After months of trying to stay warm and cosy indoors, the weather has started to change, and spring is finally here. Moving into a new season is always an exciting time, and when spring arrives and the promise of summer is around the corner, spending time outside in the sunshine is always a top priority.
Everyone loves to get outside and feel the warm sun on their skin as they breathe in the fresh air. But to make the most of all the joy that the warmer months bring, your garden needs to be a usable space that looks attractive and well-maintained. After a long winter, many people find that they haven’t spent any proper time in their gardens for weeks or even months. So, it’s understandable that the space may be looking a little unloved and very much in need of some care and attention. The problem is, most people feel that they don’t have enough spare time available to spend it labouring in their gardens. But even when you’re short on time, it is still possible to have an attractive garden to enjoy when the weather warms up. Focusing on making your garden as easy to look after as possible is key to keeping it looking attractive without spending all your spare time on its upkeep. Here are some of the ways you can create a low maintenance garden that’s ready for you to enjoy all summer long:
Start With a Clear-Out
If your garden looks like a dumping ground after the winter, you’re not alone. Many people use their gardens to dump all those items that they plan to take to the tip, but somehow always get forgotten about. So, one really quick and simple way to instantly improve the appearance of your garden is to have a clear-out. Gather up all those items that you will never use again and take them to your local tip or recycling centre. If you have items that could be repurposed, it could be worth offering them to a charity shop rather than sending them straight to landfill.
Once you have cleared out the garden clutter, you will have a much better idea of what you’re dealing with and how much work your backyard really needs.
Pick the Right Tools
Not having the right tools for the job is one reason that so many people find keeping their garden looking good so challenging. If you don’t have the right tools and equipment for each gardening task, you’re going to find yourself spending a lot more time than is necessary working on it.
Investing in good quality garden equipment is always worthwhile and is guaranteed to make gardening a lot more enjoyable. A robotic lawn mower will have your grass trimmed and looking tidy with no effort from you, and choosing the best weed eater will make fast work of even the chunkiest, stubborn weeds. So, gardening jobs that would otherwise be incredibly time-consuming will now be fast and effortless.
Choose Plants With Care
The plants that you add to your garden will directly impact whether or not it is easy to maintain. If you’re short on time, the last thing you want to do is to feel obligated to spend hours each week carefully pruning and deadheading a sensitive, delicate plant. So, if you’re planning to plant some new additions ready for the summer, it’s important to choose wisely.
If you have a bare flowerbed to fill and don’t want to spend hours on a kneeling pad planting bulbs, a good alternative is to simply scatter some wildflower seeds over the soil. This should soon transform into an interesting mix of flowers of different sizes and colours that require very little maintenance. As an added bonus, wildflowers are also an excellent option for attracting pollinators. So, as well as adding fuss-free colour to your garden, the wildflowers will also encourage butterflies and bees to pay your garden a visit.
When creating a low maintenance garden is your aim, it’s also helpful to choose plants that are slow-growing and hardy. Hardy plants won’t need you to pay them special attention during throughout the year. For example, you shouldn’t need to protect them from the frost each winter. Slow-growing plants are a great choice if you want to avoid intensive pruning or cutting back sessions each spring.
Introduce Containers
Getting down on your hands and knees to spend hours removing weeds from your garden may be something you dread. After all, it can be time-consuming and back breaking work, especially if you have lots of flower beds to tend to. If you’re keen to avoid this level of ongoing work, you may prefer to add containers to your garden. Once planted up, containers require very little maintenance and minimal weeding.
Choose a selection of different colours, styles and sizes of containers to add extra interest to your garden. This allows you to create plenty of visual interest in your outdoor space without adding to your gardening workload.
Treat Garden Wood
When creating a low maintenance garden that looks attractive, it’s important to look beyond just the plants. Every element of your garden will contribute to its overall appearance, including your furniture and fencing. You can work hard to create the perfect lawn and the most beautiful colourful flowerbeds. However, if your garden shed and fencing looks like it’s seen better days, this is going to let down the entire appearance of your backyard.
Giving your sheds and fencing a spruce up with a coat of paint is a great way to get them looking their best. Choosing exterior wood paint will also ensure that your outdoor wood is protected from common issues that could harm it, such as rot and woodworm. So, painting your fencing and shed now, should mean that it will last many more years without further treatment.
Having an attractive garden to use this summer doesn’t need a lot of work, you just need the right time-saving hacks.
