In theory, having large gardens is a wonderful thing to have. They also look great in front of stately homes, on our television screens during episodes of “Gardeners World,” and on our Pinterest boards. However, very few people have the time to keep them looking their best; maintaining the appearance of the largest gardens can be a full-time job.
However, if you give it some thought and planning, you can have a garden that is easy to maintain while also being aesthetically pleasing for you to enjoy. Greenhouse Sensation, a gardening expert, explains how to.
You can say goodbye to the grass
Every gardener’s dream is to have a thick, lush lawn, but if you’re short on time and prefer something simple to care for, you might want to reconsider. The best walkway surfaces are those made of deep gravel or stone. They drain well and do not require the constant maintenance that a lawn does, which in the summer can be as frequent as once per week. You could easily support high-traffic volumes with stones or gravel, but you could also pave it or build decking on top of it.
If you absolutely must have a lawn, make it as simple as possible. A small rectangular area of grass, for example, can be trimmed in ten minutes, but grass with an irregular shape or tricky edges can take much longer. If you have the financial means, you can reduce the amount of time and effort required by investing in self-propelled lawn mowers. You won’t have to put in nearly as much effort to cut through tall grass if you use a self-propelled lawn mower.
You want the look and feel of grass but don’t want to deal with the upkeep, right? Instead, use artificial grass. Technology has come a long way, and many of the options available today look almost identical to genuine articles.
Greater is superior
Take a look at what we have to say about it. If you’re looking for something low-maintenance, you might be wondering why we’d recommend going big. However, larger flower beds that are overflowing with life and color from a dense mishmash of plants require far less pruning and grooming to control than a smaller flower bed that is neatly organized.
Use your head to navigate the plants
It is obvious that the only way to have a low-maintenance garden is to remove all of the plants, but what kind of garden would that be? Unfortunately, unless you intend to let nature completely take over your garden, there is no such thing as a “no-maintenance” plant. Instead, use common sense when it comes to your plants and select varieties that are as simple to care for as possible.
Evergreens are a safe bet, and cacti and succulents are tough and tenacious; in fact, they are so tough that they practically look after themselves. Creepers are a rambunctious group of plants that are difficult to control, despite their attractive appearance as they climb up the walls.
If you want to add a splash of color but don’t want to spend a lot of time caring for them, choose low-maintenance shrubs
Avoid delicate plants or at the very least a significant number of them. Even minor temperature changes can have a significant impact on the health of many plants, especially once frost begins to fall. Avoid plants that require seasonal maintenance, such as wrapping up for the winter, annual propagation, or being lifted and moved. Plants that can withstand the harsh conditions of being kept outside all year are your best bet.
A lot of commotion for nothing
You’ve made your choice, and it’s finally time to lay them down. Cover the ground around them with mulch, bark, or stone when you’re ready to incorporate them into your borders. This will help to prevent weed growth, resulting in less work for you, as well as keeping the soil moist (less watering required). The most natural-looking options are the bark chippings and colored stones; however, if you want something a little more modern, you can choose glass or rubber chippings instead.
Containers should be avoided
Plants kept in containers necessitate a significant amount of care and upkeep, even though doing so appears to be a good option for maintaining order and cleanliness. Planting, feeding, watering, repotting, and handling are just a few of the responsibilities. If you must have these in your garden, go for larger containers because they hold more compost and keep the soil from drying out as quickly.
Ponds and other similar water features
These have the potential to look amazing, but they require a lot of maintenance. You’re in luck because there aren’t many options for reducing the amount of work you have to do. If you want to spend less time removing algae and weeds, don’t introduce fish into your pond. Ponds devoid of wildlife and fish can settle into their natural rhythm, requiring less time to maintain. This eliminates the need for filters and pumps.
The method is referred to as “no dig.”
Because high-quality soils frequently coexist with high-quality structures, it is possible to use the “no dig” method, which will save a significant amount of time and effort on the project. As a result, routine cultivation is no longer required because the use of weed-suppressing mulches, such as the bark and manure discussed earlier, has been implemented. Simply put, you can ignore the ground and it will take care of itself.