We all love the site of a well-manicured lawn and garden, but who really has the time to pull off such a feat? Regardless of time, it’s just hard to know what to plant where and when to plant it. However, gardening and yard work don’t have to be high maintenance chores. By following a few simple steps, you can have picture perfect landscaping with minimal effort.
Don’t Cut the Lawn Too Short– Most people are actually cutting their lawn too short, which invites bugs and weeds to hunker down in your lawn. By leaving your grass a little longer than normal you can protect your lawn by allowing the plant to sustain its rate of photosynthesis and deal with the stress of any droughts.
Load Up On Mulch– One of the easiest and most effective ways to improve your landscaping is to spread a nice thick layer of mulch in all your flower beds. Doing this kills weeds, keeps flowers nourished, and will decompose so you don’t have to remove it. At about $3 a bag, mulch is also incredibly affordable.
Opt for Perennials- Instead of getting annuals, which only last a year, buy perennials. These flowers will wither away during Winter, but then come back to life every Spring. This means you only have to worry about planting flowers one year. If you’re not sure what qualifies as a perennial, try going to a nursery instead of a home improvement store. Employees at nurseries are generally more knowledgeable and can help point you in the right direction.
Xeriscape– This technique takes a little more planning than the others, but when done correctly it makes for the easiest landscaping possible. Xeriscape is a method of landscaping that uses drought-tolerant plants and typically replaces grass with various rocks. This look isn’t for everyone, but you’ll never have to water your lawn again.
Install a Sprinkler System– If you’re looking for a set it and forget it way to manage your landscaping, just install an automatic sprinkler system. You can program it to only water certain areas of your lawn on certain days. This means your lawn and flower beds will be well taken care of, and you won’t have to lift a finger.