Most homeowners want their property to look neat and tidy, but that doesn’t mean that they want to spend hour after hour on their precious weekends to get the job done. A complex landscaping design can mean a ton of seasonal maintenance. If you have a busy schedule or have mobility issues, keeping your landscaping simple can be low maintenance and elegant.
Traditionally, landscaping focused around a lawn. However, in many parts of the country that have experienced water shortages, many homeowners are looking for lawn alternatives or ways to minimize their lawns without giving up style for their landscaping.
If you have pets or small children, you may want to keep a section of your property covered in lush lawn; however, there are many other alternatives that will help to keep your landscaping chores to a minimum. Let’s take a look at a few tips on how to construct a landscape for your home.
Rock Garden
In areas of the country that tend to be arid or prone to wildfires, homeowners are leaning towards a more rocky landscaping design for their homes. A rock-based garden bed surrounding your home can create an effective barrier for fire if you live somewhere that you are at risk. Using different sizes of gravel and stone, you can create a stylish garden base for your plants that is low maintenance and looks great. Rocks of different sizes, shapes, and colors can decorate your gardens and create a rugged landscape for your home.
Perennials
Not all of us have a green thumb and enjoy spending endless hours toiling in the garden. Perennials are your new best friend for those of you who want your plants to look great but don’t have a ton of time or interest in getting your hands dirty every spring. The same plants, flowers, and bushes with perennials will come back year after year with very little maintenance required. This means that you can plan out your entire garden just once and then wait for it to naturally renew itself each year. With the exception of watering and trimming in the fall, you can enjoy your perennial plants with little maintenance.
Keep It Simple
Simple doesn’t necessarily mean boring when it comes to landscaping. Creating a zen-like garden that contains simple plants and groundcover can give your home an elegant and timeless look and feel. Minimalism is in right now in home and landscaping design. The more basic that you keep your landscaping design, the less maintenance you will have to do.
Suitable Grass Seed
There are dozens of different varieties of grass seed that all thrive in different conditions. If you are planting a new lawn, you should talk to your local garden center or landscaping expert about the best grass seed for your area. You may need to find a variety of grass seed that is drought resistant or best suited for areas that get a lot of rain.
You may also need to divide your grass seed into different varieties depending on their location on your property. You may have areas that are in full sun exposure and others that are primarily shaded. To get the best results from your grass seed, you will need to choose carefully. Planting the wrong seed in the wrong area could result in a constant battle with your lawn.
Natural Features
Every property is different and has special features that you can incorporate into your landscaping. If you have a grove of beautiful trees or a rock outcropping that you want to feature, you can include these in your landscaping design. Your landscaping should reflect the natural setting and include features that compliment your surroundings. Natural features like ponds, waterfalls, or boulders can help to keep your landscaping interesting without requiring a lot of maintenance.
Drought Resistant Plants
If you don’t want to spend hours during your leisure time in the garden with the hose, you need to plant with your time in mind. Adding drought-resistant plants to your landscaping can save you time and keep your garden thriving in arid locations. Drought-resistant plants don’t require much water to survive, reducing your watering time.
Native Plants
If you want to reduce the amount of specialized maintenance that your plants need, you should stick to local varieties. Native plants are already acclimated to the weather and conditions of your area and are more likely to thrive with very little maintenance.
Replace Concrete
If you have a concrete driveway or walkways, you will end up having to spend time and money on maintenance. Concrete will eventually start to crack with age and look shabby. Replacing your concrete driveways and paths with river rock or paving stones can help your landscaping look fresh and remain in good shape for many years. Adding a layer of landscaping fabric beneath your rock or stones will help prevent weeds from popping up in your driveway and pathways.
Weed Control
Much of the garden maintenance that takes up the most time is managing the weeds. You are guaranteed to have some weeds that will pop up in your garden beds. To help reduce your weeding time, you can plant a local variety of ground cover that will strangle out any nasty weeds. Preparing your garden beds with high-quality landscape fabric will help keep your garden beds weed-free.
Artificial Turf
The artificial turf industry can now produce products that look and feel authentic. If you want a completely maintenance-free lawn that always looks green and healthy, you can choose to lay artificial turf. Have a professional installer do the job for you to ensure that you have proper drainage.
Add a Seating Area
If you are looking to shrink the size of your lawn but don’t want to add any additional gardening beds, you can add a charming seating area for your family and friends to enjoy. Use pavers, gravel, or stones to create an elegant spot in the shade where you can sit and enjoy the outdoors. A small bench or a pair of chairs with a side table is perfect for a garden hideaway.
With such busy personal and professional schedules, many of us don’t want to spend all of our free time toiling away in the garden or pushing a lawnmower. Try some of these tips to help you create a low-maintenance landscaping design that will make your home shine.
