Low-maintenance landscaping is possible with these simple techniques.
Layer on Some Mulch
Stop weeds before they germinate with a2-inch-thick layer of mulch.
Shredded bark, pine straw, grass clippings, and cocoa hulls are all excellent mulch products.
Credit:Kim Cornelison
In time, these organic products decompose, adding valuable nutrients to the soil.
However, it’s possible to have too much of a good thing.
Embrace Simple Lines
Mowing and trimming is easiest and fastest along straight lines and gentle curves.
When designing a garden bed or foundation planting,opt for a simple outlinerather than a complicated shape.
When possible, unite separate plants or small beds into one large planting area for a continuous mowing pattern.
It is much faster to mow around one large planting bed than many single trees and shrubs.
Practice Right Plant, Right Place
Low-maintenance landscaping has no room for finicky plants.
Know your spacesunlight, soil texture,hardiness zoneand choose plants that thrive in your gardens specific conditions.
Do you have a shady backyard?
Choose shade-loving shrubs, such ashydrangeasandrhododendrons, and understory trees to create a low-light garden oasis.
Dont fight the existing landscape conditionsgarden in tandem with them.
Search Out Natives
Time-savvygardeners love native plants.
Plus, natives benefit your local ecosystem far more than other types of plants.
Limit Plant Types
Simple plantings with only a few species make for easier maintenance.
Repeat the species that grow well in your garden throughout your landscape.
Catch Pests Early
Identifying garden pests and diseases before they multiply minimizes maintenance needs.
Take a weekly walk through your landscape while looking for unusual leaf or stem damage.
Make a Pruning Plan
Often gardeners wait until a shrub or tree is overgrown before wielding their cutting tools.
If youprune proactively, you won’t end up with a ton of work to tame your wayward plants.
Prune flowering shrubs annually after they bloom.
Prune non-flowering shrubs and evergreen trees and shrubs in late summer.
Prune deciduous trees in late winter before they leaf out in spring.
Use brick or pavers to make a long-lasting bed edge.
Steel, aluminum, and plastic edging will work too.
Water with a Timer
A drip hose and a timer are handy investmentsespecially in vegetable gardens.
For ease and efficiency, put the drip hose in place at planting time.
Adjust the timer to deliver water to the plants throughout the season.
Cluster Containers
Theres no way around itcontainer gardens require supplemental water.
Water-retentive potting soil and a drip irrigation system can reduce the time needed for this garden chore.
If adrip irrigation systemisnt practical for your container gardens, cluster pots together to simplify the watering process.
Perhaps your patio is a focal point for container plantings.
