As summer approaches and Mother's Day has passed, many people are getting ready for the planting season. Gardens filled with bright colors and various shapes and textures will soon adorn lawns all over the state. However, gardening can be daunting, time-consuming, and repetitive during the summer for some people. Many individuals lack the time, energy, or green thumb to keep up with all the maintenance that comes with a garden. But there are ways to make your garden low maintenance so that everyone can enjoy their landscaping without all the chores.

The first step is to separate your lawn from your garden. Grass and weeds often grow at the edge of garden beds, so creating a clear barrier between the lawn and garden through edging can help. Edging involves creating a defined edge along the garden bed using a shovel, sod knife, or hand-edging tool. This not only creates an aesthetically pleasing look but also prevents weeds and grass from invading your beds. You can also elevate the look by creating a more permanent barrier with brick, stone, concrete, or wood. Another way to separate the lawn from the garden is to create a raised bed. Raised beds can make gardening more accessible and require less bending down to tend to, but they can be more costly and require a lot of work upfront.

Choosing the right type of flowers can help free up your time to enjoy your garden. Planting perennials is a great way to plant once and let the plants do the work from there on out. Perennials are plants that live longer than two years and will regrow season after season. Depending on the type of landscaping you want to do, here are some good options for low-maintenance perennials: hosta, coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, peonies, creeping phlox, Russian sage, basket of gold, and creeping juniper. Adding color to the garden and reducing the need to replant every year will help lower maintenance in your garden.

After planting your flowers, it’s time to cover them up. Installing a weed tarp will reduce maintenance before adding any mulch. Weed tarps create a barrier around the flowers, allowing them to grow while preventing weeds from sprouting. Once the weed barrier is in place, it’s time to choose your mulch. Mulch helps with water drainage and regulates soil temperature, directly impacting plant growth. It also protects the root system, promoting longevity and reducing maintenance. Mulch comes in various forms, such as traditional wood mulch, river rock, straw, or pine needles, depending on the look you want for your yard.

For beginner gardeners, some tips to improve your gardening skills include perseverance and seeking advice. Plants are enjoyable and can transform your garden into an oasis. If you’re just starting, explore books or online resources for beginner gardeners to find what suits your style best. Happy gardening!

Can you envision your garden landscape with a Joyner Home? If you are in the market for a new home, we hope you will consider building with Joyner Homes! You can begin by filling out a CUSTOMER WORKSHEET or by calling us at 317.468.2330, to let us know some of your needs and preferences for a custom home. Not sure if we build in your area? Find out where we build - HERE!