There are many reasons why you might want to consider a low maintenance garden. Families with young children have so little free time as it is, for example. Or, perhaps you and your partner work away a lot and aren’t around enough to keep things looking trim.
The good news is that there are plenty of ways of keeping on top of your garden, without putting the work in. In today’s guide, I’m going to go through some of them with you. Let’s get started with some of the basics of a low maintenance garden.
Work out your priorities
First of all, there are aspects of every garden that we all like, so it’s important to define them. For example, perhaps you have a kids area that you want to keep nice and safe. Or, maybe you want to keep your vegetable patch in good order. The idea is to work out what means a lot to you, and to concentrate all your efforts onto that single area.
Buy fake grass
It wasn’t too long ago that I would have been aghast at this suggestion. However, the technology used to create artificial grass is astonishing these days. It’s porous and allows rainwater to drain through it. As long as the ground acts as an excellent natural drain, you won’t have any problems. And, most importantly, it never needs cutting.
Strip back on containers
Next, you want to go for a more natural look – it’s far easier to look after than a garden with a fussy design. So, take away as many containers and pots as you can, leaving your garden ‘as is’. Plants in containers tend to take a lot more looking after than those that grow in your garden beds, so removing them will save you significant time.
Install decking
Decking is far easier to manage than a patio – so think about installing it into your garden. Look for composite decking with treatment that wards off moss and mildew, to cut back on the work you have to do. As long as you give it a good wash every once in awhile, decking is a perfect addition to a low maintenance garden.
Perennial plants
Concentrate on perennials, and you won’t have to worry about changing things around every season. However, don’t go for the semi-mature options that you often find at your local garden center. They can take a lot of looking after, and it’s best to go for younger, more adaptable plants.
Weed suppressing membranes
Get a weed suppressing membrane for your beds, and you will put an end to a lot of the routine work involved in the garden. However, you might not be able to use this if you have plants in your beds. So, go for hardy shrubs, instead. Just cover them up with bark or gravel mulch, and they will take little looking after.
Any gardeners out there have any more tips on low maintenance gardens to share? If so, I’m sure everyone would love to hear about them!
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