Hey green-thumbed friends! Ever felt like your garden is like a demanding toddler, always wanting attention? Yep, we’ve all been there. Gardens can be wonderfully therapeutic, but let’s face it, they can also throw tantrums in the form of overgrowth, pesky weeds, and demanding plants. So, how do we find that sweet spot between a wild jungle and a manageable oasis? Stick around, and we’ll get into it.
Tips To Make Your Garden Need Less Maintenance
1. Prioritize Low-Maintenance Plants
First things first: not all plants are created equal. Some are super chill, while others are drama queens. The key? Opt for the relaxed ones. Drought-tolerant plants? They’re the camels of the plant world, going without water for ages. And perennials? The gift that keeps on giving, year after year! Some top picks to consider: Lavender (smells divine), Sedum (looks fab), and Coneflowers (butterflies love ‘them). These hardy heroes not only look good but also won’t throw a fit if you forget to water them now and then.
2. Opt for Aluminium Decking
Alright, let’s talk decks. Traditional wood decking might have its rustic charm, but it’s also a diva, demanding constant touch-ups and treatments. Enter stage left: Aluminium decking! This modern marvel is like the superhero of the decking world. Durability? Check. Minimal upkeep? Double-check. Worried about cleaning? A splash of water and it’s sparkling. Plus, it doesn’t warp, rot, or throw shade by giving you splinters.
But wait, there’s more! Aluminium decking – shop here – ain’t just practical; it’s pretty too. The variety on the market is bonkers. Whether you fancy a sleek modern look or something more ornate, there’s something to tickle every fancy. In the great decking showdown, aluminium surely takes the cake. Or should we say, the deck?
3. Install Automatic Watering Systems
Talk about a garden game changer! If you’re still lugging around a watering can in 2023, we need to chat. Drip irrigation and soaker hoses are like the smart tech of the garden world. Imagine a system that delivers just the right amount of H2O to your plants. No overwatering, no underwatering, just perfection. Drip systems are basically the baristas of your garden, serving up consistent hydration shots. They’re fabulous at conserving water (Mother Earth says thanks!) and ensuring that every plant gets its fair share. Upgrade to auto, and let the system do the watering waltz!
4. Use Mulch for Weed Control
Mulch: the unsung hero of the gardening world. Think of it as the superhero cape for your soil. There’s a buffet of choices: wood chips, straw, or even cocoa bean shells (smells like chocolate!). Why the mulch love? It’s a double whammy. Not only does it act like a bouncer, showing those pesky weeds the exit, but it also helps the soil keep its cool, retaining moisture like a pro. So, sprinkle on that mulch, and watch your garden thrive while those weeds take a backseat.
5. Create Defined Planting Zones
Let’s get zonal! Think of your garden as a house with different rooms. Each ‘room’ or zone has its own vibe. Got a sunny patch? That’s your ‘sun-worshipping plant zone’. Shaded corner? ‘Cool and calm fern zone’. Dividing your garden like this doesn’t just look fab; it’s strategic. Plants that love the same conditions can hang out together, making maintenance a doddle. Plus, it organizes space like a dream. So, pop on your garden planner hat, sketch out those zones, and watch as your garden transforms into a series of delightful plant-themed rooms!
6. Implement Ground Cover Plants
Roll out the green carpet! Ground cover plants are the unsung heroes we never knew we needed. Firstly, they’re fab at playing defense against those sneaky weeds. How? By simply covering the ground (duh!) and not giving weeds room to gatecrash the party. Additionally, they’re ace at preventing soil erosion, acting like a protective blanket. Need some squad suggestions? Go for creeping Jenny if you fancy a golden touch, or sedum for a splash of pink. Vinca’s tiny purple flowers? A visual treat! With ground cover, it’s not just about the green but the added sprinkle of colour.
