Affordable New Homes by Hearndon Construction

May 29th, 2018

We can all agree that a beautiful home looks even better surrounded by a well-maintained yard and landscaping. But often times what holds us back from our dream yard is time, knowledge and resources. In an effort to help you get that “HGTV look” without the HGTV team, we’ve put together a quick guide on how to achieve a low-maintenance yard that still delivers the wow-factor you’re looking for!

Use rocks:

As one expert put it, “you know what doesn’t need to be watered daily or weekly? Rocks!” Whether it’s stone or pebbles, using rocks in your landscaping is a great way to keep your yard looking impressive without all of the maintenance—not to mention rocks are more durable over time. Added perk of using rocks is that you can go big or small. Use pebbles instead of grass, or boulders instead of bushes!

Create larger outdoor living spaces:

We often assume that a beautiful yard must be made up of only grassy areas and gardens. Rather, consider creating larger outdoor living spaces in your yard, surrounded by smaller grassy sections and gardens. Perhaps a large stone patio with a stone walkway leading to a stone fire pit. Replacing green spaces with beautiful outdoor living spaces equals less yard maintenance for you over time!

Mulch away:

Many experts boast that the simplest and cheapest time saver for yard upkeep is mulch. Mulch breaks down over time and will fertilize your plants and soil, is inexpensive and smells nice. Mulch also helps keep weeds out of your garden areas and maintains a cool, balanced soil temperature. What’s more? Your mulch only needs to be replaced twice a year—spring and fall.

Plant with a plan:

Be sure to create a plan before planting. Select plants that are proven to thrive in the Hampton Roads region, especially perennials that return year after year. This will not only save you time, but native plants will help support more wildlife species than non-native plants. Here is a great guide on plants native to Southeast Virginia. Also, be mindful to group plants based on their watering and sunlight needs to lessen the amount of time and add more life to your gardens.

Add more potted plants:

Incorporate potted plants into your outdoor landscape design to lessen maintenance. Potted plants can add nice pops of color, not only via the plants themselves but by choosing beautiful pots that add to the overall charm of your yardscape. Not to mention, potted plants are portable so you can freshen up the layout and look of your yard by simply shifting pots around.

Do you have any other tips to achieve a low-maintenance but impressive yard? Share them with us!