Six ideas for a low maintenance garden

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If you want to spend more time enjoying your garden than working in it, then you surely need a low maintenance garden. Here are some tips on how to plant a garden that will save you time and also look great.

  1. Plant perennials

Plants like day lilies, peonies and daisies come back year after year. In fact the term “perennial” is used to describe plants that live more than two years. That means you don’t have to get down on your knees every spring and re-plant the garden. There are actually some species that keep their foliage all year long. You only have to buy them once to enjoy them for many years to come.

  1. Chose water wise plants

Landscaping that is designed to save water is called zeroscaping. By grouping together plants with similar watering needs and focusing on plants that don’t require as much moisture, you use less water. Water wise plants include cone flowers, day lilies ornamental grasses and butterfly weeds. You can also look for the water wise symbol on your plant tags when you buy them. This means that the plants require less moisture to grow and maintain, and as a result they are perfect for areas that are drought prone or water restricted.

  1. Go native

No matter where you live, there are plants adapted to your weather and your soil. These plants are called natives. For instance, if you live in an area that used to be prairie, then prairie natives like cone flowers or butterfly weeds will definitely work well in your garden.

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  1. Use mulch

Mulch retains soil moisture, and not only does it stop weeds, and prevent erosion, but as it breaks down it also releases nutrients into the soil. As an added bonus, mulch also gives your garden a neat and tidy aspect.

  1. Group plants together

There are a lot of plants with similar needs. For example hosta and begonia both thrive in shady places. So rather than combining them with plants that may like it dryer or sunnier, that way you can water only where the plants need it.

  1. Drip irrigation

Drip irrigation system is an easy way to water your plants without having to lug around watering cans or hoses. Drip irrigation systems link up to your watering hose and they lay on the ground and deliver water to the plants that need it when they need it, so you don’t have water from above and land on the foliage which can either evaporate away or even worse, cause foliage diseases. Drip irrigation systems are easy to install and you can even hook them up to a timer to make the job even simpler.

 

So if you … read more