Some homeowners are intimidated by the thought of installing or improving their home’s landscaping because they worry about the amount of maintenance required. However, beautiful landscaping in Houston, TX, doesn’t have to require a lot of maintenance if you follow a few tips. Here’s what you need to know.
Hardscape
One of the easiest ways to cut down on the amount of maintenance you have to do is to replace some of the grass or vegetated areas with hardscape elements. That doesn’t mean you have to pour an ugly, plain pad of concrete. There are numerous ways to incorporate hardscape elements into your landscaping to make it beautiful. Consider using stone, pavers, stamped concrete, or landscape rocks to create pathways or to make raised vegetable or flower gardens. You can also create an outdoor living space to reduce the area of lawn you have to care for while extending your home’s entertaining area with comfortable seating, an outdoor kitchen, barbeque, or fireplace.
Efficient Irrigation
Another important factor is efficient irrigation. Sometimes homeowners have excessive weeds simply because areas that aren’t meant to be watered are getting watered. It may be worth having a professional look at your system to see if there are any changes to design or repairs needed that could prevent watering of unnecessary areas.
Mulch Flower Beds
Mulch can significantly reduce the amount of weeding you need to do, especially when it’s used over a weed barrier. Flower beds with mulch can replace areas of grass and require very little maintenance. They don’t require as much water, and you typically only have to add mulch once a year. Rubber mulch can last years without needing to be replaced. In addition to using mulch, plant things close together so that weeds don’t have as much sunlight exposure. It’s also important to let earthworms turn the soil rather than doing it yourself. Frequently turning the soil can expose dormant weeds to sunlight, which encourages growth and ultimately increases the amount of weeding you have to do.
Shrubs
Choose shrubs that naturally require little care. Evergreens and small blooming trees are a great choice because they’re pest and disease resistant and won’t require as much pruning as other types of shrubs.
Perennials
Using perennials is another way to simplify your yard work routine. You only have to purchase and plant perennials once and then they’ll come back on their own every year. There are many types of perennials suited to many types of climate and soil types, so you’re sure to find a variety to beautify your yard without spending time replanting year after year.
Ground Cover
If mowing is a maintenance task that you would like to reduce, consider replacing some of your turf with a ground cover. Not only is ground cover easier to maintain than grass, but in many cases, it looks better than grass as well. There are numerous varieties to choose from that thrive in humid or dry conditions and in sun or shade.
Native Vegetation
Houston, TX, landscaping should also use native vegetation to keep maintenance simple. These native plants are already suited to your area so you won’t have to worry about special care or extra watering to keep these plants looking healthy. Native flowers, grass, trees, and shrubs can be combined to create a complex-looking landscape without all the work. To learn more about low-maintenance options, contact Natural Wonders Landscaping today.
