17th October 2018 / Beth Oleyar: Tips for a Low-Maintenance Spring Garden

As the weather gets warmer and we start spending more time outdoors, many of us are

turning our attention to gardens and yards that may have been a little neglected over the

cold Winter months.

Sometimes it can be hard to know where to start and just thinking of the effort required to get to the point of being able to enjoy the garden can be daunting. Have no fear! Getting your garden in top shape can be quick and easy, setting you up for a low-maintenance but beautiful garden throughout Spring and into Summer.

Here are a few simple ways for you to ensure your garden is looking great this Spring:

• A small initial outlay of time and effort mulching your garden beds will pay off in the

coming months and perform a double duty. Not only does it keep everything looking

neat and tidy, mulch also discourages weeds from growing around your plants.

• A healthy lawn is always easier to maintain than an unhealthy one so make sure to give

your grass a good dose of lawn food before the weather gets too hot. A lush lawn has

less room for weeds to get a foothold, which means less work for you.

• Hebes are great shrubs to plant in a low-maintenance garden. They're super tough,

require very little care and look great planted together in groups. This family of plants is

available in a huge variety of colours so you'll almost certainly be able to find one that

suits you and your garden.

• Another great option is to make use of native shrubs, bushes and grasses. Local species

have adapted to survive in our climate and many require very little attention once

established.

• If you can't resist a bit of botanical drama, try concentrating on one or two garden showstoppers.

Nothing says Spring like blossom trees and many varieties such as flowering or weeping cherries, crab apples, and flowering plums require very little upkeep once planted. They also have the added benefit of putting on a gorgeous display of pink or white blossoms for you to enjoy year after year.

Whether you're selling your home or not, Spring is the perfect time to get outside and

enjoy the garden. These tips will help ensure that you are able to spend even more of

that time sitting back and relaxing. If you are selling your home, an established and easy

to care for garden is one less thing for you to worry about and a great selling point for

potential buyers.

Georgia van der Horst

Acorn Nursery