Low Maintenance Gardens for a Fast Paced World
As a follow-up to our article on Small Gardens, we've put together some ideas and tips for gardeners who aren't necessarily short of space but who are definitely short of time! This low maintenance garden guide will ensure you have the best and most beautiful garden in the neighbourhood - for a fraction of the effort.
Preparation
Prepare your soil. Compost, manure and rotten kitchen scraps can do wonders for your soil, retaining water and improving the fertility of the soil. Introducing them before planting can save you a lot of time and effort in the long run.
Slow release fertilisers can be introduced into the compost before planting or sprinkled around the base of plants later. Push, Feed 'n' Forget fertiliser tablets will keep poor soil healthy and packed with nutrients for up to 6 months. www.vanmeuwen.com
Install a drip irrigation system to your thirstiest plants. These systems give plants a constant, steady supply of water through narrow tubes. You can set timers to ensure your plants get watered when they most need it, and the system does all the hard work for you.
Planning
Grass lawns take up a lot of time, requiring mowing and weeding on a regular basis. For a low maintenance solution, replace the lawn with gravel, decking or paving. If you can't live without a lush green lawn, install some Grono artificial grass. With minimal supervision required and a soft, realistic covering, it's just as good as the real thing.
Use straight lines and right angles when planting borders. Curved edges are a lot harder to keep neat and tidy. Use square pots and crates to bring order and structure to flower beds.
Use a few large containers rather than multiple small ones. Small pots dry out and loose their moisture faster, meaning you have to water them more often.
Gravel is great for keeping weeds at bay. Fill any empty spaces with shingle or shale to compliment your planting.
Avoid hedges that need trimming regularly. Instead, install a fence or wall and use climbing plants to decorate and soften their appearance.
Planting
Certain plants are more demanding than others! Make sure you fill your garden with the most self-sufficient varieties.
Plants to use:
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Shrubs: Mahonia, Heather, Magnolia, Lavender, Daphne
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Conifers: Cryptomeria japonica, Thuja occidentalis, Juniper, Pinus mugo
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Ground-covering plants: Petunias, Plantain Lilies and Ground-covering Roses
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Bulbs: Snowdrops, Crocus, Cyclamen, Allium, Winter Aconite
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Climbers: Clematis montana, Hydrangea petiolaris, Jasmine, Ivy
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Trees: make sure they are the right size for your garden space
Plants to avoid:
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Herbaceous perennials
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Roses
If digging holes for all these plants sounds like a mammoth task, try using an electric drill to burrow into the soil. A large drill bit is about perfect for making holes for bulbs, and a small bit is great for aerating the soil.
When planting, group plants together according to their water needs. This makes it easier to install a drip irrigation system or, if you're doing it the old fashioned way, faster to do the rounds with the hose. Similarly, make sure you plant thirsty plants in easy-to-reach areas. There's nothing worse than having to scramble over your carefully arranged rock garden with a watering can to reach that awkward hibiscus.
Close planting and a liberal use of mulch is the best way to keep weeds at bay. Grass clippings, kitchen waste, peat moss and straw make great mulch to pack around your plants.
Finally, enjoy your garden. Install a small water feature, invest in some stylish outdoor furniture and get the barbeque out on a hot day. Remember, your garden is there to help you relax, not to take over your life!
