There’s joy to be had in owning a beautiful garden, but having to take care of it can feel like a never-ending task. For some people, there’s pleasure (or at least accomplishment) to be found in the watering, mowing, weeding, and pruning that a garden requires. If you’re not naturally green-thumbed, however, it can feel like a major burden more than anything. However, with some smart choices and strategic planning, you can greatly reduce how much work your garden actually needs.
Have Someone Take Care Of It For You
If you have no desire whatsoever to spend time out in the garden and you have the budget to match it, then your best option may simply be to outsource it. Hiring a gardener can ensure that you keep your garden in good shape with your constant attention. In fact, it’s likely to be in better condition as someone who is actively paid to take care of it is likely to be a lot more detail oriented than someone whose motivation may very well waver depending on how they feel about the garden on any given day.
Invest In The Right Tools
If you do decide that you want to be more responsible for your own garden, then you can at least make the repetitive tasks of caring for it that much easier with the right equipment. For example, a robotic electric lawn mower can help you keep the grass trimmed with much less effort on your part, keeping your grass neat without you having to push a heavy mower. An automated irrigation system can also be very helpful, ensuring your plants and lawn get enough water without the need for spending ages out there with a can.
Rethink How You Use Your Space
One of the best ways to reduce garden maintenance is to rethink how the space is used. Instead of dedicating large areas to high-maintenance flower beds or extensive lawns, consider incorporating more functional and low-maintenance elements such as patios, decking, or outdoor seating areas. Investing in upgrading your property with functional garden spaces not only reduces how much garden you have to take care of, but it can add a whole new quality of life benefit to your exterior space. This can even see you using the garden more than you already do.
Consider Artificial Lawns
If you genuinely prefer the aesthetic of having a fresh green lawn on your property, as many do, then you might not want to reduce how much space you dedicate to it too much. However, you can certainly decrease how much care it demands by replacing it with artificial grass. These require none of the mowing, feeding and watering of traditional lawns, and instead look their best, staying green and pristine, all year round with minimal effort. While artificial lawns are becoming more realistic with each year, there is still a slightly noticeable difference, and the initial investment can be quite high. However, for some, this is worth the time and effort you save in return.
Mulch Your Beds
Mulching is an effective way to reduce garden maintenance while keeping flower beds looking neat and healthy. By covering soil with a layer of organic material such as wood chips, bark, or compost, you can suppress weeds, retain moisture, and improve soil health. Mulch is a natural weed barrier, which can reduce how frequently you need to weed, and reduces your need to water your plant beds as much. However, mulch breaks down over time, whether it’s organic mulch decomposing, or bits being taken as nesting by local animals. As such, it needs to be replaced every now and then.
Choose Low-Maintenance Plants
The types of plants you choose for your garden can make a big difference in how much effort is required to maintain it. Opting for low-maintenance plants means less watering, pruning, and general upkeep. Native plants are an excellent choice because they are well-adapted to the local climate and require less attention than exotic species. Perennials, such as lavender, ornamental grasses, and hostas, come back year after year and require minimal care. Evergreen shrubs and drought-tolerant plants also provide year-round structure without needing constant trimming or watering.
The different strategies above each have their own advantages and disadvantages worth considering. They’re not all going to work together, so you have to pick and choose which of them best suit your needs as well as the type of garden that you want to create.
Here, we’re going to look at several practical steps you can take to make your garden much less of a burden to take care of.
