Sometimes you want a great yard, but simply do not have the time to dedicate to all the maintenance involved. If this is the situation you find yourself in, then low maintenance landscaping is the solution for you. There are various materials that can be used to make a low maintenance yard really standout, from mulch and decorative gravel to paving and retaining walls, there’s no shortage of ways to design your low maintenance landscape.
Mulch
Mulch is a layer of material that is placed on top of the soil used in your landscaping. It is a great material for low maintenance landscaping because it can take up a large amount of space, but requires little effort to maintain. For this reason alone it is one of the most popular materials used in low maintenance landscaping. Mulch also retains soil moisture, drastically reduces weed growth, prevents soil erosion, releases nutrients into the soil, and makes the yard look great! Because most mulch is organic in nature (leaves, wood chips, peat moss, bark chips, etc.), it will eventually decompose and need to be replaced, this should be done annually. In order to maintain your yard looking as great as possible, we recommend that before laying down the mulch bed you apply a pre-emergent weed control herbicide. This should also be done during your annual mulch replacement.
Decorative Gravel and Paving
For those that desire an even lower maintenance landscape, or just a somewhat less organic look, you can eliminate the need for mulching year after year by opting to use materials such as decorative gravel or paving. Decorative rocks and gravel come in various colors, from white beach pebbles and black river pebbles, to brown, khaki, and red rocks. Decorative rocks and gravel also come in a variety of sizes. Once you decide on the gravel you want to use and pack the soil in the area, you’re going to need to lay weed fabric. Weed fabric creates a barrier between the soil and the gravel that prevents weeds from growing. Here you are also going to want to use a pre-emergent weed control application to help control weeds in the rock bed. If soil starts to become visible, the gravel just needs to be topped off and you’re done!
Paving is another great option for a low maintenance landscape. In many ways, using paving stones is similar to using decorative gravel; it requires little effort to maintain, repair is easy, and it is extremely durable. Pavers also have a wide variety of possible applications, such as, walkways, patios, driveways, or even pools. Paving stones come in many colors and textures, so you can always find something that complements your yard. At Hackmann Lawn & Landscape, we use Belgard Pavers, which offer a diverse range of paving stones from classic designs like the simple and utilitarian Holland Stone to contemporary designs like the smooth elegant Rinn Laziano.
Holland Stone Pavers
Retaining Walls
A retaining wall is a structure designed to hold or retain the soil behind it. It prevents unwanted soil movement and sliding, can solve drainage problems, and can even be adapted to create additional seating for entertaining groups of people. Because they can serve various functions at once, retaining walls are a great consideration for low maintenance landscaping. Using different colored or sized blocks can greatly complement the landscape without the need to expend additional effort. We can create a beautiful and functional retaining wall that will make your every day life and landscape maintenance much simpler.
Retaining wall with Belgard Pavers, complemented by mulch landscaping
What ideas are you in love when it comes to low maintenance landscape designs? Give us a call at (636) 688-6647, we’d love to discuss your landscape design ideas with you.
