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There are some people that adore landscaping and consider designing, planting, and tending to their lawn and yard a hobby. Then, there’s the rest of us—those that were born without a green thumb and would rather do just about anything else. Whichever bucket you fall into, there’s no denying that any homeowner wouldn’t love to have a lush and colorful garden just outside their window.
If you want to boost your home’s curb appeal, but want to cut down on the time commitment, then plan accordingly. There’s really no such thing as a completely maintenance-free garden, but you can use some of the inspiration below to make your landscaping both beautiful and low-maintenance. Yes, really.
1. Embrace Less Is More with Stone Pavers
Photo: Tom / Adobe Stock
Less lawn means less work. So, if you’re less than thrilled about having to prune flowers and cut the grass, work some hardscaping (use of pavers, brick, or stone) into your landscaping plans.
Use stones to create a decorative and durable path from the sidewalk or driveway up to your door. Then surround the path with gravel interspersed with a few plants that require little upkeep.
2. Make Your Life Easier with Mulch
Photo: Ruth P. Peterkin / Adobe Stock
Whether you’re laying it around flower beds or front yard trees, the ultimate gardening time-saver is mulch. Spreading mulch may sound like a pain, but it has many benefits that’ll save you time in the future (think: watering, weeds, and pests). Plus, it provides a nice backdrop for your plants and will make them pop.
3. Fake It with Artificial Grass or Turf
Photo: Dmytro / Adobe Stock
If you want the look of a healthy green lawn, but don’t live in a climate that’ll help the grass grow properly (or don’t want to worry about mowing it), opt for artificial grass or turf.
Artificial grass and turf don’t need mowing, watering, or fertilizer, you won’t get any unsightly brown spots or weeds popping up, and you can still plant some trees in it. Once you get past the initial installation, maintenance is minimal compared to grass.
4. Plant Pretty Perennials
Photo: Garden Guru / Adobe Stock
Perennials are the plant gift that keeps on giving. Unlike annual plants, perennials last for over one growing season, which makes them the perfect option for those that are looking for a more carefree plant option.
Best of all, they come in all different colors and sizes. To add some depth to your garden, plant a variety of perennials in different colors.
5. Make a Barrier
Photo: Photographee.eu / Adobe Stock
Are you (your knees and back) tired of weeding? Spend a little more time upfront to cut down on time spent weeding later on by laying weed barriers (aka landscape fabric) in your garden beds.
A commonly used weed barrier is landscaping fabric, a sheet that is woven with a mesh texture that is thick enough to prevent weeds from taking over your garden bed. Plus, it’s porous enough to allow water, fertilizer, and oxygen to seep through and help your plants grow.
6. Consider Adding Succulents
Photo: Bruce Shippee / Adobe Stock
If you’re the type that constantly forgets to water your plants, then do yourself a favor and incorporate succulents into your garden. Not only are these types of plants tough, colorful, and beautiful, they require little water and care and work well in almost any climate.
Since succulents also pair well with others, plant a few different types to dress up a stone pathway.
7. Get Some Privacy with Evergreens
Photo: Robert Latawiec / Adobe Stock
Trees and bushes are a beautiful addition to any landscape design, but some types can take more effort than they’re worth. To avoid spending your free time raking up a sheet of fallen blooms or hickory hulls, opt for evergreens. They’ll provide a vivid pop of color to your yard all year long and don’t drop a lot of extras that you’ll need to clean up later.
To add an interesting element to your yard that provides an extra layer of privacy, plant a row of lush evergreen trees along your fence.
8. Make It Look Designer for Less with Gravel
Photo: cycreation / Adobe Stock
Do you want the look of a designer garden for a fraction of the price? Use gravel for the no-sweat simplicity of paving with a softer, more organic vibe.
For an elegant and natural look, use it to spruce up a walkway surrounded by other large boulders and shrubs. To keep it looking its best, rake away errant leaves when necessary.
9. Automate Your Watering System
Photo: ifeelstock / Adobe Stock
To ensure that your yard and plants are watered as often as they need to be, automate it. You can install an irrigation system with a timer to set it and forget it. Or, you can use underground sprinklers or a timer that can attach to your hose bib.
10. Stay in the USDA Hardiness Zone
Photo: DCA88 / Adobe Stock
The USDA Hardiness Zone Map is basically the standard that gardeners use to determine what types of plants are most likely to thrive in a specific area (aka the most native). By using plants that are best for the climate and conditions of your area, they’ll require fewer resources and maintenance since they’re already adapted to your area.
If you live in more of a hot desert area, design a garden that has a mix of plants that don’t require a lot of water like cacti and succulents.
11. Let It Grow Wild
Photo: Elenathewise / Adobe Stock
For a gorgeous, colorful, and natural garden that’s also low maintenance, swap a portion (or all!) of your lawn for a carpet of wildflowers. While it might take some elbow grease in the beginning, it’ll be low maintenance in the long run and will provide you with an oasis of fresh flowers that support local wildlife.
For a secret garden feel, line a stone walkway in your yard with wildflowers for some color that’ll provide you with a front-row seat to see nature work its magic.
12. Retire Your Rake and Mow Instead
Photo: Saklakova / Adobe Stock
We have a little secret for you: you don’t need to spend hours every autumn raking leaves. Instead, mow over the leaves in your yard to create a mulch that’ll act as a superfood for your lawn. That, combined with the practice of mowing your lawn so no more than one-third of the grass’s length is cut each time will help you create a lush, low-maintenance lawn.
13. Add a Fountain
Photo: jpldesigns / Adobe Stock
To add a bit of curb appeal to your lawn without a lot of effort, add a water feature like a fountain. Even if you don’t have a large amount of space, you can still incorporate a small fountain into your landscape design. A small pump inside the glazed pot keeps the water circulating so once it’s installed, you’re set.
If you’re unsure where to place it, add it to the nook of your front garden to complement the home’s exterior.
