| ping. The very word conjures images of sophisticated | | | | Consider trees that don't shed as much |
| machinery and esoteric knowledge. To some degree, | | | | Raking dry leaves can be an unpleasant gardening |
| this may have a semblance of the truth, especially | | | | chore. If you want low-maintenance landscaping, |
| since landscaping is generally associated with | | | | choose to plant trees that don't shed too much. Ask |
| professionals and experienced gardeners. However, | | | | your local gardener for varieties of this type, such as |
| the activity itself is not really limited to the chosen | | | | crabapple trees and spruce. These provide shade and |
| few. Whether you are too busy, too lazy or have | | | | coverage but won't require you to perform |
| very little gardening skills, as long as you have the | | | | backbreaking work everyday. |
| willingness and the basic knowledge in gardening, you | | | | Go for sturdy plants and flowers |
| can actually perform decent yard work. Learn how | | | | If you want a low-maintenance garden, stay away |
| with these easy, low-maintenance landscaping tips: | | | | from varieties that require focused care such as |
| Have a good plan | | | | orchids and some roses. Go for plants such as |
| Whether it's your frontyard or backyard, it's always a | | | | pansies, juniper, tulips and rhododendrons. Choose |
| good idea to have a plan in place. This will help | | | | perennials over annuals so you do not have to |
| minimize costly and annoying errors and ensure that | | | | replant. |
| you can carefully design a garden that has all the | | | | Consider building a rock garden |
| elements you like and still be easy to maintain. | | | | Rocks never need to be watered, trimmed, |
| Browse through magazines and photos of gardens | | | | protected from the sun, rain or snow. If you find it |
| you like and decide on the kind of look you want. | | | | hard to grow plants or flowers, consider putting up a |
| Then begin planning by making measurements on | | | | rock garden. Used carefully in groups, rocks can have |
| your garden. Make a rough sketch of the kind of | | | | a very beautiful, serene, uncluttered effect on your |
| landscaping you want so you know exactly which | | | | landscaping. Plus, they can work very well just on |
| plants to use, where and how many. | | | | their own, with only grass surrounding them. |
| Use only plants that will thrive in your area | | | | Rocks are also a good option if you're planning to |
| Other than climate, you also need to consider the | | | | build a Japanese-style zen garden, complete with |
| zone you're living in. Some plants will thrive in places | | | | sand and a few well-placed concrete pagodas. The |
| where others won't even survive in. Factors that | | | | advantage here is that this style of landscaping is |
| affect this include soil type, weather, amount of | | | | extremely low-maintenance — water only the |
| rainfall and sunshine. Find out which plants will grow | | | | plants that need watering and leave the rest as is. |
| best in your locality. | | | | Work at the landscaping — a least, initially |
| If the plant and trees you choose aren't capable of | | | | Any type of landscaping will require some work at |
| surviving in your area, you will be forced to uproot | | | | first. The goal is to ensure that your plants are able |
| them and replant now and again. If the plants stay | | | | to develop a good root system. This should take |
| alive, you'll have better chances at low maintenance | | | | from a few weeks to a few months, depending on |
| landscaping. | | | | the plant and the environment. |