Outdoor Living

Low Maintenance

Planning for low maintenance in landscape design is very helpful for people with busy work and social lifestyles.

One of the easiest landscape features to install is also a high maintenance feature - namely turf grass. Regular mowing, watering, edge trimming, aeration and fertilizing all cut into a ever-decreasing amount of leisure time. Whether it's your own time to do the work or your money paid to a lawn maintenance company, the costs add up.  Depending on usage, a reduction in lawn area in combination with proper installation of hardscape (non-plant features), well-planned and installed perennial beds, shrubs and trees have long term value in lower ongoing maintenance costs.

Xeriscape

Pronounced "zeer-escape", Xeriscape is a trademark term that describes the techniques of landscaping that conserve water.  Using water wisely is beneficial economically and environmentally.  Some key points to remember when incorporating Xeriscape in your landscape design include:

> appropriate plant selections and placements based on their hydrozone (grouping plants based on their water needs). There are 3 hydrozones: low, moderate and high.  Limit your high areas and maximize the low areas.

> soil analysis and appropriate additives for improvement of water penetration, retention and avoidance of soil drainage.

> limit turf grass to its functional area, and separate it from other plant growth competing for water resource.

> efficient irrigation encourages roots to grow deep.   Drip systems deliver low volumes of water to precise areas.  Early morning watering is more beneficial to plants versus evaporation loss during the heat of day.

> organic, fine-textured mulches offer many benefits including water retention.  Apply mulch to a 4-inch thickness.  As it decomposes over time, remove old mulch and add a fresh layer.

Plant Selection

Choosing the right plant for sunlight or moisture conditions in your landscape design is just one thing to consider.  The green industry is rising to meet the needs of today's lifestyles by continually introducing new plant cultivars that are:

> more drought-resistant to enhance xeriscape designs and more hardy varieties for cool climates;

> defined shapes such as dwarfs, top-grafts and columnars to suit smaller lot sizes;

> disease- and insect-resistant plants to reduce use of chemical sprays;

> seedless or non-suckering trees better suited for urban areas; and

> a mixture of different textures, ornamental grasses and succulents that give added variety.