Access to urban green space, particularly gardens, is becoming more important for people’s mental health, well-being, and overall quality of life. Many studies show that spending time in nature leads to more physical activity, better health, and more social interaction.
On the other hand, gardening can be costly and time-consuming, especially if everyone is involved in other activities. Therefore, some people find their gardens messy, giving them more stress than relaxation.
If you are the type of person who does not have time to fix and maintain your garden, here are some ways to create a low-maintenance one:
1. Limit your plants
The fewer plants you have, the more time you will have. Putting too many plants in your garden is unnecessary if you only have a small amount of time to maintain it. Hence, you can remove plants that are high maintenance and prioritize the low-maintenance ones.
Low maintenance plants are as follows:
- Barberry
- Peony
- Liriope
- Feather Reed Grass
- Succulent plants
- Holly
- Ornamental grass
- Juniper
Additionally, the first rule of low-maintenance gardening is to ensure that your plants have the proper location. If not, you will need to adjust it from time to time as some plants form tiny clumps or can spread widely.
2. Be smart in planting
If you wish to have a predominantly paved or fake grass garden, try employing “pocket beds,” which are strategically placed breaks in the hardscaping to create a small bed area. Small circular or square beds buried in asphalt will require less upkeep and give your yard a very modern look.
Importantly, when you select plants, keep in mind the plant’s size and the location in your garden. You do not want to overwhelm a garden with extremely tall or low-growing plants.
3. Select your plants wisely
Many plants are adorable and suitable for your garden. However, some require serious work. These high maintenance plants need sufficient temperature, soil with a specific amount of acidity, and sunlight at a particular time. Thus, it will be a hassle if you are not up to extreme gardening.
If you know you do not have a green thumb, you must avoid these plants for your low-maintenance garden.
1. Orchid
2. Calathea
3. Boston Fern
4. Elephant Ear
5. Rose
6. Banana plant
7. Stromanthe
4. Create an Attractive Fencing
Fencing the perimeter of your garden is just as critical as any other part of your outdoor space. If you have a dull fence, you will be more tempted to conceal it with live plants. If you have more budget, it’s well worth changing your fencing to a style and colour that complements the rest of the garden.
5. A rock garden is a great option.
A rock garden is an excellent option if you are not a natural plant lover. Because rocks are naturally beautiful, they become more attractive when incorporated with plants. Unlike the typical garden, it requires less maintenance. Besides, it can add unique features to your property, thus increasing its value.
6. Organize your garden
Take the time to ensure that your tools are properly stored and in good operating order. Maintaining clean equipment and storing it dry saves time in the long run and keeps blades sharp and effective.
Container gardening might be a big time-saver, mainly when weeding. It is also suitable for gardeners with limited mobility because of their lower height. If you want to grow plants in a container, think about bigger containers that can hold more compost because they will need less watering.
7. Use artificial turf instead of natural ones.
Artificial grass can provide long-term benefits for your garden. Aside from being almost maintenance-free, synthetic turf lets you save time and money while enjoying its benefits. You do not need to water its fibres and put fertilizer on them constantly. Further, fake turf can last up to 15 years if you know how to maintain its quality. So, many homeowners replace lawn with artificial grass.
Also, it’s essential to evaluate the quality of the artificial lawn before deciding whether it’s worth your investment. Low-quality, low-cost grass can cause damage to your lawn over the long term due to its fragility and low resilience. High-quality synthetic grass can make a big difference to the appearance and value of your garden.
8. Invest in an irrigation system
Without an automatic sprinkler system, no garden is deficient in maintenance. Put it in a location that benefits the most significant number of your plants and sit back while the sprinklers take care of the fieldwork. You can maintain them regularly to ensure that your plants receive the necessary nourishment on time.
Another simple method of watering is with a soaker hose. Soaker hoses should be positioned beneath the mulch layer. If you’re watering yourself, a water wand will expand the reach of your hose nozzle and soften the water flow. It is recommended to water the plant in the morning and at the base.
9. Promote biodiversity
Pest control and disease management are two of the most time-consuming tasks in a garden. Organic gardening and increasing biodiversity are the best options to combat these challenges. The more you grow different plants, the more beneficial interactions you can create between other species.
10. Do your research
It is critical not to plan your low-maintenance garden solely based on a book or general recommendations. Always keep in mind the unique traits and constraints of your region and garden.
