Homebuyer's Guide

POSTED: Sunday, Jul. 13, 2008

How to ... have a low-maintenance yard

Avoid being a slave to yardwork with smart choices

Don't be fooled into thinking an all-grass yard is easier to maintain than one filled with plants, cautions Marcy Plattner, owner of The Garden Spot Nursery in Bellingham. "I would choose (certain) kinds of plants over grass anytime," she says. "You plant them once, do some good preparation work on your soil, weed, mulch and prune twice a year and you have a yard that's a thousand times more interesting than plain lawn. With a lawn you'll be mowing every week, all season long."

From the ground up: Start by preparing your soil, ensuring it contains a lot of humus so that it will hold water, Plattner advises.

Install a watering system with a timer, which will eliminate the need to hand-water your yard.

Pick your plants: Next, choose your plants according to the amount of shade and sun your yard receives. "Broad-leaved evergreens and conifers are the easiest choice," says Plattner. "Combine colors, textures, heights and different bloom times for added interest and variety."

A tapestry of evergreen groundcovers that hug the soil is a great way to keep weeds down, hold in moisture and enhance the design. Many groundcovers have blooms that bring low-maintenance color to a site.

Factor in seasons: For added punch, consider vibrant annuals in the early summer. "Perennials can be more interesting in terms of variety, but sometimes you can't get the look you want with perennials," Plattner says. "For power and constant color all through the summer, choose annuals."