Even the most ardent gardener will, at times, find that the time and effort needed to keep a year looking its best is too much. After all, the idea of a great-looking garden is to have a place of beauty that creates an environment for unwinding, entertaining, and just plain having fun. If you find that caring for your landscape is getting you down, here are a few backyard renovation hacks that will produce great results without demanding too much time or effort.

Hardscaping

Anything alive, including plants, shrubs, trees, and grass requires care and attention. Although the ideal garden is a green verdant place, balancing the greenery with pavers, stone or brick will make it easier to maintain – less greenery means less work. There are various ways you can go about it. A patio, walkways, or a pergola are just a few ideas to consider. There are various materials you can use and you can try optical effects such as neat grids or patchwork to add to the overall impact of the landscaping. One important aspect to keep in mind is that the hardscape must be in balance with the rest of the garden.

Go in for Native Plants

Over time plants adapt to their environments. That means they have learned how to not just survive but to thrive in the climate and soil conditions of the places to which they are native. In other words, these plants will require less watering, pesticides, and fertilizer than plants imported from other regions. That makes caring for them much easier. A landscaping company will be able to tell you about the plants that are native to where you live. Native plants are not tough and ugly – you will find great beauty along with strength and durability.

---

Also Read: Planting for Tomorrow: Building an Eco-Friendly and Future-Proof Garden

---

Plant Perennials

When you have annuals in your garden, you will have to replace them every year. Perennials are the gift that keeps on giving, season after season and year after year. Yes, you will need to do some pruning and cleaning up once in a while, but that’s much easier than having to replant every year.

There’s Nothing Wrong With Artificial Turf

Nothing will replace natural grass, but in some places artificial turf makes sense. The grass on the high-traffic areas of your yard will show signs of wear before the rest of the lawn, giving the yard an unbalanced look. Today’s artificial turf is not the synthetic-looking astroturf of the past. You can now get artificial turf that is almost indistinguishable from the real thing. Using this in places that are prone to heavy use and wear will make life much simpler.

You will find a lot of gardening hacks online, but not all of them will work for you. Even those that seem to be tailor-made for your yard may cause unforeseen problems later on. Having your backyard renovations done by a professional landscaping company will get you the landscape you want with the long-term upkeep effort that you want to put in. Those living in the SF Bay Area can contact Dooling Landscape Service, the leading Landscape Designer in San Jose, a company known for creating the gardens that clients want.

Part 2 of this blog will look at more landscaping hacks.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is hardscaping in landscaping?

Hardscaping refers to using non-living elements like pavers, stone, or brick to create patios, walkways, or pergolas, reducing the amount of greenery that requires maintenance.

2. Why should I use native plants in my garden?

Native plants are adapted to the local climate and soil, requiring less water, pesticides, and fertilizer, making them easier to care for.

3. What are the benefits of planting perennials?

Perennials return year after year, reducing the need for replanting and offering long-term beauty with minimal maintenance.

4. Is artificial turf a good option for my yard?

Artificial turf, especially in high-traffic areas, can reduce wear and tear on your lawn, providing a low-maintenance alternative that looks almost like natural grass.

5. Should I consider professional landscaping for my yard?

A professional landscaping company can create a garden that suits your needs and requires the level of upkeep you're comfortable with, ensuring long-term satisfaction.