| A popular trend in gardening today is to go low | | | | plants go a long way in this type of garden, and |
| maintenance. We want a beautiful garden, but a busy | | | | maintenance is limited to trimming back any plants |
| lifestyle means we don't have time to tend to it on a | | | | that begin to outgrow their space," says McHoy. Lay |
| regular basis. | | | | the gravel thick to keep weeds away. |
| "Low-maintenance gardens can be high on impact, | | | | Raised beds: These can be used in conjunction with |
| and they can be just as stylish as gardens that | | | | various ground coverings, and can be made of wood, |
| demand regular attention, "according to Peter McHoy | | | | brick, or a number of other materials. Raised beds |
| in book, Planning Your Garden. | | | | usually hold a greater depth of soil than do pots or |
| Low-maintenance gardens allow you to leave for a | | | | tubs, so plants are less likely to dry out, and it should |
| week or more, and the plants can fend for | | | | not be necessary to water a raised bed daily during |
| themselves. The most important aspect of a low | | | | hot weather. |
| maintenance garden, besides your choice of plants, is | | | | Use drought-resistant plants: check with your local |
| the floor for your garden. "It's important to get this | | | | nursery for the plants that grow best in your climate, |
| aspect of the garden right, as, initially, it will be the | | | | and choose the ones that work the best with your |
| most time-consuming and costly part of planning your | | | | garden style. |
| garden," McHoy says. "Large areas of the same kind | | | | Ground-cover plants: "Ground-cover plants are also |
| of hard landscaping material will look boring. Be | | | | important 'carpets' for suitable beds and borders," |
| prepared to mix different kinds of paving materials." | | | | says McHoy. Use plants that do well in your area. |
| Use various materials to create symmetry in your | | | | Some choices include moss, chamomile, thyme, and |
| garden design. | | | | even clover. |
| Here are some inspirational ideas for easy gardening: | | | | Other options include planting through gravel, through |
| Paving: a huge variety of pavers are available, but | | | | gaps in a patio, and against walls. |
| you will need lots of plants in combination with them | | | | The number of plants you use, and the size of your |
| to soften the effect. You can pave a walkway | | | | low-maintenance garden is up to you. The more |
| through your garden, or create a patio, with plants | | | | plants you use, the more tending they will require. But |
| throughout. | | | | your initial planning will make a huge difference in the |
| Gravel and stone: These are best with | | | | time you need to spend, as well as your enjoyment |
| drought-resistant plants such as lavenders. A few | | | | later in your perfectly designed garden. |