Designing a Low Maintenance Garden

Creating a low maintenance garden involves more than just selecting the right plants. Other design elements you incorporate can significantly influence how much time and effort your garden requires. Here are some strategies to consider.

Mulching is a crucial practice in most gardens, but especially in a low maintenance one. Mulch helps conserve water by reducing evaporation from the soil surface. It also suppresses weeds, reducing the need for regular weeding.

However, if your mulch has too much carbon and not enough nitrogen, it can prevent water from filtering into the root zone. This imbalance can lead to waterlogged conditions on the surface and dry conditions below, neither of which are ideal for plant health. Simply put, carbon comes from the “brown” materials in mulch, such as bark chips, while nitrogen comes from the “green” materials in mulch, such as leaves.

The type of mulch you choose also matters. Chunky mulch is generally better for water filtration than fine mulch. The larger pieces create channels allowing water to seep through more easily, reaching the soil and plant roots where needed.

When it comes to watering your garden, smart irrigation systems can be a game-changer.

Unlike manual watering, smart systems can be programmed to deliver the right amount of water at the right times. This automation saves time and ensures your plants get the water they need without waste.

Hardscaping refers to the non-living elements of your garden, such as paths, walls, and patios. Certain hardscape features can add beauty to your garden while reducing the need for maintenance.

For example, a well-placed patio or deck can provide a focal point and gathering space, requiring little upkeep beyond occasional sweeping, blowing and/or pressure washing.

On the other hand, some hardscape features can add additional maintenance tasks. For instance, a water feature may require regular cleaning and maintenance checks to keep it running smoothly.

Even a low maintenance garden requires some regular care to keep it looking its best. Here are some routine tasks that, done correctly, will minimise effort in the long run.

Pruning is performed to maintain plant health and aesthetic purposes. Knowing how and when to prune can make a significant difference.

Remember your ABCs and DDDs:

Assess your plant and understand what the plant needs.

Bad branches are to be removed first. These are dead, damaged, and diseased branches.

Competing and crossing branches are those that are heading in the wrong direction; either rubbing other branches or they’re heading into the middle of the plant or straight up, competing with the main leading trunk.

Different plant habits require different pruning approaches – this is a lesson for another day, but you can’t treat a bird of paradise like a westringia.

There are three main types of pruning cuts: selective heading cuts, non-selective heading cuts, and removal cuts. Selective heading cuts involve cutting back to a side branch, promoting a more open growth habit. Non-selective heading cuts, or shearing, involves cutting back to no particular point and is often used for shaping hedges.

Removal cuts involve cutting a branch back to its point of origin to remove it entirely. There’s a lot more to pruning than most people think, so maybe just leave tree pruning for a qualified arborist to prevent shortening your tree’s lifespan.

Feeding and watering plants correctly can promote healthy growth without overdoing it. Over-fertilisation can lead to excessive, weak growth and increase susceptibility to pests and diseases. Similarly, overwatering can lead to root rot and other problems. It’s better to water deeply and infrequently, encouraging deep root growth, than to water a little bit every day.

Some people will tell you to fertilise once per year, others will tell you to fertilise little and often. If you’re after a low maintenance option, you’re probably going to fertilise once or twice a year at most.

Effective weed control strategies can help keep your garden looking its best with minimal effort. Mulching, as mentioned earlier, is one effective strategy. Regular weeding before weeds set seed can also prevent the problem from getting out of hand.

Brushcutting tall weeds, spraying glyphosate to kill them, and then spraying a pre-emergent to prevent seeds sprouting is the easy way to control weeds, but that method isn’t in fashion any more due to the excessive chemical usage.

Effective pest control involves several strategies. Choosing resistant plants is the first step. Keeping plants happy with the right growing conditions is also crucial, as stressed plants are more susceptible to pests. Companion planting can deter pests, while encouraging natural enemies to help keep pest populations in check.

If these strategies aren’t enough, consider purchasing biological controls such as predatory insects which will fly away after they’ve fed if the habitat isn’t right for them. As a last resort, use chemicals, starting with the least harmful options such as white oil.

Creating a low maintenance garden doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice beauty or enjoyment. By understanding your garden’s unique conditions and choosing the right plants and design elements, you can create a stunning outdoor space that requires minimal effort to maintain.

Don’t shy away from regular maintenance tasks – instead, learn how to do them efficiently to keep your garden looking its best with minimal effort.