11 Low-Maintenance Small Garden Design Ideas for Your Landscaping

Get virtual plant and plan tips from these low - maintenance pocket-sized garden design idea .

A low - maintenance small garden design can give you arewarding and unbend out-of-door retreatwith less fuss and disbursal . Whether you ’re working with an urban backyard or a rural slice of heaven , there are several strategies forcreating a beautiful garden in a small spacethat wo n’t require a ton of work to defend . utilize the pursue thought to choose the best plant and technique to design a low - alimony minuscule garden perfect for your blank space .

Keep It Simple

It may be tempting to pack in sight of flora , outside piece of furniture , and garden graphics into a small space . However , a moresimplistic advance to garden accessories , hardscaping , and industrial plant choices often end up being far less time - consuming to maintain . Focus on less , not more , to create a tranquil outer space .

Plant Perennials and Shrubs

Garden substance are meet with beautiful annual bloom in various figure , sizes , and colour . Before you buy , consider that mostannuals need to be replantedeach spring , which tot disbursal and clip to planning , buying , and found . rather , opt for heavyset perennialsand long - endure bush for a more scurvy - maintenance smallgarden figure . These plants be a bit more upfront but lay aside hundreds over the long run .

Nix the Lawn

Even asmall lawn requires hebdomadal mowing , regular fertilizing , and frequent watering . Consider replacing any lawn in your humbled - care minor garden intention with easy - care small tree , shrubs , and perennial for a livelier esthetic . If you prefer the undefendable distance a lawn provides , choose lower - maintenance alternatives likeplanting a clover lawn .

Try a Gravel Garden

Unlike rock gardens that can count somewhat devoid while still work - intensive , gravel gardensare low - maintenance diminished garden designs that can be lavish and full of life . By intent , crushed rock gardens are constructed by amend the native soil and supply 5 - 6 inches of gravel above . Perennials , light bulb , and seeds are embedded in the dirt below and get through the crushed rock , providing a roadblock for weedswhile allowing water to reach the soil below .

Go Native

Better Homes and Gardens

Native coinage have evolved in their local neighborhood for thou of years , which intend thesetough plants can take whatever the climate throws at themthroughout the class . In demarcation , non - native plants usually need extra help to survive , whether additional watering or protection from wind instrument , cold , and heat . Native plants will also gain local wildlife , include pollinators .

Embrace a Naturalistic Look

Manicured French andEnglish gardensare appealing with their clean - cutting lines and elegant look , but these garden styles can be a maintenance incubus . For depleted - maintenance small garden aim , go for a naturalistic effect instead , such ascreating a mini meadowaround a seating room area . Just permit your plant fill their space as they would in the wild .

Limit Containers

container can be a ready to hand root for low - upkeep small garden design . However , develop plants in potsoften requires additional effort to keep them water and eat enough to thrive throughout the grow season . alternatively of load up your small garden with pots , stick to just one or twolarge accent planters . ensure the containers are not clay ; they dry out the ground quickly , so you take to irrigate them often .

Fill the Border Garden

boundary line gardensencircle , outline , and define space in landscape large and modest while adding gobs of color and texture . fill up your borders with down in the mouth - maintenance perennial and small shrubs to create a well-off and easy - upkeep modest garden . Full garden beds have the added welfare of blocking out weed , so you’re able to spendless time weeding .

Be Water-Wise

Jacob Fox

Being witting of water use is important in much of the state and essential in arid region such as the Southwest . To minimize water supply use and related maintenance , select drouth - tolerant plantsthat do well in your local climate . Use water feature like ponds and fountains sparingly , as they can be expensive , require upkeep throughout the year , and need to be filled regularly .

Create an Outdoor Seating Area

Add a sitting region to make the most of yourlow - sustenance small garden plan . Repurposed brick , 2d - helping hand orDIY outside furniture , and a small table will heighten the distance and can well be lucubrate upon if more room is needed later . Creating a brick control surface for your seating surface area will cut down on weeds , reduce water habit , and last for many yr with very fiddling sustenance .

Mulch Open Spaces

To reduce weed , deal any bare land in your modest garden with a thicklayer of mulch . Depending on the case of mulch you prefer , it can last several years while helping to make an intentional and clean look in your low - alimony small-scale garden aim . Mulch also help the filth harbour water , so you do n’t have towater as often .