12 Low Maintenance Garden Ideas

You’ve always wanted a beautiful outdoor space with lush plants and flowers, but you don’t have a green thumb? Or maybe you don’t have the time? Or you simply don’t like gardening that much? No problem! You can still have your dream garden without spending hours on its maintenance. With these low-maintenance garden ideas, you’ll be able to enjoy the outdoor living space you’ve always dreamed of without having to give up a weekend of sleep to plant a single seed. Let’s begin!

1. Limit grassy areas

One of the easiest ways to create a low-maintenance green space is to extend your home into it and limit the grassy areas. Lawns and gardens require a lot of care. Your outdoor space may look just as great with much less effort. A stone patio, a grilling area and a fire pit are just a few features that you may include. You can also reduce the amount of grass you have to mow by planting shrubs, trees and flowers that require less maintenance. Evergreen trees and shrubs can provide year-round interest, while perennials will come back each year, and require less attention than annuals. If you want to add colour to your garden, consider planting flowers that thrive in your climate or creating a wildflower garden.

2. Build a solid base

Talking about a stone patio, you need to choose a solid base. To prevent weeds and any fix-ups later, you can lay about a 20cm layer of pea stones first. Thus, you’ll avoid weeding and levelling for years to come. After you have laid down the pea stones, you can start to lay the paving stones. Make sure to level out the ground before you begin, and use a rubber mallet to tap them into place. Make sure to leave a small gap between each stone so that the water can run off. Finally, fill in the gaps between the stones with some sand. This will help to keep them in place, and will give your patio a finished look.

3. Choose the right stone

The cheapest and most durable paving material is pebble gravel. Pea gravel is available in a variety of natural colours. Grey, white, buff, and rust-brown are just a few of the various colours available. You’ll have no trouble finding the right one for your outdoor space! The strength of a paving stone is another crucial feature to consider while choosing one. The stone you select should be strong enough to support the weight of large furniture and automobiles. Slate and granite are extremely durable and are frequently used for driveways and patios. Consider utilising flagstone for a more decorative option. Flagstone is a flat stone that can be cut into many shapes and sizes and is available in a number of colours. people often use it for pathways and walkways.

4. Plant natives

Australian native plants not only provide food for pollinators and attract “good” insects, birds and butterflies. They also increase biodiversity and offer aesthetic and ecological benefits. But most importantly for today’s topic, they’re very easy to care for and great for a low-maintenance green area. They’re much more durable and susceptible to local weather conditions. Native plants are a splendid choice for those looking to create a low-maintenance garden. They don’t require as much water, fertilisers or pesticides as non-native plants do, saving you time and money. Plus, they don’t require as much pruning and maintenance, making them great for those who don’t have a lot of time to dedicate to their garden. Native plants are also often more resilient to disease and pests, so you don’t have to worry about them getting damaged. And finally, native Australian plants can help improve the quality of your soil over time, meaning your garden will be healthier and more vibrant.

5. Plant perennials

Perennial flowers are the ones that return to life every year, if we can express like that. Plant them whenever you want during the growing season. Perennials bloom in the spring and summer and die back in the winter. They then return every year in the spring by growing from the roots. Every low-maintenance garden should include perennial plants. They’re excellent for adding colour and texture to a garden, as well as for foundation plantings. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colours, making it simple to find the right plants for your garden. Perennial plants also require less maintenance than annuals, so you won’t have to replant them every year.

6. Make use of pots

Pots are great. They look good both inside and out, and they’re effortless to shift or adjust. You can use them to create beautiful colours in your yard and to connect your porch and garden. Put some on the stairs to make a beautiful entrance. Use smaller pots to create a mini garden on your balcony or patio. In case you have a big garden, consider decorating it with large pots, even if you don’t plant anything inside. We have to remind you to choose plants that thrive in your area (always go with natives if you can!), and they can easily become an outdoor living room. And don’t forget about window boxes! They’re perfect for adding a splash of colour to any window or balcony. With a little creativity, you can easily turn your outdoor space into a beautiful sanctuary. Just don’t forget the goal is a low maintenance garden and choose carefully the plants in pots. When the weather gets colder, just move them inside. Potted plants will add that certain ‘pop’ that you’re searching!

7. Plant evergreens

Evergreens are another fantastic option for a low-maintenance green landscape. They only need some light watering and a well-mulched bed (You can read our extensive guide on how to mulch in case you decide to do that). So evergreen plants require simple cares and they’re relatively difficult to kill. They look attractive all year round and can be the focal point in your garden during the colder months. Evergreens make an excellent backdrop for other plants and look fantastic in any season. They can also provide shade in the summer and provide protection from cold winds in the winter. Add to this privacy if you use screening plants. Also, it serves as a good hiding place for birds and other creatures. Want to be able to enjoy a vibrant green colour all year? Evergreen plants are always a good choice!

8. Choose the right grass type

The grass you’re going to choose for your landscape depends mostly on your region and climate. Different lawn types are more appropriate for different climates. One of the most durable grasses, susceptible to high-traffic, drought-tolerant and great for low-maintenance yards remains the Couch grass. It does need regular mowing and fertilizing to keep it healthy. It’s also important to watch for weeds, as they can quickly invade the grass. If you want to create a more formal look, you can also choose Rye grass, as it’ll remain green in cold temperatures. It’s also a good choice for areas that get a lot of sun exposure, as it is resistant to many common lawn diseases.

9. Create a focal point

Every landscape needs a focal point. Yet, this doesn’t imply that it should be difficult to maintain. It also doesn’t have to be pricey! With a little paint, a basic old rusting urn can do the job. Of course, this is only a thought. The essential thing here is to choose something that fits your personality. Consider adding plants or flowers to the space to complete the aesthetic of the focal point. Plants will offer vitality and colour to the room, whether you have one huge planter or multiple smaller ones. You might also add some outdoor art, maybe a statue or a stone or wood seat to provide a spot to sit and take in the scenery. The possibilities are endless!

10. All you need is a fire pit

A fire pit is a modern, low-maintenance addition to your garden, unlike ponds and fountains, for example. Fire pits also bring a touch of intimacy to the landscape. They keep you warm, and best of all, they can be used for cooking! You don’t need to invest in an expensive barbeque (yes, we do dare say that to Australians). The pit plus a simple grill will do the job. With a bit of initial effort, you can enjoy a warm and cosy fire pit for years to come.

11. Make use of mulch

One of the most time-consuming gardening activities is weeding. And if you’re sick of it, consider using mulch in your garden. What makes it so good? Because it deters weeds and, depending on the type of mulch you use, it can also fertilise your plants. Nobody can deny that mulch has an important part in aesthetics. Just keep in mind that dyed mulch will fade over time and require more frequent replacement.

12. Use crushed stone in beds

Crushed stone is a great alternative to mulch. It’s not only done for aesthetics. It, it’s also a great xeriscaping technique, as it reduces the need for watering. Here again, you can also use pea gravel. It’s low cost, low maintenance, doesn’t degrade over time and adds colour to your outdoor space, contrasting the greens.

Takeaways

Did you choose the next step to updating your garden? What is it?