Our Top Tips For A Low-Maintenance Garden
Spending time outdoors can do wonders for your health and well-being, but this is difficult to do when your garden is not fit for purpose. Whether you have a busy schedule or are simply not interested in gardening, maintaining an outdoor space can be difficult for many of us.
A lot of work goes into maintaining a garden to keep it attractive and healthy. It is a year-round job and one that can change with the seasons, so it makes sense why a lot of people let their outdoor spaces fall into disarray.
As expert landscapers, Ideal Building & Landscapes believes that everyone deserves a beautiful garden. We understand how important it is to have a safe, attractive environment that you can use whenever you desire – and this drives us to provide year-round landscaping.
However, it does not have to take the skills of an expert team like ours to maintain a beautiful garden. There are several ways you can simply for your outdoor space and make it easier to manage. In this post, we are sharing our best tips to design a low-maintenance garden, so you can achieve the garden of your dreams without the hassle.
What Is A Low-Maintenance Garden?
A low-maintenance garden is highly attractive these days, with our busy schedules and constantly moving social lives. With everything going on in our modern routines, it can be difficult to find the time to maintain your garden, leaving the space in disarray.
Landscaping can be a fun, mindful hobby but it does require a lot of time to perform well. If this is something you cannot afford or do not have any interest in, you do not have to miss out on the benefits. It is possible to still maintain an attractive, thriving outdoor space without the work.
A low-maintenance garden is an outdoor space that has specifically been designed to be hassle-free. It requires limited, simplified care to keep it in good condition, allowing even the busiest of homeowners to have a beautiful outdoor space throughout the year.
Creating a low-maintenance garden can be customised to suit your lifestyle. For example, if you are just getting started with gardening and want to develop your skills without too much pressure, a low-maintenance garden can be a great way to try out your skills.
By incorporating all-weather, hardy plants and features, you do not have to worry about making too many mistakes or overloading your schedule with gardening sessions.
Alternatively, if you have already decided that gardening is just not for you, but still want to have an attractive space, you can create a low-maintenance garden that can be left to its own devices. The landscaping decisions you make can prevent the garden from becoming overgrown, diseased or cluttered without any interference from you at any point.
No matter what your lifestyle looks like or your desires for your outdoor space, you can create a low-maintenance garden that perfectly aligns.
Creating A Low-Maintenance Garden
Transforming your outdoor space into a low-maintenance garden that looks great all year round can be implemented through the following methods:
Goodbye Grass, Hello Hardscaping
One of the highest maintenance areas of gardens is usually the lawn. Grass needs to be cut frequently to prevent it from becoming overgrown, and additional support through watering, fertilising and aerating is also required to maintain the lush appearance.
Although grass is a common feature in UK gardens, you do not have to suffer the consequences. Instead, you can completely remove this issue from your garden, significantly reducing the maintenance needed in the process.
To create a low-maintenance garden, replace the lawn with hardscaping such as a paved patio, or decking. By replacing the lawn with something that does not grow, and therefore does not require constant pruning, you still have useable space, but no hassle.
Hardscaping adds structure and functionality to the garden, as well as being much easier to manage than grass. Adorn your new patio or deck with garden sofas or an outdoor dining set to maximise the potential of your new space.
Automated Irrigation
If you do choose to keep your lawn or want an array of plants in your low-maintenance garden, automated irrigation systems are your new best friend. Irrigation systems essentially do the watering for you, ensuring that your garden consistently has the hydration it needs.
There are various forms of irrigation systems out there, including those that can be automatically functioned to suit the needs of your garden. Some irrigation systems can be controlled by smartphone apps or similar programs, where you simply need to touch the screen to adjust the watering.
Setting these up can be a complex process, but professional landscapers like our team can help with this process. However, once the irrigation system is in place, you do not have to worry about frequent watering – allowing you to enjoy your time off in peace.
Harness The Power Of Hardy Plants
A low-maintenance garden does not have to be boring. You can still create a vibrant natural environment even if you do not want to maintain it, as there are many hardy plants available.
A garden can still be full of colour and scent even if you do not want to work for it, as there are plenty of evergreen, annual, and perennial species to consider. Native plants can also be a great option for your low-maintenance garden, as they thrive in your current climate and will require little care to maintain.
Mulching Over Maintenance
Even the hardiest of plants will require some level of care, but this does not mean you have to get your hands dirty. Mulch is a great tool for a low-maintenance garden, as it essentially does the work of hydration and fertilising for you.
Organic mulch, such as wood chips, compost and manure, should be installed in flower beds, pots, and raised planters to protect your plants. Organic materials decompose over time, releasing nutrients directly into the soil and the roots of your plants, helping them thrive.
These additional layers also help maintain soil moisture, surpresses weeds, and keep a safe temperature for the roots of your plants.
Once a layer of mulch has been applied to your planted areas, simply leave it to work its magic.
Conclusion
A low-maintenance garden is highly attractive for modern homeowners because it reduces the amount of time spent physically toiling over your landscape, leaving more space for enjoyment.
When your time is limited, you want to be able to enjoy every second and maintaining the garden is not at the top of everyone’s priority list. Along with the help of professional landscapers, replacing the lawn, choosing hardy plants, and relying on simple fertilisation methods can make garden care easier.
It is possible to reduce the amount of time needed to keep your garden looking its best, without compromising on its appeal and health. Experience the joy of being outdoors without the hassle by creating a low-maintenance garden for yourself.
Contact Us Today
If you are looking to renovate your garden or driveway, Ideal Building and Landscapes is here to help. Reach out to the team today to request a consultation, and allow us to bring your vision to life.
