9 Tips for Low Maintenance Landscaping During Summer

Summer is a time of joy. With the warm weather comes outdoor barbeques, playing with friends in backyard pools, and nights by a bonfire. As many people spend more time outside in the summer months than at any other time, the following low-maintenance landscaping tips will help you have more fun and do less work.

1. Water properly

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Watering your lawn does not mean watering more — it means you need to change the way you water. The grass is more resilient than most people give it credit for, so here is how you should water it:

• Water your plants deeply.
• Water in the early morning or evening so it does not evaporate. Grass needs about one inch of water per week.
• Use drip irrigation over a sprinkler or hose. Drip irrigation will water your grass slowly so that water does not evaporate if used during the day.

2. Keep your grass healthy

• Aerate your lawn every year to improve oxygen flow and check the pH balance of your soil to ensure it stays healthy
• Fertilize regularly
• Remove weeds as they steal nutrients from your grass.

3. Re-learn your mowing technique

Many people keep their grass mowed short to decrease the frequency with which they have to mow, but this is not the case. Rather, proper mowing techniques will keep your lawn healthy.

4. Create great outdoor living spaces

The more outdoor living space you create, the less yard maintenance you have in the long run — and the more space you will have to entertain in warmer weather.

Creating more outdoor living spaces in your yard lends itself to low-maintenance landscaping. This is because you can extend your business while having fewer grassy areas to care for. Think about installing a stone patio or a deck for your employees to relax on during their breaks.

5. Invest in mulch for your flowerbeds

Around outdoor living spaces and flowerbeds, think about adding mulch instead of grass or leaving dirt. Mulch not only breaks down, fertilizes your plants, and prevents weeds, but it is low-maintenance because you don’t have to mow or water it.

It’s inexpensive, and you only have to replace it in the spring. Mulch also prevents weeds from popping up in your flower beds throughout the summer, especially if you lay protective matting underneath.

6. Fill your yard with perennials instead of annuals

When planning out your flower beds this summer, think about longevity. It will save you time in the long run and will certainly save you money. When thinking low-maintenance, definitely opt for perennials over annuals because they will come back year after year. For instance, hens-and-chicks are one plant that will come back and can grow in almost any terrain.

Annuals are pretty (they have the best blooms in the greenhouse), but they will only cost you. You will have to re-buy them every year if you don’t collect their seeds, and you will have to spend time preparing your beds and planting your flowers. However, when you go for perennials, you just plant and do occupational pruning. Easy!

7. Make use of potted plants

If you really want to simplify your gardening, think about making use of potted plants in your landscaping. It not only makes a yard more low-maintenance but also more versatile. The benefits speak for themself. Pots allow you to move and arrange your plants around your yard however you want.

For instance, if you’re having a staff party on your patio, you can move them to that area to really spruce it up and take your aesthetics up a notch. For an added pop of colour, coordinate the flowers to the season — it will drive your guests wild! Definitely try whites and pinks in the spring and summer, and switch to yellows and reds in the fall.

8. Pick native plants

If you are not quite ready to take the potted plant plunge, think about planting native plants in your yard. Just like you should plant grass that is specific to your region, pick native plants for less upkeep — and help protect the natural biodiversity of your business. If you pick plants that are native or grow well in a specific zone or area, that will keep water and pruning prices down and save you money during the hot months.

9. Spring-proof your yard

To save you time in the spring, you need to start with winter-proofing your hard. This means pruning trees and getting rid of fallen leaves so they don’t rot out the grass over the winter — and it saves you time when spring cleaning!

For more tips and tricks on keeping your landscaping low maintenance during summer, call Peel Exterior Maintenance at 1-888-370-9282 or contact us here.