Anyone who has had a garden knows that keeping it well-maintained can be a real headache and requires a lot of effort! So, is there a way to make garden maintenance easier and less time-consuming?
Absolutely! Today, I’m sharing three simple strategies to help you create a garden that requires minimal upkeep.
1. Large Hardscaping Areas with Minimal Greenery
The bulk of garden maintenance typically involves plants and flowers. If you want to make garden upkeep simple, a good option is to increase hardscaping areas and reduce greenery.
While this may sacrifice some of the aesthetic appeal of the garden, the benefit is that you won’t have to spend as much time maintaining it, leaving you more time to enjoy the outdoors.
However, large hardscaping doesn’t mean you should just cover everything with stone or concrete, and minimal greenery doesn’t mean you can plant whatever you want. These elements need to be thoughtfully planned and laid out to ensure the garden still looks appealing.
Simply laying down some stone and planting randomly would give you more of a yard than a proper garden.
2. Plant Trees, Not Flowers
Which plants are easy to maintain or require little attention?
Trees are by far the easiest to maintain!
On the other hand, flowers—especially annuals, herbaceous plants, or those that are more delicate and require specific conditions—are typically high-maintenance.
To simplify your garden’s upkeep, consider planting a few trees. Pair them with easy-to-care-for shrubs or flowers under the trees. This will give your garden a simple, low-maintenance aesthetic.
Keep in mind that the trees and plants you select should be suited to your local climate and positioned according to their growth habits. Otherwise, they might not thrive, making maintenance even more difficult.
3. Choose Low-Maintenance Plants
Plants have a variety of growth habits. Some need lots of care and attention to bloom beautifully, while others only require a little help or none at all—they thrive with just the right environment and soil.
These low-maintenance plants are the secret to a simpler garden.
What counts as low-maintenance? Generally, trees, shrubs, and woody groundcovers require minimal care once they’re established. As long as you provide the right growing conditions, these plants will take care of themselves.
There are also some flowers and plants that are incredibly hardy. They can grow in a variety of conditions, tolerate extreme temperatures, and resist drought, so once planted, they don’t need much attention.
Examples include ornamental grasses, chrysanthemums, sedums, and succulents—they’re perfect for a low-maintenance garden.
When planning your garden, focus on choosing these kinds of plants. They’ll keep your garden looking great without all the work.
Conclusion
By following these three simple strategies, you can transform your garden into one that requires little effort to maintain. That means less time spent on tedious chores and more time enjoying your beautiful outdoor space!
In short, using these tips will help keep your garden low-maintenance, allowing you to relax and enjoy your garden without all the hassle.