7. Opt for Artificial Grass
Okay, hear us out! Synthetic turf, once the butt of many a joke, has come a long way. Pros? It’s green year-round, doesn’t mind if you forget to water, and is totally okay with being stepped on. Cons? It doesn’t have that fresh grass scent, and it’s not Mother Nature’s own. Maintenance? Minimal! Say goodbye to muddy patches and regular mowing. In the longevity stakes, artificial grass wins hands down, staying lush while natural grass might throw in the towel. All in all, it’s worth considering if you’re after a low-fuss lawn.
8. Garden Tools and Storage
Let’s get one thing straight: a happy tool is a clean, well-stored tool. You wouldn’t toss your favourite shoes into a messy pile, so why do it to your trusty trowel or spade? Organising and maintaining your garden tools can actually make gardening more of a joy (less time searching, more time planting!). Consider wall-mounted racks, pegboards, or even a dedicated garden tool cabinet. For the mobile gardener, a wheelable tool caddy is a dream. Whichever way you lean, having a tidy, efficient storage solution means less time prepping and more time enjoying your garden masterpiece. Cheers to that!
9. Seasonal Garden Maintenance
Alright, green-fingered wizards, let’s chat seasons. Each one brings its own set of garden tasks, like nature’s very own to-do list. Spring? Wake up those beds and introduce new plants. Summer? Water, prune, and combat those pests. Autumn is all about preparing for the colder months; think mulching and trimming back perennials. And winter? A time for indoor plant love and plotting next year’s garden magic. Staying on top of these seasonal tasks isn’t just about having a garden that looks fab; it’s about ensuring its health and vitality all year round. So, embrace the changing seasons, and let them guide your garden groove!
10. Vertical Gardening
When you’re limited on floor space, sometimes the only way to grow is up! Vertical gardens are a brilliant solution for those with petite patios or balconies. But aside from the space-saving aspect, they also offer a unique visual element, turning boring old bare walls into something much more lush, green, and vital – a living wall you can truly love. From repurposed wooden pallets that you can fill with basil, sage or whichever herbs happen to be your thang in the kitchen, to trellis, which you can grow ivy and other climbing plants up very effectively, there are so many ways you can grow your very own vertical garden and doing so is definitely one move you will not forget in the yard.
11. Permeable Paving
Although traditional paving does look amazing in pretty much any garden you can think of, it does have the unfortunate habit of acting like a water bully, and this enables water to collect. That is why, permeable paving which allows the rainwater to penetrate and dissipate in the ground underneath is a better choice for modern gardens.Not only is it more environmentally friendly, but it will prevent those annoying puddles that make the garden unsightly and difficult to navigate, from forming. This means your paving is less likely to get damaged, too, which means you will not need to replace them nearly as often as you otherwise might.
12. Companion Planting
Just like us humans, plants have their own besties too. If you aren’t exactly the green-fingered type and you have a lot of trouble keeping the flowers, plants and shrubs in your garden alive and kicking, in the best possible condition, then you need to get into companion planting. What’s that I hear you ask? Well, it’s basically the practice of planting species that, when they are grown next to one another, help each other to thrive. For instance, planting basil alongside tomatoes not only makes for a delicious combination in the kitchen when they’re ripe, but also helps keep unwanted bugs at bay from the plants so they stand a better chance of thriving.
13. Rainwater Harvesting
Harvesting your own rainwater might seem like a high effort thing to do, but actually, it’s as simple as buying a water butt or two and positioning it in your garden so that it can collect any rainwater that falls. This helps you to better manage your garden because rainwater tends to be much more pure, so you don’t get any problems from feeding your plants with chlorine filled tap water, for example.
14. Rock Gardens
For the ultimate in low-maintenance gardening, then you really can’t knock the rock garden. Some people think rock gardens are a bit barren, but there is some beauty in the rugged shapes of the rocks and gravel, and a rock garden does not have to be plant free – many succulents thrive in gravelly conditions and require very little maintenance at all.
If you aren’t a whizz in the garden, there’s no need to worry because, as you can see, it is totally possible to make it more manageable out there!