A quick guide to creating a low-maintenance garden

Isn’t it lovely to have a garden that you grew all by yourself? There’s a certain sense of pride in harvesting the fruits and vegetables that you put so much effort into or just enjoying the gorgeous flowers in full bloom. Many experienced gardeners know exactly what I’m talking about, but how much effort goes into growing a garden?

Well, this depends on many factors: the size of your garden, what you wish to grow there, the soil, and weather conditions. Not every garden needs to be huge, over-the-top, and tricky to take care of. In this article, you’ll find some tips and tricks on how to organize a garden that doesn’t need care 24/7. But first, let’s take a look at all the benefits of having a low-maintenance garden so you’re convinced that it’s right for you.

Benefits of having a low-maintenance garden

First of all, having any type of garden is a benefit on its own. From the aesthetic pleasure that it brings to the fresh fruits and vegetables that are grown with no chemicals – all of the work you put into your garden will be worth it.

You’re probably a busy person who has a lot on your hands, so spending all day weeding and watering isn’t an option. A low-maintenance garden will allow you to prioritise other work when you need to, without waking up to a barren wasteland just because you didn’t have time to water the garden.

Another important factor is that not everyone has a garden by their side. Some people live in the city and have summer houses. So, if you have a little log cabin with a garden far away from the city that you don’t get to visit that often – that’s OK! You can wait for your next visit there in peace, knowing that your garden will be intact.

If you’re a beginner gardener and don’t know all the nuances of every single plant – you don’t need to. This comes with time and experience, so starting small is always better. If you get used to taking care of a low-maintenance garden, you’ll be able to broaden your garden and add new plants in the long run. Keep in mind that a large garden is hard to handle because each patch requires care and attention. Start with a few patches and a flower bed, and decide on what you want to plant there.

Where to start

Soil

Good soil is the key to any successful garden. Almost every plant needs nutrients to thrive, and soil with too much sand or clay just won’t do it. Out of all the types of soil, loam is considered the best, because it contains the perfect mix of sand, silt, and clay. If you already have loam soil on your property – you’re in luck and you can go straight ahead to the next step. If not, investing in good soil should be a priority.

 

Mulching

You might have heard about mulching, but don’t underestimate how essential it is for easily and successfully maintaining a garden. Mulch is typically made out of woodchips, spread over the soil to improve its quality and give it the extra nutrients. It also works as a layer of insulation to protect roots from freezing in the winter and reduces evaporation in the summer so the ground doesn’t dry out.

 

Pest control

Pests are a problem in any garden, even a low-maintenance one. Homemade pesticides are a great alternative to store-bought ones since they don’t contain any harsh chemicals. You can make a pesticide yourself out of things you can find around the house like vinegar and soap.

 

Composting

To further improve the soil quality for an even bigger harvest, try composting. It’s good for both the environment and every single plant that grows in your garden. Compost is completely eco-friendly, so there’s no need to use store-bought chemical fertilisers. Next time, instead of throwing out your kitchen or yard waste, start putting it in a separate pile. Teabags, coffee grounds, vegetable peels, and eggshells all belong in the compost pile and can be used to fertilise the soil.

Now let’s take a look at the plants that can be grown in a low-maintenance garden:

Flowers and greenery

• Alpine succulents – Sedum, Sempervivum
• Hydrangeas
• Ornamental grass
• Summer lilac
• Petunias
• Any bulb plants

 

Vegetables

• Lettuce
• Courgette
• Radish
• Beetroot
• Carrots
• Potatoes

 

Trees/Shrubs

• Magnolia
• Euonymus
• Rhododendron
• Apple trees
• Plums
• Evergreens – bay, loquat, eucalyptus, olive

 

Herbs

• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Oregano
• Basil
• Parsley

Remember that a low-maintenance garden doesn’t have to be bland. There are many gorgeous and useful plants that you’ll get to grow without the extra hassle. Now that your low-maintenance garden is ready, all you have to do is kick back, relax, and enjoy.