September 23, 2020
Most homeowners want their outdoor areas to look tidy, well kept, and inviting. If you work a 9-5 and spend your weekends socializing, it can be tough to keep up on. That’s why we’ve put together some tips to keep your outdoor areas looking great with minimal effort.
Reconsider Natural Grass
Most people picture a beautiful green lawn when they think about the perfect yard or outdoor area. Naturally grassed yards are still very common, but there are some alternatives that are becoming increasingly popular. Plus, most of these alternatives require very little or no maintenance at all. There’s a wide variety of artificial grasses available in different lengths, textures, and shades of green. If you’d prefer something natural, consider groundcover plants like creeping jenny or japanese sweet flag. Groundcovers sprawl across the ground without growing tall, they smother weeds, and they fill pathways.
High Maintenance Plants
Some plants are very high maintenance and require a lot of time and attention to detail. Take a look at the plants you already have in your garden and evaluate how much effort they require and how much time you’re willing to put in. You might want to replace them with plants that stay healthy without a whole lot of attention. A few examples of these lower maintenance plants are Lavender, Geraniums, Hydrangeas and Iris. This way, you can still have a beautiful and colorful outdoor area without a bunch of TLC.
Tarmac Or Shingled Driveway
You’ve probably noticed that bricked or paved driveways usually have weeds growing in the cracks and between the jointing. Having a tarmacked or shingled driveway will eliminate the risk of weeds growing through, thus eliminating your need to tend to them. A shingled or tarmacked driveway can be left alone for years before any maintenance is required.
Don’t Paint Your Fence
Once you paint your fencing, you start a never-ending cycle of touch-ups and repaints. Weather will wear down your paint and leave it looking worn and tired. The easiest solution to this is to find either a natural wooden fence that you like the color of, or to find a non-wooden fence that is durable and in a favorable color. This way, you don’t have to keep an eye on the status of the paint.
Water Features
A small pond or fountain is a great feature to add to your garden that, when done correctly, can require very little maintenance. With proper water treatment, ponds and fountains will look nice for months without maintenance, and they really add a new dimension to an outdoor space. Fountains of course have the added value of a soothing sound echoing throughout your garden.
Watering System
A sprinkler you can set out when you get home from work or even an installed sprinkler system are the easiest ways to make sure your garden stays colorful and hydrated. Sprinkler systems can be set to water at designated times for a preset duration, making them the most convenient option, but they can be relatively expensive to install. Either option is easier than walking around with a hose and watering everything yourself.
Hardwood Furniture
When purchasing outdoor furniture, hardwood is one of your best options. Hardwood stands up to harsh weather well and therefore can last a long time without looking worn down. Metal furniture should probably be avoided in Minnesota, where our winters are harsh, unless you plan on moving it indoors each year. You could also consider a man-made material that is weather resistant if you don’t like the look of hardwood furniture.
All of these tips will help you keep an appealing outdoor space without having to constantly maintain it.
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