Low Maintenance Gardening Tips

Native plants

When planning a native plant garden, take into consideration the site’s climate and location. Also consider what look you want your garden to achieve. A natural look is best, and you can avoid planting in rows that look like columns. If you are going for a formal look, choose native plants that need little pruning and deadheading.

Native plants can be found at garden centres alongside ornamentals. To find out which plants can be grown in your area, look for Latin names or check a native plant guide. One great guide is “Plants of the Western Forest” by Derek Johnson, Linda Kershaw and Andy MacKinnon. This guide is available from Amazon or at your local library. The Latin names indicate the species of the plant. Some plants have common names as well, so make sure to choose the correct one.

Another great reason to plant native plants is that they need less maintenance than ornamentals. They are hardier, tolerant of drought, and better at defending themselves against weeds. Plus, native plants are beneficial for wildlife. They provide habitat for insects and birds, which is important for the environment.

Mulching is important for perennials. Mulch around the trunk of trees and shrubs will help control weeds, retain moisture, and protect against freezing temperatures and drought in winter. The fall is an excellent time to transplant native grasses and perennials. During this time, you can also divide your perennials and move grasses. It is also a good idea to clean out bird houses during the fall and winter.

Native plants are excellent for gardens, as they evolved to survive in local conditions. Whether you live in a city or rural area, native plants are an ideal choice for low-maintenance gardens. Native plants will be easier to care for and will require less effort in the future. When you are planning your garden, talk to a garden expert at Lowe’s to find out which plants are native to your area.

One of the most important low maintenance gardening tips for native plants is to water them regularly. Native plants need sufficient moisture in the first season to survive, but after that they are more tolerant of drought conditions. For these plants, it is a good idea to use a soaker hose and place it on the ground. You can then wind it through the garden and cover it with compost to help it absorb the water. Using soaker hoses can reduce watering to a minimum during the first year, and you can even leave it in place for occasional use the second year.

Mowing the lawn

The low-maintenance way of gardening means minimizing the amount of time you spend on mowing the lawn. You can even consider landscaping the front and side yards with plants that require minimal care. For instance, planting seasonal flowers and grasses in these areas can attract pollinators and provide them with nectar. Another low-maintenance practice is to have a well-trimmed front lawn to avoid having to cut the back lawn too often. These low-maintenance practices will save you money, water, energy, and noise pollution. They will also attract birds and other beneficial insects to your yard.

Low-maintenance gardening practices include keeping the grass a minimum of 3 inches high and keeping it well-watered. You can also plant perennials and pollinator-friendly plants in place of turf lawns. If you still want to have a lawn, try replacing large portions of it with a wildflower garden. Wildflowers grow on a smaller area than turf lawns and only require mowing a few times a year.

Another important aspect of low-maintenance gardening is to choose the right type of turf. There are several types of grass, so choosing the right one is essential. Choose a turf that is suited to your climate and water needs. Using the right fertilizer will help your lawn grow stronger and healthier.

Native plants that spread via runners

Native plants that spread via runners are those that spread by root systems that are attached to the parent plant. The roots grow underground, while the branches grow along the surface of the soil. Runners develop more nodes the farther the plant grows. This process allows a new plant to grow from the parent plant.