of the best low-maintenance garden ideas.
Artificial Grass
There is no denying that lawn care can be a full-time job in itself, depending on the size of the lawn. Choosing to replace your lawn with artificial grass can help you remove the need to maintain a well-manicured lawn. -, Get the look of a beautifully green lawn that you can just put down and leave for a great-looking outdoor space all year round.
Remove the need for mowing, watering, seeding, and more by checking out local artificial grass services to transform your garden into a lush green delight that looks perfect every single day regardless of the weather.
Alternatively, if you don’t have any grass to replace, but you want to create a green garden area, you choose to have your patio covered with artificial turf to create an instant lawn that can be rolled up and moved as and when you wish.
Paving
Paving is one of the top ways to really get to grips with a minimal garden. There are many different paving styles on the market that can remove the need for excessive upkeep. Slate paving stones are, as are porcelain slabs too. These can look spectacular when laid; however, they can be slippy when applied in wetter climates.
Paving can be as straightforward or as intricate as you like and create uses a variety of different materials. You can choose different colors and patterns as per your budget or even decide to lay it yourself. The choice of paving style and design is entirely up to you. For a more impactful look, think of your garden as an extension of your indoor space and create a look flowing from your home into the garden. This can help to open up smaller spaces.
Plant Pots
Try to limit how many plants you have in our garden and choose to plant them in plant pots instead of creating flower beds to help you add some color and style to your own maintenance garden without overdoing it.
Avoid annual climbing and tender plants that need a lot of TLC attention throughout the year. Opt for daphne, lavender, holly, and euonymus for low-maintenance plants that can add some color to your garden. Consider buying already potted plants from the store so you can place them in the garden with little to no effort.
Or utilize decor ideas such as shabby chic watering cans and water pails for alternative planter ideas to help you pull the look together.
Keep plant pots to a minimum to avoid overrunning your garden and undoing all the progress you make towards a low-maintenance garden.
Artificial Plants
A great alternative to buying plants is that you aren’t green-fingered or want to remove the need to tend to different plants. Artificial garden plants are designed to be left out in all weather and require no maintenance except for maybe a wipe down if they get dirty. They are hardy and can last for many years without needing any care or attention and, depending on how much you spend, can look incredibly realistic.
Much like artificial grass, the artificial plant can mimic greenery and give you the illusion you have a garden full of plants and shrubbery but without the upkeep involved with tending to plants all year round.
Mix Up Textures
Let’s be honest; if you consider a low-maintenance garden, it can be tempting to remove everything and have to bland. Use different materials and textures to create focal points in the garden and break up more extensive areas. Wooden decking and trellis for wall decor can add some depth to paved areas and fences.
Build different levels within your garden by using stone walls to create defined points that break up your outdoor space.
Mulch
If you want to kill off weeds in your garden with little or no effort, then putting down mulch can cut off the sun supply to the weeds and prevent regrowth. Mulch can come in various colors and is used in conjunction with a groundsheet to provide a solid base layer, which will be an effective weed control measure for those who are bored of the tedious wedding of these persistent sprouts. A good tip is to put down newspaper under the mulch. The paper will break down over a couple of years and inhibit weed growth thanks to its sun-blocking abilities.
You can use the mulch to create a border around the grass for permanent features and decor ideas or as a temporary feature before adding different elements.
Garden Seating
Garden seating is a great way to spruce up your low-maintenance garden. It can create a cozy space and bring in features that allow you to add functionality and comfort and be attractive.
There are many different garden furniture sets on the market. You can choose to add dining sets for al fresco dining, loungers for relaxing in the sun, or garden sofas for entertaining and relaxing in your garden.
Decor
Decorative items are a great way to personalize your garden and make sure that you keep to your low-maintenance theme. Outdoor clocks and mirrors are popular wall adornments for gardens, as are solar lights and string lights to add ambiance when the sunsets. Outdoors rugs and cushions can add some of your typical indoor creature comforts outdoors, as can decorative ornaments that can be placed around your garden in any style you choose.
Color
Want to add some life to your outdoor space easily? Adding color can easily brighten up space without adding too much “stuff” to it. Paint the walls, fences, and garden structures to revive them and give them a new lease of life.
Choose floor tiles to rejuvenate concrete or old paving slabs and turn them into a whole new flooring that looks great but at a fraction of the cost. Be aware this can fade over time and may need to be touched up every so often, detracting from the low-maintenance vibe you are going for.
Go Wild
Do you still want the look and feel of a natural garden but without the maintenance involved? Many people are choosing to introduce a wild garden which is fantastic for the local habitat. Choose an area of your garden to dedicate to wildflowers and avoid inhibiting growth and pollination from the local environment . Not only is it great for the world around you, but the introduction of pesticides and continuous cutting of green areas also damages the local habitats and destroys the very thing we need to continue allowing birds, insects, and wildlife to thrive.
All you need to do is to leave this area to grow naturally and enjoy the beauty of a low-maintenance garden that gives back to the world.
In conclusion, long gone are days of stark clinical outdoor spaces of a minimalist design and void of natural and even colorful things. Just because you don’t want to be spending a lot of time in your garden with regards to upkeep, it doesn’t mean you can’t create a vibrant and welcoming outdoor space that is full of beauty and character that can work for you all year round for many years to come.
Bear in mind; you don’t want things to be over complicated and fussy about compensating for the lack of upkeep. Instead, choose a style you like and emphasize this with well-placed features, accent colors, and garden furniture that work well together and compliment the save they are in.
For low-maintenance garden inspiration head to your local garden centre or Pinterest for ideas on how to create the wow factor with little to no effort.
Speak Your Mind