Not everyone has hours to spare each day to maintain the garden. Lack of time doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a pleasant garden. You just need something lower maintenance than the neighbour’s award-winning roses and dandelion-free lawn.
Garden Storage
You don’t want to leave your gardening tools and furniture exposed to the elements. Pleasant, yet low maintenance needs to be kept tidy. It will require some form of storage. Metal sheds are low maintenance, like their plastic counterparts. Unlike plastic sheds, they last much longer. They don’t require painting or staining like wooden sheds and some don’t even require a foundation. Metal sheds can be a bit difficult to put up so it might be worth hiring someone to help you. It’ll be a one-off expense though as they last so long.
Patios and Decking
Once the shed is up, expand the patio or decking. A patio doesn’t require mowing. If the paving slabs are close enough together, weeds may not even come up. A patio will need a good power wash every spring. A wooden deck can be raised off the ground to prevent weeds but will need re-staining every few years. Be sure to add garden furniture to keep it inviting. Too much concrete in the garden can look cold unless it is dressed up.
Not only are patios and https://www.bristoldeckingpro.co.uk/ decking low maintenance, but also add an outdoor living space to your home.
Wildflowers
If cutting grass isn’t your thing, the lawn can be replaced with no maintenance wildflowers. A few packets of wild flower seeds dumped over the grass will spread. You don’t even need to pull up the grass first or take care to make sure each individual seed is planted. Some people prefer to put fencing around the wildflowers, as they will spread like weeds. A waist level fence will stop the seeds from blowing everywhere. The neighbours may complain, but wildflowers encourage bees and butterflies. Leaving some of the garden not covered in paving slabs is also good for drainage.
Mulch
If you must have flowerbeds, put mulch in them. It prevents weeds and even fertilises plants as it breaks down, saving two garden tasks. It will need replacing in the spring, when you are replanting new flowers. One springtime replacement is better than a summer spent weeding for those pressed for time. Your back will thank you. If you use perennials be sure it can get out of the ground in the spring.
Potted Plants
Low maintenance potted plants such as lavender adds colour and life to the patio. Lavender only requires watering on dry days. It comes back year after year with fragrant purple flowers. Too much concrete looks cold and uninviting. Low maintenance doesn’t mean the garden shouldn’t be enjoyed.
Bird Feeders
These need to be refilled every now and again, but attracting birds to a garden makes it more pleasant, no matter how little effort you put into it.