Low-maintenance landscape design is one of the most common requests a Portland or Lake Oswego landscaper receives. If you’re too busy with your fulfilling work, family and social lives to dedicate much time to landscaping maintenance, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a beautiful yard. Landscape maintenance can be easy if you follow these low-maintenance tips:
1. Mulch to stave off weeds, nourish soil and add beauty
Mulch may seem very humble in the grand scheme of things, but it’s actually crucial for the health of any landscape design. From discouraging weed growth to adding a unified look, mulch serves many purposes. At its most basic, it’s a layer of nourishing insulation for your garden beds. If you’re wondering what type of mulch is best for your yard, speak to a Tigard or Lake Oswego landscaper. Mulch options run the gamut from chopped-up yard debris to high-end organic black beauty mulches.
2. Place plants according to their water needs
Watering is one of the most time-consuming aspects of landscape maintenance. Therefore, adopting low-water Xeriscaping is one way to create a low-maintenance landscape design. Xeriscape designs require little or no additional water. More generally, gardeners can minimize maintenance by placing plants where their water needs will naturally be met. For instance, it’s smart to plant water-loving specimens in areas where water tends to pool in your yard.
3. Install an irrigation system
We’re betting that nearly every Lake Oswego landscaper has an irrigation system set up in her or his own yard. Irrigation cuts landscaping maintenance time by ensuring that every plant gets the water it needs. To make irrigation systems even more convenient, most manufacturers offer timer based controllers so you can “set it and forget it.” Finally, forward-thinking landscape design companies will offer smart controllers that utilize on site weather sensors that keep the system from running when water is plentiful. (There’s nothing more wasteful than running an irrigation system during a rainstorm.)
4. Choose low-maintenance plants
Many coniferous and flowering shrubs require little pruning to provide years of splendor. Likewise, bulbs and other flowering perennials come up every year whether you get out your gardening gloves or not. Choose perennial, low-maintenance specimens that won’t ask for a lot in exchange for their dazzling beauty.
5. Complement your landscape with paved walkways and patios
The more open soil in your landscape, the more weeding and landscape maintenance work you’ll have to do. Now we’re not suggesting paving over your whole yard just because you don’t have a lot of free time. As the previous tips show, it’s possible to enjoy a beautiful garden even if your Day-Timer is chock-full. Instead, we’re simply pointing out that hardscaping such as patios and walkway pavers minimize the space that must be maintained. And, as a bonus, these structures make it easier for visitors and family alike to enjoy your garden.
