What's better than a beautiful yard that naturally draws the envy of neighbors and friends? One that doesn't require a lot of work! So how do you can get a great-looking yard without putting in back-breaking shifts every week?
Here are some low-maintenance landscaping ideas!
Use Drought-Resistant Plants
North Texas faces harsh weather conditions, including unpredictable droughts and freezes. All the more reason to making drought-resistant Texas Native plants a necessity in beautiful, low-maintenance landscaping.
There are many beautiful Texas Native Plants that won’t require frequent watering and will thrive in the North Texas soil and climate. There are a number of excellent native plant lists available online, but one of our favorites is the Texas Superstar Plants list compiled by Texas A&M University. Plants that make this list are carefully chosen for their proven performance in Texas gardens. Visit our nursery to find these and other hardy Texas natives that will thrive in your garden.
Minimize Trimming & Shearing
Choose a landscape design that allows plants to grow to their mature size and natural shape. Constantly shearing and trimming plants to maintain an unnatural form discourages them from flowering and blooming. Allowing them to grow naturally and flower will attract more pollinators into your garden and increase the beauty of your landscape.
Mulch, Mulch, and Mulch
Mulching materials range from inorganic rocks of various sizes to organic wood mulches such as hardwood and cedar.
Save yourself the hassle of weeding by mulching as much as possible. Mulching creates a protective layer on top of the soil making it more difficult for weed seeds to germinate, thereby reducing the need for weeding.
Rock mulches are best for cactus gardens, while many vegetable gardeners like to use wheat straw for mulching their edibles.
Natural wood mulches are generally best for landscape beds because they provide your flowerbeds with a constant source of fresh organic matter As the wood breaks down, it provides micro-nutrients your plants need to remain healthy. Wood mulches also offer greater curb appeal. Organic mulches such as wood or straw help protect plants from both heat and cold, so they are better able to withstand both droughts and freezes.
In North Texas hardwood and cedar are both excellent choices.
Plant Ground Covers
Lush green lawns require mowing and edging. Too much work! But by planting ground covers, you can do away with the grass without sacrificing the aesthetics. For example, Marshall Grain offers various evergreen and perennial ground cover solutions that alleviate every day landscaping dilemmas. They're an excellent way to create a pathway, control weeds around borders, or even eliminate mowing and substitute them for a lawn. Other ground covers stifle weed growth, prevent erosion, and retain moisture. Some are even natural insect repellents. And some thrive in shady or sunny conditions. Just a few possibilities are Mondo Grass, Creeping Thyme Dianthus, Lemon Sedum.
We're here to help you choose appropriate ground covers for your home.
Plant Perennials & Evergreens
Why invest a lot of hard work on a plant you’ll have to replant the next season when that work can go into growing a plant that’ll last for many years?
In addition to enduring for many years, perennials and evergreens establish root systems in the soil as they grow, reducing the need for watering. Larger plants with robust root systems are also better at helping to prevent erosion and, when maintained organically, they will require less fertilization over time.
Consider Hardscaping
Hardscapes, such as patios, decks, steps, pergolas, etc., are beautiful additions to any home. They also serve functional purposes, allowing you to host parties and enjoy great moments with friends and family.
Hardscaping adds beauty, function, and style to your landscape, and these features don’t need mowing or watering and will help cut down on yard maintenance costs.
Ensure Adequate Irrigation
The mere thought of dragging a hose around the home to water plants is enough to dissuade some people from landscaping.
Most suburban homes have built-in irrigation systems that can be programmed to water plants on schedule. When properly installed, they are convenient and precise, helping to conserve water. However, they are easily damaged by weather, mowing, and other routine maintenance. Also, over time, as your landscape may change.
Sprinkler timers should be adjusted at least quarterly to account for seasonal rainfall levels.
It's also a good idea to have an annual assessment made of your irrigation system by a reputable irrigation service to ensure that all areas of your landscape are receiving the proper coverage.
Use Organic Maintenance Methods
When it comes to low maintenance, organic methods are the way to go. Organic practices are fundamentally different from traditional methods. Traditional ways rely on force-feeding your plants with synthetic fertilizers and then having to treat them repeatedly for pests and diseases. Those synthetic products kill off microorganisms in the soil required for efficient nutrient uptake and immune system health. Instead, organic maintenance focuses on building up soil diversity to create a healthy foundation of nutrient-rich soil that is self-perpetuating.
In the long run, your landscape will require fewer inputs -- less fertilizer, fewer pesticides, less water, etc. -- because your garden will enjoy a healthy, sustainable immune system with a constant source of the micro-nutrients it needs to thrive.
Come to Marshall Grain for expert advice on all your gardening questions. And if you ever get tired of maintaining your own garden, our Organic Maintenance Department can do it all for you! Send us an mail or call us 817-416-6600 to get started on our Organic Maintenance program.