Today’s busy lifestyles can make it really hard to keep up with a yard. However, your yard is the first impression people have of you and your home, so it pays to keep it looking nice. If time is in short supply, here are a few things you can do to enjoy low maintenance landscaping.

Low Maintenance Grass

Plant the grass that is most low maintenance for your area. If watering is a problem, then the drought resistance Zoysia grass might be your best bet. Cooler areas of the country might pick something else. Ask your local nursery what requires the least amount of maintenance in your yard.

Try Container Plants

Flower beds require work. If you aren’t into weeding, seasonal planting, and upkeep, then put your flowers and decorative plants in containers. Get creative! Try old wash tubs, wheel barrows, decorative pots, or painted cinder blocks. Have a little fun with it. Just make sure that whatever you pick has good drainage. When you water, the excess needs a place to go, so if the container is water tight, poke some holes in the bottom.

Mulching

Even if you’ve created container beds, it will look much neater if your create mulched beds underneath them. Make sure to lay down weed resistant barrier before distributing the mulch. Commercial products can be found at any home improvement store. For the budget or environmentally conscious home owner, cardboard and newspaper work just as well!

Just Forget About It

OK. You’re not going to mess with flowers, but you want something in front of your house. Try some low maintenance shrubs. Boxwoods are fairly popular, but you will need to find out which variety works in your area. Junipers are another popular choice. They’ll help keep the weeds near the house at bay. Shrubs may require an occasional trim, but they are easy to maintain and easy on the eyes.