How to Create a Low Maintenance Garden

A low-maintenance garden can be just as enjoyable as one that takes hours of weekly work to maintain. So if you are not a keen gardener, why not skip the hassle of unnecessary yard work?

This guide will get you started in creating a low-maintenance garden your family will get the most out of.

Install Water Irrigation Systems

Installing a water irrigation system is a smart water-conserving landscaping tip, and it will also save you work.

While you can buy more expensive and complex equipment from stores, a simple garden can be watered with just a few holes drilled into a pipe or hose. Add a timer to the spigot, and your watering system is fully automated.

Choose native or regional plant varieties

Non-native plants often take more work to provide the correct moisture level, soil acidity, and nutrients, to keep them alive. Native plants need less help, as they are already adapted to survive in local soil and under your local environmental conditions.

Limit Planting Space

Limiting planting space gets rid of yard work simply by removing many of the plants that cause it. Doing this also has the benefit of creating more space to do whatever you like. Use this as an opportunity to add seating or ornamental features to the garden.

Make Small Rock Gardens

Rock gardens can be the ultimate low-maintenance option. Rocks don’t need to be fed or watered (obviously) and often the only work they need is the occasional light sweeping. You can also find a style to suit any garden size or shape, so search around for some inspiration.

Eliminate the Use of Garden Fabric and Plastic

Garden fabric can seem like a hassle-free solution to weed growth. In reality, it can take more maintenance than you think and is not as permanent as you might hope.

Strong plant roots will tear right through it, letting weeds grow through. Once this happens, you can’t easily reach the roots of the weeds without removing the garden fabric. These tears will also start to get pushed up through the topsoil, which can be very unsightly.

Regularly adding a layer of mulch or small rocks to flower beds can achieve the same effect with less effort to put down.

While this will need to be replaced every few years, this is less often than garden fabric might last. It is also much easier to replace than garden fabric, which can be as much of a task as installing it in the first place.

How to Choose the Right Landscaping Contractor

If you are planning to replace your yard with a more low-maintenance garden, it is important to choose the right contractor.

Do your research to ensure your contractor has plenty of experience in the style of garden you choose and understands your needs for minimal maintenance work.

When researching a landscaper, you should also check they have the correct contractor licenses for your state, and the same goes for the plant nurseries and other companies they work with on projects.

If you can’t find these on their company website, ask for their license number and check with your state’s licensing board to verify its standing.

It always helps to have a clear idea of what you want, so that everyone is on the same page about the end goals. Take your time to read customer reviews and get estimates from each company, to make sure you know what to expect and that you are happy with their approach and costs.

Takeaways

Low-maintenance gardens don’t just cut down your yard work, they can also look great too. Creating a low-maintenance garden leaves you free to enjoy your outdoor spaces without the ongoing chores.

Getting the right approach from the beginning can significantly reduce the amount of maintenance and repair you have to do later, so high-quality contractors and materials are always a smart investment.