Everyone has a hectic lifestyle these days. With work, family, social life and hobbies all clamouring for your time, it’s no wonder that gardening often gets pushed to the bottom of our priority list. But there are ways to make it easier on yourself as well as give your garden a little TLC.
Gardening doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming; in fact, many of its benefits can be accessed from even the most basic of setups. It’s true that some people don’t have room for a large plot of land or the necessary space for other gardening accessories such as tools and benches or etc… But there are plenty of low maintenance garden ideas that can be implemented without major difficulty with just a few adjustments and minimal space requirements. Here are some tips to help you get started with low maintenance garden ideas:
Grow Your Own Food
Contrary to what you may think, gardening doesn’t have to be complicated in order to yield some tasty and healthy produce. There are plenty of vegetables that don’t take much effort at all and most of them can be grown right in a pot or even on your window sill. It takes just a little bit of planning and patience, but it can be worth the wait.
You can also grow your own herbs, fruits, flowers and more with minimal effort. By growing your own food instead of buying it from supermarkets or local stores, you get the nutrients that are naturally lacking from commercial crops as well as know exactly what goes into your food.
If you’re not up for a full-scale garden but still want to reap the benefits of fresh vegetables and herbs, you can always try container gardening. Containers are great for smaller gardens like these because they conserve space but still allow for hydration and drainage which is important for plants.
Grow a Native Plant Garden
Perhaps the most common low maintenance idea is a native plant garden. Native plants grow well in Australia’s harsh climate and require minimal care and attention to flourish. Native plants have adapted over time to Australian conditions, so they use less water, fewer nutrients and require less time to mature. There are also plenty of native plant varieties that are hardy enough for even our harshest winters.
A native plant garden is perfect for those who live in apartments or share a small backyard with others. If you want to grow vegetables, try planting perennial vegetables; these vegetables will bear fruit year-round and will require less water than annual vegetables. If you want to save money on your plants, consider planting natives that don’t need much space or care like shrubs like grevilleas, inkwoods or acacias.
If you have a large garden area that needs some TLC, try growing herbs as this won’t take up much space but will still add flavour to your cooking. When picking herbs for your kitchen garden, give yourself some room by using containers rather than the ground if you don’t have the space for an herb bed – the container will be easier to manage and maintain and it can be moved or stored when not in use easily.
Keep It Short and Sweet
The first step in low maintenance gardening is to keep it short and sweet. Short-term tasks such as weeding, fertilizing, watering and pruning only need to be done a few times a year. This way, you can spend more time enjoying your garden instead of constantly doing the grunt work.
If you want to learn how to start a low maintenance garden, check out this article on gardening fundamentals by Australia’s Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.
Water Wisely
One of the most important aspects of gardening is the water system. It’s important to make sure that you are watering your garden in the right way so that you don’t waste water and become a part of the problem instead. Instead, try using drip irrigation systems that can be set up on a small patio or balcony area. Additionally, if space is an issue, you can still work this method. Just place whichever plants need watering in a planter or pot with holes at the bottom and use them pour water into the soil they sit in while they soak up moisture from drips from above.
Take Advantage of Sunny Days
Many low-maintenance gardening ideas rely on the sun. Sunlight is needed for photosynthesis and for generating energy for plants. In addition to providing plants with these necessities, it also promotes growth as well as flowers in your garden. These are some of the benefits of having a sunny garden.
#1 – Citrus Trees
Citrus trees are a low maintenance idea because they’re quite small; most varieties only require around two square feet per tree. They’re also relatively easy to grow and are generally winter hardy which makes them perfect for areas that don’t get frost during the cold season. Plus, they produce fruit year round and can be easily grown indoors or outdoors as well. Some popular citrus trees include grapefruit, kumquat, mandarin oranges, lemons and limes.
#2 – Succulent Plants
Succulents have become increasingly popular due to their ability to thrive with minimal water and care requirements while still retaining some level of green leaves all year long and producing flowers. There are many different types of succulent plants such as agaves and cacti, but there are also other less common types like mosses that can be used in your garden too! A great low maintenance option is Agave americana which is known for its large size and its ability to tolerate more intense sunlight than other succulent plants.
#3 – Flowering Plants
Flowering plants are another great low
Final Words
1. Grow Vegetables
Grow your own vegetables, even if you have a small garden. You’ll save a lot of money and time, and you’ll get all of the benefits of fresh, local produce. Just make sure to give them plenty of water, sunlight and care.
2. Plant Some Flowers
If you have enough space to grow some flowers and they’re in season, they’re a great addition to any garden. They can be dried for later use or enjoyed right away by the whole family!
3. Add A Small Garden
If you don’t have room for a large garden, but still want to add some greenery in your backyard, consider planting a small garden instead of an entire yard! This will save on space and maintenance as well as add some life to the space that may be lacking otherwise.
