It may not feel like summer is around the corner, especially as we’re on lockdown at the moment, but it will be here before you know it, and you need to make sure your garden is prepared. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to overcomplicate things, giving yourself an elaborate garden to manage over the summer months. You will spend more time maintaining your garden than enjoying it. With that in mind, read on to discover some useful tips for simplifying your garden for an enjoyable summer…
Purchase the right tools for your garden – It is not all about the design and appearance of your garden; it is about having the right tools to keep it this way. Having a hose stand so you always have a hose nearby is a good start. Aside from this, you may want to consider buying a mini rake, as this is a great time saver, as well as a blower, which is perfect for quick clean-ups and small jobs.
Opt for low maintenance garden furniture - When you are creating a low-maintenance garden, not only do you need to carefully consider the plants and landscaping, but you also need to consider the furniture you are going to select as well. You need to choose furniture that looks great, is easy to look after, and can withstand the outdoor elements. This is why it is worth looking online for the best rattan garden furniture pieces. Rattan is a material that is exceptionally durable. It withstands different weather conditions and it is made so that it can be cleaned with ease as well.
Swap hedges for fences – While hedges can look beautiful, they also require a lot of upkeep. Once you stop looking after them to the level they demand, they become unruly and can be more of a hindrance to the style of your garden than enhancing it. This is why one of the best ways to make your garden a low maintenance one is by replacing your hedges with a fence. There are so many different styles of fencing available today, so this is a great way to add some colour and style to your outdoor area too.
Use containers – Another tip for anyone that is trying to achieve a low maintenance garden is to plant in containers. This can be a huge timesaver, especially when it comes to weeding. After all, who really wants to spend their summer picking out the weeds in the garden when they could be sipping on a cocktail and reading a good book instead? Containers are also good for gardeners with reduced mobility because they are a more convenient height. Make sure you are careful regarding what you do plant in containers because of the more limited space you will have available.
Be selective – When it comes to plants you need to be selective. Choose conifers and shrub varieties that are not going to require a lot of effort on your behalf. Ferns, daffodils, and periwinkle are all undemanding species, which can add colour, height, and texture to your garden.
To add some colour, go for hardy perennials - If you want to add a little bit of colour to your garden, but you do not feel like tending to seasonal borders or hanging baskets, it is time to reach for those trusted, hardy little perennials, for example, lavender. With their stunning scent and gorgeous appearance, lavender and other perennials like this are not going to need anything from you.
Consider plant maintenance carefully – You need to think about pruning and watering carefully when considering your garden. Consider low maintenance plants like boxwood, daylilies, and hydrangeas. You can also add some trees to your garden to give it more variety. Red oak trees are a good option. If you only choose plants based on appearance, you are going to have such a hard job keeping your garden looking beautiful.
Lose the lawn or go for artificial grass – One of the most demanding parts of any garden is the lawn. You have two options here. The first is to replace it with aggregate, decking or paving. However, for some people, this just doesn’t feel right! What is a garden without grass? Well, if that is the case, why not go for something like LazyLawn? High-quality artificial grass like this will add the greenery you crave without requiring any effort or upkeep on your behalf.
Dealing with weeds – Weeds can be an absolute nightmare in any garden. To stop weeds from growing, you should plant your flower beds densely to lower the space available for weeds to grow. Another way to stop weeds from sprouting is by using mulch. If you do end up with weeds on your hands, you should use a weeding trowel to remove the weeds from the source.
Consider a water feature - Once you have installed a water feature, it is pretty much going to be self-regulating, which means that you can enjoy a stunning focal point in your garden without needing to fret about maintaining it that much. After all, who really needs to spend a lot of time and effort on plants when you can have a water feature that steals the show instead?
Group plants around a theme – Finally, it’s a good idea to create a collection of plants with the same flower colour or foliage. If you don’t have a theme, it is easy for a garden to look cluttered and messy. Clever use of colour to theme your garden is one of the easiest approaches to use, and it is very effective.
If you follow the tips that have been provided, you can ensure your garden is simplified yet beautiful. From considering plants and maintenance with care to purchasing the right tools for your garden, it may seem like there is a lot to take into consideration, but it will all be worth it in the end.
