Although we all love to work in the garden we also want to spend more time enjoying it. We can achieve that creating a low maintenance garden. This article includes six tips on how to plant a garden that will save you time and looks great.
In this article
1. Plant perennials
Plants like daisies, day lilies and peonies grow year after year. It means that you don’t have to re-plant the garden every spring. You plant once and enjoy it for many years.
2. Choose plants that need little watering
You will save water, that means time and money, by focusing on plants that don’t require much moisture and grouping plants with similar watering needs.
There is a large group of such plants that include day lilies, aromatic plants and ornamental grasses. They’re perfect for areas that are drought prone or water restricted. If your buying plants, look for the needs in advance.
3. Mulch
Related to the previous point, mulch retains soil moisture, it stops weeds, prevents erosion and as it breaks down it releases nutrients into the soil.
And as a bonus, mulch also makes the garden shine.
4. Choose native plants
No matter where you live there are plants adapted to your soil and weather. They are called natives. For example, if you live in an area that used to be prairie then prairie natives like Echinaceas will work well in your garden. Look to the flora in your region and identify plant families that will work easier with less time.
5. Group similar species
Plant together groups of species with similar needs. For instance, group begonias and hostas because both like moist soil and shady positions. I would be a mistake trying to combining them with plants that like sunnier positions and dry soil.
6. Use an irrigation system
Irrigation systems are an easy way to water your plants without having to walk around with watering cans or hoses. Irrigation systems link up to your watering hose and they lay on the ground delivering water when plants need. Irrigation systems are easy to install and you can even hook them up to a timer to make the job even simpler. If you love your garden but are short on time these low maintenance tips will help you stay ahead of the curve.
Do you know any missing tip? Please tell us about, we would love to test it and increase the list.
