Summer is meant to spend outdoors. That’s just a fact, right? It is often a time for fun – whether that’s backyard barbeques, bare feet in the grass, or relaxing evenings outside. It’s not the time for endless mowing, watering, or weeding.
So, if you feel like your yard owns you every summer, you’re not alone. It just means it is time to rethink your approach.
And there’s good news! A low-maintenance yard doesn’t mean a boring yard. the opposite is possible. With a few smart changes, you’ll dramatically cut down on upkeep. Plus, you’ll be able to benefit from a beautiful outdoor space.
Below, you’ll learn what to do to accomplish just that!
Eliminate or Reduce the Lawn
Let’s be honest here – traditional lawns are high-maintenance. They require regular mowing, watering, fertilizing, edging, and weed control. This is particularly true during peak summer heat. And no one wants to spend their summer days sweating over yard work.
One of the easiest ways to simplify your yard is to shrink the size of your lawn. That doesn’t mean tearing everything out overnight. Begin by looking at the areas that doesn’t get much use. Awkward corners, side yards, and strips along fences – these are great candidates for something low effort.
Replace the turf instead with decorative gravel, mulch beds, or native groundcovers. All are good options. If you still want the look of grass, just without the weekly commitment, explore artificial turf. You must ensure that you choose a reputable provider, such as Magnolia Turf Co. Only with proper installation will artificial grass drastically reduce mowing and watering needs.
Less lawn, unsurprisingly, equals less work. It’s as simple as that.
Prioritize Smart Planting
Not all plants are created equal, especially when it comes to maintenance.
If you’ve ever planted something that looked amazing in the garden center but struggled all season long, you know this feeling. High-maintenance plants demand a lot – constant watering, pruning, feeding, and pest control, to name a few.
Instead, select plants that’ll thrive in your local climate. Native plants and drought-tolerant varieties are typically much more forgiving. Once established, they’ll only need minimal watering and attention. Not only does it save resources, but it saves time, too.
Here are a few smart planting principles to follow:
- Plant for your zone. Choose species suited to your region’s rainfall and temperatures.
- Group plants by water needs. This prevents overwatering some while underwatering others.
- Use perennials over annuals. They come back year after year, saving money and time.
- Mulch generously. This will suppress weeds and help soil retain moisture.
When you work with nature not against it – your yard practically takes care of itself.
Install Permanent Edging
If your yard always looks a little messy – even right after you’ve mowed – it might be missing one key detail: solid edging.
- Permanent edging creates a clean separation between lawn and garden beds.
- It stops grass from creeping into planting areas. It reduces the need for constant trimming.
- Over time, this adds up to significant time saved.
- There are various options to choose from.
- From metal and stone to concrete curbing you’ll see big benefits.
- It does require an upfront investment, but permanent edging will cut down on maintenance long term.
- Your yard will look instantly polished.
To conclude, a low-maintenance yard isn’t about doing nothing – it’s about doing the right things once so you can do less later. Reduce unnecessary lawn space. Choose plants wisely. Install features that prevent future work.
Make a few intentional upgrades now, and by mid-summer, you’ll spend less time sweating behind a mower. Instead, you’ll spend more time enjoying your outdoor space the way it was meant to be enjoyed. Isn’t that the whole point?