Gardening the Low-Maintenance Way
If you want a garden, but you don't have the time to invest in hoeing, raking, weeding and amending the soil, there's still hope. Try some of these ideas:
Plant Perennials, Shrubs and Trees
Choose hardy perennials that need little attention, can withstand summer heat and even the occasional drought so you can avoid having to weed, water and deadhead often. Perennials, such as daylilies, peonies, vines, hostas, artemisia and daisies, come back year after year. That means you don't have to spend time each spring on your knees replanting your garden. Buy once and enjoy for years — that's a good return on your investment.
Shrubs and trees are also low-maintenance guests in your garden. They'll provide visual interest and blooming varieties, like azaleas, will show off in the spring. Make sure you look for bushes that are appropriate for your region.
Plant dwarf shrubs that won’t require pruning. Ornamental grasses are also low maintenance, although you'll have to chop them down once a year.
Choose Drought-Resistant Plants
Xeriscaping is landscaping designed to save water. By grouping plants with similar watering needs and choosing plants that don't require much moisture, you'll spend less time watering. That's a perfect fit for a low-maintenance garden.
Drought-tolerant plants (coneflower, daylily, ornamental grasses and butterfly weed) make gardening easier because they require less care.
Check plant tags and select plants that need less moisture to grow and maintain. These are perfect for areas that are drought-prone or have water restrictions.
Go Native!
No matter where you live, there are plants that evolved to survive in your weather and soil. These plants are called natives. For example, if you live in an area that was once prairie, natives, such as coneflower and butterfly weed, should excel in your garden.
Ask your Lowe's Garden Center expert about native plants in your area. They're just right for a low-maintenance garden.
Mulch
Mulch protects plants from erosion, puts vital nutrients back into the soil, stops weeds and helps retain soil moisture. And if that isn't enough, mulch also looks great.
In beds that won’t be replanted annually, lay down landscape fabric as a weed barrier and cover with mulch to discourage weeds. It makes a garden bed look neat and tidy, and it connects plants in a cohesive design. For help choosing mulch, see our Mulch Buying Guide.
Group Plants With Similar Needs
Hostas and begonias like shady, moist areas. Group these plants together rather than with companions that prefer drier conditions. That way you can direct extra water only to the plants that really need it.
Use Drip Irrigation
It's an easy way to keep your plants watered without lugging watering cans or a hose all over your yard. Just install drip irrigation in your garden beds, connect to a hose and water when your plants are thirsty. Water is delivered at ground level, not splashed on foliage where it quickly evaporates or might cause foliar disease.
Drip systems are easy to install, and you can disguise the tubing with a layer of mulch. (For heavily planted beds, consider substituting a soaker hose.) Make watering even easier by hooking the irrigation system to a timer.
If you plan to incorporate containers in your low-maintenance garden, use a bigger container. Smaller pots dry out more quickly, and mix your potting medium with polymer crystals, which will reduce the need for watering.
Use the Cold Hardiness Map in the Lowe's Plant Guide to find the perfect plants for your region. Also remember that your local Lowe's Garden Center carries the best plants at the right time for your growing zone. If you love your garden but are short on time, these low-maintenance tips will help you stay ahead of the curve.