Home & Gardens

How to Get the (Low Maintenance) Garden of Your Dreams

black metal framed round basket with brown and white throw pillows

You’ve moved into the dream home, done up the rooms just how you wanted to, but the garden? That still needs a little work. When cold weather sets in it can be even harder to encourage yourself off the sofa and out into the ‘jungle’, but it’s a great time of year to lay the foundations for a fuss-free outside space. Let’s take a look at some tips for creating the garden you always wanted.

Why Low Maintenance?

For those of us with green fingers, the garden is probably the most important part of the home. We pour our heart and soul (and sweat!) into it, just to see the bulbs bloom in spring. But, it’s important to be a little practical, especially if you’re planning to sell. Of course, it depends on who you’re trying to sell to, buyers like We Buy Any Home in Liverpool will consider any home (not just the ones in Liverpool!), but you’re likely to get a higher price if your garden is neat, tidy, and generally well maintained.

A company like this is a great buyer to have in mind when designing that garden – because they want the biggest possible market to sell to themselves. Think of it this way, you’re far less likely to come across that lovely Liverpudlian lady with hours to spare tending the wilderness each day than you are a family of four with just enough time to mow the lawn twice a month. The other big benefit? Keeping a buyer in mind means that you don’t end up having to do lots of extra maintenance either – it’s a win-win.

Laying Foundations

It’s tempting to dive right into colourful border planting, but it pays to get the foundations laid first. Do you want a patio? Do you want a barbecue area? Do you need hard-standing for a hot tub? Any hard landscaping has to be done before you introduce plants, or you risk trampling on them!

Stone and slate are the most durable options, but good quality wooden decking can last decades too, as explained by Teak & Deck Professionals. The difference is, you’ll need to stain and maintain wood, when you can just pressure wash stone. Gravel can be attractive and cost effective, but be sure to lay down a thick liner first (if you don’t want to spend hours weeding on your hands and knees). 

Choosing Plants

With your hard landscaping done, it’s time for the good bit – plants. A few statement trees and bushes should be your first purchases. Make sure they’ve got plenty of space to fill out and aren’t going to shade you too much. Once these are in, think about adding a pop of colour. It’s tempting to splash out on loads of plants, but think carefully about what you really want. 

Perennial plants come back every year, so they’ll save you money and time. The Royal Horticultural Society also states that another great benefit to these is the fact there are types to suit garden conditions of any kind. Grasses can look beautiful in a modern garden too – and again, you don’t need to replenish them every year. Spring bulbs are another brilliant addition as they will multiply every year without the need for you to do anything!

colorful butterfly on vibrant marigolds

Discover more from

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading