Do you want your garden to look great? Maybe you just want to make sure that your outdoor space fills you with happiness every time you step out the door. Either way, it’s possible for you to achieve this if you simply know what steps to take. Look below to find out more.
Ditch your Lawn
Just because you have a garden, that doesn’t mean that you need to have a well-kept lawn. In fact, you can ditch the lawn altogether if you want. There are a lot of alternatives out there that you can take advantage of, including low-maintenance decking. It may seem surprising, but if you don’t have kids and you have a relatively small garden then you need to opt for a gravel, or decked area instead. This will be way cheaper to maintain and it will look good for years to come. It also means that you don’t have to keep your lawnmower stored away, which will free up room in your home. If you love the appeal of grass, then remember you can always opt for artificial grass instead.
Choose the Right Plants
You do need to store the right plants in the right place. If you look at French lavender for example then you will soon see that it thrives in free-draining soil. If you have a waterlogged garden however then it won’t do well at all. Take the time to pick plants that are suited to your space and take note of the sun exposure within your garden too. If you have a sunny garden with lots of dry soil then your choice of plants will change if you have a mostly shaded garden. If you don’t have much of a green thumb then use an online plant selector to find out what options you have. Believe it or not, if you choose the right plants then this will make it easier to maintain your garden, as your greenery won’t require as much attention. While you’re at it, make sure that you choose evergreen plants or ones that come back year after year. If you can do this then you will find it easier to stay on top of things.
Go Large
As a general rule of thumb, bigger pots are easier to look after when compared to smaller pots. The smaller your pot is, the faster it will dry out and you may also find that it needs way more watering too. Group your plants in large pots or take the time to use raised planters. If you can do this then you will find it easier to maintain your garden. You may also find that it is faster to pull weeds too, as they can’t get as established if you have pots and raised beds.
Keep it Simple
Keep your planting simple. Hardy shrubs, along with evergreen plants are key here. Shrubs are ideal, as they can live for a long time and they don’t need replacing every single year. Evergreens, such as sedges or hellebores, look great all year round and they don’t drop as many leaves as deciduous plants. They are a good choice too as they tend to be tough and they knit together. One benefit of this is that they can help to keep weeds down, which is ideal if you feel as though that’s something you struggle with.
Long-Lasting
Different textures and foliage come into their own when the leaves of deciduous plants have dropped. Conifers and heathers will come through during this time. If you can, choose plants that have complementing textures and it also makes sure that you get the year-round effect. If you can choose round and glossy leaves to go next to fine grasses then this means you won’t have to put in seasonal work to maintain your garden. This can save you hours and it can also make it easier to maintain your garden. Reliable plants make gardening easier and they are less time-consuming overall. Look out for plants that have won awards in the past, as this means that it is a good variety and that it is likely to do well when put in a standard or ordinary garden. Awards tend to cover everything from shrubs to fruits, vegetables and flowers, so make sure that you keep an eye out for them. If you can populate your garden with plants such as this, then you should find it easier to keep everything in order while giving your garden the aesthetic boost it needs to look great all year round.
