We can be so busy working, running errands, and taking care of our families that home maintenance falls by the wayside. Before you know it, the lawns and gardens are out of control, and the whole yard is in disarray. Being time-poor certainly has its disadvantages in this regard, but there are plenty of ways you can enjoy a beautiful yard year-round without dedicating much time to it. Take note of these tips:
Be Selective with Surfaces
You’ll be pleased to know that easy-care landscaping and interlocking go hand in hand. When you don’t want to dedicate all your spare time to gardening and lawn mowing, create large outdoor spaces with interlocking pavers.
Interlocking pavers don’t need any mortar, are easy to maintain, and require minimal maintenance. Occasional brushing and hosing is all it takes to keep them in excellent condition. Should a paver break, you can simply lift that paver, prepare the surface underneath, and replace it with a new one. Now all that’s left to do is add your favorite outdoor furniture.
Plant Low-Maintenance Plants
You shouldn’t have to give up your dreams of an outdoor oasis simply because you don’t have time to tend to your plants. The good news is that not all shrubs, plants, and flowers require a great deal of time and energy. Aim for adaptable species like Daylilies, Hostas, Coneflowers, and Hydrangeas. If you live in a warm climate, explore drought-resistant plants, like the ZZ plant, Aloe Vera, and Snake plants.
Invest in an Irrigation System
If you don’t get much rainfall in your area, your lawns and plants can need a helping hand to survive. However, not everyone has the time to walk around their entire yard watering it every day. That’s where irrigation systems come in. Invest in an automatic irrigation system, and you don’t have to lift a finger. Instead, you can set a timer so your system turns on at a particular time every day, or as needed.
Add Mulch to Plant Beds
It can often feel as though you’re involved in a losing battle with weeds. As soon as you clean up one garden bed, another one starts sprouting pest plants. There is no way to have both a garden and no weeds, but you can reduce the prevalence of weeds by adding mulch to your plant beds. Not only does mulch made of compost or wood chips make your home’s exterior look smart, but it suppresses weed growth and enriches the soil.
Install Hardscapes
If you have endless gardens or sprawling lawns and can’t keep on top of them, it might be time to replace them with hardscape features, like pathways, decks, and patio areas. You can still enjoy your yard as you did before, but the smaller gardens are easier to maintain, and the smaller lawn area is faster to mow. Maintaining hardscape tends to be more straightforward. Occasional brushing, washing with a hose, and infrequent waterblasting can keep them in excellent condition.
You can have both a beautiful yard and freedom from intensive maintenance. These helpful tips above can put you on the right path to creating your own easy-care slice of paradise.
