Pretty much everyone would agree that a well-groomed yard is a beautiful and enjoyable feature of a home. But getting it to look great takes a lot of work. Certain people love doing outdoor work, enjoying the sun and getting exercise while they’re at it. But others are a lot less keen on it. The people of the latter group might hire a landscaping service for their yard upkeep, but for those of that group who plan to handle it all themselves, proper planning and use of efficient materials can greatly reduce the time and work needed while still making for a great-looking yard.
Perhaps the biggest complaint from those who are unenthusiastic about yard work is the chore of mowing. It can be hot, dirty work that takes a lot of time, especially if you have a large area to cover. Traditionally, yards are almost completely covered in grass, perhaps with a few areas designated for flowers, bushes or trees. But to reduce the amount of labor needed, there are alternatives to grass that you might find just as appealing.
One such grass substitute is the clover. Though not especially common in the United States, many people have seen the benefits of planting clovers instead of grass. They require very little mowing and very little water and are able to thrive in most environments. Additionally, they are nice-looking, they stay green through most of the year, they are soft and enjoyable to walk through, they put useful fertilizer into the ground that other plants can use, and many annoying insects steer clear of them.
After mowing, the next biggest complaint with yard maintenance would likely be watering. Even if you don’t have to go out and do it by hand with a hose, you still probably notice that the water bill can rack up pretty quickly. This is especially true if you run sprinkler systems in the hot Summer months. As an alternative, you might consider an in-ground irrigation system that dispense water throughout the ground without exposing it to the hot sun. Some new homes are built with them, and they can be retrofitted into most others.
During the planning phases of your landscaping projects, be sure to research the types of plants you want to use to ensure that they can thrive in the environment where you live. Some tree are especially vulnerable to temperature changes or drought. If you plant the wrong kind of tree or bush and it ends up dying because it was poorly adapted to the climate, you’ve just made a whole lot of unnecessary work and expense for yourself. But there are many types of trees that thrive in a wide range of conditions and require very little upkeep on your part.
Unless you’re able to pay someone to take care of your landscaping chores for you, every yard will need some work from its owner to stay pretty. But by making the right choices when planning and designing, you can cut back on the time and energy you need to put into it and still have a vibrant, enjoyable yard.
A beautiful yard can make a great-looking home look even better. If you want to be in your dream home before you start working on that dream lawn, you may find what you’re looking for at Colliers Hill, a wonderful, scenic new home community in Erie, Colorado.