By Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
You’re ready to make changes to your landscape, but you know new plants come with a lot of work. Enter low-maintenance landscaping. But what exactly does low-maintenance landscaping mean in the Carolinas?
Some homeowners look for a no-mow lawn while others are after shrubs they don’t have to prune. Still, others are looking for eco-friendly natives to brighten their outdoor space.
Discover tips for low-maintenance landscaping, and explore what could become your next landscaping project for your North or South Carolina landscape.
Install an Irrigation System
Hand watering, standing around holding your hose and sprayer, or moving your sprinkler around every 15 minutes wastes valuable time. An automatic irrigation system is a great way to reduce your lawn maintenance.
Watering needs vary depending on the plant variety. For example, Lawns usually require more water than shrubs—around 11 inch per week.
Most irrigation systems feature rain sensors that shut off automatically when they sense precipitation, conserving water. For the most eco-friendly option, choose drip irrigation that delivers water to the base of your plants and roots.
Be Selective
Select the right plant for your North or South Carolina landscape. Research plants that grow well in your area or opt for native species. A landscape designer can also help you select the best varieties for your landscape.
Pay attention to the mature size of plants, especially trees and shrubs. You don’t want to crowd smaller plants, and if you’re planting near your house, you want to keep them from growing into the structure or damaging the foundation.
Lastly, just because a plant is native, does not mean it will grow well in your yard. Plants have needs, such as full sun or wet soil. If a plant’s needs are not met, it will struggle and fail to thrive. It’s no fun and a lot of work to pull out and replace dead or sick plants, so pay attention to soil, sunlight, and watering needs when making your selections.
Lay Mulch
Mulch reduces weeds, moderates soil temperature, and conserves moisture. Add a two- to three-inch layer of organic mulch like hardwood chips, ground leaves, or compost to your flower beds.
While organic mulch needs an annual refresh, it breaks down, improving soil structure and encouraging critical microorganisms. A healthy soil means healthy plants.
Ditch Your Lawn
If there’s anything in your landscape that demands maintenance, it’s your grass. You have to mow it—at the right height. You have to keep it from blooming and water it regularly. Oh, and don’t forget the fertilizer and herbicides.
Consider turfgrass replacements like ornamental grasses or groundcovers. There are several native grass-like plants suitable for Carolina landscapes. They eliminate mowing needs and some are evergreen, staying green year-round.
The only maintenance these ground covers require is cutting them back in the fall or spring, depending on the plant. Some popular grass alternatives include:
- Clovers, such as Dutch clover (Trifolium repens): Bees and pollinators favor this alternative, and it usually requires no mowing or irrigation.
- Creeping phlox (P. subulata): This evergreen sedge blooms in the spring, and its spreading growth habit makes a great ground cover.
- Rug juniper (Juniperus horizontalis): This low-growing evergreen shrub requires little maintenance, except watering during extended dry spells.
Add Hardscaping
Eliminate mowing and increase the functionality of your outdoor space with hardscaping. Create a patio or deck for an outdoor seating area or opt for a rock garden that doubles as a focal point for your landscape.
Hardscaping increases the sustainability of your landscape. It conserves water and reduces maintenance while adding visual appeal. It can also control erosion on the Carolina coasts. Seawalls and retaining walls are important hardscaping features in many coastal homes.
Install Gutter Guards
Your gutters aren’t the first thing you think of when someone mentions landscaping. However, they are an important component, protecting your home and landscape from water damage.
Routine gutter inspections and cleanings are vital to the health of your home and landscape. They prevent pest infestations, soil erosion, and water damage and increase the longevity of your home and plants. Best of all, installing gutter guards can cut down on your maintenance needs, saving you time and money.
Whether you’re looking to spruce up your landscape you can sell your home or reimagining your yard in a brand new home, low-maintenance landscaping is not just a shortcut to a beautiful yard. It’s a thoughtful and sustainable approach to landscaping.
Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp was the founding editor of Indiana Living Green magazine and she frequently talks on the topic of how to live a green life. She is an award-winning garden writer, editor, and speaker. Known as a hortiholic, she frequently says her eyes are too big for her yard. She blogs at hoosiergardener.com.
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