Gardens are one of life's truest and simplest pleasures for many folk, especially with their notoriety in temperate climes for shattering the monotony of winter's hostile and cold winds, insurmountable snow drifts and obtuse colors. Certainly the first few accumulative snowfalls of the season are welcome, although by January and February in the Midwest, it becomes nothing other than mundane and depressing. But finally, with those April showers the May flowers arrive, just in time to spare a guy or gal from hitting the brink of crappy weather insanity. Nod in accordance if you relate to what I'm saying.
Flowers, grasses, shrubs and trees of all sizes, shapes, scents and colors are at one's command to become a part of your landscape, your own little natural niche amidst relentless urban sprawl. And with the introduction of these specimens fly the birds, bees and butterflies making roughly half of the year an anticipatory pleasure to be outdoors. This all sounds good, and indeed it is, but what about caring for a garden and keeping it in healthy, maintained order? Beautiful landscapes don't just exist as such, they require a certain investment of time and sweat, think of it as your sweetest labor of love if you will. You will only get out of your garden that which you put into it - neglect your garden and it will become evident.
However, despair not. Albeit some gardens, depending on planted varieties, can justify endless hours of maintenance, there are also sensible remedies which can be minimalistic regarding your investment of time; one needn't dedicated every waking hour of her/his weekend in order to be the proud owner of an aesthetically pleasing environment. In fact, by following a handful of fundamental guidelines when planning your landscape, enjoyment can be the principle activity, not endless maintenance.
1) Ascertain the amount of space that you'll be converting to garden areas. If you have copious amounts of green space, it's recommended to transform those areas one season at a time. Leave some grassy areas for now as you can always eliminate and alter them in the future.
2) Spend some time observing the path of the sun through the growing season. You need to know which areas are full-sun, part-sun/shade and full-shade as each variety of plant has its own particular solar needs. While you're at it, take notes of some of the gardens that you find most appealing.
3) Determine the type of soil predominant in your yard; sand, loam, clay or a combination of these. This will have a direct effect on the growth and long-term health of your plants. Some plants are more versatile while others are far more particular, obviously plants that are more flexible as far as soil conditions go will require less prodding to reach their full growth potential. Your local garden center should be able to assist you with soil evaluations.
4) Consider growth impediments for your trees and shrubs; are there wires overhead which will need to be relocated below ground, will an existing shade tree impair the growth of a newly planted comrade, are you planting to close to a property line (this can cause havoc between neighbors), will your shrubbery be restricted by being too close to your house or a fence? These are all aspects to take into consideration when planning your landscape.
5) Review the different varieties of plants that are endemic to your region as they tend to require less maintenance in your particular climate. You'll be surprised at how many plants are watering and pruning minimalists. The Internet is an outstanding resource for carrying out your research with pictures provided, and your research will pay off in the long run. Additionally, make a list of the plants you find most attractive, along with the colors you prefer.
6) Avoid using landscape fabric as that creates a barrier between the atmosphere and the soil. Do use lots of natural, shredded hardwood mulch as that will help maintain moisture levels in the soil and suppress weed growth if applied correctly (at least 4" throughout the garden areas). Plus, with time as that mulch goes through its degradation process, those nutrients will amend the soil making it healthier and livelier as well as the plants it supports.
By following these six practical steps, and by doing your homework, you should be able to create a relatively low-maintenance garden that you can modify, enjoy and respire for seasons on end. Make sure to take your time and know what your objectives and preferences are. Rome wasn't built in a day and neither are the loveliest gardens in the world. Change can often be a positive thing, and modifying the outdoor environment of your home can make being at home that much more satisfying. If you do things correctly, your friends and neighbors may try contracting you to design their garden as well. So, read up, let your imagination run wild, and get to work on creating your own low-maintenance landscape!