Landscaping 101

Long days and warm weather nights means outdoor barbeques and getting together with loved ones in your backyard. We spend more time outside in the summer compared to any other season, so it makes sense that your surrounding landscape be in top shape. Often confused with gardening, landscaping refers to cultivating and designing an entire area, whereas gardening focuses solely on the maintenance of flowers and plants. There are many benefits of landscaping, such as increasing your home’s value and curb appeal, supporting the environment, reducing energy costs, and extending your home outside. Below you will find some low-maintenance landscaping tips which will help you have more fun outdoors and do less work in the long run!

 

Watering Techniques

 

When you water your lawn there are ways to do so properly. Properly doesn’t mean you need to water it more, it means you need to change the way you water it. Grass in general is more resilient than most people think so it’s important to consider the following:

• Grass needs about 1 - 1.5 inches of water per week.
• Always try to water early in the morning or in the evening so the water doesn't evaporate in the midday heat when the sun is at its peak.
• Consider a drip irrigation system if you have a vegetable or flower bed.
• Sprinklers are the best technique to water your lawn, as it will water your grass slowly, and give that 1 - 1.5 inches of water needed for your lawn to grow nice and green!

 

The Best Way to Mow

Believe it or not, how you mow can make a huge difference to your lawn. With proper mowing techniques you can keep your lawn extra vibrant and healthy. The three steps are:

• Edge your lawn first
• Next use a trimmer
• Start mowing

By edging the lawn first, you actually create less work for yourself and make it easier to maneuver the mower around your yard, ensuring a uniform cut. Many people mistakenly keep their grass mowed extra short in order to decrease the frequency with which they have to mow. However, cutting off more than one-third of the blade of grass can actually damage the rest of the plant, and grass that is too short lets more moisture rise from the soil which you do not want.

 

Healthy Looking Grass

 

There are some easy ways to keep your grass looking healthy, here are a few key factors to consider:

• Remove all weeds as they pop up because they steal nutrients from your grass.
• Aerate your lawn every year (early summer is ideal), as this improves oxygen flow.
• Fertilize your lawn on a regular basis.
• Check the pH balance of your soil to make sure that it remains at a healthy level.

 

Mulch is a Must

Consider using mulch instead of grass or dirt. Mulch not only breaks down, fertilizes your plants, and prevents weeds, but it is very low-maintenance because you don’t have to water or mow it. Mulch is also inexpensive, and you only have to replace it in the spring. Another benefit of mulch is that it prevents weeds from popping up in your flower beds throughout the summer, especially if you lay a protective mat underneath it.

 

Perennials vs. Annuals

If you are looking for low-maintenance flowers, perennials would be a better choice than annuals, since they will come back year after year without any maintenance. When planning out your flower beds this summer, think about longevity. It will save you time in the long run and will definitely save you money. Annuals are certainly beautiful, but you will have to re-purchase them every year if you don’t collect their seeds, and you will have to spend time preparing your beds and planting your flowers. On the other hand, when you go with the perennial route, you just plant one time and then continue with occupational pruning.

 

Potted Plants

Potted plants make your yard more low-maintenance and also more adaptable. Pots allow you to move and arrange your plants around your yard however you want. Let’s say you’re having a party on your patio, you can move them to that area to really help beautify the space and take the aesthetics up a notch. For an extra pop of colour, coordinate the flowers to the season. For example, try pinks and whites in the spring and summer, and change to reds and yellows in the fall.
 

Summer just started so there is still time to plant and keep your landscaping looking great! We hope this article provided you with some easy low-maintenance tips. Make this year the one to do it right in order to maximize your pleasure of the space you will be enjoying on a day-to-day basis!

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