Year-Round Revamps for Easier Yard Maintenance

I appreciated this article mentioning the growing movement of grass-free lawns. Someday I plan on hiring a farmer to come in here and turn my entire yard over and disc it for me. On it I plan on planting native white clover and dandelions. I love the idea of a “lawn” that supports local wild life and, not to mention, the idea of a yard that never needs to be mowed! And I know I would be just as happy walking barefoot through clover as I would through grass!

I’m terrible about getting fall maintenance done. Come to think of it I have NEVER once remember to clean my flower beds out before winter! Hopefully I’ll get it done this year for a change!

(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)

As low-grass lawns become popular for environmental reasons, many previous devotees to the grass lawn are considering other options. In addition to the benefits to the environment, there’s an even better reason to consider switching to a low-grass lawn: it’s a whole lot easier to maintain!

There are many grass replacements that look just as beautiful. For those seeking to do less maintenance while preserving the beauty of their yard, there are many such changes you can make, starting with replacing a lot of your grass.

Go All Natural

Early spring is the time to replant if you’re going to switch over your grass, and this may be the easiest way to reduce yard maintenance overall.

Not only do ground cover replacements like clover not have to be mowed, but xeriscaping — or landscaping with drought resistant plants — can also reduce your yard’s need to be watered. You can also use certain kinds of wildflowers for groundcover which will help your yard retain more water and reduce pooling and puddling.

Remove Sources of Unwanted Water

Anything you can do to reduce pools and puddles of standing water will help with your yard maintenance down the road. Early summer is an especially great time to rectify any water issues in your yard, as this can significantly reduce the presence of mosquitoes in later months.

Make sure to dump out containers that have filled with water, to clear out gutters and other water pathways, and — if possible — to re-landscape, eliminating ditches and pits that can fill with rain.

Perennials Keep Gardens Beautiful

In the fall and spring, you can plant perennial bulbs, which will come back season after season, eliminating the need to replant. It’s nice to have flowering plants in the yard, but they can be a lot of work. Perennials tend to be hardier, and planting them in the fall or spring gives the bulbs a bit of time to adjust before the high heat of summer or the deep cold of winter.

So, if you’re looking for easier yard maintenance, perennials are a great way to reduce the work while keeping the beauty.

There’s not as much to be done in the winter, but it can be a great time to clear out trees and shrubs you don’t want to maintain anymore. Not only are dormant trees lighter, but the lack of leaves can also make it much easier to see what you’re doing.

So even in the winter, you can keep your year-round maintenance-reduction extravaganza going! It’s never the wrong season to make the next one a little bit easier.

(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)