How do I get a professional looking low maintenance landscape?

Steve Underwood
by Steve Underwood
I'm talking no weeding, minimal watering and all the passerby envy.
  7 answers
  • Just Retired Just Retired on Jun 16, 2017

    I would mulch the area and then put plants like hostas, iris' and perhaps a few small plants or bushes. Here's a trick to mulching. You can go over weeds or grass by laying down 3-4 layers of newspapers. No need to pull the weeds first. Then put mulch right on top of the weeds or grass. Since they won't get sunlight they will die. Then come back later and plant whatever you want there. I personally like chip oak mulch because it doesn't deteriorate so fast and you can go a couple of years without remulching.

  • Sharon Sharon on Jun 16, 2017

    On a budget. .you can place cardboard down then mulch.

  • Michele Pappagallo Michele Pappagallo on Jun 16, 2017

    Hire a gardener! LOL Just kidding! Start with low maintenance plants and groundcovers that do not need a lot of care. We use cardboard as a mulch....Just lay it down before you add your topsoil, and it will prevent weeds from coming up, plus it eventually turns into compost/mulch as in disintegrates under the soil. each year, put out a pre-emergent weed killer to stop weeds form sprouting./

  • Tony Tony on Jun 16, 2017

    We used rock, pavers, mulch and a few trees. We love it!

    Check it out at: http://cheapesthouseontheblock.com/low-maintenance-low-water-no-grass-landscaping/

    • Looks beautiful! I have 6 dogs and 6 cats and that would have lasted 12 seconds after the photo was taken, ha! Seriously, I have a few areas where I have used rocks, gravel and mulch too. Yours is way prettier!

  • I am not kidding, hire a gardener or landscaper. Not everyone is into gardening, but something "showy" takes a bit of work. If you do not want to do the work, hire out. There is no shame in that, your talents are elsewhere. Mix up the mulch, gravel and rocks for added interest if you go that route. Google and you will find so many beautiful yards - look into xeriscaping too.

  • Tony Tony on Jun 17, 2017

    Thanks, Naomie. I understand that it may not work for everyone!

  • Steve Underwood Steve Underwood on Jun 18, 2017

    Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm digging the newspaper and mulch idea since we already have some established plants.