If you’re a busy homeowner, maintaining a picture-perfect lawn and weed-free garden might not always be at the top of your to-do list. And we get it, which is why we’ve compiled our list of low-maintenance landscaping solutions. We hope these ideas will save you time, energy, and money, helping you create a beautiful, low-maintenance outdoor space that you love coming home to.
1: Use Native Plants
Western Australia’s hot climate can affect introduced species, so we recommend planting native species in your garden. Native species adapt to the weather, soil, and other environmental conditions, requiring minimal maintenance to grow healthy and strong. Also, native species support local wildlife, such as bees, butterflies, and birds, by providing food, shelter, and nesting sites.
Native species come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you want groundcovers and grasses or shrubs and trees, when you choose native species, you can create a beautiful and low-maintenance landscape that supports local wildlife and helps protect the environment.
2: Create Hardscapes
Hardscapes are hard, non-living elements in landscape design. Think patios, walkways, retaining walls, and fences. Using hardscapes in your backyard landscape design reduces the need for lawn maintenance. Consider your outdoor area’s size, shape, and landscape features when thinking about hardscaping with your gardening and landscaping. Use natural materials like limestone, brick, or wood to create a cohesive design.
Use a professional landscaping service to help you select materials and design features, like steppingstones or garden borders.
3: Mulch
Mulch can help reduce the time you spend weeding, as mulch suppresses weed growth and helps retain moisture in the soil, reducing the need for watering. There are two mulch types:
- Organic mulches: wood chips or shredded leaves. These are great options for improving soil quality and moisture retention.
- Inorganic mulches: rocks or gravel. Use these to create a low-maintenance, decorative ground cover.
4: Install reticulation
An irrigation system like reticulation is an excellent investment in your backyard landscaping. It allows you to water your plants on a schedule, meaning you can forget about watering your garden. With the right irrigation system, you’ll have a low-maintenance landscape that looks great all year.
5: Plant Perennials
Perennial plants return year after year. Typically, perennials require less maintenance than annuals, often lasting for years, saving you time and money. Perennials need some care, such as occasional pruning and watering. Still, they are hardier than annuals, making them an excellent option for busy homeowners.
6: Limit your Lawn
While a well-manicured lawn is often considered the centrepiece of a home’s landscaping, maintaining a lawn can be time-consuming and expensive. Limiting your lawn’s size can help busy homeowners reduce maintenance requirements while maintaining an attractive outdoor space.
7: Consider Using Fake Grass
Fake grass has come a long way from its first iterations. While fake grass might make some people recoil in shock, to experienced landscapers, it’s excellent for people with busier schedules who have less time to devote to landscape maintenance. It doesn’t need to be cut, watered, or fertilised; high-quality fake grass often looks real. However, a cost is involved, so weigh the time and resources of plant care against this upfront expense before deciding.
8: Create an Outdoor Living Space
An outdoor living space is a great way to enjoy your garden. It provides an extra area for relaxation, entertaining, and cooking. Adding features such as pergolas or gazebos provides shade and adds a focal point to the space. Consider adding an outdoor kitchen, fire pit or even a water feature to make the space more inviting.
9: Hire a Professional Landscaping Service
We understand that only some homeowners have the luxury of dedicating time to maintaining their landscape. Hiring a professional landscaper might be the best option for you. A landscaping services professional will help design and implement a low-maintenance landscape to meet your needs and preferences.
10: Use Ornaments
Garden decorations such as water features, statues and installations are a fun way to make your backyard landscaping stand out without exerting too much effort. Lawn ornaments such as driftwood, animal sculptures, and more can add style to your yard and don’t need ongoing maintenance.
11: Use professionals
Our team of professionals has the experience and knowledge to identify and address potential issues before they become significant problems. When choosing a professional, selecting a reputable and experienced landscaping service is essential. Look for someone with good reviews, recommendations, and certifications. They should offer services that align with the specific needs of your landscape, such as design, installation, and maintenance. A professional landscaper can help ensure your low-maintenance landscape is beautiful, sustainable, and hassle-free.
Choose Looking Good Landscaping for your low-maintenance garden
If you want beautiful, functional, low-maintenance gardening and landscaping, consider working with a landscape designer who can help you bring your vision to life. Looking Good Landscaping specialises in creating beautiful, sustainable outdoor spaces that reflect your style and needs.
We aim to install a garden you’ll love to relax in with your family and friends for years to come without stressing about its maintenance. Looking Good started based on friendly, old-fashioned service, and we continue with the same values today. We are incredibly proud of our exceptional team and take pride in the work we produce.
Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you create the garden of your dreams.