A garden that requires little maintenance will always be built with the climate. Additionally, it is critical to evaluate how your garden’s requirements and health will alter as the environment changes.
Tips for creating a low-maintenance garden
1. Create a garden plan
The first step you need to take is to create a plan for your low-maintenance garden. The idea is to use five to ten different plant types. This way, you’ll be able to give each one the proper care it needs and minimize the time you spend watering and pruning. Try to use plants that have foliage rather than shrubs, so you don’t have to keep buying new ones. In addition, you’ll be able to grow many more plants, and you won’t need to do much watering.
2. Variety
While variety is always desirable, it also adds work. Consider growing fewer varieties of flowers, shrubs, and even lawns. A simplified planting scheme will reduce the amount of maintenance you have to do. This can be done by either cutting back many plants at once or dividing them. Some gardeners prefer a simple design, but it may not be for them.
3. Seasonal Plants
Another tip for a low-maintenance garden is to choose plants that can survive winter. If you have a garden prone to weeds, you can try using hardy shrubs that take care of themselves. To create a flower bed that doesn’t need any watering, you can top-dress it with mulch or chippings. If you don’t have time to top-dress your beds, you can always use gravel or slate to create a natural retaining wall for your plants. This way, you can enjoy your garden for longer without worrying about your back.
You can always choose and rely on Easy Turf for more crucial information on premium synthetic grass solutions for your yard or lawn. We offer quality and life-like turf suitable to Australia’s harsh climate conditions. It can also provide quality artificial grass installation for commercial, sporting, and residential landscapes. You can contact us at 1300 475 499. You can also visit our artificial grass shop to learn more about our products.
Commonly asked Artificial Turf Questions
Why should you go with Easy Turf for your artificial turf?
We are an industry leading supplier and installer of high quality artificial grass in Australia. As industry experts we can give you the best advice for when you are laying your synthetic grass. Installing artificial turf can provide a rewarding experience to your family and household as it frees you from the hassles and expense of owning a traditional lawn.
If you have any questions on artificial grass, we are happy to help answer any of your questions around the installation of your synthetic grass. How to get in contact? Reach us on 1300 475 499 or, at https://www.easyturf.com.au/contact-us.
We have a step by step guide on laying your synthetic grass into simple steps. The guide will run you through:
- Getting ready – your checklist
- Measuring up for synthetic grass
- Choosing the right grass for you
- Preparing the ground for your synthetic grass
- Rolling and pegging out your grass
Expert tips for natural-looking artificial grass
Why you should double check your Artificial Turf measurements
When measuring up for artificial grass installation it’s crucial to know exactly how much artificial turf you are going to need for your project. Just imagine being short a few square metres on your project or you have massively over-ordered your artificial turf. Double check your measurements and also ensure you order slightly more artificial turf than you think in case there is miscalculation or errors.
How do you prepare the ground for synthetic grass?
Preparing the base so that it is rubble-free, smooth and flat is essential to the success of your DIY turf-laying project. Skip a step and you risk unwanted lumps and bumps.
Remove any existing turf and soil including any stones, pebbles and debris. We suggest you dig to around 7.5cm deep.
- To prevent any regrowth from weeds and unwanted plants, place a plastic membrane over the entire cleared area.
- Apply a thin layer of crushed stone over the top of the plastic membrane.
- Use planks of wood to create a new layer over the top of the crushed stone.
- If you are laying your artificial grass over the top of concrete or paving stones, it’s essential to check that it is level. If not, you will need to use a spirit level and create extra height with additional concrete or other materials. You will also need to make sure that there is adequate drainage close by to handle excess rain and water.
- We recommend that you use a foam underlay on the top of the concrete to create a more comfortable feel underfoot. Easy Turf suggests using 5mm of foam underlay on top of concrete and pavers to give some softness.
- Use a compactor where necessary to ensure a level and robust finish to your foundations.
How to roll out and peg your synthetic grass
Once you have the foundations in place, it is time to peg out your turf, a crucial step before you permanently fix it into position. Follow these steps to ensure the best results.
Slowly unroll your synthetic turf over the carefully prepared foundations.
Use your nails and/or pegs and place at even intervals along the turf but about 30-40cm from the edge to hold it in place (the space between the nail and the edge of the grass will be held down by the adhesive tape used in step D).
