| While no garden is maintenance free, it | | | | less maintenance than those plants which |
| is possible to create a garden with | | | | are introduced. Native plants have |
| relatively few demands. Careful | | | | proven their ability to survive in your |
| planning, proper plant selection and | | | | local climate and site conditions. |
| thoughtful design are essential to | | | | They'll also be less likely to succumb |
| creating a low maintenance landscape | | | | to disease and extreme conditions. |
| which retains a garden's aesthetic | | | | Native species will create more |
| qualities. | | | | diversity in the garden as well as a |
| Analyze your site thoroughly. Observe | | | | habitat for native wildlife. |
| the sun and shade conditions and test | | | | Wildflower meadows are another type of |
| your soil for Ph level and composition. | | | | landscape which requires very little |
| Through site analysis you'll be more | | | | maintenance. Meadows are noted for |
| informed as to what plants are | | | | their stability and wide diversity of |
| appropriate for your garden. Gardens | | | | plants resulting in vibrant colors and |
| planned with forethought will require | | | | textures. Like the woodland garden a |
| less maintenance as your plants will | | | | meadow will require very little |
| thrive and experience less stress. | | | | maintenance after some initial work. |
| Group new shrubs into planting beds; | | | | Once a year, preferably in the fall |
| they're generally easier to maintain in | | | | after the seeds have dropped from the |
| the garden than several sporadic | | | | plants, mow the field with the blades at |
| individual plants. Though flowers are | | | | a high setting. This will allow the |
| higher upkeep than other types of | | | | plants to get an early start in the |
| plants, few would want to banish them | | | | spring. It also removes any tree and |
| from the garden completely. Perennials | | | | shrub saplings from taking over the |
| require some work, such as deadheading, | | | | site. |
| though the season but they return and | | | | Aside from recreating native landscapes |
| flower year after year. After the | | | | in your garden, proper plant selection |
| initial investment and planting, | | | | is important when planning a low |
| perennials are easy to maintain. | | | | maintenance garden. For example, |
| Annuals on the other hand, require | | | | consider replacing some lawn areas with |
| deadheading, frequent watering and need | | | | groundcover. Groundcover can greatly |
| to be replanted every year. If you | | | | reduce the upkeep in the garden while |
| decide to plant flowers in your garden, | | | | adding a variety of textures and colors. |
| use only a few and place them where | | | | Though groundcovers vary in the amount |
| they'll have the highest impact. | | | | of required maintenance all groundcovers |
| When designing your garden, remember, | | | | should be considered low maintenance. |
| planting beds which are slightly curved | | | | Only occasional pruning is necessary to |
| or straight will be easier to mow around | | | | keep groundcovers from creeping into the |
| than those which are more complex. | | | | lawn or garden beds. |
| Edging planting beds will help keep | | | | Pruning shrubs is one of gardening's |
| weeds out of the lawn and grass out of | | | | most important and laborious tasks. Some |
| the bed, reducing the need for weeding. | | | | shrubs are fast growers which need |
| There are many materials which work well | | | | pruning at least few times each season. |
| as an edging. Plastic and metal edging | | | | Selecting slow growing shrubs will |
| are found at most nurseries and can be | | | | greatly reduce or eliminate the need for |
| curved to follow the shape of the bed. | | | | pruning. During the plant selection |
| Be sure to mulch the shrub beds after | | | | process, be sure to choose shrubs which |
| planting, this will help reduce the | | | | will not outgrow their allotted space so |
| growth of weeds as well as help the soil | | | | there'll be no need for transplanting in |
| retain moisture. | | | | the future. |
| Reintroduce nature into your garden to | | | | Evaluate your needs before you begin |
| create landscapes which are | | | | planning your garden. Consider the |
| self-sustaining. A woodland garden is a | | | | amount of time you'll be able to devote |
| great low maintenance landscape which | | | | to the garden. With proper planning and |
| utilizes many native species of trees, | | | | some initial investment of time and |
| shrubs and perennials. Plants native to | | | | labor you'll be able to enjoy and |
| particular area will generally require | | | | carefree garden for years. |