| Face it. If there is one place that the lazy man rules | | | | there are areas that seem to receive the lion's share |
| it's at the summer or vacation beach cottage. The | | | | of moisture? If not apparent when you first purchase |
| normal adult puts in far enough effort at work just | | | | the vacation property these should become apparent |
| to make the real estate costs and municipal real | | | | after two or three full summer vacation seasons or |
| estate property taxes to have to put in a full time | | | | less if you make the cottage or chalet a permanent |
| job just maintaining the lawn and landscaping at the | | | | weekend retreat and refuge throughout the year. |
| vacation property. On top of that, unless you have a | | | | Next look at the varying layouts of the land. Are |
| condo in the city you've got a first property | | | | there any high dry spots or conversely low lying wet |
| landscape to maintain. | | | | spots? Inspect your soil - whether visually or by an |
| Who needs the great effort of a second chore? | | | | expert with access to agricultural expertise and |
| You may have workers hired, kids or even a spouse | | | | testing. What is the nature of the soil? How does it |
| to do the heavy work at the so called vacation | | | | accumulate or hold moisture. You would be amazed |
| property to do the job. Why not lighten the load in | | | | at how many people try to recreate their city |
| the first place by planning for a lower maintenance | | | | landscaping and lawn in a sparse Canadian Shield type |
| yard. It's the smart man's and lazy man's way to | | | | soil whereas they would be much better off copying |
| effort free cottage or camp property ownership. | | | | the native vegetation. On the other side they may |
| First of all a low maintenance garden, like all well | | | | try to create an Arizona desert type motif in a clay |
| designed yard landscapes, begins with a plan. | | | | gumbo type soil which heartily retains moisture. In the |
| Everything should begin with a plan. Even raising a | | | | same manner is the soil acidic or less so. In the same |
| tent requires planning and a plan. Plan ahead. By | | | | way what are the characteristics of the water in the |
| planning ahead you will have more options to make | | | | region - is the water hard or soft , can you expect |
| your yard a lower maintenance ticket. Its well worth | | | | enough natural rainfall to water your garden or if you |
| the effort and time as well as energy saved. | | | | choose non-native plants will you have to provide |
| The basic rule is to have things; places and greenery | | | | watering - do you have consistent access to water ? |
| remain as "natural" as possible. What existed before | | | | Can the plants do well on lake or river water if |
| certainly required little if any maintenance as well? | | | | available? Will your landscaping accept well water or |
| Why not go with as much pre-existing greenery as | | | | will you have to maintain a steady store of rain |
| possible? It's basically to "go with the flow". It can be | | | | water in a barrel from rain run off? |
| said truthfully that the less you disrupt the existing | | | | In the end it can be simply said to keep as much of |
| greenery and native plants the less overall | | | | you're landscaping at the cottage as natural as |
| maintenance that will be required. | | | | possible. This way you will have less of a chore to |
| Next look at the basic layout of the landscape. Just | | | | maintain your lawn and landscaping at your vacation |
| as many seek to purchase a home in the city that | | | | property or weekend retreat. Is not the whole |
| faces the sun you should evaluate the yard. What | | | | reason you purchased your second property - that |
| part of the garden and lawn receive sun all day, part | | | | summer cottage or weekend year round chalet for |
| of the day or are perpetually shaded? What parts of | | | | rest and relaxation? |
| the areas are shielded from rain and showers? Are | | | | |