Tips For Creating A Low-Maintenance Backyard
As the weather warms up and events shift outdoors, it’s time to get your backyard space ready for entertaining. Low-maintenance backyards are a great option to conserve water, or just cut down on time spent looking after your lawn. Read on for tips to reduce the maintenance in your backyard to spend less time weeding and more time relaxing this spring and summer!
Materials: Hardscaping
A great way to create a low-maintenance backyard is to designate a space made out of “hard” surfaces. For example, a flagstone patio with a fire pit is always a winner. A more budget-friendly option can be made out of pea gravel with concrete pavers. Hardscaping requires less maintenance than lawns or other greenery as it only needs attention a few times a year to clean.
Flowers: Less is more
In creating the ultimate backyard, less is more when it comes to planting varieties. It can be tempting to plant a myriad of different types of plants, but with more variety comes more work. Try positioning a cluster of one or two types of plants that can have a high return as they can suppress weeds, be on the same watering schedule, and have a big impact when it comes to looks.
Lavender is a great plant for this high-impact effect as it provides both a pop of color and aroma. It also needs limited watering and comes back each year. However, beware of invasive species when introducing new plants to your yard. Native plants are the best to preserve the ecosystem and provide for local pollinators.
Make it A Year-Round Haven
When planning out the perfect low-maintenance backyard, consider all four seasons. Dedicate a certain area or plant for each season so your backyard can look nice all year round. The mid-Atlantic climate thrives on flowering plants such as dogwoods or hydrangeas, which blossom and emit fragrance for the spring and summer. But more structural plants such as evergreens or berry-producing greenery like Hollies are able to withstand the winter months.
Follow these tips when planning your backyard project and you’re sure to create the perfect space!