All Green Landscapes Ltd

Creating a Low Maintenance Garden

Friday, October 7, 2011

If you have a garden you often wish you had more time to look after it. Unfortunately in the busy world we live in we are quite often too busy to give it the time it deserves. We want to sit out in the garden and enjoy the sunshine, cook our barbeques in it and generally use our gardens as a place of leisure. But, for older or less able people, people who are busy at work and the less enthusiastic, pulling weeds, pruning and grass cutting are overheads we can do without.
There are lots of possibilities for ground cover that are easier to maintain than grass and just as attractive. Paving, shingle and artificial grass are the ones being used most to cover larger areas of the garden.

Paving has tremendous advantages, and when it is laid properly it will last for years. As for maintenance of paving, a simple jet washing once a year should suffice. If the pointing is done correctly then weeds won't take hold in between the slabs. It is great for wheel chair use and can create the illusion of a larger garden. There are slabs of all shapes and colourings available, so paving can be made to look fantastic. A good landscaper can help you make the right choice and design something to suit your environment. Price can vary greatly depending on the type of slabs chosen e.g. concrete will be much cheaper than natural stone. When making your choice go for the maximum your budget allows as the slabs will be in place for a very long time. Paving The design of your paved area does not have to be linear, you can have circles, wavy lines and the slabs can be laid in patterns. Paving does not need to be boring.

Shingle is another possibility. It makes good ground cover and helps keep the weeds at bay. Again there are many different options in terms of colour and size. The shingle can be combined with paving to create features within the paving, break up the flatness and add texture to the garden. Shingle is more for visual effect and is not really for walking on so will not suit everyone, especially homes where wheelchair users live. But it could be used to create decorative borders and add interest to your garden. It is also good for driveways especially in rural areas and can act as a deterrent for unwelcome visitors as it is very difficult to approach quietly on shingle.

Artificial grass is a fantastic alternative to natural grass. In recent times it has become much more natural looking and there are many different shades of green shades and textures to choose from. You can choose from samples in the same way that you would choose a carpet. A good landscaper would firstly prepare the ground and lay a membrane to prevent weeds but allow drainage as with shingle. The artificial turf would then be fixed into place. Obviously it would require no maintenance but may need washing down with a hose to keep clean especially if you have a pet. The surface is pre-treated so it doesn't lose its colour in the sun.

To enhance the paving, shingle or artificial grass you could line the edges with railway sleepers. Potted plants need looking after so it's best to select more tropical plants and larger tubs that hold more water. You will still need to protect them in the winter. In the borders go for slow growing evergreens and lots of bark mulch to keep the weeds at bay. For colour why not add boulders, garden ornaments and flowering slow growing annuals.

An attractive, user friendly and easy to maintain garden is achievable. It is advisable to consult the experts if you want to remodel your garden. A good landscaper will give you all the advice and assistance you need. Your garden is a living space which can provide endless hours of enjoyment.