If you are using artificial grass on concrete, paving stone or hard floor, use industrial-strength synthetic turf glue instead of nails. As before, leave a gap of approximately 30-40cm to the edge of the grass to allow for the use of tape.
Add the next strip of artificial grass and use the same principles, either nailing/pegging or glueing in place and leaving the space to allow for taping.
As you lay the consecutive strips, be careful to ensure that the pile of the grass is running in the same direction (if the fibres are pointing in alternate ways you will have an uneven stripe in your grass). If in doubt, use your hand to feel which way the threads are pointing.
Once you have covered all your area with synthetic turf you are ready for the next step. Use your industrial strength tape to connect adjoining grass strips. Apply tape along the entire length of one piece of grass and then ‘connect’ the section next to it by laying that on top of the remaining tape. Flatten and ensure that it is a tight fit without any gaps or unstuck areas.
What is the purpose of sand on artificial grass?
- The sand helps the ‘roots’ of the synthetic grass to stay upright, regardless of use; this avoids the grass appearing to flatten on high traffic areas.
- As the sand helps the grass to remain upright it does create a variation on the angle that they point which resembles the blades of real grass.
- Sand helps to prevent a flattening of the blades in high traffic areas.
- Using the correct type of sand (only use artificial turf white sand) allows for excellent drainage without washing away the sand or soaking up excess water.
- The sand remains within the turf and doesn’t rub off on clothing or on kids and pets who choose to roll on the grass.
No time for DIY?
We understand that even though you might prefer to install your artificial grass you don’t have the time. We understand if, due to time constraints (or you don’t like DIY), that you’d prefer that the other experts (us) did the job and you get to spend the weekend trying out your new lawn. No worries.
Easy Turf is happy to provide installation and supplier services and take away yet another hassle. As well as supplying samples of our range of artificial grass, we can also provide quotes and have a register of approved installers of our artificial grass in Australia. Select your State and you will see a list of our recommended suppliers and installers.
Contact EasyTurf today and let us help you choose from the best artificial grass in Australia. We pride ourselves on our excellent customer service with honest and reliable advice. Contact us for a quote or more information sales@easyturf.com.au
What supplies do you need to lay Artificial turf?
In order to have a hassle free synthetic lawn installation you need to make sure you’ve done the prep work. Here is a handy checklist to make sure you have all the things you need:
- Grass – Choosing the right grass for your yard is important for your enjoyment. We offer a wide range of synthetic grasses that are designed to look & feel just like real grass.
- Pegs and nails to hold down the grass and prevent movement
- Industrial gloves – to protect your hands
- Peel and stick tape – to join synthetic grass together and provide a neat finish
- Industrial strength synthetic grass glue – ideal if you are putting your lawn on top of concrete, pavers or other hard surfaces
- Artificial grass sand and fine rock – for a reliable base and for finishing off the prep
- Foam underlay – if you are using grass on hard surfaces such as concrete and pavers
- Wooden planks – to help flatten the earth
- Compactor (either manual or machine-driven) – to flatten the ground and ensure a professional finish
- Standard tools such as a broom, rake, hammer, spirit level, hose, retractable tape measure, nails, quality retractable or fixed blade knife
How to choose the right synthetic grass for you?
Once you have the correct measurements for your artificial grass, you need to select which type of synthetic grass will be best for your project. Easy Turf has a wide range of fake grass available that is suitable for residential, educational, sports, and commercial applications. We offer free samples and also partner with local wholesalers.
Can I Lay Fake Grass On Dirt
It’s not advisable to lay fake grass on topsoil or any sort of soil. This will leave you with an uneven finish for your freshly installed artificial grass, and also have weeds slowly grow in over time.
For the best results follow our DIY Guide for installing fake grass.
How To Lay Artificial Grass On Sand
Artificial grass cannot be placed only on sand, as you need to use crushed rock to assist with the drainage and ensure that the synthetic grass stays level.
For the best results follow our DIY Guide for installing fake grass.
Why use silicon sand with your artificial grass?
Once you’ve laid your artificial grass you have two options in your next steps. You can either leave the grass as is or add sand to make it appear more natural.
Adding sand to the grass can help it appear more natural as it helps keep the grass upright. To add the proper amount of sand ee recommend that you allow for approximately 10-15kg per sqm for coverage. Using a rake or a broom, sprinkle the sand on top of the grass and walk it in to make sure that it falls deep down into the pile and settles at the base. Then, water the lawn to help the sand settle down within the grass.
