Here is the first, and some will say, most important tip. Get it through your head right now, lazy is not synonymous with bad. Using time effectively and efficiently in the garden is actually the hallmark of an industrious, intelligent gardener, although that may seem counterintuitive to some.

Now that I've made you feel better about the label, "lazy," let me explain. The lazy gardener aims to get the most bang for the buck, if you will. Your goal should be to maximize beauty with minimal money and effort.

Perennials are the lazy gardener's friend. The work you do this year will reap benefits next year, five years from now, and even in future decades. The lazy gardener does not waste time (or money) on annuals. Yes, they often provide an amazing show of flowery brilliance, but they do so for only one season. The lazy gardener's money is on the long-timer plant, not the showy flash in the pan.

So, the first step is to plan ahead. Take a bit of time to research what plants do well in your zone. The desert rose which may flourish in Houston, Texas will doubtless find the climate in the DC area very inhospitable. The lazy gardener does not waste time or money on plants which will not survive. Buying the wrong plants means one will have to plant AGAIN, and that is what we are trying to avoid. The easiest way to determine plant choice is to scout out your neighbors. If it is a large, healthy plant, and it has been there for more than one season, you can bet it is a safe choice. Imitation is the highest form of flattery. Ask your neighbor. If they are typical of those of us with a green thumb, they will be thrilled that you asked, and they will likely offer a cutting, a bulb shoot, or a baby plant which has sprung up near the old one.

Take time to determine what you find attractive. Which colors do you prefer? When you see a garden, what draws your eye? The answer is different for everyone, so it is important to find this out before spending money and time. Identify what you like, whether it will grow in your climate, and whether you can obtain it.
What you cannot beg or borrow, (please don't steal) you will have to buy. The lazy gardener abhors wasting time and money, so ask your local nursery if they have a master gardener on staff. If so, let them help you. They know your area, your climate, and can quickly identify plants which will fit into your tastes and requirements.

Planting a few plants each season, and having a master plan, which will unfold over the years is the key to building a garden which will last for decades. Tall plants at the back of the bed (or the middle if it's an island type bed), short plants at the front. One or two showy specimens like a dwarf Japanese maple, or a lovely poodle cut bush, and well selected perennials spaced out to bloom in intervals from Spring to Fall . . . these are the ingredients the lazy gardener should look to include in the garden.

Once your garden has matured, the beauty will be yours to enjoy with little or no effort expended. You can sit back in your hammock, sip that mojito, and be the envy of your neighbors. You'll have to weed occasionally, and water, but you won't be faced with digging, planting, and nurturing baby plants every single year, as you would with annuals. Once your garden is well established, you may want those showy one hit wonders, but to begin, let the workhorses do the heavy lifting. Your money and time are best spent on perennials.

Learn more about this author, Lynn R..
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