Growing up, it was my job to weed the garden during the summer. I didn’t like gardening then and I don’t like it now, even for nostalgia’s sake. I can’t say I’m a huge fan of any type of yard work. But as I walk around my neighborhood I do appreciate pretty yards that other people put in the effort to maintain. So someday, when I reach the stage of home-ownership, I know I will have to put in the effort also.
Fortunately, I have come to learn that a nice yard doesn’t have to take a lot of time. That’s where low-maintenance landscaping comes in. I’m all for a low-maintenance lifestyle. As a landlord, a low-maintenance landscape is a good way to go. You need to keep up your property but I’m guessing you don’t have the time for the upkeep an elaborate English garden would demand. So here are some ideas for you, and me, for a yard that can, for the most part, take care of itself.
Incorporate rock. Rocks can be your best friend because they don’t need weeded or watered and they can add a nice decorative touch. You can incorporate rock in the form of boulders or pathways or zen-like rock beds.
Put in a patio or two. This is the same idea as using rocks. By putting in a patio you have less grass and plants to care for. Adding a patio also has the benefit of creating a place for residents to entertain. For a patio that will remain low-maintenance for several years to come you will need to put in the work and money up front. Under whatever stone you are using, it is smart to put six inches of compacted pea stones. This will keep the area level and strong and limits the weeds that will try to grow between the cracks.
Plant perennials. Perennials do cost more initially, but they come back year after year after year. It will only take about three years for them to be cheaper than their annual counterparts. Here is a website that lists ten low-maintenance perennials. Plant once and done!
Use potted plants. It’s an easy way to add a pop of color to your yard and you only have to maintain about two square feet of dirt, if that. At the place I currently live, there isn’t a lot of yard space so they use potted plants to add appeal to their primarily concrete look.
Xeriscape your yard. Who would’ve thought that trying a landscape method that uses little water would also be low-maintenance? Everyone wins with this one, especially out west. Xeriscaping includes using native plants and in flower beds using mulch. Mulch acts as a natural fertilizer, prevents weeds, and holds moisture so you have to water less.
Look for plants that don’t need a lot of water or pruning, and don’t drop a lot of foliage. At one of our houses as a kid, we had a tree in the front yard that dropped small branches all the time and made mowing the grass a nightmare. Needless to say, we quickly chopped it down.
Keep it simple and stick to the basics. Don’t try to include elements like ponds or fountains or statues. The more elaborate your landscape design, the more time it will take to maintain it.
